Asher looked at Peter with a slightly surprised expression.
He couldn't be blamed for being surprised.
Pet beasts with flying attributes possess extremely wide aerial vision. Generally speaking, sooner or later, a Beast Tamer will choose to contract a flying-type pet beast.
Therefore, flying-attribute beasts have a very high employment rate.
Even small flying pets that cannot carry people are still sought after by Beast Tamers.
Vision is just that important.
But what Asher never expected was that Peter, an Tier 8 Ace-level Beast Tamer with all six pet slots full, and even possessing a Tier 9 pet, just so happens to have no flying-type pet?
Is this a moral downfall or a loss of humanity?
"Ahem…", Old Rothschild beside him obviously knew something. He coughed lightly twice, then took advantage of Peter's attention being focused on Clyde.
And loudly argued with Clyde: Even without a flying-type pet, he still had his ways.
In reality…
"They say, just rumors, of course," Old Rothschild emphasized twice before gossiping.
It's hearsay. Not verified.
"When Peter was little, he had food snatched away by a fierce seagull, and since then, he has had some rather unpleasant impressions of flying-type beasts," As he said this, Old Rothschild's voice had already turned into a whisper.
Afraid Peter might overhear even a single word.
After hearing this rumor, Asher fell into silence.
"But when Mr. Peter sees other people's flying pets…",nAsher remembered the last time they entered the Red Soil Secret Realm to explore, didn't several team members have bird-type pets?
That included Asher's own Little Raven.
But he didn't see Peter show any disgust or dislike, did he?
"He just personally dislikes them, subconsciously rejecting building good relationships with flying-type pets. But his perception of others' flying pets is fine," Old Rothschild explained with a calm and knowing expression.
As if he thoroughly understood Peter.
Asher: "..."
'Seagulls.'
'Monkeys.'
The two natural enemies of normal human beings.
They really can cause some serious psychological trauma to certain young humans.
Asher felt that while the rumor was a bit ridiculous, it somehow still made a little bit of sense.
'Whatever, no big deal.'
Peter and Clyde had been quarreling back and forth for 800 rounds, mostly Peter doing the talking.
Even if he didn't get much response, Peter didn't mind at all.
In fact, the more he argued, the more fired up he got.
Watching from the side, President Vance was getting anxious.
Looking left and right, not knowing how to properly intervene and stop the two, President Vance was beyond stressed.
At this moment.
"Mr. Peter, Mr. Clyde, then I'll go with Old Rothschild and sit on the back of the Jargon Dragon King."
"Both of you?"
"We'll lead the way in front and provide support for you two."
Asher's voice fell on President Vance's ears like the gospel of angels.
'Came at just the right time!'
'Couldn't have been more timely!'
The two who had been arguing endlessly, no, actually it was just Peter's one-sided outburst, paused when they heard Asher's words.
Then Peter reacted.
"Wait?", Peter shouted and reached out to stop Asher.
But whether it was Asher or Old Rothschild, both showed great initiative.
With a light jump, with Dragontooth's help, the two were already seated on the back of the Jargon Dragon King.
The Swamp Monster also abandoned its chattering Beast Tamer and followed behind Asher, hopping onto the Jargon Dragon King's back.
Peter's hand, frozen mid-air: "..."
Clyde, suddenly realizing he'd be traveling with Peter the whole way: "..."
The two simultaneously gave Asher resentful glances.
Neither Asher nor Little Raven, man or bird, felt there was any problem.
Was there a problem?
What problem?
Clearly, everything was fine.
Peter and Clyde obviously had a good relationship.
If they didn't, how could they argue this much?
Clyde: '…I really appreciate how you define "good relationship".'
Whether they liked it or not, for the sake of cooperation and convenience, the two ended up sitting together on the back of Flame Emperor.
"Thanks for your hard work, Flame Emperor," Clyde patted his pet affectionately, eyes full of concern.
"Having to carry this kind of guy, you must feel miserable too," Clyde continued sarcastically.
