Chapter 44: Leaving a Letter

Welcoming a magical beast is an incredibly complex process.

To ensure the magical beast's absolute loyalty to its knight, each young magical beast is strictly prohibited from seeing any humans after birth, interacting only with its mother.

During the welcoming process, a specially crafted magical barrier cage is used. This is a domain-like illusion created by grand magicians. The actual size of this illusionary world varies according to the size of the magical beast. It is fortified within a completely insulated ceramic vessel. Small magical beasts use an illusionary space about the size of a regular bucket, while larger beasts like earth dragons require spaces several times larger.

The young magical beast is taken from its mother and placed directly into this isolated space, cut off entirely from the outside world, unable to see or hear anything.

This confined state lasts from 10 days to a month, until the owner of the magical beast is confirmed.

Then, the owner takes the beast to Sacred Snow Mountain and breaks the illusionary space there.

The magical beast will trust the first human it sees and regard them as its lifelong companion.

Throughout known history, no magical beast has ever betrayed its owner, nor has any fled from them in times of danger.

Recorded in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas: Tales and Legends"

Everyone in the audience was stunned; no one could have imagined such an outcome.

Could this small green dragon be the legendary Ancient Divine Dragon? Is this the dragon said to possess powers akin to the gods?

Never has there been a tale of an Ancient Divine Dragon, revered as a deity, becoming a human's mount. The Ancient Divine Dragon is among the top three races of dozens in existence. It's said to possess the immense power of a Holy Magus without any magical limits; it's rumored to master human languages and can transform into anything, including humans.

Could this unassuming dragon, lacking the majesty of the previous two, really be an Ancient Divine Dragon?

Yet, everything before them suggested otherwise, and no one could deny it.

A battle against an Ancient Divine Dragon would be akin to dueling a god, possibly even more perilous. After all, gods have never attacked humans, while tales of dragons attacking humans are numerous. Seeing the respect all dragons have for this little one, anyone daring to challenge it risks being torn apart by a thousand dragons.

Of course, this is merely speculation. There are always brave souls lured by great rewards.

"I protest this competition's severe unfairness and demand the cancellation of the bets!" a middle-aged man shouted, raising his arm.

"Protest! Protest! Protest!"

"Protest against deceit!"

"Refund! Refund! Refund!"

The cries from below grew louder and louder. The soldiers maintaining order were starting to lose control.

Aimee cast a levitation spell, floating in mid-air, wielding an ice blade and waving it at the sky. Dozens of lightning bolts struck around the parade stage, stunning the crowd.

Aimee then used a voice amplification spell, and his voice overpowered everything.

"As the saying goes: 'A willing gambler must accept their losses.' All of you are honorable citizens of the Hami Empire's capital, aren't you aware of this basic principle? Was anyone forced to buy? Didn't we allow bets on Great Green Mountain winning?" Aimee exhaled deeply.

"A gentleman loves wealth but takes it honorably. As one of the few A-class mercenary groups on the continent, we have always been law-abiding mercenaries. However, any unreasonable evil forces challenging us will be severely punished. The infamous evil dragon, Yin Feng, dared to challenge us and met the same fate — beheaded."

It seems the future Mercenary King is well-versed in the art of persuasion, resorting to threats when necessary.

Of course, the Mercenary King's tactics go beyond this. He—

"Dear friends, who caused your significant losses? Who made you lose everything? Was it the gamble itself?"

Aimee directly pointed the blame at two unfortunate souls.

"Demand harsh punishment for those who dared to challenge the sacred dragon warrior!"

"Shame from abroad, punish the traitors within!"

"Down with the enemies of the people, trample them a thousand times."

The crowd's anger, suppressed time and again, finally found an outlet, boiling over completely.

Aimee seemed pleased with this outcome. As everyone was distracted, he quietly slipped away with Great Green Mountain, Greenie, and two girls. Along with them, two underground gambling den owners also made their escape. Originally planning to make a modest profit, the underground gambling dens hit the jackpot this time.

Later, many who interacted with Aimee and Chi Hanfeng concluded: If Chi Hanfeng is a demon, then Aimee is the demon king disguised as an angel. Dealing with Chi Hanfeng might cost you money and reputation, but dealing with Aimee could cost you everything, including your life.

In fact, before Aimee officially earned the title of Mercenary King, he had several nicknames. The most popular on the Ice and Snow Continent was: Demon Gambler King.

It's said that two once-famous dragon knights not only lost everything in the gamble itself but also owed debts to many powerful individuals. For decades, their homes were besieged by debt collectors, with some influential people even having to draw from the national treasury to repay ten years' worth of salaries as gambling compensation.

