Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence-Chapter 71: The Master’s Intention

"You’re too kind, Master. May I ask what brings you here this time...?" Raylo asked, probing.

At the mention of business, Master Barnaby immediately grew excited. He leaned forward, his voice rising a few notches.

"Baron Raylo! The Dragon Scales you sent me last time... they were simply incredible!"

He waved his arms excitedly.

"I’ve studied Magical Beast Materials my entire life, and I’ve never seen such a peculiar scale! It somehow contains both pure physical resilience and potent Magic Energy, and these two completely different types of Power have achieved an unbelievably perfect balance within it! It’s a true masterpiece of creation!"

Raylo’s interest was piqued.

Master Barnaby continued excitedly, "Lord Baron, I must be honest with you. I am researching a Potion to help Tier Four Peak Magical Beasts break through to Tier Five! This research has stumped me for decades. The crucial problem has always been how to balance the berserk physical Power and Magic Energy within a Magical Beast’s body as it breaks through. But those few Dragon Scales you gave me have provided a massive inspiration! They are the perfect catalyst I have long been searching for!"

His breathing grew ragged, and he stared at Raylo with a burning intensity.

"Based on my analysis of the lingering aura and trace elements on the scales, that Silver Dragon is anything but ordinary! Its lair—or rather, the place where you found the scales—must still hold more valuable clues! There might even be more scales, or other secretions and sloughed-off materials!"

"So..."

Master Barnaby rubbed his hands together eagerly.

"Baron Raylo, I would like to visit the place where you discovered the Dragon Scale and conduct a field investigation. This is of the utmost importance to my groundbreaking research! Of course, I would never expect the Lord Baron to help for free."

He once again took a box from his Magic Space Bag, pushing it carefully across the table to Raylo.

"As a token of my gratitude, here are five vials of Great Knight’s Breakthrough Potion. So long as the Lord Baron agrees to let me survey the location, they are all yours!"

Great Knight’s Breakthrough Potions!

Raylo was taken aback.

For Black Stone Territory, which was in desperate need of high-level fighting power, the significance of these five vials of Great Knight’s Breakthrough Potion was immense.

’And all Master Barnaby was asking for was to take a look at that abandoned mine?’

"If I take anything from the site, I am willing to provide another batch of Potions of equivalent value."

Raylo’s expression remained neutral, but inwardly, he was ecstatic.

’He’d brought Moonlight back long ago. Other than some lingering Dragon Mighty and a few signs of a fight, it would be impossible to find another Dragon Scale in that mine, let alone anything else of value.’

’Letting Master Barnaby investigate posed no risk whatsoever, and he’d get five vials of Great Knight’s Breakthrough Potion for free. It was an absolute windfall.’

"Master, your dedication to your research is truly admirable."

Raylo put on an expression of admiration.

"It’s merely an abandoned mine. If it’s useful for your research, Master, then please, feel free to go. There’s no need to speak of compensation; that would make us seem like strangers."

Though his words refused the offer, his hand made no move to push the box back.

Master Barnaby was overjoyed that Raylo had agreed so readily.

"Your magnanimity is inspiring, Lord Baron! Rest assured, I am only conducting a scholarly investigation. I will cause no damage, nor will I reveal the location."

"I have faith in your integrity, Master."

Raylo smiled faintly and called out, "Bolin!"

"My Lord, I am here!"

Bolin quickly ran in from outside.

"Bolin, this is Master Barnaby, a renowned Potion Master," Raylo introduced.

"Master Barnaby wishes to conduct some research at the abandoned mine where we were previously stationed. You are to guide him, ensure his safety, and accommodate any of his reasonable requests."

"Yes, My Lord!"

Bolin gave Barnaby a curious glance before respectfully acknowledging the order.

"Thank you for your trouble."

Master Barnaby nodded at Bolin, then turned back to Raylo to offer his sincere thanks once more.

"Thank you, Lord Baron, for making this possible!"

"You’re too kind, Master. I wish you success in your research."

Raylo stood to see them off.

The corner of Raylo’s mouth curled up as he watched Master Barnaby and Bolin leave Black Stone Castle, the Potion Master’s face alight with excitement and anticipation. To the low growls of a vicious Two-legged Flying Dragon, they headed toward the abandoned mine, a cave whose draconic occupant was long gone.

’Hopefully, the Potion Master will find the ’inspiration’ he’s looking for in that empty cave.’

’Still, I should go fleece Moonlight for some more. When the Master returns, maybe I can trade for another batch of valuable Potions.’

The afternoon sun was perfect—warm, but not scorching.

On the terrace, a white furball was curled up on a soft cushion made just for it, snoring softly.

Raylo approached quietly.

Moonlight seemed to sense something. Its ears twitched lazily, and an eyelid cracked open to reveal a pale gold, slitted pupil. It glanced at Raylo before closing its eye again, uninterested. A low rumbling, much like a contented cat’s purr, emanated from its throat.

"Wake up, Moonlight."

Raylo’s voice was quiet.

The tip of Moonlight’s tail stopped twitching, clearly annoyed at having its nap disturbed.

It rolled over, buried its head in its paws, and pretended not to have heard him.

Raylo wasn’t annoyed. He walked over, crouched down, and brought his eyes level with its head.

"I have a small favor to ask."

Moonlight remained motionless, letting out only a louder rumble from its throat.

Raylo patted its furry paw.

"I need some of your scales."

Moonlight finally reacted. It snapped its head up, its pale golden eyes glaring at Raylo, full of wary suspicion that screamed, ’What do you want now?’

It even opened its mouth slightly, baring a hint of its snow-white fangs in silent protest.

"Relax, I’m not asking for them for free."

Raylo knew just how to handle Moonlight.

"That Potion Master I told you about? He’s very interested in your scales and is willing to trade some good stuff for them."

Moonlight tilted its head, as if pondering the value of this "good stuff."

After a moment, it flopped back down lazily and swept the tip of its tail against Raylo’s pant leg, the picture of disinterest.

Moonlight wasn’t interested in whatever goodies a Potion Master could offer. It was only interested in the goodies the chef could provide.

Raylo had fully expected this stubborn refusal.

He stood up and clapped his hands unhurriedly.

The crisp sound echoed across the terrace.

Soon, a side door swung open, and the chef, Marlin, walked out carrying a silver platter the size of a washbasin.

Piled high like a mountain on the platter was freshly roasted golden goose, sizzling with rendered fat and filling the air with an intoxicating aroma!

The rich scent of meat mixed with spices instantly permeated the entire terrace.

Moonlight, who had been playing dead, twitched its nose violently a few times. Its eyes snapped wide open.

It sprang up from the soft cushion in a flash, all traces of its previous laziness gone.

Moonlight landed gracefully on the marble table in the center of the terrace. Its pale golden eyes were locked on the massive platter, a veritable mountain of roasted goose, and a series of rumbles emanated from its throat.

"You want some?"

Raylo leisurely strolled to the table and placed a hand on Moonlight’s large head, stopping it from pouncing on the roasted goose.

Moonlight let out a whimper and rubbed its head insistently against Raylo’s palm, trying to nudge it away. Its eyes, however, never once left the mouthwatering platter.

"Same rules as always. A trade."

Moonlight froze. It looked up, its eyes filled with accusation and reluctance.

It glanced at the roasted goose, then back at Raylo, seemingly waging a fierce internal battle.

"A fair trade," Raylo stressed.

"A few of your small, shed scales in exchange for this entire platter of delicious roasted goose. It’s a bargain."

Moonlight’s front paws scraped restlessly against the smooth surface of the table.