Chapter 1021: Otto’s Ambition

Chapter 1021 -243: Otto’s Ambition

Aleppo.

As the starting point for the Crusaders attacking the Sassanid Dynasty, there are daily shipments of supplies arriving from Egypt by sea, then transported overland to Rahab, Hades, and even Baghdad.

Recently, Otto, the governor of Aleppo, and the overseas emperor’s own brother, has been scratching his head due to the sudden increase in workload.

Closing the account book before him, he rubbed his bloodshot eyes: “I knew I couldn’t do this; he should have taken me to the front line. I’d rather battle ten heretics than spend all day buried in these books.”

Otto’s confidant, Sir Baron, spoke up: “Your Highness Otto, you obviously have the qualifications and the capability to take on more challenging tasks. Who in this world is more trustworthy than your own brother? Yet since you came overseas, you’ve been underutilized. You should let His Majesty the Emperor see your talents.”

Since arriving in the Overseas Empire, Otto initially started as the deputy in Aleppo. It was only two years later that he was appointed as the governor of Aleppo. He is Losa’s brother and, according to the laws of succession, the first in line to inherit the Overseas Empire.

But precisely because of this, his position is particularly awkward.

Everyone knows the young His Majesty the Emperor cannot be without an heir, yet he remains unmarried, giving some opportunists room to fantasize.

“In that respect, you’re right. I share blood with Losa and trust him unreservedly.”

Otto smiled, then immediately said: “But there’s no need to mention anything else. I know my abilities; managing a city appointed by Losa already tires me out, let alone taking on more responsibilities.”

The matters his father has repeatedly reminded him of, Otto naturally keeps in mind.

With some deeper meaning, he said: “Sir Baron, if a man is blinded by greed and overreaches for things that don’t belong to him, he will inevitably face retribution, wouldn’t you agree?”

Sir Baron hastily responded: “You misunderstand, Your Highness. I’m not urging you to demand more territory and titles from His Majesty the Emperor, but hoping you can share more of His Majesty’s burdens. For instance, His Majesty’s giant dragon has laid dragon eggs; wouldn’t you want to try to become the second Dragon Knight after His Majesty?”

“Then, you could both guard a region for His Majesty and, when the Empire stabilizes, ride a dragon, leading a military force of your own, returning to Europe to establish an empire that belongs to just you.”

“At that time, you will rule the Western Empire, while His Majesty the Emperor rules the Eastern Empire. The brilliance of the Habsburg Family will surpass that of the Carolingian, Capet, Anjou, Hohenstaufen, and Welf families, becoming the greatest dynasty in the world.”

Otto hesitated for quite a while, unable to deny the tempting prospect described by the other.

It’s what was most yearned for, expected by his father.

Losa started an overseas venture, becoming the most prominent monarch in Christendom.

Yet prosperity couldn’t be enjoyed at home; his father still resided in the family’s mountainous castle, unable to be known among the nobles. Eventually, even he traveled overseas, leaving the old Count to guard the ancestral land alone, which was his failure as the eldest son.

Carr ying all of Werner’s expectations from young age, even drunkenly stating he hoped Otto could fulfill the long-held ambitions in the hearts of all Habsburg family heads, like the Zeringen Family, to seize the title of “Vice King of Burgundy,” Otto felt tempted.

He coughed lightly, inquiring: “What do you think I should do?”

Sir Baron lowered his voice: “Cough, currently His Majesty and his demon dragon are both in Baghdad, and Alexandria’s Dragon’s Nest is empty. From what I understand, several dragon eggs are stored there.”

“You want me to steal my brother’s dragon eggs?”

“Damn it, how can you say such shameful things!”

Otto frowned deeply: “Sir Baron, since I became the governor of Aleppo, you’ve been a great help to me, and I’ve always been grateful for your assistance. But I promise, if you speak such things again, I won’t hesitate to put you on the stake!”

Sir Baron hurriedly apologized humbly.

“You could choose another way, for instance, funding an expedition to retrieve dragon eggs for you.”

Since Losa’s rise, many nobles and monarchs have been attempting to tame giant dragons, and there are more and more adventurers dedicated to dragon hunting.

Otto frowned: “To date, I haven’t heard of anyone other than Losa who could tame a giant dragon.”

As the governor of Aleppo, although most taxes have to be handed over to the Empire, the wealth he’s accumulated over the years is considerable, enough to hire several adventuring teams.

“But you are different; you share the same blood as His Majesty the Emperor.”

Otto hesitated for a moment: “I will discuss this with Losa, whether it be about the dragon eggs or the idea of returning to Europe.”

Sir Baron smiled bitterly; the master he chose here was good—loose, kind, and susceptible—but just a bit too naive.

What does a giant dragon represent to the Overseas Empire?

How could His Majesty Emperor possibly let you become a Dragon Knight before he has any heirs?

“I’ll ask him now.”

Think and do.

That was just Otto’s personality, so with Sir Baron staring in disbelief, Otto strode out of the doors casually and soon returned briskly.

“His Majesty Caesar, what’s the result?”

Otto smiled: “Oh, he agreed. He said once the dragon eggs hatch, I can pick one at will to tame.”

Sir Baron was momentarily stunned, thinking, it seems His Majesty the Emperor is certain Otto can’t tame a giant dragon, so on that note, Losa Emperor’s secret of taming a demon dragon isn’t in his blood?

Or perhaps…

A terrifying thought arose in his mind, a thought scary yet plausible in power struggles.

He subtly reminded: “You must be careful; demon dragons are after all demon dragons. If taming fails, you might suffer instead.”

“No need to worry about that; Losa promised me that as long as I choose, I’ll definitely succeed in taming the dragon, just that there’ll be some hardship before then.”

“What kind of hardship?”

“He didn’t specify, but there is no danger to life.”

Otto reopened the account book in front, humming a little tune, as if this daunting pile of accounts became less detestable under the joyous news of soon becoming a Dragon Knight.

…

Inside the Royal Palace of Baghdad.

Busy taking control of the magnificent giant city, Losa disconnected the communication with Otto.

“Otto finally has a bit of ambition.”

Losa’s expression had a hint of relief.

His brother wants to accomplish something, so what reason does he have not to support him?

Recalling when he was just a fledgling Landless Knight, he also dreamed of making a name for himself in the Holy Land, and then returning to Europe to create a foundation, choosing to establish the Losarlingia Kingdom between Germania and Gaul.

Later appreciated by Baldwin, he stayed and gradually climbed to a high position.

“What are you smiling about so happily?”

Jeanne said somewhat irritably; everyone was busy with taking over Baghdad, but only Losa was here taking it easy.

Losa recounted the matter and further said:

Later appreciated by Baldwin, he stayed and gradually climbed to a high position.

“What are you smiling about so happily?”

Jeanne said somewhat irritably; everyone was busy with taking over Baghdad, but only Losa was here taking it easy.

Losa recounted the matter and further said: