[Lord of Abundance] Chapter 35: The Gold-Devouring Earth Dragon

 Chapter 35: The Gold-Devouring Earth Dragon

“…The Icefang Mercenary Group used the dragon egg to lure the earth dragon away. This noble, who claims to be the third son of Count Breton, has agreed to compensate us tenfold for our losses. After that, we retreated to Fengrao Territory and, together with the militia, eliminated the magical beasts that pursued us. That’s roughly what happened.”

—

“…”

—

The candlelight flickered.

After Dawn finished reporting the day’s harrowing events to the lord seated at the head, the reception hall fell into a brief silence.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

—

Standing in the center, Old Jili cautiously sized up the young lord before him—someone who looked oddly familiar.

Compared to the terrifying earth dragon, compared to Count Breton’s son, compared to the Icefang Mercenary Group…

This young lord seemed far more interested in the sandwich in front of him.

—

Kun was eating slowly, methodically, as if engaged in a serious battle with his food.

He suddenly paused, looked up, and asked:

“So, you’re done?”

—

“I also promised to request commendations for the militia and the guards. As for the magical beasts we obtained tonight—”

—

“That kind of thing,” Kun cut him off casually, “you and Tate can handle it together.”

“I only have one requirement—rewards and punishments must be clear.”

“No favoritism.”

—

“As you wish.”

—

Noticing Dawn hadn’t eaten after a full day outside, Kun picked up a smoked fish sandwich and offered it.

—

“I’m not hungry. Thank you.”

—

Kun withdrew the sandwich with mild disappointment.

—

Wasn’t it said that when a lord treated his subordinates generously, they would be deeply moved and swear loyalty unto death?

Why didn’t that seem to apply here?

—

Was it really like Li Xiaoyu had said—

That he lacked a certain “kingly aura”?

—

But what exactly was that aura?

Something like battle aura?

—

The cultural depth of this world was as unfathomable as magic itself.

—

Seeing Kun dressed only in sleepwear, his attitude so casual—clearly not taking him seriously at all—

Leon stepped forward, displeased.

—

“So you’re Kun Arlan.”

“What a small world—we meet again.”

“I’m Leon Smith.”

“According to the Noble Mutual Aid Statute, I request that you provide a carriage and no fewer than twenty guards to escort me to Smith territory or the capital.”

“As for compensation, it will be delivered once I return safely.”

—

Kun tilted his head.

“Have we met?”

—

“In Lowos City. Picking magical beast eggs.”

“You had a friend with you.”

“Oh, and Old Jili was there—he ran the stall.”

—

“Tate,” Kun said suddenly, “in your eyes… what does this person look like?”

—

The moment he spoke, everyone’s gaze turned toward the so-called “Leon.”

Suspicion filled the room.

—

The Icefang mercenaries subtly distanced themselves from their employer.

—

If the lord wasn’t blind—

Then this man was the problem.

—

Dawn’s hand had already drifted to his sword.

—

Old Tate narrowed his eyes, studying carefully.

“Round face. Slightly plump. Short brown hair.”

“Freckles—mostly on the nose.”

“A mole beneath the right eye.”

“Thicker lips.”

—

“…Isn’t that a nose growing on his eyes?”

“Then I must’ve mistaken him.”

—

“…”

—

Everyone stared at Kun, speechless.

What kind of eyesight could mistake a person like that?

This wasn’t just “mistaken identity.”

This was a medical emergency.

—

Kun didn’t bother explaining.

To him, the man’s face was completely blurred.

Clearly, some magical item was altering his appearance—and of a high grade.

—

Based on Tate’s description, it matched Count Breton’s third son exactly.

Which meant—

That identity could be ruled out.

—

But such flawless disguise…

It had to be connected to the Smith family.

—

Count Breton had four children—three sons and one daughter.

The first three frequently visited the marquis’ estate.

Kun had seen them all.

—

Only the youngest daughter—

Cherished and rarely brought to the capital—

Remained mostly unknown.

—

He had seen her once as a child.

She loved “egg gambling.”

And was said to be a rare beast tamer—though not very skilled.

—

Everything lined up.

—

A money-bringer had just delivered herself to his doorstep.

—

Kun had no intention of exposing her.

Nor letting her go easily.

—

What was her name again?

Mary? Moki?

He’d forgotten.

—

“You’ve got some nerve.”

Kun leaned back slightly, smiling faintly.

“Where did you get the information that a Gold-Devouring Earth Dragon has laid eggs in the Everdark Forest?”

—

“Leon’s” face changed drastically.

“What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t understand a word.”

“I was just curious about the Everdark Forest.”

