Tale of the Red Dragon Without Dragon’s Might
Chapter 150 - 149 I’m Done Speaking

Chapter 150: Chapter 149 I’m Done Speaking

Leon genuinely wanted to rule Watchtower Port, so tyranny was not an option. Under such circumstances, a benevolent subordinate was essential, otherwise, entrusting all administrative duties to Cecilia the Green Dragon, or to the Efreeti, would inevitably result in troubled and destitute citizens, with evil prevailing and no chance for development.

To spare the bronze dragon, Leon decided to let the adventurers go, although they had indeed killed many Fire Melt Salamanders and were undeniably executioners... They could be spared from death, but not from punishment; they didn’t need to lose hands or feet, merely that they must leave all their weapons and equipment behind.

Leon picked out a few interesting items he fancied, and the rest were rewarded to the Fire Melt Salamanders, considered as a form of compensation and consolation. As for them giving the items to the evil Fire Element Prince Yimixi later, keeping only a portion for themselves, Leon couldn’t be bothered to care.

Leon couldn’t be bothered to trouble the adventurers for the sake of the Fire Melt Salamanders, one reason being his utter disdain for them—he was quite sure that at Yimixi’s command, they wouldn’t hesitate to betray him.

"That Red Dragon actually let us go."

At this time, the group of adventurers was sitting in the small boat they had taken to the Volcanic Island, heading back to Watchtower Port. Each was wearing just a pair of shorts, barely covering their private parts to avoid complete embarrassment, though they were already quite embarrassed. At least they had saved their skins, and that was enough.

"That justice-filled, foolish female knight turned out to be a bronze dragon." The Wanderer was very unhappy about the heavy losses incurred in this adventure, "At least there should have been a fight giving us a chance to escape; to be pinned to the ground unable to move from the moment we met her... Even if a bronze dragon couldn’t beat a Red Dragon, it’s too shameful."

"Talk about biting the hand that feeds you," curled up in a corner of the boat, the Elf Ranger spoke, his damp hair clinging with sand and gravel, his muscular back covered with wounds, still exuding charm despite being in such a sorry state, "If it weren’t for her, you’d be in the belly of a Red Dragon by now."

"That Red Dragon is very special." The Stealth said with a flexible sense of morality, "If it really comes down to it, I could consider being his subordinate."

"I see he doesn’t fancy you much," taunted the Elf Ranger.

"That Red Dragon really is very special. Despite his size, his scales still shine like those of a baby dragon," commented the knowledgeable Mage, "And have you noticed... normal Red Dragons are supposed to be clumsy, like bronze dragons are clumsy in their movements, yet he is incredibly agile and capable of performing complex movements with ease, almost like a large cat."

As a direct victim, the Elf Ranger, who sympathized, said, "I have never heard of a dragon whose tail is so flexible that it can wrap around my foot like a snake."

"He also knows a lot of spells," said the Mage, "Even for an Innate Spellcaster, given his age, he shouldn’t have mastered so many spells. And I’ve never seen his spells before; his Invisibility Technique leaves no footprints, and his Lightning Magic is neither a Magic Arrow, Lightning Beam, nor Chain Lightning."

The Barbarian, shirtless at the bow of the boat, kicked the bard with his foot and said, "Aren’t you usually the one who talks the most? Got so discouraged after being hit? It’s no big deal, just some weapons and equipment; if they’re gone, they’re gone. Our skills don’t get lost, we just start over."

"I’m not disheartened," the bard held his head, "I was just thinking... I heard him say, he is a Ruby Dragon."

"But didn’t he say he wasn’t a Ruby Dragon?" said the Elf Ranger, "He was just deceiving the bronze dragon."

"Could it then be possible, that his claim of being a Red Dragon is the real deception? When the fake is real, the real is also fake," pondered the bard whose mind was often agile, "If he were a Red Dragon, have you ever seen one that’s so easygoing? Normal Red Dragons, aren’t they all quick-tempered, arrogant, and vindictive? Nothing like him in negotiations."

"I don’t care, whether he is a Red Dragon or not," the bard said stubbornly, "In my story, he is a Ruby Dragon."

"I also think being defeated by a special Ruby Dragon is more honorable than by a regular Red Dragon," interjected the Wanderer.

"To lose to a Red Dragon is no disgrace. To escape from the clutches of a Red Dragon is something to boast about for a month," added the Barbarian, "so we shouldn’t lie."

"I already said it’s a story," the bard looked up at the blue sky, "Art comes from life but is higher than life."

The bard insisted on turning today’s events into a story. It didn’t matter if people believed it or not, and it could be regarded as a joke, whether people believed in the existence of a Ruby Dragon or went looking for some Red Dragon was none of his concern.

Leon did not yet know what kind of impact these adventurers he had just released might bring him in the future. It could be good, or it could be bad; he followed Fiora, the name of the bronze dragon, to Watchtower Port.

