Dragon's Egg (2)
Russell Count's words left Albert, the manager of the 2nd Dragon Stable, looking puzzled.
"Who dares to offend Russell Count? They must have nine lives."
"Owen Leire."
"Ah...."
Albert knew the name.
He was the one who'd smashed Austin, heir to the Russell family, not long ago.
Russell Count had come to Bris for the grand assembly, but it wasn't unrelated to getting Austin released.
"Setting aside my son, this time he secured a special budget of 500 gold coins from His Grace."
"What? Is that true?"
"Indeed. He's a thorn in your side too."
"Hm... Even so, the 5th Dragon Stable is no match for the 2nd."
"True enough. But imagine if you'd gotten that special budget instead."
"Grr...."
"It would've been a huge boost toward surpassing the 1st Dragon Stable, your heart's desire."
Albert, manager of the 2nd Dragon Stable, burned with fierce hostility toward the 1st.
No matter what anyone said, the 1st was Bris's top stable—a constant thorn in ambitious Albert's side.
He always aimed to make the 2nd the best, so the lost special budget stung all the more.
Russell Count, well-versed in human psychology, subtly emphasized the point.
"When talk of the special budget came up, I considered pulling strings to allocate it to the 2nd. But that cunning Owen snatched it away."
It was a blatant lie, but now Albert genuinely seethed with anger toward Owen.
Greedy as he was, he now believed the 500 gold was rightfully his.
Snatched by some punk named Owen.
"I can't forgive that."
"Exactly. And do you think it'll end there? That Owen's no ordinary fool. He'll keep scheming to siphon budgets from other stables to his own."
This time, it was an outrageous slander.
But it worked on Albert.
He thumped his chest and vowed,
"Your enemies are mine, Russell Count. Don't worry—I'll crush him somehow."
"Excellent."
A faint smile crept across Russell Count's pale face.
It was chilling, like a corpse grinning.
"Here, take this."
Russell Count held out a pouch of gold.
"Show me your mettle. If you truly want to surpass the 1st, do well this time, and I'll make good on that investment I mentioned."
"Thank you! Russell Count!"
Albert bowed gratefully, then grew worried.
"But there's one problem. I hear Bobert Count is backing Owen. If he interferes, I can't fight back."
"Don't worry about that. I'll handle Bobert Count."
Albert's face lit up at Russell Count's assurance.
In the East, Russell Count rivaled Bobert Count in influence.
While Bobert handled internal affairs, Russell managed diplomacy.
He lacked personal charm, but his razor-sharp intellect overwhelmed foes.
Everyone feared meeting the gloomy diplomat.
"Now go. I expect results."
"Yes, sir!"
After bidding Russell Count farewell, Albert began plotting how to sabotage the 5th Dragon Stable.
'With the Maroon Baron precedent, overt interference is risky. Better to do it subtly. Keep poking, and a decisive chance will come.'
He first sent men to scout the 5th Dragon Stable's situation.
"All sick dragons are isolated. We've handled everything else you ordered."
Owen nodded at John's crisp report.
Since that incident, John had become a complete loyalist—and surprisingly capable.
Owen regretted judging him as illiterate brute by his looks.
'Makes sense—with that talent, he's been skimming budgets and supplies all this time.'
Owen scanned the report, written in John's clumsy scrawl.
The handwriting was atrocious, sentences poor, but all key info was there.
"Keep it up. Back to work."
"Yes, sir."
John nodded and turned to leave, then paused.
"One thing."
"Hm?"
"Something suspicious lately."
Owen straightened in his chair.
"Suspicious?"
"Yes. People snooping around our stable, prying for info."
"What? Really? Who?"
"2nd Dragon Stable guys. They invite us for drinks, wine and dine us, then probe for details. Suspicious."
"Hmm...?"
It felt out of left field to Owen.
He knew little about the 2nd.
"John, what's the 2nd Dragon Stable like?"
"They handle several excellent dragons. But they lag behind the 1st, so massive rivalry there."
Owen got a rundown on Bris's stables from John.
"The 1st is top dog—best dragons gathered there. 2nd as I said."
"And the 3rd?"
"Unique. Cares for dragons of commoner riders. Funny part: budget issues mean riders double as handlers."
"Oh ho, intimacy levels must be sky-high?"
"You know it. But poor gear, no standout dragons. Feels like reserves."
"Aha. 4th?"
"Non-combat dragons. Transport like dwarf earth dragons, construction work."
"And our 5th is the dump for rejects?"
"Hm...."
