Chapter 1096: This Is Way Faster Than Robbing Money

Tourism.

To be honest, this topic was a bit beyond Melitta’s usual scope—probably beyond the scope of most dragons in Tal’Rond.

Once a shining, powerful land where everything was advanced, Tal’Rond’s bored dragons had turned nearly every form of entertainment into an art. Yet the very idea of “tourism” was completely foreign to their lives. Externally, Tal’Rond was sealed off, protected by a massive shield and enforcing a strict no-visitors policy. Internally, the land had been stagnant for a million years. Along with society, the daily lives of the lower-tier dragons had also frozen in time. Add to that rampant enhancer abuse, hyper-developed virtual entertainment, and extreme competitive sports replacing traditional pastimes, and dragons had long since lost any concept of tourism. For “working dragons” like Melitta, born to fulfill company orders, it was even more alien…

Still, none of that stopped her from understanding the concept Gawain was explaining. She was just skeptical about its feasibility. “Is it really that simple? Just bring people from Loren to Tal’Rond, keep them safe, and they’ll pay up?”

“That’s just the basic idea,” Gawain smiled, suddenly very interested in the matter. “If you want to turn this into a major project, just the basics won’t cut it. This isn’t just a chance to win over dragons or explore Tal’Rond’s secrets—it could be the first time in history that the continent of Loren establishes contact with another land. The potential to open up countless blank fields and push progress forward is unimaginable.”

“You need to build a full suite of supporting services. For example, set up various levels of travel agencies on Loren—that part shouldn’t be unfamiliar to you. The Mithril Treasury’s business in this area is at least a basic foundation. Then, you should design suitable ‘tour routes’ on Loren, and find ways to maximize profits from them. You can also develop value-added services and so on…”

Gawain deliberately spoke vaguely, which only piqued Melitta’s curiosity further. The blue dragoness leaned in. “What about specifics?”

“First, there are many types of people interested in a mysterious place like Tal’Rond: ordinary citizens with some savings and curiosity, adventurous explorers, scholars fascinated by dragon culture and exotic knowledge, and nobles with wild ideas and deep pockets. You’ll need to segment your offerings accordingly—economy tours, boutique tours, luxury tours, plus specialized cultural or exotic exploration groups. The places you take them will mostly be the same—after all, the safe zones are limited—but your marketing must clearly differentiate each tier. Make every package sound attractive, but also distinct in quality. Then set up inns and stations at different levels so every expense feels worth it.”

“Next, the tour routes. Most of Tal’Rond is still wasteland—you can’t just throw guests into the ruins. You have to plan safe yet appealing areas: known factory ruins, city remains, battlefield sites in the wild. You might think those ruins aren’t worth visiting, but believe me, everything that happened there is worth understanding. And those who travel all the way to Tal’Rond want to know exactly what lies behind those ruins.”

“Finally, value-added experiences. Wealthy visitors won’t want to come all this way just to look at scenery—after all, magic illusions and memory implants can simulate that pretty well. You have to offer things they can’t get elsewhere. For example, ‘wasteland survival experiences’ or ‘Tal’Rond folk customs simulations’…”

Gawain’s words were interrupted by Melitta, who couldn’t help but ask, “Wasteland survival experience? That sounds… kind of dangerous?”

“Ahem, not what you’re imagining,” Gawain cleared his throat and quickly shaped his thoughts. “You definitely wouldn’t take people into the actual wasteland for extreme survival. But you can let them try activities unique to the wasteland in safer areas. Like giving them tools to dismantle and recycle dragon architecture, teaching them how to filter polluted water, or operate your production machinery…”

Melitta’s eyes widened in disbelief. She interrupted again, “Wait, you’re saying we make them work for us—and charge them for it?”

“…It’s an experience,” Gawain said seriously after a brief pause. “And after the experience, you should give them souvenirs—like picking some finished products they helped make, packaging them nicely. Any surplus can be sold in the shops along the tour routes to other groups.”

Melitta struggled to keep her mouth shut but couldn’t resist asking, “And what about this so-called Tal’Rond folk customs simulation…?”

“The glorious scenes of old Tal’Rond are long gone, and you can’t recreate them anytime soon. But visitors don’t know that. You can create themed dining, living, social, and entertainment scenes. If you have the resources, add experience zones and advertise it as ‘letting guests live a day in the life of a dragon’… Your history spans over a million years—I’ve heard you’ve even reshaped the continent’s geography and population multiple times. So no matter how strange your ‘experiences’ are, they’ll fit somewhere in that vast history. It won’t be a lie.”

“This project can be part of the luxury tours, with higher fees. Most participants will be nobles and wealthy merchants. For them, ‘living like a dragon’ beats any enhancer injection.”

Melitta’s expression turned blank. “If you have more ideas, just say them…”

“I do,” Gawain nodded thoughtfully. “You can further tailor tours for different groups.”

“For scholars interested in Tal’Rond culture, build exhibition halls and academic museums. Display the scrap metal and artifacts you’ve collected from ruins, explain their functions and share a few related stories. Some scholars might even stay for ten or fifteen days just for this knowledge.”

