After Becoming an Evil Dragon, I Was Entangled by the Saintess - Chapter 15

Veranse feared nothing.

She sensed no malice from Yulshi.

The Five-Colored Dragons were notorious for their wickedness, but exceptions often arose within their kind.

In terms of malice, Yulshi likely possessed less than Veranse herself.

Leaving the manor, Yulshi moved with astonishing speed, making Veranse suspect she had used a Swift Wind Talisman. Catching up to Yulshi’s pace, Veranse ignored her cold expression and smiled brightly. “Now that you’ve conquered the Red Maple Territory, shouldn’t you take some time to appreciate the surrounding scenery, Lord Yulshi?”

Yulshi ignored Veranse.

The streets of the Red Maple Territory—at least in their current state—were utterly devoid of beauty. Klein City fared slightly better than the smaller towns below it, but it still fell far short of Yulshi’s standards. The streets were filthy, chaotic, and reeked of foul odors. Residents dumped kitchen waste and sewage directly onto the streets, creating piles of refuse and streams of stagnant water. The entire area was a repulsive sight, where squalor and poverty were synonymous with Klein City.

Yulshi could barely tolerate it.

Veranse, however, seemed oblivious to the squalor. She moved through the filth like ethereal moonlight filtering through a forest, her purity untouched by the grime of the mortal realm. This wasn’t a trait unique to the Holy Maiden of Light, but rather a common ability among Transcendents.

“Are you going to the Gold and Silver Tavern?” Yulxi’s silence didn’t deter Veranse, who quickly changed the subject.

Yulxi didn’t answer her directly, instead asking, “Why are you following me?”

“You are the true Lord of Red Maple Territory, and as your adjutant, it’s my duty to accompany you,” Veranse fabricated a reason. After Yulxi scoffed dismissively, she changed her story without a flicker of embarrassment. “I’m hungry.”

Yulxi stared at her, her face betraying little surprise. Their encounters often seemed to revolve around the “dining table.” She could have easily refused, but when she met Veranse’s earnest gaze, she frowned slightly and swallowed her refusal.

A smug, cunning smile curled Veranse’s lips. She knew Yulxi was different from the Black Dragon, possessing an extraordinary capacity for tolerance and kindness—or perhaps it was more like indifference? The more Veranse probed, the more her curiosity grew. She blinked innocently, concealing all traces of her malice and mockery.

Yulxi’s destination was indeed the Gold and Silver Tavern, though not solely to use Kasha’s kitchen.

Kasha sat at a table, her gaze darting between Yulxi and Veranse, clearly surprised by their joint arrival.

Veranse’s excessive attentiveness made Yulxi feel uneasy, while Yulxi’s own attitude remained somewhat ambiguous.

“Do you know any Dwarven Artisans in the city?” Yulxi asked.

Dwarves typically lived in large groups in mountainous or hilly regions. However, as the Fei’er Continent changed, some Dwarves had voluntarily or involuntarily integrated into cities. Though lacking magical talent, they found fulfillment in combat or construction projects. Dwarves loved to drink, especially strong liquor, making them frequent patrons of the Gold and Silver Tavern.

“Those little Dwarves in Klein City? Forget about them,” Kasha scoffed mercilessly. “With their trembling hands, could they even forge a simple digging hoe? The God of Forging must have abandoned them.”

Yulxi raised an eyebrow. “What about outside Klein City?”

“There’s a Dwarf named Tyr Ironhammer in Kast Town,” Kasha replied.

Yulxi nodded. Kast Town was the administrative center of the Red Maple Territory, less prosperous than Klein City, which lay on the plains. It stood alone atop a hill on the northern slopes of Red Leaf Province, overlooking vast grasslands and cultivated fields on one side and dense, verdant forests on the other. When news of the Black Dragon’s attack on Red Maple Territory reached Kast Town, panic spread, but it was less severe than in Klein City, which had borne the brunt of the assault.

