The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases

David and his group of four Silver Dragons suddenly bursting into the Royal Hall certainly incited dissatisfaction, even anger, among the High Elves.

In the many years since the Elven Kingdom of Dewensen was founded, its Royal Court had experienced political coups, assassinations, and even the rule of feeble-minded kings. However, these were ultimately the internal affairs of the High Elves.

Never had they experienced such an absurd incident!

One moment, the Royal Hall was witnessing a 'royal audience between monarch and ministers'; the next, damn it, a group of gigantic dragons burst in, grievously injuring the Duke of Silver Wheel on the spot.

It was an utter farce, as if the High Elves' honor was being dragged through the mud.

Yet, at this moment, among the bustling High Elves—from Elf King Ailiando, who waited with a wooden expression for the current farce to subside, down to the royals and nobles of the Royal Court—not one was in a position to immediately lash out.

After all, regardless of how it happened, this group of Silver Dragons had, by sheer chance, 'saved' the Duke of Silver, who had been about to take her own life.

This outcome allowed both factions in the Royal Court to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

For the regional nobles, regardless of what the Duke of Silver was thinking, she had always been seen as the most powerful local magnate and the core of their faction. If the Duke of Silver died, what game could they possibly play then?

It was a classic case of 'we are ready to die to remonstrate, why did the Duke surrender first.'

For the nobles of the centralist faction, it was also a bit 'too intense.' This was tantamount to their Elf King publicly forcing a Duke to her death in the Royal Hall!

More critically, the Duke's successor, Miss Elizabeth, was still in the Royal Capital as a hostage.

If the Duke of Silver died, wouldn't the royal nobles of Saeolus revolt the moment they heard the news?

And it had to be said, the King's Decree the Elf King suddenly presented was indeed quite ruthless.

If the Duke of Silver did not obey, she would essentially confirm the accusation of 'disobeying the Royal Decree and coercing the monarch with the backing of ministers.'

But if the Duke of Silver truly accepted the appointment, Elf King Ailiando would, even in death, bear the stigma of 'dividing royal authority.'

Yet the Duke of Silver, upon leaving the Royal Court, would likely face widespread condemnation, be directly branded a 'Rebel King,' and nailed to the pillar of shame.

Afterward, no noble would dare openly side with the Duke of Silver.

It was simply a matter of public sentiment.

This accusation, this infamous title that would last for ages—Duke of Silver Mirillian simply could not bear it.

Nor did she wish to become Elariya's first Elven 'Second King.'

Therefore, the Duke of Silver chose directly: 'to die heroically for Dewensen.'

If she truly died like that, she herself would be 'martyred with honor intact.'

Then, the problems for the entire Elven Kingdom would truly escalate catastrophically.

It was precisely because of these complex, intricately interwoven issues that, for the nobles, the current outcome was just perfect!

The Duke of Silver 'went to die' but hadn't succeeded!

It was also for this reason that the High Elves in the Royal Hall, while displeased with the group of Silver Dragons that had abruptly burst in, did not openly censure them; nor, of course, did they feel any gratitude.

Whether this group of Silver Dragons had acted deliberately or accidentally.

Of course, judging from the earlier scene, it was most likely the latter.

After all, Dragons, particularly Silver Dragons, cared a great deal about their image and dignity.

The absurd scene earlier—bursting through the door tangled in a heap—was truly... unseemly.

Considering the words they had let slip previously, it seemed more like the young female silver dragon among them had slipped while fooling around in the Audience Hall...

At such a delicate moment, it was even harder to say anything.

The High Elves found it difficult to say anything, but Shalaina, as one of the Silver Dragons who had burst into the Elven Royal Hall and, more importantly, as the current envoy from Dragon Island, had to step forward and speak.

Dragon Island might not care much about the Elven Kingdom's opinion; after all, Dragon Island had always maintained a relatively isolationist stance.

But for an envoy to be publicly involved in such a ridiculous incident that damaged Dragon Island's image, if she couldn't properly handle the aftermath...

Then her tenure as envoy would likely be over.

One only needed to look at how corrupt Attilicia had become during her decade-plus in office to understand what a lucrative position this was.

And Shalaina's background wasn't as solid as Attilicia's, who had managed to cling to the position for so many years despite such a scandal.

"Your Majesty Ailiando, I apologize for appearing before you in such an unseemly manner. This incident was purely accidental, with no intention of offense. I hope Your Majesty will be magnanimous."

