The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases

Fortunately, the one thing that worried all the High Elves the most did not happen:

The awakened Duke of Silver had not sought death once more.

Otherwise, given the Duke of Silver's skills as a legendary Sword Dancer, aside from the few extraordinary Silver Dragons who just watched eagerly from the sidelines, it really might have been impossible for the assembled Elves to stop her.

But this time, the Duke of Silver, who had nearly crossed the Styx River, was unusually calm.

After a deathly stare-down with Elf King Ailiando that almost suffocated all the Elves present, the Duke of Silver, Mirillian, finally spoke first.

She didn't offer any of the lengthy and useless pleasantries that Shalaina and the others had as emissaries from Dragon Island, but instead got straight to the point:

"Your Majesty, what you said earlier about the kingdom's many ailments struck a chord.

"The only way I can make amends for past mistakes and repay the King's kindness is by assuming the responsibilities of the Duke of the Silver Wheel."

At these words, the nobles in the royal hall looked at the Duke of Silver in astonishment.

"Oh?" King Ailiando seemed somewhat surprised as well, signaling for her to continue.

"You are right, Your Majesty. The annihilation of Dewensen's Seventh Fleet three years ago was due to a private order I issued to satisfy my personal desires. The resultant wrath of the Crimson Calamity has led to chaos in the heavens, unending darkness, eternal winter, and widespread disaster. As the Duke of the Silver Wheel and Lord of Saeolus, I bear an inescapable responsibility."

Although it was a subordinate's fault, as a Duke who had misjudged the situation, she could not stand aloof from it; hence, she shouldered the blame for her subordinate Yevgeny as well. Taking a deep breath, she looked around at all the nobles in the royal hall.

"I have decided that, starting today, I will officially disclose to the citizens of the Elven Kingdom the truth behind the scandal of the Seventh Fleet's demise. I implore Your Majesty's approval."

As soon as these words fell, the entire hall erupted in an uproar, all eyes fixed in disbelief on the solemn-faced Duke of Silver.

For many years since the founding of the High Elf realm, the royal hall had always been a place for shifting blame. Only when blame could not be shifted would a subordinate be found to take the fall. For the Duke of Silver to proactively assume responsibility and willingly bear such a scandalous reputation was unprecedented, at least to this extent and with such candor. She was undoubtedly the first.

"Approved."

What followed was even more unbelievable to them.

"I have decided to open the private treasury of Silver Castle to fund the reconstruction of the Seventh Fleet. I implore Your Majesty's approval."

"Approved."

David was also stunned when he heard this.

He exchanged glances with Dragon Father Attilicia.

We didn't crush her brain, did we? he thought. No, Mirillian, why on earth would you take on this mess! Great, so the hole I previously dug for King Ailiando wasn't dug in vain after all!

By the time David heard the rest, he stopped worrying and was left with nothing but sympathy and admiration for the Duchess.

"Mirillian petitioned the King to establish a disaster relief investigation team. This team would inspect the status of disaster relief funds throughout the kingdom's territories, ensuring that the tax reductions His Majesty declared truly reached those in need."

At these words, all the Elf nobles gasped.

If the previous two requests had merely made them admire the Duke of Silver for her sense of responsibility and wealth, now they were trying to keep as far away as possible, some even feeling resentful.

Keep your damn generosity to yourself; don't meddle with us! they thought.

Some of the Elves who were also dukes and elder council members looked deeply at the Duke of Silver.

This young lady, Mirillian, barely over a hundred years old, seemed determined to become a solitary loyalist for Dewensen's sake.

This one action alone would be enough to offend all the local nobles.

King Ailiando on the throne also took a deep breath and said, "Approved. As of today, Mirillian Elizabeth Scallia is appointed Dewensen's Inspector. She is ordered to patrol the borders on my behalf and thoroughly investigate all local disaster relief efforts."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Mirillian requests the King's permission to build a fortress at the Well of Miracles to curb the Drow's roaming. It can also serve as a bridgehead for future assaults on the Gloomy Region."

"Granted. However, the Well of Miracles ultimately lies within your territory, Saeolus. You should manage this matter as well."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Mirillian also petitioned His Majesty to add coastal defense posts. The Barbarians from the Old Continent are coming with overwhelming force. Having found success at the Woodland Temple, the scale of their invasion next year is bound to be even greater..."

After a lengthy session of exchanges between monarch and subject, not only were all the High Elves numbed, but David, an outsider from Dragon Island, nearly fell asleep.

He had come to realize this Elven Duchess wasn't just a little sympathetic to the woes of others; she was genuinely endowed with qualities befitting a Paladin!

Honestly, David originally felt somewhat sympathetic watching Mirillian struggle to single-handedly patch up the beleaguered High Elf Kingdom.

But gradually, as he heard about the plans to build a fortress at the Well of Miracles and to set up coastal defense posts, David suddenly had a sense of finding an unexpected solution to a problem.

After all, for me right now, making money is the primary objective. Everything else is just a secondary means to an end.

With the Well of Miracles sealed, the entire smuggling market for the Elven Kingdom's Anger Potion will be monopolized by me, David Uthos, the Dragon!

Additionally, setting up coastal defense posts was also in line with David's wishes.

Damn it, ever since the High Elves massively cut their navy, those Barbarians have been waltzing in far too easily, as if it's uninhabited land.

I'd bet that if I hadn't arrived in time yesterday to thwart King Gilar and that White Dragon, King Gilar, having tasted success, would also be scheming for an everlasting monopoly.

The current situation is quite good.

After all, if a full-scale civil war really breaks out, I'm not sure if Dad and I, just two dragons, could keep up with production. And with my current strength, even if I forcibly involved myself, it would be hard to gain enough benefits to satisfy me.

As he thought about this, that inexplicable drowsiness came over him again.

I'll probably have to return to the Dragon Nest on the Old Continent soon. After three years, my second sleep cycle is approaching.

During his first slumber, he slept sporadically for a full five years, sustained by 'Dragon Express Relief: Sister Tania's Chewing Meat.' The growth and benefits he gained far exceeded those of undernourished Five-Colored Dragonlings.

I wonder how long I'll sleep this time.

As David nodded off, he vaguely heard someone calling him, only to be awakened by a smack from his father's tail.

"Wake up! Sleep at home. King Ailiando is calling you."

"Huh!" David suddenly opened his bleary eyes to see King Ailiando indeed smiling at him. The King asked, "Saphistouin David Uthos, you upheld justice and saved the Woodland Temple from disaster during the Barbarian invasion of the Saeolus border. Thanks to your intervention, the situation on the banks of the Songsei River did not deteriorate further. For such merits, you would normally be granted a title of nobility. However, you are, after all, from Dragon Island…"

King Ailiando's meaning was clear: his deeds would normally merit a title, but they knew that mighty dragons from Dragon Island did not value the Elven Kingdom's titles.

Just when King Ailiando was about to present a treasure to send off these Silver Dragons, who were a headache to the Elves, David, whose eyes widened with apparent eagerness, suddenly spoke out.

"If Your Majesty doesn't mind, please bestow upon me the title of Pioneer Knight. I certainly wouldn't mind."

Greed

As he spoke, David held his neck high, like a celebrated hero from the neighboring Blue Star, ready to be decorated.

At his words, the entire palace fell silent.

All the Elves turned their gaze toward Attilicia and Shalaina, both of whom were dragons and looked equally befuddled.

What in the world is Dragon Island up to?! Have they no shame at all?