Beneath the Red Dragon

Chapter 56: Chapter 14: Undercurrents

In a spacious room, the long table in front was filled with people, but if you looked closely, these people, though lifelike, had somewhat rigid and unnatural expressions.

The faint glimmers of red light emanating from their eyes proved that these were not normal humans, but various magic-controlled puppets.

These puppets varied in design but sat neatly beside the table like normal people, enveloping the room in a silent atmosphere.

After a long while, an elderly demonic puppet finally spoke: ”Are you saying we need to do our utmost to assist His Majesty the Emperor, urging him to start the war prematurely?”

”But doing so will certainly cost us a lot of resources, and this emperor surely won’t let us develop our strength peacefully. By then, many in our family will have to head to the war front, losing a lot of power.”

”Heh, do you think delaying it will allow our families to escape unscathed?” A puppet with a fox-like face made a peculiar sound. ”Or do you prefer being a duke over having a duchy?”

The elderly puppet shook its head in rebuttal: ”I’m just an ordinary nobility, not a duke. Don’t slander others casually.”

The most agile puppet seated at the head of the table spoke, ”Alright, there’s no need to argue over these matters. Everyone here is a significant figure in the Imperial realm. What are your opinions?” Its gaze swept over the numerous silent demonic puppets, awaiting their response.

”Who would want to follow an emperor destined to fail.” Someone in the crowd gently laughed.

”It’s worth doing,” a tall puppet rose, patting the table and scanning the other puppets with its eyes.

”At that point, everyone here can have their own duchies and kingdoms, rather than accompany that emperor into Hell. His target is too grand; I don’t want to become his underling, a Divine Servant. I haven’t enjoyed this wonderful world enough yet.”

”Divine Servant? Do you think he’ll reach that stage, haha,” ridiculed another puppet.

The entire room was suddenly filled with a joyful atmosphere, as many puppets echoed the sentiment.

”So be it,” the puppet at the head of the table observed the scene and summarized,

”Winning the war might be difficult for you all, but losing it will be easy, won’t it? Besides, we’re not plotting any schemes against His Majesty the Emperor; we’re making every effort to help our supreme emperor.”

”Heh heh,” prompting all the puppets present to laugh, their slightly stilted laughter echoing throughout the spacious room and gradually dissipating.

An aura of mysterious magic waves appeared in the room, causing all the magic puppets to transform into scattered stardust. A gentle breeze swept through, and the stardust was moved by the wind, drifting out through the quietly opened window, as if it had never appeared in the room.

········

Karon lay on the ground feigning sleep, there wasn’t much room to move, and he was lazy to stir.

Over these days, he’s been contemplating the words of the old Mage Lapus regarding the grand direction of stepping into legend, vaguely forming some ideas about his future path.

If he could move in the right direction now, Karon would have a significant advantage over others; the firmer the foundation, the better.

No matter what you do, having a powerful aid is crucial.

The mere information divulged by the old Mage Lapus is knowledge that no treasure in the world could buy. Even if Karon and the Dragon Group were sold, it might not exchange for the mere few words the old Mage spoke last night.

Such critical knowledge is only possessed by those practicing the orthodox path of legend, and each legend who breaks through using this method is exceptionally powerful. None lack wealth; mortal treasures might merely be adornments for entertainment for them.

It’s only mages like the old Mage Lapus, born in the orthodox series, who grasp such knowledge, akin to the fundamental heritage of a sect.

Karon didn’t expect to be treated in such a manner by the Mage; he had even prepared himself to lie dormant for a long time. Fortunately, the result pleased the dragon.

Perhaps this is the favor he gains, different from ordinary giant dragons.

Knock knock knock, the sound of knocking echoed from the fine steel iron door, and Karon could recognize the visitor just by the rhythm.

He impatiently opened his eyes, blowing out fiery sparks from his nostrils. ”Hughes, why are you here again, are you very free?!”

Hughes wore a smile, as the Mage enjoyed seeing the Red Dragon’s irritable demeanor; it appeared more authentic. ”Things are settled. Oh, by the way, I came this time merely to bring this to you.”

The Mage handed a thick book to the Red Dragon, who gazed over. On the hard-covered book pages were written several common words—The Three Hundred and Sixty Techniques of Magic Elements Control.

Sigh, two heavy sparks sprayed from Karon’s nostrils as he mumbled, ”I am a Red Dragon; I prefer using my flesh and strength to destroy enemies.”

Despite saying this, Karon earnestly accepted the book; possessing more knowledge reserves isn’t a bad thing. The more you understand, the more it aids in engaging with the real world.

”Remember to finish this book quickly, I’ve placed a magic spell on it. If the time exceeds, it’ll just go puff and turn to ashes.”

Hughes’ smiling eyes bore an uncanny resemblance to the old Mage Lapus but gave off a different perception; the young mage in front sported a smirk that seemed to hide swords, at least according to the Red Dragon.

”In the coming time, I’ll be very busy, probably won’t have time to visit you, Karon,” Hughes intentionally paused, awaiting the Red Dragon’s response.

Karon indeed was delighted, even his agitated mood improved. ”That’s good, you’re a noble Mage, you shouldn’t always come to this filthy Gladiatorial Arena.”

”Heh heh,” Hughes’ face revealed a ’just as expected’ expression, he spoke slowly: ”But you don’t need to worry about your learning progress. I’ll let the attendant puppets bring the books you need to study,

Hmm, I still have several boxes of notes left over from my apprenticeship days, and I’ll have the attendants bring them over to you as well.”

Upon hearing this, Karon’s expression changed. While he deliberately utilized his sub-brain cluster to record the knowledge from these books and keep them accessible in the sub-brain.

Magic knowledge requires thorough personal understanding and comprehension. If Karon can’t understand this knowledge himself, then his sub-brain is merely a library.

But recently, the sub-brain is overloaded with data on magic knowledge, and every day Karon spends extensive time studying and contemplating. At present, his mind is tangled with those indescribable Magic Runes.

Yet he cannot and would not refuse such an opportunity; even if it’s hard to digest, he must cram it into his mind.

Previously, being lazy like the giant dragon was a habit, but it’s just learning, after all. So the Red Dragon sighed, ”Alright, I’ll give my best!”