Tale of the Red Dragon Without Dragon’s Might
Chapter 248 - 246: A Grand Entrance

Chapter 248: Chapter 246: A Grand Entrance

Haken heard Castanin’s words and furrowed his brow slightly.

He hadn’t been a pirate for long and had never heard of there being a master of Moonlight Bay before.

"Tyrant Envis," Castanin said slowly. "Even if you haven’t seen him, you should’ve at least heard of him."

"No, never seen or heard of him," Haken replied, suddenly noticing a chip on the blade of his axe. He couldn’t imagine how hard the scales of that Red Dragon were—could they be harder than refined gold?

"All I know is, to become a great pirate, you must accumulate infamy. Whether it’s defeating the Empire, the Talia Alliance’s navy, digging for treasures, or establishing Pirate Black Bay, all of these can increase infamy..." Haken raised his eyes to glance at Castanin. "You know, I’m not interested in anything beyond improving my strength, my infamy, and looting."

"You’ll have the chance to see him soon enough," Castanin said, flashing sharp teeth.

"As for Tyrant Envis, that was something that happened over a hundred years ago." Castanin tilted his body slightly backward, propping himself up with both hands to avoid falling. "It’s something I heard about too."

"Don’t tell me what you’ve heard," Haken grumbled. "That damned Red Dragon isn’t living up to its name? Look at it right now—does that look like something that doesn’t live up to its name? More than that, those godforsaken rumors surrounding the Cliff Sword can’t even begin to match its capabilities..."

"Dragon Slayer Arrows, cannons, crossbow cannons—no Red Dragon, whether in its prime or old age, could withstand so much firepower. Yet it’s completely unharmed." Haken fixed his gaze on the Red Dragon at the dock, which in just the brief moments of their conversation had killed another great pirate with a single swipe.

There’s always someone stronger. These infamous great pirates, who ruled the seas and scared children into silence at night, against a genuine monster, were nothing more than a puff of air.

"And that... that spell," Haken shuddered at the memory. "What was it called? ’Blasphemous Hymn’? As holy as it was evil—it still chills me to think about it. You say it’s a Red Dragon? I think it’s something far worse, a divine abomination... though, well, I’ve never seen one of those either. Just a feeling."

Castanin neither confirmed nor denied this.

"What’s the deal with this Tyrant Envis anyway?" Haken asked. "Is he stronger than that Red Dragon?"

"I wouldn’t dare say he’s definitely stronger than the Red Dragon. I’ll only say this—Moonlight Bay stands firm solely because of him." Castanin said, "You don’t know that Moonlight Bay was once a nothing of a place—ordinary to the extreme, a run-of-the-mill Pirate Black Bay. It was he who made it what it is today."

"Go on, I’m listening," Haken said.

"Tyrant Envis wasn’t originally a pirate. He was nothing more than an ordinary Imperial commoner, until he was adopted by an Imperial noble as a foster son. For power, he made a pact with the Demon Lord, the Undead Sovereign Ocas, embracing the dark blessing of undeath and abandoning his mortal life."

"As a Vampire, Envis brutally murdered his adoptive parents to seize their fortune, establishing an underground cult devoted to Ocas within the Empire. Unfortunately, he was ultimately defeated and sealed in a coffin by the noble’s biological son—his foster brother—and thrown into the sea."

"Centuries later—over one hundred years ago—a merchant ship unknowingly recovered that coffin from the sea floor, only to be attacked by a pirate vessel that stole all their treasure, cargo, and that same coffin." Castanin paused. "During the pirates’ frenzied looting of their spoils, they pried open the coffin, awakening Envis..."

"Envis turned all those pirates into his Vampire Derivatives, taking control of their ship. From then on, he began his life as a pirate, quickly rising to become a great pirate, and eventually the Pirate King..."

"Moonlight Bay used to have no ruler. It was far more chaotic than it is now," Castanin said. "Ever since Envis arrived, he unified Moonlight Bay... He is evil and powerful, adept at manipulating hearts, ruthless and merciless, yet possesses a charisma that makes villains across the world bow before him. Known as the Embodiment of Evil and the Savior of the Wicked, he gradually shaped Moonlight Bay as we know it today."

"What happened later, I don’t know. All I know is that he’s been in a deep slumber within his castle for years on end. Otherwise, Moonlight Bay would’ve long since become a haven for the dead." Castanin let out a venomous smile. "Tyrant Envis once defeated a bronze dragon with a single strike, and his mount is a dragon."

"A dragon serving as the mount of a Vampire?" Haken blurted, "I may not be well-read, but don’t try to fool me."

"Not a living dragon, but a dead one." Castanin was about to say more when he suddenly sensed something. His eyes snapped toward the heavens.

Haken followed Castanin’s gaze up to the sky, where darkness was engulfing the sky at an unnatural speed. He recalled hearing somewhere that Vampires are generally sensitive to sunlight and avoid direct exposure—but that powerful Vampires could use black magic to shroud the sky in darkness...

