After Becoming an Evil Dragon, I Was Entangled by the Saintess - Chapter 33

On the Fei’er Continent, medicinal residue was considered a cheap, inferior product used only by the poor. While the Crimson Flame Mercenary Group wasn’t wealthy, they never compromised on Magic Potions. Maintaining peak condition was essential for hunting more prey.

Chilian trusted her instincts, a warrior’s intuition that had saved her from countless disasters. Her gaze fixed on the medicinal bottle, and as Samir retrieved it, she immediately sensed the potent energy within the Medicinal Powder.

Samir noticed the mercenaries’ skeptical expressions and guessed their thoughts. When she first saw the Medicinal Powder, narrow-mindedness had clouded her judgment. She was grateful that Lord Yulshi hadn’t punished her ignorance but had instead saved her sister and taught her much about Magic Potions. She realized how pitifully limited her past knowledge had been, and that the river of knowledge was endless.

“This Medicinal Powder isn’t residue from refining Magic Potions,” Samir explained earnestly, her eyes shining. “It’s another form of the medicine, with potency equal to the corresponding Magic Potion. Our Sisters’ Potion Shop offers fair prices. By the Dragon God, I would never deceive esteemed guests.”

The succubus’s reputation on the Fei’er Continent made the warriors of the mercenary corps skeptical of Samir’s words. While they didn’t share the common desire to exterminate succubi, treating them with the same warmth as humans was out of the question. However, the corps members were highly disciplined and obeyed their leader, Chilian, without question. As Chilian approached Bl00d Song with the medicinal powder, they instinctively parted to clear a path.

“Apply it to the wound?” Chilian suddenly turned to Samir.

Samir pressed her lips together and replied, “Administer it orally.”

Chilian nodded, carefully lifting the unconscious Bl00d Song with the help of her companions. They gently poured the magic potion into Bl00d Song’s mouth. Holding her breath, Chilian knelt on the ground and prayed to the gods. Danger and death were constant companions for warriors, but she refused to let the God of Death claim her sister.

The medicinal powder took effect immediately. Despite being enveloped in Death Qi, Bl00d Song’s chest still rose and fell. The crimson-black wounds on her arm, inflicted by the lich and undead, rapidly vanished. The quality of magic potions varied greatly, and those with instant effects were always top-grade! Chilian’s eyes blazed with newfound fervor.

If these were truly high-grade Magic Potions, the prices in this shop weren’t just fair—they were practically charitable! Most mages learned basic potion-making, but unless they intended to specialize in alchemy, they rarely bothered to refine the quality, preferring to wait for their professional rank to increase.

As their Magic Power levels improved, the quality of the potions they brewed also leaped forward. This meant that the superior Magic Potions produced by Archmages were typically rare, specialized concoctions.

Common potions that anyone could learn to brew were, of course, made by dedicated Alchemists, but most were crafted by low-ranking mages, their efficacy barely meeting the minimum standard.

“Ch… Chilian?” A strained voice shattered Chilian’s thoughts. She looked down at the awakening Bl00d Song. Though her cheeks remained pale, they no longer had the deathly, livid hue of someone on the verge of death. Chilian exhaled in relief. She glanced at her companions, most of whom wore expressions of astonishment and uncertainty, clearly stunned by the potion’s quality.

Chilian rose, the heavy snow sliding off her cloak. Her gaze swept across the shop, noting the surprisingly comprehensive selection of magic potions. She had encountered other mercenary corps in the Mangshui Forest, but none had mentioned the Sisters’ Potion Shop. Judging by the decor, the shop hadn’t been open long, and its reputation hadn’t yet spread, resulting in few customers. Chilian’s spirits lifted as she swiftly analyzed the situation. Finally, she turned to Samir and said, “We’d like to purchase more magic potions.”

“Of course,” Samir replied, her smile widening with genuine warmth. Selling the Magic Potion Powder had already filled her with satisfaction, and the prospect of a larger sale made her even more delighted.

To acquire the full range of magic potions, Chilian invested most of her savings. Instead of leaving immediately, she stayed to gather information from Samir.

“I remember this place used to be an auction house, didn’t it?”

