The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases
Chapter 69 - 68: Divine Wrath

Chapter 69: Chapter 68: Divine Wrath

After a while, once the ritual materials were fully prepared.

The Highland Barbarian, Rosinde, brought back up by the Drow, stared blankly at the 1,243 Gold Coins, 52 silver coins, and 7 copper coins piled up not far in front of him on the Dragon Nest.

This was all the cash David had left after sending the Drow to trade for camp supplies. It was also the sum of the few treasures currently in David’s claws.

Although a hoard of over a thousand Gold Coins was not a small amount, even for his Rosinde tribe, this small pile of gold paled in comparison to the empty Dragon Nest behind it and the stern, towering Red Dragon...

It wasn’t just Rosinde, who was about to become a sworn retainer; even David, the organizer of this retainer ritual, felt a bit mortified, especially with several Dragons and Drow witnessing it.

However, David needed this Barbarian to solve his problems on the Old Continent. Rushing to depart, he couldn’t wait for the tribute from the Green Dragon Nifadora to arrive.

It will just have to do; everyone starts from nothing.

Once I return from selling smuggled military supplies from the New Continent, with this first windfall, my total riches might break six figures.

And Nifadora’s political contribution—half the hoard of a young Green Dragon—should be about that much, right?

By that calculation, couldn’t I become the first Red Wyrmling millionaire by the end of this year?

Greed

"Kneel." As David, lost in ambitious dreams of wealth, lifted a claw, Nifadora, the Green Dragon at his side who received the signal, issued a cold command.

Rosinde, his restraints removed, immediately knelt on one knee before David as if pledging allegiance.

"Swear before my treasure."

Rosinde opened his mouth. To ensure he made no mistakes, he pulled a crumpled sheepskin scroll from behind him. He began to read, stammering yet meticulously following the oath of allegiance Nifadora had prepared for him:

"I, Damon Raxind, a Highland Barbarian.

"Hereby swear my loyalty to the mighty son of the Crimson Calamity Pafila, the Flame Steel Dragon, friend of the Five-Colored Wyrmlings, His Highness Saphistouin Karatrulka David Uthos Sed Ponga."

"I, Rosinde, shall uphold..."

(A thousand words of the oath are omitted here.)

In short, it was a vow of everlasting loyalty to the Dragon Blood Master: to follow his commands and defend his treasure and territory with his life.

David, however, couldn’t help but internally ridicule the ridiculous titles Nifadora had concocted for him. Especially that ’Flame Steel Dragon’ title. In this world’s linguistic system, it was quite normal, even a decent title among the generally uncultured Red Dragons. But David, hailing from Blue Star, had an embarrassing history of jet-propulsion via his rear. So, whenever he heard that phrase, his mind automatically conjured the Chinese meaning... Yet, by the time he first met Nifadora, his upgraded self had long since abandoned that relatively primitive propulsion system. It was purely a coincidence.

David was nearly yawning by the time the lengthy oath of loyalty concluded, but he couldn’t very well interrupt.

This oath ceremony, meticulously designed by the ancient Dragon ancestors, possessed its own power. It acted as an ancient Magical Contract, yet it was far more flexible and practical than rigid magical contracts.

If a retainer showed signs of betrayal, or if the Dragon Lord merely suspected such an inclination, or even wished to punish them in a fit of rage, the Dragon Lord could, at any time, partially or completely retract the power bestowed upon the retainer through this "Unilateral Unequal Oath Contract."

After the oath concluded, it was time for the ’marking.’

"My retainer, Damon Raxind, come before me."

"My Lord! Please grant me a place by your side," Rosinde said, stepping forward a few paces into the empty pool and continuing to recite from the script.

At this stage, the Dragon, as the Dragon Blood Master, would typically bestow a permanent mark upon the retainer to signify their identity and fealty.

This mark could be a scar, a brand, or a magical sigil.

Once chosen, this mark would become the most conspicuous identifier of David’s retainers.

Depending on his mood, the Dragon Lord could also bestow a power or ability upon the retainer. Of course, this was generally a privilege reserved for adult or even legendary Dragons.

David, who had initially planned to just go through the motions, suddenly had an idea and decided to act on it.

With a nod from David to the two Drow, Hiatt and the Drow Mage each grabbed a bucket of Dragon Blood freshly drawn from David and, with a splash, poured it over the Barbarian being baptized in the pool.

This was—the Dragon Blood Baptism.

HISSS!

"UGH! UGHUGHUGHUGH!!!" Even though he had mentally prepared himself, Rosinde, whose body was now smoking, grimaced in pain. He clenched his teeth, determined not to make any sound that was too pitiful or weak.

These two buckets of fresh Red Dragon blood were far more ’intense’ than the simplified ritual the Elf had performed in the forest.

And thanks to David’s sudden impulse, an even more ’intense’ part was just beginning.

WHOOSH! The tip of David’s tail, sharp as a sword, shot out and pierced the Barbarian’s forehead. Infused with Magic Power, the tail tip began to glow red. Like a laser engraver, it slowly carved down from Rosinde’s brow bone. As it reached his eye, David’s tail tip paused, then suddenly flared with a brilliant crimson light.