Golden Dragon: Six Thousand Years of Empire

"It's him."

Wayne, accompanying Noah, faced the reproachful gaze of his great-uncle with an unchanging expression. He didn't think he had done anything wrong; he believed his arrangement was very good.

Ordinary people without talent should live ordinary lives, rather than risking everything to become professionals. Becoming the lowest level of professionals won't change the family's dire circumstances; instead, it will only burden everyone further.

"This is the most impoverished member of the Augustus family I've ever seen."

Noah watched the young man with light footsteps heading towards the lower city.

From his nimble steps, it wasn't hard to surmise that he was a wanderer. The severely worn leather armor he wore, and the notched and slightly blunted curved sword at his waist, along with the conspicuously handmade crossbow arrows, were evident on him.

Together, this was a young professional from a small town with limited abilities, financial difficulties, but a very positive and optimistic attitude towards life.

"Do you think he has potential worth cultivating?"

In the face of Noah's veiled sarcasm, Wayne pretended not to hear it, focusing instead on the judgment of his great-uncle upon seeing the young man in person.

"Worth trying to cultivate."

After seeing the young man in person, Noah was certain that the weakest title of Titan Bloodline Awakener couldn't be held by Tidel anymore.

Because through observation, even if he had awakened the Titan Bloodline and could call forth a Golden Thunder at will, the young man's life hadn't fundamentally changed. This awakening made little difference to him.

"Then I'll rely on you, great-uncle. What price do I need to pay?"

Obviously, Wayne was a very disciplined grand-nephew; he didn't wait for Noah to make demands before offering.

"That's not necessary."

Noah didn't want to get entangled in such trivialities. He had promised to protect the Augustus family and ensure its prosperity and growth.

Now, having discovered a Titan Bloodline Awakener in the new generation, albeit weaker, he knew he had to nurture it; Noah couldn't give up.

"You should really improve the treatment of your descendants. The way you're so harsh, even a genius wouldn't be able to awaken and step onto the Extraordinary Path."

"I will treat them according to the royal family's standards."

After Noah voiced this, Wayne naturally complied, though his promise made Noah somewhat amused. Given the current average level of Wayne's descendants, not one could obtain royal status.

Noah didn't worry about such small matters anymore but descended from the air, transforming into a silver-haired, old man, and landed right in front of the joyful young wanderer who was hopping and skipping home.

"Let me see how your character is."

Because Noah chose such a tricky angle, when the young man noticed him, despite trying to control his legs, he still uncontrollably bumped right into Noah.

"Ouch, young man, what's the matter with you? Don't you look where you're going? My old back, it hurts so much!"

Knocked to the ground by a wanderer not much stronger than a mortal, Noah moaned in pain.

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice!"

The young wanderer, whose face was previously filled with happiness, showed panic and apology upon discovering he'd knocked over an old man. He hurriedly helped Noah, who was clutching his back, get up.

"Young man, you've injured my back; now it hurts when I walk. What do you suggest we do?"

Noah grabbed the young man's wrist and doggedly demanded.

"I'm willing to pay your medical expenses."

"Just paying the medical expenses isn't enough. You've wasted my time and caused me pain; you must serve and care for me."

The old man Noah had transformed into was particularly sharp-tongued, though he was only pretending to be an ordinary mortal. In his now aged state, the young wanderer could easily break free and throw Noah aside, especially right now.

But facing an "easy-to-bully" injured old man, Sorlon, an honest and straightforward wanderer, dutifully assumed responsibility.

"How about I carry you to the Temple now and ask a priest to heal you?"

"Do you have enough money for a priest's healing?"

"Not quite, but I can borrow it."

Sorlon showed an embarrassed expression.

"Borrow? With your skills, how much can you borrow? You'd better carry me to your home, serve me for a while, and you won't need to spend that unnecessary money."

Noah's words remained sharp and full of mockery but also showed a touch of kindness.

"Alright, if you don't mind, I can take you to my home."

"Then what are you waiting for? Carry me."

So, under the surprised gaze of his sister and mother, Sorlon, who had gone out to earn money, carried an extraordinarily temperamental old man home.

"I'm thirsty!"

"I'm hungry!"

"My leg's a bit sore, my shoulder hurts..."

In the clean and tidy, well-organized small shack, Noah ordered Sorlon around like a servant. His difficult temper and bad mood were hard even for Sorlon's sister and mother to bear.

However, despite Noah's demanding nature, Sorlon's mood remained extremely stable, tolerantly serving Noah, which greatly surprised him.

"There aren't many young people as mild-tempered as you these days!"

"There are quite a few like me."

After being ordered around for half a month, Sorlon was somewhat surprised to receive this compliment, as it was the first time he heard the old man compliment someone.

"Indeed, there are many, but you are more special than them."

By now, Noah had sat up from the bed, straightened his back, one leg on the bed edge, the other hanging naturally. His posture was lazy, displaying a vastly different aura from the previous days.

"What's special about me?"

"Do you know about the Atlas Kingdom?"

"Who doesn't know?"

"Do you know the Augustus family?"

"Of course, it's the first legendary family on the Continent."

"What if I told you you're a member of the Augustus family, would you believe it?"

Noah had verified the character of the young man in front of him. As a young striver born in the lower city and an aspiring wanderer, Sorlon's moral integrity was astonishingly high.

This might be due to having a sufficiently gentle mother and a kind sister, leading to a character and outlook contradictory to his chosen profession.

The conduct that once made him less successful among professionals finally found its reward today.

"Lord Nesser, what have I done to displease you for you to make such a joke with me?"

After all the ordeals, Sorlon, when hearing Noah's truth, couldn't help but sigh.

He even regretted not raising money from the start to heal the old man and send him away but instead bringing him home.

"It seems you don't believe what I said."

"Yes, I believe."

Sorlon replied very perfunctorily.

"Do you know what the Augustus family prides itself on the most?"

"The Titan Bloodline?"

"Smart, the Augustus family relies on the Titan Bloodline to establish the Atlas Kingdom. Yet ironically, the current monarch is one who inherits the Dragon Bloodline."

"Isn't that well-known? The current monarch of the Atlas Kingdom is the Golden Dragon Lord. It's said he's protected by the Holy Dragon. Isn't it normal for such a person to become a monarch? Why is it ironic?"

"But the two previous monarchs before him had the Titan Bloodline."

"That doesn't matter."

"No, it matters to you. Your life's goal from now on should be to replace this Dragon Lord."