"Your Highness Noah, the Bronze Dragon Egg has been found!"
When the Great Fairy eagerly reported this news to Noah, the bronze dragons were still surrounding Noah, waiting for the news.
Although they were all older than Noah, compared to him, they only had this advantage left. Apart from age, in terms of power, relationships, information channels, and so on, they all fell short of Noah. It was precisely because of this that they became lords loyal to Noah.
Noah was somewhat surprised to hear the fairy’s report,
He had already used extraordinary powers to trace the whereabouts of the dragon egg. He even went to seek his foster mother Selena’s help, asking this Legendary Mage to perform a Prophetic Technique to locate the egg’s position.
Unfortunately, and to Noah’s cautious concern, a powerful force had shielded everything related to it, so Noah could only use mundane investigative methods to search for the dragon egg.
Though slow, this primitive method was indeed effective. The slightest rustle of the wind, or the traces left by the passing of birds, could ultimately lead to something concrete.
Investigation required highly meticulous observation and careful thinking to uncover results from a real-world perspective.
Unexpectedly, even before solving the case, the dragon egg returned on its own. This sudden turn of events certainly caught everyone off guard.
"It was brought back by a rather strange-looking human voluntarily."
The human who brought the dragon egg was quickly presented to Noah. The moment Noah laid eyes on this human, he saw through his disguise immediately.
"Orff Kenberk Castor, at your service, Your Highness Noah!"
The "human" who came with the three bronze dragon eggs bowed deeply to Noah under the watchful eyes of the bronze dragons.
"Orff? Your name rings a bell, but I remember an elderly human warrior, and you are not even human."
Noah stared at the figure below. Under his Dragon Power, unable to maintain his Transformation Technique, the snake-man who had just appeared with a human countenance, now had his legs fused into a thick, robust dark snake tail.
"But I am still Orff, Your Highness Noah. While I have abandoned my human identity, I have not forsaken my surname, betrayed my family, nor forgotten the help you and the bronze dragons gave me."
The snake-man Orff, who appeared unscathed, spoke earnestly.
Having interacted with the Metallic Dragon Race numerous times, he knew the key to communicating with dragon species: never attempt to lie. Every word must be genuine, and saying nothing is better than deception.
Moreover, it elated and inspired him that the being revered as the Holy Dragon still remembered his name—a mere acquaintance and now elderly human—and even recognized him as a warrior. With such acknowledgment, everything he did was worthwhile.
"It seems you’ve been through much. Since you’re standing here, you should be willing to share everything with us. My companions are very eager to know who dared to steal their children."
"The Sitra Snake-man Empire!"
Orff immediately provided an answer, then meticulously reported everything he knew to Noah.
The bronze dragons, who initially harbored hostility towards this non-human alien race, listened to this noble who chose to become a snake-man for life extension. Upon seeing the bronze dragon eggs, he resolutely chose to rebel again, and their gaze gradually changed.
"Have you considered the consequences of taking the bronze dragon eggs out of the Snakes Hall and bringing them back?"
Noah did not express surprise at Orff’s narrative. Let alone panic over unverified matters.
Even if it was indeed the Empire, so what? It sounded like just an advance party, yet to build sufficient strength, remaining in the shadows. What is there to fear?
"I have considered it, but I believe that returning the dragon eggs will not only repay your and the bronze dragons’ kindness but that you will also offer me ample reward, protecting my family and ensuring our bloodline continues and does not perish."
Orff stated firmly. The Sitra Empire might be strong, but its forces deployed on the Xilantia Continent were not strong. He had already fought his way out of the Snakes Hall, yet not a single Legend appeared to stop him, proving enough.
In contrast, the Metallic Dragon Race had already proven their power and inviolable authority.
Faced with the nearby dragon species and the distant empire, as an ignorant short-lived species despised by snake-men, he naturally chose to align with his original race.
"Haven’t you considered your own end?"
A bronze dragon asked intriguingly,
"You chose to become a snake-man, and now you betray them. As a betrayer, you might face retaliation from the snake-men and the backlash of bloodline, which we might not be able to solve."
"The worst result is merely to face death calmly, a fate I should have confronted initially. I once chose to avoid it, but this time, I am willing to face it."
Orff said candidly. Indeed, he clung to life, unwilling to accept death, but not willing to live so perversely.