The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases-Chapter 42 - 41: Diving into the Sea

Dragon Eggs are quite the treasure.

Even now, as a Dragon himself, David had to admit a fact: As one of the top predators on the material plane, a pinnacle of combat strength, and often a backdrop in many biographies, Dragons are truly priceless.

Firstly, the most common parts like Dragon Scales and claws could be used to make high-quality armor and weapons, inherently possessing elemental resistance and offensive properties. Blood, teeth, and hearts, for example, could be used as materials for casting certain powerful magic. A Dragon’s blood, for instance, saturated with active elements, was widely used to create permanent magical inks for inscribing high-level scrolls and even sacred codices. A Dragon’s flesh, especially internal organs and glandular secretions, could be processed into various highly effective Alchemy Potions and poisons. Even seemingly useless parts could become splendid trophies and decorations, symbols of illustrious achievements and immense wealth, treasured as extremely precious artifacts.

As for Dragon Eggs, which might seem the easiest to obtain, even those that had lost their vitality—dead eggs—still held significant value and had numerous uses.

First and foremost, the shell of a Dragon Egg not yet ready to hatch had to protect against radiation from the elemental emanations of its Dragon Mother, endowing it with extreme resistance to its inherent element. This shell also boasted a very high calcium density. Its internal structure, composed of interlinked networks and hollow spaces, could effectively absorb and dissipate the impact of arrows or single-target spells, offering protection comparable to Kevlar or ceramic armor.

As for the contents of a dead egg, beyond their collectible, alchemical, and research value, many humans also considered them highly nourishing. Persistent rumors of their aphrodisiac qualities made them highly favored by nobles.

David didn’t know about any supposed aphrodisiac effects, but according to draconic lore, Hatchlings often consumed non-viable eggs, which greatly benefited their early development. In Dragon society, neither an egg that failed to hatch nor a dead Hatchling unable to break its shell was regarded as a Dragon; they were considered more akin to what humans might call a ’placenta.’

Therefore, as long as one could bypass the High Elf sea blockade and transport them to the New Continent, buyers would undoubtedly be found.

David narrowed his eyes and asked, "With the current conditions, can you still use your original distribution channels?" This was the issue that concerned him.

Yes, it has been five years. Even with a Dragon’s robust vitality, after spending so long under the frigid sea, I don’t expect much vitality to remain in them, other than perhaps those of the cold-and-water-resistant Bronze, Silver, and White Dragons. But avoiding provocation of Metal Dragons is essential industry knowledge every egg thief must learn and remember before entering the trade. Still, a batch of lifeless yet perfectly preserved eggs, frozen solid, represents a considerable fortune. Especially for me, starting from scratch, penniless, and still owing my Dragon Mother a life-sized Gold Dragon figurine, this is an opportunity I can’t afford to miss.

The Drow, keenly aware of the temperaments of Chromatic Dragons, understood the crucial point. The crucial point is that Master cares about the safety and stability of this route. I can die, but the goods must not be lost. She immediately replied, "My Drow clan has a covert trading agreement with a High Elf naval unit. On every full moon, there is a several-minute gap in coastal patrols, enough for a ship to swiftly pass, riding the coastal currents. This was the route I used last time I returned to Spider Nest City, which means this security loophole was still being exploited."

The Drow had barely finished speaking when the group of High Elves, led by Yevgeny and Ahmed, erupted in a tumultuous fury, vociferously denouncing their corrupt naval kin. Even those stubborn ones who had resisted David’s earlier threat to ’send them to Katjana to dig potatoes’ now found themselves undeniably shaken.

"Very good." David nodded in satisfaction, then raised his tail, pointing at the agitated High Elves. He commanded, "Drag out those who were just shouting the loudest. Send them all to the seabed to retrieve Dragon Eggs."

"Yes!" The Drow immediately acknowledged the order.

The previously seething High Elves instantly fell silent, now as frigid as ice statues.

The Drow Mage, meanwhile, couldn’t hide his glee. He relished the chance to exercise his authority: "You! You! You! And you! Out! Why are you cowering now? Weren’t you all so spirited a moment ago? Go, go, go! Form groups and dive into the sea with me!" freēwēbnovel.com

Nearby, Drow Kraidian remained silent, but with each point of his finger, another designated High Elf would either freeze in shock, succumb to despair, or break down crying.

Before long, over a hundred High Elves had been singled out from the crowd. Under the whips of the three Drow and Yevgeny—who, as their reluctant guide, had no choice—they were herded into groups and driven into the sea.

Perhaps it was due to the utter defeat they had suffered upon arriving on the Old Continent, or maybe it was the presence of David, the ferocious and menacing Red Dragon. Whatever the reason, none of the two-hundred-odd Elf captives attempted to rebel, flee, or retaliate against David and his Drow servants. This left David, who had been hoping for some excitement, rather disappointed.

With a hundred High Elves forced into the sea, the forty-odd Dragon Eggs, submerged near the former harbor for five years, were retrieved from the seabed in less than two hours by the freezing, wailing captives. They were piled impressively before the Red Dragon.

And, as David had expected, these Dragon Eggs, having rested in the icy depths for five years, showed no signs of life. They were vibrantly colored, but not all five chromatic types were present—only black, green, and white.

It’s clear my clutch of Red Dragon Eggs was meant to be the Drow’s final haul, and it indeed turned out to be their very last. As for why there were no Blue Dragon Eggs? Because Blue Dragons are unique among Chromatic Dragons for their preference to congregate. They typically incubate and raise their eggs together in a communal nest. Blue Dragons, appreciating the return on such ’investments,’ also enjoyed collecting stray eggs to raise. The Drow would have to be utterly mad to raid a Blue Dragon’s nest; the consequences could be even more terrifying than provoking the legendary Red Dragon, Pafila. I can testify to that. Those few Drow who had performed their aerial acrobatics before me... met very serene ends.

Sitting imperiously on the beach, David dismissed his amused thoughts. With a nod reminiscent of a godfather surveying a chest full of illicit gains yet remaining impassive, he instructed the Drow, "Keep one of each color for me. Put the rest back into deep freeze. Once the ship is repaired, you may choose a day to set sail. Select any sailors you need yourself."

"Yes!" The Drow immediately acknowledged the order. She waved her hand, directing the High Elves, now as pale as vampires, to move the Dragon Eggs below deck.

But just as the last of the Dragon Eggs were about to be moved,

CRACK.

David heard a sound that was strangely familiar.

"Hmm?"

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