"I did… nothing in this event. I couldn't even stop the conflict."
Geralt's voice was calm, but there was an obvious hint of reluctance in it.
"I shouldn't accept the thank-you gifts meant for you, given by Milgatabrek."
Karl, however, noticed the fleeting glance Geralt had cast at the pile of magical equipment.
Without saying a word, Karl activated his Bio-Force Field. Invisible power wrapped around several items resting on the ground. A dagger, the Frost Steel Sword, and a set of finely crafted studded armor slowly rose into the air and floated toward Geralt.
The equipment hovered quietly in front of him.
"Take them," Karl said casually. "Consider them a gift of friendship from me."
He crossed his arms slightly and continued in a relaxed tone.
"If you hadn't invited me to join the dragon hunt, I wouldn't have gained these rewards anyway."
Geralt opened his mouth as if he wanted to refuse again.
But before he could speak, Karl interrupted him with a half-joking, half-serious expression.
"If you don't want them," Karl said lightly, "I'll just find a cliff and throw them off. They're useless to me anyway."
Geralt: "…"
The words he had intended to say were immediately stuck in his throat.
The corner of his mouth twitched slightly.
He stared at Karl for several seconds, trying to determine whether he was joking or serious.
Unfortunately, Karl's expression looked completely calm.
It didn't look like a joke at all.
After a long moment of silence, Geralt finally sighed inwardly.
Helplessly, he reached out and took the three pieces of equipment that radiated faint magical auras.
"...Thank you."
His voice sounded slightly dry.
However, the hand holding the weapons was exceptionally steady.
In his mind, Geralt silently added yet another favor owed to Karl.
Karl simply nodded faintly and did not say anything further.
He turned around and casually returned the remaining weapons and armor to the small mountain of Magical Artifacts.
As for Yennefer and Doregar, who had been watching the entire scene with eager expressions practically shouting "I want one too!"…
Karl paused briefly.
Then he reached into the pile of magical equipment and picked up two ancient-looking bracelets. Their metal surfaces were engraved with delicate runic patterns, and faint magical fluctuations could be sensed from them.
Their energy seemed focused on protection.
Karl tossed one bracelet to each of them.
Yennefer quickly caught the bracelet.
The metal felt slightly cool against her skin.
Without hesitation, she injected a small trace of magic into it.
A moment later, she felt a stable and powerful protective energy circulating within the bracelet.
Her eyes immediately widened.
Upon closer inspection, she noticed the exquisite protective rune formations engraved on the bracelet.
The craftsmanship was astonishing.
A bright expression of pleasant surprise instantly appeared on her face.
This was not an ordinary magical tool.
This was a genuinely valuable protective Magical Artifact.
For sorcerers who frequently dealt with dangerous spell backlashes, magical experiments, and unexpected close-quarters threats, a reliable protective artifact was extremely valuable.
In fact, it was often far more important than artifacts that increased casting speed or spell power.
Those items enhanced offense.
But this bracelet enhanced survival.
And survival was always the most important thing.
Yennefer's lips curled into a radiant smile.
She bowed slightly toward Karl, her voice trembling faintly with excitement.
"Thank you, Your Excellency Arnulfati."
Doregar had also examined the bracelet Karl had thrown to him.
Although the magical fluctuations were slightly weaker than the one given to Yennefer, it was still clearly a high-quality magical artifact.
Even for experienced spellcasters, such items were rare.
Doregar's expression immediately became respectful.
He nodded deeply toward Karl.
"Thank you for your generosity."
Karl merely gave a small nod in response.
In truth, he had only given them the bracelets because they had contributed earlier.
They had attempted to calm the crowd during the chaos and had also maintained the magical shield protecting Geralt.
Their efforts were worth acknowledging.
Karl's gaze slowly shifted across the surrounding group.
Soon, his eyes landed on Tia and her sister.
The two women were standing slightly farther away, their expressions extremely complicated.
There was awe.
There was disbelief.
And there was also a lingering trace of embarrassment.
After all, earlier they had openly cheered for Borchi and had even mocked Karl.
Karl had heard every single word clearly.
At this moment, he simply glanced at them indifferently.
His gaze passed over them as if they were nothing more than empty air.
