After Becoming an Evil Dragon, I Was Entangled by the Saintess - Chapter 9

The Lord had abandoned her people and fled, while her elder brothers, who stood ahead of her in the line of succession, were dead beyond resurrection. Ilti was left with no choice but to assume the Lord’s duties. She worked tirelessly to reassure the panicked populace while racking her brains for a way out of this crisis. She personally inspected the remaining Magic Crystals in the treasury and inquired about the condition of the territory’s soldiers and weapons. Learning that several ballistae were still operational, Ilti breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Ballistae were no ordinary weapons; they were enchanted with armor-piercing magic. Even the colossal, extraordinary creatures weren’t entirely invulnerable—provided they were still in their adolescent or newly adult stages.

Dusk fell over the Gold and Silver Tavern.

Yulxi, the cause of all the chaos, seemed utterly oblivious.

The tavern wasn’t as crowded as before; the remaining patrons were all discussing “the Black Dragon’s revenge.” Carefree kittens weaved among the tables, occasionally leaping onto them to wait for the patrons’ attention.

“It’s better to be a kitten,” a gentle voice sighed. “At least they have Lady Kasha’s protection.”

The adventurers in the tavern suddenly fell silent, followed by an even louder uproar.

Everyone knew the owner of the Gold and Silver Tavern was a Legendary Wizard Cat. Surely, under the Great Dragon’s attack, the tavern would stand as firm as a rock? Why couldn’t they simply hide inside and passively accept Lady Kasha’s protection?

Kasha’s senses were sharp. Though not physically present in the main hall, she could still hear the commotion outside. She rolled her eyes disdainfully, too lazy to bother with the noisy crowd. Instead, she focused her gaze on Yulxi, who was preparing meat-filled wheat cakes, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Though the food here was often unpalatable, the white flour retained its “purity” before being cooked, rather than being tossed into a pig’s trough to mingle with swine.

“Can I eat them yet?” Kasha stared at the neatly arranged wheat cakes, which hadn’t even been pan-fried yet, but she could already detect an enticing aroma. She wondered where the Black Dragon had acquired such culinary skill. Perhaps with the fall of Dragon Island and the eternal slumber of the Dragon Gods, the Dragon’s traditions had become so disrupted that even a Black Dragon could now “wash her hands and cook soup.”

“…Raw,” Yulxi said, glancing at Kasha and gesturing for her to retract her extended cat paw.

Caught red-pawed, Kasha reluctantly hopped aside, her head drooping. When Yulxi said “Fire,” a small flame instantly materialized on her paw. Unlike clumsy novice mages, Kasha wielded the tiny flame with effortless precision. After lighting the charcoal fire, she stared intently at Yulxi’s flat-bottomed iron pan. The sizzling of oil filled the air as the wheat cakes hit the pan, releasing an even more overpowering aroma that drifted from the kitchen, causing a stir in the tavern.

Kasha knew Yulxi had always been generous and lavish, never stingy. Anyone who caught her eye while begging for food could receive a portion from her hand. This meant more competition for Kasha. Her eyes darted around, and with a flick of her paw, a sign reading “Closed for Rest” flew up and hung on the tavern door.

The kittens, who had been getting petted on the table, leaped down in unison and began hissing at the customers, acting as Kasha’s “customer deterrents.”

They had hoped to find Lady Kasha’s protection at the Gold and Silver Tavern, but their dreams were instantly shattered. No one dared linger in the tavern, for Lady Kasha’s wrath would descend upon them faster than the Black Dragon’s fiery rage.

“Finally, some peace and quiet,” Kasha said, twitching her ears.

“Not quite,” Yulxi replied.

The customers had left, but Ilti and Flah, who had been busy for some time, rushed in.

The “Closed” sign failed to deter Ilti, who knocked rhythmically on the door.

Kasha glanced at Yulxi before sauntering out.

She didn’t need to think twice to know why the noble lady had come.

“Lady Kasha,” Ilti greeted, bowing formally to the Black Cat.

She had come on behalf of the Red Maple Territory, but before she could speak, Veranse interrupted with a sigh, “It smells so good.”

Ilti turned to Veranse, meeting her mesmerizing violet eyes. Any thoughts of reproach vanished instantly.

Frying wheatcakes didn’t take long. As Yulxi carried the steaming cakes out, a ravenous hunger surged through Ilti’s stomach.

“Good day, Lady Yulxi,” Veranse said, her light footsteps carrying her into the shop. Her gaze lingered for a moment on Yulxi’s marble-like, expressionless face before shifting to the meat pies. Her eyes were pure and serene, devoid of any visible desire, yet Yulxi somehow read the words “I want to eat” in her smile.

“Come in and sit down,” Kasha said, waving her claw. The Flame Wine she used to exchange for the pies floated through the air and landed on the wooden table with a clatter.

“Lady Kasha, Miss Yulxi, we—” Ilti began, her mind heavy with worry. The threat posed by the Black Dragon had suppressed her appetite. She wanted to say more, but Veranse and Flah had already taken their seats and accepted golden-brown meat pies from Yulxi.

