Tale of the Red Dragon Without Dragon’s Might
Chapter 333 - 328: It Wasn’t the Red Dragon That Sent Us

Chapter 333: Chapter 328: It Wasn’t the Red Dragon That Sent Us

Generally, Red Dragons are known for their terrible temper, favoring slaughter and destruction above all else. However, the Red Dragon ruling Watchtower Port is rumored to be exceptionally tolerant. As long as one submits to it, everything is negotiable. Even those Elves who had offended it in the past are still living well now.

After learning that the Kraken had failed, the Sahuagin Baron had considered submitting to the Red Dragon. The problem was that they had once promised the Red Dragon not to attack ships under its protection, but they broke that promise when the Kraken appeared. Back then, who could have expected the Kraken wouldn’t be a match for that Red Dragon...

Betrayers are unlikely to regain trust. Instead, pretending ignorance seemed like the safer option—burying one’s head in the sand as if nothing had happened. Naturally, the Red Dragon was extraordinarily vindictive, and even after several months, it still remembered the Sahuagins’ attack on its protected ships.

The Red Dragon is not adept at underwater combat but sent its subordinate Bronze Dragons instead.

If they could defeat those two Bronze Dragons and showcase their formidable combat prowess, the Sahuagins might stand a chance at negotiating with the Red Dragon.

Without the assistance of Siege Crabs, defeating invading enemies would require relying on the Dragon Turtle, a creature crucial to the Sahuagins’ safety. At the Baron’s command, the Sahuagin Priestess led a team of Sahuagin Warriors, prepared quickly, and departed without delay.

The Dragon Turtle’s lair was located in a deep-sea trench.

Though classified as a dragon, Dragon Turtles care little for nest design, unlike True Dragons, and rarely modify their habitats. When selecting a lair, their priorities are its size—to accommodate their massive, growing bodies—and proximity to sea lanes while avoiding troublesome neighbors.

"Great Lord Agama, we’ve come to see you." Underwater, sound doesn’t travel well, but the Sahuagin Priestess had her ways.

The Sahuagins waited for several minutes, yet the Dragon Turtle never emerged. The Priestess pointed at one of the Sahuagin Warriors and instructed, "Go see if the Dragon Turtle is awake. If it’s not, wake it up."

The Dragon Turtle’s temper upon waking was notorious. Though the Warrior didn’t want to go, he dared not refuse. As he approached the lair, a pair of glowing eyes appeared.

"Why have you come to me?" the Dragon Turtle asked as it emerged from its lair, speaking slowly.

"We wish to form an alliance with Great Lord Agama," the Sahuagin Priestess replied.

The Dragon Turtle yawned, "You want to deal with the Sea Elves?"

If not for the existence of their sworn enemies, the Sea Elves, the Sahuagins might have already seized control of the oceans. For untold years, the war between the two races has raged across the world’s seas and coastlines, disrupting maritime trade and dragging other races into bloody conflicts.

"We’ll handle the Sea Elves ourselves..." the Priestess responded. "Our alliance with Great Lord Agama is aimed at that wicked Red Dragon."

The Dragon Turtle narrowed its eyes slightly, recalling its experience on Volcanic Island—a sight of a dragon horde that still haunted him. Uneasily, it replied, "I will not join you against that Red Dragon."

The Priestess keenly noticed the fear in the Dragon Turtle’s eyes and gently began to persuade him: "We don’t intend to challenge the Red Dragon. The problem is... that wicked beast is far too greedy. Conquering the skies and the land isn’t enough; now it seeks to dominate the oceans."

"In the skies and on land, we are no match for it. But beneath the waves..." the Priestess continued, "Can the Red Dragon swim? Its Flame Breath will be extinguished in an instant by seawater, and its sharp teeth and claws can’t strike agile fish darting through the seas."

"The Red Dragon has subordinates," the Dragon Turtle said, "Green Dragons and Bronze Dragons."

"Surely Great Lord Agama wouldn’t fear mere Green Dragons and Bronze Dragons?" the Priestess countered, attempting to provoke him.

"Of course not. I am a dragon," the Dragon Turtle replied with pride.

"Above the waves is its territory; below the waves is ours," the Priestess pressed on. "If we join forces, no matter who the Red Dragon sends, they’ll leave empty-handed."

"Let me think about it," the Dragon Turtle said with a slight nod, refusing to give a definitive answer.

Left with little choice, the Priestess raised her hand, signaling for the Sahuagin Warriors to present the prepared gifts before the Dragon Turtle.

The Dragon Turtle glanced at the offerings: an underwater pipe organ, a Golden Torch adorned with red coral in place of flames, and a meticulously crafted bust of a long-deceased Human ruler...

It was clear the Priestess truly understood the Dragon Turtle’s tastes. Living in the ocean for so long, the Dragon Turtle deeply treasured rare treasures from the land.

The Sahuagin Baron had spared no expense. The Dragon Turtle simply couldn’t refuse.

...

...

When Leon and Fiora arrived at Doe, the Sahuagin’s underwater city, they saw layer upon layer of fortifications, fully armed Sahuagin Warriors, hunched-over Sahuagin Wave Sculptors, Sahuagin Great Sword Masters wielding Wave-breaking Swords—among them, a massive Dragon Turtle stood out prominently.

"Are you sent by the Red Dragon?" Ordinary Sahuagins only spoke Sahuagin language, but as a Sahuagin Warlord accustomed to negotiating and cooperating with Humans, the Baron was fluent in the Universal Language.

Leon studied the Baron, who was riding atop a giant shark. Typically, the challenge rating of a Sahuagin Baron was merely 5, but this one was equipped with magic-enhanced gear that shimmered with a magical light, increasing his threat level. Calmly, Leon replied, "No."

As soon as Leon spoke, the previously timid Dragon Turtle swam up to him and asked, "So you’re not sent by the Red Dragon? Then why are you here?"

The Baron breathed a slight sigh of relief, while the Dragon Turtle grew more imposing and declared, "You may not know this, but Doe is under my protection—mine, Great Lord Agama’s."

Bronze Dragons often gather with their kind, swimming or frolicking in the waves, making them the most social among Metallic Dragons. The Dragon Turtle generally avoids provoking Bronze Dragons. It continued, "You still have time to leave. I can be magnanimous and let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being unpleasant."

"What does ’unpleasant’ mean exactly?" Leon countered.

The Baron stepped in to stop the Dragon Turtle from saying too much, explaining, "I’ve heard you’ve destroyed several Sahuagin settlements. What exactly is your goal? Why are you determined to be our enemy?"

"First, answer me one question," Leon said. "Were those ships attacked by you?"

"You came here just for those ships?" The Baron glared with his grotesque, bulging fish eyes. "I just asked if the Red Dragon sent you, and you said no, didn’t you?"

"Yes, correct, no, the Red Dragon didn’t send us; we came on our own," Leon paused, "But I am, as you call me... that Red Dragon."