After Becoming an Evil Dragon, I Was Entangled by the Saintess - Chapter 25

“Follow?” Yulxi repeated Veranse’s words, her tone mocking. Her sharp gaze locked onto Veranse’s face as she asked, “What can you offer me? Faith? Or perhaps loyalty?”

Veranse blinked, concealing a fleeting shadow of darkness in her eyes. Faith? Even the Divine Realm had been overthrown. What faith could exist in the mortal world? As for loyalty, she couldn’t even remain true to herself, let alone others. A faint smile played on her lips as she said lightly, “Lord Yulshi, don’t be so serious. How about something else? Or perhaps… a different kind of relationship?”

Yulxi scrutinized Veranse. “Such as?”

Veranse leaned closer, whispering in a tone only they could hear, “Such as… partners?” Her laughter followed the words. With her deceptively saintly appearance, she now seemed even more like the God of Light’s earthly representative, filling the gloomy street with vibrant vitality.

Yulxi averted her gaze, gripping Veranse’s wrist to prevent her from placing a hand on her shoulder. Her expression remained impassive as she said, “That’s not funny.”

“Very well,” Veranse said with a shrug, her smile fading but her brazen gaze unwavering. She clicked her tongue in mock disappointment. “Lord Yulshi, you’re rather dull. Do you possess none of the Great Dragon’s inherent nature?”

“What should I possess?” Yulxi countered.

“Greed,” Veranse replied, her eyes fixed on Yulxi. “Greed for treasure, perhaps, or for beautiful women.”

Yulxi fell silent, a heavy stillness settling between them. The clamor of the street finally broke the tension, prompting Yulxi to ask, “Do you wish me to take you deep into the filthy Nest Cave in the Mangshui Forest Swamp?”

“If such a thing existed, it would make for a legendary tale of adventure,” Veranse said with a smile.

Yulxi scoffed. “Perhaps you’re more interested in witnessing a hero’s noble act of rescuing a Holy Maiden than in seeing a Dragon’s Nest.”

“What hero?” Veranse feigned ignorance, her lighthearted tone like a dandelion seed carried on the wind as she followed Yulxi’s retreating figure. “In my eyes, no one is more deserving of the title ‘Hero’ than Lord Yulshi herself.”

The Great Dragon scattered its accumulated treasures to build a clean city, providing the common people with a decent living space. How extraordinary! This was something the nobles of the Royal Capital could never have imagined, a divine decree that the Deity—who claimed to be the master of all things and compassionately watched over its subjects—would never issue.

The Black Dragon walking among humans had already astonished her, but every subsequent action defied her understanding.

Perhaps in the future, the Fei’er Continent would sing praises of Yulxi’s greatness, just as they revered the God-King.

“Ah, wait for me!” Veranse’s thoughts drifted as Yulxi had already walked quite a distance ahead. She hurried to catch up, her tone shifting as she brought up the Demonic Shrimp of Mangshui Forest. It wasn’t just Flah who couldn’t forget them; she too longed to relive that exquisite pleasure in the refreshing breeze.

Ilti and Flah were already taking action.

Viscount Byron, panicked and unwilling to surrender, rallied the knights and serfs of his territory to resist the Lord’s Manor guards. Bacchus, his most capable aide, had perished in the silent night, leaving him with only a Second-Tier mage among his remaining subordinates. He tried to reassure himself that the Lord’s Manor had long been a hollow shell. Before the dragon’s attack, the few mages and knights who still pledged allegiance to the Lord’s Manor had already fled.

The knights of the Lord’s Manor were indeed not particularly powerful.

It wasn’t that Earl Unos had never cultivated elite forces. Rather, he had chosen a reckless path, gambling everything, which led to the Lord’s elite warriors being buried in the sea-like depths of the Mangshui Forest.

Viscount Byron had initially anticipated a grand dragon hunt spectacle, but he offered Unos only verbal encouragement, flattering him into brotherhood without contributing a single copper coin.

But Viscount Byron was destined to be disappointed.

The Elves who joined Ilti’s team were exceptional hunters, graceful swordsmen, and equally perfect spellcasters.

