Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Silver Dragon’s True Form

A thought struck Raylo, and he immediately made his way to the backyard.

The strange fluctuation of Magic Power grew clearer the closer he got.

An invisible pressure seemed to permeate the air, making his breath hitch.

The entrance to the backyard was half-hidden by withered vines and weeds, giving it a desolate look.

Raylo pushed aside the vines and walked in.

The backyard wasn’t large. It was enclosed on three sides by the barracks’ rear walls and on the fourth by a steep cliff face.

In the center of the yard, an area once used for storing miscellaneous junk had been cleared.

And in that clearing, an elegant figure dominated his entire view.

That was definitely not a cat.

Its body, over three meters long, was covered in streamlined silver scales. Under the afternoon sun, each scale, like an exquisite work of art, reflected a cool, soft radiance like that of the moon.

Its sleek neck curved gently, head held high. Two long, spiraled silver horns pointed to the sky, emanating a faint halo of light.

A pair of massive, feather-like membranous wings were folded at its sides. The wing membranes were translucent, and intricate patterns of Magic Power could be seen faintly flowing within them.

Its body radiated an indescribable sense of power and oppression.

And yet, strangely, this oppressive aura was tinged with an ineffable sanctity and majesty.

A Silver Dragon!

A real, living Silver Dragon!

Raylo held his breath, his heart skipping a beat.

He was seeing Moonlight’s true Silver Dragon form for the very first time.

He had long known the truth about Moonlight, a secret it did a poor job of hiding, but he never thought he would be caught off guard by its true form like this.

’A Growth Stage!’

Raylo immediately thought of this possibility.

The lifespans of Giant Dragons are exceptionally long, and their development isn’t linear. They go through several crucial Growth Stages. Each one brings a massive leap in size, Power, and Magic Power.

During a Growth Stage, their control over their own power—especially a delicate operation like the Transformation Technique—could become temporarily unstable.

Clearly, Moonlight had entered its Growth Stage.

The sudden surge of Power had left it temporarily unable to maintain its cat form, causing it to revert to its true Silver Dragon self.

Its decision to hide in this deserted backyard was clearly driven by its usual impulse: to conceal its identity as a Giant Dragon.

Looking at the enormous, majestic Silver Dragon before him, Raylo then thought of the big white cat he knew. The one that liked to bat his knees with its paws, curl up into a ball to sleep, and even pout when it failed to catch a mouse. An incredibly strange feeling washed over him.

’Shock, awe, and... a touch of amusement?’

The Silver Dragon seemed to sense Raylo’s complicated feelings. It lowered its noble head slightly, blinked its pale gold eyes, and let out a low rumble from its throat that sounded like wind blowing through a massive pipe organ.

The sound seemed to carry a hint of embarrassment.

Raylo slowly walked over.

”How are you feeling?”

Raylo looked up at it, trying to keep his voice calm.

The Silver Dragon rumbled low again and gently, carefully, nuzzled its huge head against Raylo’s palm.

The familiar gesture of affection gradually calmed the shock in Raylo’s heart, replacing it with a sense of comfort and intimacy.

”Looks like you can’t change back for now?”

Raylo sized up its enormous body, his brow furrowing with worry.

’A creature this big, hiding in the backyard... it’s bound to be discovered sooner or later.’

The Silver Dragon seemed to understand him. A trace of distress showed in its large eyes, and its huge tail swept restlessly, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Seeing its human-like expression, Raylo couldn’t help but laugh. ”Alright, alright, don’t worry. We’ll figure something out.”

He patted the cool, smooth scales on the Silver Dragon’s head, his mind already racing to find a solution.

’Moonlight entering its Growth Stage is a good thing; the massive power boost will be a great asset to me. But I need a solid plan to handle its temporary inability to transform. The fact that I have a Giant Dragon is a secret that needs to be kept for as long as possible.’

He summoned four trusted Knights and posted them at every entrance to the backyard with orders to let no one enter.

「A few days later.」

Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, scattering dappled spots of light.

Raylo opened his eyes, his consciousness still a bit fuzzy.

He habitually turned his head, then paused.

A familiar ball of snow-white fur was curled up by his pillow, right next to his head, letting out even, light snores.

The sunlight shone on its soft fur, as if coating it in a faint golden halo.

It was Moonlight.

It had changed back.

Moonlight seemed to sense his gaze. The tip of its long tail twitched twice, its eyelids fluttered, and it revealed a pair of pale gold eyes, hazy with sleep.

It gave a huge yawn, revealing a pink tongue and sharp teeth, then habitually extended a paw and gently patted Raylo’s cheek with its pad.

”Mraow~”

A lazy cry, as if declaring that it was still the same big cat as before.

[Daily Intelligence Refresh]

[1: Following Black Stone Territory’s annihilation of the Blood Wolf Corps, merchant caravans in the surrounding regions feel safer. Several are now planning to reopen trade routes that pass along the territory’s borders.]

[2: An unusually large Shadow Panther has appeared on the outskirts of the Mist Forest, its speed far surpassing its peers. This Shadow Panther is a mutated variant and has already broken through to become a Tier Three Magical Beast.]

[3: To the southeast of Black Stone Territory, the population of Mire Giant Lizards in the Rotting Marsh has swelled. They are expanding toward the swamp’s edge, threatening nearby villages and trade routes. Mire Giant Lizards are tough-hided Tier Two Magical Beasts, and their powerful tails can snap trees.]

[4: The Light Holy See has dispatched a new regional Bishop to the Northern Border. This Lord Bishop is known for his hardline approach and is a zealous fanatic.]

[5: The renowned Alchemy Master and ”Medicine Genius,” Barnaby Grey, arrived in Giant Stone City yesterday. He has checked into the top floor of the Golden Griffin Inn and is rumored to be searching for a rare draconic material.]

[6: ...]

[7: The Lord of the neighboring Red Maple Territory, Viscount Baker, is recruiting adventurers to clear out an Ogre den within his domain.]

[8: Near the Black Stone Mountain Range, a flock of Harpies has migrated to Withered Ridge. Over the past month, they have repeatedly attacked several small merchant caravans passing through the area.]

[9: Baron Mengde, Lord of Ironthorn Territory, has been frequently mobilizing his Knights and has established new observation posts along the border with Black Stone Territory. Mengde is an Earth Knight sworn in fealty to your brother, Eliot.]

[10: Followers of the Nine-headed Demon Serpent’s ’Plague Head’ are spreading a mutated plague at the edge of the Jade Swamp. They have already destroyed several small villages.]