Then he withdrew his eyes without saying a word.
He wasn't petty enough to seek revenge for their earlier remarks.
But he also wasn't generous enough to pretend nothing had happened.
Silence was enough.
Soon, Karl turned his attention toward Borchi.
He asked the most important question.
"Where do you plan to go next?"
Hearing this, Borchi turned his head and glanced at Milgatabrek beside him.
His expression softened slightly.
Then his gaze shifted toward the greenish dragon egg that Milgatabrek had carefully placed on the ground.
In a low voice, he replied.
"That depends on Milgatabrek's wishes."
He paused briefly.
"As for me…"
Borchi gently extended one claw toward the lively green dragon hatchling playing beside his feet.
The little dragon was enthusiastically trying to climb onto his claw, chirping in soft, playful sounds.
Borchi's eyes softened even more.
"I plan to take Saskia back to Zerrikanian."
He smiled faintly.
"That's the name I gave her when she was still inside the egg."
Karl was momentarily stunned.
His eyes subconsciously shifted toward the lively green hatchling playing near Milgatabrek.
A hint of confusion appeared in his expression.
"The dragon egg is Saskia…?"
"Then who is this already hatched cub?"
Karl's confusion deepened.
However, Borchi seemed completely unaware of Karl's thoughts.
He turned his head and growled softly toward Milgatabrek.
The sounds were low and rhythmic.
It was clearly dragon language.
He was asking about her plans.
Milgatabrek listened quietly.
Her emerald dragon pupils shifted between Borchi and Karl.
She responded with several low growls of her own.
Then something unexpected happened.
Milgatabrek slowly moved closer to Karl.
Her massive body shifted forward with surprising gentleness.
Lowering her long neck, she let out a soft, low cry directed toward Karl.
The tone carried a subtle hint of pleading.
Immediately, Borchi's expression became somewhat unpleasant.
That look resembled the expression of someone watching their crush openly show affection toward someone else.
A jealous dragon.
He remained silent for a long time.
Finally, with an extremely reluctant expression, he began translating.
"Arnulfati…"
"Milgatabrek asks… if you have your own territory."
He suddenly paused.
It looked as though saying the next words required an enormous amount of effort.
After a moment, Borchi slowly pointed one claw toward the lively hatchling nearby.
"She says…"
"She wants to take Myrgtabrakke and follow you."
"To build a new nest somewhere near your territory."
He sighed quietly.
"She hopes… to receive your permission."
Karl blinked in surprise.
Borchi quickly added an explanation, worried that Karl might misunderstand.
"Dragons rarely gather in the same area," Borchi said.
"Unless there is a powerful leader who can protect and guide them."
His eyes studied Karl carefully.
"Although you appear human…"
"You are completely different from ordinary mortals."
He paused again before continuing.
"That sun-like power within you brings great benefits to us."
"It helps with healing…"
"And perhaps… it may even assist with growth."
Borchi's voice became quieter.
"Remaining near a powerhouse like you is a rare opportunity for the Dragon Clan."
Karl raised an eyebrow slightly.
He had not expected such a development.
After refusing to accept a dragon egg…
An adult green dragon was now offering to move near his territory with a hatchling.
And the reason was simply him.
Was the divine power within his body really that attractive to other creatures?
Karl thought about it carefully.
Having an adult green dragon living near his territory would definitely serve as a powerful deterrent.
It would prevent many unnecessary troubles.
Furthermore, Milgatabrek did not appear to be a violent or bloodthirsty dragon.
She seemed intelligent and capable of communication.
After thinking for a moment, Karl nodded.
He looked directly into her bright emerald dragon eyes.
"Very well."
"I welcome you to settle near my territory."
Milgatabrek's eyes brightened instantly.
However, Karl raised one finger.
"But you must follow my rules."
His voice became calm but firm.
"You cannot randomly hunt livestock raised by humans."
"More importantly…"
"You cannot harm any residents within my territory."
Karl's gaze sharpened slightly.
"If you do, I will treat it as a hostile act."
Borchi immediately translated the conditions to Milgatabrek.
The green dragon listened carefully.
After a moment, she nodded without hesitation.
Then she released a low growl of agreement.
The deal was settled.
I
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