Initially, the Elves hesitated to engage in such bloody deeds. However, upon learning that Viscount Byron was the mastermind behind the auction house, their anger was understandably ignited. Seeking revenge against Byron was both a righteous act for the Elves and a way to repay their savior’s life-saving debt, eliminating the need for further supplication at the Temple. The Elves knew exactly which path to choose.

Viscount Byron’s defeat was a foregone conclusion. Ilti didn’t even need to lift a finger. She sat proudly on her horse, watching as the knights captured the fleeing viscount. With a dismissive hum, she ordered Byron imprisoned. As for herself, she still had to complete Yulxi’s most important task: confiscating the viscount’s property.

“Did Yulxi say we should take the people too?” Ilti scratched her head. There was a clear divide between Transcendents and ordinary humans, and as a noblewoman, she had always considered commoners and serfs to be of little value. If Yulxi hadn’t specifically asked about the population, she wouldn’t have even thought to count them.

Flah crossed her arms. “Take them all.”

Ilti returned laden with spoils.

Yet Viscount Byron remained a hot potato. News of his capture would likely reach the Royal Capital soon. Whether the capital’s nobles valued Byron or saw him as a dangerous threat to be eliminated, they were likely to intervene. Without pausing, Ilti raced back to Thorn Manor and rummaged through the clutter until she found a crystal ball for communication.

Lords across the Empire’s provinces used crystal balls for communication, but due to the Red Maple Territory’s poverty and chaos, few were willing to maintain contact or cooperate with it. During Unos’s era, the crystal ball had rarely been used.

Ilti, being a mage, was most familiar with the crystal ball’s operation. She channeled her abundant Magic Power into the crystal ball, causing a brilliant light to erupt. After waiting a few minutes, a distorted, blurry face appeared within the crystal ball. Relying on her experience wandering the land, Ilti barely recognized the person on the other end—Lord Orlandi of the Emerald Territory, a close confidante of Princess Emerald.

“Good day, Lord Orlandi,” Ilti greeted him cheerfully.

Orlandi returned the courtesy, asking, “What brings you here?” The Emerald Territory’s crystal ball operated daily, receiving numerous communications, but none had ever come from the Lord of the Red Maple Territory. Orlandi was puzzled. She had already received news of Unos’s death, which was hardly unexpected. But the newly appointed Lord should be too busy to contact neighbors, shouldn’t she? Was she seeking to reclaim the wealth Unos had taken and spent in the Emerald Territory, or perhaps seeking the Emerald Territory’s assistance?

“I’ve captured someone you might be interested in,” Ilti said, her tone blunt and direct, lacking the aristocratic penchant for euphemism. While nobles often spoke in convoluted circles, Ilti preferred to cut straight to the point. Before Orlandi could even ask, she revealed Viscount Byron’s name. “He’s been colluding with mages from the Creationist Society,” she declared, stating the most damning charge.

Orlandi’s expression immediately turned serious.

Ilti pressed, “Do you want him?”

Princess Emerald viewed the Second Prince as her greatest rival and was well aware that Viscount Byron of Red Maple Territory had been amassing wealth for him, with Earl Unos acting as an accomplice. While the Red Maple Territory’s lord’s political leanings were insignificant, they were nonetheless as irritating as a persistent fly. At this moment, Red Maple Territory had gained a new lord who had severed ties with the Royal Capital, a development that greatly benefited Emerald Territory. “Thank you,” Orlandi said, making her decision swiftly. “What kind of assistance do you require?”

“Huh?” Ilti’s expression turned blank. She realized Orlandi was proposing a trade. Initially, she had simply wanted to offload the problem.

Orlandi chuckled softly, having gleaned some understanding of the young Lord. She said gently, “The people of the Emerald Territory will set out with friendship in their hearts.”

Ilti nodded, shaking off her troubled thoughts. “Thank you,” she said gratefully.

Orlandi smiled, then hesitated before asking, “I’ve heard rumors of a Great Dragon appearing in the Red Maple Territory?” The refugees from Red Maple Territory described the scene vividly, as if they had personally witnessed the dragon’s rampage. But if a Great Dragon truly existed, how could Ilti have become Lord? And how could she have the leisure to deal with Viscount Byron, who was colluding with the Creationist Society? Could the rumors be true—that the Black Dragon was the true ruler? The notion was so absurd that Orlandi struggled to believe it.

