The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases-Chapter 504 - 301: Sin of Lust

David was personally received by Duchess Mirillian of the Silver Wheel when he arrived at Saeolus City this time; she had hurried over immediately after retreating from the frontline.

It was clear, therefore, how much respect and importance was placed on ’Saphiros,’ the newly emerged legendary figure.

In fact, at that time, the Well of Miracles had once again changed hands due to a meticulously planned Drow conspiracy.

High Elves and Drow were engaged in a fierce battle within Saeolus territory, vying for control of the Well of Miracles and several small towns centered around it.

It was unclear whether the Shadow Warrior scouts detected the sudden arrival of the ’One-Winged Angel,’ but in an instant, they scattered like birds and beasts fleeing a natural predator.

Watching the battlefield swiftly transition from chaotic intensity to eerie silence, the Elven soldiers under Mirillian’s command couldn’t help but exchange bewildered glances, their faces soon filling with admiration.

In less than two years, the name ’Drow Slayer’ Saphiros had become enough to make Drow tremble in fear.

However, they were taken aback when this newest top figure from Dewensen, the ’Elf-Killing God,’ emerged from the forest. His usual immaculate pride was cast aside; he was covered in mud and blood, leaning heavily on his three-meter-long blade.

Mirillian, who appeared somewhat weary from years of toil and war, couldn’t help but laugh, though her voice carried a note of concern, "What happened to you, Lord Saphiros? This is the first time I’ve seen you in such a disheveled state. Are you injured anywhere? Let me take a look."

Without waiting for an explanation, she immediately cast a precious Natural Healing Spell on him.

David didn’t want to blame the hippogriff he had scared witless, so he replied irritably, "It’s nothing. I was ambushed by Drow archers on the way. My mount took an arrow, and we were shot down from the sky."

Wrath

He survived a fall from that height only because, as a Dragon, he possessed an extraordinary physique. Another Elven warrior of legendary status might have perished on impact.

But this area was already close to Saeolus City, and the Elves below were embroiled in chaotic fighting.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he’d had no choice at the time but to ensure his mount landed with him safely.

After all, he was currently playing the role of an Elven Wanderer.

His on-the-spot ascension to Legendary Destiny while in the Gloomy Region was somewhat plausible; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a once-in-a-millennium Elven genius.

But if a wildling who hadn’t touched a book in over a hundred years suddenly had a magical epiphany during a life-or-death struggle and executed a Dance of the Air spell to descend like an angel, that would be too far-fetched.

Even if you’re cheating, you have to follow some basic rules, right?

With his two years of infiltration nearing their end, it was almost time to reap the rewards.

I can’t let my cover be blown!

Mirillian, being older, clearly understood this was just a casual excuse from him. She had no intention of exposing him, nor did she wish to uncover the truth behind it.

After all, in the many years since Elf Queen Arasya had powerfully ascended the throne, ’Saphiros’ was perhaps one of the few Elves willing to lend a hand.

Indeed, if he hadn’t stepped forward at critical moments, Saeolus City might have already fallen to the Drow’s relentless attempts to seize the Well of Miracles.

She immediately responded with genuine and eager gratitude, "That’s wonderful. I’m so grateful for your timely arrival. I was facing a joint assassination attempt by a squad of Shadow Warriors and three Drow matriarchs. Including this time, I owe you several lives. I don’t even know how to repay this kindness, Lord Saphiros."

David smacked his lips. If it weren’t for my father, Attilicia’s, request, I never would have thought of becoming an Elf and getting mixed up in this, he thought. He was worried that high-ranking politicians in Dewensen would exploit localized conflicts between the High Elves and the Drow. They might use it as a means to weaken and counterbalance Mirillian, the leader of the Conservative Faction, thereby threatening the personal safety of his former boss and dear old friend.

But before David, still unaccustomed to Mirillian’s current attitude—so different from the past—could speak, she warmly invited him, "Come, the battle here is over. With you here, the Drow won’t dare act rashly. Let’s go to my castle; I’ll hold a feast to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."

She even provided a ready-made excuse for David to accept.

The Duchess, who guarded the frontiers of the Elven lands, stretched languidly on horseback. "With you here, I can finally get a good night’s sleep. I’ve been so exhausted lately."

With things having reached this point, David could hardly refuse the Duchess’s kindness.

Along the way, the travel-worn Sword Dancer guards consciously formed a circle, maintaining a respectful distance.

But as they watched their lady, Mirillian, ride her horse and converse happily with the newly ascended legendary Wanderer, her demeanor cheerful and charming, it was as if they had returned to the days decades ago when she had just come of age and assumed the title of Duchess of the Silver Wheel.

They all unconsciously pricked up their long, rabbit-like ears, their hearts filled with countless emotions.

They particularly remembered the last time Mirillian had shown such a demeanor; it was because of that eloquent and handsome alchemist, Mr. Attilicia.

Alas, that alchemist proved disappointing. It was said that he fled the castle in disarray that very night, clutching his clothes. To his misfortune, a maid feeding horses outside the fortress spotted him, leading to rumors spreading like wildfire throughout the city. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Meanwhile, David, amidst his conversation with the Duke of Silver, finally realized what was causing this awkward shift he felt.

Fifty years ago, when he first came to the Silver Fortress, he had appeared as a young Dragon Hatchling. On his subsequent visit, he presented himself as Attilicia’s son.

In both instances, he had been her junior.

