Tale of the Red Dragon Without Dragon’s Might
Chapter 146 - 145 Confrontation

Chapter 146: Chapter 145 Confrontation

Because the main character of this volcano awakening action was the Efreeti, he was simply preserved for safety reasons. Leon had no sense of caution at all, unaware that someone had set their sights on him. Even if he knew, he probably wouldn’t care. He was just sitting on a seaside rock, idly enjoying the sea breeze.

If it weren’t for the fact that transforming into his Red Dragon Form could easily startle the enemy, a giant Red Dragon flying in the sky would be noticeable to anyone who looked up. He really wanted to revert to his Dragon Form, speeding over the sea surface or ascend thousands of meters into the air before plunging into the water for a bath.

If he had prepared a bit more and remembered to bring a fishing rod, it would definitely have been nice to go fishing. Sadly, he had not.

After enjoying the sea breeze and moving from one rock to another, Leon suddenly thought about what the Efreeti would do after awakening the volcano. He must turn Volcanic Island into a perfect lair, unlike his previous abode in the Molten Lava Lake where he just casually modified Dome Castle just to have a place to stay.

First, a castle suitable for living in Dragon Form must be built on the crater of the volcano... It didn’t necessarily have to be a castle, just a big room that could shelter his Dragon Form from wind and rain would do, otherwise it would be too wasteful. There must also be a huge platform for his Dragon Form to move around, convenient for taking off and landing.

In his human form, the place to live, whether a castle or a villa, couldn’t be taken lightly. It had to be large and beautiful. It didn’t need to be built on the top of the mountain. Constructing it at the base of the mountain or by the seaside would be just right; he could watch the sea and take walks on the beach whenever he wanted, and even fish if in a good mood. Just the thought of it was delightful.

He didn’t like those Fire Melt Salamanders much; not only were they ugly, but they were also disloyal, actually worshipping the evil Fire Element Prince Yimixi. When the time came, they would be driven to live on other islands. As for servants, he would prefer pretty girls - a Human maid, an Elf maid, or a Tiefling maid would all do...

"Master, master, something terrible has happened!"

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached. A Molten Salamander Contract Mage ran over with a group of Molten Salamander Knights riding Striders, rushing to the seaside, interrupting Leon’s thoughts.

Leon was a little upset about his disrupted leisure, but being a not chaotic or evil Red Dragon, he wouldn’t resort to violence at the drop of a hat. He knew to weigh his actions and, in the end, was not angry. Instead, he asked expressionlessly: "What happened?"

"There’s a group, a group of adventurers who’ve intruded on our island," panted the Molten Salamander Contract Mage, breathlessly. It spoke Universal Language by habit, unaware that Leon could understand Dragon Language, but the Efreeti could not, "Several of our patrol squads have disappeared without a trace, not a single one escaped."

"This is your territory, you are the natives here and more familiar with the environment than anyone. Yet not a single one of you escaped..." Leon analyzed, "It seems a strong group of adventurers has arrived today."

Though he said that, Leon didn’t really care because in his mind the Fire Melt Salamanders were too weak. Not even comparable to Salamanders, which are major elemental creatures ready to fight. The Fire Melt Salamanders were even inferior to the Orcs and Hobgoblins he had previously gathered, barely better than goblins.

"That’s why I have ordered everyone to scatter and hide," said the Molten Salamander Contract Mage, "And then we immediately came to report to you, Master."

"I understand," Leon looked up towards the top of the mountain, "Now you go up the mountain and inform the Efreeti to be cautious. Should danger arise, come find me."

Yes, Leon couldn’t possibly stay at the peak 24 hours a day to guard the Efreeti. He simply had to intervene when the Efreeti was in danger... No need to worry that the Efreeti would meet any formidable enemies that even he couldn’t handle, as such remote places were unlikely to harbor such powerful foes.