Thus, their family fell into ruin, living a lifetime of poverty.

Yi Su III never expected things to escalate so dramatically. Fortunately, they had 100,000 gold coins to return to 70% of the ordinary citizens present, so he didn't have much to say to Aimee.

Feeling embarrassed, he avoided summoning the Seasonal Group for several days, assigning the Foreign Minister to handle all matters regarding the magical beasts.

From then on, the Seasonal Group's affairs proceeded smoothly, with green lights all the way. Even when Aimee and his companions dined out, the streets cleared for them — they left a deep impression on every resident of the capital.

Three days later, Lin Yushang, on behalf of Aimee's Imperial Seasonal Group, officially informed Yi Su III of their return to the Aimee Empire.

Out of courtesy, Yi Su III led his ministers to Snow Plains City to bid farewell to the Seasonal Group.

The days grew colder, marking the end of summer. One side lingered in nostalgia for this city, while the other eagerly anticipated an early departure.

A large group of snow wolf riders escorted the Seasonal Group back and forth.

Watching the Seasonal Group's distant silhouette, Yi Su III was about to lead his ministers back when Aimee's voice called from behind: "Your Highness, wait! Your Highness, wait!"

Aimee, riding a captured black steed, broke away from the wolf riders and returned. With a faint smile, he drew an envelope from his pocket, handing it to Yi Su III: "Your Highness, I almost forgot to give you this. It's been a pleasure knowing you."

With that, he spurred his horse and galloped away.

Inside the envelope were two pages filled with writing. Aimee's handwriting was surprisingly neat, reflecting his innate noble demeanor, leaving a comforting impression.

Your Highness:

Once, Great Green Mountain and I referred to ourselves as "subjects," and I noticed your surprise at the time. You must have wondered why two small mercenaries would call themselves subjects.

In truth, although neither Great Green Mountain's ancestors nor mine were born in the kingdom, both of us were born on this snowy continent, nurtured by this land.

We hold deep affection for this soil.

Your Highness, do you know why I chose the mercenary profession?

My father was a soldier, and Uncle Chi Hanfeng, who raised me, was also a soldier. Yet, from a young age, I dreamed of becoming a mercenary.

You might laugh at this, but my sole purpose for becoming a mercenary was to freely hunt snow wolves.

You may have guessed by now that my village was an immigrant village. From a young age, almost every month, snow wolves would ravage the area.

Those who haven't lived in such a village can't comprehend the terror of evading snow wolves. As a child, I lost countless fluffy snow chickens and sheep to these wolves, unable to recall how many tears I shed for them.

In fact, our family was relatively fortunate. In neighboring villages, not a year went by without tales of children being taken by snow wolves.

Your Highness, you are an enlightened ruler, abolishing outdated systems and promoting growth. I believe this is why many outsiders braved the snow wolf threat to migrate to the kingdom.

Please, Your Highness, consider the non-Hami people within the kingdom.

I have a suggestion: could a larger town be established near Snow Moon Lake? Along the Dragon Tooth Mountain Road, could a few towns with higher walls be built to protect residents from snow wolf harassment?

By chance, we acquired some money in the kingdom's capital. I believe those who could participate in such high-stakes bets wouldn't mind losing it. Growing up, I never had much money, and even now, I don't know how to spend it. Great Green Mountain is even more clueless.

This money is of no use to me, so I believe it would be better spent on practical matters.

After discussing with Senior Locke, we decided to leave all the money, approximately 900,000 gold coins, with him. You can retrieve it at any time.

May every person in the kingdom find happiness.

Great Green Mountain and Aimee, Magic Calendar Year 2, Autumn

"Foolish child," Yi Su III murmured softly, his eyes moistening as he closed them tightly, tears welling up.

In the distance, the knights gradually disappeared, swallowed by the snow and forest, while Greenie merged with the azure sky.

Many years later, the areas around the treehouse inns, frequently visited by Aimee and Great Green Mountain, grew into several towns dominated by non-Hami residents. These towns eventually merged into a large urban circle.

The treehouse inns became encircled within the city.

After discussions, this emerging city was named "Icy Snow Friendship." The city's southern district was independently named "Aimee's Haven," while the northern district was called "Green Mountain's Homeland." The southern district's residents primarily hailed from Aimee's birthplace, Haike Village, while the northern district's inhabitants originated from Great Green Mountain's childhood village.

This city remains the only one officially recognized by the descendants of the Mercenary King and Great Green Mountain, bearing their names.

The term "benefiting future generations" perfectly encapsulates the legacy of Great Green Mountain and Aimee.