Chapter 490: Not Giving an Inch

As Kaierluosi's massive body slowly ascended, Luoning stood on the dragon's back, gazing down at the West Wind Hill camp as it gradually shrank, an indescribable fury surging in his heart.

He understood Ruidar's character; if the latter had a choice, he would absolutely avoid the sharp edge of a conflict and would not break out into a direct confrontation with Jialete and the others.

Regarding the current situation, although Denni claimed that Ruidar had violated some military order, in Luoning's view, it was nine times out of ten that Jialete had simply found an excuse to make things difficult and forced Ruidar into a position where he had to resist.

Fortunately, Ruidar was strong enough and had not suffered any losses.

During the flight, Luoning closed his eyes in contemplation, his mind rapidly flashing through countermeasures.

He knew deeply that as a lord, protecting the rights and dignity of his subordinates was also protecting his own dignity.

If he did not appear sufficiently strong, it would only make others think his subordinates were easy to bully, and it would be difficult for Ruidar and the others to carry out their work thereafter.

However, Luoning also knew that a direct, real-steel battle with Jialete was by no means the best strategy.

He needed a plan that could solve the problem while also making Jialete show some restraint.

Before long, the outline of Red Pine Castle gradually became clear.

Kaierluosi's massive body circled above the castle, the low dragon roar causing a great commotion below; warhorses, livestock, and even soldiers were all terrified.

Looking at the giant beast that resembled a behemoth in the sky, their throats tightened, sweat dripped from their foreheads, and their legs trembled.

"Marquis is here!"

Ruidar stood up from the fortress hall and walked out quickly.

Gushan followed closely behind, catching sight of the behemoth in the sky at a glance.

"I heard the Marquis's dragon had a wingspan of one hundred and twenty meters, but today it looks like more than that?"

His feeling was not wrong.

Over the past half year, Luoning had fed Kaierluosi thirty thousand Energy Essence, allowing the latter's strength to improve tremendously, which in turn caused the dragon's body to grow a size larger.

Now, Kaierluosi was sixty-five meters long with a wingspan approaching one hundred and sixty meters.

While Ruidar and Gushan stared at the dragon, Jialete and his subordinates also walked out of their rooms, feeling equally uneasy as they faced the dragon.

"It's grown again!"

Jialete's face showed his distress; although he did not think Luoning would do anything to him, this suffocating feeling of being unable to control the situation made him very uncomfortable.

"Youge, do we have any way to deal with this dragon?"

Silver Moon Knight Youge looked troubled. "Forgive my bluntness, Your Highness. It has been over two hundred years since the Kingdom was founded, and while we have experience in aerial combat, we have no records of fighting legendary creatures like dragons."

He looked up at those sky-covering wings. "Generally speaking, the wings of flying Magic Beasts are relatively fragile, and perhaps dragons are the same. If we could use sharp spears to pierce its wings, making it unable to fly freely and forcing it to the ground, then it would be easier to handle."

Jialete shook his head. "The machines that launch spears have limited power. Once the dragon increases its altitude, the spears won't pose much of a threat."

"It can only be us Silver Moon Knights stepping into the air to throw the spears ourselves!"

While the two were talking, Kaierluosi in the sky suddenly tilted its head and roared.

"Awoo!"

Accompanying this sound that shook the universe, a thick, intense flame surged out from Kaierluosi's blood-red maw, filling the entire night sky.

In that instant, the night became day; the entire sky was illuminated red by the firelight, like sunset clouds, spectacular beyond compare!

Jialete's expression changed drastically. This elemental fluctuation was far too intense; if the dragon hadn't been spraying toward the sky but instead toward Red Pine Castle, this place would absolutely have turned into a living hell with countless casualties!

"Luoning... is he threatening me?"

Jialete understood in his heart, but he hadn't expected the other party to be so blatant.

Luoning stood on Kaierluosi's back, looking down at Red Pine Castle below, his heart completely calm.

What he was doing was indeed threatening and warning Jialete to put away those petty thoughts.

"Go down."

Luoning gently patted Kaierluosi's neck, and the dragon immediately folded its wings and landed rapidly on the large open space in the castle, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"My Lord, you've arrived!"

Ruidar walked forward. "Apologies, I've caused you trouble."

"This matter is not your fault."

Luoning looked Ruidar over, and seeing that the latter hadn't suffered any injuries, he felt relieved.

"Tell me, what exactly is the situation?"

Ruidar recounted what happened after arriving at Red Pine Castle.

