Tale of the Red Dragon Without Dragon’s Might
Chapter 136 Red Dragon

Chapter 136: Chapter 136 Red Dragon

Leon ultimately chose not to make a move against the Cloud Giants. After all, there were two Cloud Giants present, the one in front of him looked quite strong, and the other, a female Cloud Giant, was not weak either. Add to that a Fire Giant and two Frost Giants, Griffins and Perytons could be said to be just making up the numbers, but the Flying Dragon still had some fighting power. If a real fight broke out, he might not come out on top, but the key point was that the Cloud Giants were the first to back down.

Cecilia fully supported Leon’s decision. If they really started fighting, Leon might not have any problems, but she definitely would have a rough time. It would be difficult to even think about flying, given how formidable that female Cloud Giant was.

What she didn’t understand was why Leon would agree to go to the Cloud Giants’ castle.

You don’t think those Giants are really that hospitable, do you? Giants and Dragons are mortal enemies. They might speak nicely outside, but that doesn’t mean they will be the same on their own turf.

In fact, Mankus was also grumbling to himself. I merely extended a casual invitation and you just climbed up the pole. Could you really have another hidden agenda? We must be prepared, to prevent that Red Dragon from doing something impulsive.

As for Leon’s thoughts, they were simple. He had already forgiven the Cloud Giants once. If there was a next time, it would be a fight to the death. Besides, he wanted to learn some things from the Cloud Giants, like who exactly had sent them after him, and he was indeed quite curious about the Cloud Giants’ castle.

It took less than a minute to fly from the base of the mountain to the top. Leon and Cecilia quickly landed inside the Cloud Giants’ castle, in the lower courtyard of a two-tiered complex.

Leon’s attention was drawn to the castle’s huge botanical garden, with grapes as large as apples and apples as large as pumpkins, growing absurdly regardless of the weather. He focused on the enormous Beast Pen, which aside from Griffins, Perytons, and Flying Dragons, also contained Owlbears, lions, and Giant Lynxes.

In contrast to Leon, Cecilia was much more cautious, her gaze mainly fixed on the castle gate where there were two Stone Magic Statues and Crossbow Cannons of varied sizes positioned on the gate towers, manned by two Ogres each armed with a spear, ready to use the Crossbow Cannon to launch the spear in their hands at any moment.

"Our castle is truly impoverished," Mankus said.

"My wife hasn’t bought new clothes for a month already."

"I haven’t eaten meat for a week and have only been able to eat pumpkins, but we will definitely treat our guests well when they arrive."

Mankus quickly wrapped up his introduction to his castle by lamenting about his poverty.

Leon was aware of the Cloud Giants’ status, determined by their accumulated wealth. They believed that wealth must be displayed and the more extravagant the better. In reality, he saw the gold-leaf decorations on the window frames and doors, as well as the exquisite tapestries. He thought the Cloud Giants’ cries of poverty to him now were probably due to their fear that he had malicious intentions.

Leon inquired seriously about the circumstances from the Cloud Giant.

Mankus repeatedly claimed that someone had run to his castle to warn him that a Red Dragon and a Green Dragon were trying to rob his fortress. That Red Dragon had already raided a Fire Giant Fortress. He was momentarily deceived by these false warnings, and then proactively told Leon about it. That person could possibly come from a village occupied by Cultists.

"Do you really not know which Cult controls that village?" Leon asked while enjoying the food that Mankus had prepared for him and Cecilia. Mankus ate the same food, plus with Cecilia, who was skilled with poisons, by his side as a Green Dragon, there was no need to worry about the safety of the food.

"I have many things to deal with every day, managing my vegetable garden, taking care of pets, arranging work for the Fire Giants, and organizing the Frost Giants to collect taxes..." Mankus said, "As long as those little buggers don’t bother me, I don’t have time to pay attention to which Evil God they worship or what evil things they are planning."

Leon got the information he wanted and took the Cloud Giant’s apology – an art piece that seemed quite valuable, and of course, Cecilia received one as well. He then left with Cecilia.

"I thought we were definitely going to have a fight..." Cecilia said, "That Cloud Giant was so cowardly, and so rich... Even though he spoke of poverty, I could tell. Why did we just leave like that, we could have asked for more things."

"That’s enough, do you really think they are that easy to bully?" Leon knew his situation very well; with Mana, he was invincible, without it, he could do nothing. "I wouldn’t die, but could you survive a round under so many Giants?"

Cecilia fell silent, then after a moment asked, "Are we going to that village now? I suspect that Cloud Giant is using us... I have a lot of experience with that sort of thing."

"It’s possible he is using us, but the man who incited him coming from that village is definitely true," said Leon. "I want to go check it out."

