The Rise of the Titan

"Boring." Conversations resumed, though not as lively and loud as before. People consciously or unconsciously lowered their voices. Those seated close to Muria's table found various excuses, like adding more wine or ordering extra dishes, to distance themselves. Before understanding a strong person's preferences, it was best to stay away.

Realizing he could no longer overhear the information he wanted, Muria put down his glass, retrieved a high-quality earth elemental crystal, and placed it on the table. Then, using his spatial authority, he teleported away with the three individuals around him.

The high-tier adventurer's tavern fell into silence again. Ever since Leon spoke up, almost everyone had focused on Muria's table. When Muria and his companions disappeared, everyone noticed immediately.

"Dis... disappeared!" A berserker stared wide-eyed at the table, now holding a single elemental crystal.

"We're not blind. We saw it."

"Is that a unique spatial ability of legends?" A powerful adventurer team leader asked, his gaze shifting to an old mage in a black robe, sipping strong liquor as if he might drop dead any second.

"That's not spatial magic. That one is a legend." The old mage replied calmly, seeing everyone in the tavern turn their eyes toward him.

"Wow!" The tavern erupted instantly. Many people were incredibly excited.

"I actually encountered a legend. Damn, I regret not getting to speak with him."

"I already suspected he was a legend. Look at the way he handled that red-haired youth with soul-level power, like disciplining a grandchild. How could he not be a legend?"

"Stop boasting. You're full of it. As if you had figured it out earlier."

"Speaking of, why do these legendary figures like to disguise themselves as youngsters? What's the point?"

...

"Why didn't you let me finish?" Leon, forcibly dragged away by Muria, looked at him with some reluctance.

"You just wanted to ask how to join the dragon-slaying expedition, right? I know exactly what you're thinking." Muria chuckled.

"If you knew, then why stop me? Just because I want to hunt a dragon? You heard it yourself; this dragon killed over five million humans. Such an atrocious dragon, and you turn a blind eye?" The young demon hunter, who still seemed very youthful to Muria, spoke angrily.

"Sigh, you're over fifty now and still so rash." Muria laughed at the fuming young man. "Do you believe everything people say? Most of those stories are exaggerated. Listen, but don't take them too seriously. You lose if you take it to heart."

"Are you saying the information is all false?"

"It's exaggerated. With several countries in between and them being natural enemies, it's normal to demonize the Frost Queen, painting her as a monster to provoke their people's desire to fight back, making some individuals hot-blooded enough to die for them." As he spoke, Muria glanced at the passionate young Leon.

"Not everything can be false. At least the Frost Queen conquering the four northern countries is true." After traveling across several continents and battling monsters on the seas for decades, the demon hunter had developed his judgment and wasn't easily fooled.

"But she can't be as brutal as they say." Muria spoke with certainty.

"You're defending this legendary dragon."

"Don't make assumptions before seeing it with your own eyes. She's a white dragon, not an evil one."

"Why? What's your relationship with the Frost Queen?" Leon frowned at Muria. He had an inkling; his guardian was known for raising dragons. Everyone in Synapse knew it.

"If nothing has changed, the Frost Queen should be one of the white dragons I raised in my youth, the most talented one." Muria touched his nose, feeling a mix of emotions as he looked at Fiona, the ancient green dragon, and Hesser, the silver moon elf who had unexpectedly decided to accompany him. Their faces showed shock, disbelief, admiration, and other complex expressions, making Muria feel quite pleased. Claudia, the academic prodigy white dragon, was making him proud.

"So, because she's your dragon, you're going to ignore her crimes and shield her?"

"Kid, can you calm down? How many times do I have to tell you? The dragons I raised cannot possibly turn into bloodthirsty, evil dragons. You've been around my dragons long enough. Do you think they are cruel, destructive dragons?"

"No." Without hesitation, Leon, the demon hunter, shook his head. The dragons Muria raised were indeed the most unique chromatic dragons he had ever seen. Their behavior was unlike any known dragon species, far from being evil dragons.

"Slaughter is just a means to an end. When they were young, I taught them not to take up the sword unless necessary. Living creatures always have more value than the dead. Nothing is more satisfying than making your enemies work for you for life, creating value."

"If Claudia really killed five million humans, by your reasoning, it was necessary. How do you judge her actions?" Leon questioned.

"Of course, I support her. If she did it, she must have had her reasons." Muria replied firmly.

"That's five million humans, not five million undead." The righteous knight's breath quickened. "The dragon of judgment and trial, is this your sense of justice?"

"Yes, this is my sense of justice," Muria's expression remained unchanged. "I trust my dragon would not take pleasure in killing or destruction. Whatever she does, she has her reasons. So, no matter what she does, I will support her."

"I will never accept such a thing…"

"Why argue so much?" Muria interrupted him again. "Let's just go and see for ourselves what the Frost Queen has done to the four northern countries before you argue with me."

...

Roar! Under the cold sunlight of the Desipsen Subcontinent, the scales of the white dragon flying in the sky shimmered with a crystalline luster.

Bang! Seemingly tired from flying, the white dragon, just over twenty meters long, landed on the desolate streets of a small town below, causing a stir. However, the sight of commoners fleeing in panic did not occur. It seemed they were accustomed to the white dragon's presence and knew it would not harm them.

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