“For nobles seeking thrills and bragging rights but who can’t risk real danger, offer customized adrenaline projects—fly them over lava lakes, through storm clouds. We know these are safe for dragons and their protected passengers, but for outsiders, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Provide photo services to capture their ‘heroic poses’ during these challenges. Printed photos can be sold per copy, crystal photo keepsakes separately, and you can offer paid delivery services.”

“Yes, paid delivery could be a major revenue stream—imagine a dragon personally delivering someone’s ‘adventure proof’ to the human world, showcasing their heroic tale. You know how much nobles would pay for that moment of glory? Especially those from the Cecile and Typhon remnants, stripped of privileges and stuck reminiscing in their family castles…”

“Of course, this won’t last forever. As dragons interact more with Loren, their mystique will fade. But that’ll take decades, at least.”

Melitta listened, stunned. When Gawain paused, she pressed, “And then?”

“Then… you can consider even more specialized projects. For example, if Tal’Rond opens up, many adventurers will be interested. Outside the core wasteland, most of Loren’s land is claimed. With booming trade and large-scale development, unexplored areas will shrink. Security companies and regional defenses are becoming formalized, squeezing traditional adventurers’ space. Tal’Rond could become fertile ground for these displaced adventurers.”

“You can open slots for them. Their strength might be weak compared to dragons, but they’re numerous, determined, and many have real skills to survive fierce competition. Set entry requirements, let qualified adventurers patrol and hunt in manageable areas. You’re probably frustrated with elemental creatures and wandering spirits in some zones, constantly distracting your rebuilding teams. Let adventurers handle those. Trust me, if managed well and kept away from deep wasteland, these low-intensity cleanup tasks are perfect for Loren’s adventurers.”

“This will free more dragons from tedious patrols around camps. Those weaker elementals shouldn’t consume so much of your energy—they’re slowing your reconstruction.”

Gawain’s expression grew serious. He knew this wasn’t just about economic benefits. A land sealed for a million years was about to open its gates. No matter how it connected with Loren, the impact would be profound. This was a matter to take seriously.

Melitta listened carefully. At first, doubt lingered on her face, but as she thought it through, her skepticism faded. Realizing the plan’s feasibility, she looked up. “This really is a good idea… Everyone stands to gain. I think even Speaker Andal wouldn’t mind providing proper rewards for those adventurers…”

“What rewards?” Gawain waved his hand dismissively. “You should be charging them.”

Melitta blinked. “…Huh?”

“Travel fees to Tal’Rond, registration fees, and hunting permit fees for specific areas,” Gawain said matter-of-factly. “And your hunting permits should be tiered. New adventurers get basic permits to patrol near camps. After proving themselves and gaining experience, they can upgrade to higher-level permits to venture deeper. You’ll need to supervise and patrol carefully to prevent reckless adventurers from rushing into danger and dying—that’s for their own safety.”

Melitta frowned. “Why would adventurers accept those conditions?”

“Their hunting gains belong to them,” Gawain shrugged. “You probably don’t understand these ‘lower-tier’ matters. Do you know how rare and valuable the elemental creatures and magical spirits flooding Tal’Rond are on Loren?”

Melitta was speechless.

After that, Gawain shared many more ideas—mostly ones that had just occurred to him. He talked for a long time, until the night outside thickened and the town lit up in a sea of lights. Those rough ideas gradually took shape into a coherent system.

Melitta’s expression had grown somewhat numb.

By the time Gawain finally finished his explanation, the blue dragon lady couldn’t help but lock eyes with him. After a long pause, she broke the silence: “…People say that dragons are greedy, obsessed with treasure, skilled at plundering wealth and hoarding valuables…”

“Don’t say it like that,” Gawain immediately waved his hand. “Most of that was just made up by your kind when you first came to the human world, writing nonsense stories. The world doesn’t really see us that way.”

“…Alright, let’s not get hung up on those details,” Melita cleared her throat twice. “What I mean is—our dragonkind is indeed passionate about collecting treasures and good at amassing wealth, but right now, I’m starting to think you’re even more dragon-like than we are…”

Gawain thought it over carefully, feeling increasingly uneasy. “That sounds more like an insult than a compliment.”

“It’s a heartfelt compliment,” Melita said sincerely. “Your ideas genuinely surprised me.”

“So what’s your verdict?” Gawain asked. “What do you think of my plans?”

Melita lowered her head thoughtfully, then after a long moment spoke softly: “I have written stories about evil dragons coming to the human world to plunder riches. Some of my kin are fond of creating these ‘villainous’ tales. But now I realize—raiding isn’t the fastest way to make money… Your approach is far more ruthless than just stealing.”

Gawain: “…I still think you’re insulting me.”

“It really is praise, and it comes from the heart,” Melita laughed, a sudden ease and joy shining through her smile. “I have to thank you, thank you for your advice… Talrond boasts a highly advanced civilization, but my people have been raised like ‘babies’ by Omega. Only after leaving Omega did we realize we lack even the most basic survival skills and experience in dealing with the outside world. Without your suggestions… I honestly don’t know how we would take the first step toward revival.”

(End of chapter)