After Becoming an Evil Dragon, I Was Entangled by the Saintess - Chapter 26

The Western Continent of the Montan Empire was home to the Orc Alliance, bordering Sharpwhite Town within the Red Maple Territory. To humans, “Beastman” was synonymous with “barbarian.” Though large-scale wars had been rare in recent years, relations remained strained.

Under Yulxi’s questioning gaze, Ilti continued, “Mount Oms marks the boundary between Sharpwhite Town and the Beastman lands. Beyond its peak lies an endless grassland. Decades ago, Mount Oms belonged to the Red Maple Territory, and the Fine Gold Mine within it was a major source of wealth. But a nearby Beastman Tribe seized it. The Red Maple Territory recruited cavalry warriors, but after a crushing defeat, they abandoned all claims to Mount Oms.”

Fine gold, an exceptionally durable metal, was essential for crafting weapons and armor. For the barren Red Maple Territory to possess a Fine Gold Mine was already fortunate; cold iron and mithril were beyond their reach. Yet this valuable resource, capable of being converted into wealth, had been surrendered by the Red Maple Territory.

“So, are you prepared to defend the Red Maple Territory and wage war against the Beastman Tribe?” Veranse asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she gazed at Yulxi. “The Western Continent differs from the Human Empires of the Eastern Continent. They only have loose alliances, with each tribe acting independently. Given the Red Maple Territory’s strength, you have a high chance of defeating the Beastman Tribe if you truly intend to confront them. However, victory won’t be a complete solution. The Beastman Tribe could still raid human settlements at any time.”

Yulxi replied, “Send someone to investigate tomorrow.” The Fine Gold Mine represented wealth, and she was determined to secure it at all costs.

Ilti nodded in agreement.

Flah covered her mouth as she yawned.

The night sky was studded with stars, and the night breeze rustled through the branches of Thorn Manor, creating a soft, rustling sound as it swept through the grass.

Ilti and Flah left the manor after the Black Dragon gave no further orders. Kasha had long since vanished. Only Veranse remained, a smile playing on her lips as she sat in the lamplight, her gaze fixed intently on Yulxi.

Perfect. Yulxi had something she wanted to discuss with Veranse as well.

She spoke coolly, “Mind Domination.”

Veranse blinked, her sharp mind needing no further explanation from Yulxi. She rose and settled into a seat closer to Yulxi, smoothing a strand of hair that had slipped from her shoulder. With a gentle smile, she said, “As you know, the Church may be useless, but it cannot be absent. If the Holy See learns that the Red Maple Territory has lost its High Priest, they will undoubtedly send a replacement. This would be troublesome for you, wouldn’t it?”

“Charlotte is a good child, but she asks too many questions. This isn’t a healthy habit, and I have no time to explain my origins to her. Mind Domination was the best solution, don’t you think?”

Yulxi gazed at Veranse, her eyes like a deep, silent sea.

Veranse’s smile faltered slightly, and she sighed. “How could I eternally control someone’s mind? After the Dragon God Temple was established, Mind Domination became ineffective. Charlotte has maintained her position as High Priest admirably.”

“What do you truly want?” Yulxi pressed, searching for a crack in Veranse’s composure.

Veranse chuckled softly. “Simply to secure my livelihood from you, Lord Yulshi.”

Yulxi crossed her arms, glancing at her sideways. “Has the Holy See left you starving?”

“Not at all,” Veranse replied lightly. “But shouldn’t one have pursuits? In your presence, even the Gods must redefine ‘delicious.’ By your side, both my body and soul find fulfillment.” She leaned closer and touched Yulxi’s arm. Even through the fabric, she could sense Yulxi’s strength and power. Veranse’s gaze was pure and sincere, her words devout. But Yulxi didn’t believe her.

Yulxi brushed Veranse’s hand away, studying the subtle shifts in her expression. She scoffed, “Lies.”

Veranse retreated slightly, her mask dissolving silently into the night. As she shifted her posture, crossing her legs, the holy aura that had enveloped her vanished. A smile curled her lips again, and with a lift of her brow, she exuded a playful, almost wicked charm. She drawled, “You must understand, finding new amusement on this dull Fei’er Continent is no easy task. Your uniqueness piqued my curiosity. If I told you it was all just curiosity, would you believe me? It doesn’t matter if you don’t. Suit yourself.”

