Defeating the World with the Power of One Dragon!

Chapter 169: Escort Duty

Garoth walked out of the Dragon Nest alongside the White Dragon Trixie.

"Shall we take a look at the frozen tundra?"

Gazing northward at the frost and snow-covered landscape, Garoth suddenly felt the urge to investigate. The Permafrost Tundra was embroiled in fierce conflict between frost giants and barbarians, where bloodshed and death wove a chaotic tapestry across the icy plains.

Though Garoth hadn't ventured there personally, the small band of troll followers he'd first captured then assimilated, along with the frost behemoth he'd slain earlier, all had connections to that frozen region. The borderlands neighbored the tundra, and its turmoil was already causing ripple effects. This was why Garoth considered scouting the situation firsthand.

But after careful consideration, he shook his head and dismissed the impulsive thought.

"Better not. The tundra is too chaotic and dangerous right now - going there would be like jumping into a churning furnace."

"There's no need for me to take such risks."

"Almost daily, creatures flee the tundra's turmoil. We can gather information from them without endangering ourselves."

Having settled his thoughts, Garoth turned to the White Dragon.

"Come with me."This territory was crude at best - hardly worthy of being called a domain, merely a hiding place. With no emotional attachments, Trixie abandoned it without hesitation.

The two dragons took flight one after another, retracing their path southward as the air gradually warmed.

Meanwhile...

On the Estonian Great River, the Treasure Vessel's deck gleamed warmly under sunlight. Nick lounged lazily against the mast, savoring this rare moment of peace. The river's mirror-like surface reflected lush pine forests along its banks, disturbed only by the ship's gentle wake.

"You met the Wings of the Skyrend?"

The tiefling Margie emerged from below deck, joining her husband with a quiet question.

"No, the magnificent Wings of the Skyrend," Nick corrected his wife. "He's even more formidable than I imagined - worth betting everything on." His gaze softened as it fell on Margie's abdomen. "The deck's too damp for you now, dear. You should rest."

The tiefling had recently discovered her pregnancy. Unlike dragons, humans placed greater value on progeny. It was partly for their unborn child's future that Nick had resolved to stake everything on the young dragon. He knew this meeting had elevated his standing after passing the dragon lord's scrutiny.

Margie blinked her emerald eyes, smiling playfully. "I'm no fragile human girl, Nick. Ten of you couldn't take me single-handed."

The merchant rubbed his nose sheepishly. "My mistake."

After a pause, he added, "Boy or girl, our child will be strong and healthy."

Margie sighed quietly. "I hope they inherit your cleverness." Having endured discrimination for her heritage, she dreaded passing the tiefling bloodline to their child. Yet human-tiefling hybrids had fifty percent odds of inheriting that devilish taint.

"No, Margie. I love your eyes and horns." Nick pulled his worried wife close, his usual careless grin replaced by solemn determination. "I swear I'll build a powerful family, earn titles and lands. Then even if our child bears your heritage, they'll face no scorn."

"In our domain, tiefling blood will mean pride, not shame."

Wealth often translated to resources and connections. On planet Bernardo, wealthy merchants could purchase nobility - though far beyond Nick's current means.

"I'll look forward to that day," Margie replied with a smile.

Suddenly, a gust shattered the river's calm. Ripples became waves as dozens of razor-sharp dorsal fins sliced through water. The knife-fin shark swarm darted around the Treasure Vessel like silver lightning, making the ship lurch violently, its mast groaning under strain.

"Alert!"

"Beasts approaching underwater! Battle stations!"

"Portside thirty degrees! Ready the magic cannons!"

The crew sprang into action. The Estonian Great River's depths teemed with dangerous aquatic beasts that frequently attacked merchant ships. Knife-fin sharks lived up to their name - their blade-like fins could slice through hulls. Though the Treasure Vessel could repel them, damage would force repairs and delay their voyage.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Cannon fire churned the water, scattering the sharks. Yet one broke through the explosions, its powerful tail driving it straight toward the ship in a foaming wake.

WHOOSH!

A wind-wrapped arrow streaked down, intercepting the shark's path with pinpoint accuracy before detonating inside its body in a gory explosion. This was an explosive magic arrow - favored by elven archers for its speed, penetration, and post-impact detonation.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Three more arrows formed a triangular barrage, driving back the swarm. The sky rained explosive shafts that coordinated with the ship's cannons to rout the attackers.

Minutes later, the river calmed, its surface stained red with floating shark corpses as survivors fled. Nick returned to deck from shelter and looked skyward with the crew at a winged, guardian angel-like figure astride a spectral steed.

"One of the Dragon Lord's centaur commanders," Nick recalled. Among the centaur tribe was a unique winged female. Though indistinct at this distance, this must be her.

He was right. The figure was indeed the hybrid centaur Elvy, sent to escort the fleet - a privilege Nick had never enjoyed before. His meeting with Garoth had yielded greater support than expected.

"My gamble paid off," Nick breathed deeply, beaming as he bowed gratefully toward their aerial protector before turning to his crew. "Haul those sharks aboard! Shark fin stew tonight!"

As the Treasure Vessel resumed its journey, the river returned to its peaceful mirror-like state.