In fact, the whole thing wasn't that complicated; the conversation between him and Jialete hadn't even reached ten sentences.

Luoning sneered. "Viscount Denni, please go and invite His Highness the Crown Prince out. If he continues to waste our time like he did during the day, I am not like Ruidar; I will not wait for him for several hours."

Viscount Denni smiled awkwardly, then ran off to deliver the message.

Gushan walked up with a smile. "Marquis Luoning, welcome to Red Pine Castle! Seeing it with my own eyes, I realize you are even more valiant and powerful than the legends say!"

Facing Gushan, Luoning maintained the necessary politeness; after all, in the previous conflict, the other party had not blindly stood on the side of the Crown Prince.

Not many people could do that, and the deputy commander before him clearly did not fear offending Jialete.

The two exchanged pleasantries while walking into the fortress hall.

This time, Jialete came very quickly; almost as soon as the three of them sat down, he arrived.

"Luoning, what a display of power you have there?"

Jialete said in a sarcastic tone, "That little stunt you just pulled with the dragon, was it to cause panic in Red Pine Castle, or to demonstrate your power to me?"

Luoning did not stand up; he sat on the bench and said with a smile, "Heh, compared to you, what is this little bit of power of mine? After all, I wouldn't dare make a Blazing Sun Knight waste half a day waiting in vain."

Jialete was silent for a moment, not expecting that Luoning wouldn't even bother with appearances in front of him, not even standing up.

He snorted and walked over to sit down opposite him.

"Luoning, your knight not only violated my orders but also injured me and my men. How should this matter be resolved?"

"Making someone wait in a hall—does that count as a military order?"

Luoning shook his head. "Ruidar is one of the few Blazing Sun Knights in the Kingdom; even if he follows me, I must treat him with courtesy. Although I don't know, and don't want to know, why you are targeting him, don't expect me to take even half a step back on this matter."

He paused, the corners of his mouth curling slightly, and slowly spat out three words: "Im-pos-si-ble!"

Ruidar had originally agreed with Gushan's approach of finding an opportunity to apologize and smooth this matter over.

He had not expected Luoning to adopt an unyielding attitude right from the start.

Under these circumstances, it would be somewhat inappropriate for Ruidar to still insist on apologizing.

A Knight must, after all, keep their actions consistent with their lord's.

Jialete narrowed his eyes and asked in a suppressed voice: "Luoning, what kind of attitude is this? Do you wish to betray the Kingdom?"

"If I recall correctly, this is the second time you have said such a thing."

Luoning restrained his smile: "Although you are the Crown Prince, you are still only the Crown Prince. At least for the moment, the only one who can represent the will of the Auduin Kingdom is your father, His Majesty Bruno."

"Furthermore, I find it necessary to remind you that every noble has the right to voice their grievances when subjected to unfair treatment; this is a right granted to nobles by the laws of the Kingdom!"

Jialete's expression was so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it; he had not expected Luoning to be so tough, even going so far as to cite the laws of the Kingdom to refute him.

"Luoning, do you think that having a dragon is enough to contend with me?" Jialete's voice was low and dangerous, his eyes flashing with unquestionable authority and anger.

Luoning smiled slightly, a smile that held both confidence and a touch of mockery: "A dragon is merely one of my companions, not my only reliance."

He looked directly into Jialete's dangerous eyes, not backing down in the slightest: "I, Luoning, believe in one principle: if others do not offend me, I will not offend them."

"Regarding today's matter, if you believe I am provoking you, I can tell you clearly: I, Luoning, never engage in pointless disputes, but I will also not allow others to bully me!"

The atmosphere in the hall grew somewhat stagnant.

Seeing that the conversation had reached a stalemate, Gushan laughed: "I think both of you should stop losing your tempers over this matter."

"Today's incident can be described as a misunderstanding. Although the process was not very friendly, at least there is one good point: we have gained another Blazing Sun Knight."

He began to mediate: "I think His Highness can apply to His Majesty the King to initiate military action. I believe that with Ruidar's addition, we will be able to wash away the shame of over thirty years ago and take Mist City in one fell swoop!"

Jialete lowered his head and remained silent; no one could see his expression.

Luoning did give Gushan some face: "Regarding military actions, as long as they are not intentionally targeted at me, I will have Ruidar respond with full effort. This is my duty as a vassal of His Majesty."

Gushan nodded with a smile: "Your Highness, you are the commander-in-chief of the defense line; this matter still requires your decision." (End of chapter)