“Thank you,” Yulxi said to Kasha.

Kasha meowed and gestured with her paw.

Yulxi smiled and went to the kitchen to prepare a meal.

Veranse watched Yulxi until she disappeared, then slowly withdrew her gaze. She scratched Kasha under the chin, her lips still curved in a radiant smile.

“Why do you follow Yulxi?” Kasha flicked her tail, draping it over Veranse’s wrist.

Veranse replied softly, “Every move Lord Yulshi makes is utterly captivating.” Her hand shifted, gently stroking the soft fur behind Kasha’s ears until the cat purred contentedly. She chuckled. “Have you known Lord Yulshi for long?”

Kasha gave a casual, dismissive reply.

“What kind of person do you think Lord Yulshi is?” Veranse pressed.

Kasha glanced at Veranse. “She’s a Dragon.” Her humanoid form was merely a shapeshifting spell. Great Dragons rarely maintained human forms, partly due to their pride and partly because such forms hindered their combat prowess and even restricted their ability to cast Dragon Language Magic.

Veranse was well aware of Kasha’s guarded nature. Her smile, as warm as a spring breeze, carried a hint of wistfulness as she remarked, “Though I’ve witnessed Lord Yulshi’s true dragon form, I rarely sense it in her daily life. She lacks the malice of the Five-Colored Dragons and the arrogant pride of the Metallic Dragons. She even disdains treasure, surpassing the generosity and integrity of the heroes sung about by bards.”

Kasha retorted, “If you’re hoping to earn an extra pancake with flattery, you’d better go to the kitchen and let Yulshi hear you.”

The flawless smile on Veranse’s face cracked for the briefest moment. She blinked innocently and replied, “Wouldn’t it seem contrived if I praised Lord Yulshi just to be heard? My admiration for her is genuine, unwavering, and eternal. Wherever I am, I will proclaim her greatness.”

Kasha fixed Veranse with a piercing gaze. “In stories, evil dragons kidnap human princesses, drawing heroes to slay them. But you, a holy light-bearer who worships a Black Dragon—you’re truly a rare sight.” Before Veranse could respond, Kasha let out a harsh laugh. “Ah, you’re smitten with Yulshi’s face. But don’t forget—she’s a Black Dragon. And Black Dragons have another name: Skull Dragons. Compared to Gold or Silver Dragons, their appearance—”

“Lord Yulshi,” Veranse said with a radiant smile, betraying Kasha without hesitation, “Lady Kasha was speaking ill of you.”

Her hand, which had been resting on Kasha’s shoulder, swiftly retracted, successfully evading Kasha’s furious swat.

Yulxi glared expressionlessly at Kasha and Veranse.

Her keen hearing had caught every word of their conversation.

She divided Kasha’s portion of wheat cakes and roasted meat in half.

Kasha let out a pitiful “Meow!” in protest against Yulxi’s unfairness.

“Thank you for your generosity,” Veranse said, striking a prayerful pose as she stared longingly at the abundant food.

Yulxi chuckled softly. Before handing out the plates, she slid Veranse’s half-portion onto her own plate.

Veranse: “……”

Kasha: “Yulxi, are you really going to eat all that today?”

Yulxi forced a smile. “Lady Kasha, how could you doubt the appetite of a Skull Dragon?”

In the end, Yulxi gave the food to Veranse—not just her half-portion, but Kasha’s half as well.

Veranse always looked at her with that strange gaze.

Yulxi couldn’t bear it any longer.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Veranse left a Magic Crystal and gracefully departed from the Gold and Silver Tavern.

Kasha no longer mourned her lost half-portion of roasted meat. She stared at Yulxi and said, “That Miss Veranse seems to have taken a liking to you.”

Yulxi chuckled. “Did I ever mention that she’s actually Veranse, the Holy Maiden of the Light Church?”

Kasha exclaimed in surprise, “Then who’s the one offering blessings in the Royal Capital?”

Yulxi replied slowly, “Who knows?”