Chapter 229 - 228: Talking Business
Unlike his usual impulsive behavior, Leon didn’t rush off to the Lost Plateau to find the Cloud Giant this time.
Transforming the Volcanic Island into a feng shui haven had taken half a year and completely exhausted Leon. He desperately needed a good rest. With his pockets empty, he was uneasy, but it wasn’t urgent enough to act immediately.
The Efreeti, having gained some degree of freedom, had already headed to the Lost Plateau first. Leon rested for about a month, but after losing terribly during a mahjong game—and almost falling short of paying his gambling debts—the next day he decided to make the trip.
Leon’s excellent memory easily guided him to the mountaintop castle of the Cloud Giant.
He had expected a modest and simple castle, but what greeted his eyes was extravagance beyond imagination. Gold and silver adorned every corner, the floors were carpeted with wool rugs, the curtains were silk, the vegetable garden brimming with pumpkins, and the Beast Pen housed Owlbears and Griffins.
"Did you rob someone or what?" Leon descended into the lower courtyard, where the Cloud Giant—wearing a gold chain, rings on both hands adorned with massive gemstones—had come out to greet him.
"What are you doing here?" Mankus cast Leon a glance. He felt utterly reassured when thinking about Leon, as if a Red Dragon truly handed back money already in its grasp, no one would believe such a tale. "I am a kind-hearted Cloud Giant, not like you evil Red Dragons who love pillaging."
"If it wasn’t stolen, how’d you rebuild the castle so quickly?" Leon looked around. "It seems even more lavish than before."
Mankus hesitated, then eventually chose honesty, saying: "Just putting on a show. My entire fortune is here for you to see; there’s nothing left in the Treasure Vault."