Peter: "..."
Veins bulging on Peter's forehead.
"You little—... Watch your tone," Peter threatened, waving a fist at Clyde.
Clyde became even more smug.
Asher couldn't help but nod watching them, "In another time and place, whether on CCTV Gala or XX Agency, this would be a great comedy act."
Just right now, it was a bit of a waste.
Old Rothschild: "..."
He gave Asher a look.
'Goodness.'
'Turns out this guy loves watching drama too.'
But Old Rothschild didn't think there was any problem with that.
Loving drama is human nature. Totally normal!
Finally, the one-man crosstalk, no, two-man comedy ended.
Jargon Dragon King and Flame Emperor took off simultaneously.
Jargon Dragon King flew in front, Flame Emperor followed, keeping a steady distance behind.
President Vance and the Vice President watched the group soar into the sky.
"As expected of Ace-level Beast Tamers, they really don't take a Tier 9 Golden Silkworm to heart," President Vance shaded his eyes and said with great emotion.
The Vice President looked indifferent, "That's a Ace-level Beast Tamer. You know what that means?"
A wild Tier 9 beast, and a pet raised and nurtured to Tier 9 by a Beast Tamer, growing together with love and care, how can they be the same?
Not to mention contracted pets have the Beast Tamer's mental sea and beast space providing endless power support from behind.
Can a wild Tier 9 beast compare to that?
"If it weren't for that weirdo ability of the Golden Silkworm…", the Vice President grumbled.
He wanted to complain.
'Damn it!'
'Why must the Forbidden Zone of Branlow City have this sticky-type beast like the Golden Silkworm?'
'It's disgusting and annoying!'
As a native of Branlow City, the Vice President could never forget the people he saw in the hospital as a child who had been caught and used for egg-laying by Golden Silkworms…
Thinking of this, the Vice President sighed.
"Let's hope the two Aces win big."
"If this wave can wipe out the Tier 9 Golden Silkworm and its swarm, Branlow City's Forbidden Zone might finally see a retreat of the silkworm tide."
"Then we can seize the chance to promote and advertise the city to other Beast Tamers."
That said, Golden Silkworms are troublesome. But Beast Tamers who want to contract Golden Silkworms still exist.
After all, if they don't use the Golden Silkworm's ability on their own people, they suddenly become very appealing.
It's just that contracting a Golden Silkworm isn't easy.
Starting from Tier 3, Golden Silkworms can begin to lay eggs.
But Tier 1 and 2 Golden Silkworms are extremely rare and hard to catch.
However, once the high-rank Golden Silkworms are wiped out, won't that be the perfect chance?
Hearing this, President Vance showed a look of sudden realization.
President Vance gave the Vice President a thumbs-up, "No wonder they call you Jill the Skinflint!"
"Only you could think of such a devious plan."
The Vice President, waiting for praise, "..."
He gave President Vance a huge eye-roll, "Can you speak properly?"
"If not, shut up and be a mute, got it?"
President Vance: "..."
He silently mimed a zipper action.
'Alright, alright, alright.'
'I'll shut up now.'
The Vice President snorted coldly, looking not guilty at all.
What's wrong with trying to attract Beast Tamers?
As if Branlow City's finances weren't about to be tightened again to rebuild the city's protective shield.
At a time like this, making money is the priority!
———
[On the Other Side]
Clyde straddled Flame Emperor's neck, hands lightly resting on the back of its neck.
"Jargon Dragon King…", but his eyes were on Dragontooth in front, his tone full of emotion and melancholy.
Peter didn't start arguing again.
He lazily crossed his arms, looking from afar like he was using his strong core strength to sit steadily on Flame Emperor's back.
His expression and posture seemed particularly cool.
In reality, if you looked closely, you'd see his lower half was tightly secured to Flame Emperor with thick vines.
Feeling the cold wind on his face and the terrifying sensation of high-altitude weightlessness, Peter still managed to say, "What? Y-you… you jealous of him?"
Peter: "..."
