The windows were custom-made artifacts by Leonardo, worth tens of thousands of gold. The magical glass allowed those inside to see out, but not the reverse, a feature that was sure to delight the ladies of the capital.
Inside, a plush chair was set up for Miaomiao, while Marcus had his portable nest—a luxurious creation lined with gold-threaded brocade. True to his dragon nature, Marcus lounged in his nest, clutching gemstones from his recent spoils in his claws as he dozed off. Watching him, Miaomiao clicked her tongue.
[What a lazy dragon. Hey! Wake up, will you?]
Startled by Miaomiao's prodding, Marcus groggily opened his eyes. [What is it now, sister? Do you need sothing?]
[Ha! All you do is eat and sleep. You're no different from a baby chick. Why don't we just call you 'Peep'?]
[Call whatever you want, sister. Just know that if anyone else tries, they'll be my next al.]
Exasperated by his indifference, Miaomiao sighed deeply. What a dull reaction! Maybe she'd go and bother Hope instead.
Michael watched the pair with a satisfied smile. It was good to see them getting along. Julian, however, had his hands full serving them. From trimming Miaomiao's claws to brushing her fur, and ensuring Marcus's als were on ti, the young squire found himself handling more beastly errands than knightly duties.
It felt odd, but it wasn't all bad. Who knew what opportunities might arise?
There was speculation about whether Michael's growing affinity with the beasts might one day make him a Beast Rider upon his knightly awakening. The most common thod of acquiring a beast companion was to venture into the Drago Mountains and test one's luck. However, knights who ventured there usually t one of two fates: either they erged with a beast or they themselves beca a mutated monster.
Everyone dread of finding a high-grade beast capable of intelligent communication, but such fortune was rare. This was why beast breeding and the sale of young beasts flourished as businesses—money offered a safer alternative to risk.
Michael harbored hopes that as his territory prospered, it might eventually support beast breeding. Perhaps, like the Wyvern Battalions of the Radiant Kingdom, his lands could develop a lineage of wyverns bred for military might. Theoretically, the purified blood of a dragon could elevate a lesser beast's bloodline, and when used on a pregnant beast, it often resulted in offspring of a higher grade than their parents. For this reason, Michael knew he had to maintain Marcus's goodwill.
The journey grew monotonous, and Miaomiao seed endlessly restless, constantly seeking to play.
[Marcus, you little chick! Are you napping again? Ugh, seriously… wake up already!]
"Miaomiao, stop bothering Max. He still needs ti to fully heal from his injuries," Michael said, his tone calm but firm.
Montarily hesitating, Miaomiao reached out and gently patted Marcus's head. Marcus mumbled incoherently before burying his snout in his wings and drifting back to sleep.
[Chick-like as ever. Sigh… Michael, give another riddle. The last one was quite good, you know.]
Michael smiled at the bored sphinx. To maintain peace inside the carriage, he decided another riddle might be in order.
"Hmm… Alright, here's a tougher one this ti. Try to solve it."
He paused for a mont, gathering his thoughts, and then spoke in a serious tone.
"I have no house, yet I enter people's hos. I have no wings, yet I'm always flying. What am I?"
Miaomiao grew quiet as she pondered the question. The carriage fell into a serene calm once again. Michael gazed out the window, contemplating the journey ahead as the carriage rocked gently along the road.
After so ti, Miaomiao's triumphant voice broke the silence.
[Got it! It's the wind! It's wind, isn't it, Michael?]
"Wow, as expected of the wise sphinx! That's correct, Miaomiao," Michael praised her.
Pleased with the complint, Miaomiao raised her tail high, the tip quivering with pride.
[Hmph! Another one! Give another riddle!] Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire
"Alright, alright. Here's one more," Michael replied with a chuckle. After thinking for a mont, he posed the next question.
"I have thousands of leaves, yet I am not a tree. What am I?"
Miaomiao's tail flicked as she delved into deep thought again. Just as she was about to answer, a loud commotion erupted from outside.
The carriage ca to an abrupt halt, jolting Marcus awake. Michael quickly opened the carriage door to assess the situation.
"What's going on?" he asked.
Anthony, who was standing guard nearby, responded imdiately.
"My lord, the road ahead has collapsed. It appears to be blocked. Alex has gone ahead to investigate."
Michael moved to step out of the carriage, but both Miaomiao and Leonardo stopped him. Reluctantly, he issued instructions through Anthony.
"Remain on alert! Inspect the surroundings and ensure the safety of my father and Baron Kensington. Where is Grandfather?"
The soldiers quickly drew their weapons and surrounded the carriage in a defensive formation. Leonardo leapt onto the roof of the carriage to get a better view.
"The baron and the… uh, monster—no, I an, your grandfather—are safe, my lord," Leonardo reported. "The baron is with Baron Kensington under the soldiers' protection, and your grandfather is with Hope. Fortunately, no one appears to be injured."
Despite this reassurance, the situation demanded caution. A road collapse on the main route to the capital was far from ordinary. There had been no recent heavy rains to explain such an occurrence.
Michael gave Anthony another order.
"This doesn't seem accidental. Divide the soldiers—half will guard the carriage, and the rest will scout the area. Report anything unusual imdiately."
Anthony nodded and sprinted off. Leonardo, perched atop the carriage, scanned the horizon with sharp, reddened eyes.
Suddenly, Michael felt a surge of foreboding. Drawing his sword, he thrust it downward into the carriage floor.
A spray of blood and a sharp scream followed. At the sa ti, Miaomiao's massive paw slamd into the air with crushing force. Her claws tore through the shadow of a man attempting to sneak beneath the carriage.
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