After Becoming an Evil Dragon, I Was Entangled by the Saintess - Chapter 7

Yulxi scoffed at Veranse’s words.

As a non-believer serving as the Holy Maiden of Light for the Holy See, her lies must have reached a masterful level.

The storm raged, torrential rain pounding down like jagged rocks. Ilti’s already faint desire to slay the dragon completely vanished. She imagined herself and her companions lying helpless in the rain, their bodies freezing, while a Black Dragon coldly surveyed them with serpentine eyes.

Even if they dodged the dragon’s acidic breath, could they evade its razor-sharp teeth and claws? And if they somehow withstood those attacks, could they endure the crushing force of its steel-like tail? After all, a dragon’s tail could shatter marble pillars—were their bodies stronger than stone? Moreover, dragons were the most ancient spellcasters on the continent. Had it not been for the Divine War, the Fei’er Continent might still belong to them. Could a juvenile dragon truly be underestimated?

“We should turn back,” Ilti declared, her eyes gleaming with newfound resolve. Not to slay the dragon, but to return to Red Maple Territory.

“This weather isn’t exactly ideal,” the Elven Ranger chimed in. Unlike knights, she wasn’t bound by any chivalrous code of unwavering courage. Her guiding principle was simple: if things got dicey, run.

“The decision is yours,” Veranse said, her lips still curved in a gentle, pure smile, though a flicker of regret stirred within her. Without approaching the Rotting Swamp, she might miss the spectacle the Lord had orchestrated. She knew he had spared no expense to achieve his goals. While lone adventurers could be dismissed, what about the brave, well-trained mercenaries? As seasoned professionals, they must possess some skill, right? Could it be that the Red Maple Territory had only hired incompetent fools? Or would this strange rain introduce unforeseen variables?

Yulxi remained silent, the cave’s murmurs gradually fading until only the relentless drumming of the rain filled the air. The storm howled, the raindrops striking with such ferocity that they sounded like the frantic heartbeat of a wild beast or the relentless pounding of a hammer against stone.

The sudden downpour sent the already terrified Adventurer’s Grove into chaos. Lightning crashed from the heavens like spells cast by a Legendary mage, leaving death in its wake.

The Kobolds who had ambushed them the previous night returned, their icy arrows whistling into the camp.

“Damn them!” the adventurers roared, scrambling to kill the Kobolds. In their eyes, these creatures were supposed to be dim-witted and ugly, yet the Kobold Tribe before them proved unexpectedly formidable. The Kobolds wore soft armor, wielded shields and swords, and even lured them into traps rigged with magical bombs. Was this the Black Dragon’s doing? Or did the Kobolds have spellcasters among them? Perhaps a Priest?

As the torrential rain continued, the river silently swelled.

In the Mangshui Forest, Kobolds and adventurers clashed in a bloody melee.

Hidden demonic beasts emerged from the shadows—pythons, giant crocodiles—natural predators already difficult to handle, let alone when appearing in packs to strike at the adventurers’ weakest moments. The beasts attacked indiscriminately, while the Kobold Tribe, after sowing chaos, retreated with practiced discipline.

By the time the storm subsided and sunlight pierced the forest canopy, the camp lay in ruins.

The Black Dragon had yet to reveal itself, but the self-assured adventurers were already exhausted.

Slaying a dragon was a feat worthy of legend, but history remembers only the victorious heroes, not the countless bones crushed beneath the Black Dragon’s claws.

The Lord’s Manor had lied! The Black Dragon was cunning and treacherous!

Masses of adventurers chose to retreat from the Mangshui Forest. When their lives were threatened, epic tales and grand ambitions could go to hell!

Only a group of mercenaries remained in the camp, following the Lord’s sons into the forest.

But even the Lord’s sons were divided: “Is there really a Black Dragon? These hateful Kobolds, the wretched weather, the dangerous demonic beasts—I can’t stand another moment here!”

“Is that so?” A voice as cold as winter’s snow echoed from the shadows. The burly Kobold chieftain, leading his reorganized tribe, surrounded the camp.

“D-Dragon… Dragonspawn,” the mercenary stammered, his teeth chattering.

Linger Ditter, the Kobold chieftain, switched from Common to his native tongue, issuing the order to charge.

Dawn broke.

Ilti was the first to crawl out of the cave. She brushed off the dust and breathed in the fresh air after the storm. Water droplets gathered at the tips of leaves, dripping onto her face, their icy touch spreading across her cheek.

“We should go back,” Ilti insisted to her companions, hearing rustling sounds behind them.

Flah yawned, rubbing her eyes. “Agreed.”

Veranse, who had come out with Yulxi, asked eagerly, “What’s for breakfast?”

Ilti’s worried thoughts stalled for a moment. She licked her lips, hiding a strange anticipation.

Yulxi didn’t answer. Listening to the surrounding sounds, she said calmly, “Someone’s coming.”

A group of people fled in disarray. Mud splattered the mages’ robes, while the warriors’ helmets and shields were nowhere to be seen. Their faces were etched with terror, as if they had witnessed something horrifying.

Ilti’s attention, briefly diverted by the thought of food, snapped back to the present danger. “It’s too dangerous,” she emphasized. She gave Yulxi an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but Flah and I have to go back no matter what.” As she spoke, she felt a pang of shame. She had impulsively formed this team, and deserting them now felt dishonorable. She reached into her pouch, pulled out all her gold coins, and handed them to Yulxi. “This is compensation.”

