Tale of the Red Dragon Without Dragon’s Might
Chapter 184 - 183: This is What Logistics Truly Means

Chapter 184: Chapter 183: This is What Logistics Truly Means

Samadhi True Fire, Vajra Body, Soul Summoning Mantra... The Soul Summoning Mantra is a divine artifact for bullying weaker opponents. On high-level battlefields, it doesn’t have much use, but it doesn’t matter because the spells Leon now commands are enough for him to sweep through the Material Plane. The only trouble is that his mana accumulation still isn’t sufficient for prolonged combat.

From teenage dragon to adolescent dragon, everything else can be temporarily set aside, but training cannot be forgotten. Leon’s mana has indeed improved significantly.

You may have grown, but my growth will always outpace yours. Even if Angmog advances into Blood Scale Frenzy, Leon is entirely unperturbed.

Of course, while he is not panicked, one’s life is still singular. When necessary, cowardice is just prudence. Leon dares to be so audacious, shouting about storming Angmog’s lair directly, only because he has both a Cloud Giant and a Silver Dragon as allies.

Outnumbering and overwhelming—what’s there to fear?

Quickly defeat Angmog and return to Volcanic Island for a good nap. How lovely would that be?

Strategically disregard the enemy, tactically respect them. The Cloud Giant suggested discussing the battle plan.

Although Leon preferred a "rush in first and speak later" approach to dungeons in games, he’s one hundred percent supportive when teammates provide strategies. He’s also willing to follow the plans rather than act independently.

Ultimately, Leon has only passed through the Lost Plateau occasionally without residing there. That’s because Tiamat schemed against him, leading to a fight with Angmog; regarding Angmog, Leon knows little and can only rely on the Cloud Giant and Silver Dragon’s insights.

"I’ve heard Angmog has several lairs," Grianna began. "I only know one at Sunshine Peak; I’ve never been there myself, though."

"Knowing one lair is enough, because he couldn’t possibly leave it unattended. We just need to invade that lair to lure him out."

"Our task isn’t just to lure him out but to draw him outdoors into the wilderness. He’s a mature Red Dragon—surely, he’s spent years fortifying his lairs. Inside, he can freely manipulate magical energy, disrupt us, or amplify himself."

"If danger arises, Angmog will definitely flee. So, we need to custom-tailor his battlefield."

The Cloud Giant’s patron deity and guide is known as the Deceiver Manuo, considered the most intelligent and cunning of giant deities. Evil Cloud Giants emulate its deceit and selfishness, while good-natured ones mimic its cleverness and silver-tongued eloquence.

Given such a nature, Mankus, as a Cloud Giant, is quite adept at scheming—whether or not it proves useful later. He can spin an elaborate narrative that sounds impressive.

Through detailed planning, the final decision was for Leon to lead the charge, because he is stronger and, being the one who defeated Angmog before, can easily ignite Angmog’s fury. Next, they’d lure Angmog to the ambush planned by the Silver Dragon and Cloud Giant, culminating in a righteous three-on-one battle.

"I know what to do now," Leon said. "Can we go now?"

"Wait, don’t rush... ’Before troops move, provisions must first be secured,’" Mankus suddenly spoke with literary flair. "Are your Tear Claw and Dragon’s Jaw frequently used? Might they need some maintenance?"

"Rarely used, haven’t been used much," Leon thought to himself. Ever since obtaining Tear Claw and Dragon’s Jaw, they’d only been properly utilized against the Death Knight; eventually, he swapped them for the Catastrophe Blade. Usually, they were just flashy ornaments.

"Even if rarely used, maintenance is still necessary—apply precise oil." Mankus waved dismissively. "Though my treasures were stolen, it doesn’t mean I can’t criticize the Fire Giants. Follow me; I’ll take you to find the Fire Giants to do proper maintenance. Conveniently, we’ll pass through a Fire Giant Fortress on our way to Sunshine Peak."

"Since maintenance is in order, this sword of mine hasn’t been polished in ages." Seizing a bargain, Leon pulled out the Catastrophe Blade. "Tear Claw and Dragon’s Jaw aren’t that crucial; my primary weapon is this sword."

Grianna was visibly perplexed when Leon pulled out a sword. She asked, "You say your weapon is a sword? You know how to wield one?"

"What do you think?"

To earn the chance for maintenance, Leon didn’t mind showing off. Gripping the hilt, he infused the blade with precise control, sending the flying sword dancing through the skies, slicing clouds apart. With a flick of his claw, he summoned the sword back into his paw, holding it steadily.

Is there any real difference between a Red Dragon and Silver Dragon? Grianna stared down at her claws, hesitant to speak. She felt this was too absurd—swinging a sword in one’s jaws was vaguely acceptable, but using claws seemed utterly outrageous.

"How did you manage that?" Grianna asked patiently after calming herself for a while.

"Innate talent," Leon replied, glancing at the Cloud Giant with his sword in hand. "How about it?"

"A true eye-opener," Mankus burst into laughter.

With both the Silver Dragon and Red Dragon on his side, Angmog was insignificant. In high spirits, Mankus couldn’t be more pleased.

