Chapter 322 – Dragonroar Kingdom

Beyond the Hoth Mountains lay a rugged range of peaks, where the Dragon Roar Kingdom had stood for over three centuries.

Scattered across uneven mountain summits were small villages, while terraced fields carved by farmers adorned the lower slopes. Country paths wound alongside clear rivers, converging at the heart of these terraces.

The snowmelt from the Hoth Mountains, rich in minerals and nutrients, nourished the mountainous fields. Consequently, not only did crops flourish vibrantly here, but the mountain pastures also grew lush and succulent. Every grazing goat grew plump and sturdy, appearing both robust and energetic.

Due to the significant elevation changes between mountains, travel posed considerable challenges for ordinary villagers. With each village perched on a hilltop, constructing roads between settlements proved impossible.

Yet these “minor inconveniences” didn’t deter the local inhabitants. The frequent intermittent updrafts caused by elemental surges in these mountains provided residents with a remarkably convenient mode of transportation.

The locals crafted massive kites from thick tanned oxhide and sturdy greenflower tree branches. When updrafts arrived, skilled “kite riders” would swiftly unfurl their kites, gripping the control bars tightly to ride the rising air currents toward distant peaks.

Naturally, this transportation method demanded considerable arm strength and courage from riders, not to mention inherent dangers. Still, these “homemade gliders” remained the only means of travel for these common folk.

This season marked prime fattening time for goats, as tender green grass proved particularly appealing to young lambs. Herders took advantage by driving their flocks up the slopes, hoping the lambs would eat their fill and grow quickly.

In previous years, however, shepherding had been a highly perilous occupation. The Hoth Mountains’ largest carnivorous bird population – the Stormhawk flocks – frequently targeted herders’ goat groups for hunting. These stormhawks possessed combat capabilities far beyond any ordinary person’s ability to resist. Often enough, even shepherds would be snatched away by hungry stormhawks. If a goat herd caught the attention of stormhawks… the affected village could only resign itself to misfortune.

This year, however, undispersible joy graced every herder’s face for a simple reason – not a single stormhawk had been spotted for over three months. Those hated yet feared “monsters” had long vanished from the skies. All herders celebrated this development, as kite riders no longer feared sudden talons piercing their skulls mid-flight, and villages dependent on animal husbandry no longer worried about bankruptcy from having their flocks decimated.

With the disappearance of the stormhawk population, every town and village in the Dragon Roar Kingdom bordering the Hoth Mountains brimmed with jubilation. Most delightfully for the herders, not long ago the Kingdom’s authorities had solemnly issued a declaration:”Under the enduring blessings of the Kingdom’s fortune blah blah… Through the efforts of Your Majesty the King and numerous Nobles blah blah… Under the protection of the Kingdom’s guardian—Ovakain Acidmaw blah blah… From now on, Storm-Thunder Eagles will never again harm the people’s property!”

Though most of this proclamation praised how wise and mighty the Kingdom’s rulers were, the claim about “resolving the Storm-Thunder Eagle threat” was indeed something the people had witnessed firsthand. Thus, when villagers from various towns saw the coarse parchment announcement, they would beam with joy—even though most couldn’t actually read.

On this day, outside the walls of Weilen Highlands Springwater Town in the Hoth Mountains, diligent farmers gathered their sowing tools and launched kites to glide toward their fields. Shepherds leisurely drove their flocks up the slopes, faces bright with happiness. For these simple folks, even modest assurances of property security and personal safety could sustain their cheerful moods for long periods.

Whenever they remembered how those pesky Storm-Thunder Eagles had completely vanished, the townspeople would gaze contentedly at the proclamation posted at the town entrance. That single sheet of paper from the Kingdom granted them profound peace of mind.

However, on this particular day, many noticed two strangers cloaked in black robes standing near the dust-covered announcement. One appeared to be a youth, while the other was short and stout, his robe-wrapped form looking as absurdly round as a ball.

The pair stood silently beside the notice, their mysterious aura making them utterly inscrutable.

Without doubt, these were none other than Punk and Ben Lajie, who had just arrived in the Dragon Roar Kingdom.

Regarding their direct arrival in the Dragon Roar Kingdom, Ben Lajie had complained incessantly—especially after the goblin airship “Luxury Carnival” had been reduced to splinters. Deprived of beautiful attendants and delicious pastries during the remainder of their journey, the portly old man had been forced to travel with Punk atop summoned creatures racing through cloud layers.

What disappointed Ben Lajie most was how his anticipated specialty dish of Maple Leaf Kingdom’s Cellar Wine Roast Duck grew increasingly distant. Consequently, the old man’s nonstop grumbling persisted throughout their journey.

“My heavens, look at what you’ve summoned! Are these mana rays? Are you certain their virtual souls don’t belong to some wind-drill gulls? Why do these things fly more bumpily through the sky than they’d swim through muddy ponds? I feel like my fat is being jostled straight out of me!”

Seeing they’d entered enemy territory while Ben Lajie still complained about travel comfort, Punk could only sigh at his unreliable companion’s antics:

“Be grateful we’re flying at all. We must carefully avoid elemental convergence points in the air—we’re infiltrating now, understand? Since you can’t guarantee whether those energy nodes are natural formations or enemy surveillance spells, circumventing them is essential. Besides, while mana rays do enjoy sharp turns and sudden altitude changes, at least they’re sufficiently sensitive to elemental energy…”

“Fine, fine, both mana rays were summoned by you. Old Ben Lajie knows nothing about summoning magic, so you can justify anything you say.”Unable to out-argue Punk, Ben Lajie soon gave up complaining about the mode of transportation. He abruptly changed the subject and began questioning Punk’s decision to infiltrate the Dragon Roar Kingdom for investigation:

“What’s there to investigate in such a small kingdom anyway? It’s probably just that black dragon’s whim to build a country for fun. I doubt that dragon would even remember owning a kingdom once it falls asleep. In my opinion, we should just go find Joni Zordas directly. That guy must have plenty of information about Ovakain. Then we can team up with him to slay that delusional foolish dragon in a few moves and be done with it. Don’t you think all this complication is just troublesome?”

Watching Punk remain silent while staring at the notice, the talkative Ben Lajie couldn’t help muttering to himself again.

The dragon-slaying plot begins—an absolutely unique adventure feast. Quickly throw your tickets over here! By the way… about the author’s gender and hobbies, you’ll know if you join the group~ There are surprises waiting~

(End of Chapter)