Troublesome Dragon Egg

Allen cradled the Evil Dragon Egg in both hands and sprinted toward the Old Castle with his head down, as if a dog were chasing him.

Just moments ago, Allen and Wood had reached an agreement. The Evil Dragon Egg would be moved to the Old Castle, and the Outpost County Diocese would effectively acknowledge that Lord had indeed heard the Holy Father's whispers and calling.

Since he had heard the Holy Father's whispers, the church had no choice but to swallow its pride and agree to abolish the county's Commoner Tax Law as soon as possible. However, it refused to send Church Knights to protect him, merely perfunctorily casting a Holy Light Magic spell to temporarily seal the negative power within the dragon egg.

Allen knew exactly what little scheme Bishop Wood was plotting. The Outpost County Church would be delighted if this good-for-nothing Lord of theirs ended up dead in the street the moment he stepped outside.

That was why he was in such a hurry. Outpost County was a den of every sort of scoundrel; even if Wood kept quiet, the various factions would sooner or later discover that the dragon egg had changed hands.

The moment he left the church, Allen broke into a run. As for what to do with the dragon egg after returning to the Old Castle, he had yet to come up with a solution.

Yorkshire, drenched in sweat, chased after Allen. He could no longer care about keeping up appearances, his face red as he panted and shouted while running, "Make way! Everyone, make way! Don't let the Evil Dragon Egg affect your minds!"

The commoners in the market watched them blankly. They merely stopped and offered expressionless bows, showing no intention of moving aside.

Allen shouted, "The Holy See is about to issue a Battle Conscription Order! Church people will be here soon. If you keep wandering around outside, be careful they don't drag you off to war!"

Upon hearing their Lord say that, the commoners scattered like startled birds. No one bothered with formalities anymore, and they all hurried back indoors with terrified expressions. The market, which had been bustling just moments ago, was instantly empty.

Yorkshire bent over, gasping for breath as he watched Allen's retreating back and helplessly shook his head.

He really never missed a chance to smear the Holy See.

Everything that had happened that morning had completely changed his previous impression of this good-for-nothing Lord. His immature habit of lashing out whenever he was embarrassed, and his tendency to curse foully at the slightest disagreement, made him seem like nothing more than a street thug. He was nothing like a top scion of a wealthy family raised on noble education from childhood.

Yet when faced with that helpless commoner child, Lord's icy expression had seemed to keep everyone at arm's length. But in the blink of an eye, he had returned to the church without hesitation. Though he knew the enormous risks it posed, he had still insisted on abolishing the Commoner Tax Law.

By now, Yorkshire no longer believed Allen was truly as useless as the rumors claimed. What kind of fool could make an old fox like Wood suffer a silent loss with a simple countermove? Although Lord had gained nothing himself, perhaps the only beneficiaries were the county's commoners, who knew nothing of what had happened.

Yorkshire had many things he could not understand now. In particular, as a top noble who had been blessed with the Holy See's holy water since childhood, why was Baron so hostile toward the Holy See?

Yorkshire was skilled at reading people. From Allen's every word and action, he could not detect even the slightest reverence for the Holy See—only deep disgust and rejection.

Moreover, this good-for-nothing Lord could not even be bothered to hide his displeasure with the Holy See. On the Saint Cassis Continent, ninety-nine percent of people could not manage even that.

Yorkshire did not know whether Allen was truly fearless because he had an immensely powerful father, or whether there was some other reason.

But the most pressing matter was the endless trouble the dragon egg would bring. From the moment Allen accepted that Evil Dragon Egg, Yorkshire had understood that trouble would come one after another. Yet he could not worry about that now. All he could do was follow his Lord desperately and make sure the egg's negative power did not affect other commoners.

After charging all the way back to the Old Castle, Allen finally sat down on a stone bench in the garden and let out a breath of relief.

The magical patterns on the Evil Dragon Egg in his hands began to flicker with a faint glow as the Holy Light Magic cast by Wood gradually dissipated.

