Chapter 121: Return

The journey resumed, with Frodo joining their group. To accommodate his short stride, Heatherway magically controlled a Great Horned Deer as his mount.

“Thank you, beautiful Lady Heatherway.” Frodo grinned atop the Great Horned Deer. “This is actually my first time riding one. It feels good — at least the tall weeds don’t block my view anymore.”

“I admit slaying that Frost Wyvern proves your strength. But I’ve done something you never could.” While chatting with Su Lun, Frodo shared amusing tales of his travels. Soon, however, he slipped into his usual habit — boasting.

Halflings loved sitting with a pipe, happily puffing smoke while telling tall tales — a habit reminding Su Lun of his past life.

“Honestly, I’m not joking!”

Frodo drew deeply from his pipe and blew a perfect smoke ring. Solemnly, he declared: “Once, a noble hired me to retrieve an item from a Dragon’s lair.”

“That Dragon was thirty meters long! Its jaws could swallow me and this Great Horned Deer whole. Its indestructible scales and razor claws crushed boulders to dust — touching me would tear me to shreds.”

Pipe clenched between teeth, Frodo gestured wildly mimicking Dragon claws, even adding a shudder for effect. “The danger was extreme! I desperately dodged its strikes; several swipes nearly ended me.”

“Human strength has limits, and bodies differ. Any other human or Halfling facing that peril would’ve died within three minutes. But me? One skid-steer move avoided the Dragon’s attack!”

“That clumsy beast never hit me. Instead, my dagger sliced a gash in its leg scales.”

“It tried to turn and strike, but I ducked into its treasure pile. The fierce battle dragged on — cramped caves hindered its movement until it fumbled confusedly… Then I strolled right out with the item.”

Su Lun knew Frodo exaggerated but found it entertaining anyway. Even Heatherway, nestled in Su Lun’s arms, listened intently.

Dragon scales’ toughness vs. those tiny knives? Be lucky to scratch them — “gash” them? What weapons did he claim to have? A +10 legendary Gith silver sword?

Dragons? Mere tales. Few dragons appear in the human world; known ones boast terrifying powers. Take that ancient Red Dragon Queen ruling the Southern Seas — a ruthless monarch imposing taxes on a vital trade route.

This cunning Queen commanded monster armies and dominated that passage for over five centuries. No one dared “dragon-slaying” — those who tried are long dead.

Unlike prideful, dim Red Dragons, this Queen was shrewd… and a magic addict obsessed with spell research. At least Legendary Tier Wizard-level power meant nobody crossed her.

Imagine a Dragon with Legendary spellcasting? No human Wizard’s slow rituals — their spells fired instantly. Given Dragon strength, even an all-Legendary adventurer squad would get slaughtered. Time Stop. Maze. Disintegrate. Burst damage. Party wiped before lifting a finger.

Survive that? Now fight a beast tougher than any Legendary Warrior. Size dominates melee.

Magically versatile, energy-filled Dragons bypassed the Arcane Web. Their power could annihilate legendary teams — plus minions, armies, traps, monster swarms.

So surviving, infamous Dragons? None are easy targets.

Thus Frodo’s “Dragon” was likely just a brainless, Spell-like Ability-less, non-breath-weapon Lesser Dragon only capable of clawing.

Su Lun didn’t expose him. Having this entertaining Halfling made traveling enjoyable. Despite fibbing, Frodo inflated real adventures, unknowingly sharing worldwide intel.

The return trip went smoothly. Two days later, Su Lun’s group reached his Territory.

“Whoa! What’s that?” Entering the land, the five-kilometer-long Aqueduct captivated Frodo. Rising forty meters high and four kilometers long, it was this era’s marvel.

“That’s our city’s waterworks. It supplies the entire city.” Heatherway proudly added, “And no magic powers it.”

“A true wonder of construction!” Frodo marveled.

“Plenty of time to see it later. For now, into town,” Su Lun waved dismissively. The Aqueduct impresses now? Just wait till real legendary structures rise — then you’ll witness wonders.

Ever seen a Hanging Garden (Arcane Garden)? Four Spirit Beast Altar? Stargazing Platform? Harvest Altar? Golem City? Build those miracles? You’ll faint.

Inside town, its cleanliness stunned Frodo — easily his view of the cleanest city. Many rules felt novel: pedestrians/vehicles kept right; uniform street heights.

Returning to the Lord’s Castle, Su Lun found Chris awaiting him. After assigning Frodo’s quarters, Chris teased, “Back already, Dragon-slaying Hero? No heads-up about your glory? I’d have prepped a feast!”

“Plenty Frost Wyverns out there? Get me one tomorrow — I want Hero status too…”

Heh.

Walking over, Su Lun slapped her springy backside. Two days without discipline made her arrogant.

“Hey! Why??”

“Why not?”

Hoisting Chris with one arm and grabbing Heatherway with the other, Su Lun headed for the hot springs. Days traveling and Frost Wyvern battles left him craving warm water over Cleaning spells.

Besides? Without disciplining both girls with “Plasma Cannons,” they’d flip over heavens. Not zapping them limp meant no sleep tonight.