She knew Ilti had traveled extensively in her youth, but she had never entered the Mage Tower, relying instead on her own talent to become a Second-Tier mage. Though still at an early stage, her potential was limitless. Had she perhaps acquired an Illusion-type artifact, using the Black Dragon’s name to intimidate the unruly elements within her territory? Or could she be acquainted with the Legendary Wizard Kasha? Compared to the fantastical Great Dragon, the Cat Wizard was a tangible reality.

Upon hearing about the “Black Dragon,” Ilti grew wary. Yulxi neither concealed her presence nor flaunted it. She made no pronouncements on the skepticism within her territory regarding the Great Dragon’s existence, simply letting things run their course. Unable to discern Yulxi’s true stance, Ilti cautiously replied, “That’s what my father said.”

Orlandi ultimately dismissed the Great Dragon’s existence as absurd and ceased her inquiries. After a few more pleasantries with Ilti, she ended the conversation due to pressing administrative duties. Ilti exhaled in relief and turned to find Flah, the idle Elf, practically melted into her chair.

“Aren’t you going to check on your kin?” Ilti asked.

Flah rolled her eyes. “The Elves have repaid their debts and regained their freedom. They’ll either continue adventuring or return to the Moonlight Forest—certainly not stay in this backwater Red Maple Territory.”

“Flah,” Ilti called her name, her tone slightly sharper. “Red Maple Territory isn’t that bad.”

“True,” Flah nodded. “But in my kin’s eyes, it’s synonymous with barbarism and backwardness. They want me to return to the Moonlight Forest.”

Ilti paused, then approached Flah with her hands clasped behind her back. “So, what choice would an Elf lost on an adventure make?”

Flah stood up and waved her arms dramatically. “Not go back! In the Moonlight Forest, I wasn’t allowed to swear—swordplay, dancing, rituals, none of it mattered. It was considered disrespectful to the Goddess. But your human society has such a rich vocabulary—bleep—”

Ilti knew Flah’s choice.

With an expressionless face, she cast a spell to silence her.

Flah glared at Ilti, her cheeks puffed out in anger. After giving up on speaking, she began to keenly sense the rest of her body—like her rumbling stomach.

She patted her belly and, as soon as the silencing spell lifted, declared, “I’m hungry.”

“Thorn Manor has a cook,” Ilti said. “But isn’t it a bit much to keep freeloading off Lord Yulshi?” The initial fear of the Black Dragon had completely vanished, replaced by a craving for her cooking. Ilti was just as hungry as Flah, but she had better self-control.

“We’re working for her now,” Flah argued. “Isn’t it normal to get meals included?”

“That still shouldn’t be—” Ilti began, but Flah grabbed her wrist before she could finish.

Fine, she admitted to herself. I lack the willpower to resist temptation too.

Thorn Manor, north of Klein City, stood on high ground, offering a panoramic view of the city below.

The setting sun hadn’t yet dipped behind the mountains, casting a golden-red glow across Veranse’s face as she sat on a swing. A black cat lay curled in her lap, purring contentedly.

“What’s Yulxi doing?” Veranse asked.

“I don’t know,” Kasha replied. Yulxi had been busy these past few days, unable to return to Mangshui Forest to hunt demonic beasts. All the current ingredients had been purchased by Kasha from the market. But what could a cat know about food? At best, she understood their uses in alchemy or potion-making; as for culinary matters, that was a realm both unfamiliar and off-limits to her.

“Aren’t you going back to the tavern?” Veranse asked again.

Kasha raised a paw and gently tapped Veranse. “Who dares cause trouble at the Gold and Silver Tavern?” She huffed indignantly, glaring at Veranse. “Trying to steal my food before it’s even cooked? How does the God of Light choose his Holy Maidens? By their appetite?”

Exposed, Veranse abandoned her pretense, smiling faintly. “In the Royal Capital, I didn’t need to reveal my identity. The commoners spontaneously treated me as the Holy Maiden of the Holy See. Isn’t that enough?”

Veranse didn’t answer Kasha. When Yulxi’s figure appeared, she pushed Kasha aside, leaped off the swing, and scurried to Yulxi’s side, gazing up at her with undisguised admiration. “Lord Yulshi.”

