Chapter 244: George's Misfortune (Part 2)
With reluctant eyes, George cast one final glance at the warm, glowing scene before him—then turned away, stepping out of the brightly lit Street and into the dark, narrow alleyway that led to his humble dwelling. It was the only path home.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice called out to him.
“Wait.”
Cold sweat broke out across George’s face. His mind raced with terrifying rumors he’d heard in hushed tones: beneath the kingdom’s surface, there existed a hidden Black Market, where Ogres and Great Goblin Familiars gathered in secret, trading in stolen Human organs and blood meat, devouring them with glee—crimes strictly forbidden under normal law.
Had he stumbled upon a Black Market trader?
George tried to flee, but his legs felt like lead. He could only stiffly turn his head, trembling as he stammered, “P-please… don’t take me.”
In a daze, he saw a figure draped in a long robe, indistinct in gender, roughly his own size—certainly not an Ogre or a Great Goblin. Relief washed over him.
The figure spoke with surprising kindness. “Don’t fear. I’m no servant of the Evil Dragon. Are you a resident of Northwind Keep?”
George scratched his head, puzzled. “Well… I suppose so. I live here, at least. You know the ‘Great Wise One’ Food Processing Plant in the southern district? That’s where I work.”
To his astonishment, the stranger pressed a few Silver Coins into his hand.
“Then… could you tell me more about life here?”
George’s face lit up with pure delight. A windfall like this was beyond his wildest dreams.
He hastily stuffed the coins into his coat, terrified the man might change his mind, and blurted, “Of course! Of course I can!”
These were Silver Coins—the kind he’d worked months to earn! The very thought made his heart race.
Had George been able to see through the long robe, he would have been stunned by the delicate features and serene aura beneath the hood—the mysterious figure was none other than Olivia, the young Silver Dragon and founder of the Arcane Hermitage, known as the Silver Star.
Years had passed. The Arcane Hermitage had grown stronger, yet she had still not found the Gold Dragon Anher, the one she had once believed to be a beacon of justice. Though deeply grief-stricken, Olivia could only suspect the worst: that the noble Gold Dragon Kin had been captured… or worse, slaughtered.
Now, determined to gather intelligence, she pressed on.
“Would you say life here is better than before?”
George chuckled sheepishly. “I don’t know… I used to be a farmer on Lord Brad’s estate. We never had enough to eat. My parents died young. A few years ago, the lord fell from power. The kingdom’s bigwigs say King Kai Xiusu ‘liberated’ us. That’s how I ended up here.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. “But I guess it is better. I work at the Food Processing Plant now. It’s exhausting—every day feels like dying—but at least I’m full. Last winter, no one starved. That never happened back on the estate.”
“Ah… so you’re asking where the food comes from?”
“The bigwigs use magic to make something. They call it an Energy Filler, but we just call it Porridge. Tastes bland, but it fills you up. I had my first real full meal in the factory canteen.”
He grinned. “One of our new workers—just escaped from the old estate—had never seen so much food. First time here, he ate ten pounds of Porridge. Nearly choked to death.”
Olivia was taken aback. This was nothing like the grim picture she’d expected.
She had imagined Northwind Keep in chaos—angry citizens wailing, starving, oppressed under the cruel yoke of Red Dragon rule. After all, Red Dragons were infamous for greed and brutality. In the poems and tales of the Northern Nobles, the Kingdom of Ashen was painted as a hellish abyss.
Even she, despite her long years among humans in the Northern Regions, had fallen into that prejudice. She knew all too well the harshness of Serfdom—the system that reduced humans to Gray Livestock—and she had always despised it.
But as an outsider, the Clan Elders had warned her: she could not interfere in human affairs. She could only offer quiet compassion, a few coins now and then.
And yet… this Red Dragon—this so-called King of the Burnt—was using precious magical resources to produce food, even liberating peasants?
It was incomprehensible.
By Bahamut’s grace, she thought, this is a Red Dragon?
As enemies of the Silver Dragons, they knew each other’s nature better than anyone. While Silver Dragons often formed bonds with Humanoids, Red Dragons looked down on all creatures—humans, elves, even their own subjects—seeing them as mere snacks or cannon fodder.
Yet this one… was different.
Could it be… he had a greater plan?
Olivia pressed further. “You mentioned King Kai Xiusu? I’ve never met him. I’ve heard he’s been in slumber lately. But for a Dragon, that’s not unusual. There are rumors… but I’ve heard he hasn’t eaten anyone. The ones spreading lies? They were captured by Nocturne.”
At the mention of Nocturne, George flinched.
“We common folk don’t know much about the big players. We mostly learn from the Kingdom Daily. You know that line, right? What was it again?”
Olivia tilted her head.
“Oh, yes. King Kai Xiusu is the great, benevolent father of our nation and people. With towering strength, he shattered the old order and forged the New Order of the Kingdom of Ashen. With iron will, he established the Kingdom Codex—laws that grant equality before the law for all citizens, allowing Humans and Followers to live in harmony, and finally freeing us from the tyranny of noble lords.”
George recited it with near-perfect cadence—like a practiced speech. After hearing it every day in the paper, through endless propaganda, it had become second nature.
Olivia frowned.
So the Red Dragon’s rule had taken root—deep, entrenched, and unquestioned. If she wanted to challenge it, she’d find no allies.
How could this be… she thought, her heart heavy with sorrow for the missing Gold Dragon.
A being who slaughtered justice—how could such a monster be a true leader?
Yet George’s earnest tone left her speechless. She couldn’t argue.
Even a Silver Dragon had to admit: for these poor, broken peasants, the Red Dragon’s rule had brought real improvement.
After a long pause, she couldn’t help but ask:
“…No one has tried to resist him?”
(End of Chapter)
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