John had no retort.
"Sorry."
"Not blaming you. But things change now."
"To atone for past failings, I'll work till my bones shatter."
"Appreciate the resolve. Watch out for clashes with the 2nd for now. Nothing solid yet."
"Got it. Shall I probe them?"
"Sounds good."
A few days later, it was clear the 2nd Dragon Stable harbored ill intentions toward the 5th.
They'd snatched the fresh meat Owen had secured.
Petty annoyances followed.
Owen sent scouts to investigate the 2nd.
Soon, John brought unexpected news.
"Really, John?"
"Yes. Overheard from 2nd acquaintances at drinks yesterday."
A dragon trader was coming to Bris soon.
Owen couldn't ignore it—like a sparrow passing a mill.
And intriguing details.
"Plus, big smuggling haul this time. Tons of new dragon eggs."
"Might find something amazing."
Acquiring dragons meant trekking to distant dragon lands.
Problem: crossing orc hordes on the Eastern Plains.
Orcs, scarred by dragon casualties, wouldn't sit idle.
Thus, empire-born dragon smugglers emerged.
They smuggled eggs or hatchlings from afar, risking death for huge rewards.
"Shall we go? I'll escort when they arrive."
Owen saw opportunity.
He had 500 gold from Surpuk Duke.
A good egg could multiply that investment.
Of course, failure meant execution like Maroon Baron.
'Actually, I've got one thing I'm banking on.'
Owen trusted Tanares's gift.
Thanks to it, he'd seen detailed dragon info so far.
'Should work on eggs too.'
If he could read egg potential, jackpot.
He'd snag any variant or high-potential specimen.
"Good. Let's go."
Days later.
As rumored, dragon traders arrived in Bris.
Word of prime hatchlings and eggs had the city buzzing.
"Not just Bris—dragon knights flocking from across the East."
Owen nodded at John's gossip savvy.
"Lucky we live here—first dibs."
"Exactly. First come, first served."
Traders set up market on Bris outskirts.
Hatchlings and eggs aside, adult dragons couldn't be displayed in city.
Law forbade it.
"Whoa!"
Owen gasped upon arrival.
Multiple traders made this the East's biggest dragon market.
Mature dragons lined everywhere.
"Huge ones. That one's impressive."
John pointed amid gasps.
It was a glossy-scaled adult ridged dragon.
Short tail bristling with spines.
B-rank
"Jaw-dropping dragon."
Owen nodded.
If not for stable duties, he'd be tempted.
Rare breed with B-rank potential—excellent.
"Thinking of adopting?"
"No. Goal's bolstering the stable now. Need to grow funds, heal sick dragons."
Owen ignored adults.
Insanely pricey, and no results in Surpuk Duke's six-month deadline.
Breeding pairs took too long.
"Other plans?"
"Eggs. Hatch 'em for massive returns."
"Smart. But risky."
Owen knew.
But he trusted Tanares's power.
"If it looks bad, we bail. Let's browse."
"Yes, Sir Leire."
They passed adults toward hatchlings and eggs.
Seeing high potential early raised Owen's hopes.
"Over there."
John pointed to a heavily guarded tent.
Mages and armored mercenaries stood watch.
The hatchlings and eggs inside were priceless.
No casual entry allowed.
"Issue getting in?"
"You're a stable manager—fine. I'll notify them."
As John stepped up, a voice interrupted.
"Well, if it isn't John. Loyal dog to a new master now."
John's face twisted.
"Hm?"
Owen eyed the speaker.
Middle-aged man with stylish thick mustache, small fierce eyes, crooked nose from old break.
"Who?"
"Sir Albert, manager of the 2nd Dragon Stable."
"Ah."
Enemies meet on narrow bridges—spot on.
Albert greeted Owen.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Albert of the 2nd. You're Leire of the 5th—your fame precedes you. Honored. Haha!"
Polite words, smiling mouth, but Owen sensed pure artifice.
Albert thought it hidden, but Owen felt the subtle hostility creeping out.
Owen smiled back, unflinching.
"Greetings. Owen Leire of the 5th Dragon Stable. Honored to meet you, Sir Albert."
"Likewise. What brings you here?"
"Dragon hatchlings and eggs."
"What a coincidence! Same here. Let's go together."
Albert planned to tag along, gauge Owen's picks.
He trusted his silver tongue to sabotage any good choices.
'Can't let this chance slip.'
Owen thought the same.
'Gotta make this fool waste gold on junk.'
Thus, the two schemers shook hands with beaming smiles.