As the sky darkened visibly, Leon halted his slaughter and raised his head to look upward. Something was clearly approaching.

From the intel provided by the Gold Shore Chamber of Commerce, he was aware that Moonlight Bay was host to several major factions and many great pirates. However, none were worth his attention—except for the master of Moonlight Bay, though that individual hadn’t been seen in a long time.

A swarm of bats poured in from all directions, darkening the docks as they coalesced into figures—men and women clad in brilliant armor, forming two orderly rows. One row consisted of dashingly handsome male Vampires, the other of exquisitely alluring female Vampires.

Leon looked at these Vampires and recalled his past encounter with one in Crossroads City. It hadn’t been an easy fight. Even with his vastly greater strength now, facing so many of them, he dared not let his guard down.

The Vampires, clearly unfriendly, refrained from attacking Leon. Instead, they all suddenly knelt on one knee and shouted, "White Night Dawns! The White Night Guard invites the Progenitor!"

A roar shattered the silence as a massive black shadow of a dragon surged skyward.

Vampire Dragon?

No.

Vampire Dragons look no different from living dragons, save for their eyes, which flash with ferocious, predatory light. But the one before him had decayed scales riddled with worm-eaten holes. It must be a Dragon Witch Demon?

Dragons, no matter how long-lived, must eventually face death. Yet many are unwilling to accept this fate. Some individuals undergo ancient transformational rituals, infusing themselves with necromantic energy to become powerful Undead Dragon Necromancers.

Many dragons seek destruction and domination as their wicked goals, but Dragon Witch Demons are even more malicious, yearning to reign over everything with their venomous intellect—tyrannical and ruthless masters of schemes.

No, this wasn’t a Dragon Witch Demon either, but a Zombie Dragon.

Zombie Dragons are created through necromantic spells, retaining some of a dragon’s abilities and traits. In most respects, however, they function like ordinary zombies, capable only of obeying commands and unable to act with independent will.

Zombie Dragons are far inferior to Dragon Witch Demons, but can’t be underestimated. Their challenge rating isn’t low, and, most importantly, Zombie Dragons can only exist as guards or mounts. Behind one, there must be a master—someone capable of controlling a Zombie Dragon cannot be taken lightly.

The Zombie Dragon clumsily flapped its wings as it descended to the docks. Standing atop its head was a man clad in blood-red armor, with golden-blonde hair, skin so pale it bordered on translucent, and ice-cold eyes that seemed to pierce into the soul.

"He’s here. He’s shown himself—Tyrant Envis," Castanin said. "We’re saved."

"I’m out of here," Castanin said, standing and leaping off the warehouse roof.

"Castanin?" Envis leapt off the Zombie Dragon’s head, glancing briefly at the Undead Admiral. "Long time no see. I trust you’ve been well."

"Lord Envis," Castanin saluted.

"Your aura is faint. Who injured you so badly?" Envis asked.

Haken didn’t bother hiding on the warehouse roof. If this so-called Tyrant Envis was truly the master of Moonlight Bay, he had to make himself known. He raised a hand to point at Leon and said, "It was that Red Dragon."

Envis raised his head to look at the Red Dragon. "A mere Red Dragon dares cause havoc in Moonlight Bay?"

"He’s killed over a hundred pirates, including several great pirates, and even claimed he would burn all of Moonlight Bay to the ground," Castanin said. "His scales are impenetrable, resistant to swords, spears, cannons, or crossbow cannons. None of our attacks have an effect on him. He’s unnaturally agile—not as clumsy as a normal Red Dragon, and his reaction speed is faster than a cat’s."

Even though the Red Dragon’s lightning was no ordinary lightning, Castanin wouldn’t admit it. He wasn’t about to let the Red Dragon’s two fatal bolts of lightning explain his current state. As an Undead creature, he could no longer pursue food, beauty, or sensual pleasures. A reputation was among the few things left for him to cherish.

"Lord, you must exercise caution when dealing with him," Castanin said with a slight bow.

Envis snorted dismissively, unimpressed.

"His scales really are incredibly tough," Haken added. "My axe couldn’t even scratch them. Instead, his scales chipped my blade."

"That pitiful axe of yours..." Envis cast a disdainful glance at Haken’s weapon. "Isn’t even worthy of being compared to my sword."

Envis unsheathed his sword and raised it up. "My sword can slice through iron like mud. There’s nothing it can’t cut."

"I’ve slept for so many years, and today I finally awaken. My sword hungers. It’s time to feast," Envis laughed. "I must be truly fortunate to encounter a Red Dragon upon waking. Soon, it will drink its fill of blood."

"We’ll assist you," Castanin offered. "Together we can kill that Red Dragon."

"Get lost! All of you, stand back," Envis snapped with disdain, waving them off. "You think I need help from the likes of you?"

Flicking his cloak, Envis stepped back onto the Zombie Dragon’s head. He directed the creature forward, pointing his sword at Leon and shouting, "Red Dragon, do you dare face me in battle?"