The crisp crust of the pie crackled faintly as Flah’s teeth met it. Savory juices oozed from the filling, glistening on her lips. The perfectly balanced flavors slid down her throat, and she instinctively devoured the pie. After wolfing down the first one, she turned to Yulxi and declared, “Ilti’s not feeling well and has no appetite. I’ll take care of her share!”

Ilti: “?”

The Black Dragon Society, fueled by vengeful rage, would bring death. Since death was inevitable, she might as well savor one last delicious meal before embracing it.

Ilti reached out and took her share of the wheat cake.

“Have you encountered any difficulties?” Kasha asked.

Ilti let out a bitter laugh. “My father and the High Priest have already fled. The Red Maple Territory is in complete chaos, with many knights deserting overnight. I have no idea how to deal with that enraged Black Dragon.”

Kasha remarked, “That’s quite pitiful.” She tapped the table with her claw, signaling Yulxi to give her another wheat cake.

“If the dragon’s fury were directed solely at the Lord’s Manor, it wouldn’t be so bad. But Black Dragons are inherently evil creatures; she’ll inevitably destroy the entire Red Maple Territory. That’s why I came—”

Ilti’s words were cut short by Kasha. “You know I won’t assist any faction.”

Ilti knew this, of course.

She had simply wanted to try her luck.

“We shared hardships together in the Mangshui Forest,” Veranse began slowly, her gaze fixed on Yulxi. Though she didn’t address her by name, everyone knew the question was directed at her. “What do you think?”

“I’ll also hire any adventurers and guild members still in the Red Maple Territory,” Ilti added. The remaining Magic Crystals were dwindling, but they could sustain them for a while. She had already sent letters to the five towns under the Red Maple Territory’s jurisdiction, hoping their guards would come to reinforce them. Human strength was insignificant, but resisting a Great Dragon wasn’t entirely impossible.

“You wouldn’t want the Red Maple Territory to be destroyed by the Black Dragon’s wrath, would you?” Veranse pressed.

Yulxi’s expression remained calm. Veranse’s smile was warm and gentle, but Yulxi felt a strange unease.

Holy Maiden of Light saving the world? She was certain Veranse had no such altruistic motives.

What exactly is she planning?

Yulxi remained silent.

Veranse spoke again, “Another flatbread, please. Thank you.”

Her sudden change of topic caught Ilti and Flah completely off guard.

A few seconds later, Kasha huffed, “That’s the last one!” She counted and realized Veranse had eaten the most! She’d assumed Flah, the elf who lived like a disgrace to her kind, would be the biggest eater, but she’d underestimated Veranse’s appetite. It’s because I’m a cat and eat slowly! she thought resentfully.

Her protests were futile.

Upon hearing Veranse’s request, Yulxi handed her the final flatbread.

“With pleasure,” Yulxi said to Ilti.

Ilti blinked in surprise, then beamed. “Thank you! The Red Maple Territory will forever remember your generosity and selflessness.”

Kasha: “……”

Veranse gazed at Ilti, a faint smile playing on her lips, as if genuinely pleased for her.

To counter the Black Dragon’s wrath, they’ve actually invited the dragon himself to help. How amusing.

After finishing the flatbread, Veranse turned to Yulxi, her voice sincere. “I praise you.”

If I could enjoy such delicious food every day, being captured by the Black Dragon and becoming one of his treasures wouldn’t be so bad.

“When will the Black Dragon attack?” Kasha asked.

“A mage divined that it will be on the night of the full Silver Moon, when the Magic Power is at its peak,” Ilti replied.

“They even pick the timing? Not to be rude, but that mage can’t even predict the weather accurately, Ilti. Don’t believe their lies,” Flah interjected.

“I don’t fully believe it,” Ilti retorted. “The soldiers are prepared. Once the Black Dragon arrives, all four Magic Towers in Klein City will activate.” The Lord’s Manor doesn’t have enough Magic Crystals stored, but we can borrow some from the mages in the city. Those who haven’t fled wouldn’t want to become slaves of the Black Dragon, would they?

“How many soldiers?” Yulxi asked coolly.

“Uh…” Ilti paused. “Two hundred light infantry, fifty heavy infantry, one hundred longbowmen, one hundred light cavalry, fifty heavy cavalry, ten cannoneers, ten crossbowmen… These are the manor guards. I’ve already ordered the recall of troops stationed outside the territory.”

“The Magic Towers are likely the only useful ones,” Yulxi said bluntly. As for the guards, they might be good for dealing with the rabble that will swarm out later.

Ilti blushed with embarrassment. She lowered her voice and said, “These are for the Black Dragon’s Familiars. As for the Black Dragon itself, we’ve prepared ten military-grade ballistae.” She needed Yulxi’s help and wouldn’t hide any of her strategies.

A faint smile finally appeared on Yulxi’s face. “Not bad,” she said. If she were an ordinary Black Dragon, she might actually be wounded by the ballistae.

Veranse tossed her golden hair and murmured, “Indeed. May the God of Light watch over us and protect the Red Maple Territory.”