Leonardo's eyes gleamed with renewed zeal.
"My lord, to be of service to you is the greatest honor! I've already thought of a way! With your resources, we can entice them easily!"
"Tell me specifically how we'd do that," Michael prompted, wary of Leonardo's intensity but intrigued nonetheless.
Leonardo flashed a radiant smile that sent a shiver down Michael's spine. It was the kind of unnerving grin that reminded him of a famous villain from his past life's movies.
"It's simple! You, my lord, are a dragon knight and have a sphinx under your command. What is there to hesitate about? Just let it be known that scholars can come here to study your dragon and sphinx, and the mad mages will swarm in like bees to honey. The knights trying to breed magical beasts using dragon blood will be no different!"
Michael sat silently, pondering Leonardo's bold suggestion. He replayed the words in his mind.
Of course, he thought. I've been viewing this situation too much from a modern perspective. Sometimes, you fail to recognize the value of what's right in front of you.
Leonardo's words had opened his eyes to the unique opportunity presented by the presence of Miaomiao, the sphinx, and Markus, the dragon. He had underestimated how their existence could captivate the minds of others and draw unparalleled attention.
A flicker of excitement lit up within him as he realized the potential.
"Are you saying the sphinx and the dragon could be enough to lure talented individuals here?" Michael asked, still processing the idea.
Leonardo nodded vigorously.
"Absolutely, my lord! Magicians are always on the hunt for new knowledge and research opportunities. There are only seven dragon knights across the continent, and I can assure you, none of their dragons are as approachable as Markus. Moreover, the prospect of researching magical beasts using dragon blood is irresistible to knights with their own beasts. Many of them are high-ranking nobles or influential figures who could become your patrons.
"And let's not forget the sphinx. The chance to converse with such a rare and mythical creature would have the archmages lining up at your doorstep! If you make your presence known during your upcoming trip to the capital, I bet you'll return with a retinue of scholars and knights. They'll be flocking to your banner like moths to a flame!"
The audacity of the plan left Michael momentarily speechless.
"But... wouldn't that be dangerous?" he asked cautiously. "Wouldn't attracting so much attention make us a target for jealousy from the major powers?"
Leonardo scoffed, his confidence unwavering.
"Hah! Who would dare provoke the wrath of a sphinx and a dragon? While they may not tilt the scale of a territorial war or a conflict between nations, they can certainly handle anyone foolish enough to be a ringleader. Even a king would think twice before meddling."
Leonardo's words brimmed with conviction, a testament to his understanding of the immense power embodied by the sphinx and the dragon. These were not mere magical beasts; the sphinx symbolized wisdom and mystery, while the dragon represented unmatched strength and destruction.
Michael exhaled slowly, nodding in agreement.
"I see. That's reassuring. We'll proceed with your plan to attract talent. If we can draw magicians and knights, bringing in other scholars should be even easier. Thank you, Leonardo. You've lightened my burden."
Leonardo's eyes welled with tears, his emotions spilling over.
"To have my humble suggestion accepted by you, my lord it's an honor beyond words!" he exclaimed, tears streaming down his face like chicken droplets.
Michael watched the emotional display with a mix of awkwardness and exasperation. He wiped the sweat from his brow as Leonardo left the room, still sniffling with joy.
"I can't take much more of this," Michael muttered to himself before heading off to find his father, Baron Dominic.
"Ah, Michael. What brings you here?" Dominic asked, his voice warm.
"I wanted to discuss our plans for the upcoming trip to the capital," Michael replied.
"Good timing," Dominic said, leaning forward. "I was about to call for you myself. With my title about to be elevated, I need to make preparations for the journey. What do you think about the size of the entourage we should take?"
Michael, focused on the broader picture, began explaining his ideas and Leonardo's proposal. As he spoke, Dominic's expression brightened, his enthusiasm growing with each detail.
When Michael finished, Dominic clapped his hands together.
"Well, isn't that a brilliant idea? To think those 'pets' of yours are such incredible assets... Your grandfather should have sent them to us sooner. Haha! We've struck gold with this arrangement! But tell me, how did you manage to form a contract with the dragon? They're known for their pride and only bond with those they deem worthy."
Michael hesitated, then admitted reluctantly, "To be honest, it's because Markus is... well, not the brightest."
"Ah," Dominic murmured, nodding in understanding. "I see."
After a moment of contemplation, he added, "No need to let anyone else know that. Let's keep that little detail between us."
"Understood," Michael said, inwardly sighing.
Dominic seemed to consider something else. "Markus exudes a certain confidence when he's silent. As long as he doesn't speak too much, no one will suspect anything. We can use his natural greed to intimidate anyone who questions us."
Satisfied with that plan, Michael shifted the conversation to a more pressing concern.
"How do you plan to fund the pioneering efforts? The gold we earned from the Crowley campaign won't be nearly enough."
Dominic fell silent, his expression thoughtful, before responding.
"First, we'll collect contributions from our vassals. They've served our house faithfully all these years; it's only fair they invest in this venture. Next, we can request funds from the freemen who wish to accompany us. They'll see the opportunities in a new land and won't mind making a small investment. As for the serfs, well, they're ours by default. They don't have a choice in the matter."
Michael nodded, following his father's logic.