-Lucious POV-

After hearing a commotion in the last cart, I approached in a hurry and was surprised to find a young Dragon of all things, stealing a beastkin slave with the cage. It felt like a waste killing such a creature and there was no need to, considering our differences in strength, so I knocked it out with a punch.

Good, he's unconscious, and hardly injured...or rather, my hand hurts. I stare at the breathing dragon rubbing my hand while hearing footsteps approaching.

"Mr. Lucious." My employer, Mr. Lazus, calls out to me, walking around the corner of the wagon." What hap--Eeeek!" He starts asking before suddenly changing his tone to a shriek while jumping back.

Despite being tired from the journey, the average black haired man, couldn't ignore the ruckus anymore and stopped the caravan to check his merchandise. Peeking from the corner of the last wagon, he switches his gaze between the dragon sprawled on the road with the neck twisted to the left and the toppled cage.

The dull gray color of the scales and its size indicates that it was born a little late into this year's mating season, but how long has this dragon been outside the nest? I admire the scaly beast surving on its own.

Dragons hatch in less than sixty days, but their minds are far behind the body in development, possessing very low intelligence when little and unable to awaken affinities until adulthood that can either take five years or a hundred, depending on the dragon. They can remain this weak for a long time, surviving with instincts and their natural rapid growth, but that can also backfire if they become too large before learning to use magic or Aura to strengthen their bodies.

"A young dragon was hungry and helping himself with one of your slaves." I point towards the toppled cage between the dragon and the carriage.

Parents shouldn't have kicked him out just for looking different since future generations might be born with traits of their ancestors. They could either be water dragons with gills, sky dragons which may have feathers and land dragons who have hairs. I call to mind reasons why his parents shouldn't have thrown him away.

The arrow-shaped tail-tip and hairs indicate land dragon heritage, but they lack wings and have the horns pointing forward, so that would make him a rare hybrid since he got the best features of both dragon types. I evaluate the unconscious creature that is lucky to have been born with wings from sky dragons and weaponized tail from land dragons.

"I-is it dead?" He timidly asked getting closer." What about the slave?" He looked over to the cage on its side questioning. "Dragon thief..." Muttered to himself a little upset over the possible losses.

The slaves were ordered to keep quiet, but if it weren't for the ones that disobeyed and screamed, the dragon would have made it away with the cage that was pulled out from its holdings quietly. Ugh, that would have been quite embarrassing for someone my Rank and it would tarnished my records in the guild. I ignore the incongruity and thank the slaves in my mind.

"I just knocked it unconscious." I walked over to the cage and check the slave inside curled in a corner. "The little one is fine... just a little wet after looking up close at a maw full of teeth the size of her fingers." I report chuckling while straightening the cage.

It's ironic that these cages are there to stop the slaves from running or being taken away with the precious collars that are used to brainwash them. The heinous device is only placed on children with magic talent or beasts that are worth Taming until they no longer need it. I consider those who become slaves not entirely unlucky compared to the untalented who meet harsh ends.

Although being a slave to someone who can afford you is better than living in hunger and not knowing when is your last meal, like how I spend my childhood...unfortunately I had no talent and thus no worth having a collar around my neck. Still, freedom becomes important when taken away, but what good is freedom in the face of starvation? I review the price of lives in this world, and the best human society can offer, ignoring the upturned eyes of the child inside.

"All my slaves should be delicious since they are talented and over Rank one already." He spoke proudly of his collection. "What is Mr. Lucious going to do with it?" He asks appraising the beast with his gaze.

You don't have to tell me that since I'm not going to eat them... I roll my eyes at the merchant bragging about his possessions.

Sighs... Only the talented can have a future without relying on luck or family, and some even become slaves willingly in hopes of having better options than forced labor or cannon fodder for wars which are the only options for the untalented. I admit my case being luck who got me this far.

"What to do with the beast huh?" A magician would make an excellent pairing with this dragon and get a good salary in the Royal Sky Cavalry, but unfortunately, I'm a swordsman Auramancer... not very compatible with the beast. Not raising this dragon is such a waste... Faust is too depressed these days, and his children probably don't want a creature this big...it seems I can only sell it. I explore my options and decide on the easy way out.

"I wonder if Mr. Lazus is willing to auction it for me?" I inquire the merchant, who apparently has the ability to make his eyes sparkle.

Hmm...I feel sorry for the beast who tried hard to survive on his own until now, but whoever can afford the purchase will have the means to provide a comfortable life... I realize the Dragon will get better treated than humans regardless of the owner.

If by chance he joins the Royal Sky Cavalry, it will be risky, but Riders treat dragons quite well since they are important partners who even die together, and are mourned tigether. There are also controlled pairing during the mating season besides facilities to tend their needs. I convince myself the dragon's future will not be undesirable.

