Chapter 202: A Visit to Dongjun

Compared to evil dragon species like red dragons and black dragons, bronze dragons are the only ones on Donald’s List of Truth suitable for summoning. If other evil dragons were to appear, even if they were under his control, no one would believe it, and it would inevitably bring various troubles.

Moreover, unlike black dragons that prefer to live underground or in swamps, red and blue dragons that inhabit volcanoes or deserts, areas with waters like Moonlight Lake are highly suitable for bronze dragons to live in.

“All these bronze dragons in Nozdorm are under your care—they are your juniors!”

The Bronze Dragon King naturally wouldn’t dare refuse. “As you command, master!”

Donald nodded and used teleportation to return to his domain.

Apart from their limited experience, these dragons are no different from true dragons in this world, and with even higher innate talents, they will likely grow into young dragons strong enough to rival advanced professionals in just a few years. Then, his domain will have a true dragon army.

However, it takes an extremely long time for young dragons to grow into adult dragons—at least several decades. Relying on them to reproduce on their own is out of the question; even if a mother dragon is pregnant now, it would take at least a hundred or eighty years before they can mature. Thus, this plan is a long-term endeavor, and for now, only Nozdorm, the Eternal King, and two pairs of young dragons can hold things together.

It’s still a shame his soul power is insufficient; otherwise, he could simply manifest two adult dragons.

Young dragons only need to eat once a month to survive, mostly relying on absorbing elemental energy to maintain their strength. Younger dragons eat less and only need to feed every three days.

Unlike young and growing dragons, beings of Nozdorm’s gold-tier status can go almost a whole year without eating after one meal. Elemental energy not only helps refine and increase their strength but also allows them to consume astonishing amounts—almost as much as what a young dragon eats in a year.

Fortunately, the Outcloud Mountains are vast, and the Green Cloak Forest is rich in resources. It was enough to support so many demon lords before. Now, if Nozdorm eliminates a few of those demon territories and claims them as his own, even more adult dragons can be sustained.

It should be noted that the lower the level of an animal, the faster its reproduction rate and greater its fertility. For beings at the top of the food chain like dragons, their reproductive cycle is measured in decades as the minimum unit. From the remaining dragon eggs to the successful hatching of young dragons, and then to their growth into young dragons, it takes over a hundred years—by which time, two or three generations of humans have already passed.

After returning to the territory, Donald finally had time to summon officials like William to inquire about the current status of the territory.

“My lord! The Dalaran Militia now has 130 full members and 50 reserve members, all ready to engage in battle at any time!”

After Clinton was promoted to Bronze rank and took charge of managing the Adventurers’ Guild, the Militia was placed under the leadership of Captain Barn. Judging from the situation over the past few months, he has done an excellent job as the militia captain.

Next, Moray reported on the sales situation at the Alchemy Fire Shop, William reported on the progress of territorial construction, and Clinton reported on the status of the Adventurers’ Guild.

Finally, Augusta and Jesse jointly reported on the territorial’s commercial development and the current financial reserves of Dalaran.

“My lord, with the introduction of canned ice fish roe, our four major industries have attracted many foreign merchants, some even from the southern part of the kingdom. Over the past half month, more than half of the shops in the commercial district have been rented out. The number of outsiders in the territory has now exceeded that of the permanent residents, bringing in substantial income. However, sales have been a bit chaotic during this period!”

“Oh? What happened?”

Augusta explained, “It’s this: since the introduction of canned ice fish roe, its shelf life has increased significantly. Merchants from various places saw the profit potential, especially those from the Eastern County area. Being close to Port Leighton, many of them have sea vessels that can transport the goods to Gardrel, where they can be sold at several times the original price. As a result, some local merchants took advantage of their geographical position to raise prices secretly for those distant merchants who couldn’t secure a share, causing chaos in the sales of canned ice fish roe.”

“It seems you already have a solution?”

Augusta said confidently, “Yes, my lord! What I suggest is that you make a trip to the Eastern County to discuss matters with the major merchant guilds and nobles there and sign contracts. From then on, our goods from Dalaran will be sold to them at normal prices, thus putting an end to those merchants’ arbitrary pricing!”
“Good!”

Donald clapped his hands and said, “Our territory should also establish a merchant association. I have transport means like alchemical airships, which are far more convenient and faster than other merchants’ carriages and ships, giving us a speed advantage. If we open an air route directly to Port Leyton, the profits each year will be even greater, so we won’t let those middlemen reap all the benefits!”
“Great!”
Upon hearing this plan, Augustus’s face lit up immediately. With his business acumen, he quickly understood the advantages of such an approach.
After deciding on the plan, Augustus immediately started preparing goods.
Donald, on the other hand, instructed William to arrange a residence for Carlisle and the other three near the lord’s manor. As for their future plans, Donald wasn’t in a hurry to know; it would be fine to wait a while until they got used to life in Dalaran.
After finishing these tasks, Donald went to discuss his experiences in the underground world with his teachers and the silver mages like Chris.
Now, Donald was on the verge of reaching the upper levels of silver mage status, and his strength was already comparable to that of Chris and Malf and their siblings. Often, a single idea he expressed would inspire many insights in the other mages. Through mutual exchanges, their progress was much faster than that of those who studied in isolation.
Merlin, this disciple, had been receiving basic training under Messel and Chris, while Donald, his official teacher, hadn’t taught him much, merely giving him a title. So, taking advantage of his free time, Donald systematically imparted to his disciple the mage theories he had developed. Different from traditional mages, Donald’s methods of cultivation and learning combined modern educational theories from his past life, resembling more the scientific approach of ancient archmages. Not only Merlin but also Messel and Chris were greatly influenced, believing this to be the true way of being a mage.
After staying in his territory for just three days, Donald packed up and prepared to set out again.
This time, it was because the commercial channels with the Eastern Region were too chaotic. So, Donald planned to visit Port Leyton, the capital of the Eastern Region. Of course, the actual negotiations would still be handled by the diplomats and business managers, Jesse and Augustus, with the nobles and merchants of the Eastern Region. As the lord, he would simply lead the group to ensure his status wasn’t underestimated.

This time, Catherine must come along as well. Since she moved to Dalaran, Donald has spent even less time with her. It’s also because everything has piled up these past days. Now that he has some free time, it’s only right to spend more time with his daughter. After all, the Eastern Region is the coastal area of the Selth Kingdom, with scenery different from other places—so it can be considered a business trip at public expense.

This trip isn’t by carriage but by three goblin airships. Donald thought the name “goblin airship” wasn’t very appropriate, fearing it might cause conflict with the meticulous Goblin Trade Union, so he renamed them “alchemical airships.” Anyway, the goblins in the game have no connection to those in this world.

Besides Donald and Jesse and other high-ranking members, the three airships also carry a squad of musketeer guards from the lord’s guard, along with Uther and Kelthas. With such strength, they needn’t fear even a band of hundreds of thieves.

Moreover, since the alchemical airships travel in the air, those thieves can’t even track them.

As for the territory, there are not only four silver mages stationed there but also guests like Carlisle. If anyone dares to attack, Carlisle and the others surely won’t stand by idly. After the Agricultural Goddess temporarily sealed his cursed bloodline, the aftereffects of using forbidden powers were greatly reduced, so it’s no problem for him to take action now.

Faced with Carlisle, a top-tier Golden Sword Saint, Donald can only wish good luck to any potential invaders.