Chapter 56 - 3: Dragnoff

On a small country road, a handsome redheaded youth and an old man with a pointed purple hat were sitting in a cart pulled by two large warthogs.

While the elder was driving the cart, the young man's eyes were closed while five little balls of flame circled him.

"Kid, you really are an abnormal being. Not only did you learn magic in just one day, but you've managed to upgrade level E spells to magic that will make even level A mages feel shame, maybe I should poison your food and sell your corpse to the dark mage."

"Damn old geezer, do you think I wouldn't dare cut you up into little pieces and throw your corpse to the wolves?"

The little balls of fire floating around Haruto suddenly disappeared, then he looked at the bright sky for a moment before his eyes fell on completely exhausted warthogs, sweating incessantly but still pulling the cart.

"Why don't you buy horses, warthogs aren't the best way to travel."

Yug's eyes suddenly widened and he looked at Haruto with a look of contempt.

"You're going to kill me, do you even know how expensive the horses are? You take me for a king, humpf, only fools will spend their money on horses. Warthogs are the best animals to move around, they're pure lineage animals, full of vigour, tireless..."

*Pang* *Pang*

The two warthogs fell to the ground utterly exhausted.

"My warthogs, do not die! You're too expensive to die!!"

. . . . . . . . .

Haruto and Yug, each carrying a sack, walked on a mountain road.

"My money... my precious warthogs..."

Haruto, watching Yug cry, could've sworn that he'd never seen anyone this shameless in his three lives.

"Why do you want to go to the Dragnof Kingdom?

"If you wanted materials for your alchemy, we could have gone to closer towns."

Yug continued to cry for a few minutes, then wiped his tears and his face took a more serious expression.

"Unlike other alchemists or mages, I am not a member of any association and serve neither royalty nor nobility. I practice magic only to help my fellow men as my master taught me."

"For almost a year the dragons are trying to ravage the continent. The kingdom of Dragnof is one of the strongest kingdoms with the most Dragon Slayer mages, but lately, the kingdom is running out of manpower to protect itself, its queen has decided to employ mercenary mages and alchemists, I, Yug Golden Greed, am a good man.How can I not help them?!!!"

Haruto then looked at bragging Yug, and asked:

"How much?"

"What?! You don't believe me, but I can't blame you, young people today are so depraved."

"How much?"

"Stop slandering me! I'm a wise man full of the spirit of justice..."

"How much?"

"Defamation..."

...

"How much?"

"You think all I care about is money...."

"How much?"

"1.000.000J (100000$)

Haruto nodded, understanding why the old skinflint was so excited the whole way.

The two continued on their way for several days almost without stopping and finally, after 23 days of walking, they reached the kingdom of Dragnof.

The kingdom of Dragnof was located in the eastern continent of Ishgar.

Dragnof was a country in which lived many Dragons and humans, as both races freely interacted and lived with one another in peace. Irene Belserion, known as the "Queen of Dragons" was the kingdom's queen.

Yug and Haruto entered it after a short inspection at the main gate.

The entire kingdom was surrounded by walls, on the inside it contained numerous housing and building structures, as well as the main palace.

The exterior of the palace had many tall structures with Dragon statues placed on top of them, walkways, passageways, as well as trees and plants between them.

The palace itself was a large stone building with many unique structures and arches.

The streets were crowded and lively, inhabitants were busy with their activities while the children played games.

Haruto, with a slight wonder, watched as the dragons flew through the sky, while Yug pulled out a map of the city directing them to a large building in the town centre with the inscribed signboard [Magic Association].

They entered the building, which was filled with men and women in various magician's outfits, all lining up at several tables with men in armour.

Entering the building they saw that it was filled with men and women in various mage outfits, all of them were lined up at several tables at which warriors in armor sat.