Yulxi narrowed her eyes. Since she had allowed the rash “heroes” of Adventurer’s Grove to retreat, she should give Ilti and her companions a chance as well. Moreover, her plan had always lacked a spokesperson and followers. Ilti’s ability to recognize the opportune moment could be exploited. Besides, Yulxi was ultimately not an evil Black Dragon; the thought of letting her companions perish in Mangshui Forest had only crossed her mind for a fleeting moment.

The retreating forces would likely return to Red Maple Territory to spread the news, and the panicked Lord would probably put the entire territory on high alert. After pondering for a moment, Yulxi accepted the gold coins Ilti offered, casually selecting one to give to Veranse. “Let’s go back,” she said calmly.

She could dismantle Red Maple Territory’s defenses from the outside, but the destructive force would cause endless panic among the populace.

By following Ilti, she could also work from within.

Yulxi’s mind raced, formulating new plans.

Veranse stroked the gold coin, its golden surface gleaming in the sunlight, and fixed an inquisitive gaze on Yulxi.

The Black Dragon’s thoughts are truly unfathomable, she mused. What exactly does she intend to do?

Ilti sighed in relief. Yulxi’s acceptance of the gold coin meant she had forgiven them. They had dragged Yulxi into the dragon hunt, but when things went wrong, they had fled in fear, accomplishing nothing. “I’m sorry,” Ilti repeated, her young mage’s face etched with dejection.

“This isn’t your fault,” Veranse said, her gaze steady on Ilti. She instinctively adopted the role of a Priest, using her innate affinity for light and soothing words to dispel the gloom in Ilti’s heart. “The Light Church teaches us courage, not reckless self-sacrifice. We should bring news of the Mangshui Forest back to Red Maple Territory. Wouldn’t saving more lives be better?”

“You’re right,” Ilti nodded, the darkness in her heart dissipating.

Yulxi: “……”

She glanced at Veranse, the Holy Maiden radiating a calming, holy light.

But Yulxi was an unbeliever.

On the Fei’er Continent, where gods had once walked, unbelievers were as rare as saints.

When the four returned to the Gold and Silver Tavern, ten days had passed since their departure. They weren’t the only ones returning; scattered groups of adventurers also trickled back, spreading rumors that grew more terrifying with each telling. By the time Yulxi heard the latest version, the Black Dragon was said to be attacking Red Maple Territory tomorrow to seek revenge.

Throughout human history, beyond conflicts among themselves, many wars had been fought against Great Dragons.

When humans and Great Dragons clashed, the earth-shattering spectacle of their battle revealed a power capable of reducing an entire city to ashes.

Now that the Great Dragon sought revenge, what should humans do? Pack their bags and flee, of course! As for those who couldn’t relocate, they could only await their doom.

It wasn’t just ordinary folk; even the adventurers who frequented the Gold and Silver Tavern had dwindled by more than half.

“Such alarmists,” Black Cat Kasha remarked, elegantly licking her paw as she purred a string of words.

Just yesterday, the Lord’s Manor steward had come, seeking her aid against the Black Dragon.

Gems, gold coins, spellbooks… the Lord’s offered reward was exceedingly generous. But alas, she was aligned with the Black Dragon.

Upon hearing of the chaos engulfing the territory, Ilti grabbed Flah’s hand and hurried from the tavern, her face etched with worry, determined to return to the Lord’s Manor and investigate the situation.

Veranse went to the church to pray.

Meanwhile, Yulxi remained at the tavern, chatting with Kasha.

“I thought you’d slaughter everyone who entered Mangshui Forest,” Kasha said. She had known Yulxi for years, priding herself on being a worldly-wise cat, yet she still couldn’t fathom Yulxi’s true intentions.

“Pointless,” Yulxi replied.

Excessive bloodshed would hinder her cultivation.

“So, what’s your plan?” Kasha asked. “Just a show of force?”

Kasha remained skeptical.

Yulxi raised an eyebrow. “I want the Red Maple Territory.” Her voice was soft, yet carried an unmistakable air of determination.

Kasha nodded. “Aside from the poverty, filth, and chaos, the Red Maple Territory is indeed a good place.” As a frontier region, it was difficult to govern and had long been considered abandoned. Even if the Lord fled to the Royal Capital to plead with the Emperor, the Emperor would never deploy the Empire’s armies to conquer it. Even if they did, they couldn’t maintain control. Of course, there would be some shady adventurers lurking about, but they were insignificant.

Yulxi asked, “Kasha, do you know the story of the Holy Maiden of Light?”

Kasha stared at Yulxi in astonishment. Black Dragons rarely showed interest in such matters. Could she be planning to emulate the Evil Dragons of legend and kidnap a princess or Holy Maiden? Clearing her throat, Kasha meowed softly before saying, “The Holy Maidens of Light have always been chosen by the Holy See. They select girls with an affinity for light from among the common people, nurture their talents, and when they turn sixteen, the candidates deliver speeches before the public. The one who receives the most votes becomes the Holy Maiden. But this current Holy Maiden is an exception.”

Yulxi: “Hmm?”

Kasha replied slowly, “She’s God-chosen. The God of Light personally delivered the divine decree when she was just a baby.”

Yulxi asked, “Was she raised by the Holy See?”

Kasha nodded. “She embodies the will of the God of Light, His earthly representative. Why are you suddenly interested in the Holy Maiden of Light? No one will stop you from attacking the Red Maple Territory, but if you harbor ill intentions toward the Holy Maiden, the Holy See will wage war at any cost.” Before Yulxi could respond, she muttered, “News from the Royal Capital just two days ago said the Holy Maiden was praying for the common people.”

Yulxi lowered her gaze.

The Holy Maiden of Light is in the Royal Capital? Then what’s Veranse doing here? She’s not accompanied by any Holy See knights or priests. Did she sneak out?