Although running a blacksmith’s shop is a decent livelihood, for a master-level Warrior, it’s not that hard to give up.
The work of a blacksmith is just more stable, and naturally, the income can’t compare to being an Adventurer.
Besides, she never planned to be a blacksmith for her whole life.
Being a blacksmith was merely a transition after leaving her hometown.
She was already tired of the desolate Gold and Silver Town, and with Gauss’s presence, she was naturally willing to follow their team to adventure.
"And some advanced materials I’m not planning to sell. When we find other suitable materials later, I can forge a set of equipment for all of you," Albena promised, patting her chest.
This is the advantage of being both a Warrior and a blacksmith—having such a versatile member ensures the team’s equipment and subsequent repairs and upgrades.
However, some high-level equipment requires extremely precious materials, which would still take some time to gather.
"How could we impose..." Aaliyah smiled.
"No need to be polite with me." Albena has always been generous with her people.
Especially now that this important matter of joining the team was finally settled, her heart was unspeakably happy.
"Then, welcome you."
Gauss extended his hand and shook hers, welcoming her to the team.
Albena’s joining also offered him greater room to maneuver.
Although he could act as the front line, being the "main tank" inevitably hindered his casting.
If there was a "big tank" upfront to draw fire and hold off enemies, he would have more room to maneuver, whether using Sword Skills or Magic.
"Next is the Red Dragon Beast. I’m planning to keep it," Gauss confirmed the second topic with his teammates.
Apart from being a mount, the Red Dragon Beast is also the team’s second "tank." It’s tough-skinned and, more importantly, has strong regenerative abilities.
Plus, with measures in place, there’s no immediate worry of it causing any trouble.
It was just slightly rebellious for the moment, but Gauss was confident in taming it.
"In the next couple of days, I’ll ensure it harmonizes with Ulfen and them."
Gauss continued.
Otherwise, it would be troublesome since Ulfen and the others couldn’t enter the biological pouch.
If an agreement couldn’t be reached with the Red Dragon Beast, they’d resort to using force.
Gauss had roughly grasped the "character" of the Red Dragon Beast over the past few days.
Despite its outward aggression, it’s actually quite "sensible" and can tell the difference between kings and pawns.
Being a Dragon Beast, unlike a true Giant Dragon, its intelligence isn’t high. Its shortcomings lie in complex reasoning and casting, rather than being a mindless fool.
Its "wisdom" is more about the cunning inherent in a wild beast.
Ever since the day Gauss subdued it with force and golden chains, it had already yielded.
For the past few days, while Gauss took it out to buffets, the Dragon Beast was initially reluctant but eventually conceded.
Or perhaps, it was natural for the Dragon Beast to consume monsters.
When it was in the kobold tribe, it didn’t hesitate to snack on those loyal subordinates as treats.
It’s just that goblins and kobolds, as Demons, naturally taste less delightful than other plump, juicy prey.
Total Monsters Killed: 7115
Gauss looked at the panel’s monster kill count.
With the Dragon Beast’s presence, it could digest some monster corpses, saving him the hassle of burning or burying them later.
He usually had to venture out regularly to slay monsters, so feeding the Dragon Beast on the way wasn’t troublesome.
After he slew over eight hundred kobolds last time, this time, due to feeding the dragon, he’d killed dozens or even hundreds of monsters.
The requirement of 8000 kills for the next stage wasn’t too far off.
He felt the Dragon Beast wasn’t yet large enough.
Just like human teenagers need to eat and exercise to grow taller and stronger, Gauss believed dragons develop the same way.
Its current size wasn’t enough; it hadn’t eaten enough.
After all, goblins abound in the wild like stray dogs on the street.
As long as the Dragon Beast desired, it could eat to its fill.
Not wanting to eat wasn’t an option—it had been removed.
According to Gauss’s observations, the Dragon Beast had already started growing larger over these few days.
This was further proof of his wise strategy as a "breeder," on the right path.
What’s the point of lying around all day, playing with those cheap glowing minerals?
It would only ruin the dragon.
Dragons need to move around more to metabolize faster, thus growing more muscles.
In Aaliyah’s biological pouch, the Red Dragon Beast, which was resting with its eyes closed, suddenly sneezed and shivered involuntarily.
"Why not start today?" Gauss thought, no time like the present.
"Then I’ll go call Ulfen and the others back," Aaliyah nodded.
Being "homeless," with the biological pouch taken as a dragon’s lair, Ulfen had been frolicking elsewhere in the wild with animal friends during this time.
Only at meal times would they symbolically return.
Aaliyah also thought it was time to rein it in.
The two quickly agreed.
First, they called out Ulfen, Aik, and other animals from the distant woods.
Then they released the still drowsy Red Dragon Beast from the biological pouch.
"Roar——"
The Dragon Beast let out a soft roar.
The volume wasn’t loud; Gauss had taught it the appropriate sound level during this period.