The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases

Sewer.

David, his ears ringing and head slightly dazed from the explosion caused by the Dragon Breath, crawled out from the ruins. He swiped his tail and flapped his wings to clear the dust clouding his vision.

"COUGH, COUGH. I actually forgot about the methane."

No wonder those Drow huddled together in the dark without even lighting a few torches.

David remembered seeing videos of kids throwing firecrackers into manhole covers, igniting pools of methane.

He never imagined he would reenact such a classic scenario in this otherworld.

At the same time, he finally understood the source of the persistent stench that had been assaulting his nostrils.

That damn thing was hydrogen sulfide!

"TSK. What a mess. It's a shame; there's no time to collect the spoils of war."

Logically, a Drow outpost like this should have yielded tens, if not hundreds, of pounds worth of goods.

David, feeling a surge of Wrath and somewhat regretful about the principle of 'a loss for lack of gains,' quickly used Shape Manipulation—a skill he had copied from his old man—to transform into a raccoon and rapidly depart the chaotic scene.

I wonder if those Drow are all dead?

If he had accidentally killed them all, there would be no Drow left to spread the infamy and intentions of the Red Dragon, David Uthos Sed Ponga.

In that case, his efforts today would have been for nothing.

However, considering the Drow's cockroach-like survival and escape abilities, they shouldn't be that fragile.

At least the few Drow near the cave entrance who had pointed him out must have escaped safely.

Good, as long as there are survivors. David's mood lifted once again.

He couldn't help it; since he couldn't rely on inciting wars, his market was relatively limited in the short term.

To carve out a market share for himself and his old man, he had to drive the Drow, his competitors, out of Dewensen.

At least these Drow had to be made to understand that he, David Uthos, had taken over the Anger Potion business in Dewensen!

"AH, business is tough these days," David sighed deeply.

Considering the Drow's previous output rate, even if he successfully ousted them from the potion market in Dewensen, Saeolus, and even the entire northern district, he had no idea how long it would take to sell his current stock.

But at least he wasn't in a hurry.

If his old man found out about this, though, he'd probably be so anxious his tail would quiver.

"Boring... I want to see rivers of blood..." David muttered casually.

And for some reason, it was as if the heavens had heard the 'wish' of this young Red Dragon. His chest suddenly tingled, making David feel as if he were back on Blue Star, with his phone vibrating in his pocket.

Wait a minute, a phone?

Is there a signal now?

Rising up in his small cat form, David quickly pulled a Soul Prism, almost as large as his head, from within his fur and pressed it to his ear. Indeed, he heard a crackling noise, followed by the long-lost voice of Hiatt, the Drow:

"Dragon Lord... Dragon Lord..."

David's cat-like pupils immediately narrowed into slits with excitement, and he even forgot to switch back to his usual language.

"MEOW!"

"...A cat?" Hiatt sounded thoroughly confused on the other end. Oh no, she thought, has the prism containing my soul and Yevgeny's been carried off by a stray cat? Am I going to become a cat vassal?

"COUGH, COUGH. It's me. Where have you all run off to?"

David, finally coming to his senses, promptly changed his head back to its draconic form; he wasn't quite used to thinking with a cat's brain.

Apologetically, Hiatt began to explain, her story starting much as David had expected.

"We encountered a storm on our journey. By the time we stabilized the ship and waited for the storm to pass, fierce winds and currents had already blown us south to Central Earth. To make matters worse, the ship was damaged and the main mast had snapped."

But what followed was somewhat bewildering.

"Luckily, we spotted a coastline where humans appeared to be busy fighting. We took advantage of the chaos to occupy a semi-derelict shipyard by the port. After repairing the mast and hull, we hurried back, sailing against the current."

David was dumbfounded.

Could his earlier rant have actually become a prophecy?

Those elves really had been blown all the way to Central Earth. But that wasn't important. An excited David immediately seized upon the key points.

"You said you took over a port?"

"There's still fighting there?"

"Where exactly?"

"What's the kingdom called?"

"How many people did you leave there?"

This barrage of questions left Hiatt bewildered. It took her a moment to clear her thoughts before she could answer each one.

"It seems to be called the Luwalden Kingdom. An armed coup was taking place when we arrived."

"But as you know, Dragon Lord... on the entire ship, there were only Alianna and myself, two Drow, plus Yevgeny, and over a hundred High Elf prisoners of war..."

"Alright, I get it. Come straight here," David said, his enthusiasm suddenly waning as he cut off Hiatt's explanation.

How could he not understand what she was trying to say?

They were a group of High Elf prisoners of war, eager to return home. They might have been willing to fight tooth and nail to repair a ship and seize a shipyard.

But if Hiatt had dared to leave the elves there, they would likely have revolted instantly, just like those humans, and enacted their own ship-seizing drama.

He also realized the absurdity of such an order and chose not to trouble the unfortunate Drow any further.

"Dragon Lord, we've encountered another unexpected situation and need your decision."

"Speak," David exclaimed, startled. Why did Hiatt always encounter unexpected situations wherever she went? He was looking for a war to sell his potions, and yet everywhere seemed peaceful.

"We... might have run into a Barbarian raiding party led by King Girar. They've invaded the coastal territories of Saeolus and are looting their way along. It seems they've also seized a temple's church. The High Elves on board are already rubbing their hands in anticipation, so... what should I do?" Hiatt asked, her voice tinged with nervousness.

"King Girar? Their ships are ready? So arrogant? What about the High Elf navy?" David began to ask, then suddenly paused.

Yes, the High Elves had just completed a major downsizing of their navy this year.

He burst out laughing.

The war he wanted, or at least a local armed conflict, had arrived, hadn't it?

Hiatt replied, "Yes, they seem to have built a type of slender longship adorned with dragon heads, and it's very fast. If we try to flee, the elves' few naval vessels, as well as our own ship, wouldn't be able to catch them unless we resorted to magic..."

"Since they've already landed and seem to have taken quite a haul, well, just go and fight. After this battle, your Yevgeny might become a hero of the Elven Kingdom, commended by the Elf King. And you, Hiatt, would be the hero's owner."

Of course, he, David Uthos, was the master behind this hero's owner.

He would allow these Barbarians to get a taste of the New World, but he wouldn't let them get too much too easily.

Otherwise, King Girar and his band of Barbarians would only think of making a fortune quietly on their own, rather than calling more barbarian tribes to join them.

Then he heard Hiatt add awkwardly, "But King Girar seems to have teamed up with an adult White Dragon. We might not be a match for them."

"HMM? Another dragon! Then what the hell are you hesitating for? Go straight in, weapons ready; I'll be right there."

"Yes! Your will be done!"

As if she had finally found her resolve, Hiatt immediately began to issue orders.

"Turn the helm! Ram them straight onto the shore! Kill these Barbarians!"

David also swiftly emerged from the sewer, transformed into a Silver Dragon, and soared into the sky, hurtling towards the southern territories of Saeolus with a mighty roar.

As he burst through the clouds, the red-glowing tips of his wings dispersed the cloud cover behind him, leaving four fiery trails in his wake.

It was just like the Wrath that was beginning to boil in his heart.

Damn it, he had only allowed those Barbarians to raid the New World.

He never agreed to let other dragons come and take a share of the spoils!

He'd bet his scales that the White Dragon involved wouldn't dutifully pay its share of the loot at his port.

Daring to covet the wealth of David Uthos.

That was...

A path to death!