Revenge with a Dragon 6: The Dragon No One Could Tame (4)
Owen's declaration naturally drew opposition from Magnus.
He couldn't just let things crumble like this.
"How dare you decide this on your own? Though my subordinate showed himself disgracefully, that's a separate matter."
"Oh? So you have no intention of apologizing to Count Bobert at all?"
"Who said that? I said it's a separate matter!"
"My, my. Trying to slither away like an eel over the fence."
Owen spread his arms wide and addressed the crowd.
"How could a knight who can't even manage his own dragon possibly handle that infamous Super Red? Don't you all agree? A man must first look after himself before anything else."
Cheers erupted immediately.
"Hooray! Well said!"
"That's right!"
But even in this atmosphere, Magnus stubbornly refused to back down, insisting on his challenge to the end.
Desperation drove him.
The onlookers whispered that it was pathetic.
"He has no shame."
"After doing that to his own dragon, now he wants to tame a new one?"
"The rumors must be false. Today we see a man hit rock bottom."
Such jeers were impossible for Magnus to ignore.
His face flushed crimson, on the verge of bursting. In a frenzy, he turned on the dragon trader.
"Answer me! Do I, Magnus, lack the right to challenge?"
Caught in the middle, the dragon trader—Tasson—was in a terribly awkward spot.
He cursed inwardly.
'You son of a bitch! Why take it out on me?'
No matter how poorly Magnus had managed his dragon, it didn't disqualify him from challenging.
But accepting him now, in this mood, would bring a torrent of abuse.
Already cornered by one dragon knight's death by mauling, he couldn't afford more mishaps.
'Ah! That Super Red is a walking disaster. Someone, anyone, just take it away!'
Tasson had lost all desire to profit big from the Super Red.
The longer he kept it, the more trouble it brought—like the root of all misfortune.
"Answer me now!"
Pressed again by Magnus, Tasson finally clung to Count Bobert.
"This humble merchant is too foolish to know. Your lordship holds the highest station here—please decide, and I shall obey."
All eyes turned to Count Bobert.
In the end, the count took charge of mediating.
Magnus disliked it, but having already slighted him, he had no choice.
Bobert quickly summoned Owen.
"I'll handle this exactly as you wish. How would you like it resolved?"
Owen brightened at the count's consideration.
"I opposed it, but I can't stop Magnus from challenging."
"...True enough."
"Besides, if we block the challenge, that petty sort will cry foul forever—claim he was sabotaged and could've succeeded with a fair shot."
"Well, well. You've thought it through that far?"
"Letting him taste utter failure now isn't bad. I guarantee he won't succeed."
"If you're that certain, very well. But we can't just let this slide, can we?"
"Of course. Use his recent slight as leverage for conditions. I won't oppose the challenge, but if he fails, make him apologize for insulting Owen—with goods."
"Goods?"
Only then did Count Bobert grasp Owen's intent and smile.
His expression looked quite amused.
"I knew it. You planned this from the start. Out to fleece him completely."
"Now that I'll ride a dragon, I lack proper gear. Might as well acquire some."
"Hoho... You take taming the Super Red for granted."
Owen's demands were substantial.
If Magnus failed, he wanted the dragon scroll, saddle and reins, armor, and sword.
"Stripping him from head to toe, eh? Think he'll agree?"
"Certainly. Cornered men overbet recklessly. He'll convince himself it doesn't matter if he succeeds."
"Let's see if it plays out as you say."
Count Bobert then called Magnus for negotiations.
Magnus tried to water down the terms, but under the count's pressure, he surrendered.
He barely added one condition.
"Failure on my part alone won't convince me. Unlikely as it is, if I fail and this brat succeeds afterward, then I'll pay up—dragon scroll, saddle, armor, all of it."
Magnus was utterly convinced Owen couldn't succeed.
That's why he added the clause, but Owen accepted with a leisurely smile.
"Excellent. Agreement reached."
Bobert drafted notarization papers on the spot and announced it to all.
The crowd, waiting to see how it would unfold, went wild.
"This is getting really fun."
"Glad I came today. Better than the tournament."
"Look, even the dragon knights are skipping their matches to watch."
Unexpectedly, Owen and Magnus's showdown became the dragon tournament's main event.
For Owen, it was a golden chance to make his name.
Revived from a fallen rural knight family, he figured gaining recognition would take ages.
'Thought the road ahead would be thorny, but it's smooth sailing with a tailwind. Perfect. Use that arrogant Magnus as my springboard.'
Owen was thrilled.
Not content with a high-potential variant dragon, he'd soon strip Magnus of his gear too.
Clearly a lavish sort, his saddle and armor screamed luxury.
'I'll put them to good use. Heh heh heh.'
Owen eyed Magnus, who was preparing to go first.
Thoroughly excited.
He shook his head.
Owen pitied the man for losing his cool.
Magnus shed his armor.
Standard plate was useless against a Tokay dragon's massive jaws.