Yulxi: “……” It was less admiration for her person and more a craving for the delicious food. The Holy Maiden was a false persona, but even within that facade lay a sliver of truth, as evident in this moment. Fearing Veranse might blurt out something nonsensical, Yulxi pointed toward the kitchen, signaling her to fetch the dishes. Yulxi disliked having anyone near her; the vast Thorn Manor had no servants.

Kasha hopped onto the long table in the courtyard, fixing her gaze on Yulxi. “When will Thorn Manor be demolished?”

Yulxi: “Viscount Byron’s prisoners will be put to work on that.”

The woman and the cat continued their conversation in the courtyard.

Soon after, Ilti and Flah joined the table under the pretense of reporting on their work.

But—

“Is Vilanse sneaking snacks in the kitchen?” Kasha tapped the table with her furry paw, her voice tinged with annoyance. “It’s just bringing dishes; why is it taking so long?”

“Lady Vilanse would never do such a thing,” Ilti insisted.

“I don’t believe it,” Flah retorted, leaping up and darting away with a swiftness that showcased the innate agility of her Elf heritage.

A few minutes later, Flah and Vilanse emerged from the kitchen, each carrying a tray of dishes.

“What happened?” Yulxi asked casually.

“We got lost,” Flah replied with a perfectly straight face.

Yulxi stared in silence.

If I had to guess, they both snuck snacks.

“The Emerald Territory has already sent someone to escort Viscount Byron away,” Ilti reported dutifully, eager to showcase her accomplishments.

“Has Orlandi made any response?” Vilanse asked slowly.

Ilti blinked in confusion. “What kind of response?”

Vilanse sighed, her gentle gaze settling on Ilti’s face. “The road ahead is long and arduous,” she said encouragingly.

Flah thoughtfully translated, “Veranse said you’re a fool.”

Ilti puffed up her cheeks and angrily chewed on a piece of meat she had just picked up with her chopsticks.

“Let’s not talk about such unpleasant things at the table, Ilti. You have your own strengths too,” Kasha said, sitting beside Ilti. She patted Ilti’s hand with her paw and pointed at the dishes. Among everyone at the table, only Ilti was easy to boss around. It was tough for a poor little cat like her to snatch food. She missed the days when Yulshi was still unknown, when she could have everything to herself.

Ilti closed her mouth, silencing herself.

Night fell.

Lanterns cast a hazy glow across the courtyard of Thorn Manor, as a gentle breeze brushed against the sated diners.

Kasha sprawled lazily on the table, flicking her tail.

Meanwhile, Yulshi and the others continued their unfinished table conference.

“Has Steelheart already accepted the commission for the renovations?” Ilti asked.

“Yes,” Yulshi replied. “The design requires Steelheart’s expertise, but the construction can’t rely solely on guild members. We’ll need to hire laborers from the Red Maple Territory.”

Ilti suggested, “We could simply conscript civilians.”

Yulxi glanced at Ilti and shook her head. “There’s no need to be so harsh.”

Ilti scratched her head, somewhat confused. This was how things had always been done, and wasn’t Klein City also where those people lived?

Yulxi didn’t elaborate, saying slowly, “The Lord’s Manor needs to issue decrees prohibiting littering and dumping waste in the streets.”

Ilti detected the disdain in Yulxi’s tone, and her cheeks flushed slightly. Yet the bustling cities she had visited were no different from Klein City.

“The commoners likely won’t obey unless guards patrol the streets, arresting anyone caught and throwing them in jail,” Veranse said languidly. It wasn’t that the commoners feared the Lord’s Manor less, but changing ingrained habits was a difficult task. Besides, everyone harbored a sense of getting away with it—in secluded corners, they would continue to act as they pleased. Noticing Yulxi’s gaze on her, Veranse’s smile brightened. “Perhaps you need some persuaders?”

Yulxi replied coolly, “Are you volunteering?” Who would dare entrust a mage who practiced Dark Sacrifice with the task of persuading people?

