Dragon Raja; Chapter 71: A Dragon’s Shadow (9)

Dragon Raja

“We’ll know after research. If we find the answer, should it be engraved on your tombstone?” the Principal asked.

“No need. Just engrave my wife’s name,” Mance said. “Don’t tell the students about the complete annihilation of the Task Force. To them, such matters are still distant. There’s no need for them to grieve for us. They should still think that slaying dragons is something thrilling and passionate, worth a lifetime of striving.”

Mance spoke softly, “That’s better.”

“I didn’t tell them. They only know that Ye Sheng and Aki left us. I acted very calm,” the Principal said. “But I don’t know how to cover up this lie once I return to campus. Who’s going to take over your classes? You still have lectures this semester.”

“Schneider, probably. He really wants to stay on as a professor,” Mance exhaled smoke through his nose. “Just say we went on a new mission. After all, the world is vast, and there are Dragon remnants everywhere—there will always be an excuse that they’re busy on a new expedition. In a few years, it won’t matter if this matter is made public.”

“Alright, let’s do as you say.”

“Goodbye. Say hi to Nono for me. She needs a new mentor.” The cigar fell into the water, and Mance slowly closed his eyes.

The Principal took the rose that was about to bloom from his chest pocket and placed it on Mance’s chest. Then, holding the wailing baby, he stood up. Lights from all directions shone on him; searchlights illuminated the Principal while military and police vehicles surrounded both sides of the riverbank. The old man quietly stood up, patting the baby’s cheek, pulling the little head into his arms, and holding the black umbrella over both of them.

“Really huge!” Professor Manstein said softly. He was on the second floor of the library, watching the students downstairs gradually disperse, leaving only the fence adorned with white handkerchiefs.

“Huge?” Professor Guderian was momentarily stunned.

“In Chinese dialect, it means quiet.” Manstein took off his glasses, deeply moved. “The new semester—someone has left us, and the freshmen haven’t grown up yet. We, meanwhile, have already aged. It makes one feel quite ‘huge.’”

“Yes, very ‘huge’ indeed.” Guderian also sighed. “I’m curious about one thing—before you knew Lu Mingfei’s 3E exam score, you no longer doubted him. I heard you even placed an online bet that he would pass. Was there something you were hiding from me?”

“I wouldn’t hide anything from you. Weren’t we both released from the same mental hospital?” Professor Manstein shrugged.

“That phrasing is a bit odd…”

“But it’s true. I let go of my doubts about Lu Mingfei.” Manstein pointed to the distant bell tower. “It was simply because I made a call to my father. He said there was no need to doubt Lu Mingfei—that he is the finest Dragon Blood descendant.”

“The Night Watchers said that?” Guderian was amazed.

“Yes, but with no further explanation.”

Professor Guderian looked toward the always-closed bell tower. “I always find it hard to think of the Night Watchers as your father. You don’t seem like someone who should have a father.”

“He made life miserable for my mother and me, so much so that I had no real childhood. Honestly, I can’t say I feel much familial affection for him… But as for a dragonslayer, he’s probably the only one who can compare to the Principal!” Manstein said. “There are some things I still believe in from him. At the very least… thanks to him, I won a big bet.”

5. Social Evening

Lu Mingfei lay in bed, listening to the sound of pages turning from the top bunk, again and again, never-ending.

“Hey, slacker,” Lu Mingfei said.

“I’m busy. If it’s nothing important, shut up.” Finger was rarely this serious.

“Aren’t you just reading? Can’t we talk? Will talking kill you?” Lu Mingfei said.

“How is reading important?” The rustling from the top bunk continued.

Lu Mingfei looked up. “Hey! Could you be any more outrageous?”

The top bunk was piled high with dollar bills, and Finger was counting them in stacks, his face full of a miserly grin. Every time he counted a stack, he tore a piece of paper from his so-called favorite philosophy book to bind it. “Completely aboveboard—my winnings, not bank robbery money,” Finger said. “I always knew you had talent—a little prince of luck! You bring me good fortune! If it weren’t for Manstein betting against me, I could’ve won more.”

“Little prince of luck—that nickname is disgustingly over the top! Hey, there’s something I don’t understand. Got time to explain?” Lu Mingfei said.

“If there’s a creamy soup involved, Cassell College Yellow Pages will offer you the most comprehensive Q&A service,” Finger patted his chest. “And that would be me.”

“Robber!” Lu Mingfei grabbed the phone. “Two cream soups with puff pastry! And I want a big slice of cheesecake!”

Finger clapped his hands.

“Did someone… actually die?” Lu Mingfei asked.

“Actually, the casualty list is out—Execution Bureau members Ye Sheng and Sakatoku Aki,” Finger said. “You can check the message board.”

Lu Mingfei fell silent. He still remembered Sakatoku Aki smiling and correcting his pronunciation, saying, “It’s ‘sao ci shang j.’” How could someone just suddenly die?

“Don’t worry too much. The Execution Bureau isn’t necessarily that dangerous. Most of the time, they’re like a bunch of archaeologists flying around the world, exploring Dragon remnants. Over the past ten years, only a few people died when a tomb passage collapsed during a grave robbing. This time was a special situation,” Finger said. “As for the Bronze City, it was Dragon King Norton’s territory, and dragon tombs are indeed very dangerous. There’s a legend that for anyone entering a dragon tomb, at least one person must be sacrificed as an offering. But missions into dragon tombs are classified, and no one knows the full story, so it remains a legend.”

“Someone dies every time?”

“I don’t know. The academy won’t easily open the records of entering the Dragon Tomb to students.” Finger spread his hands. “Besides, I’m only an ‘F’ grade. If you ask to see it, I guess you can.”

“Have you ever worried about dying?” Lu Mingfei asked.

Finger thought for a moment. “Do you worry about finding worms in your burger?”

“Of course!”

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