Westminster Bank

Chapter 260: Chapter 162: Yes, Brother, This Is a Deal.

As if trying to hide his fear, he bumped against the wall of the solitary confinement cell, making a crisp sound.

The look in the Chief Steward’s eyes finally changed. The corners of his eyes twitched and his lips trembled as if he wanted to say something.

"W-wait a minute..."

But Baron had already taken his stance in the torchlight held by Jack, his posture suggesting he was warming up for a sprint. He seemed to be paying the Chief Steward’s words no mind.

The Chief Steward’s face changed in a flash. Baron was charging him, the clanking of his Iron Knee Caps reminiscent of an eggshell being cracked on a dinner table. "I’ve been a bit stubborn... Let’s have a proper talk..."

Baron was already in front of him, lowering his shoulder and raising his leg...

"Wait! I remember now... On the day of the Dragon Hunting Ceremony, you can... AAAAARGH!"

...

After dealing with the Chief Steward, Baron had intended to wipe his Iron Knee Cap on the man’s clothes. But upon catching a whiff of piss, he frowned and kicked the subject of his "high-intensity interrogation" further away.

In truth, the interrogation had been over the moment he got the exact method for leaving the manor. However, when Baron thought about what the Chief Steward had done during the day, he felt that would be letting the man off far too easily.

And so, he had Jack and the two Guards join in on a nut-kicking contest.

Then he made the Chief Steward judge who kicked harder: him, a Bloodless, or the Guards of the Old Race. The two Guards kicked with the most enthusiasm...

In fact, Baron quite wanted to let some of the other Bloodless in the backyard participate in this sort of fun little game. After all, they couldn’t vent the pain inflicted by the Knights through burning, killing, and pillaging.

But considering the difficulty of implementing it, and his current status as a fugitive, it was impossible for now.

Baron’s gaze swept over the two Guards. The money-grubbing one, ever so tactful, immediately scurried over and used his own clothes to wipe Baron’s Iron Knee Cap.

Baron smiled. "As a Bloodless, I am deeply honored."

Cold sweat was about to bead on the money-grubbing Guard’s brow. He hurriedly said, "Not at all, sir, not at all. It’s what we should do."

Baron added, "I have something important to discuss next, and I don’t want to be overheard."

One of the Guards said, "Please, sir, go ahead and talk. We’ll move far away..."

THWACK. He fell to the ground. The money-grubbing Guard withdrew his fist and said to Baron with a sheepish grin, "Please, sir, continue your conversation. We didn’t hear a thing."

Having said that, he very proactively knocked himself unconscious against the wall.

Jack witnessed this and exclaimed, "L, you’re practically Superman."

Baron said, "Cut the crap. Hand over the Red Dragon Scale as promised. We need to plan our escape for tomorrow... I have important things to do after that."

"What important things?" Jack asked, tossing the Red Dragon Scale to Baron.

Baron caught the Dragon Scale. "What else? If I can clear my name, I’ll clear my name. If I have to run, I’ll run..."

’And if I can get revenge, I’ll get revenge,’ he thought.

This was the first time Baron had personally touched a Red Dragon Scale. It wasn’t large, only about the size of his thumbnail. It was crimson, but its edges were a pale white. Just by holding the Dragon Scale, a feeling of elation washed over Baron, and the faint sound of a dragon’s cry echoed in his ears.

Judging by Jack’s reaction, it was an auditory hallucination.

It was likely the result of the Red Dragon Aura within his body resonating with it.

And he didn’t know if it was just his imagination, but after grasping the Red Dragon Scale, he felt a warm current surge from deep within him, coursing through his entire body. His Spiritual Power actually began to show signs of slowly increasing.

However, this upward trend didn’t last long. After only a few seconds, it began to slowly dissipate.

Then, as if responding to the warm current, a mysterious, transparent wisp of energy flowed from the Red Dragon Scale into his hand. It slowly merged with the warm current. The Spiritual Power that had been about to dissipate re-condensed and gradually stabilized.

’This is...’

Using his Spiritual Vision to look within himself, Baron was surprised to discover that his total amount of Spiritual Power had increased slightly.

