Beneath the Red Dragon

”Perhaps, in the eyes of the Dragon God, this is just a test for me. Do not lose hope, Chris. Your heart should be like the moon in the sky, incapable of being obscured by temporary clouds.”

Silver Dragon Chris’s wandering heart temporarily settled down, praying that even without receiving a proper response, she could find solace.

”Who’s there?”

Silver Dragon Chris twisted her head, with slitted pupils shining in the deep corridor. Even amidst the occasional noise filtering in through the open doors to the hall, her exceptional hearing allowed her to catch the faintest sounds of footsteps.

The two Bronze Dragons lying on the ground to the left of the King’s Castle’s gate also lifted their heads amidst the soft light, looking towards the Silver Dragon.

In front of this Giant Dragon’s palace, this should be the safest place Within the Imperial under the rule of the Dragon Group. Even if the dragons inside are absent, as long as their master is present, it’s the most formidable fortress.

However, Silver Dragon Chris and the two Bronze Dragons feel no sense of belonging here, only hostility, thus their vigilance is high, unaware that their actions have turned them into Dragon Guards watching the gates.

The sound of shoes tapping on the floor in the deep corridor became more pronounced in the dragon’s ears, though these footsteps were almost imperceptible to human ears.

A group of beautiful maids appeared, including both humans and elves, each one graceful and lovely.

What surprised Silver Dragon Chris was that these maids, using exquisite sandalwood and gold and silver trays, offered numerous delicious foods before her, then laid out a silk cloth with splendid patterns, placing each delightful dish in front of her.

More than these delicacies could capture Silver Dragon Chris’s attention were the luxurious gold and silver utensils, resembling works of art. Even the wares used for spices seemed like masterpieces sculpted by craftsmen.

What amazed Silver Dragon Chris most were the sheer silk skirts worn by these maids, made from the finest silk fabrics.

They tied slim, patterned satin ribbons around their waists, embedded with tiny gold and silver shards, which sparkled even in the somewhat dim corridor, accentuating their bare, tender waists visible outside the sheer silk.

And around their slender, fair necks, they wore black velvet chokers, adorned with gemstones of various colors, reminiscent of the shimmering scales of dragons.

The leading maid had a radiant, transparent ruby set in the center of her choker, its dazzling light dimming the luster of Silver Dragon Chris’s scales.

Silver Dragon Chris’s gaze lingered over those glittering gemstones, taking considerable effort to divert her emerald-green eyes elsewhere.

”These fortunes acquired through evil and bloody oppression aren’t worthy of envy and jealousy. Keep calm, Chris, you’re a noble, elegant Silver Dragon, do not fall into the Evil Dragon’s trap.”

The Silver Dragon’s throat involuntarily swallowed saliva as she murmured in her heart, finally calming her heated head.

Yet Silver Dragon Chris couldn’t resist speaking, ”How would the Evil Dragon, Gogomola, allow you to wear his treasures? This would be an offense to an Evil Dragon!”

The Chief Maid, Charlize, who was gently arranging the food, immediately furrowed her well-shaped brows, and the large golden cup in her hand clattered onto the carpet.

”Lady Silver Dragon, calling the Dragon Lord by name is a great disrespect and rudeness. Besides, you simply don’t understand the master’s generosity and benevolence. These treasures are rewards from him, and this banquet is specially arranged for you!”

Charlize, extending her long, fair fingers, righted the oversized golden cup, speaking softly.

Silver Dragon Chris was initially taken aback, then chuckled coldly, ”Generous and benevolent? Just for offending his majesty, locking us up like slaves, can that be called generosity and benevolence? Binding us with chains, making us eat like savages on the ground, is that considered hospitality?”

The Chief Maid Charlize smiled faintly, speaking softly, ”Different identities lead to different choices when faced with the same situation.”

”If you follow the ways of the world’s great nobles and kingdom kings, with your actions, Silver Dragon Lady, you’d be sent to the guillotine. Not least by a Dragon Emperor destined for greatness.”

”As for you, if you can comply with the Dragon Lord’s will, you will soon gain freedom, as long as you make contributions satisfactory to him. He only worries you might cause damage to his territory.”

Silver Dragon Chris scoffed, turning her head elsewhere, ”Take it away. I refuse to indulge in these bloody earnings obtained through evil oppression.”

”What is evil, what is justice,” the Chief Maid Charlize gazed at the Silver Dragon, her tone growing serious.

”Once I lived in a nobility castle, deeply believing in the justice and evil on the creed, but later realized, in this world, many people and things have blurred boundaries.”

”You see, the residents here can eat their fill, wear warmth, have their homes and land, their families, and careers. No one ever starves here, as long as they have hands to work and feet to move.”

Charlize laughed, her charming face radiant with a light Silver Dragon could hardly stare straight at, ”And those who claim righteousness, the nobles. Their residents are sallowed and emaciated, struggling all day for a bite of food.”

”Even if they spend their lives on the land, they remain hungry and cold. Their homes are seized by nobles, and their wives and children are seen as slaves.”

”I heard even in lands ruled by noble and merciful Golden Dragons, countless refugees and exiles exist. Even so, the taxes collected by these merciful Golden Dragons aren’t less than those of nobles.”

”Why don’t you, the metal dragons defending justice and pitying the weak, go save those lost due to the chaotic justice? Or maybe you’re simply afraid?”

Charlize’s gentle brows now sharp as blades, instinctively leading Silver Dragon Chris and the Bronze Dragons to avoid this maid who seemed easily crushed.

”Common folk merely wish for favorable weather, health, peace, avoidance of wars, a full stomach, warm clothes, prospering careers - and these are possible here. Because the taxes set by the Dragon Group are lower than any country, any region, any noble in the world.”

”At what cost? The cost of countless Druids cultivating good crops, countless Pharmacists researching good medicine, countless Pick Elves nurturing plants, countless Warriors with Steel Blades and Iron Swords defending with blood and bones, even Dragons steering clouds to bring rain, just for a better homeland.”

”Thus, this beauty is achieved, what you perceive as evil? Are these the villains you wish to combat?”

Charlize spoke decisively, ”You disgrace the luminous, moon-like scales on you, Lady Silver Dragon, disgracing the long, beautiful years you’ve lived. Even if I’m just a small, fragile, short-lived one, I see clearer than you!”

Silver Dragon Chris fell silent, pondering if the great Platinum Dragon God withheld his wisdom due to her short-sightedness.

The two Bronze Dragons remained quiet, typically stubborn dragons rarely heed others, yet in this moment of weakness, more prone to reflections.

Charlize stood from her crouched posture, softly murmuring, ”Lady Silver Dragon, if you choose not to indulge in these foods, please do not destroy them; they will be sent to the territory tomorrow for the lonely elderly and children.”

”Though the master enjoys opulence and beauty, he never indulges in waste!”

Silver Dragon Chris felt the sounds in the vast hall became distant, almost inaudible.

Charlize’s voice hovered like a demon’s whisper in her ears.

”Great Platinum Dragon God, grant me some guidance!” Silver Dragon Chris closed her eyes, sighed softly!