The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases
Chapter 52 - 51: Persuasion

Chapter 52: Chapter 51: Persuasion

"What now...?" Tania was referring to the problem of transporting the Red Hatchling Dragon back to the Dragon Nest camp. This creature alone weighed nearly half a ton. Their fishing nets and iron chains had already been wrecked during the previous hunt, especially when David made his final pounce—they snapped and broke. Even if they felled flax bushes and cut vines on the spot to twist into ropes, then tied up the dragon to be carried by sheer manpower, it would still consume a great deal of time.

She had no objection, but she was certain her hot-tempered older brother lacked the patience for such a task. Meanwhile, David, already covered in bloody scratches from the capture, wasn’t keen on tangling with this "Sichuan Spicy Dragon" again anytime soon. And he certainly wouldn’t let his sister risk her neck on such a high-risk, thankless task. If their captive didn’t cooperate and regained its ability to breathe intense flames, it would be a ticking time bomb.

Not figuratively, but literally a bomb. David, having had similar experiences, could personally attest to this. He didn’t know about other dragons, but Red Dragons definitely possessed this capability. Even if they muzzled the young female dragon—much like the Drow had once muzzled him when Mofei, then just a White Hatchling Dragon, carried him back to camp. But if she, intent on mutual destruction, forcibly unleashed her breath weapon, she would transform into a living bio-bomb right then and there...

BANG!!!

It would blow all their accompanying companions sky-high.

But just let her go? Forget losing face! What, then, was the point of him leading one or two hundred people, all working their tails off for the better part of a month? Moreover, one could foresee that future dragon captures would only bring more unexpected troubles. Were they to abandon their efforts so easily every time? Most importantly, this was the very first dragon he planned to capture for his new venture.

Whatever it took, he had to secure this one!

David mulled it over. Alright, I’ll just have to sacrifice my... charm a little, he decided.

He turned his head back and addressed the female dragon, who seemed to have resigned herself to death, his voice laced with menace, "Actually, I wasn’t lying to you before."

"Hmph," Lizrite turned her head away, looking utterly dejected. Yet, from the corner of her eye, she saw him flash that same demonic smile as before.

"I’ve taken a fancy to you today, you utterly seductive female Red Dragon. I’m planning to drag you back to my nest and raise you through wicked means. Once you’re grown, I’ll..."

This time, before David could finish, Tania—still somewhat bewildered by her brother’s abrupt shift in demeanor—was stunned to see the female Red Dragon’s will to live suddenly ’reignite.’ The captive roared at the sky, interrupting him, "Don’t you dare think you’ll succeed! Lizrite will... will..."

Facing this ’wealthy young dragon noble’ who completely outmatched her in size, strength, and draconic prowess, she, a mere wandering hatchling, found her resistance so feeble and futile that she struggled even to utter defiant words. Moreover, as he spoke, his agile and powerful tail had already coiled around her neck. He leaned close, his words a low whisper against her ear frills, "Lizrite, is it? How about we play a game?"

"Um... Wha... what?" Lizrite felt an odd tingling on the right side of her face, the scales on her neck prickling. For the first time in her life, she found herself in such a helpless, futile predicament.

"You see, we’re both still hatchlings. Even if I wanted to do something to you, beyond what I’m doing now, I couldn’t do much more."

"What else do you want to do!?" Lizrite struggled instinctively, but to no avail.

"Since I’m destined to be unable to do much to you for decades, what is there to fear?" David coaxed, his voice like a devil’s. "So, why not return with me to the Dragon Nest camp? There, I shall provide you with enough food and shelter to grow into a young dragon.

"In return, I’ll require you to make corresponding contributions to my camp, whether it be hunting, looking after other hatchlings, or serving as a combatant under my command.

"As for what happens after... whether you choose to flee immediately, or, driven by avarice, you decide to wait until just before I *am* capable of doing something to you before you make your escape.

"That will be the core, and the amusement, of our little game."

This shockingly blunt proposition instantly overloaded the female Red Dragon’s already limited mental capacity, leading her directly to the ’conclusion’ David had just implanted.

He’s... right. If the worst I imagined isn’t going to happen, why would I still seek death?

"Right...?"

Seeing his words take effect, David—unsure if he was getting carried away by his Red Dragon instincts or merely getting too deep into his act—promptly wrapped an arm around his somewhat bewildered Silver Dragon sister, pulling her close under his chin. "See? This Silver Hatchling Dragon here? I abducted her half a year ago, and isn’t she doing just fine now?"

"Hey! Brother... you..." Startled by David suddenly pulling her close, Tania was flustered. Though she could have easily broken free, she instantly understood David’s intent and, swallowing her embarrassment, decided to play along, "Hmph! Just you wait and see, brother! I’ll definitely escape the very day you mature into a young dragon!"

This display, however, stunned the Red Dragon Lizrite so thoroughly her jaw nearly hit the ground. "Have you gone mad? You dare to kidnap a Silver Hatchling Dragon?"

This also finally explained her earlier bewilderment. Otherwise, why would a perfectly normal Silver Dragon be accompanying a Red Dragon, and even call him ’brother’? If Red Dragons and Silver Dragons were truly addressing each other as siblings, then either she had gone mad, or the world itself had.

"That’s none of your business. Just tell me, do you dare or not?"

The Red Dragon, thus goaded, felt a surge of defiant anger, even though she knew perfectly well David was baiting her. She forced a smile through gritted teeth and said, "Fine! Since you even dare to provoke a Silver Dragon, what is there that I, Lizrite, would not dare?

"Perhaps I won’t even have to wait until you reach your youth before the allied Metal Dragons arrive and raze your nest to the ground."

As she uttered these words, which brought her a sliver of satisfaction, she glanced at David’s elven ’followers’—who were already looking thoroughly dumbfounded—and continued, "By then, when you’re on your way to the Chromatic Dragon Queen’s Evil Scale Fortress, you can forget about any legacy you hoped to leave!"

"Heh, by the name of our Chromatic Dragon forebears, you certainly won’t regret this choice," David said with a wide grin, seeing she had finally taken the bait.

Lizrite followed with a cold laugh, "But I guarantee you *will* regret this decision. Most definitely."

"That’s a concern for another day. We’re both still just Red Hatchling Dragons; we have ample time ahead of us," David said nonchalantly, spreading his claws.

"Hmph." Lizrite took a deep breath and said earnestly, "Then, by the name of our Chromatic Dragon forebears, I, Lizrite, shall be at your command until I leave your protection. Speak. What do you require of me?"

"What’s the hurry? The full moon is approaching. Other wandering Hatchling Dragons, much like yourself, should be returning to their lairs to rest. We’ll head back to camp first and fill our stomachs."

"Very well," the female Red Dragon agreed readily.

"Alright, release her. From this moment on, she’s her own dragon," David said, flicking his tail at the utterly stupefied elves. He then let go of his Silver Dragon sister, whose body had gone somewhat rigid, and spread his claws, his expression clearly saying,

See? Handled. Pure persuasion.

Tania was all smiles, her eyes sparkling. Brother, you’re truly amazing!

David, however, was unfazed. As long as the original objective is achieved, does it truly matter if the words spoken are direct or contrary, or which version of the story the other party chooses to believe? For him, at least, it was inconsequential.

Just as David was preparing to lead the exhausted band of elven captives back to camp, a muffled THUMP suddenly echoed from the distance.

David whipped his head around in disbelief. "You’re kidding me, that actually worked too?"

That was the sound of a Dragon Cage trap being sprung.