CHAPTER 71: CHAPTER71-THE HEART OF HONOR

"...As you’ve seen, Owen, there’s Oliver, Finn, and Chrisman," the king began.

"Oliver, deluded and misguided, has committed unforgivable treason. He’s lucky to be alive, but his eligibility for the throne is unquestionably gone."

Owen remained silent, anticipating the king’s performance.

"The internal troubles don’t end there; there are many others... but let’s not dwell on each of them."

"Let’s talk about external threats. I’ve received intelligence that the Seapine Kingdom seems to be in cahoots with the beast race, poised to invade our Laine Kingdom. We are at constant risk of war... Alas..."

"These years have been challenging for the Laine Kingdom!"

Owen’s eyebrows twitched, thinking to himself, "What does this mean? Does he want me to investigate these matters?"

The king turned, his gaze intense as he looked at Owen: "Would Your Highness be interested in carving out a legacy in the human kingdoms?"

Owen, expressionless, shook his head, "I’m not interested."

The king’s expression didn’t change.

He sat down and took a sip of water before continuing, "Don’t be so quick to refuse, Your Highness. Our kingdom is very keen on fostering good relations with the dragons. Haven’t you heard a saying when you’re out in the world?"

"What saying?"

"At home, one relies on their parents; abroad, on their friends. The more friends you have, the more paths you open. If we could establish a friendship, wouldn’t some issues be easily resolved?"

"Our dragons have no intention of engaging in disputes with other races. Right now, we only wish to recuperate and live peacefully."

"But trouble has a way of finding you," the king said in a low voice, a shadow of solemnity crossing his face.

"What do you mean?" Owen asked, his expression turning grave.

"Have you ever wondered, Your Highness, why you came to this world? Why it was specifically you who arrived here?" The king’s words were cryptic and hard for Owen to grasp.

"Your Majesty, could you please clarify?" Owen requested.

Seeming restless, the king stood up again and walked to the window, gazing at the landscape outside.

Beyond the city walls, golden wheat fields shimmered under the sunlight, like a golden ocean bestowed by the earth.

Farmers worked in the fields, their faces brimming with contentment and joy.

Between the fields, meandering streams flowed, bringing vitality and life to the land.

"Your Highness, come and see," the king called, not answering but instead inviting Owen to join him.

Owen stood and walked to the king’s side, looking out the window.

In the city center, the towering church bells tolled, their sound resonating through the air.

People, dressed in their finery, laughed and chatted, creating a lively atmosphere.

In the market, merchants hawked various goods, attracting passersby to stop and gaze.

Children played in the streets, their laughter like heavenly music, full of life.

On the other side of the castle, craftsmen busily worked, creating exquisite artifacts with their tools.

In the blacksmith’s forge, flames roared high, and the sound of hammers echoed.

In the tailor’s shop, seamstresses sewed elegant clothes, their fingers skilled and agile.

"What about it? Isn’t this all wonderful?" Owen raised an eyebrow. "This is all thanks to Your Majesty’s efforts. Laine Kingdom’s prosperity, being called the foremost kingdom of the human race, is an undeniable achievement of Yours."

The king laughed, waving his hand slightly, "I didn’t expect the saint of dragons to be capable of such pleasing words. I thought saints were always stern and straight-laced, unfamiliar with worldly ways."

"It’s all from the heart," Owen replied, still looking out the window.

As the foremost kingdom of the human race, the royal efforts of the Laine Kingdom were undoubtedly significant.

"What if one day all this beauty were to vanish? Would you then find the world less interesting?" The king’s face lost its smile, turning philosophical.

Owen was momentarily puzzled but responded in line with the topic, "Naturally."

"It’s a pity that you are still young, and we don’t have much time left."

"?" Owen was baffled.

Just as he was about to inquire further, the king swiftly changed the subject, "If you were to marry the saintess of our race, would you help the human race?"

Owen looked bemused, thinking to himself, "He doesn’t know that the saintess of the human race is already my woman."

He naturally wouldn’t clarify his relationship with Diana to the king at this point.

"Do you have that kind of influence? The saintess of the human race is not under your control, is she?"

"Heh, as the king of the foremost kingdom of the human race, I do have some resources. If I can’t manage such a thing, then I might as well not be king at all."