“Veranse,” Yulxi said solemnly, calling the woman by name. She warned again, “Don’t cause trouble.”

“Why, Lord Yulshi, I was merely curious to see how far you could go. How could I possibly hinder your progress? Besides, in your presence, I have no need to praise the Earth Mother or sing hymns to the bountiful goddess. My stomach resonates with reverence for Yulshi, the Black Dragon, conqueror of the Red Maple Territory and master of divine culinary arts.”

This bizarre tone was even more unsettling to Yulshi than Veranse’s earlier facade. She glared at Veranse, detecting a hint of malice in her expression. Yulshi closed her eyes briefly and snapped, “Speak properly!”

Veranse clicked her tongue, her demeanor shifting again. “The cleanliness of Klein City benefits me as well,” she said. “I won’t indoctrinate the Church’s Priests with subversive ideas; they will remain the enforcers and guides of Klein City’s laws. So, will you perform your hotpot demonstration again tomorrow?”

Yulshi paused, bewildered by Veranse’s abrupt change of topic, but at least she had agreed. Raising an eyebrow, she regarded Veranse with mockery. “What about the Demonic Shrimp?”

“Tomorrow has three meals, doesn’t it?” Veranse replied.

Yulshi asked flatly, “What do you think Thorn Manor is? Your personal playground? And am I your loyal servant?”

Veranse smiled sweetly. “If you are my loyal servant, I would much rather spend long nights conversing with you, foot to foot, than see you wasting away in the kitchen.”

Yulxi’s eyelid twitched.

She had long known Veranse’s wickedness and should never have engaged her in conversation.

She rose and walked away, turning her cold back on Veranse.

“Good night, Lord of Mercy and Generosity, Black Dragon anomaly, Lord Yulshi,” Veranse called after her.

Yulxi paused briefly before quickening her pace.

The next day, Ilti dispatched cavalry to Sharpwhite Town to gather information. The riders returned within half a day, their faces etched with awkward smiles.

“You mean you couldn’t even enter Sharpwhite Town? The warriors there stopped you? Didn’t you identify yourselves as being from the Lord’s Manor?” Ilti stared at the knight in disbelief.

The knight chuckled bitterly. “Of course we did.” But precisely because they declared their affiliation with the Lord’s Manor, they not only failed to gain the townspeople’s goodwill but were even pelted with rotten vegetable leaves by children playing outside. Sharpwhite Town clearly harbors no fondness for the Lord’s Manor.

“I see,” Flah murmured, stroking her chin, her eyes suddenly brightening. “Sharpwhite Town is rebelling!”

“Sharpwhite Town borders the Western Continent, so daily life is inevitably plagued by harassment from the brutish and powerful Beastmen,” Veranse said, gliding into the hall with a smile. “In such circumstances, the townspeople naturally sought help from their Lord. Hmm, there are records of about twenty-some requests. The Lord did send Knights, and the results were… quite fruitful.”

“Those wine-soaked, good-for-nothing Knights could never stand against Beastmen!” Flah exclaimed, shocked.

“Of course not,” Veranse replied with a knowing smile, well aware of the records’ falsity. “The Knights couldn’t defeat the Beastmen, but they could collude with them. The Knights would arrive, the Beastmen would retreat, and the Knights would demand payment from the Sharpwhite Town residents. Perfect, isn’t it?”

The ultimate outcome was clear: Sharpwhite Town lost all trust in the Lord’s Manor.

Even when harassed by Beastmen, they would no longer send anyone to the Lord’s Manor for help.

As far as Sharpwhite Town was concerned, the Lord’s Manor Knights were no different from the brutal Beastmen.

Ilti’s eyelid twitched. Well, I knew the Red Maple Territory wasn’t a good place, but reality keeps proving it’s even worse.

How could anyone fight over inheriting this mess?

“It seems I’ll have to go there myself,” Ilti said, her head throbbing.

She could have been a carefree mage, adventuring across the Fei’er Continent with an Elven Ranger, instead of being stuck in this wretched Red Maple Territory, experiencing what it felt like to grow a new head.

“Lady Vilanse,” Ilti said, a sudden idea flashing in her eyes, “why don’t you take over as Lord?”

Veranse smiled faintly. “You jest.”

