Chapter: Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
Bryant was now a Muggle. His half-baked Shapeshifting Dragon Speech was far from enough to transform him into a perfect human form. He still had horns on his head, and fine blue scales around his waist, though they were hidden by his formal attire.
“What should I do now?” Bryant paced back and forth in the Dragon’s Lair, filled with anxiety. If he were still on the Five-Colored Evil Dragon Island, he could easily find a Dragon Witch to cast a complete Shapeshifting Dragon Speech for him, allowing him to become a perfect human. However, returning to the Colorless Dragon Island now would take at least half a month. By the time he found a Dragon Witch and completed the shapeshifting ritual, then returned to Dragonflame City, the Bard Competition would have long ended, and the Sapphire as large as a millstone would likely be gone forever.
“I’ll give you three minutes. Hurry and think of a solution for me,” Bryant was so agitated that he turned his anger towards the innocent Thunderflame Bat. “If you can’t think of a way out within three minutes, you’ll be lying alone outside the Dragon’s Lair as a pile of dung by around six o’clock tomorrow morning, and those jungle wolves will eat you!” Bryant threatened the Thunderflame Bat leader fiercely.
The Thunderflame Bat leader was on the verge of tears. It knew that the Five-Colored Dragons were unreasonable, but it never expected this Blue Dragon to be so unreasonable, resorting to threats of turning into dragon dung if it didn’t come up with a solution. Being a vassal of a Blue Dragon, was it even a good thing? As a small Thunderflame Bat, what could it possibly do? It couldn’t possibly perform a perfect shapeshifting ritual for a Giant Dragon. If it had that ability, it wouldn’t be stuck in the Dragon’s Lair as a bat anymore…
After much deliberation from physiological and psychological perspectives, and considering the weather and the Blue Dragon’s impatience, the Thunderflame Bat leader took a deep breath. A flash of inspiration struck its mind, and it thought of the only possible solution.
“Master, how about we retract the dragon horns after shapeshifting…”
“What did you say!?” A thunderous roar erupted from the Blue Dragon in the Dragon’s Lair. The Thunderflame Bat leader was once again swatted out of the Dragon’s Lair.
Half an hour later, Bryant finally broke off his dragon horns. The dragon horns that had manifested on his head were only a part of the whole. When he reverted to his dragon form, only a quarter of his dragon horns were lost. While it affected his appearance, it was a necessary sacrifice. Facing a choice between the millstone-sized Sapphire, two top-tier Bards, and complete dragon horns, Bryant resolutely chose the Sapphire and the Bards. Losing a quarter of his dragon horns would surely lead to mockery from his Green Dragon sister. But with two renowned Bards, his name would spread far and wide across the continent. And with the millstone-sized Sapphire, what kind of Green Dragon couldn’t he charm? From green dragon eggs to ancient dragons, even undead green dragons, he could make an attempt! All the sacrifices were worth it. At worst, he could use a quarter of the Sapphire to craft exquisite jeweled dragon horns and reattach them to his broken ones.
After waiting all night.
Just as the first ray of dawn stretched across the horizon. Bryant, who had mourned his broken dragon horns all night, finally emerged from the Dragon’s Lair. He brought his long sword and shield from his treasure hoard, wearing a blue formal suit as a base layer, a finely crafted set of armor over it, a jade belt at his waist, and a fox fur scarf around his neck. Although his attire was peculiar, it led the fashion trend and was guaranteed to turn heads.
“There once was a knight who left his home, his name was Bryant ~ The wind howled, the warhorse neighed ~ His shield was as solid as a rock, his long sword cut through iron like mud ~ Charge! Charge! Ah ~ He turned into a Giant Dragon ~ Aha ~ Scared his enemies greatly ~” Knight Bryant hummed a cheerful tune. He tamed a wild horse in the forest and mounted it. Without a saddle, he merely gestured with his hand, and the wild horse carried him onto the gravel path leading to Dragonflame City. “Another day full of hope ~” His song echoed through the forest. “Here they come ~ Here they come! My treasure…”
Meanwhile, in the plaza of Dragonflame City, the Bard Competition had officially begun. There was only one competition item: composing catchy songs within a set time based on themes provided by the judges, songs that were melodious, elegant, and easily accepted by the masses. Suddenly, Bards, who usually only appeared in the countryside and small taverns, emerged and gathered together. Amidst the cheers of the crowd, they showcased their talents and poems. However, ordinary people of this era received very limited education. Most Bards were mere wanderers, perhaps with a bit of artistic flair, or fallen nobles who knew a musical instrument, but they couldn’t deliver enough artistic impact. Many Bards, in fact, had little knowledge or substance. Their rhymes were often shallow, and some of their content was vulgar, causing the judging Court Alchemists to shake their heads. For example, a Bard, inspired by a drink, his eyes scanning a lady on the street, bared his rotten brown teeth and blurted out:
“I only listen to twenty-year-old songs,
I only drink hundred-year-old wine,
I only watch thousand-year-old tunes,
But for you,
I’m practicing the most fashionable poses~”
This was a poem themed around wine and song, but its content was clearly too vulgar and thus disqualified.
“Next, … Wendy.” The elderly Court Alchemist adjusted his glasses, his brows furrowed into a knot, and sighed. “Begin your performance!” A young Bard stepped onto the high platform. He appeared graceful and noble, seemingly more reliable. “Spring!” he announced loudly, his eyes distant.
“The farmers erect their seedlings,
The birds erect their branches,
The painters erect their brushes,
Upon seeing you!
I, too, feel erect.”
The Court Alchemist: “…”
“Next!” he slammed the table. Bryant, hidden among the audience, also frowned. As a Blue Dragon, while he didn’t possess the artistic talents of Silver or Gold Dragons, he had the heritage of the Dragon race and was considered knowledgeable. Clearly, the poems of these Bards were utter nonsense and far from his standards. If the first-place Bard was only at this level, he saw no need to continue watching and could simply go to the City Lord’s Mansion to seize the Sapphire. “Let’s watch a bit longer…” He took a deep breath, calming himself. He remembered that the two top-tier Bards described by the Thunderflame Bat leader hadn’t performed yet.