The king was brimming with confidence, a stark contrast to his earlier somber demeanor, as if the previous philosophical and heavy-hearted man wasn’t him.

"Forget it. By the age standards of my dragon kin, I am still but a child, far from the age of marriage," Owen deflected, using his age as a reason.

The king glanced at Owen, then slyly eyed his lower body, remarking, "Is that so?"

Owen, pursing his lips, responded somewhat speechlessly, "Although I’m of a child’s age in dragon years, my abilities far surpass those of an adult human."

The king laughed so hard his shoulders shook, "Dragons and humans are alike, it seems, with the males of both species having a strong sense of competitiveness in... certain aspects."

Internally shaking his head, Owen hadn’t expected the king to be so informal and candid.

"Alright, it’s time I present you with your reward."

The king walked to his desk, opened a drawer, and took out an exquisitely crafted box.

He opened the box, revealing a badge inside.

Circular in shape, about five centimeters in diameter, it was crafted from pure gold, gleaming brilliantly.

The king picked up the badge:

"The Heart of Honor, the kingdom’s most precious badge. In a thousand years, less than three hundred people have been bestowed with it. Today, it is yours."

Owen accepted the Heart of Honor, feeling the arcanergy pulsations emanating from it.

"A legendary-tier arcanergy artifact?" he looked at the king, "This is too precious."

The king shook his head, speaking softly, "With your identity and your strength, you deserve this badge. Let me explain its functions."

At the center of the badge was a gemstone that shimmered with a blue light.

"This is a Moonstone," the king pointed at the gemstone, "It aids in focusing the mind and increasing the speed of arcanergy cultivation."

Around the gemstone was a series of intricate patterns.

"These patterns form a glyph array. The Heart of Honor can serve as a defensive arcanergy artifact in times of crisis, although it requires charging."

Owen observed the Heart of Honor, noticing more details.

The edges of the badge were adorned with delicate filigree, intertwining like the close-knit bonds of human stars.

The texture of the lace was clearly visible, each detail meticulously polished, showcasing the high craftsmanship of Laine Kingdom’s artisans.

On the back of the Heart of Honor, ancient text was engraved, the oath of the Laine Kingdom:

"For honor, for justice, for peace."

Holding the Heart of Honor, Owen felt as if he held the glory of the entire Laine Kingdom in his hands.

With this token, he felt almost like a part of the kingdom itself.

The king, noticing his sentiment, elaborated with emphasis, "The most important function of the Heart of Honor is that it embodies the mind power of the human heroes’ spirit. If needed, it can even summon the heroic spirit of humans to fight for you."

"Unfortunately, since you are not human, this feature might be somewhat limited for you."

Owen was immensely astounded; the Heart of Honor had such capabilities. It was nothing short of a divine artifact!

The king, pleased with Owen’s reaction, waved his hand nonchalantly, "With these functions in mind, other benefits like unrestricted access to the palace and no hassles from other human kingdoms seem trivial by comparison."

Owen, gripping the Heart of Honor firmly, agreed, "Indeed."

"?" The king was momentarily taken aback. I was just being modest, but do you really think those are trivial?

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for such a precious gift. I am unworthy of it."

The king’s eyes shifted, seizing the opportunity to make his request, "Since that’s the case, I wonder if you would consider becoming Finn’s mentor? Teach him combat techniques or magic to enhance his abilities."

Owen grinned broadly, responding very bluntly, "No."

The king was taken aback again. Hadn’t Owen just expressed his gratitude?

Inwardly, Owen mused, "I was just being polite, and you really thought I felt indebted?"

The two locked gazes for a while, neither willing to back down. Finally, it was the king who conceded.

"Your Highness has an extraordinary temperament. You are destined for great achievements."

"Much appreciated," Owen replied with a smile. Both of them were as sly as foxes; what was the point in playing mind games?

"Hmm... Your Highness, how about we make another deal?" the king pondered for a moment, feeling it was necessary to rope Owen in further, to deepen the bond between him and Finn.

"Let’s hear it," Owen said, looking as if he was waiting for the right price, much to the king’s irritation.

He realized that Owen was no ordinary saint; he knew how to leverage his status for maximum benefit.

Such a dragon was dangerous, yet capable of going far.

"If you agree to be Finn’s mentor, I will offer you a condition you absolutely cannot refuse."