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As the incantations continued, countless streams of light gradually connected me and the White Dragon. At the very moment the contract was officially formed, I looked up at the White Dragon and was surprised to notice a peculiar change in it. The ice-blue eyes of the White Dragon had, in that instant, turned into a golden hue.

The same golden pupils as those of the "Abyssal Dragon King."

Chapter 77: The Dragon and Wolf's Resolve for War

Among the common creatures on the Mainland, the longest-lived are the elves, who generally live for two to three thousand years, with some even reaching five thousand years, causing envy among other races. However, this lifespan is not particularly remarkable in the realm of super magical beasts. Even the shortest-lived of these, the "War Beamon," has a lifespan exceeding five thousand years. As one of the longest-lived species, dragons typically live for tens of thousands of years.

However, due to their extremely long lifespans, most dragons spend much of their time sleeping to pass the long years. The older the dragon, the longer its periods of slumber. Dragons visible on the Mainland are usually young dragons under five thousand years old. The active period for dragons is between one thousand and five thousand years of age. After this age, dragons often immerse themselves in the study of magic. Dragons over ten thousand years old, except for a few, become increasingly rare as their physical abilities begin to decline slowly. When they die is something that life outside the dragon race will never know.

My new mount, the ice-type White Dragon "Winter Night," is a young dragon who has just reached a thousand years old. His strength and magic power are no different from those of a normal ice dragon. However, what troubles me is the golden eyes I saw during the instant of signing the Dragon Knight contract. These are the "Law-Breaking Golden Eyes" unique to the "Abyssal Dragon King," said to have the ability to see through time. I do not believe I was mistaken, for even outside the Dragon Knight contract, I can sense a deeper connection between "Winter Night" and myself. His body absolutely harbors a vast dragon power far beyond his appearance, deep and cold like the deepest ocean, very similar to the dragon power of the "Abyssal Dragon King" that I am most familiar with.

If we consider the timeline, "Winter Night" was born a thousand years ago, precisely when the "Abyssal Dragon King" died. Coupled with the strange attitudes of the old dragons and the people of Sacred Dragon Mountain, it would be strange if there were no connections between them. Perhaps the dragon race and the people of Sacred Dragon Mountain know "Winter Night's" origins but are unaware of his hidden power. Otherwise, they would never allow him to sign a contract with an outsider; they might even seal or kill him.

However, I do not intend to speak about this issue. Discussing these matters would bring no benefit, and our connection is mutual. Just as I know that beneath this White Dragon's scales lies a nature different from others, "Winter Night" also knows that beneath my human appearance lies the blood of a beast. Thanks to our connection through the "Abyssal Dragon King's" lineage, we share a deeper understanding than others, so both sides maintain silence about the secrets we hold.

Regardless of the type of dragon, they are all proud beings. Even after signing a Dragon Knight contract, there are many taboos humans must not violate, such as not allowing anyone other than the Dragon Knight to ride the dragon. Although there have been historical precedents where, under extreme danger and with a good relationship between the dragon and the Dragon Knight, the dragon allowed others to ride, my current situation does not yet qualify me to have "Winter Night" carry everyone back to Saint Spirit Mountain. Fortunately, Jin Luosha possesses a flying magical beast, the "Scarab Beetle," which allows us to return to the Temple quickly. "Winter Night," after giving me a "Dragon Flute" to summon him, used spatial teleportation magic and disappeared.

The speed of the "Scarab Beetle" is no less than that of a dragon, and it took only a day to fly back to the Temple. Greeting us was the Grand High Priest Gold Badge, Dàwèi Lǐān, responsible for military affairs. He immediately led me and Lansino into the Temple's inner decision-making body, the "Papal Hall." Waiting for us were not only the four Grand High Priests but also the four Holy Maidens, the leaders of the Holy Sword, Holy Shield, and Holy Chalice knight orders, and several heads of important departments. More importantly, we met the most important person in the Temple, the current Pope—Paul VIII.

While the "Divine Blessed Holy Knight," the guardian of the Temple, remains elusive, this Pope is truly a dragon whose head is seen but not its tail. I have been in the Temple for more than a year, but this is the first time I have seen this great man. According to my good friends, Knights Apu and Lansino, they last saw the Pope several years ago. It is unknown what the Pope usually does.

I raised my head to carefully observe this Pope. Despite wearing a splendid white silk robe with gold patterns, he appeared unexpectedly old and emaciated. His face was full of wrinkles that had begun to sag, his eyebrows and hair were snow-white, and his half-open, half-closed eyes made it hard to tell if he was awake. Even if he were a hundred years old, it would not be surprising. In short, he looked like a dying old man, and his passing at any moment would not shock anyone. However, no one dared to underestimate this frail old man. During the night of the theft of the "Doomsday Horn" more than half a year ago, his solo suppression of three undead liches and two great demons was a feat that even saints would fear.

"Grand High Priest Dàwèi Lǐān, I believe Knights Fengxuan and Lansino are not yet fully aware of the detailed situation in the Northern Country. I think it is necessary for everyone here to systematically understand the developments there. Please introduce the situation to us again," the Pope, seated in the central main seat, said in a half-awake state. Naturally, the Cardinal beside him took charge of the meeting.

"Very well, please listen to my introduction. In fact, the situation in the North is worse than what we have announced," the Grand High Priest Gold Badge stood up and said solemnly.

Listening to Grand High Priest Dàwèi Lǐān's introduction, I learned that the situation of the barbarians and human coalition on the northern ice plains was extremely dire. In other words, the war situation was highly favorable for the Orc Alliance.