It was a small amount, but it was an increase nonetheless.

’Could the Red Dragon Scale speed up my training? No, it’s not the Red Dragon Scale itself, but the Red Dragon Aura within it.’

And... His Golden Eye and Cross Scar lit up on his face. A Little Flame Demon appeared and circled him before landing on his shoulder, burning brightly.

Jack jumped in alarm. Just as he was about to ask Baron what he was doing, he saw Baron open his hand. The Little Flame Demon stepped onto his palm and began to gesture wildly at the Red Dragon Scale.

Jack watched this, stroking his chin in thought for a long moment before asking, "Is it dancing?"

Jack squinted at the Little Flame Demon. "Why do I get the feeling... the Flame Demon you Promised looks bigger than before?"

’It’s not just bigger, it’s more solid,’

’and it’s not dancing, either...’

Only Baron could see that as the Little Flame Demon’s mouth opened and closed, the nearly transparent stream of energy from the Red Dragon Scale was gradually expanding its fiery body. New Dragon Flame was being stored within!

In Baron’s perception, besides this physical change, the Little Flame Demon’s body could now contain more Dragon Flame and Spiritual Power.

By his calculations, the power of its explosion had likely increased significantly. Baron estimated that if a typical Bronze Tier practitioner was caught in its self-destruction at close range, they would be severely injured.

Unfortunately, this enhancement to the Little Flame Demon seemed to be temporary. After absorbing the energy for only a short while, it started flapping its wings and flying erratically around the small room.

In no time at all, its body visibly shrank, and then it returned to its normal size.

It was only a little more solid than before, likely a change brought about by the growth in Baron’s own Spiritual Power.

But Baron wasn’t discouraged. In addition to discovering a new use for the Red Dragon Scale, he had also thought of a formidable new tactic.

However, he would have to put that tactic into practice later to see if it was actually useful.

He dismissed the Little Flame Demon and used his Spiritual Perception on the scale in his hand. The Red Dragon Aura was still flowing from it into his body in a steady stream.

To use the tropes of cultivation novels, this was basically the new-and-improved Spirit Stone that every Cultivator dreamed of.

If he remembered correctly, this Dragon Scale was the one from Freya’s engagement ceremony.

He had no idea how that guy Jack had managed to steal it.

Only, the ring band was now gone. Knowing Jack, he had probably sold it.

In its place was some kind of emblem attached to the Dragon Scale.

Baron asked Jack what it was.

Jack answered casually, "It’s from an identity I threw together to get into the Beowulf Family’s estate as a specialist. I wore a mask, so they shouldn’t be able to find me... It’s probably just proof of identity. I’m not really sure. Maybe it was some kind of deposit. I checked it, though. It’s just some kind of ordinary metal."

Baron raised an eyebrow. He could sense a pleasant aura from the emblem, likely the remnant of some Dragon Race’s presence.

After what had just happened with the Red Dragon Scale, Baron figured an item with the aura of the Dragon Race might be useful to him as a Dragon Knight. He thought for a moment, then tucked it into his pocket.

————

[From the Secret Notes of Baron Constantin (the original):

September 11, 1976 / Plains / Overcast

Today, Master Zophie told me about the official marriage alliance between our family and the Lancelot’s Family. My fiancée’s name is apparently Freya. I wonder what she looks like, if she’s pretty.

Yelena gave me a red apple today. It was very sweet.

While I was eating it, she suddenly asked, "Brother, will you leave me someday?"

I said I wouldn’t, because we’re brother and sister.

Yelena asked, "Does being brother and sister mean forever?"

As she said this, she pressed herself tightly against my chest. She was just like a stray kitten I’d found on the street.

I thought about it and figured Yelena was probably afraid of being alone in the future.

So I told her with certainty, "It means forever."

She hugged me tightly. I patted her on the head. Her long, pale-cyan hair was getting more and more like Mother’s.

She said, "Brother, I want an apple."

I said, "No way. This was a transaction."

"Yes, Brother Baron... this is a transaction."

Her words were a little strange. I felt like she sounded just like Master Zophie during Alchemy. Is it just my imagination?]