Chapter 396 276: A Battle Without Suspense

Bodoff took a large swig of wine and rubbed his brow, trying to calm the unceasing turmoil within.

It wasn't entirely impossible for someone else to have the surname Ledesma. But if you also specified that they were a Dragon Descendant from Dragon Island, the answer was obvious.

This was the surname of Lady Sivia, an elder on the Dragon Island council. She possessed the greatest Magic Talent and was known as "Starlight."

In her youth, this Silver Dragon Queen had been fond of transforming into a human and adventuring across the Middle Ages Continent, leaving traces of her existence that could still be found in the annals of history.

Back then, Bodoff was still a young and inexperienced Swordsman who had just joined the Mage Tower. He had chanced upon her when she visited the Mage Tower on some business.

She was a lady of such beauty that the Bright Moon would shy away from revealing its face, and a thousand vibrant flowers would seem dull in her presence.

Bodoff was a normal man, so naturally, he couldn't help but admire her. He had even looked into her background, which was why she had left such a deep impression on him.

But now, time had flown. He was an old man, while she was likely still in her prime.

Given the long lifespan of a Giant Dragon, she probably wouldn't show the slightest sign of aging even after his own grandchildren had passed away.

Such was the sorrow of the short-lived races.

"Master Bodoff, is something wrong?" As the most perceptive person present, Fatir was the first to notice the experienced Elder Mage's unnatural reaction upon hearing the name.

"Hahaha, what could be wrong? The name must be similar to a friend of Master Bodoff's, which is why he's feeling a bit sentimental."

Levi threw an arm around the old man's shoulders and roared with laughter. "Isn't that right?"

The Lord blinked.

An awkward expression flickered across Bodoff's face. After a long moment, he said, "Yes, when one gets old, one can't help but feel a wave of nostalgia at hearing a familiar name... My dear Mr. Levi, do you have any idea how strong you are?"

Though Bodoff was a proper Mage and considered his physical constitution to be on par with a Combat Qi Knight's, he currently felt as small, pitiful, and helpless as a lone skiff on the Storm Sea.

"Ahem." Levi instantly acted as if nothing had happened and clapped his hands. "Alright, story time is over. Let's all eat."

After speaking, he turned to Bodoff. "I imagine after drinking so much, the Master must need to relieve himself. Why don't we go together? It'll prevent any misunderstandings, since you're new here and haven't had a chance to get familiar with my men."

"Indeed, I was just thinking that." The old man had lived for a century and seen every grand spectacle imaginable, but he had never encountered such a blatant demand. At this moment, he wisely chose to go with the flow.

The two walked out side-by-side like a pair of old friends. The Holy Knights exchanged glances; compared to the people of High Cliff Castle whom they had just met, their relationship with Bodoff was obviously much closer.

A few brave Holy Knights started to get up to follow and check on the situation, but the moment their backsides left the bench, a pair of huge, green hands landed on their shoulders. Heavy as mountains, the hands instantly pressed them back down into their seats.

"Our chief doesn't like being followed." A few Beastman Warriors grinned, their smiles looking deceptively simple and honest.

The rest of the Beastman Warriors also grinned good-naturedly at the ten or so Holy Knights, looking utterly guileless.

Feeling the immense force on their shoulders and seeing the crowd of burly warriors before them, the Holy Knights fell silent.

Compared to Bodoff, the safety of Her Highness the Saintess was more important. Besides, that man seemed to be on good terms with the Saintess, so there was unlikely to be any real trouble.

Or so they told themselves.

"Master Bodoff," Levi said as he walked to a balding patch of grass outside and undid his belt. "I'm sorry for putting you on the spot like that, but Sophia's identity must remain a secret for now."

He knew this old fox had definitely figured out Sophia's true identity.

"I understand." Bodoff didn't relieve himself, but simply gazed at the clouds on the horizon. "If ambitious men were to learn that a young dragon is here, it would be enough to make them lose all reason."

Levi nodded. In truth, the only ones who knew Sophia was a Giant Dragon were the Beastmen who had accompanied him to slay a dragon, along with a few of the leaders at High Cliff Castle.

This was, of course, one of the reasons he had kept her identity a secret back then.

It wasn't that he was afraid, per se. He just felt that hiding the truth was an easy way to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"One more thing. Master Bodoff, do you know anything about Sophia's origins? Could you tell me?"

"Since she's staying with you, these matters are clearly not something she feels the need to keep secret," Bodoff said, his words laced with hidden meaning.

...

Before long, two figures appeared at the tent's entrance.

The Holy Knights let out a collective sigh of relief.

Sophia, who was in the middle of feasting, looked up and asked with a hint of guilt, "Levi, what took you so long in the restroom?"

Levi looked at the Silver Dragon Maiden—her cheeks stuffed with food, her hands slick with grease—and his expression grew complicated.

Just a moment ago, Bodoff had laid out the Silver Dragon's entire lineage for him. He never would have thought that this lovable simpleton was, of all things, a bona fide Giant Dragon Princess.

Her mother was one of the three elders on the Dragon Island council, and her power was said to be terrifying.

He could have just asked Sophia directly, and she obviously would have told him everything. It was simply a matter of pride for the Lord.

He had always been too embarrassed to pry, as it might make him look like he had ulterior motives.