Ilti pouted.

Fine, I’ll go find Lord Yulshi. She’ll handle this.

The trio made their way to Thorn Manor, only to find it deserted.

Not only was Yulxi gone, but the entire manor had been reduced to ruins. The once-orderly buildings lay in rubble, and not a single plant remained on the scorched earth. The sun hung high in the sky, casting long shadows from the scattered stones. Ilti and Flah exchanged bewildered glances. Ilti rubbed her eyes vigorously before finally exclaiming in disbelief, “How could it change so drastically overnight? Did someone dare to raid Lord Yulshi’s manor?”

At that moment, a Dwarf wielding a hammer leaped from the shadows, clutching parchment and a quill as he scribbled furiously.

“She did this herself,” Veranse said, raising an eyebrow. “Once the blueprints are delivered to Steelheart, Thorn Manor will be demolished and rebuilt.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Ilti scratched her head, having completely forgotten about that plan.

“Then where are we going to freeload meals now?” Flah’s priorities remained remarkably consistent.

“Are you just a glutton?” Ilti glared at her. “The urgent matter is finding Lord Yulshi. Where did she abandon us to go?”

“Veranse, do you know?” Flah asked, knowing Veranse sometimes stayed overnight at Thorn Manor.

Veranse sighed wistfully, her voice tinged with sorrow. “Lord Yulshi turned her back to me at night, only to cruelly abandon me by day. How could I possibly know her whereabouts?”

Ilti: “Huh?”

Flah held her breath for a moment before finally asking, “Yulshi turned her back to you? At night? You two—”

“I suspect Yulshi went to Sharpwhite Town,” the melancholy Veranse interrupted, urgently changing the subject.

Among the five towns in Red Maple Territory, Sharpwhite Town had once been relatively prosperous. Situated near the Western Continent, it served as a vital supply station. Caravans traveled west with spices and magical potions, returning east with minerals and leather. As long as profit beckoned, merchants would risk the journey.

But now, what Yulshi saw was a desolate town, its once-bustling trade routes a distant memory. The town’s three-story inn, once its tallest building, now stood with a dilapidated signboard. The inn, once crowded with travelers, was now eerily empty, with hardly a soul daring to venture through its doors.

After Yulxi entered the inn, a lazy young girl finally shuffled over to her. “What can I get for you?” she asked. The girl looked about thirteen, her face freckled and her straw-like hair tangled in a messy bun. Her cheeks were thin and gaunt. Yulxi handed her a silver coin and said warmly, “Just some ale will do.”

The girl’s eyes lit up as she took the coin and bowed respectfully before scurrying off. A few minutes later, she returned, struggling to carry a heavy jug of ale. Yulxi rose to take the jug from her and casually asked, “I heard Sharpwhite Town used to be bustling. Why is the inn so empty now?”

“Lord Yulshi, you mean back then? No caravans have come to Sharpwhite Town for years. The Beastmen are blocking the trade routes—it’s not worth the risk for merchants anymore.” The girl’s eyes darted around before she asked eagerly, “Are you an adventurer?” She stared intently at Yulxi’s discarded cloak and longsword, her eyes filled with longing.

Yulxi poured herself a bowl of ale and took a sip. The human-brewed ale lacked Magic Power and didn’t taste as good as the drinks at the Gold and Silver Tavern. She frowned slightly, forcing herself to swallow the mouthful before setting the bowl aside. “Yes,” she replied. “I plan to travel to the Western Continent.”

“Then you’d best not go to Mount Oms,” the girl said, her expression turning serious as she gazed intently at Yulxi. “Mount Oms is no longer a place for humans to walk under the sun.”

“Hmm?” Yulxi raised an eyebrow. “A mere Beastman Tribe—”

Before she could finish, a sharp horn blast echoed through the town, rolling in like waves, one after another, from the distance. The girl’s face paled instantly. Forgetting all decorum, she grabbed Yulxi’s arm and cried urgently, “Monsters are attacking! Come with me, quickly!” She tried to pull Yulxi toward a hiding place.

Yulxi glanced down. “Monsters?” If they were Beastmen, such a term hardly seemed appropriate. She snatched up her sword and reassured the girl, “You hide first. A warrior should never retreat in the face of danger, nor cower in a corner.” Though she wasn’t a warrior herself, she had encountered enough of them to know their rhetoric and borrow it when necessary.