However, the idiots from the neighbor country who don't mind starting wars and killing thousands of people over the resources will make flying mounts have an active duty. High rank magicians might covet the beast to join the air force, but he's too young to participate in the upcoming war anyway. I think back to the thirty-plus flying beasts that live south of the capital.

"I'll provide transportation to town, pay for the collar and Taming services from the guild, then organize the auction myself...so two-thirds, my favor." He explains his portion of the revenue with a smile.

Well, at least he didn't go nine-tenths his favor, and I wonder if he planned this before the dragon even showed up... However, dealing with merchants to make money is better than those stuck up guards that come from noble families at the capital, on top of being a boring job and the last option to make a quick coin is the arena, but I don't like being entertainment. Considering the alternatives, escorting jobs help with connections and information from moving around sounds a lot more appealing.

"You can use a Dragon as an advertisement to help you promote the slaves and your company... instead of incurring losses from it." I look at the dragon saying and turn back to him. "I can escort you again next time, so I'll need you to squeeze a little more and send it to the Ragefires." I tell him resting a hand on the hilt of my sword.

He was planning to hire low rankers for the escort until other merchants recommended me for almost the same price and he knows better than to turn down that offer, especially now that a dragon appeared out of nowhere. I think back to my reputation ranking at the capital.

I don't have permits to sell it for more at the capital and would need to rent a big wagon like these, get a collar, ask for a tamer, then pay someone to auction it for me. If Mr. Lazus doesn't find a buyer that satisfy him in Sulow, he will try again in the harbor city of Oriole to the southwest before shipping with the dragon to the continent of Telum on the west, but that will make things even more troublesome for me. I cringe at the hassle for earning a few extra coins.

"Certainly, if it weren't Mr. Lucious then I would have lost a slave or worse..." He catches my meaning staring at the sleeping beast. "Send it to the Ragefires... will you not stay in town after we arrive?" Wondering why I won't deliver the money myself, he inquires on my future whereabouts.

I heard rumors about the trouble-country of Erydon sending invasion forces again into our kingdom, but unless they are aiming for the mines in the north... like last time, the other thing would be our food supplies to sustain their war with other countries.... However, they won't send many high ranks to steal food, so this might turn into an excellent opportunity to make a coin and get some mana crystals from the Royal family. I thought back to my squad waiting at the capital.

"I'm rushing back to the capital since there's going to be a war council...conflict might be brewing again..." I inform him of my reasons and turn towards the dragon on my left. "Where can I put him?" I inquire about the beast lodgings and confirming its dimensions.

The creature is nearly as wide as open human arms, standing up reached my neck with his back, but laying down doesn't reach my waist and around three and a half steps long torso minus the neck or the tail which is very long.

How do you even walk with a tail this long? If it were me, dragging it on the ground would be a bother, so I'd just chop it off... I imagine how uncomfortable would be living in a dragon's body after being a human.

Being a dragon seems like all sorts of uncomfortable, especially when it comes to sex, I wouldn't be able to stand only having intercourse every five years, on top of being a dangerous act... We both ponder on different matters while the merchant is looking inside the slave wagon.

"The beast should fit here if you stack the front cages on top of the ones in the back, but will you be alright lifting it up?" He opens up the cover on the back and instructs me, wondering if the beast's size will be a problem.

Well, it would be easier to chop it to pieces and transport it but will not sell for much that way, and the meat might not even be edible under certain rank, but how do I even get it inside the wagon? Pulling the head won't work because the limbs will get stuck and the force needed to move it from inside might break the wooden floor. I decided to lift it from underneath then throw it inside.

"It's just uncomfortable due to the large size, and the limbs sprawled, but it's not that heavy since he also looks starved..." I say going inside the wagon to start carrying the slave cages.

The slaves look a little agitated after our conversation, but the creature just tried to eat one of them, so that's a reasonable reaction. These are the biggest wagons around, but it will barely fit in here if I stack the fourteen cages in a semi-square position with a space in the center to fit the dragon's head. I decided to soothe the scared slaves inside their cages before moving them.

"It's ok little ones... I'll make sure he doesn't hurt you." I say placing the Catkin cage, the dragon was taking away on top of the human's by the corner where she won't have to look at the beast directly. "He's just a hungry baby dragon, probably abandoned by his parents... I'm sure some of you can relate." I cast my gaze while saying to all of them and read their reactions.

The beast people were probably captured near their tribes, but the two human boys around nine years old, were probably sold by their parents after reaching Rank one since they look a little angry after my comment, and will be punished if they show that rebellious behavior in front of Mr. Lazus... I look outside and see my employer looking here without saying anything.

