Tale of the Red Dragon Without Dragon’s Might
Chapter 152 - 151 Migration Preparation

Chapter 152: Chapter 151 Migration Preparation

The greatest challenge dragons might face in flying is the takeoff. Given the chance, dragons prefer to take off from heights, gaining speed by descending. Otherwise, they have to spread their wings and jump fiercely into the air to propel themselves.

The speed of a dragon’s flight is quite fast. Each wingbeat generates an astonishing amount of lift and thrust. Under the right conditions, such as finding rising air currents, they can soar effortlessly for hours, quickly covering vast distances.

Even so, even by flying, the journey from Watchtower Port through the Lost Plateau to Molten Lava Lake, located in the Red Crown Desert, spans several hundred to thousands of kilometers. It took Leon one whole day, and he didn’t want to experience it again anytime soon.

Finally back at Molten Lava Lake, Leon didn’t seek out anyone. The first thing he did was dive into Dome Castle to get a good sleep.

As he’s getting older, he’s finding himself more inclined to sleep. Back when he was a baby dragon, he could cause trouble all day long, but now, unless there’s something that really needs doing, he must sleep at noon, at least ten hours a day.

Leon slept nearly twenty hours until the next day, only to find that Cecilia had appeared in Dome Castle at some point, thoughtfully preparing food for him. Roast camels, roast mutton seasoned with salt and spices greeted his nose.

"When did master return?" asked Cecilia.

For the present Leon, a large camel was just a half-chicken in the hands of a normal person. Leon grabbed the roasted camel, devoured a leg, and replied, "Yesterday."

"Did you awaken the volcano?" Cecilia inquired, her desire to leave the desert clear as day. Despite unexpectedly not minding the heat, she still preferred forests and water, and Watchtower Port, with its lush forests and the sea, was ideal for her.

"Yes, we awakened the volcano. I’ve come back this time to take you guys with me," Leon said. "Prepare the cart, take all we can carry. We must walk to Watchtower Port."

Leon had considered his Sleeve of the Universe, which could store living things, but with various limitations. It could hold a basketful of ordinary people, but not many powerful creatures like Salamanders or Magma Land Sharks.

For orcs or goblins... even Hobgoblins, Leon didn’t care; such creatures could be found everywhere and discarded just as easily. But Salamanders were rare, each powerful in its own right and a living forge for master craftsmen of various planes. He couldn’t bear to part with a single one, let alone the Magma Land Sharks he’d raised for so many years.

Knowing Cecilia was eager to leave the desert, Leon told her, "Whenever you’re ready, we’ll go... Remember to bring Evil Wolf; that guy is under your charge now. I have no idea where he is or what he’s up to."

After delegating the moving arrangements to Cecilia, Leon left, not to seek Tassera but to recruit the Evil Flame Fire Giant in the Black Desert.

Life is full of disappointments, and Leon’s recruitment efforts were promptly rejected, even the alliance with the Fire Melt Salamander followers of Yimixi was futile.

Still, on second thought, the Fire Melt Salamander really counted for nothing to the powerful Evil Flame Fire Giant; aside from sharing the faith in Yimixi, they probably meant less than nothing.

Since the Evil Flame Fire Giant was unwilling to move, Leon didn’t coerce him; he was not cruel enough to resort to kidnapping. If he did have to kidnap, there were plenty of Fire Giants in the Lost Mountain Range, not much different from the Evil Flame Fire Giant.

After parting with the Evil Flame Fire Giant, Leon went looking for the Brass Dragon, only to fail as he had gone wandering off again. A chatterbox, the Brass Dragon loved engaging in conversation and frequently roamed, masquerading as an adventurer.

Leon, being a homebody, had lived in the desert for years and knew few people. His visits were brief, and soon he headed for the ancient city ruins swallowed by sand dunes.

He saved Tassera for last because, unlike others who could be dismissed with a few words, she required a more involved goodbye.

He found Tassera yawning, a sleepy beauty barely awake.

"Did I wake you?" Leon asked.

"I was awoken by the noise," Tassera rubbed her eyes and seeing where Leon’s gaze fell, pulled at her neckline, "Someone intruded into my lair."

"I came to see you as soon as I got back," Leon lied with increasing skill.

"Of course, I believe you," Tassera tidied her disheveled hair and, regaining some of her energy, dragged a stool to sit down, "Is everything settled on your end?"

"Pretty much," Leon said, "I came to invite you to come with us."

"Is the Mage Tower built?" Tassera countered.

"Always about the money," Leon retorted.

Tassera glanced sideways, her slender finger pointing outside and asked, "Guess how much time and money I’ve put into this lair over the years. You expect me to abandon it without compensation and just walk away with you? How could you?"

