CHAPTER 385: CHAPTER 241: DRAGON CHARIOT (PART 2)

"Of course, at first there would be some hesitation, but as long as the profit is substantial enough, even in the Barto Hell where devils roam freely, there will be hordes of folks lining up, eager for the chance to strike it rich overnight and change their fate."

As he spoke, David flicked his tail, motioning for the Dragonkin overseer, who held a whip and was noticeably more obedient, to summon all the miners. He looked around at their numb expressions and said,

"I know and understand you lot who were dragged here and have yet to be ransomed back."

Some of the humans, who had not yet had their fighting spirit crushed by the dreary life of a miner, sneered right away, fully expecting another ploy to coax them into working harder.

But what they heard next was plain talk that stabbed right at their hearts:

"Among you, some have toiled a lifetime under a knight, barely managing to earn a knighthood without the chance to benefit your communities.

"Some of you are second sons, denied inheritance, sent off to be Freelance Knights, and scorned by others.

"And some, though fortunate enough to inherit a knight’s title, emptied your family coffers and amassed huge debts just to curry favor with noble lords. Only after half a century of struggle did you obtain the rank of Baron, yet with no real power or lands."

As he spoke, David raised his tail, pointed at the somewhat baffled Patricio, and said with a sneer, "And to top it all off, you were captured and brought here by this idiot," he jerked his tail towards Patricio, "who actually thought he could squeeze a pitiful ransom from you!

"But you, who call yourselves knights and nobles—what are you really? You’re nothing but a bunch of sorry souls. You seemed splendid, but then you fell on hard times and were struck by debt crises. Your wives and children eloped, and your knightly domains were swallowed by creditors you once called friends. You’re just a group of homeless people, discarded by everything you once possessed. The only thing of value you have now is yourselves."

"Stop it! This is all because of you confounded evil dragons!" The salt-in-the-wound approach instantly broke the defenses of many ’noble miners,’ who cried out in desperate collapse,

"Ah, just kill me!"

Even those with fragile wills began to seek death on the spot.

David obviously couldn’t let these ’tools of production’ just die there and then. With a flick of his tail, they were calmed by a Commanding Order. Then he looked around at the more hollow-eyed crowd and said,

"You are my treasure. How could I kill you before you create more value for me?"

He paused in the eerie silence, then grinned and said,

"However, the opportunity to change your fate is now before you. Be grateful, cheer, celebrate your good fortune. From now on, each of you who mines a thousand pounds of ore for me will be granted freedom and rewarded with a pound of Thunderstrike Crystals to take back to your homeland."

Immediately, he added to the visibly shocked and skeptical crowd,

"Those who complete this within two months will be taken directly on board merchant ships passing by with the next batch of ’Tax Officers’."

"By the name and ’mercy’ of the Chromatic Dragon Queen."

Upon hearing this last phrase, not only was Patricio incredulous, but even Sebriz, whose mouth was bound, widened his eyes.

Was this still the ’utterly ruthless’ Blue Dragon?

Seeing the crowd still standing motionless, David’s smile turned more ferocious as he asked,

"What are you waiting for?"

A group of miners, as if afraid David the Evil Dragon would renege on his promise, frantically grabbed their mining picks and rushed back into the mine.

Then, Patricio and this bunch of Blue Dragons, inexperienced in the ways of the world, witnessed what was meant by initiative and a massive surge in productivity.

In just a short moment, these folks, who would only work sluggishly under the overseer’s whip, suddenly seemed as if they were under a Group Haste Spell, mining at a speed more than five times faster than before!

Yet, for this kind of pace, David was still not entirely satisfied.

Right then, eyeing a young Silver Dragon by his side, bound by a collar and iron chains, an idea suddenly took hold.

He pulled out thousands of pounds of Barto green steel ore and several Diamond Drills from his Portable Cavern, and then, under his Arrogance Authority, twisted and shaped them into a massive cylindrical drill head and tossed it to Patricio, saying,

"There you go, put this on him."

"...You intend to enslave my Sebriz? He is my wife, Patricio’s wife! Not unless you step over my dead body!"

Damn bootlicker.

David immediately let out a contemptuous sneer and said,

"But it’s been three days. He’s been chained by me, and you haven’t even been able to get close to him. What right do you have to call yourself his husband?"

"This..." Patricio immediately lowered his head and tail in shame. He wanted to defend himself but realized any excuses were feeble.

Little did he know, David suddenly used Magical Messaging to privately communicate with him,

"Foolish one, tie him up for mining. Once he collapses from exhaustion, isn’t your chance arriving?"

"...But wouldn’t this be taking advantage of a dragon in jeopardy? Would he hate me for it forever?"

"And you still consider yourself a Chromatic Dragon with that cowardly demeanor?"

Seeing that the guy had obviously started to salivate with anticipation, yet was still there, posturing as a pure-hearted, devoted admirer, David tempted him like a devil,

"Hatred is natural, but it’s also temporary. Have you heard of Attilicia, the Silver Dragon?"

"Of course." Patricio instantly perked up.

"He is now the God’s Favored One of the powerful goddess Pafila," David said, speaking a simple truth.