CHAPTER 493: CHAPTER 485: JUST A LITTLE BIT SHORT

Leon, the King of Zhen Dan, was a hands-off ruler, with barely any duties. Even if he intended to focus on his cultivation next, there was no need to offload all administrative work onto Sharon. Just half a day each week would suffice.

Sharon, always by Leon’s side, had learned from Leon’s teachings and guidance. She wasn’t shortsighted like ordinary people, but when it came to details, she was still somewhat inexperienced. Becoming the Regent Princess was too sudden; her small shoulders couldn’t bear such a significant responsibility yet.

Leon arranged for Sharon to rotate through various departments and observe their administrative functions. Once she understood the workings of each department, they would consider matters of governance. Ultimately, if she wished to formally replace Leon as the Queen ruling over the vast realm of Zhen Dan Kingdom, her power must be elevated to at least Challenge Level 20 or above.

As for Leon, although he had not abdicated as King of Zhen Dan, he was already planning propaganda work, promoting that the Red Dragon ruling the Zhen Dan Kingdom was a Dragon God. He ordered the Brass Dragon to erect a gigantic statue of him in the central square of Watchtower Port. Using the Cloud Formation and Rainfall technique mastered from the Eight-Nine Mysterious Skill, he enshrouded the Volcanic Island in mist to maintain an aura of mystery.

Time passed little by little.

"Lord Bahamut has officially announced you as the new Dragon God, heavily promoting that you are a Red Dragon able to restrain evil tendencies. Your achievements today are entirely due to this steadfast restraint, hoping the colorful dragons will take you as a role model..." Isily was responsible for monitoring the activities of the Metal Dragons.

Leon speculated that if Bahamut endorsed him as the new Dragon God, there would inevitably be some maneuvering, and sure enough, there was.

No matter what, as long as Bahamut supported his ascent to Dragon God, those little maneuvers were irrelevant. However, he couldn’t help but chuckle: "He’s the Metal Dragon God, yet he seems more concerned with the colorful dragons."

"Whether Metal or Colorful, they are all dragons." Isily, having married away, now sided more with Leon since becoming his spouse, quietly remarked, "Lord Bahamut wants to influence the colorful dragons through you."

"Lord Tiamat is promoting you as the new Dragon God, stating that the power of the colorful dragons has grown stronger because of you, claiming you respectfully offered two gold coins to Her and that She is your supporter, urging the colorful dragons to learn from you." Cecilia, gaining prominence among the colorful dragons through her connection with Leon, stated, "Should we correct this narrative?"

"If someone asks, we’ll correct it. If no one asks, then let it be." Leon waved his hand dismissively.

Indeed, Tiamat had numerous flaws, but she wasn’t Vilakis; hence, Leon had never regarded Tiamat as an enemy, saying, "We can’t solely rely on others to promote us... If we want to use others, we must allow others to use us, striving for mutual benefit and a win-win situation."

"Isn’t a win-win situation about us winning twice?" Sida suddenly interjected, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Sida wins once, and Tana wins once." Tana chimed in, showcasing the superlative tacit understanding and empathy the twin sisters had for each other, like three legs walking all day without stumbling.

Leon looked at his twin daughters, affectionately ruffling their heads.

Since there were no statistics, Leon didn’t know what his approval rate was; he only knew that the Golden Finger reward he long awaited still hadn’t appeared after all these years.

According to his theory, becoming a Dragon God should come with a Golden Finger reward. The absence of such a reward only indicated that he hadn’t garnered enough support; many dragons didn’t acknowledge him as a Dragon God, considering him merely as a powerful dragon at most.

"It shouldn’t be this way." Leon murmured. He wasn’t working blindly; he continuously gathered information about the outside world from Isily and Cecilia. Although Bahamut and Tiamat had their own agendas, they genuinely supported him becoming a Dragon God without any pretense.

To truly secure a divine position, it was essential to cultivate a certain number of followers. Leon felt confused, knowing he was close yet unsure what was missing.

"You’ve seemed distracted lately," Tassera, who spent the most time with Leon and knew him inside and out, said. With just minor hints from his subtle actions, she could keenly detect his mood changes.

Leon was slightly startled, subconsciously asking, "Is it that obvious?"

"Not very." Tassera lightly pursed her lips, "You’ve now become the Dragon God, smoothly and successfully, so what could be troubling you?"

"Am I considered a Dragon God now?" Leon smiled wryly, knowing he still hadn’t received the Golden Finger reward.

"With both Lords promoting you as the new Dragon God, those Gemstone Dragons stubbornly believe you are a Ruby Dragon. Furthermore, the people of Zhen Dan believe they are ruled by a Dragon God." Tassera confidently declared, "If you’re not a Dragon God, then who is?"

Leon opened his mouth, seeming to want to say something, swallowed his words, and finally shook his head.

"Let’s go take a walk," Tassera suggested, "I’ll accompany you, to clear your mind."

"Where to?" Leon slightly raised his head, his gaze somewhat wandering.

"Wherever you want to go, we shall go," Tassera thought for a moment, "How about the Red Crown Desert, the Molten Lava Lake where you once lived? Since you left, it has turned into Steam Lake, right? You gave that castle to the Brass Dragon, and then brought the Brass Dragon under your influence. Now one wonders who occupies it."

Leon thought for a while, his gaze gradually firming up, saying, "Let’s have a walk, it’s time to take a stroll."

"But instead of us going together, it will be me going alone, meandering wherever the road takes me." Leon looked at Tassera, "I don’t mean to exclude you, I just wish for some solitude, is that alright?"

"Of course." Tassera replied gently, her eyes full of understanding and tolerance.

The decision made, Leon quickly set off.

He intended to take a look at the Red Crown Desert first, then head to the forest where he used to live...

Leon left the Zhen Dan Kingdom with a caravan, crossing the Lost Plateau, and after a long journey, arrived in the Red Crown Desert.

"Dra... Dragon!" The caravan guards suddenly shouted in terror, their voices even lost their pitch.

Leon heard the cries and looked up, seeing a Red Dragon soaring fearfully towards the caravan.

Isn’t the desert Blue Dragon’s territory? Why was there a Red Dragon?

Leon mused distractedly, noticing that the Red Dragon was a juvenile. From the sky, it unleashed a Flame Breath, dispersing the caravan guards, landing heavily in front of the slower Leon, glaring and examining him, it asked, "Do you know how to use a sword?"

"I do." Leon responded.

"Good." The juvenile Red Dragon said, extending its massive claw, grabbing Leon and soaring into the sky.

Thus, Leon was kidnapped by a Red Dragon.