Chapter 285 - 222: The Lord Who Soars Across the Sky

"Sophia, you don’t want to be saddled with a huge debt and have to work for me forever, do you?"

Levi looked down at the Silver Dragon Maiden before him, an expression on his face that said he had her right where he wanted her.

Sophia clutched the hem of her skirt with her small hands, looking utterly pitiful, like a lost little duckling battered by a storm. She asked tremulously, "Then... what do I have to do?"

"This time, as long as you come south with us and help me when I need it, not only will your food expenses for this period be wiped clean, but all your food and lodging at High Cliff Castle will be free from now on."

"Sophia, this is a rare opportunity. Not only will your food debt be cleared, but in the future, you’ll be able to eat all the delicacies High Cliff Castle has to offer. You should know, other people have begged me to let them come to High Cliff Castle, and I’ve refused. All you need to do is give up a little of your time and a tiny, trivial bit of labor to get all this."

Levi stared intently at the Silver Dragon Maiden, his tone like that of a clumsy apprentice Demon trying to lure someone in.

Sophia nervously twisted the hem of her skirt, her heart a mess of conflict.

She really didn’t want to join any war. Back on Dragon Island, she had heard stories from her elders about how more than a few Giant Dragons had died in wars.

But she couldn’t ignore Levi’s offer, especially since the promise of free room and board in the future struck at her greatest vulnerability.

She knew what a huge appetite she had; the money she earned working at High Cliff Castle every day wasn’t even enough to cover her food expenses.

The Silver Dragon Maiden’s expression was a mix of conflict and distress, which finally settled into resignation as she made a timid request: "If... if there’s something on the other side that threatens me, can I not go out?"

It sounded like a request, but due to her timid nature, it came out more like a plea.

"No problem." Levi beamed and waved his hand magnanimously. "How could I, your Lord, bear to send you to your death? If anything, I see you as a treasure."

Hearing the word "death," Sophia couldn’t help but shrink back.

For a moment, she regretted agreeing so easily. But what was done was done, so she could only sigh internally.

"Come, come! I just remembered, we still have some honey in the storeroom that I bought from Bailiu City. Later, we’ll have honey-glazed bear paws, honey-fried chestnuts, honey-vinegar pork ribs..."

Levi grabbed Sophia’s small, fair hand and headed for the storeroom. He was in such a good mood that he decided to cook up a special meal.

It seemed like he was giving Sophia one benefit after another, but the Lord was essentially getting something for nothing. He had paid no real price, merely promising food and lodging to coax this Silver Dragon into coming south with him.

It was truly a great occasion worth celebrating.

Hearing the long list of dishes, Sophia’s mouth watered so much that drool shamelessly trickled from the corner of her lips. Suddenly, she felt that going south with him might not be such a terrible thing after all.

...

Ever since the Wilderness had entered winter, heavy snow, like goose feathers, fell every day, and fierce winds swept wantonly across the flat plains.

The livestock could only huddle together for warmth in their wooden pens, and the people of High Cliff Castle had long since switched to thick, woolen clothes and fluffy herdsman’s hats.

Outside of High Cliff Castle, the land for dozens of miles around was cloaked in silver, with hardly a soul in sight.

But at this very moment, on a snowy slope about sixty miles from High Cliff Castle, a Giant Beast, five or six blades high, was running wild, capable of covering a great distance in the blink of an eye.

"Biefeng, stop."

At the command, the ferocious-looking Three-headed Dog screeched to a halt. Its three wolf-like heads panted hot breath, melting a layer of the snow in front of it.

Its body instantly shrank to Sanren Gao, and it lay on the ground, waiting for its master to dismount.

Two figures leaped down from its back.

"This is the place."

Levi looked around. All he could see was a vast expanse of white, and High Cliff Castle was long out of sight. He couldn’t help but nod in satisfaction.

Ever since he’d tricked Sophia into going south, the Lord’s desire to ride a dragon had been like an itch he couldn’t scratch, growing more and more unbearable.

So, when a rare clear day finally arrived, he had eagerly dragged the Silver Dragon Maiden out, preparing for a test flight.

After all, even last-minute preparations are better than none.

"Sophia, you can undo the Transformation Technique now," he said to the girl beside him, who had long since accepted her fate.

"Okay." The Silver Dragon Maiden didn’t hesitate, since they had already discussed all of this beforehand.

As the Transformation Technique was released, a ball of light enveloped her.

A moment later, a beautiful dragon’s head came into view. Her pupils were long and narrow like a snake’s, her mercury-orb eyes looking at him timidly. A cluster of straight, antelope-like horns shot toward the sky, resembling a Crown. Her neck was long and slender. Enormous Dragon Wings were pressed against the sides of her streamlined body, which gleamed with a metallic luster. Scales like chiseled silver were arranged in neat rows, covering her from head to tail. She was about 20 blades long in total, looking both elegant and dignified.

Faced with the terrifying Giant Beast before him, Levi felt no fear. Looking into those eyes, he knew that this Silver Dragon’s courage had not grown with her size.

Besides, he had seen her like this before. He hadn’t been afraid back when they were enemies, let alone now that he understood the Little Silver Dragon’s personality.

"Levi, come on up."

She spoke, her voice no different from when she was in human form.

The Lord had yearned for this, dreamed of it countless times—the dream of riding a dragon and soaring through the sky. Now, he was face to face with that dream about to come true.

He was like a lucky winner who’d just won a five-million-dollar lottery, rubbing his hands together, barely able to contain his excitement.

To be honest, he’d ridden plenty of horses in his past life, but riding a dragon? This was a first for him.