Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence-Chapter 241 - 235: Marquis Orlando

Raylo was about to take a water flask from his bag when he heard the words. His movements froze, and he nearly lost his balance.

He turned his head to look at Sun’s incredibly earnest golden eyes. There wasn’t the slightest trace of ambition or desire in them, only pure, matter-of-fact logic.

Is the problem difficult to solve?

Then become the person who can solve it.

Raylo was stunned for a long moment, then burst into an uncontrollable fit of laughter.

"HAHAHAHA! Good! Well said!"

His hearty laughter carried far across the Cloud Sea.

The suggestion sounded absurd and naive, yet it struck him like a bolt of Lightning, hitting a place deep inside him that had never been touched before.

’Become a Duke?’

He had never considered this somewhat distant prospect before.

But now, having it proposed so matter-of-factly by a Giant Dragon, he felt a strange sense of heroic ambition stir within him.

’Perhaps... it isn’t such an impossible dream after all.’

「On the morning of the fourth day.」

When a damp sea breeze, tinged with the scent of salt, brushed against Raylo’s cheek, he knew they had arrived at their destination.

Baofeng and Sun passed through the last layer of thin clouds, and a boundless azure expanse crashed into view without warning.

It was the sea.

Unlike the tranquility of inland lakes, the ocean before them pulsed with the rhythm of Life Force and Power.

Sunlight scattered across the water’s surface, shattering into a billion points of dancing golden light.

Waves beat tirelessly against the coast, churning up mountains of snow-white foam and creating a powerful, roaring surf.

And at the junction of the Continent and the ocean, a magnificent port city sprawled along the winding coastline like a great white beast.

This was the Northern Territory’s largest port, Baisha Port.

The city was named for the fine white sand of its beaches and the white cliffs that extended into the sea.

Viewed from high above, the entire city was nestled between mountains and sea in a well-ordered arrangement.

The outermost perimeter was a tall, Solid wall. Its grayish-white stone was covered in mottled marks from the sea wind’s erosion, and several towering watchtowers stood like loyal guards, vigilantly watching the horizon.

Within the walls was a bustling, vibrant world.

The area near the port was filled with rows upon rows of massive warehouses and shipyards.

The air was thick with a mixture of wood, tar, and fish. While not exactly pleasant, it was brimming with life.

Countless bare-chested workers bustled about in the docks, the sounds of hammering, sawing, and work chants weaving together into a powerful symphony of labor.

Hundreds of ships of all sizes were moored in the harbor, from small sampans used for coastal fishing to giant three-masted schooners capable of long voyages. Their masts rose toward the sky like a dense forest.

Sailors nimbly scrambled across decks and rigging, loading and unloading cargo from all over the world.

The central area of the city was more orderly.

Wide Stone Slab roads spread out in all directions, lined with buildings of various styles.

There were peaked stone towers in the style of the Northern Territory, red-tiled bungalows in the style of the South, and even some dome-topped buildings with an exotic flair.

This was proof enough of Baisha Port’s prosperity and inclusiveness as a trading hub.

The most eye-catching structure was the lighthouse at the city’s highest point.

It was built of pure white stone blocks and stood a hundred meters tall. Even during the day, the enormous Magic Crystal at its peak emitted a soft halo, like a Star that would never fall, guiding all ships sailing these waters toward home.

"ROAR!"

Even Sun let out a roar of admiration upon seeing such a magnificent human city-state.

Baofeng let out a clear cry in response. Sensing its master’s will, it beat its wings, picked up speed, and dove toward the port city below like an arrow released from a bow.

The airflow from the Giant Beasts’ landing blew the fine sand on the ground into expanding ripples.

Baofeng folded its wings and stood proudly, its Iron Feathers glinting with a cold, metallic light in the Sun.

"Halt! State your identity!"

The soldiers of the city gate guard quickly surrounded them. They were clad in uniform Chain Armor and held Long Halberds, their formation tight and clearly well-drilled.

Their eyes were wary but held little panic. As the largest port in the Northern Territory, the guards of Baisha Port had seen their fair share of grand spectacles.

