Tale of the Red Dragon Without Dragon's Might-Chapter 73 - Are You Alone

I dare not engage deeply in cooperation with you…” Tassera said and noticed Leon’s wilted look, “Did I say something wrong?”

“It’s nothing, carry on,” said Leon, lifting his hand weakly.

He thought to himself that things were indeed not so simple; could it be that the young body gave him a youthful impulse?

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How different from his original body which was worn out from staying up late and overworking.

“Where was I…

Oh, I remember now,” Tassera said, giving Leon a puzzled look but not thinking much of it, and continued to share her thoughts and ideas.

After the Blue Dragon finished, Leon understood everything.

Firstly, he had traveled from afar, and although he had driven away the Efreeti and seized their territory, his detachment and reluctance to commit much effort, spending most of his time indulging in the pleasures of Oasis City, suggested he could leave at any moment…

Tassera would not dare propose in-depth cooperation.

Her view of him changed after today’s performance in the Brass Dragon’s lair; unexpectedly, a chaotic evil and greedy Red Dragon remained unmoved by the gold and silver treasures, showing astonishing orderliness, and thus the idea of collaboration resurfaced.

In such a case, it was essential to show him the benefits of Dragon Nest, and inviting him to visit the lair was with this purpose in mind: once he invested time, effort, and resources in building a nest, he would surely hate to leave it, and the prospects of further partnership could then be discussed.

“How do you want to cooperate?” Leon, having cast aside his distractions, asked, “Open a store together?”

“It’s obviously about collecting tolls,” Tassera stated as if it were the most natural thing.

If Green Dragons are natural swindlers and Red Dragons are innate robbers, then Blue Dragons are natural tax collectors.

“The Efreeti likes to plunder, and in order to deal with them, caravans must hire a lot of guards.

Once they’ve hired guards, they’re naturally not inclined to spend more…” Tassera continued, “As long as we join forces to ensure the security of trade routes, the caravans, saving on guard investments, would certainly not mind parting with some of their savings for road tolls.”

“Don’t underestimate this money,” Tassera said patiently, anxious that Leon might not understand, “Robbing might yield a rich harvest, but in reality, it doesn’t add up to as much as the steady stream of income from tolls—and we only need to send subordinates, no personal involvement required.”

“Tolls…” Leon took a moment to digest the idea and soon became somewhat interested; clearly, the law-abiding citizen he once was had completely disappeared.

Leon nodded thoughtfully and then suddenly laughed, “This isn’t just collecting tolls, this is taxation, as long as we’re ensuring the safety of trade routes.”

“Does this mean you agree?” Tassera asked excitedly.

“Why wouldn’t I agree?

I’ve rested enough, it’s time to get moving,” Leon stretched his neck, not caring that much about money, and not hating it either, “The consumption in Oasis City is really high…

The money stolen from the Efreeti is plentiful, but we can’t just sit around until it runs out.”

“No matter what we do, we need money—buying books costs money, and so does buying Magic Items,” Tassera sighed, thinking that Mages are indeed the most expensive profession, “Otherwise, I wouldn’t want so much hassle.”

A person who does not marry and have children lacks the necessary securities that make the organization trust him.

If Leon doesn’t properly build a nest—not just any simple hole to live in, but one that requires substantial resources—Tassera won’t believe he’ll settle down for serious, long-term business.

To gain Tassera’s trust and then forge a deal, Leon must first build his nest well.

After leaving the lair of the Blue Dragon, he returned to Dome Castle, which he had seized from the Efreeti for the first time in ages.

He wasn’t an Efreeti and couldn’t control the Fire Elementals, only some Salamanders to command.

Because he had used the Soul Summoning Mantra during his fight with the Efreeti, almost all of the slaves were dead, and there were fewer than ten Salamanders left… Luckily, he had originally promised to grant them their freedom if the Salamanders worked hard, but until now he hadn’t given them their freedom.

On the contrary, he also hadn’t forced them to do much work, otherwise there would be even fewer of them now.

In fact, the nests of the Bronze Dragon and Blue Dragon gave Leon a bit of a shock.

Not because of Blue Dragon’s cooperation, but it did make him entertain the idea of nesting himself, to build a nest with a huge investment of resources…

He had already received the Golden Finger reward from nesting before, and feared that there wouldn’t be another reward for doing it again, which was truly a pity.

No sooner said than done, Leon decided to first make some modifications to Dome Castle, changing it from a place suitable for an Efreeti to one suitable for him to live in.

Where should he start?

Leon suddenly thought of the Brass Dragon; that Brass Dragon possessed exquisite stonecutter skills.

“That guy…”

Thinking of Brass Dragon’s temperament, Leon was certain that things would not be as straightforward.

…

…

Achoo!

In the desert canyon, the Brass Dragon raised its forepaw to rub its nose, puzzled by the sudden urge to sneeze.

To be honest, it was really angry right now.

It had thought it had found two superb conversational partners, but who would have guessed they turned out to be a Blue Dragon and a Red Dragon—two unwelcome guests?

Having no choice, it had to spend a fortune to avert disaster, bleeding wealth…

right, it wasn’t that it had been robbed, but rather, it had bravely driven away two thieves, losing only a little in the process.

Which Brass Dragon, after being robbed by a Blue Dragon and a Red Dragon, would only lose a little and still get away with everything intact?

Proudly humming to itself, the Brass Dragon took comfort in this thought.

“Eggon!”

A familiar voice cut through the Brass Dragon’s daydreams.

Damn it, how shameless can you get?

You come back after less than half a day?

The Brass Dragon instinctively wanted to flee, but then remembered that this was its nest, filled with countless treasures, and it stopped in its tracks, resolute in deciding to move out once this matter was settled.

The Brass Dragon clambered out of its nest, half-seeing Red Dragon; no matter how it looked, it couldn’t spot Blue Dragon.

“I’ve come for you to honor our agreement.” Leon needed Brass Dragon’s help to modify Dome Castle.

Looking all around—east, west, north, south, and in every other direction—the Brass Dragon still felt a bit uneasy and asked, “Why is it just you, where is Blue Dragon?”

“She didn’t come.” Leon had no doubts about it.

“She didn’t come?

She didn’t come, and you dared to come alone?

Are you not afraid of dying?” Brass Dragon’s expression instantly changed, starting politely and then standing firmly, waving at Leon, “Get lost, get out of here quickly, or don’t blame me for not being courteous…

To think that I trusted you so much before, it turns out you are an ingrate.”

Just as expected.

“Do you want to go back on your word?” Leon asked, pursing his lips.

“An agreement signed under coercion doesn’t count.” Brass Dragon shook its head.

Brass Dragon noticed Leon’s mouth twitching, baring his teeth, and snorted, “You dare bare your teeth at me.

You want to fight, is that it?

One can’t fight against the many; if it were two dragons I would be scared, but one dragon I’m not afraid of, I’m not afraid of anyone, I’ll knock your teeth out.”

“Still not leaving?” Brass Dragon roared at Leon, flapping its wings to whip up the sand.

“Kid.”

“I think it’s necessary to let you witness the power of an Adult Dragon.”