Thus, to avoid unnecessary complications, given the friction between Fire Giants and Red Dragons, Leon transformed into his human form. Shortly after, Grianna also adopted human form: a strikingly handsome silver-haired man. The two followed the Cloud Giant to the Fire Giant Fortress.

The Cloud Giant’s demeanor at the Fire Giant Fortress was commanding and brazen.

"You’ll clean and maintain all these weapons for me."

"Don’t skimp—apply precise oil everywhere."

"Is your elder around? If so, summon him... I remember he’s skilled at enchanting elemental weapons."

"Don’t bother asking about the origin of this sword."

"No fire enchantments—can you do freezing enchantments?"

"I’m planning to use it to slay the Red Dragon Angmog. Does that suffice as an answer?"

After leaving the Fire Giant Fortress, equipped with freshly maintained weapons glowing with enchantments, Leon followed the Cloud Giant to scout the terrain further.

"Once you locate Angmog’s lair, enter directly. If Angmog is there... do as you see fit. Your task is simply to lure him out and lead him here," Mankus said, surveying the gorge from above. "Grianna and I will hide nearby and wait to ambush him."

"No problem," Leon replied, analyzing the gorge and pinpointing ideal ambush spots.

"Don’t flee too quickly the moment you meet him. If you run off right away, Angmog will suspect a trap. Engage him briefly, allow yourself to fall to a disadvantage, and then retreat. He’ll be less likely to suspect trickery then," Mankus suggested cautiously.

Stretching his neck, Leon said, "I’ll play it by ear."

Unlike the chaotic-neutral Frost Giants or the lawful-evil Fire Giants, Cloud Giants’ morality split evenly between neutral-evil and neutral-good alignments. To earn the favor of the Metal Dragon Silver Dragon, Mankus might not be particularly benevolent but certainly isn’t evil.

"Angmog stole my treasure vault, but I still have a few items left," Mankus suddenly said, pulling out a potion bottle. "This is a Cloud Giant Power Potion. I don’t know if it’ll be useful to you."

"Probably not. You’re not stronger than I am, right? I’m an adolescent dragon, but don’t think of me as just an adolescent dragon," Leon said, eyeing the potion, which contained fragments of Cloud Giant nails suspended in transparent liquid. He found it slightly revolting. "Got anything else?"

"Bloodthirsty Elixir," Mankus replied, producing another potion. The crimson liquid radiated a malevolent aura. "Drink it, and you’ll become far more bloodthirsty."

Leon took the elixir—an extra-large portion, practically a small bucket’s worth, sufficient to affect giants as well as dragons.

"Drink it now," Mankus urged.

"There’s no rush; we can wait until we reach Angmog’s lair," Leon replied.

"Drinking it now is fine as well," Mankus insisted. "This potion has prolonged effects and lasts for a long time."

"Why do I get the sense you’re desperate for me to drink this?" Leon was a bit suspicious—he felt Angmog wasn’t yet worthy of the potion and entertained thoughts of pocketing the Bloodthirsty Elixir for himself.

"I’m not worried about that," Mankus replied after some thought. "If you drink it now and experience any negative effects, we can help you deal with them."

Reluctantly, Leon drank the Bloodthirsty Elixir, pained by the thought of using it.

"Feel anything unusual?" Mankus examined him closely.

Leon felt his chest, lifting a limb to press against it. "My heartbeat’s pounding intensely."

"That’s normal," Mankus replied. "A slight buzzing in the ears or warmth in your body would also be normal."

"The latter two aren’t happening," Leon admitted.

"Moreover, you may not know I’m also a bard—nearly ascended to becoming a Cloud Giant Laugher. I know a few bard spells," Mankus said, beginning a spell and completing it in seconds before lightly touching Leon. "Bull’s Strength—it enhances your strength, boosting your claw attacks and bites with added force."

Leon waved his claws experimentally; his muscles had noticeably strengthened. He casually slapped a tree, toppling it with ease, greedily prompting, "Anything else? Bear’s Tenacity, Cat’s Grace?"

"Just this one," Mankus replied. "Similar spells can’t overlap an effect."

"What a pity," Leon lamented internally, realizing this world’s spell overlap rules differed somewhat from the game-setting handbook—not as powerful as in version 3, nor requiring concentration like version 5.

Mankus turned to the Silver Dragon next, saying, "Your turn."

"I only know this one," Grianna approached Leon, lifting his claw to tap him lightly. "Big Step Running—it increases your movement speed."

Testing his pace, Leon felt his steps becoming more nimble and swift.

"That’s all for now," Mankus patted Leon’s shoulder. "Go ahead—don’t get yourself killed."

Leon ignored the Cloud Giant, deeply immersed in the sensation of newfound power coursing through his body in a bit of a daze.

Weapons meticulously maintained, precisely oiled, enchanted with elemental effects, potions consumed—Bloodthirsty Elixir—and further strengthened by spells such as Bull’s Strength and Big Step Running. Leon had never fought a battle feeling this abundantly prepared before.