Arknightcraft Modpack
Chapter 607: I Think I'll Keep It
Before Steven could even guide the massive dragon down to the ground, he spotted a sudden blaze erupting below, as though someone had ignited a giant bonfire. Within the dancing flames, the silhouette of a young woman could be seen faintly.
As for the black-clad warrior who stood as the strongest fighter among the Infected, he had already taken position at the very front of the defensive line. Steven could clearly make out the motion of him preparing to hurl his spear.
"Wait! Don't attack! It's me!"
Poking his head out from between Ebony's crystal-like spikes, Steven frantically waved both arms at the people below.
Steven's appearance was completely unexpected for the Infected who had rushed to defend the camp.
Only Talulah and Patriot, who moments ago had been desperately trying to figure out how to deal with the monstrous creature in the sky, visibly relaxed.
The oppressive aura unique to Elder Dragons—an overwhelming presence that seemed born from destruction itself—had made it difficult even for them to breathe. Everything about the creature screamed that it was an enemy of terrifying power.
But Steven's sudden appearance changed everything.
If he was riding it, then perhaps this overwhelming force wasn't their enemy after all.
After silently dismissing the Shieldguards and Infected soldiers who had gathered nearby, Talulah made sure only trusted individuals remained. Then she raised a hand and beckoned Steven down.
"Well? Pretty cool, right?" Steven grinned proudly as he patted Ebony's head. "My brand-new mount. Want me to take you guys for a flight? You can experience the fresh air high above Ursus."
"...Why is it that every time you come back, you somehow bring something completely unimaginable with you?"
Ignoring Steven's enthusiastic sales pitch about the "sweet, refreshing air" above Ursus, Talulah turned her attention to the giant dragon behind him.
Even in books, she had never encountered a living creature of such enormous size.
The beast's powerful frame and countless spikes looked as though they had been designed solely for slaughter.
Only by standing before it could she truly appreciate the immense pressure it radiated. To be blunt, the level of intimidation surpassed anything even Patriot had ever given off.
In other words, not even the legendary hero of Ursus might be able to face this monster head-on.
And yet, this creature—which looked like a living weapon, a machine built purely for destruction—was now lying obediently before them like a domesticated cat, allowing them to examine it without showing the slightest sign of aggression.
"Of course! My adventures are always exciting." Steven raised an eyebrow proudly, wearing a mysterious smile. "If you want the full story, come to my room tonight and we'll have a nice heart-to-heart under the blankets."
Then he turned toward the towering Wendigo warrior, who had been silently studying the Elder Dragon from beginning to end without saying a single word.
"As for you, Mr. Patriot, there's no need to worry about this guy being a threat."
Steven casually patted Ebony's massive foreleg as he spoke.
"The reason I brought him here is because I want to leave him with the Infected for a while. The mobile city I'm staying in doesn't exactly have enough open sky for a creature this size to spread its wings."
He shrugged.
"If he stays here, it'll be like giving the Infected another layer of protection, right?"
"And as for the Emperor of Ursus and those Imperial Guards, there's even less reason to worry. I'll go get him officially registered later. Just tell them he's helping out by hunting the occasional Collapsal when he's free. I'm sure they'll approve."
At last, Steven revealed the true reason he had ridden Ebony here.
With a body as enormous as this, bringing him into a city would inevitably cause panic. Only the vast frozen wilderness along Ursus' borders offered enough room for the dragon to fly freely.
There was no way Steven was going to keep his mount stuffed inside a tiny Pokéball all year round.
If some animal protection organization ever found out, they'd probably accuse him of dragon abuse.
In fact, he had already planned everything out.
All Ebony needed was an official license from the Emperor of Ursus. Given the dragon's strength, dealing with a few troublesome Collapsals would hardly be difficult. And with Steven personally vouching for him, the Emperor would likely be more than happy to gain another powerful safeguard for the Empire.
"...It is strong," Patriot's deep voice finally broke the silence.
"Purely... strong."
When he first heard Steven propose leaving such a terrifying creature within the Infected camp, the Wendigo's brows had immediately furrowed.
Only after hearing the explanation did his expression soften slightly.
Then he added the concern that truly mattered.
"But can you guarantee... that it remains under your control?"
Steven grinned.
"Of course."
His answer came without the slightest hesitation.
"Because I'm stronger than it is."
He spread his hands as though the matter were self-evident.
"You only call it taming after you've beaten it into submission, don't you?"
"..."
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Note: Character Illustration is in this Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iuyfwNVFHzIi9H4rWNT_lAm7jTSiah_M
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Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
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