Hearing the word “auction house,” Samir’s smile faltered slightly as unpleasant memories resurfaced. But she quickly recovered, nodding. “That’s right. But those people violated the Lord’s laws and were executed by his order.”

“Is that so?” Chilian’s eyes flickered. Having dealt with the Auction House Manager before, she knew a mage presided over it, suggesting a powerful backing. She had heard the legends of the Great Dragon in the Red Maple Territory but hadn’t paid much attention to them. The current Administrator of the territory was the former Lord’s unassuming daughter—it was surprising to see such boldness in her. Chilian’s thoughts churned. She belatedly realized that Klein City felt different this time, but her eagerness had prevented her from noticing earlier.

“The Sain Auction House was the only one,” someone else remarked. “If it’s shut down, won’t the Red Maple Territory lack auction venues?” While the Mage Guild and small shops accepted demonic beasts, selling certain items at the auction house yielded the highest profits.

“The Lord will build a new one,” Samir replied. She didn’t need to worry about Klein City’s construction, but she knew a great deal about the auction house project. The chosen site was the original auction house location, meaning the Sisters’ Potion Shop wouldn’t need to relocate—the future auction house would encompass the Magic Potion Shop within its grounds. Samir felt both apprehensive and a strange sense of pride and honor about this. She needed to learn as much as possible so she could assist her Teacher when needed.

“Bigu Powder? What’s this?” Chilian noticed a new type of Magic Potion Powder. At the Sisters’ Potion Shop, Magic Potions and Magic Potion Powders usually shared the same names, representing different forms of the same substance. But this “Bigu Powder” was entirely new, a medicine she had never heard of before.

Samir beamed. “This is a new Magic Potion developed by my teacher! After taking it, you won’t feel hungry for seven days, and it won’t affect your condition at all.” As for why it was called “Bigu Powder,” she wasn’t entirely sure. But she trusted her teacher had a reason for the name.

Chilian’s expression turned to astonishment as she exchanged glances with her mercenary group members. Developing a new Magic Potion required at least an intermediate-level mage. Since all the potions at the Magic Potion Shop were of high quality, this meant the Succubus’s teacher was likely a Legendary Mage! Chilian secretly rejoiced that she hadn’t offended the Succubus due to her race.

“Thank you for the potion,” Chilian said, bowing slightly to the small Succubus before leaving.

Samir pocketed the coins and cheerfully blessed them: “May the Dragon God watch over you and keep you safe.”

In the snowy landscape, a pale blue aura flowed silently.

“Huh, she’s a follower of the Dragon God?”

The legendary deity of the Great Dragons had long since fallen.

“What’s so strange about that? Gods don’t answer prayers anyway. Does it really matter who you believe in?”

“Don’t say such things in front of Keira.”

“Ah? Speaking of Keira, why didn’t she tell us Klein City had a Magic Potion Shop?”

“Keira lives in Sharpwhite Town, right? The Red Maple Territory is chaotic, and Sharpwhite Town’s relationship with Klein City’s Lord’s Manor is strained. She might not even know. Keira’s last letter mentioned the calamity in Sharpwhite Town. Now that our mission is complete, we should go help her deal with those detestable Beastmen!”

The next day dawned clear and sunny.

Samir took her younger sister to the Dragon Palace early in the morning, partly to update Teacher Yulshi on their progress and partly to share the good news from the previous night! The Sisters’ Potion Shop had finally received customers, earning more gold coins in one night than they had in all their previous days combined.

Yulshi wore an expression of calm expectation.

The potions Samir crafted were of exceptional quality; it was only a matter of time before their reputation spread.

The reputation of the Magic Potion would spread quickly among the mercenary corps, attracting many customers. After all, buying ready-made potions from a shop was far easier than dealing with arrogant and difficult mages. Moreover, Samir’s potions were both high-quality and reasonably priced.

Shortly after the Samir sisters left, Flah hurried over.

Her expression darkened visibly when she saw Veranse sitting on the swing set, grinning. Thanks to Veranse’s Bigu Powder, neither she nor Ilti needed to eat anymore. The constant feeling of fullness made it impossible to enjoy any delicious food. Ilti had seized this opportunity to study the diagrams Yulxi had given her, locking herself in the laboratory and refusing to come out. But Flah, who was constantly running errands, couldn’t help but be tempted by the aromas wafting from the various street stalls she passed.

