Translator: AnubisTL
The twilight descended like a soft veil, painting the horizon in a magnificent glow.
The blazing, fiery hues of the sunset spilled across the sky, draping it in a splendid and resplendent tapestry.
Within the Burning Steel Citadel, the dragon summit that had been underway for some time was gradually drawing to a close. The clamor subsided, and a sense of settled tranquility filled the air.
"Deborah."
The red-iron dragon slightly turned his massive head, lowering his voice as he addressed the red-silver dragon resting quietly on the stone platform beside him. "Are you also fond of singing and dancing, like that energetic gold dragon? Or perhaps..."
A hint of curiosity glimmered in his eyes. "...Do you have other 'roles' you prefer to immerse yourself in?"
Living and adventuring within human society by assuming various humanoid forms was not merely the exclusive hobby of the eccentric gold dragon, Alberto.
It was a common interest harbored to some extent in the hearts of almost all metallic dragons. However, in terms of the depth of their immersion and the level of their commitment, other metallic dragons were often more restrained and subtle compared to the gold dragon's nearly self-oblivious desire to perform.
"No."
Red-Silver Dragon Deborah replied curtly. "And frankly, I've never had much interest in singing and dancing myself."
She paused briefly, as if recalling something, before continuing thoughtfully, "But speaking of this, it does remind me of my parents. They... seem to have had similar 'role' experiences."
"I've heard them tell many amusing stories from their younger days on their adventures."
She shifted her reclining posture slightly and continued, "My father, Edri, loved playing the part of a witty bard, a bit flippant in his manner, who always enjoyed strumming his lute in taverns."
"And my mother, Serena, was passionate about playing a noble lady of high birth and wealth, yet one who was exceptionally aloof, almost always keeping a stern, humorless face."
A witty and flippant Edri? A cold and humorless Serena?
The images of the two dragons as Garos remembered them immediately flashed through his mind.
Edri wore a solemn, brooding expression, his face a mask of coldness, his mind as sharp and meticulous as a needle. Serena, on the other hand, was practically a mirror image of the Deborah before him—cunning, eccentric, and utterly devoid of any "aloof" qualities.
Metallic dragons, Garos mused silently, seem to take a perverse pleasure in adopting human personas that are the complete opposite of their true natures.
It was just like Alberto. In human form, he was a sun-drenched, boisterously enthusiastic adventurer. Yet the moment he reverted to his true gold dragon form, he became majestic, paranoid, and even somber.
The red-silver dragon lowered her head with a graceful tilt.
She took a delicate sip of the sweet, fruit-scented mead the waiter had perfectly timed to serve, wetting her throat before continuing her spirited tale of her parents' "glory days."
"They loved to travel together in their youth, weaving this elaborate roleplay."
"The 'Bard' was always the flamboyant one. In every town and village they visited, he would stand in the center of a bustling tavern or marketplace, passionately singing his self-composed ballad—a romantic tale of a rogue bard who had successfully eloped with a rebellious noble lady."
"And that 'noble lady' would always be dressed in the most opulent and dazzling finery. She'd wear a shimmering gemstone necklace around her neck, heavy gold earrings dangling from her lobes, and her wrists and hair adorned with a dazzling array of jewelry that screamed wealth and extravagance... The two of them would travel together like this, without a single proper guard or servant in sight."
At this point, Deborah couldn't help but let out a clear, light laugh.
"The result... without fail, there would always be a few 'bad seeds,' blinded by greed and harboring ill intentions, drawn in by this irresistible combination. They'd swarm around like sharks smelling blood, eager and ready to strike."
A cunning glint flashed in her eyes. "As for the final outcome, there were never any surprises."
"Those 'bad seeds' who delivered themselves right to my parents' doorstep would invariably be outmaneuvered, ending up robbed clean and utterly humiliated... I've heard that a large part of the initial fortune they amassed during their early adventures was built this way!"
A classic case of bait-and-switch law enforcement.
They would use themselves as sweet, irresistible bait, patiently waiting for those with dark motives and insatiable greed to take the hook.
This was one of the metallic dragons' most cherished and expertly wielded tricks.
As for transforming into various ferocious-looking monsters or beasts—creatures that would provoke an attack—and then resorting to "self-defense" as a pretext for extortion... such methods were, by comparison, crude and even a bit low-brow.
The metallic dragons rarely resorted to this tactic.
They would only employ this more direct, yet far less artistic approach if they had already locked onto a specific evil target and were simply too lazy to devise a more sophisticated trap.
"You seem quite interested in this," Garos remarked.
"Of course I am!" the red-silver dragon replied without hesitation, her tone utterly matter-of-fact.
"Isn't it a fascinatingly efficient method? We can cleverly punish the wicked who hide among the innocent, uphold a small measure of justice, and have their ill-gotten gains delivered right to our door. It's a perfect two-for-one!"
She gently tilted her elegant dragon head, adding her thoughts.
"However, in remote, lawless regions with a fierce populace—like the old Frontierlands—the malice of intelligent creatures is often as naked and undisguised as a beast's. Such a game would be rather dull and uninteresting there."
She paused, then continued with growing enthusiasm. "But in those prosperous nations that pride themselves on their high civilization and impeccable order..."
"To watch those 'gentlemen' who are always so impeccably dressed and hypocritically self-righteous... To see them tear off their masks of virtue, reveal their hideous true natures, and attempt some foul deed, only to suddenly realize that the 'fat sheep' they were eyeing is actually a hidden 'great white shark'..."
"The expressions on their faces at that moment would surely be... exquisite!"
As she spoke, her gaze fixed upon the massive red-iron dragon beside her. She sized up his size and bearing, humming thoughtfully for a few seconds as if sketching a plan in her mind.
Then, the red-silver dragon proposed excitedly, "Garos, if we ever get the chance, we should try playing a game like this."
"You could try playing the part of... hmm... a brutish oaf with all the strength in the world but no wit or guile to speak of," Deborah said, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous light as if she could already see the scene unfolding. "And I, of course, will play the part of a naive, even slightly dim-witted, rich young lady."
"Just imagine it! Two completely green and clueless 'rookies' wandering through those seemingly civilized towns, carrying a hoard of precious treasures. What an irresistible temptation that would be for the greedy scum hiding in the shadows! They'll practically be lining up to take the bait!"
Garos listened to Deborah's vivid description, a flicker of interest crossing his eyes. He gave a slight nod of his massive dragon head in agreement. "That does sound rather amusing."
In the leisure time after their grueling daily training, adopting this "dramatic" approach to "fishing for criminals"—much like the metallic dragons did—would be a unique way to both stretch their muscles and observe the world. It promised to be a refreshing change of pace.
But...
(End of the Chapter)
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