I jump out of the wagon, then approached the right side of the dragon's neck while Mr. Lazus and two other people eagerly watch the spectacle of a human lifting a beast as wide as full open arms. I lift the neck high enough to slip crouching under the chest, then turned around to face his dangling head, secured my extended arms behind the forearms and put force in my knees to stand up while maintaining equilibrium with his center of gravity.

By the divine...he stinks like has never taken a bath before! Were you trying to kill people with the smell? Dealing with beasts means getting used to their stench, and I can't see myself cleaning a mount's feces and washing them... which is the reason I escort far in the front, to avoid the smell of the horses. I reach the wagon's back with slow steps, but the hanging head wasn't high enough and hit the metal frame around my waist high.

"This is the first time I see a dragon riding a human!" The Rank 1 light magician working for Mr.Lazus mocked before laughing.

...Maybe I didn't think this through and should have asked for a rope to tie the head to the wings...Well, it's the first time I had to lift a dragon instead of riding one, and didn't know what to do, but I'm almost there, just need a little help with the head... Admitting the need of aid, I call out to involve the volunteer who made fun of me.

"Mr. Lazus it would seem I require a little help lifting the head before it wakes up or the smells kill me." I inform with a little desperation my employer who didn't have to waste time looking for a helper.

"Make yourself useful Kosen." He orders the magician, who's only job is illumination and minor healing.

"Ehh!? What if it bites me?" Not getting an answer, as we expected his actions, he begrudgingly went to lift the head for me. "H-heavy... I just have to put it over.... There." He raised the head bigger than a human torso and stepped away for me to finish loading the big body onto the adult waist-high wooden floor.

I lifted the round body covered in scales as much as possible before leaning over and resting his front section up to my position behind the forelegs then crouched back again before lifting his belly over to the floor, causing it to creak and the slaves make a fuzz.

"To lift a creature that large...as expected of a Rank eight auramancer." Mr. Lazus commented staring at the mass of scales raising up. "I'm sorry for being rude, but why is Mr. Lucious serving that noble family with your strength?" He probes incredulously at our connection.

I grab his dangling left hind leg, extend it away from the body, but a reflex occurred and pulled it out of my hands, making me lose my balance, stepping back before slowly repeating the action again.

I thought it woke up there for a second, and It would be bad if it rampages inside the wagon, but since I wallop it with enough force to break the scales on his head and almost my hand, it should take until the night to wakes up. I concluded walking over the dragon's tail, and going around his body to get the right hind leg inside as well.

I finish with the right hind leg, then grab the tail by the tip and stare at Mr. Lazus who's still waiting for my answer with a straight face.

"The founder of the Ragefires is an old friend of mines whom I own everything, from my rank to my life several times over and yet...I was never able to do anything for him or his family, in their unfortunate moments." I tell him with a grim expression and point the tail at him. "Their reputation is undeserved since they are victims of human greed and the apathy from those who could help, but just watched things unfold uncaringly until they too, were affected." I recount the past happenings and go on the wagon while pulling the tail from the right side of the beast.

"What the master of the house did back then, still sends shivers down people's spines and the next head is the one who raided all prominent families that enriched during the Tinker era, in less than a day...makes people scared to do business in Sulow again." He said shaking his head with a hint of envy at the opportunities he missed in those prosperous times.

"Ah, you mean his son who's in charge now..." I tell him from inside the wagon adjusting the head of the dragon between two rows of cages, putting the limbs in a comfortable position. "He was desperate to rescue his little sister, with no other way out than to force cooperation, practically becoming a bandit himself, but succeeded, and the Royals gave him a light punishment since part of the values were returned, and his father's war merits were not small." I recall the reason he was able to build a noble house in the first place.

We stopped an invading fleet and saved the harbor city of Oriole while protecting the kingdom's trade routes, which was an amazing feat for a handful of low rankers. I reca the merit recognized by the Divine who could have done it himself.

However, when Divines step up to intervene in mortal affairs, the other Divines behind the invading country also come out. There is an agreement between them, to maintain balance and their disciples under that rank are mortals who can still die to regular arrows, instantly wasting many years of nurturing, so they give incentives for others to fight.

Which is why high rankers of the kingdom receive abundant rewards for going to war and in some cases, even crafted rewards, from the Divine himself like this sword I'm holding. Though that also places a responsibility to fight again for the kingdom, and if you lose the gear, sell it or die, the creator might come looking for it. I touch the hilt of the sword that not many people know the real value of.

"At least the public order of Sulow is quite good now, and Mr. Lucious even maintains the road safety." He says, inspecting the damage on the wagon's cover. "We should get going if we want to reach the town by nightfall." And informs me before walking back to the first cart.

"Call out to me if it shows signs of waking up... I'll be near." I tell the slaves before jumping outside.

I close the back curtains, and we resumed our march for some time before a Rank 2 black wolf jumps out of the woods.

Our caravan is popular today... I smirked before unsheathed my sword.