“I fear I’m not suited for such a weighty responsibility,” Veranse said, her smile faltering slightly as she imagined herself preaching to commoners in a garbage heap. Lowering her gaze, she added, “With the Lord God’s blessing, the Church’s priests would surely be willing to shoulder this burden.”

Ilti frowned. “Who exactly are the Church’s priests here?” The Church’s official mission was evangelization, but its true purpose was exploitation. In the Red Maple Territory, the Church had little evangelizing influence, and the tithe was no longer collected by them. The remaining priests merely drew salaries and lived idle lives. Ilti had only paid attention during the construction of the Dragon God Temple, fearing the devout believers might riot. Surprisingly, the Church remained utterly silent.

Veranse replied, “The High Priest is Charlotte.”

Ilti’s eyes lit up. “That’s actually a good idea.”

Yulxi remained noncommittal.

It wasn’t a bad idea, but only if Veranse didn’t interfere.

Yulxi then asked, “Does the Red Maple Territory have any distinctive industries?” During her stay, she had observed that the commoners’ trades lacked any unique characteristics. The only real attraction was the Mangshui Forest’s adventuring opportunities. But what if the Lord’s Manor held some hidden, undisclosed industries?

“Huh?” Ilti blinked, dazed. “The Red Maple Territory’s specialties—”

“I know this one!” Flah interjected. “Chaos, exile, criminals, traitors, and the borderlands.”

Yulxi: “You can shut up now.”

“There’s a plant in the Red Maple Territory that might be considered a specialty,” Vilanse said with a smile.

“Really?” Ilti blinked in confusion.

Vilanse explained, “I found a Druid’s notes in the library. She documented a plant called ‘Mangshui Demon Rice.’ If cultivated successfully, it could become a high-yield staple crop.”

“Mangshui Demon Rice?” Ilti frowned, trying to recall. After a moment, she gestured and said, “Is that the prickly, shelled plant? It’s edible, but terribly bitter. No one eats it unless they’re starving. Is that really a staple crop? Anyone who relies on it must have a miserable life.”

Yulxi asked, “Where are the notes?”

Vilanse produced the notes and flipped to the page with the illustration. “Through the Druid’s efforts, the Magic Rice’s yield increased from thirty jin per mu to one hundred jin per mu.”

Yulxi stared in disbelief as a look of “admiration” spread across Ilti’s face. Is there any hope for her?

“The Druids’ Way of Nature is something only they can truly understand,” Veranse said with a smile, tossing out a challenging statement. “Though the master’s harvest was small, her calculations show that Magic Rice has a very high yield potential. With continued research, we could eventually achieve a yield of five hundred kilograms per mu.”

“If it’s just for food, there’s no need,” Ilti replied, her face twisting in distaste as she recalled the choking texture.

Yulxi took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to slap the notebook across Ilti’s face. Turning to Flah, who had remained neutral, she asked, “What do you think?” Druids revered the Way of Nature, a belief similar to that of the Elves. In fact, Elves and Half-Elves were the most likely to become Druids. Surely Flah, a devout believer in the God of Life and Nature, wouldn’t be as blindly dismissive as Ilti?

Tastes bad? Cross it out.

Flah pondered for a moment, then nodded firmly. “Ilti is right.”

“If you know wheat needs to be husked, why didn’t you consider that Magic Rice might need the same?” Yulxi pointed to the notes. “Couldn’t the similarity between rice and wheat ears have inspired you?”

“Miss Ilti probably doesn’t even know wheat needs husking,” Veranse said softly.

Ilti wore an innocent expression.

She knew about wheat, but what ultimately appeared before her was bread.

Veranse blinked, then asked curiously, “Does the Great Dragon’s legacy even include agriculture?”

Yulxi fell silent. As the Dragon Maiden of the Primordial Realm, a deity revered by its inhabitants, she naturally paid attention to the lives of humans in that land. Over countless eons, she had even entered the cycle of reincarnation countless times to refine her heart.

The Red Maple Territory of the Druids lacked such knowledge. Even if Magic Rice could be cultivated, it would have to wait for the future.

Yulxi rubbed her forehead and asked, “What about mineral resources?”

“We used to have some,” Ilti shrugged. “West of the Red Maple Territory, bordering the Beastman Alliance of the Western Continent. But the Beastman tribes stole them all.”