Leon stayed silent; he was the type who believed a career was more important than love. He looked down on those who gave up good jobs to end a long-distance relationship by moving to their partner’s city to start over unless the partner had arranged a good job for them.

"Don’t try to persuade me anymore. Without a Mage Tower, don’t even think about it," Tassera said, "Tell me about what’s been happening these past days. Was the dormant volcano real, and could the Efreeti awaken it? That island you mentioned is next to Watchtower Port, right? Did you encounter any adventurers who came to oppose you?"

Tassera suddenly laughed, "You love playing the fool to catch the wise. Those adventurers must have been quite surprised to see you suddenly transform into a Red Dragon."

"What do you mean I love playing the fool to catch the wise? Don’t you do the same?" Leon quipped, "You prefer staying in human form, then transforming into a Blue Dragon when facing enemies."

"Well, we really do have the same interests," Tassera said. "No wonder we’re a couple."

Tassera looked over Leon, her face showing hardly any childishness anymore. She thought to herself that initially, she was a young dragon, and he was a teenage dragon, which seemed a bit mismatched. But now she was still a young dragon, and he had become a youthful dragon. They seemed much more compatible now... and they were going to grow even more compatible.

"We’re not quite a couple yet, at most boyfriend and girlfriend," Leon sat across from Tassera, his gaze wandering. "Aren’t you afraid that I’ll meet other women outside and then abandon you?"

Tassera pouted, "You’ve already brought back a Green Dragon."

Leon hesitated to speak.

Tassera, mimicking the wisdom of the experienced, said: "Kids make choices, grown-ups want everything."

"I’m still a teenage dragon, still a kid," Leon said. "Kids want everything, adults know they can’t have it all... Thirty like a wolf, forty like a tiger, at fifty you can sit on the ground and suck up the dirt."

Tassera couldn’t help but laugh, "Where did you learn all these random things?"

"It’s a secret." Leon said, "Since it doesn’t bother you, I’m not afraid to tell you I’ve met another dragon."

"So what?" Tassera replied nonchalantly.

"Mother Dragon." Leon said.

"Hm?" Tassera’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Go on."

"A Bronze Dragon," Leon said. "I don’t like the color of the Bronze Dragon’s scales, but the shape is quite nice, way better looking than the White Dragon and the Brass Dragon."

"I’m a Golden Dragon, a handsome Ancient Golden Dragon at that," Tassera elegantly crossed her legs. "He just doesn’t recognize me."

"That Bronze Dragon is now under my command." Leon crossed his arms over his chest, proudly.

"Bronze Dragons are full of a sense of justice, how could she possibly become your minion," Tassera challenged. "Unless she’s as gullible as a Brass Dragon."

"She is indeed a bit gullible." Leon recounted his encounter with the Bronze Dragon, including how he threatened and deceived her.

"Are all Metal Dragons so foolish?" Tassera reasoned based on herself. If she were the Bronze Dragon, first, she wouldn’t be some righteous adventurer; second, she wouldn’t risk her life for others who aren’t her kin, and finally, she’d just play along until she could jump into the sea where the Red Dragon definitely couldn’t catch up.

"Metal Dragons may be gullible, but they sure can beat up Colorful Dragons," Leon said. "Colorful Dragons are cunning, too cunning, only look out for themselves, and will never find true friends."

"You are also a Colorful Dragon," Tassera pointed out. "Plus, you are a Red Dragon, known to have the worst reputation among them."

"So what?" Leon nodded thoughtfully. "Bad people are not required to be friends with other bad people. A smart baddie, of course, needs to be friends with good people. That way, there’s no need to constantly worry about being backstabbed; good people can’t do that kind of stuff."

"That’s not necessarily true," Tassera argued. "I wouldn’t betray anyone, but this Bronze Dragon you’re talking about might be persuaded by some just cause to betray you."

"That’s possible," Leon admitted.

"Let’s not talk about Bronze Dragons," Tassera said. "What else happened while you were out?"

"Have you ever seen a Magma Salamander?" Leon said. "When we woke up the volcano, a Magma Salamander suddenly popped out."

"No, I haven’t seen one," Tassera replied.

"Do you want to see one?" Leon said. "Just come with me to Watchtower Port and you can see it. There are many shops at Watchtower Port, selling Magic Books and Magic Items..."

Tassera brushed her long hair and said: "If you invite me so warmly, I guess it’s not impossible."

Do Magma Salamanders have such a strong attraction? Leon felt that Tassera suddenly became very easy to invite.

"When do you plan to go?" Tassera asked.

"Let’s leave in a few days," Leon shared his plans.

"Have you thought about it?" Tassera said. "A migrating caravan is easy prey to robbers."

Leon was momentarily stunned, "Surely no one would dare to rob us."