Better to strip down and move fast.
"I, Magnus, shall tame that infamous dragon!"
With preparations complete, his bold shout drew boos from the crowd.
"Booo!"
He'd become the full villain.
Yet Magnus showed no fear and strode toward the Super Red.
A true dragon knight—his courage was commendable.
Sensing his approach, the Super Red, which had been sitting tamely, rose.
Its throat began to undulate.
It was on alert. https://booktoki469.com/data/file/novel/5895/41718/16549818664023.jpg
This was certainly a spectacle that captivated the crowd.
A knight challenging a ten-meter dragon bare-handed to tame it.
Insanity no ordinary man would attempt.
"Dangerous. It could bite any second."
Someone's words triggered it—the stimulated Super Red lunged at Magnus.
But Magnus dodged with superb agility.
"Whoaaa!"
Onlookers gasped in admiration.
His skill was impressive.
Even Owen had to admit Magnus was a finer knight than expected.
'Got some real talent, huh? Still, failure's just a matter of time.'
Owen had no intention of watching Magnus's attempt.
He needed something for his own turn and hurried off to get it.
"There he is."
Owen approached a knight watching Magnus.
A young one, newly minted as a dragon knight.
"Greetings?"
"Uh, you?"
The main event's star approaching flustered him.
"I have a favor to ask."
"What? I can't help with that monster. I'm still struggling with my own dragon."
"Not that. Could I have some sulfur? I'll repay it for sure."
"Sulfur?"
"Your dragon eats sulfur, doesn't it? You're the master of a 'Toad-Head Agama', right?"
"Spot on. You know your stuff."
The toad-head Agama was a breed from distant deserts.
Infamous for ugliness, but prized for burrowing instantly into the ground—worth hauling from afar.
"Toad-head Agamas eat sulfur regularly. That's why I'm asking you."
"Hoh... Up to something, eh? Related to that challenge?"
"Exactly."
Owen nodded, and the young knight asked with keen interest.
"One question. Can you really stick it to that obnoxious Magnus today?"
His tone suggested deep dislike—perhaps bad blood.
"Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn't have started."
"Hahaha! Fun. Fine, take the sulfur. No payment needed. You've made this entertaining—consider it a gift."
"Your name, sir?"
"Jansen."
"Thank you, Sir Jansen. I'll not forget this kindness."
"Sulfur's nothing. Good luck. Wouldn't want regrets if you die—be careful."
"Yes, sir!"
Thanks to the friendly Jansen, Owen secured sulfur easily.
"Woooaaah!"
The crowd roared then.
Owen glanced over—Magnus had somehow closed in, gently stroking the Super Red's snout.
Admiration rippled around.
"Did he tame that devil?!"
"Incredible. Dodged the flames till it gave up!"
"Unbelievable. He did it."
Onlookers already deemed Magnus successful.
To lay eyes, it looked convincing.
But Owen, dragon expert supreme, clicked his tongue.
He knew this was the most perilous moment.
'A trap. He underestimates the dragon's cunning.'
True dragons like black dragon Tanares surpassed human intellect.
Ground dragons ridden by common knights were mere beasts.
Yet Owen knew they were far smarter than dogs or cats—silenced by speechlessness.
This case too.
'That Super Red plans to rip Magnus eventually.'
Owen spotted the feigned taming ploy instantly.
'No ordinary temper. Explains the challengers it's killed.'
Just from the eyes, Owen saw Magnus was fooled.
He decided to warn him.
Not out of pity, of course.
"Sir Magnus. I earnestly beg you—stop there."
Owen halted Magnus mid-stroke, smug as could be.
He scowled instantly.
"What? Scared? Afraid I'll succeed?"
"No, truly for your safety. Get closer, and disaster strikes."
"Hahaha! Shut it. Your envy is pathetic—back off."
"Very well, then."
Owen withdrew without regret.
Magnus's fate meant nothing.
It was mere theater to showcase his own superiority.
"Watch from there. This victory."
Magnus stepped closer.
The Super Red stayed docile.
Seeming fully tamed.
Magnus let his guard down—the clever beast seized the moment.
Crunch!
The Super Red bit down in a flash.
Superb knight though he was, Magnus escaped mortal peril—but not before his arm was caught.
"Aaaagh!"
The dragon shook its head; Magnus rolled across the ground with a short scream.
His arm tore clean off; the Super Red spat it out.
"Guh! Kaaack!"
Bleeding profusely, Magnus writhed in agony.
The Super Red lost interest.
"Errrng!"
With its signature cry, it backed away.
Owen shrugged at the sight.
"See? Wouldn't it have been better to heed a word?"
"Aaaagh!"
Magnus couldn't even reply amid the pain.
Owen ignored him too.
Now, only the fearsome Super Red filled his vision.
"My turn." https://booktoki469.com/data/file/novel/5895/41718/16549818664028.jpg https://booktoki469.com/data/file/novel/5895/41718/16549818664033.jpg