Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 653 - 604: Dragon Egg

Lyle stared at Mr. Raymond’s burning skull, its flames burning as usual, as if he had merely narrated an insignificant story. Betrayed by the Angel of Fire, his campaign against the father of dragons ended when he ascended to Ten Locks, resulting in an incarnate form that bore new weaknesses. With Light’s Reverse Scale, he had to withdraw from the front lines.

Lyle’s eyes unconsciously scanned over Raymond’s body, especially the broad back where it touched the bench.

"Light’s Reverse Scale is no longer there, you see." Raymond rotated his body without any hesitation, showing his intact back armor. Not a single wound was visible, perfectly flawless. "That was a weakness I had in life. I lost some memories in the process of my death. It must have been then that the wound George left me had healed."

This meant that Lich Raymond could be stronger than Paladin Raymond.

"I’ve always wanted to find the memories I lost and to understand the cause of my death, but I have no clue. The current George probably won’t give me an honest answer either," Raymond turned to look at Lyle, handing back the softened Lich Crown to him. "You’ve shown me a new way to interpret justice, Lyle, and reminded me of things past. Both of these are immensely precious to me. Exposing myself to new things, perhaps, isn’t such a bad idea."

The story of the Paladin, Mr. Raymond’s forgiveness, the gains of tonight exhilarated Lyle and eased some of the burdens in his heart.

"Mr. Raymond, why not try my flesh disguise? Having known you for so long, I still don’t know what you truly look like."

"I must decline that offer. The cold death trait of the Lich suppresses my emotions. If I were to wear a flesh disguise, I might get inflamed at the slightest provocation, in many respects."

After politely declining Mr. Raymond’s kind offer, Lyle left the Church of Holy Light with a chuckle, handed over the contented Lich Crown to the headmaster, and watched as it was locked away in the specially-made box. Lyle returned to Naslan, ready to enjoy a tranquil life after the excitement.

The life tormented by Naslan’s Specters lasted less than two days.

A loud dragon roar woke Lyle earlier than the Specter maids’ icy gazes could.

After freshening up, Lyle saw the familiar figure sitting at the dining table.

In his human form, the Giant Dragon, who had just become a ruler, sat with his hands on his knees, shaking his legs restlessly like an edgy boy. An anxious aura surrounded him, sparking flames that made the Specters keep their distance from this impolite guest.

The moment Lyle’s voice was heard outside, the Giant Dragon quickly stood up. His face was a picture of nervousness that turned into unrestrained joy. In a flash, he swept up to Lyle like a storm, lifted the comparatively small student high, and began his waltz around the dining room. Lyle was like a lead ball being swung through the air, enduring the physiological pressures of dizziness and nausea amidst the Giant Dragon’s laughter.

The dining room descended into chaos. Beatrice was the first to sense something amiss. When she saw the situation clearly, her tension turned into a smirk.

"Mr. Giant Dragon."

Alianna’s ethereal voice awakened the former members of the Cup of Extravagance, bringing the Giant Dragon back to his senses. His body was still trembling, but he was now able to express his apologies.

"I’m very sorry, I got overly excited. Alianna, I will compensate Naslan, some jewels suitable as an apology gift for the ladies, perfect for beautiful women."

Alianna returned a smile, "More than those jewels, I’d rather learn the reason for Mr. Giant Dragon’s happiness. Can you first put Lyle down?"

Lyle stood on the ground, knees buckling as if he had been pardoned.

"I have children now. Silvette has given birth to five children for me."

Alianna’s eyes sparkled, and she hugged Beatrice, bouncing on the spot like a joyous lark, conveying her blessings to the Giant Dragon. The joy for the newborns was infectious.

Nia extended a tentacle to pat the Giant Dragon on the shoulder, "Is it babies, Giant Dragon babies?"

"They’re dragon eggs. I want to notify my Dragon Priest, that is, Lyle, to come and see my dragon eggs with me. I want to share my joy with you all at the earliest moment."

Lyle finally regained his composure and, upon learning of the dragon egg’s creation, he was first thrilled, then befell into confusion.

"Teacher, didn’t you and Silvette just start trying to conceive a month ago? How could it be born already? This rate of reproduction... Is it normal?"

"The dragon egg is the essence of a giant dragon’s life. Normally, the gestation period of a giant dragon would range from three to five years. But I am not a normal giant dragon. I am the father of dragons, and also half an Evil God, so my offspring develop at an exceedingly rapid pace."

"This is one of the reasons I contacted you. The Dragon Priests have predicted that in a few days, my child will hatch from its shell, and you wouldn’t want to miss that moment. Besides, you are the only doctor I know who might have a medical qualification; surely you must know a bit about childcare and nursing, right?"

"No, Teacher, I’m an epidemic physician, and my spirit invocation was taught by you. I might be more than competent to serve as a doctor to the Liches, but asking me to take care of a child, let alone a young dragon... Aren’t you overestimating me?"

"Isn’t Nia also a child? Moreover, an Evil God in juvenile form. I believe in you, Lyle! The five Dragon Priests are also gathering knowledge on raising children from their tribes, so there shouldn’t be any trouble."

Lyle realized he couldn’t escape from the giant dragon’s expectations, and after all, it was a young dragon—who would refuse to raise a dragon?

"If you insist, I will give it a try, Teacher."

The giant dragon laughed, turning his gaze to the ladies of Naslan.

Alianna covered her mouth with a giggle, "Gentlemen, before we set off, please enjoy a breakfast first. It’s a fine cuisine procured from the Church of Holy Light’s Culinary Society."

After the meal.

The burial site of the giant dragon, the once nesting place of the father of dragons, Yemotar—a magnificent palace of bones came into view. The originally decorative fierce bone spurs were now covered with green plants, the verdant life and the ghastly pallor reflecting each other, creating a resonating and clear sound as the wind blew through the holes. A lava pool and a patch of ocean tide, set apart by spatial magic on the side of the palace, the disparity in temperature created by the two natural forces caused the continuous, strong winds.

Climate control devices that could be adjusted, created with all the might of the Dragon Priests.

The giant dragon, carrying Lyle, descended from the vertical entrance at the rear of the palace. Initially, a thundercloud floated there, but the giant dragon flapped his wings to scatter the cover, entering his nest through layers of bone-crafted defenses.

Silvette lay on a pillow heaped with gems and gold, with the five Dragon Priests forming a semicircle in front of her, quietly listening.

The giant dragon, holding Lyle in his jaws, took a big detour behind the Twilight Dragon and tossed Lyle into the ring formed by the Dragon Priests.

There were five dragon eggs, each the size of two pumpkins, each a different color, each with a unique pattern on the shell. They did not seem out of place amid the pile of treasures; instead, they stood out, extraordinary amidst the ordinary.

Those were the giant dragon’s true treasures, his offspring.

Although Lyle wanted to say that these five dragon eggs looked nothing like their father and mother. Instead, they resembled the Dragon Priests much more.

In front of the Black Dragon Priest was a black egg with an irregularly protruding surface.

The White Dragon Priest stood before a white dragon egg adorned with beautifully patterned scales resembling those of fish.

The Green Dragon Priest stared at the green dragon egg, lost in a trance.

In front of the Red Dragon Priest was what appeared to be a giant red jade gemstone.

And the Blue Dragon Priest, Mr. Scholar, was looking at his Crystal Dragon Egg; Lyle seriously doubted whether a Gemstone Crystal Worm would hatch from within.