Of course, as a decent, socially adept adult, Yu Lian merely gave a modest smile.
"Of course there are risks. But this is war. I could be taken out by a stray shot at any moment. Every soldier under my command is risking their life every second. Dwelling on it would be a little melodramatic."
Duchess Garibeyan suspected he was changing the subject—and showing off—but she had to admit he'd impressed her. The admiration in her gaze was completely undisguised.
"You really are a super lunatic, distilled to the purest essence!" she sighed.
"Thank you for the compliment." Yu Lian took it as praise rather than an insult.
"And the kind whose purity is off the charts. Even by the standards of the imperial family, you fit right in."
"That is even more flattering than I deserve... Hmm?"
Yu Lian eyed the princess suspiciously, now seeming a little unhinged. She was certainly quite pure herself. No wonder that, on another timeline, Brunhilde had called him an "old hag."
"But tell me, Lord Yu Lian, don't you think a genius with such a mad streak would be out of place anywhere else? You must have noticed by now, haven't you? The government you serve is run by mediocrities. They envy you, fear you, and shun you, yet they have no choice but to make use of your talents. You're a true dragon forced to live in the mud, among loaches. Where is the sky and sea that truly belong to you? You should be joining our family's bloodline! You were born to belong to the Galactic Empire, to the Dawn family." Duchess Garibeyan continued.
The knights exchanged glances and began whispering over their communications channel.
The dragon kings who ruled half the universe could switch seamlessly between genius and madman. In