Chapter 31: Preparing for the Rainy Days by Seeking Help

Safiya responded, “No problem, I consider it as my own child too.”

“Roar. Yeah, I’ll accept her as my ‘Dragon Mom.’ After all, she’s been caring for me since I was just an egg.”

Draxel smiled, his first smile since Owens’s death, and then explained to Safiya, “It just said it recognizes you as its mother.”

“Uh-huh, I knew it,” Safiya chuckled and gently kissed the young dragon Lein on his little head.

“Roar. Mmm, that feels good. I wouldn’t mind more of that.”

“I knew it. Dragons are charmed by beauty too. How low.”

“Roar! You don’t get it! This is maternal love!”

“Enough with the jokes. Safiya, I need you to continue taking good care of it for now. I have to set up our defenses.”

After speaking, Draxel was about to leave for the soldiers’ quarters to arrange other tasks, but Safiya stopped him.

“Are you worried Noyan Tulu from the Khergit Khanate will attack Uxkhal?”

“It’s not just a worry. I’m certain he will come. He knows I only have a few soldiers.”

“What can we do? We can’t recruit more soldiers to help us now,” Safiya’s face showed a trace of worry.

“Don’t worry. I’ve already sent Merchant Marnid to earn money. We should have the results by tomorrow night. I’ll use the money to hire some elite soldiers from Ronnie at the tavern.”

“What? You’re going out again? It’s dangerous out there!”

“I have to. It’s crucial to protect Uxkhal and the three villages. That’s what I promised you. Don’t worry, this place is safe for now. Awang will stay in town, managing the security and also protecting you and the young dragon.”

Safiya was about to offer more advice, but Draxel embraced her and the young dragon tightly.

“I’ll return safely, that’s a promise to you both.”

“Roar… Hey, let go! I’m suffocating… you’re choking me…”

“Hey now, we need to start discipline young. You can’t be using bad language.”

Draxel was about to lightly spank young dragon Lein as a light reprimand but was stopped by Safiya.

“Count, you’re one to talk with your own colorful language. Enough with the lecture, just get going and be careful.”

‘Well, that’s definitely protective,’ he mused.

After the exchange, Draxel turned and left, quickly making his way to where Awang was stationed with the soldiers.

Awang, using his grief as a source of strength, was intensely training, channeling his longing for his brother Owens into motivation.

“Wow, you’re really pushing yourself. You’ll soon become a 4th-tier Khergit Senior Horse Archer at this rate,” Draxel mumbled as he walked towards Awang.

Aware of his approach, Awang turned and respectfully greeted him with a salute: “Good morning, my esteemed Lord.”

“Awang, I need to leave town for a bit. For the next few days, I’m entrusting you with the protection of Safiya and the security of our town, Uxkhal.”

“Rest assured, my lord. Even with just me and four Swadian recruits, we will hold our ground. I’ll fight with all my might to keep Safiya and the town safe.”

Seeing Awang’s renewed determination, Draxel felt reassured and added, “If a large army does attack and you can’t hold them off, abandon this place and flee to the capital of the kingdom. I’ll come find you there.”

“My lord, that won’t happen,” Awang asserted.

Acknowledging Awang’s steadfastness, Draxel ceased further discussion, patted his shoulder in approval, and departed.

Draxel, familiar with the route to Profit Empress Ronnie’s tavern from previous visits, found the solo ride on horseback quite convenient. It took him about a day to arrive.

Luckily, Profit Empress Ronnie was at the tavern that day. Her bodyguards, Xiao Nan and Xiao Jia, were stationed at the door, as usual, in their roles as bartenders.

From a distance, Xiao Nan recognized the Count’s dashing figure. “Count, you’re quite the regular visitor. With the war between Swadia and the Khergit Khanate, I’d have thought you’d be occupied with battle preparations.”

Xiao Nan’s demeanor was much calmer and more polite than before, a change brought about by his previous defeat.

“I’m here on war-related matters, Xiao Nan,” Draxel replied.

“Profit Empress Ronnie is inside. Go ahead and speak with her. Your warhorse looks tired; take one of ours for your return journey. It’ll be faster.”

【System Notification: Item Lost — Ordinary Travel Horse.】

【System Notification: Item Gained — Strong Travel Horse.】

Draxel, now viewing Xiao Nan in a new light, appreciated his sense of knightly honor and generosity. Sincerely grateful, he nodded and said, “Thank you.”

The tavern was quiet today, with few patrons. Profit Empress Ronnie was reclining in a rocking chair behind the counter, eyes closed in rest.

“Ronnie, you’re already tired and it’s just the start of the day?” Draxel was the only one who called her ‘Ronnie,’ and he was bold enough to do so.

Recognizing the familiar, magnetic voice, Ronnie quickly roused herself from the rocking chair.

“Ah, Count, long time no see. You’re here alone, huh? Afraid Safiya might see how much you like me? Did you miss me?”

“Miss… No, no, I mean, I’m here on business.”

“What business?”

“To borrow people.”

“Whose people?”

“Your mercenaries.”

“That requires money.”

“I don’t have any.”

“Then you’re not borrowing people, you’re asking for a loan. What about the 3,000 Denars from last time?”

“I’ve spent it all.”

“Really, Count, you think my tavern is a bank? You believe I have endless resources?”

The rapid exchange reflected their quick thinking.

“Ronnie, just hear me out.”

“I don’t want to.”

“You need to.”

“I refuse to listen.”

Ronnie tried to lie back in the rocking chair, but Draxel swiftly embraced her. His hand lightly rested on her delicate waist, his actions charged with intimacy.

“Ronnie, my Queen, just listen to me.”

“Fine… then… speak, but first… let go of me.”

Even Ronnie, seasoned in countless romantic dalliances and flirting with numerous men, had her shy moments.

Draxel quickly did the math in his head. After deducting recent expenses for food and the troops, he had about 500 Denars left. Plus the expected 2,000 Denars from Marnid’s sale of the grape seeds…