The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases

At this moment, running away had become meaningless.

What remained was only prayer.

It was unclear whether their prayers had any effect, but the terrifying shadow seemed to graze their heads before plummeting towards the Shadow Sea.

With a low, muffled boom, the fall of one city stirred a thousand waves.

This pirated version of Sky City from hell had made a hard landing in the Anauroch Great Desert's Shadow Sea.

And such a massive commotion let all the gods who considered Toriel their primary granary of faith know one thing:

The Neserites, who once tried to challenge the gods with mortal bodies and their Sky City...

...were back.

It was just unknown which gods were behind this, pulling the strings this time, or what their purposes were.

「...」

In the central tower of the 'Floating City,' Dalonas, the old devil responsible for 'piloting' the Sky City, had the door to his chamber kicked open by David, who, channeling his Wrath, pinned him to the ground with a claw.

"Didn't you say you had over a hundred years of Flying Fortress piloting experience? Is this how you 'fly' the Sky City for me?"

It was because he'd trusted this old devil too much that his two fangs had nearly been knocked off against the statues.

If even his Red Dragon body was in such a state—like a plane crashing from such a height—wouldn't these hard-earned thirty thousand souls... all be sent back to hell?!

It was like starting a real-time strategy game and having your peasants wiped out right at the start. What was the damned point of playing then?

David had the distinct feeling he was being conned by a third-party devil in some 'contract fraud.'

The pit fiend pinned to the ground by the Red Dragon dared not show any temper, begging for mercy and explaining like Ma Baoguo ambushed by a young dragon, "Don't be angry, Prince David Uthos. Our 'Floating City' was directly magically modified by Glaciya from the Barto Copper Fortress in her own territory of Malboggi. This fortress's durability can withstand direct impacts from rockslides; it's not as fragile as you think... Hey, hey, 'someone' is coming in! If they see us like this, we'll arouse suspicion."

David was somewhat puzzled. "Aren't they all devil extras?"

But Dalonas understood the implication and hurriedly explained, "Princess Glaciya's 'Total Memory Weaving' isn't that simple. It's modified using a memory core that originally belonged to them. To put it simply, it's like replanting a seed after a flower has bloomed and withered. From the moment they left Barto Hell, they were stripped of all memories and abilities related to Barto Hell under the 'original agreement.' In their own eyes, they *are* native Neserites of the Shadow Plane. If they saw this scene, they would call the guards. After all, according to the 'script,' you are just a Red Dragon raised by Tania, not mine."

Hearing footsteps from behind, David skeptically moved his claw away. Dalonas, with an agility that belied his aged body, sprang up, brushed off the dust, and sat back down on the Shadow King's throne.

No sooner had the old devil sat down than two Arcane Guards, alerted by the commotion, burst in. "Governor Shado!"

Their hostile gazes naturally fell upon the Red Dragon, David.

They were concerned that their lord, having just entered this prime material plane, might be attacked by its denizens, even though Governor Shado's unfathomable Arcane prowess had long surpassed the comprehension of mere mortals.

"Oh, don't worry. This is the Red Dragon reared by the young lady from the Attilicia family. It has grown up now and is capable of undertaking some simple missions, isn't that right, David Uthos?"

David smacked his lips and reluctantly cooperated, "It is my honor, Governor."

As the old devil and David spoke, images of David and the entire family of the Shadow Mentor Attilicia began to surface in the Arcane Guards' implanted memories. Simultaneously, arcane spells that had once belonged to them also surged forth in their previously muddled minds, triggered by the recent shock.

Seeing the Governor unharmed, the two Arcane Guards bowed respectfully and departed.

David, naturally noticing the surge of arcane energy from the Arcane Guards, was shocked. "They can still use arcane magic?"

Damn it, he finally understood what the old devil meant.

He suddenly felt a bit reluctant to 'return' them to the Devil Archduchess.

"A seed replanted in the soil will eventually bloom and bear fruit if given continuous nourishment. Of course, this takes a long time, and it also depends on the kind of seed planted. If they were mortals in their previous lives, they'll likely remain mortals," Dalonas explained patiently, a hint of pride in his voice.

What a steal!

In that instant, David was filled with a strong desire to obtain the legendary Iolum Longevity Spell.

If these arcanists, now reviving under his care, could achieve 'immortality,' wouldn't that mean he wouldn't have to return them to Barto Hell?

Greed

The old devil, having lived in Barto Hell for millennia, clearly saw what the young Red Dragon was thinking but didn't point it out.

After all, aren't rules themselves a game based on mutual understanding?

David, however, suddenly grew intrigued. He lifted his large head and stared intently at the old devil. "So, who were you in your past life? Now that you're here, have you remembered anything?"