"I didn't do anything in this... incident, nor did I do anything to stop the conflict."
"I should not share in the gratitude that belongs to you, given to you by Myrgtabrakke."
Karl had just noticed the flicker in Geralt's gaze.
He couldn't help but use his bio-field to control the dagger, the frost steel sword, and the riveted armor, hovering them in front of Geralt.
"This is a gift of friendship from me. If you hadn't invited me to participate in the dragon hunt, I wouldn't have gained these things."
Seeing Geralt's lips move slightly, as if he wanted to refuse, Karl took the initiative, half-jokingly and half-seriously.
"If you don't want them, I'll find a cliff and throw them away. I don't need them anyway."
Geralt: "..."
He was about to blurt out his refusal when it got stuck in his throat, and the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably several times.
After a long pause, he looked at Karl's expression, which didn't look like a joke.
In the end, he reluctantly reached out and took the three pieces of equipment, which radiated a magical aura, into his hands.
"...Thank you." His voice was a bit dry, but the hand holding the weapon was unusually steady.
He added another favor owed to Karl.
Karl nodded slightly, then gathered the remaining armor into the pile of magical items.
As for Yennefer and Dorregaray, who were looking at each other with the word "want" practically written on their faces,
Karl thought for a moment and casually chose two bracelets from the pile of magical items that looked simple in style, were defense-oriented, and had stable energy fluctuations, tossing one to each of them.
Yennefer took the bracelet, felt a slight coolness in her hand, and immediately channeled a trace of magic into it, sensing the stable flow of defensive energy within.
Looking closely at the exquisite defensive rune patterns on the bracelet, a flicker of surprise suddenly appeared in her eyes—it turned out to be a precious defensive magical item.
For sorcerers who often have to face various spell dangers and close-quarters enemies,
a good defensive magical item is far more valuable than those that increase casting speed or spell power.
A bright smile immediately appeared on her face, and she saluted Karl, her voice full of excitement: "Thank you, Your Excellency Arn Vati!"
Dorregaray also felt the bracelet's extraordinariness; although it might not be as good as Yennefer's, it was still a rare masterpiece, and he sincerely expressed his gratitude to Karl.
Karl nodded slightly in response, giving one to each because they had contributed earlier, the two of them,
trying to dissuade the crowd and supporting the shield that protected Geralt.
His gaze swept over the Tia sisters, who were now looking at him with a mixture of admiration, disbelief, and lingering embarrassment.
Earlier, they had cheered for Borch and insulted him, and Karl had heard it clearly.
He glanced at them almost imperceptibly, then looked away, as if seeing through air, saying nothing.
He wasn't petty enough to pursue it, but he wasn't generous enough to ignore it.
Immediately after, Karl turned to Borch and asked a key question: "Where are you heading next?"
Hearing this, Borch glanced tenderly at Myrgtabrakke beside him.
Then he looked down at the turquoise dragon's egg, carefully placed on the ground by Myrgtabrakke, and said quietly: "That depends on Myrgtabrakke's wishes. As for me..."
He gently nudged the little green dragon frolicking at his feet, trying to climb his claws.
"I'm planning to take Saqqiya back to Zerrikania. Well, that's the name I gave her before she hatched."
Karl was stunned upon hearing this and subconsciously looked at the lively little green dragon at Myrgtabrakke's feet.
"The dragon's egg is Saqqiya? So who is this hatched little one?" His doubt deepened.
Borch seemed not to notice Karl's confusion, and he turned his head and roared several times at Myrgtabrakke, clearly asking for her whereabouts.
Myrgtabrakke listened quietly, her emerald dragon pupils looked at Borch, then turned to Karl, and also answered with a few low roars.
Then she made a move that surprised everyone.
She moved and approached Karl.
Her slender neck lowered, and she quietly pleaded with Karl.
Suddenly, Borch's face became a bit unpleasant.
This expression was very much like seeing the object of one's affection taking the initiative to... fawn over a dragon?
There was a long silence before Borch translated with obvious reluctance and a sour tone: "Arn Vati... Myrgtabrakke asks you... do you have your own territory?"
He suddenly fell silent, as if it took a lot of courage to utter the rest of the words.
Borch pointed with his claw at the lively little one: "She said... she wants to take Mydak with her to build a new nest near your territory."
"She hopes... that you can grant her permission."
Seeing Karl's stunned expression, Borch seemed afraid he might misunderstand and quickly added with slight dejection and explanation.
"Dragons usually do not gather in the same area, unless... there is a powerful leader who can guide and protect them."
"Although you appear human, you are completely different from these mortals..."
"The power of the sun you possess... can bring us great benefits, both in healing and in... perhaps helping with growth."
"Staying close to such a powerful man as you is something to be thankful for and to seek for the dragon clan."
Hearing this, Karl raised his brows in surprise, not expecting that after refusing the dragon's egg,
an adult green dragon would take the initiative to deliver herself and a young dragon to his door, targeting him.
Was the divine power in his body so attractive to other beings?
He thought for a moment that an adult green dragon settling near his territory would be a deterrent, capable of saving a lot of trouble.
Moreover, Myrgtabrakke was not a murderous dragon and knew how to communicate.
Therefore, he nodded, looked into the expectant emerald dragon pupils, and offered his conditions: "Yes. I invite you to settle near my territory."
"However, you must abide by my rules. Do not slaughter the livestock raised by humans at will."
"Do not harm the residents of my territory, or I will consider it a hostile act."
Borch immediately relayed Karl's words to Myrgtabrakke.
She listened carefully, then nodded without hesitation and let out a low roar of agreement.