Dina, who had been picking fruit in the garden, skipped over curiously. But the instant she approached the dragon egg, all color drained from her broad face, and her sturdy body began to sway.

Yorkshire steadied himself against his own discomfort and supported Dina as he continuously backed away.

Allen looked at the two of them in confusion.

He could sense the incomparably powerful magic contained within the dragon egg, but he could not feel any of the negative power the others spoke of.

Even Old Laixi, the butler who rarely showed himself, hobbled out of the Old Castle with a cane. He stared excitedly at the dragon egg, tapping and knocking on it again and again.

Allen noticed that the old butler, skinny as a skeleton, seemed completely unaffected by the dragon egg's negative power.

"Second Young Master, how did the Evil Dragon Egg end up here?" Old Butler Leisi asked in a grating voice like a broken gong.

Looking at the lecherous-faced old butler, Allen thought, Other than me, there really isn't anyone in this castle who looks remotely human.

After spreading his hands innocently, he pointed at Yorkshire.

Yorkshire, standing some distance away, could only open his mouth and explain everything that had happened that morning, recounting every detail to the maid and butler.

After learning the full story, Dina cast a mildly reproachful glance at her master. "Second Young Master, you were too impulsive. There won't be any peace in the Old Castle from now on. Just wait—there'll definitely be a bunch of fools coming to harass the castle. Sigh, forget it. I'll pick out a couple of weapons and stand guard at the gate."

After saying that, Dina swayed her thick waist and headed toward the Training Ground.

Allen shrugged indifferently and let her leave.

Old Butler Leisi glanced at Allen and smiled without saying anything, seemingly not worried in the slightest.

"Baron, your personal maid is right." Yorkshire hesitated before continuing, "I think it would be better if you returned this evil dragon egg to the church."

Allen rolled his eyes. "Old York, could you just call Dina by her name next time, or simply call her a maid? Can you leave out the words 'personal'? You're the one getting personal with Dina."

"Baron, this is not the time for jokes. Those Desperate Mercenaries aren't kindhearted people, and the Old Castle's defenses are simply too—" Yorkshire swallowed the rest of his words as his eyes widened in shock. The castle's only maid was slowly walking back, carrying a Castle Defense Ballista on her left shoulder and dragging a seven-meter dragon lance in her right hand.

Dina tossed the ballista onto the ground as though it were trash, then went over and kicked it, turning its front toward the Old Castle's gate. With one little finger, she hooked the bowstring and drew it into a full moon before releasing it, producing an endless buzzing sound.

A ballista that required at least three soldiers to operate seemed as light as a feather in Dina's hands.

With a bang, Dina drove the dragon lance upside down into the ground.

Seeing that the lance had sunk at least a meter into the earth, Yorkshire's heart skipped a beat.

His mouth hanging open, he looked from the castle defense ballista to the dragon lance, waves of dread washing over him.

After all, he had often mocked the only maid of the Old Castle for her appearance and figure in front of Lord.

"You're right. The dragon egg really isn't safe in the Old Castle. The church is quite devious." Allen stroked his chin, his gaze sweeping across the faces of everyone around him. "Does anyone know how to purify the Evil Dragon Egg?"

The old butler opened his mouth as if he had something to say, but in the end, he merely sighed helplessly and shook his head.

Dina directly ignored her master. She sat on the ballista by herself, crossed her legs, and began embroidering.

Yorkshire spread his hands.

Allen was at a loss. Looking at the Evil Dragon Egg on the table as it continuously emitted negative power, he kept rubbing the stubble on his chin.

"What Evil Dragon Egg? That makes it sound so scary. Isn't it just an oversized egg?" Dina said without even raising her head, her silver needle in hand.

"I've got it!" Allen sprang to his feet, shot Dina an approving look, and said to Yorkshire, "Post a notice. Say that I, the Lord, will publicly purify this Evil Dragon Egg at the Old Castle gate. We'll settle it once and for all."

Everyone around him looked utterly baffled.

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