The Molten Salamander Contract Mage had yet to lead his men away when Leon saw a group of five emerge from the woods: a Strong Barbarian, a bard carrying a Lute, an Elf Ranger, a Mage, and a Golden-haired Knight. Their equipment revealed their formidable strength, making it clear that the Efreeti would not necessarily win against them.

It’s unfortunate that monsters, despite being stronger than Humans, Dwarves, Elves, etc., end up as the vanquished unless they hide away. The reason is monsters are arrogant and do not understand unity, no match for the coordinated efforts of others.

The Molten Salamander Contract Mage was obviously afraid of the adventurers and instinctively retreated in front of Leon.

"He doesn’t look like a Dragon Vein Mage."

"Because he hasn’t transformed yet."

"Pretty boy... naturally such beauty, what a shame to be reduced to a thief."

"You’re just jealous... Right, you’re a bard, you go talk to him."

"I have no idea what to say either."

The troupe of bards were pushed out, stepping on the soft sands heading toward the beach, and said, "You look so handsome, why are you so cruel-hearted?"

"You yourself don’t look too bad, why are you speaking such nonsense." Leon sized up the bard, a somewhat weathered but handsome older man, "How am I cruel-hearted? Have I killed anyone, or have I set anything on fire? I haven’t done anything, on the contrary, it’s you who started killing as soon as you arrived."

"How have we killed anyone?" the bard reflexively retorted.

Although Leon didn’t really consider the Fire Melt Salamanders as real people, that didn’t stop him from pointing at them and saying, "Aren’t they people too?"

The bard realized, those Fire Melt Salamanders, despite being odd-looking, were intelligent beings capable of communication, not very smart though, and could be considered people if one really had to say so, but most likely not many would consider them as such. He said, "It was they who attacked us first."

"One’s not of my tribe, their heart must be different. You killed, so you killed." Leon said, "Now daring to act but not taking responsibility, I despise you."

"So you dare to act and take responsibility?" The bard didn’t affirm or deny but shifted the topic, turning the tables, "Was it you who commanded the Efreeti to awaken the volcano?"

"Yes," thought Leon, having done nothing yet, "Is there a problem?"

At this critical moment, the Mage stood out. He was very knowledgeable and said, "Awakening a volcano leads to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions that spew ash, which can severely pollute the air, irritate people’s eyes, affect the respiratory system, and damage lung functions..."

"Volcanic eruptions depend on the size; a super-volcano eruption does indeed cause great harm, but nothing really happens when a small volcano erupts." thought Leon, having heard that Earth’s largest volcanic eruption once caused nearly tens of thousands of fatalities, "Do you think that volcano is a super-volcano or a small one?"

"Anyway, you’re hell-bent on waking up that particular volcano, right?" asked the bard.

"Right." Leon was quite fond of that volcano.

"We don’t know whether the power of that volcano is great or small, but we can’t take risks with something that concerns life and death, so we can only prevent you from awakening it." said the Golden-haired Knight, "You now call the Efreeti to stand down and then leave this place, we won’t stop you, otherwise, don’t blame us for being rude."

"What kind of rudeness?" Leon drew out the Catastrophe Blade from thin air.

"Defeat you." The Golden-haired Knight said, "Then tie you up and send you to prison, eventually to have the people judge you."

"Miss, you’re really somewhat adorable." Leon laughed, "I don’t have the heart to kill you."

"Why are you still wasting words?" The Barbarian was already impatient, "Let’s get on with it."

As the Barbarian took out his axe, the rest drew their weapons, readying their stance.

The Elf Ranger initiated the attack, pulling an arrow from his quiver, stretching the bowstring into a full moon, took aim at Leon, and decisively released the arrow.

The arrow pierced the air with a howling sound, hitting Leon’s chest accurately, then as if it had struck steel, was deflected, the shaft nearly breaking from the powerful backlash.

This spectacle made the lurking Wanderer click his tongue in amazement, contemplating retreat.

No, even if you are a Dragon Vein Mage, dragon scales can’t be that hard, can they?