Chapter 83 - 81: Teacher
"I don’t possess such keen insight or the leisure. I simply feel that this Alchemy Apprentice is just a Magic Apprentice, nothing more. With a physique and strength that his fellow apprentices could easily subdue, it’s rather laughable to think he alone could steal the Century Aroma, create the potion right under everyone’s noses, and then successfully conclude a deal with the Drow."
At this, David chuckled, glanced back at his two Drow slaves with a smile, and said, "From my ’Drow followers,’ I’ve learned a bit about the Drow’s societal structure and their ways. Even if this apprentice could somehow accomplish all the preceding tasks, that final step—dealing with the Drow—is absolutely beyond him. Because typically, foolish young men like him—dreaming of striking it rich in the Gloomy Region without strength, powerful backing, or control over resources—usually meet an untimely end. Even if one is lucky enough to reach a Drow stronghold, he’d likely be stripped bare by any passing Drow and used for breeding until he’s nothing but dregs. So, fundamentally, this whole scenario is highly improbable."
Having regained his composure, Attilicia, though somewhat uncomfortable with the crude term ’breeding’ David had used, felt it was his duty as a father to encourage his son’s accomplishments. He clapped his hands cheerfully and said, "Well done. An excellent and calm logical deduction."
It’s also very much in the style of us Silver Dragons, he thought, even exhibiting an extraordinary perception, an almost intuitive sense that transcends calm and rational thinking.
He hadn’t expected such an unintentional taunt and mental blow from his son:
"Uh, isn’t this discrepancy obvious at a glance? I thought you were testing me. Oh, I get it... You’ve seemed a bit distracted from the start. Could it be that there’s genuinely a problem between you and the Duke of Silver? If you don’t mind, feel free to talk about it. Perhaps I can analyze the situation and offer some advice."
Attilicia nearly choked, feeling as if he might suffer a brain hemorrhage from this series of stinging words. "COUGH, COUGH, COUGH! Don’t talk nonsense. My relationship with Mirillian is pure, not the filth and wretchedness you imagine."
Of course, he understood he was somewhat out of sorts, but since when was it a son’s place to teach his father how to woo women? The very notion felt awkward to hear.
"A pure relationship?" David immediately adopted the expression of an old man utterly bewildered by a smartphone.
If I didn’t know your genders, David thought, your behavior back in the Silver Fortress was like a scene straight out of a Mary Sue novel titled ’The Overbearing Duke Falls for Little Old Me, the Sheep.’