Shalaina paused, then glanced at Tania, who looked rather timid and cautious, her head lowered. Sighing inwardly, as one of the dragons privy to the truth, she had no choice but to play along, adding, "I will definitely take this young dragon back to Dragon Island for proper disciplining." This served as an explanation to the High Elves.

When Tania heard she 'actually had to be taken back to Dragon Island,' her ears flattened against her head in fright. But seeing her father's sour expression, and then glancing at her brother who wore an even fouler look as he was currently in a fit of pique with their father, she could only play along and admit her fault, "Tania knows her mistake. Your Majesty, please be magnanimous."

Well, the young dragon had apologized. Could these elves, who had lived an average of three to four hundred years, really give a hard time to a dragon whelp who hadn't even reached adolescence?

Most importantly, Attilicia had already reverted to her true form by this time. How could they fail to recognize the former Dragon Island envoy they had known for over a decade?

Her child, though perhaps not a princess, was at least a 'Commandery Princess,' right?

No, that's not quite right...

HISS... if one calculated the years, wasn't this young one also the child of 'That One' from the Old Continent?

In a way, she could be considered a princess too!

Then they looked again at her Silver Dragon brother, who had just driven off an adult White Dragon the previous night.

And they recalled the 'masterpiece' in the sewers last night, likely the work of another Red Dragon sibling.

The High Elves felt their scalps tingle.

Legendary bloodlines were truly extraordinary!

The dragon offspring they produced were each more outrageous than the last.

Now that the ever-proud Dragons had shown a conciliatory attitude and offered a way out...

The very daughter of the Crimson Calamity has apologized to you...

Your Majesty, surely you see...

Of course, the High Elves didn't dare try to signal the Elf King, who had just 'thrown a fit.' Instead, each of them adopted a meditative pose, staring downwards and minding their own business.

What brought them all a collective sigh of relief was that their King had finally returned to his usual demeanor.

Not only did he show no sign of anger, but he even offered a gentle smile and asked, "Little Tania, I've recently heard of your renown at the Dewensen Magic Academy as the 'Spellweaver Silver Dragon.'

"Don't worry, don't be afraid. You haven't done anything wrong.

"Quite the contrary, it's precisely because of your unintentional act that you've helped me—helped all of Dewensen—to avert a grievous error.

"In fact, on behalf of Dewensen, I should thank you.

"Little Tania, your appearance is truly a stroke of luck for Dewensen, our lucky star."

"Really? Oh, that's wonderful!"

Tania quickly played along, putting on an 'innocently naive, sweet and silly' expression. She let out a long sigh of relief, her previously drooping tail perking up again. The tip even gave her brother David's backside a light, smug tap, as if to say:

See, big brother? Wasn't Tania's performance today excellent as always?

All according to plan, David thought, giving Tania's tail a celebratory flick with his own. You'll get an extra turkey leg when we get back.

"Your Majesty's magnanimity is truly admirable," the two Dragon envoys said, bowing in unison.

And so, an event that could have caused a major earthquake throughout Dewensen and even the entire Elven Kingdom—the 'King's Decree Incident'—was thus concluded by David and his family of Silver Dragons through what could only be described as a 'shit-stirring' farce...

But the world isn't full of such coincidences; it was merely an expedient measure David had devised after overhearing from outside the door that the Duke of Silver was preparing to commit suicide.

Plans could be changed at any time, but if the Duke of Silver actually died, it would be a huge problem. Someone so actively determined to die couldn't even be saved by a Resurrection Spell.

He definitely didn't want his own father to turn into the protagonist of some tragic, angst-ridden revenge drama, only for him to have to clean up the old man's mess afterward.

"UGH..." But under David's continuous 'excessive healing,' the Duke of Silver, previously gravely injured and unconscious, slowly stirred and woke up...

All the High Elves in the Royal Hall were dumbfounded. Some couldn't stop themselves from cursing furiously in their hearts.

The matter was just about to be smoothed over! Why did you have to wake the Duke of Silver right now?!

For a moment, the Duke of Silver, who seemed to have suddenly remembered something, and the expressionless Elf King on the throne...

Their eyes met.

A silent, mutual gaze.

Leaving only a gallery of Elves to weep endless tears.

Those damn Silver Dragons, deserving of divine punishment!

Just leave our long-suffering Dewensen alone!