After speaking, Peter fell silent.
'Damn it!'
'Why did I stutter all of a sudden!'
Luckily, Clyde didn't seem to notice his slip.
Already used to flying high, and effortlessly shielding himself from the wind, Clyde looked both free-spirited and elegant.
Not at all disheveled.
"Yes."
"A little jealous."
Clyde thought for a moment, then sincerely replied.
Peter: "?"
'Eh?'
'Ehhhhh?'
'Since when did Clyde get this honest?'
'Just admitted it in one go?'
Though he didn't turn around, Clyde seemed to know what Peter was thinking.
He smiled and said, "What's the point of pretending? Being envious is totally normal."
"Even though Flame Emperor is already Tier 9, soon to break through to mid-Tier 9—"
"But in front of Jargon Dragon King, who's not even mid-Tier 8 in strength, Flame Emperor still feels fear and dread."
Just now, when Clyde tried to sense Flame Emperor's emotions, he felt strong fear radiating from it.
Fear.
Dread.
Hesitation.
None of them were positive emotions.
There was another feeling Clyde couldn't quite identify, but it definitely wasn't good.
His feelings at the time were very complicated.
Once again, he felt the clear distinction between dragon kings and non-dragon kings.
But different from Jargon Dragon King, Flame Emperor already had a dragon king.
Which means, his Flame Emperor has no chance of evolving into a dragon king.
The path to becoming a dragon king is already harsh.
Among the same dragon-type species, only one can become the dragon king.
Thinking this far, Clyde couldn't help but feel a bit discouraged.
"What's there to be discouraged about?", Peter didn't care for Clyde's mood.
"Like you hadn't thought of that when you contracted Flame Emperor back then."
"Even if you didn't, with your amazing family, someone must have reminded you, right?"
Peter said matter-of-factly.
What kind of family was Clyde from?
Everyone worked in Beast Tamer-related fields, might as well be called a Beast Tamer clan.
And they wouldn't know this?
Peter didn't believe that for a second.
Clyde: "..."
Clyde sighed.
"Fine, I did know. But I still chose Flame Emperor without hesitation back then."
As he spoke, Clyde gently stroked the back of the Flame Emperor's neck.
Facts also proved, his choice wasn't wrong.
The Flame Emperor's current strength, combined with his age, saying he is one of the outstanding young Beast Tamers is no problem at all.
'...No, wait.'
Clyde was once again stunned.
He looked toward the vague silhouette in front.
Asher.
An especially young name.
Also the first especially young person.
"Professor Asher's pet beast...", Clyde rubbed his chin, squinting as he looked toward the vague silhouette on the back of the Yargen Dragon King.
Because the Swamp Monster was sitting behind Asher, it directly covered four-fifths of Asher's entire body.
Tightly and thoroughly.
Even Peter, who was the Swamp Monster's Beast Tamer, couldn't clearly see Asher's current condition.
One could only say that the Swamp Monster was truly sincere in wanting to protect Asher.
Clyde recalled the Little Raven he saw before.
And also the videos and information he specifically searched for after returning from Red Earth City, those that mentioned Asher's pet beasts and the strength they displayed.
Peter: "?"
Peter looked at Clyde's back with a face full of suspicion.
Unfortunately, because of the sitting posture, Peter had no way of observing Clyde's expression more carefully.
Otherwise, Peter would have more or less mentally slapped a label on this guy.
"Is there something about Asher's pet beasts?", Peter counter-asked.
"Mm... if it's like he said, then they probably do have some ability. They should be able to help smoothly this time too," As he spoke, Peter nodded, his perspective on the matter very practical.
'Why think so much? Just ask if needed. As long as they can help, it's enough.'
Clyde: "..."
Clyde still couldn't hold it in, he slightly turned his head and gave Peter a speechless look.
Before Peter could look back, Clyde had already turned his head forward again.
Peter: "..."
"Damn it!"
"If you've got guts, turn your head back and look me in the eye, you brat!" [T/N: Geh]
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