The talents of Moonlight, Sun, and Coal Ball were undeniable.
But they were too young, still far from reaching the Catastrophe Level.
For them, the Heart of the Giant Beast was both an opportunity and a danger.
Even Golden Dragon Sun was just a young dragon. There was no absolute guarantee it would successfully advance to the Catastrophe Level, even after devouring the Heart of the Giant Beast.
Across the entire Thunder Dragon Duchy, the only one with the best chance of successfully using the heart to advance was the Duke’s companion, the Thunder Dragon Astra.
Moreover, the struggle for the Heart of the Giant Beast would be a brutal battle. Raylo wasn’t fully confident he could venture deep into the Jade Swamp and seize this ultimate treasure relying solely on the Domain Level combatants at his command.
Raylo had no regrets about giving it away.
From the very beginning, the Heart of the Giant Beast had only been a stepping stone in his plan.
His goal was the Giant Dragon Realm.
He needed a powerful Catastrophe Level ally to accompany him to the Giant Dragon Realm and pull off a major heist.
The Jade Dragon Emperor’s Heaven-Reaching Divine Wood—that was his true target.
The fruit that grew on the Divine Wood contained the most primordial Power of Life, a Holy Artifact coveted by all Giant Dragons.
A single Divine Wood Fruit could potentially shorten the growth cycle of Moonlight and the others by decades, or even centuries.
That was the true provision he intended for his companions.
’Help Astra advance, then ask for its help to steal the Jade Dragon Emperor’s treasure...’
’The plan sounded fantastical, even insane.’
’But it wasn’t impossible.’
「The next day, at the Royal Palace.」
The victory banquet officially began in the magnificent Giant Dragon Hall.
On the do above was a magnificent mural depicting the Thunder Dragon Duke fighting side-by-side with the Guardian Giant Dragon.
lodious music drifted through the air, mingling with the nobles’ cheerful laughter and the crisp clinking of glasses to paint a scene of lavish, enthusiastic revelry.
When Raylo entered the great hall with Avril, all eyes turned to them, filled with awe, curiosity, and scrutiny.
The young Count of Black Stone Territory was now the legitimate Crown Prince of the Duchy.
He wore a black, impeccably tailored formal suit embroidered with silver patterns, which accentuated his tall, straight posture and handso face.
His expression was serene, and as his pale gold eyes swept across the hall, an intangible pressure caused many to instinctively lower their heads.
Avril, dressed in a moon-white gown, stood at his side, exuding an elegant composure. Together, they looked like a perfect pair.
The Thunder Dragon Duke sat on the main seat at the head of the hall, his majesty undiminished.
Upon seeing Raylo, a barely perceptible flicker of emotion crossed his face before he pointed to the first seat to his left.
That was the Crown Prince’s seat.
Raylo took his seat with composure.
The atmosphere of the banquet grew lively once more.
This victory was especially significant because the Thunder Dragon Duke had personally slain his archrival, the Lion Duke.
The surrounding kingdoms were all shaken and sent envoys to offer their congratulations, including several very influential figures.
The Duke’s in-law, King Otto III of the Blazing Fla Kingdom, was in attendance. He was a burly man with short, fiery red hair that burned like a fla, and his eyes were filled with aggression.
The Cangying Duchy to the northwest sent its Duke’s younger brother, a Domain Level Knight renowned for his archery.
The Northern Ice Wind Kingdom also sent a delegation to offer its congratulations.
There was also a delegation from the Cangying Kingdom, as well as representatives from more than a dozen other powers, both large and small.
This was a banquet for the victor to display their strength, but it was also a silent contest of power.
Every word and every glance could conceal a hidden barb.
After a few rounds of drinks.
The dancers in the center of the hall had just withdrawn when a voice suddenly rang out.
"Your Grace, I have heard that His Highness Raylo of the Thunder Dragon Duchy has outstanding martial achievents, which I greatly admire. I wonder if I might have the honor of seeking so pointers from His Highness the Crown Prince, to liven up today’s grand feast?"
The speaker was a young man in red martial attire. He rose from behind King Otto III of the Blazing Fla Kingdom. His tone was respectful and he wore a smile, but his eyes held a trace of unconcealable arrogance.
It was the third prince of the Blazing Fla Kingdom, Philip.
The noisy hall fell instantly silent; you could hear a pin drop.
All eyes darted back and forth between Philip, Otto III, the Thunder Dragon Duke, and Raylo.
Even a fool could see this was no simple attempt to "add to the festivities."
Challenging the new Crown Prince at the Thunder Dragon Duchy’s own victory banquet was a blatant provocation.
’Was the Blazing Fla Kingdom trying to test the depths of the Thunder Dragon Duchy?’
’Or was this Prince, confident in his own genius, trying to use Raylo’s reputation as a stepping stone?’
’Or perhaps...’
’...soone within the Duchy wanted to use an outsider to put this new Crown Prince in his place?’
Raylo glanced at the main seat from the corner of his eye.
The Thunder Dragon Duke’s face was impassive, betraying neither pleasure nor anger.
Nearby, Lady Anna raised her wine glass, feigning a sip in a sowhat postured manner.
Raylo set down his silver knife and fork and wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin, his movents unhurried.
He raised his eyes to the Prince nad Philip, and understanding dawned on him.
’The genius third prince of the Blazing Fla Kingdom, a Peak Earth Knight before the age of twenty. Rumor had it he possessed innate Divine Power and exceptional Swordsmanship.’
’With a record like that, he certainly had the right to be arrogant.’
’A pity he chose the wrong opponent.’
Under the gaze of everyone present, Raylo rose to his feet. He didn’t even glance toward the Duke on the main seat, simply saying to Philip in a calm voice.
"Very well."
Two simple words, delivered without the slightest hesitation.
The center of the great hall was quickly cleared. The noble guests all fell back, forming a large circle.
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