Yulxi strode out of the inn.

On the streets, every able-bodied resident of the town—except for the elderly, children, and infirm—had armed themselves with farm tools and rushed out. Their direction was clear, as if they had rehearsed this countless times. Though fear lingered on their faces, their resolute steps testified to the townspeople’s indomitable spirit.

Yulxi followed the crowd to the western edge of the town. There, at the foot of Mount Oms, lay cultivated farmland now shrouded in a sinister gloom.

Monsters emerged from the gloom, some bestial, others humanoid, their bodies radiating a putrid, decaying stench—as if they were malevolent spirits risen from hell. No, that stench… it was similar to the Gray Shadow’s aura. Could these be pollutants brought by the Gray Shadow?

Yulxi’s thoughts raced as she pushed past the townsfolk to the front lines. Professionals led the charge against the monsters, but their numbers were too few to contain the onslaught. The remaining townsfolk had to fend for themselves. Nearby, a rotting demonic beast, as tall as a person, lumbered into view. The townsfolk might be able to kill it, but the cost would be high.

The Dragon Lady instinctively recoiled from the monsters, even though she had become a Great Dragon of the evil faction on the Fei’er Continent. She drew her longsword and engaged the beast with pure Warrior’s swordsmanship. The monster had likely been a demonic beast from Mount Oms in life. Now undead, it possessed no intelligence, relying solely on brute force to charge wildly. “Fall back!” Yulxi shouted to the townsfolk, her longsword cleaving through the monster’s neck. The severed head crashed to the ground with a resounding thud.

According to records, the Gray Shadow was an immortal and indestructible entity, but this monster, though originating from the same source, lacked the Gray Shadow’s properties. However, the pollution it left behind could corrode the land, leading to endless future troubles. Yulxi raised her hand and cast a simple Fireball Spell, incinerating the monster’s corpse into ashes. She then stood before the townspeople, sword in hand.

She didn’t venture deeper into the gloom.

The Professionals over there likely had methods to drive the monsters away. She didn’t need to do anything extra, only slay any stragglers.

Half an hour later, the wave of monsters had been completely eradicated, and the gloom dispersed under the light. Yulxi’s gaze fell upon a robust woman with short brown hair, clad in light armor and carrying a broadsword on her back. Her expression was cold and resolute, a scar stretching across her left cheek from below her ear to the corner of her lip.

This was a warrior who had seen battle.

As the woman approached, Yulxi activated her True Dragon’s Eye.

Name: Keira

Race: Human

Class: Warrior

Tier: Third-Tier

True God: War God

Faith Level: Fanatic Believer

Ability: Pioneering Sword

A fanatic believer of the War God? Fanatics have a chance to become Saints. Yulxi immediately thought of the Starsea Faith Network brought about by the Source of Life. But she quickly dismissed such impractical thoughts, focusing instead on the “ability” listed: “Pioneering Sword.” Whether Keira possessed it now or would acquire it in the future, those two words proved she was a fearless warrior and a valuable asset!

“Thank you for your righteous support,” Keira said sincerely, though she was on the front lines, she had noticed the situation behind the lines. She then introduced herself: “Keira.”

“Yulxi,” Yulxi replied, not concealing her true name. Although rumors of the Black Dragon Yulshi had been circulating in the Red Maple Territory for days, Sharpwhite Town likely had no time to care about such tales. Compared to the ethereal Great Dragon, their immediate concern was survival amidst the disaster. Besides, even if Keira knew the rumors, it wouldn’t matter. To ascend to godhood, the Black Dragon’s name would inevitably be sung in every corner of the Fei’er Continent.

Keira glanced at Yulxi in surprise but didn’t press further.

She had heard the stories of the Black Dragon, but like most on the continent, she couldn’t imagine the malevolent dragon would ever help the townspeople.

Yulxi subtly observed Keira’s expression, feigning confusion. “I heard Mount Oms had been occupied by Beastmen. Why are these monsters appearing? Could they be undead creatures controlled by Orc Priests?”

Keira’s expression darkened. “The Beastmen are history,” she said.

“Hmm?” Yulxi raised an eyebrow. “So the Beastmen no longer occupy Mount Oms? What’s the situation in the mountains?”

