Chapter Sixty-Four: I Don’t Know Magic

Apache helicopters, NMD missiles, Humvees, AK47 rifles, hundreds of frenzied wolves, and a Boeing 747 with eight Fleeting Legs attached stood in a row, awaiting King Ludy III's inspection.

To facilitate the landing of the Boeing 747, King Ludy III had meticulously cleared a vast area within the palace, mobilizing considerable resources. Yet even so, the space remained cramped and crowded.

Chu Tian introduced his magical pets and reported on the gains from his expedition to Mount Agula. Although King Ludy III had grown somewhat immune to the shocks brought by the Apache, he was nevertheless stunned by the successive surprises Chu Tian unveiled.

"Forming an alliance with the Elves was exceptionally well done! I'll have the Pampas family handle that eighth-tier magical beast and the elven slave girl!" Ludy III laughed heartily. "I wager that from now on, Reyes will be sleepless and restless." Anything that could unsettle the Reyes Empire filled Ludy III with glee. However, he harbored one lingering question: "Why did you request archery instructors from the Elves? Our empire mainly relies on cavalry, but we don't lack skilled archers."

Chu Tian chuckled and explained his vision for heavily armored mounted archers. He added, "If Your Majesty thinks they're useless, I could negotiate with the Elves to exchange them for something else."

"No need to change!" Ludy III considered Chu Tian's proposal, his eyes lighting up. "When the Elven archers arrive, you'll be responsible for assembling this new cavalry unit." Having seen battle firsthand, Ludy III could imagine the formidable might such cavalry would wield on the field. Though most wars on the Phantom Beast Continent hinged on magical beasts, an extra weapon could only be advantageous.

"Your Majesty, how can a priest undertake such a task?" Chu Tian protested, though he had conceived the idea, it seemed outrageous for a veterinarian to organize an army. "I only have the concept, I truly don't know how to execute it."

"It's enough that you had the idea. We'll have Canas head the training, and you can offer guidance."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. However, there's one more matter," having recounted all his achievements, Chu Tian adopted a mournful expression. "I wish to resign as Chief Court Priest!" Though he said this, it was merely a maneuver, a way to test Ludy III's reaction. Young Master Chu had no intention of resigning; this position was connected to annual earnings of tens of millions in gold coins!

"What did you say?" Ludy III stared at Chu Tian in astonishment, frowning. "Why do you want to resign as Chief Court Priest?" He had only ever heard of promotions following meritorious deeds, never of someone resigning after such feats.

"Praise be to the Goddess of Life!" Chu Tian shook his head, speaking with apparent heartbreak. "Your Majesty, previously my magical aura was concealed by the blood of Crimson Flame, yet I still possessed the strength of an eighth-tier priest instructor. But now..."

"Now what?" Ludy III was moved by Chu Tian's sorrowful demeanor. "What exactly happened?"

"When I was treating the Dragon Emperor, I accidentally fused with his blood. Now..." Chu Tian's performance was flawless, his tears nearly falling. "Now... my magic has been transformed, fused into dragon language magic that humans cannot use! I can never use magic again!"

"Unable to use magic?!" Ludy III felt as though the Goddess of Life was playing a cruel joke on him. He had gained a ninth-tier magical beast, but lost the empire's most powerful priest! After pondering, Ludy III calmed himself. While Vladino's priestly arts were invaluable, trading his magical power for the support of the Dragon Clan and a ninth-tier magical beast was a fair exchange. "Vladino, it's no matter if you can't be a priest; you still have the Apache, don't you?"

Without the Apache, I'd be worthless, wouldn't I? Chu Tian sneered inwardly, then offered another surprise. "Your Majesty, though I have no magic, I can still perform priestly duties!"

"You can still be a priest?" Ludy III was puzzled. Without magical power, there could be no priestly arts; how could one serve as a priest without them?

"Heh, I can use Ancient Priestcraft!" Chu Tian squinted with a smile. "Ancient Priestcraft can only heal magical beasts, but it requires no magical power! I cured the Dragon Emperor's illness with Ancient Priestcraft!"

"Ancient Priestcraft that only heals magical beasts? Heh!" Ludy III patted Chu Tian's shoulder and laughed. "Then why resign? I command you to remain as Chief Court Priest!" In Ludy III's mind, Chu Tian's greatest value lay in his ability to heal magical beasts beyond the reach of ordinary priests. As long as he could treat magical beasts, what did magical power matter?

"Well..." Chu Tian feigned hesitation, then replied helplessly, "I obey, Your Majesty!"

Ha, Chu Tian was finally at ease. No more excuses or tricks would be necessary—damn it, he simply couldn't use magic!

"By the way, Vladino, you have rendered great service to the empire this time. I will reward you heavily!" With Chu Tian's usefulness assured, Ludy III's plans remained unchanged. "Now, I should address you as Duke Vladino!"

"Praise be to the Goddess of Life! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Chu Tian beamed as he accepted the title. The rank of duke was the highest in Caesar, second only to prince, and to become a prince required expanding the empire's territory by tens of thousands of miles in war. In peacetime, duke was the pinnacle Chu Tian could hope to achieve.

"Furthermore, you'll need to prepare a fair amount of gold coins." The stern look on Ludy III's face faded, replaced by a mischievous smile. "At least five hundred thousand!"

Five hundred thousand gold coins? Chu Tian was dumbfounded. Since arriving on the Phantom Beast Continent, his wealth had never exceeded a hundred thousand at most. He not only had to support so many magical beasts, but had gifted Damar ten thousand as well. By his calculations, he was nearly penniless.

"Heh!" Chu Tian managed a forced smile. "Your Majesty, what is all that money for? I truly don't have that much!"

"Hmph! Not a coin less than five hundred thousand!" Though his tone was stern, Ludy III's face was all smiles. "The expenses for a duke's engagement to a royal princess—five hundred thousand gold coins isn't excessive."

Princess? Selina!? Chu Tian gritted his teeth and cursed inwardly: Reggie! Hurry and get me those smuggling profits!

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The chaos in the imperial capital was swiftly quelled by Gremin, and Ludy III did not trouble Chu Tian over it. But now, Duke Vladino faced a genuine dilemma!

"Praise be to the Goddess of Life!" Chu Tian stood on the open ground at his home, gazing helplessly at the size of his estate, then at the Boeing 747 hovering above, unable to land, and the Humvees and wolves crowded together below. "Barbossa, how much money do we have left? I need to purchase a larger plot!"

"Boss, why buy land?" Barbossa was baffled. "Your mansion is already big enough."

Chu Tian pointed at the Boeing 747 in the sky, grumbling, "My magical pets don't even have space to stand. If I don't buy land, what am I to do? Should I make them stay in the alternate dimension?"

"Alternate dimension? What's that?" AK47 bent its head curiously. "Why would we magical beasts go to an alternate dimension?"

"You don't know what an alternate dimension is?" Chu Tian asked in surprise.