"Miss Fiora, how come you are free to visit today?" As an adventurer with some renown in Watchtower Port, especially for being filled with a sense of justice, easy to fool, and pleasant to look at, the Mayor naturally knew her, "Is the investigation of the Volcano sorted out?"

Fiora gave Leon a stern glance.

"I came here specifically to deal with this matter," said Leon with a smile to the portly Mayor, "It seems we frightened you by awakening the volcano. Truly sorry about that."

Hearing Leon’s seemingly submissive words, the Mayor’s demeanor changed almost instantaneously, starting to order around and said, "Hmm, who are you, what is your purpose, and who instructed you to do that?"

Fiora grabbed the Mayor’s clothes and shook her head repeatedly.

"Miss Fiora, you really are too kind," sighed the Mayor, who had to show respect to the female knight, "You have no idea how much trouble he has caused for us. This matter definitely cannot be let go just like that."

"I also think this matter can’t be just let go," Leon swept his gaze around, casually grabbed a piece of fruit from the table and took a bite, then plopped down on a stool, crossed his legs, "Gather everyone who has a say in Watchtower Port, let’s discuss the matter of compensation."

"Miss Fiora, we had an agreement beforehand, you shouldn’t speak," Leon reminded.

Fiora bit her lips hard.

To Leon’s surprise, the Mayor actually called people over—a good seven or eight of them. Leon wasn’t sure what their specific roles were, whether they were advisors, officials, or local dignitaries.

"Is it you who is behind this?" The Security Captain sized up Leon while resting his hand on his sword hilt, "You look too handsome to be a bad guy. There are still four people who have not returned. Are they dead or alive? You must take responsibility for this."

A tall, thin advisor in a robe, with a hawkish nose and hands clasped behind his back touching his ring, looked at Leon and said, "Do you know how much money we’ve spent hiring adventurers over and over again for your sake? Over one thousand gold coins."

Leon finished his fruit and coughed, drawing everyone’s attention before raising his hands to quiet the air, "Let me say a few words."

"We awakened the volcano on the island but did not cause an eruption, so there’s no volcanic ash everywhere. Therefore, we bear no responsibility... It’s your own wishful thinking to worry about the volcano erupting and endangering Watchtower Port," Leon paused, "Spending so much money to hire adventurers was your own doing."

"You came to the island without notifying me and in the end, many of our people were killed... The Fire Melt Salamanders are my loyal subordinates, this can’t be overlooked," Leon continued.

"In conclusion, you must compensate me, at least one thousand gold coins," Leon said as he stood up, "I’ve said my piece. Who supports and who opposes?"

They were not here to settle the issue with compensation, but to demand compensation instead?

"Ridiculous!"

"Outrageous!"

"I object," The gaunt man stood out, almost pointing a finger at Leon’s nose, "You’ve caused so much trouble, and not only do you not offer compensation, but you also want us to pay you? Utterly delusional."

Leon glanced at the thin man—a powerless commoner—and stretched out his hand, using the Object Capture Skill to pull the thin man into the air and effortlessly lifted him by the neck.

"Release the tax collector immediately." The Security Captain drew his sword and pointed it at Leon, then swinging both hands towards Leon’s arm, feeling as if he had struck steel, almost breaking his own arm, and noticing the change in Leon’s expression.

He was once an adventurer himself, having faced Trolls alone. How was it that he felt so powerless now?

Just how strong was Leon?

Leon dropped the gaunt man to the ground and said, "Five thousand gold coins for compensation, and then one thousand gold coins a month for protection."

"Yes, protection. Only one thousand gold coins a month and I’ll be your guardian deity, ensuring that your town remains free from any threat," Leon sought a complete city, not ruins, and besides, he had no one with him to manage a forcibly taken city. It was better to take it slow, first appearing as a guardian deity and gradually encroaching like a cuckoo taking over the nest.

"Who are you?" the Security Captain furrowed his brow.

"Miss Fiora, who is he exactly?" someone turned their gaze towards the female knight.

Fiora fell silent for a good dozen seconds, licked her dry lips, and slowly uttered one word: "Dragon."

"Dragon?" The Security Captain paused, "Volcano... Red Dragon?"

"His Excellency the Red Dragon?" the Mayor turned to look at Leon.

"Do you seek any guidance?" Leon touched his hair.

"Nothing, nothing at all," the Mayor hastily replied.

"About that one thousand gold coins protection fee..." Coming from the Gold Shore Chamber of Commerce, as a merchant by trade, the Mayor had the audacity to haggle, but realizing that Leon was staring intently at him, he swallowed his words, "Isn’t it a bit too little?"

"Uh..." This time it was Leon’s turn to be somewhat bewildered, "So should I increase it a bit for you?"