MTLNOVEL Chapter 124: Packaging
Living in Dewensen is no easy feat.
Like most capitals, this port and fishing village was originally built by the High Elves of Skanis from the Old Continent over a thousand years ago. After a millennium of evolution and expansion, its early port area had long been unable to cope with the demand.
In less than eight square kilometers, nearly one hundred thousand High Elves were crammed together. With such population density, infrastructure, including the drainage system, couldn't keep pace with demand; refinement was impossible when everyone was practically living on top of each other.
The surge in demand for expansion led to significant changes. Aside from Saeolus City, developed around the same time as Dewensen, a new city area rose across the Londun River. Crucially, the Elf King's palace relocated there, transforming the original port district into what became known as the Lower City District.
Although the new Dewensen city was more than three times larger, it struggled with the population drawn by its status as a political and trade hub. Furthermore, the daily influx of merchant ships needing temporary lodging ensured that land and real estate in Dewensen City became synonymous with exorbitant prices.
"Here are your property lease and keys. Please hold onto them."
Watching his son David retrieve forty-two stacks of glistening Dewensen Gold Coins from his Portable Cave and pile them on the counter, Attilicia, who had freeloaded at the Duke of Silver's castle for nearly a decade, suddenly felt a pang of heartache.
Even though these mere 4,250 Gold Coins were an amount he could have earned by using Regeneration Spell to fleece a wealthy mark, or by simply using Control Celestials to undertake a lucrative task.
But now, bankrupt and not having earned enough money yet, he lacked confidence in everything he did, and his actions were hesitant.
Don't be surprised; dragons are such strange creatures.
A wealthy dragon and a destitute dragon present two entirely different faces and demeanors.
This also explains why most dragons have so many regrettable episodes from their youth, half of which were money-related.
Like acting rashly and trying to steal their mother's treasure, or being deceived and kidnapped by Drow to serve as breeding stock in Spider Nest City, for instance.
Yet David, who appeared nonchalant during the payment, was also inwardly wincing.
This was probably the first time in his draconic life that he had spent money, and a significant sum at that.
What particularly stuck in David's mind were the 18 pounds of Gold used to resurrect the Barbarian.
That sum was enough to resurrect a Barbarian four times, though it only covered the resurrection itself, not any resulting disabilities or after-effects.
In a magical world brimming with magic, 'life' was just that whimsical and 'inexpensive.'
With enough money, even souls could be bought and sold.
The instance of saving his dragon father didn't count; as a dragon, he needed to be perfectly intact, and it was his mother who had paid.
After all, in any world, the majority don't feel the sting when squandering their ancestral fortunes.
At least he had used it to save his father, not on 'in-game purchases' or 'tipping female streamers (like rewarding Green Dragon Nifadora to be more sycophantic or something).'
However, the new Silver Dragon family then proceeded, without batting an eye, to spend four times the residence's rental price. They hired no fewer than twelve large carts for purchasing food and furniture. A dozen Grey Elf maids, their pale feet swaying, sat atop the loaded carriages, transporting various items into a unique home seamlessly integrated with a giant ancient oak. News of this extravagance quickly spread excitement and admiration throughout the bustling neighborhood.
Even the proudly aloof High Elves couldn't help but feel envious of such lavish spending.
In Dewensen City, an ordinary working Elf earned between 8 silver coins and 2 Dewensen Gold Coins, depending on their job.
Yet, in just half a day, this Silver Dragon family had spent at least twenty thousand Dewensen Gold Coins in this very district.
That was enough for an ordinary Elf family to live comfortably for half a century.
Their residence wasn't in the 'Rich Elf District' adjacent to the Elf King's palace, but closer to the main commercial thoroughfare, in the 'Golden Oak District.'
After David Uthos's Silver Dragon family displayed this 'money is no object' attitude, the High Elves' initially polite yet somewhat cool haughtiness rapidly transformed into 'warm enthusiasm or reserved smiles.'
This was especially true for the shopkeepers whom David had patronized and those whose establishments he might yet visit.
After all, pride was one thing, but no one would openly turn their nose up at money.
As a result, quite a few neighbors even came by with bouquets and housewarming gifts to introduce themselves and exchange pleasantries.
Thus, when David's family officially moved into this oak residence, rich with High Elf style, and dismissed the attentive Grey Elf maids,
Apart from Tania, who still had the energy to romp about the rooms and courtyard like a playful bicolor cat,
David and his father were already lying back wearily in the miniature Dragon Nest David had commissioned from Elven craftsmen.
