The sea breeze carried a hint of chill, weaving through the alleys. The noble estate, surrounded by towering walls, cast large shadows under the moonlight.
Barbos looked at the dockworker leading the way with an inquiring gaze.
"Yes, the Governor resides here."
Bali nodded vigorously, unable to conceal his excitement and exhilaration.
His dream was coming true. The Holy Dragon Emperor was about to conquer this port city. When leading this esteemed guest to Upper City, he had already seen the dragon-men disembarking from the docked vessels.
Though these dragon-men lacked wings and appeared weaker than this dignitary, their numbers were overwhelming, a fact clear even to a dockworker with limited insight like him.
The intention of this group of dragon-men was malicious; as he arrived, the defensive forces at the dock had already been dismantled. The dragon-men were taking over the port.
Barbos had no intention of verifying, he just stepped forward and kicked open the estate’s gate with a loud "bang," instantly shattering the tranquility of the noble residence.
The night guard was alarmed, but upon seeing the reckless intruder who had kicked down the door, his hand gripping the sword paused abruptly, and his body became rigid with fear, unable to stop himself from shouting in panic and confusion.
Although he was a seasoned adventurer, his experience told him that an unprepared encounter with a dragon-man possessing high-purity Dragon Blood was exceedingly perilous.
Barbos ignored the frightened guard and headed directly towards the most luxurious and towering building in the estate. Although more guards started to respond, none dared to rush forward.
For when Barbos broke into the estate, numerous dragon-men descended from the sky. This was no solitary action by Barbos, but a well-orchestrated raid.
With a hundred thousand dragon-men landing, it was clear that even those who hadn’t undergone military training posed too great a threat for any ruler to tolerate or ignore.
Thus, during ocean voyages, under the suggestions and directives of various Dragon Lords, the dragon-men reached a consensus.
Now, the high-rank dragon-men who landed first were charging straight — or rather recklessly — into the residence of New York Port’s highest administrator.
Within the estate, many servants awoke to the sudden disturbance, peeking their heads out from rooms, only to withdraw in fright upon seeing the ominous-looking dragon-men, not daring to breathe loudly.
Releasing a caught steward, Barbos violently kicked open a door protected by an alchemy matrix. A disheveled middle-aged man, pale and slightly plump, released the trembling woman in his arms, looking at the fierce dragon-men before him with both shock and anger.
"I am the Great Governor of New York. What do you intend to do?"
The man’s voice betrayed a tremor as he grabbed a coat to wrap himself, trying to muster courage as more dragon-men flooded into his room, filling it with an intangible yet palpable power.
Barbos stepped forward with a relaxed smile and said:
"It’s you we’re looking for. We want to rent the port."
"Rent the port? Are you referring to renting the docks? That’s a trivial matter."
Domas, hearing the request from this fearsome dragon-man, sighed with slight relief, even correcting the matter on behalf of the dragon-man.
"There’s no need for such forceful methods to find me; after all, I’m an official appointed by the Divatlin Federation, under the protection of Federation law.
Your actions could be considered a challenge to the Federation, but I am willing to forgive your offense. We can discuss your dock rental calmly."
"Rent the docks? No! Just a few docks won’t satisfy our needs. We require the entire port, this city beneath your feet."
Barbos laughed aloud at such innocent words.
When the dragon-men landed, the city’s control had already shifted. The concept of renting was merely to preserve the reputation of the Holy Dragon Emperor, as the noble and sacred Golden Dragon could not be a mere robber.
"You want New York? That’s impossible; not only do I lack the authority to agree to such terms, but the Federation would never accommodate such an unreasonable demand. Who are you really?"
Domas shouted loudly with false bravado.
"The port’s trade with us is not insignificant. As this port’s highest administrator, can you not guess our origins?"
"You come from across the sea, you’re the people of the Holy Dragon?"
Being a member of the elite, Domas had a broader understanding of the Xilantia Continent than the commoners, who knew only snippets and rumors.
"You know it well. Why ask then?"
"Does your Holy Dragon aim to invade our Federation?"
"Not invade, but rent."
Barbos corrected sternly, dispelling his smile.
"Renting an entire port; how is that different from invasion?"