“You seem quite content,” Flah said sarcastically.

Veranse blinked. “By the Lord God, joy is a gift from the Gods. How could I possibly refuse such a divine blessing?”

Flah: “……” Her face soured. With Ilti absent, there was no one to restrain her. She glared at Veranse and deliberately raised her voice, “To hell with the God of Light!”

“Flah, is something the matter?” Yulxi emerged.

Meeting Yulxi’s calm gaze, Flah’s bristling fur and sharp quills retreated. Inwardly, she seethed, “Conspirator! Dog conspirator!” but outwardly, she spoke of the matter at hand. “The news we spread finally lured a Druid,” she reported, “but she’s only a First-Tier apprentice. I doubt she can handle the crucial task of researching the Mangshui Demon Rice.”

“With proper training, even an apprentice can grow into a capable Great Druid,” Veranse said slowly. “After all, every Great Druid started as an apprentice.”

“That’s true,” Flah conceded, “but after inquiring about the notes, she didn’t press further. Instead, she plunged straight into the Mangshui Forest. She posted a recruitment notice, seeking mercenaries to escort her deep into the forest.” Flah’s expression was hard to describe. Could this Druid apprentice think the notes were found in the Mangshui Forest? Is she trying to find them herself?

“Has any Mercenary Corps taken the job?” Yulxi asked.

“No,” Flah replied, shaking her head with a sigh. “The Druid is too poor. No reputable mercenary group would bother with such a low-paying job. She’ll probably have to hitch a ride with someone heading that way.” Theoretically, the Lord’s Manor should have a well-trained military unit, but the currently conscripted soldiers are of mediocre quality. This kind of mission is best left to professional mercenary groups.

Yulxi nodded.

If no one else accepted the commission, she could try to see what this young Druid’s motives were.

Perhaps this Druid couldn’t directly aid the Red Maple Territory’s development, but she might be able to introduce other Druids who could.

“Do you plan to go yourself?” Veranse asked, her eyes sparkling as she watched Yulxi.

Yulxi glanced at her and replied calmly, “If necessary.”

Veranse added, “Then let me accompany you.”

Yulxi didn’t refuse. Having Veranse by her side was certainly better than letting her stir up trouble in the Red Maple Territory.

Outside City Hall, near the notice board, Druid Ada paced back and forth. She had been lingering in the vicinity ever since arriving in Klein City.

She knew the gold coins she offered wouldn’t be enough to hire an entire Mercenary Corps, but this was only temporary. She would find a way to provide proper compensation later.

Yet so far, no corps commander had been willing to even discuss terms with her.

Her gaze drifted to the Dragon God Temple adjacent to City Hall, where occasional worshippers came to offer prayers. A chilling wind carried an inexplicable fragrance. By the time Ada regained her senses, she had already reached the temple’s edge. She looked up at the Black Dragon divine statue inside the temple, her heart jolting with terror. She retreated swiftly, leaving a trail of panicked footprints in the snow.

“The road is slippery in this snow. Please be careful,” a voice called from behind.

Ada turned to see a young man in a priest’s robe. He smiled kindly, made the sign of the God of Light over his chest, and hurried into the Dragon God Temple, kneeling on one of the prayer cushions.

Ada stared in confusion. The robe’s embroidery clearly marks him as a priest of the God of Light. What’s he doing here? Isn’t it blasphemy for a priest to worship a heretical deity? She watched dumbfounded from outside until the priest emerged. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, “Aren’t you a follower of the God of Light?”

The priest met her gaze with a gentle smile. “I am a follower of the Lord God.” Before Ada could ask further, he added, “You’re wondering why I’m worshiping in the temple of the Black Dragon, aren’t you?”

Ada nodded vigorously.

The Red Maple Territory is so strange. Why would Teacher suddenly come here? The Way of Nature Guild has no plans to establish roots here either. Could it really be for Great Druid Wildheart’s notes? Yet her intuition told her that Teacher wasn’t a guest at the Lord’s Manor, but deep within the Mangshui Forest.