“Unknown,” Keira replied. Having grown up in Sharpwhite Town, she had realized years ago that the Lord’s Manor couldn’t be relied upon. To resist external threats, Sharpwhite Town had to stand on its own. After completing her training, she chose to dedicate her life to protecting Sharpwhite Town rather than seeking adventure elsewhere. When the monsters appeared, she considered venturing to Mount Oms to investigate.

But what if she didn’t return?

She wasn’t afraid of death.

Yet she feared for Sharpwhite Town’s fate, knowing that its destruction would haunt her even in death.

“Has this matter been reported to the Lord’s Manor?” Yulxi asked.

“Are you a mercenary hired by the Lord’s Manor?” Keira’s gaze suddenly sharpened.

Yulxi said calmly, “The Lord’s Manor isn’t qualified to hire me.”

The hostility radiating from Keira receded after Yulxi spoke. Her face shifted from anger to a heavy sorrow. “We once held great hopes for the Lord’s Manor, but all it brought were more tombstones in the cemetery. Those people didn’t die at the hands of Beastmen; they were driven to their deaths by the Lord’s Manor’s Knights.”

Yulxi replied calmly, “The Red Maple Territory has a new Lord.”

Keira scoffed. “All nobles are the same. They scheme to turn free citizens into serfs, claiming everything they see as their own property, utterly indifferent to the lives of commoners.” She slammed her sword into the ground, her voice tight with fury. “By the War God, I will defend Sharpwhite Town with my life as my sword!”

Yulxi admired Keira’s resolve, but—

“If the situation on Mount Oms isn’t resolved, it will only escalate. To protect Sharpwhite Town, you can’t venture into the mountains. The town has few Professionals, and relying solely on defensive measures won’t solve the problem completely.”

Yulxi’s words struck Keira’s heart like a blow.

Sharpwhite Town was like an isolated island, with no hope of reinforcements from anywhere.

Some time ago, the Knight brought news that the Lord’s Manor had abolished some of the more absurd taxes. The townspeople began to soften, believing they could seek help from the manor, hoping the newly appointed Lord would usher in a new era.

But Keira, having experienced several brushes with death, found it difficult to trust.

She studied Yulxi intently, her gaze probing. She desperately wanted to know if Yulxi was an envoy from the Lord’s Manor, but the words caught in her throat.

“I’ll go to Mount Oms,” Yulxi said, raising an eyebrow.

Keira stared at Yulxi in astonishment. She had braced herself for Yulxi to mention the Lord’s Manor, wavering between agreement and hesitation, only to receive an entirely different response. Taking a deep breath, Keira said, “Mount Oms is teeming with evil—it’s far too dangerous! You’ve already helped Sharpwhite Town so much. We can’t let you risk your life.”

Yulxi smiled faintly. “Stubbornness to this extent borders on foolishness. You need help, yet you shut out others’ goodwill. Do you intend to personally seal Sharpwhite Town’s fate?” She gestured toward Mount Oms. “The monsters there won’t give Sharpwhite Town’s Professionals time to grow stronger.”

Keira looked at Yulxi with conflicted emotions. She understood Sharpwhite Town’s precarious situation, but her kind heart wouldn’t allow her to shift the responsibility onto an innocent and virtuous hero. On one hand, she didn’t want Sharpwhite Town to fall into despair; on the other, she couldn’t bear the thought of an innocent person being endangered or even losing their life.

If it were someone from the Lord’s Manor seeking to enter Mount Oms, she wouldn’t utter a word of protest.

Yulxi: “I came to Sharpwhite Town precisely to enter Mount Oms. I need fine iron to forge armor and weapons.”

Keira blurted out, “But there’s plenty of fine iron circulating in the market!”

Yulxi laughed freely. “Yet I have no money.”

Keira couldn’t stop a hero determined to enter Mount Oms.

She stared blankly at Yulxi’s cloak billowing in the wind until the figure vanished completely.

A freckled girl emerged from the crowd and timidly said to Keira, “Aunt Keira, she gave me a silver coin.”

She’s the hero who’s helping our town. Shouldn’t I have refused this tip?

Keira’s expression suddenly hardened.

A generous hero… Her claim of having no money to buy fine iron was a lie. Her words were merely meant to put me at ease.