"I say... was all this extravagance really necessary?" Attilicia, who for most of his life had hoarded wealth like a Pixiu, felt as if he were still dreaming.
Their first day in Dewensen, and without doing anything, he had already shelled out nearly 450 pounds of Gold. It pained him to his core.
Although David also felt the pinch, it was all for the sake of earning even more money.
As for why he needed to earn so much, that was, of course, due to "Greed."
Beyond the intrinsic greed for treasure innate to dragons, there was also a greed for the very concept of "Greed" itself.
Ever since acquiring the phenomenally valuable spoils of war in Spider Nest City, the immense sense of achievement and satisfaction had triggered an explosive growth in his Authority "Greed."
Consequently, David had gained a new understanding of this Authority.
This was much like a reader engrossed in a novel. The anticipation of future plot developments is one form of 'Greed.' When those expectations are met by the story, another layer of 'Greed' finds satisfaction, fueling even greater 'Greed' for what comes next.
And the benefits of accumulating "Greed" were evident. After leaving Spider Nest City, his "Greed's Eye" ability had evolved from foreseeing a mere instant into the future to nearly a full second.
This was enough to render him 'invincible' in combat against ordinary opponents.
Thinking of this, David, clutching the Drow's compensation payment, adopted a fatherly, lecturing tone and said disdainfully,
"You don't understand a thing! This is about 'projecting an image,' understand?"
Attilicia certainly understood David's meaning.
Having discarded the identity of 'Attilicia,' Dragon Island's foreign emissary, he now needed another persona to dispel the wariness and suspicion of strangers.
Undoubtedly, being perceived as a wealthy scholar was an excellent choice.
It was like in some affluent neighborhoods on Blue Star; as long as you were a homeowner there, even security guards and patrol officers would greet you with smiles and respect.
Conversely, for those who immediately looked like illegal immigrants or criminals, they would be lucky if patrol officers didn't hassle them. If any suspicious behavior was noted, the response was typically swift:
"Stop the car for a check! Hands up! You have the right to remain silent! Talk to your lawyer! Don't move, get down on the ground!"
Any attempt at resistance would be met with a knee to the neck or an emptied magazine.
As a Silver Dragon, David wouldn't invite such treatment from the High Elves; on the contrary, they would prioritize his safety to avoid diplomatic incidents.
But a dragon was a dragon—synonymous with power and danger, and often relegated to being mere background elements or the hidden antagonists in bardic tales.
After all, imagine suddenly encountering a creature like a rare silver-shaded feline, one you've only ever seen on screen. Even knowing it's a 'protected species' and its keepers say it's been fed, you'd most likely want to get away from it as fast as possible, not be foolish enough to try and pet its rear.
"So, should I also find a job to complete the image?" Attilicia, new to this sort of thing, asked belatedly.
After all, a Silver Dragon family living in a mansion without any apparent income? That was completely contrary to the expected lifestyle of a dragon. The High Elves would probably suspect they were Devils in disguise, perhaps plotting some nefarious ritual or sacrifice within Dewensen.
"I have an idea, care to hear it?" David swished his tail.
"Hmm?" Attilicia looked at his son, wondering what mischievous plan he had concocted now.
"Weren't you worried Tania might not want to attend Dewensen Magic Academy?"
Tania, who was parkouring through their new home, skidded to a halt, tilted her head back, and protested on the spot,
"School? What school? Tania doesn't want to go to school! I've already awakened the rudiments of spellcraft, and there's a ton of magic in my draconic heritage I haven't even practiced yet. I don't want to play house with a bunch of long-eared folk!"
"What if your dad goes with you?" David revealed a devilish smile.
"Alright!" Tania exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
"No way! I'm too old for school!" the elder Silver Dragon protested simultaneously.
David looked at his father as if he were an idiot.
"You go to school? I meant for you to apply for a teaching position at the Magic Academy."
"Just teach Alchemy. That way, maybe we won't even need to buy alchemy equipment."
"Ah, so that's it..." Attilicia suddenly grasped David's idea.
It seemed promising.
But, a Silver Dragon teaching Alchemy at the Magic Academy by day, while secretly smuggling potions with his son by night... No matter how one looked at it... it sounded just like those grand villains from the bardic chronicles...