Chapter 25: The Birth of a Young Dragon from Its Shell

That night was filled with joy and happiness as everyone celebrated a successful birthday banquet. After dinner, before people could retreat to their rooms, Draxel announced his decision.

“Tomorrow, I plan to collect regular taxes from Uxkhal and its three subordinate villages. I’ll try to levy as little as possible to ease the lives of the farmers. Then, we will recruit new soldiers. Prepare yourselves, for we will head to the village of Xico in the Khergit Khanate. Pack your belongings tonight.”

“Understood, my lord,” responded Awang and Owens, one with a fist salute and the other with a nod, respectfully acknowledging the order.

“That’s more like it, Count,” Sofiya said, visibly excited and satisfied.

Marnid, standing by the side, was about to speak when Draxel preempted him.

“Marnid, you stay here to guard and observe the public sentiment. See if there’s anything you can do.”

“As you command, my lord,” Marnid promised.

The next morning, before dawn, while the moon’s faint light still lingered, Draxel was already awake, communicating with the system.

[Uxkhal and its three subordinate villages have collectively collected 1,400 Denars in taxes this week.]

[A village can recruit three Swadian recruits per week, priced at 10 Ddnars each.]

[System notification: Nomar Village can recruit three 2nd tier Swadian soldiers at 30 Denars each.]

‘Recruit all, opt for 2nd tier,’ said Draxel in his mind.

[Received six Swadian recruits and three Swadian soldiers.]

[System notification: Merchant Marnid’s weekly employment cost is 100 Denars.]

[After accounting for recent food, birthday, and other personnel employment costs, you have a remaining balance of 800 Denars.]

‘Hmm, this means I now have 10 Swadian recruits, 3 Swadian soldiers, Owens who is a Swadian heavy cavalry, and Awang who is a Khergit horse archer. Dragon Lady Sofiya and Merchant Maenid, both of whom are special characters,’ Draxel thought to himself that since he had already reviewed his resources, he might as well check his current status.

[Current character status: Draxel, Level 33, Strength 24, Agility 23, Wisdom 26, Charm 25.]

[Proficiency in all weapon categories: 195]

[Current equipment:

Ordinary linen headscarf

Ordinary linen clothes

Ordinary leather boots

Ordinary leather gloves

Ordinary Germanic war sword

Ordinary travel horse

Bones and teeth of the Wolf King (materials)]

[Evaluation: I’m tired, stop checking now.]

Before Draxel could tease the system, it had already gone offline on its own.

“This lazy thing, getting all haughty on me. But my current status is still pretty good,” he said as he felt quite pleased with his progress.

At this moment, the others had also finished their preparations and were waiting for Draxel in the lord’s hall.

He quickly washed up, tidied his clothes, and stepped out of the bedroom. Everyone was kneeling on one knee, ready and waiting.

“Leave 4 Swadian recruits, one for each of the four main gates as guards. The rest of you, let’s move out!”

“As you command, my lord!” 

Even Sofia, normally mischievous, responded solemnly in such a formal setting.

And so Draxel’s troops once again embarked on their journey.

The journey to Xiko Village, which was closer than the journey to the Eastern Abyss Mountains, was expected to take about three and a half days. But unexpectedly, just a short while after setting out on the first morning, a surprising event occurred.

“Roar!” A sudden dragon’s cry interrupted the progress of Draxel’s troops.

Everyone turned their heads, looking toward Draxelr’s arms. The dragon egg, Lein, which Draxel was holding, was hatching. However, the event was less dramatic than anticipated. Its birth didn’t cause any earth-shattering phenomena or weather anomalies.

“What’s this, Lein? Seems like you’re not some legendary, awe-inspiring character after all,” Draxel teased.

But was this the unexpected event that the system had mentioned?

Looking at the newly born Lein, still a fledgling observing his surroundings, Draxel, despite his teasing words, was overjoyed and gently stroked it.

“Roar! I was supposed to be born a week later, but because I helped you earlier, I was born prematurely and am now quite weak.”

“Thank you, Lein. I will take good care of you.”

Draxel carefully examined Lein, who was still a young dragon. It looked different from its father.  Rollins was a black dragon, known as the ‘Black Reaper,’ with scales that shimmered with a dark, ominous light.

Leine, however, was entirely red, with a long, well-proportioned body. Its two tufts of golden whiskers fluttered in the wind.

“What can I do for you now, Leine?”

“Roar! I’m a bit cold and hungry. You need to spend more time and effort feeding me so I can grow up healthy.”

“Alright, what would you like to eat? How about some beef?”

“Roar! Milk would be better for me now, it’s easier to digest and absorb.”

“Pretty demanding, aren’t you?”

“Roar! Damn it! Count, watch your attitude. Remember, I helped you before.]

“Alright, alright. You have the same temper as your father, though you don’t look like you’re from the same family.”

“Roar! I’m much stronger than him. I will surely be the strongest among the dragon race in the future. My golden whiskers are proof enough.”

“At least for now, you’re quite weak, my friend.”

The others, unable to understand dragon speech, could only watch enviously as the man and dragon conversed jovially.

At this point, Safiya, who could be considered a half-dragon mother since she had cared for Lein since its infancy, grew impatient.

“Draxel, what is it saying? Explain it to me,” she demanded.

Draxel looked at Saphiya. She dressed in the noble robe he had given her, warm and silky smooth, and an idea came to him. His own coarse clothing, as well as the armor of other members of the troop, might irritate the young dragon’s skin or cause discomfort.

“It says it wants you to hold it because it’s cold and wants to drink milk. Such a troublesome little thing.”

“Roar! Indeed, Safiyia’s embrace must be very comfortable.”

Safiya was overjoyed and quickly snatched the young dragon from Draxel’s hands and gently held it in her arms. Lein, feeling the pleasant scent and softness in Sapiya’s arms, found it incredibly cozy and comfortable.

“Roar. Count, I bet you’ve never lain there.”

“So, dragons are fond of women too, shameless.”

“Roar. You’re just jealous.”

“No, I’m not. Why would I be jealous of you? Have you ever eaten the grapes she peeled for me?”

“Roar. Are you referring to those overripe and sour grapes? They were really ‘delicious.’”