Leon, following the information provided by the Cloud Giant, found a valley in the Lost Plateau with a village that had several houses and a small square. He landed in the middle of the square. Judging by the villagers, who did not panic upon seeing two Dragons arrive, it was clear this village was no ordinary place.

"What sect do you belong to?" Leon accosted one person.

"What does the esteemed Red Dragon want with us?" As a Cultist dressed like a captain stepped forward.

"""

"Do you not know why we’re here?" said Leon. "Call your leader out."

"Our leader is not here..." the Cultist began, upon noticing the Red Dragon glaring at him, he quickly added, "I’ll go to get him right now."

"I’ll go with you." Leon followed the Cultist away from the square and soon encountered the Cultist leader, who, at first glance, looked like a Dragonborn, but on closer inspection was actually a Half-red dragon, with more distinct Dragon features.

Dragonborn are a race, while Half-dragons are offsprings of dragons mating with other creatures in their shapeshifted state. However, a creature could also transform into a Half-dragon due to a Mad Mage’s spell or a ritual bathing in Dragon Blood.

"What sect do you belong to? The Cult of the Dragon?" Leon recalled the founding prophecy of the Cult of the Dragon born from a translation error—it prophesied that dead giant dragons would rule the world, an idea they have been fixated on, as they focus on creating Dragon Witch Demons to fulfill that prophecy, until their belief was altered by Tiamat. "You should know why we’re here."

The Half-red dragon cultist looked at the massive head of the Red Dragon drawing near, and despite inheriting the haughty nature of the Red Dragon, could not help but feel fear, swallowing hard and instinctively stepping back, he said, "I know."

Leon believes in an eye for an eye; those who kill must be prepared to be killed, of course, with interest when returning the favor. Since there was no intention from the other party to kill him, he was not ready to act and kill either, so he asked, "What do you think I should do now?"

"We, we are following the orders of her Majesty," mumbled the Half-dragon cultist hesitantly.

"So, what you mean is, you’re just a tool," Leon lifted a claw and pointed to the sky. "Should I look for her?"

Suddenly, a huge shadow covered the sky, accompanied by the sound of wings flapping and roars.

Cecilia was right next to him, so who was flying above? Leon looked up to see a giant Red Dragon circling in the sky before landing on the ground, completely disregarding the houses it trampled underfoot.

This Red Dragon was unquestionably mature, although it was unclear whether it had just reached adulthood or entered its prime. One might deduce the age of the Red Dragon from certain details, such as the thickness of its scales and the color of its pupils, however, Leon did not possess that level of expertise.

What Leon did know was that this Red Dragon was of a tremendously large size; when its limbs were planted on the ground, its shoulder height was over a meter taller than his, which might mean it was a third larger than him. Three times larger in all dimensions meant its weight could be double or more—it was the difference between flyweight and heavyweight in a boxing match.

The Red Dragon sized up Leon and said, "My name is Angmog, have you heard of this name?"

Leon disliked having to look up while speaking, so he used his hind legs and tail to stand up, becoming as tall as a three-story building, and thought back to the Prison Fire Villain at the Efreeti Fortress mentioning a name that sounded like Angmog, and replied, "My name is Leon."

"What an unpleasant name," Angmog looked down at Leon with his head held high. "You may be taller standing up, but does that serve any purpose apart from self-deception? It just shows how frightened you are, runt."

"I might be a runt, but when you were my size, you must have been even bigger and stronger," Leon retorted sarcastically.

Being a Red Dragon himself, Angmog could definitely tell Leon was a teenage dragon. Now close to a tremendously large size, he was extraordinary, no wonder he had gained Tiamat’s favor. Angmog, who had always been an ordinary Red Dragon, said sourly, "It seems I’ll have to replace your parents and teach you manners, especially when you’re addressing elders."

"Is age all you have to boast about?" Leon taunted.

Hearing Leon’s words, Cecilia couldn’t help but burst out laughing, never knowing before that he was capable of such talk.

Cecilia’s laugh, though soft, was heard by Angmog. Red Dragons looked down on other dragon types, and especially so for Green Dragons who were third in color rank, and he said unkindly, "Get lost, don’t make me act, you repulsive stick insect."

Angmog was an extremely large Red Dragon, verging on being colossal. Cecilia dared not speak, bowing her head and retreating obediently, although she was thrilled inside, anticipating a good show.

Angmog turned back to Leon, thinking to himself that despite all the years, it was his first time being summoned by Tiamat, and it was all for this individual. No matter how he looked at it, he felt resentful and said, "You escaped from the hands of those Cloud Giants, or perhaps never went there at all... just to avoid me having to act."

Even Tiamat’s command didn’t mean much to a Red Dragon; in a way, one could interpret it as listening but not really listening.

"I’ve heard that your flames are quite special," Angmog said with disdain, "Spray it at me."

Leon remembered someone once saying something similar to him, whose grave is probably overgrown with trees by now.

"""