As expected, Laurie won the duel and advanced to the next round. Maggie just watched quietly, probably unaware that she genuinely hoped Laurie would win all the way to the end.
After the match ended, new NPCs spawned on Maggie's way back to the temple, and Merlin was standing not far away, waiting for her.
Maggie walked towards him with a very calm expression. As expected of a dragon knight, she was even more composed than she had imagined. She had thought he would come to her to ask for the dragon in a couple of days, but she had actually waited for so many days.
“Young Master Merlin, you have kept me waiting. Actually, you don’t need to be here. It would be better to find me at the temple.”
She took two steps forward. Merlin stood ramrod straight, his expression towards Maggie slightly pleading, but being of noble birth, he showed no intention of bowing his head even when asking for a favor.
"My request is rather private, and I'm afraid it would be inconvenient to make it up once we're inside the temple."
Merlin spoke frankly, and in any other situation, Maggie would have admired him for being a person of integrity. But in this situation, Maggie could only accept that he was a somewhat hypocritical person.
"Oh? Young Master Merlin, why don't you tell me about it?"
Maggie's expression remained unchanged, as if she hadn't understood the implication in his words.
"Since that's the case, then I'll be frank. Although I don't know why the dragon would submit to you, for dragon knights, a suitable dragon can multiply our strength. If Your Highness is willing to part with one..."
As Merlin spoke, he suddenly pulled out a crystal ball from his hand. It looked dazzling and eye-catching.
The extremely rare Star Prediction Orb is priceless on the continent of Coral. For most mages, it is a magical item that can predict danger countless times in advance, essentially giving them an extra life.
His meaning was clear: he didn't believe Maggie's story that day, assuming she had used special means to get the dragon to go with her.
The reason that they knew each other since childhood doesn't sound very convincing.
Moreover, his words implicitly acknowledged that Ficklin was Maggie's private property.
"This is only one of the rewards. If Your Highness agrees, the Merlin family can continue to increase the amount."
It's clear that Merlin really likes Ficklin. Maggie is truly amazed by his generosity. The treasures he keeps adding to the collection are probably worth no less than the Prophecy Orb.
"It seems that Young Master Merlin is confident of victory?"
Maggie remained noncommittal, her smile not reaching her eyes, her words conveying an unpredictable emotion.
"No, if Her Highness does not agree, the Merlin family cannot oppose the temple."
Merlin was clearly saying this with a smile, but Maggie understood the implied meaning.
Indeed, she wouldn't oppose the temple, but she could oppose her. The Holy Maiden of Light was an identity, but most of the time, she was just a person, a mid-level mage whose strength wasn't particularly high.
“Young Master Merlin, it is a pity that I cannot accept your request. Ficklin does not wish to become someone else’s mount.”
Maggie's expression revealed a hint of regret, which was not exactly a tactful way of rejecting Merlin.
"Your Highness, are you really not going to reconsider? If you agree, then our duel can be terminated."
When Merlin saw that Maggie was unmoved, a faint coldness appeared in his eyes, and his tone became somewhat threatening.
"I don't think it needs to be canceled. As I said, I'm really looking forward to our match."
Maggie remained completely calm, giving Merlin no extra reaction whatsoever to the hints in his words.
"Your Highness, you'd better think this through."
Merlin frowned slightly. He seemed not to understand why a mid-level mage would have the courage to think he could win a victory by crossing levels.
"I've thought it through very carefully."
Maggie sensed that their conversation was turning unfriendly, and to prevent the relationship between the temple and the Merlin family from worsening, she chose to end the conversation.
“I think it’s getting late today. If Young Master Merlin doesn’t wish to leave, he can come back to the temple with me for a few days.”
She extended an invitation, but it was actually a way of telling him to leave.
"Your Highness..."
Maggie didn't miss the hint of resentment in Merlin's eyes. Judging from his expression, he seemed to want to say something, but before Maggie could interrupt, Ficklin's slightly sharp voice came to her ears.
"You annoying dragon knight, if you don't want to fly in the sky with me for a year or two, you'd better stay away from her."
Maggie didn't even get a clear look at Ficklin before he appeared in front of her, separating her from Merlin.
Even the paladin didn't notice how he got in.
Ficklin stood in front of Maggie, his tall and strong body almost completely blocking Merlin's view, making it impossible for Maggie to see anything.
"you!"
When Merlin saw Ficklin appear before him, his eyes widened in shock for a moment, as if he hadn't considered the possibility that Ficklin could still move freely.
In his mind, Maggie should have put Ficklin in a cage or controlled him.
If a powerful and ill-tempered dragon were left unchecked, who knows what serious consequences it would cause.
Treating dragons equally is something that dragon knights find hard to understand.
"You're still too green to covet my man! You dare threaten my people? Go back to your mother's breasts!"
Fickling wasn't exactly a pleasant speaker, and it was normal for him to swear when he was in a bad mood. Compared to the other nobles and high-ranking officials, he was so rude that he seemed like a complete brute.
Maggie didn't stop her. Actually, that's what she wanted to say too, but she was just being polite because of her status. Otherwise, she would be much better at swearing and fighting than Ficklin.
As modern people, we use far more vulgar language than people in the Middle Ages.
Maggie patted Ficklin on the shoulder. Fortunately, he was relatively obedient. He just glared at Merlin fiercely and then stood obediently to the side.
“Young Master Merlin, it seems that Ficklin does not like you very much. He is not my property, and I cannot go against his wishes to make him your mount.”
"It's such a pity."
She was smiling, but to Merlin it seemed like mockery, and Merlin's expression suddenly turned quite ugly.
His self-righteous deal was rejected by Maggie in such a humiliating way. No matter how well-mannered he was, he couldn't withstand such an insult.
"Very well, I underestimated Her Highness. In that case, I hope Laurie and Her Highness can have a thoroughly enjoyable duel."
Merlin probably felt embarrassed, so he left in a sorry state after saying he would get revenge.
Maggie watched his retreating figure, her mood surprisingly calm. She was neither angry nor happy, but she was a little surprised that Ficklin would be here.
"Why don't you stay obediently in the temple?"
She looked at Ficklin and asked.
"I came here specifically because I saw you being bullied."
Ficklin's tone was no longer arrogant; he reverted to his usual obedient manner.
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