“What harm could a simple prayer do?” the priest said. “I haven’t renounced my faith, and the Lord God isn’t so petty. Besides, my neighbor found a gold coin after praying at the Dragon God Temple. Who wouldn’t want such good fortune?”

Ada froze.

Is this what a priest of the God of Light should be saying?

She scrutinized the young man before her. His priest’s robes were brand new, but as a mere apprentice herself, she couldn’t discern his professional rank.

Unfazed by Ada’s scrutiny, the priest smiled warmly and said enthusiastically, “You must be new to Klein City! You absolutely must try our local delicacies—they’re culinary treasures even the Royal Capital can’t match!”

Ada’s expression grew even more peculiar.

She was short on funds and had brought her own dried rations.

It was true that she had caught an enticing aroma while walking down the main street. If she didn’t need to enter the Mangshui Forest, she might have bought some to try.

What a pity.

Ada sighed inwardly. Addressing the enthusiastic priest, she said, “Thank you. May Nature and Life be with you always.”

In the end, someone did accept Ada’s commission.

That person turned out to be the leader of the Crimson Flame Mercenary Group.

The key lay with Keira, the Warrior of Sharpwhite Town.

Upon hearing that her friends had arrived in Red Maple Territory, Keira didn’t wait for them to come to Sharpwhite Town. Instead, she set out for Klein City herself. With the monsters cleared from Mount Oms, mining and smelting operations in Sharpwhite Town had returned to normal. The town’s militia, supplemented by cavalry dispatched from the Lord’s Manor, was sufficient to patrol the area and maintain order. After years of constant tension, Keira had finally entered a period of relaxation. But as a fervent warrior, she couldn’t stay idle. While she wouldn’t abandon Sharpwhite Town, embarking on an adventure in the surrounding lands with her sword was entirely within her capabilities.

After reuniting with her friends, Keira recounted the events in Red Maple Territory, carefully omitting any mention of the “Black Dragon.”

“So that’s how it is,” Chilian remarked, impressed. “The newly appointed Lord is a decisive, courageous, and wise leader.” With no need to worry about the lives of her mercenary corps members, she had the leisure to observe the changes in Klein City. There was no filth, stench, chaos, or riots; everything had become orderly and well-managed, all thanks to the new Lord. Instead of wasting resources on meaningless balls and social climbing with the nobility, he had invested in the city’s development.

“What’s the deal with the Dragon God Temple and the Black Dragon Flag?” a member of the Mercenary Corps asked. They knew that Great Dragons or Dragonkin might worship the Dragon God, believing that their faith would hasten the Dragon God’s return. The city lord might also be a follower of the Dragon God, revering the power of Great Dragons, but establishing a Dragon God Temple so openly still exceeded her understanding. Didn’t the Church in Red Maple Territory object?

“The Red Maple Territory has never been monotheistic,” Keira explained.

Chilian nodded. The Holy See wished for everyone to worship the God of Light, and in regions where the Church of Light held sway, the Sun Temple stood as the sole temple. But clearly, the Church’s authority in Red Maple Territory wasn’t so absolute. One could find temples dedicated to various deities here, none dominating the others. As for the newly established Dragon God Temple, its only distinguishing feature was its prominent location; the temple didn’t even have a resident priest.

“Regardless, the only faiths officially condemned as heretical are the Creationist Society and the Abyssal Faith,” the mercenary shrugged. Perhaps those people secretly considered Great Dragons heretical as well, but who would dare voice such a thing?

Keira nodded.

After sharing a few drinks with her friends at the Gold and Silver Tavern, she visited Yulxi at the Dragon Palace to inform her of her upcoming trip to Mangshui Forest.

It was during this visit that Yulxi casually mentioned the Druid’s commission.

The Druid’s gold coin offering was indeed rather meager, but Yulxi assured Keira that she would personally cover the remaining compensation required by the Crimson Flame Mercenary Group.

Keira readily agreed.

“If you go personally, you won’t have to pay a single coin,” Veranse said with a smile, watching Yulxi. When Yulxi didn’t respond, she continued, “You’re being so generous to that Druid. What if she can’t fulfill your expectations? For example, what if she’s a fallen, ostracized Druid who can’t even introduce you to her teachers, and isn’t even sure if she’s truly walking the Way of Nature herself?”

