At the moment of climbing onto the dragon’s back, one can truly feel the enormous size of this Giant Dragon.
Gauss even felt that the area on the dragon’s back was large enough to build a house.
Under the gaze of Aisweir in the ice mirror, the Giant Dragon gently lifted into the air with everyone aboard.
There seemed to be a kind of strange power surrounding it; Gauss and the others felt no discomfort while sitting on the dragon’s back, not even from the wind, snow, or the dizzying effects of acceleration— it felt as if they were standing steadily on solid ground.
Gauss knew this was all because of the Giant Dragon’s deference to Aisweir; otherwise, facing such an adult Giant Dragon, not to mention riding on its back, even standing calmly in front of it would be difficult to do.
The Giant Dragon flapped its wings and soon covered a great distance.
Space seemed to compress with the flapping of its wings, and before long, the group passed through ice clouds, leaving the snow-covered mountain range.
From high above, they could truly appreciate the grand scale of the range; the area they had traversed over several days was just an insignificant small part of it.
"Want to chat, big guy?"
Gauss attempted to communicate with the Giant Dragon beneath him.
But whether he used the common tongue or Dragon tongue, the Giant Dragon had little desire to communicate; it only showed a slightly surprised look when he spoke in Dragon language, but that was all.
"My job is to get you out of the snow mountains."
The Giant Dragon was cold in demeanor; though it obeyed Aisweir completely, apart from its duty, it did not wish to offer any additional services.
After another moment, the Giant Dragon flew beyond the snow mountain region and set the group down on the wasteland outside the snowy area.
"Goodbye, big guy."
Gauss bid farewell to the snowy mountain Giant Dragon.
"If there’s another chance..."
The Giant Dragon breathed frost and then flapped its wings, shooting into the skies at a speed far exceeding their approach.
It didn’t harbor any dislike for this human wrapped in a strong aura of the Dragon Race; in fact, it even felt a faint sense of familiarity from the other, but the vast difference in their ranks destined this naturally proud being to not actively seek any connection with Gauss.
For a long-lived adult Giant Dragon, most humans aren’t worth noticing, as it’s highly likely they would not outlast a single nap of the dragon.
In human society, people from different levels have social barriers, let alone such cross-species relationships.
"Where to next?"
Aaliyah looked at Gauss.
"Let’s head back to Lakeside Town first."
Gauss looked around, noticing it was already winter.
Another year’s end was approaching.
He wanted to tell the Lake God Mutela about the information he got from Aisweir.
On one hand, it involved the chaotic languages of the world, and informing Mutela might provide some positive help, even if just a little.
On the other hand, Mutela had also promised him a reward upon his investigation’s return.
The flexible offensive and defensive forms of this Holy Water, with its restraint against evil, could provide significant help to Gauss, who often hunted demons.
And he couldn’t help but look forward to the remaining reward Mutela mentioned.
However, comparing Aisweir and Mutela, these sister deities, he couldn’t help but shake his head.
The former constantly expanded to suppress evil, while the latter was often in slumber, only realizing crises long after the water quality changed.
Indeed, the elder serving as the father, the elder sister as the mother...
It seemed all the pressure was on the shoulders of the upstream snow mountain spirit.
After a slight internal mockery of the carefree Lake God, Gauss set out on his return journey.
Passing through Flute Castle, the group slightly disguised themselves and blended into the city.
Without drawing much attention.
Though only a week or two had passed, there were already some slight changes in the city’s appearance.
Some people were clearing the snow by the roadside.
Tiefling orphans and paupers queued in front of the city’s welfare soup kitchen, waiting for the staff to ladle out hot porridge.
Before he left, Pleos mentioned that the governor, Nock, planned to use part of the confiscated assets from the Dragon Worship Sect to subsidize the city’s lower class citizens.
"Ethan, aren’t you working at the old cobbler’s? Go on, go! Those with stable jobs shouldn’t delay our work."
"..."
Gauss retracted his gaze.
They observed outside the private school where Abby studied for a while, watching a group of Mage apprentices, including Abby, practice Magic under the guidance of a Mage, nodding in satisfaction.
"Want to drop in on Abby?"
Aaliyah softly asked.
"No, we better not disturb her and York on this trip."
They had only been away less than half a month, Abby’s life was just getting on track, there really was no need to reunite and then endure another parting.
"But I could visit Rhine, that little guy."
The first apprentice Rhine hadn’t been seen for half a year.
After leaving the school, this visit to Flute Castle was mainly to inform the Adventurer’s Guild about the demons’ gradual increase in the Tarner River area over the upcoming period.
He had asked Aisweir about this at the last farewell, and she did not deny his suggestion.
Arriving at the Adventurer’s Guild, Gauss reported his intelligence.
Earning a reward of one hundred Gold Coins, he also learned from Guild Master Ferguson that the Adventurer’s Guild had previously predicted the crisis at Tarner River.