But the Wanderer Saphiros he was currently portraying was a High Elf nearly two hundred years old.

She regarded him as an Elven peer...

Upon grasping this, David’s thoughts suddenly cleared. He decided to detach himself from his previous identities. Unexpectedly, the more they talked, the more they connected. No matter what topic he casually raised, she could always engage, offering profound and unique insights while maintaining a sense of humor. David, who was from another world, couldn’t help but marvel at the Duchess’s extensive knowledge and sharp intellect.

It’s just a pity that, in the end, she is still only a High Elf, David lamented inwardly. Even as a member of the Conservative Faction, she was still an Elf.

If one day she discovered my true identity and the actions I plan to take against Dewensen, she would most likely come to hate us, wouldn’t she?

Let her hate then. It’s not as if few people hate me already, David’s thoughts cleared in an instant. He decided to indulge his father Attilicia’s naive, wishful thinking for now.

Arrogance

After all, in disputes concerning the survival and interests of entire races, one must never yield an inch due to personal feelings.

If I relinquish the advantage of striking first, it could very well be my entire family that gets wiped out later.

Once the bow is drawn, the arrow cannot be recalled.

「Night falls.」

At the banquet that night, where he was the sole guest, David broke his usual restraint under the Duke of Silver’s persistent encouragement to exchange toasts. He drank a substantial amount of red wine brewed in the Silver Castle itself.

His constitution prevented him from getting truly drunk, yet as he leaned against the castle’s open-air balcony, feeling the gentle night breeze and inhaling the subtle fragrances wafting by, he admittedly felt slightly tipsy.

Gazing at the Century Aroma flower fields within the domain, which stretched to the horizon, he couldn’t help recalling those days fifty years ago. Back then, still a hatchling, he had disguised himself as an Alchemy Apprentice to steal the formula for the Anger Potion. He smiled warmly at the memory, yet also felt a twinge of regret.

Once a full-scale war breaks out, fields like these Century Aroma flowers, which could be considered vital strategic resources, will likely be incinerated by Dragon Breath.

If not by my own, then by that of other great dragons.

With this in mind, David couldn’t help but ask aloud, "Mirillian, what are your thoughts on the war between Elves and great dragons?"

He had already heard Mirillian’s footsteps approaching from behind him.

"Your question reminds me of an old friend who once asked something similar. Oh yes, he was also a great dragon—a Silver Dragon."

"Oh? And what was your answer?" David turned, looking at the lady. Dressed exquisitely for the evening, she was as radiant as a large, blooming Century Aroma flower.

"It’s a historical issue, and a serious one at that. Fortunately, for now at least, it’s not something I need to concern myself with," Mirillian replied with a shrug and a sly smile.

"Your Ladyship seems quite optimistic. But ever since the Battle of the Montero Coast, hasn’t this issue drawn ever closer to your domain?"

Mirillian’s expression finally turned solemn and serious. She then heaved a dejected sigh. "As you can see, whether as a Duchess of the Elven Kingdom or as an Elf of Saeolus City, my current situation is far from optimistic. Instead of worrying about the threat from dragons across the sea, what’s more deadly to me are the Drow, who could pop up from underground at any moment."

"So in your view, compared to the Drow, the threat of the great dragons is negligible?"

"Bahamut and Tiamat, the two Dragon Gods, have been confirmed to have vanished from this world. But that Spider Goddess... she has already ascended to the rank of greater deity. Perhaps, as the guardian of the Well of Miracles, I’m already on her hit list, who knows."

David suddenly understood. Indeed, as a native of Elariya, Mirillian wasn’t privy to the full story behind these events.

Their perspectives on the matter were entirely different, and thus, so were their conclusions.

This is fine too... David thought. Sometimes, knowing less is a form of bliss.

"Don’t worry. With me here, I’ll do my best to protect you... and Elizabeth too." He spoke, partly for the sake of his father’s old friendship.

But the moment he unthinkingly uttered those words, it was as if he had flipped a switch.

Mirillian, the Duchess, looked at David, her gaze soft and shimmering like ripples on water, a charming smile gracing her lips. "I know. In these past two years, you have been proving just that."

However, driven by a Dragon’s instinct to appreciate beauty in every race, David’s attention was inadvertently captured by the Duchess’s lips, which appeared even more luscious and enticing from the wine.

"Do they look good?" Mirillian asked.

"Of course," David replied with awkward, polite honesty.

"Then... would you like a taste?"

Her smile widened, as beguiling as the mature fruit of the Century Aroma.

As David’s mind momentarily blanked, she added, "As dessert, after the banquet I’ve prepared for you tonight."

Damn, am I being hit on? David thought, his entire dragon self utterly flabbergasted. He couldn’t quite figure out where things had gone wrong.

David swallowed hard.

Greed

It had to be said, tonight, the moon was enchanting, and the wind, captivating.

"Why are you retreating now? All these years, you’ve risked life and limb for me time and again, seeking nothing in return. Wasn’t it all out of love for me...?" As she spoke, even Mirillian, the Duchess of the Silver Wheel, found her voice trembling along with her fluttering eyelashes.

Determined not to repeat her past mistake of scaring away her beloved, and seeing the equally bewildered ’block of iron’ before her,

The Duchess gathered her courage, grasped David’s fevered hand, and pressed it over her fiercely beating heart.

In that instant, David’s defenses finally crumbled.

The moon... was so big and bright...

Lust