Yulxi countered, “So what?” She stared at Veranse, her black eyes like the abyss of a winter night. “Does something have to be profitable to be worth doing?”

Under Yulxi’s gaze, Veranse’s smile faltered slightly. The mask she wore seemed to gradually dissolve as their eyes met. Her soft scoff broke the silence between them, and she raised an eyebrow. “That’s hardly the behavior of an Evil Black Dragon.”

“If I acted as you expect, would you still be here?” Yulxi asked flatly.

Veranse was curious about her, treating her like a specimen to be studied on an alchemist’s table.

“Hmm—” Veranse pondered Yulxi’s question earnestly, her golden hair and white robes billowing in the wind. She smiled at Yulxi. “As long as you retain that miraculous culinary skill that can turn the mundane into the extraordinary, even if you were truly irredeemable, I would find a way to follow you.”

Yulxi crossed her arms. “The Holy Maiden of Light following evil?”

Veranse countered, “Why couldn’t it be redemption?”

Yulxi let out a cold laugh. “Redemption through Dark Magic?”

Veranse blinked, defending herself. “Under extreme light, who can see? Isn’t that darkness? As the Holy Maiden of Light, the Lord God’s representative on earth, what’s wrong with wielding Dark Magic?”

Yulxi replied lazily, “Nothing.”

Veranse could tell from Yulxi’s demeanor that she wanted to end the conversation, but her own enthusiasm hadn’t yet been frozen by the biting northern wind. She stepped closer and grasped Yulxi’s dangling arm. “You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met. The Holy See—that glorious, righteous institution—sends priests among the poor, healing their wounds with Holy Light to earn their fervent faith and willing donations, even if it means their families are ruined.”

Yulxi lowered her gaze to Veranse’s hand. “What are you getting at?”

Veranse chuckled. “You built the Dragon God Temple in the Red Maple Territory without appointing priests, requiring donations, or demanding absolute devotion. All you ask for is a stick of Spirit Incense and a bow. Was it just for fun?”

Yulxi tried to withdraw her hand, but Veranse’s grip was surprisingly strong. Her brow furrowed slightly as she snapped, “Why do you care about this? Are you planning to smash divine statues and destroy temples?”

“You wrong me, Lord Yulshi,” Veranse said, sensing the resistance in her palm. Regretfully, she withdrew her hand. Meeting Yulxi’s gaze, she flashed another practiced smile, her violet eyes gleaming with an enigmatic, almost bewitching light. Her voice, like a spring song carried on the breeze, left no room for resistance. “If I could, I would carry a statue of you with me everywhere. How could I bear to destroy anything? You have filled the emptiness in my heart. At least for this moment, I don’t want to return to that void.”

Yulxi remained impassive. “So?”

Veranse abruptly opened her arms and embraced Yulxi before she could react. The light in her eyes dimmed, revealing a bottomless abyss, an endless darkness. “You must accept me. You must answer me.”

With those words, Veranse released her.

The lingering warmth of her breath seemed to linger at Yulxi’s neck, sending shivers down her spine. Yulxi lowered her gaze, refusing to meet Veranse’s eyes, and said casually, “And if I don’t?”

“You can probably guess that I would do anything for myself, whether it’s righteous or evil,” Veranse said, licking her lips, her expression utterly sincere.

Yulxi replied dismissively, “Then you’re quite remarkable.”

Veranse paused, then her tone brightened again. She circled Yulxi, her voice playful. “Is this a threat or a provocation? Shouldn’t you be angry? Or have you gradually come to accept me?”

“Veranse,” Yulxi called her name.

Veranse fell silent, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

Yulxi raised her hand and brushed a clump of snow from Veranse’s shoulder.

“Holy Maiden of Light,” she said, “does your heart still yearn for the light?”

The development of the Red Maple Territory couldn’t rely solely on Ilti and Flah, those two potato-brained girls. Even reviewing past documents made them dizzy. Veranse was a walking encyclopedia; without her to provide the framework, Ilti could rack her brains and still have no idea where to start.

“Lord God above,” Veranse said, gazing intently at Yulxi. “Lord Yulshi, you are the light.”