“There are plenty of monster-infested forests in the Dansu Kingdom—why is only this one considered forbidden?”

“So I hired Icefang’s veteran members to explore.”

“We only wandered the outskirts.”

“Encountering that egg-laying earth dragon was pure coincidence.”

“And when I took the egg, the dragon wasn’t even there!”

“How was I supposed to know it was a dragon egg?”

—

Old Jili, who had been tense, gradually relaxed.

That explanation matched what they had experienced.

—

There were countless magical beasts in the world.

Their eggs were often indistinguishable.

—

That was why “egg gambling” existed.

—

Earth dragons shouldn’t appear near the outer forest.

Their misfortune had simply been… bad luck.

—

Kun only smiled.

—

Clever.

Avoiding the key point entirely.

—

He said “earth dragon”—

But never once mentioned “gold-devouring.”

—

Afraid people might recall what the Smith family built its fortune on?

—

It might fool others.

But not him.

—

Beast tamers were a branch of magic.

A declining one.

Even more obscure than potion-makers or astrologers.

—

But six hundred years ago—

The Smith family had risen through it.

—

Their ancestor had obtained a rare egg.

—

A Gold-Devouring Earth Dragon.

—

Dragons equaled treasure.

That was common knowledge.

—

But killing one was another matter.

—

Earth dragons were different.

They couldn’t fly around hoarding treasure.

—

Except this one.

—

Gold-Devouring Earth Dragons fed on magical mineral veins.

Where one appeared—

There was a mine of unimaginable value.

—

But the true treasure—

Was the dragon itself.

—

It refined the magic it consumed—

Condensing it into pure crystalline deposits within its body.

—

Each gram—

Priceless.

—

Killing it was foolish.

—

Raising it—

Meant possessing a living, inexhaustible mine.

—

That was how the Smith family had risen to power.

—

Until three hundred years ago—

When their dragon died in a great upheaval.

—

Kun smiled faintly.

“If you won’t admit it, fine. Let’s move on.”

“Let’s calculate compensation.”

“How many times did he say?”

—

“Tenfold,” Dawn replied.

—

“Rescuing a noble’s kin requires a gratuity.”

“For Count Breton’s child…”

“Fifty gold coins?”

“No—one hundred.”

“Lord Leon, does that suit your status?”

—

“Leon” exhaled quietly, then sneered inwardly.

So this was his true nature.

—

Money.

—

Good.

Money he had plenty of.

—

“Very well.”

“One hundred gold as a gratuity.”

“Tenfold compensation—one thousand gold.”

“I will pay upon my return.”

“I swear on the name of the Smith family.”

—

Old Jili remained expressionless.

Inside, he was seething.

—

They risked their lives—

Lost half their men—

And earned thirty gold.

—

This lord?

Sat comfortably—

And demanded a thousand.

—

Outrageous.

—

Dawn, however, relaxed his grip on his sword.

A thousand gold—

Fair enough.

—

Kun, on the other hand—

Found it amusing.

—

Too eager.

Too careless.

—

Something was definitely off.

—

Ah.

That explained it.

—

He set down his plate.

Cleared his throat.

And spoke sincerely:

—

“Lord Leon… I believe you’ve misunderstood.”

—

“Misunderstood? What—don’t want the thousand gold anymore?”

—

“Correct.”

“I can’t accept it.”

“It would weigh on my conscience.”

—

Leon frowned.

What was this?

—

Trying to curry favor with the Smith family?

—

How naive.

—

Still, he smiled warmly.

“Your generosity is admirable, my lord.”

“I will inform my father.”

“May the friendship between Smith and Arlan endure forever.”

—

Kun waved his hand.

“No, no.”

“I’m not that kind of person.”

“I prefer clear pricing.”

“Fair and reasonable.”

—

“My people saved you.”

“A gratuity is appropriate.”

“But not your one thousand.”

“Mine is one hundred.”

—

“Because gratuity is gratuity.”

“Compensation is compensation.”

“Don’t confuse them.”

—

“Now—let’s discuss compensation.”

“My people were injured saving you.”

“One hundred gold per injury seems reasonable.”

“Tenfold compensation—one thousand gold.”

—

Leon almost laughed.

So that was it.

He wanted more.

—

“Very well.”

“One thousand in compensation.”

“One hundred gratuity.”

“Total—eleven hundred gold.”

“Are you satisfied?”

—

Old Jili swore—

At that moment—

When the young lord smiled and said:

—

“Of course not.”

“That’s just the fraction.”

—

He saw it clearly.

—

A devil—

Wearing the skin of an angel.

—

The kind that devours everything—

Without leaving even bones behind.