But a Griffin King exuding a regal aura and a ten-meter-long Giant Dragon were still enough to make them give their full attention.

A Personal Guard stepped forward and took out a parchment scroll from his coat, stamped with the crest of the Black Stone Territory.

"The Black Stone Lord, Count Raylo, has come to visit at the invitation of Marquis Orlando of Baisha Port."

The Guard Captain took the scroll, carefully inspected the Fire Wax Seal on it, then looked up at the distinguished-looking Raylo. His attitude immediately became much more respectful.

"So it is the Lord Earl of Black Stone Territory. My apologies for the disrespect. Please, follow me."

"Thank you."

Raylo gave a slight nod.

Entering Baisha Port, the view from the ground was different from the grandeur seen from above; it was filled with a more vibrant Life Force.

The salty sea air, mixed with the aroma of grilled fish, the richness of rum, and the clamor of the crowd, formed a symphony unique to the port city.

Merchants and sailors of different skin tones and accents crowded the wide streets shoulder to shoulder. The shops on either side offered a dazzling array of goods, from rare Ocean Magical Beast Materials to exotic spices and silks—they had everything.

Raylo’s party settled in at the city’s largest inn, the Siren’s Song.

It was a three-story building constructed from giant white stones and blue roof tiles, with a wooden carving of a glamorous mermaid hanging by the entrance.

"My Lord, I have booked the best rooms for you and your Personal Guards," the Personal Guard reported.

"Also, as you instructed, I’ve ordered three servings of the dragon fish set meal."

Crouched at Raylo’s feet, Moonlight, who was grooming its fur with a paw, paused its movements. Its ears twitched in satisfaction.

They had chosen this inn primarily because its top floor was a massive terrace that could accommodate customers’ Flying Magical Beasts for rest.

After a short rest, Raylo set out for the Lord’s Mansion in the city center, taking only two Personal Guards with him.

Marquis Orlando’s mansion wasn’t as opulent as one might imagine. Instead, it resembled a sturdy Fortress. Its outer walls were made of huge granite blocks, covered in ivy, exuding a sense of weathered stability.

After being announced, Raylo was soon granted an audience with the master of Baisha Port in the reception hall.

Marquis Orlando appeared to be in his fifties. He was tall and sturdy, with skin tanned to a bronze color by the year-round sea breeze and a pair of gray-blue eyes as sharp as a falcon’s.

He wasn’t wearing the elaborate formal wear common among nobles, but a well-tailored, dark blue flannel coat. His attire was refined but not extravagant, and his every move carried a mixed air of a soldier and a merchant.

Decisive, astute, and radiating an aura of command.

"Welcome, young lion from the Black Stone Territory."

Marquis Orlando’s voice was loud and powerful. He extended his hand and gave Raylo a firm shake.

"I’ve heard much about your deeds. It’s no simple feat to make a name for yourself in the war with the Fiery Sun Kingdom."

"You flatter me, Lord Marquis."

Raylo replied calmly, signaling a Personal Guard to present the gift.

It was a pair of goblets carved from Obsidian, their bodies inlaid with fine Fire Magic Crystals that swirled with a lava-like luster in the light.

Marquis Orlando’s eyes lit up, and he made no effort to hide his appreciation.

"Excellent! I like this kind of powerful craftsmanship, much like the style of your Black Stone Territory. Please, sit."

The two sat down, host and guest, and a maidservant served steaming hot black tea.

"I sent an envoy to the Black Stone Territory to express my interest in a marriage alliance, so I assume you are already clear on my intentions."

Marquis Orlando got straight to the point, without beating around the bush in the slightest.

"Yes, Lord Marquis. It is my honor to receive your favor."

Raylo said frankly.

"Haha, whether it’s an honor or not is up to you young people to decide. My daughter, Avril, has been spoiled by me since she was a child. She has a very wild personality."

Marquis Orlando laughed heartily.

"I’ve already sent someone to fetch her. You young people should meet and talk. Whether it works out or not won’t affect our two families becoming friends."