CHAPTER 446: CHAPTER 266: HANDS UP

Outside the Capital of Vitali, there lay a secluded gorge within the forest.

Star Singer Aria, tasked by the High Elves with handling this emergency, regarded the two ’elves’ before her, each with a different expression, with an indifferent gaze. She spoke,

"Your asking price is too high."

Even though she had already heard about the outrageous demands of the two Metal Dragons, hearing them raise the price even further on the spot still inevitably caused her some displeasure.

Yet, despite being legendary, she did not act rashly or choose to simply take what she needed by force.

Immediately upon arrival, she had sensed the subtle traces of magic power emanating from this gorge.

Magic Enigma Lock!

Those dragons even had the audacity to shamelessly rename the magic technique they had plagiarized—Dragon Nest Guard!

To dare act so boldly in front of the High Elves’ military representatives, the mastermind must be a seasoned troublemaker, she mused.

If I act recklessly and they trigger this Dragon Nest Guard with its unknown effects, these war supplies will likely be destroyed, she feared.

But as she had stated, the asking price set by these Metal Dragons was exorbitant!

On the black market, military goods typically sold for between 17% and 90% of their original value, depending on their condition.

The condition of this batch of goods was indeed quite new.

How could it not be new? It was freshly robbed from the transportation routes of the Luwalden Kingdom!

There were even a few carts of Anger Potions. They’re just as spicy to drink, but at least one’s rear end doesn’t burst into flames.

Yet these two Metal Dragons dare to sell them at full price! Draconic greed, plain and simple.

"But this is what you urgently need, is it not?" the Silver Dragon Sebriz, disguised as an elf, arrogantly interjected, raising his hand to stop his Brass Dragon companion, Fulatimir, from speaking.

Inwardly, however, he was in a panic.

He’d never imagined that what was supposed to be a quick score for some easy money would attract the attention of a legendary figure!

And of all people, it was that famed Chosen of the Moon Goddess, the royal sister of Arasya, the new Queen of the Elven Kingdom—Star Singer Aria!

When he had just returned from the Toriel Plane to the Old Continent Skanis, he distinctly remembered this female elf slaughtering Dwarves at Eight Peaks Mountain!

When had she returned to the New Continent? And of all the rotten luck, *they* had to be the ones to run into her!

At such a crucial juncture, he couldn’t afford to let Fulatimir, with his loose tongue, speak freely! Heaven knew what trouble he might stir up.

Fulatimir, however, was growing anxious and privately ’messaged’ his friend through Magic Messaging,

"What on earth are you trying to do? This isn’t what we agreed on! Weren’t we supposed to offer a slight discount to make a quick sale?"

But Sebriz resolutely replied, "Plans have changed. We can’t proceed with this deal."

"Why not?!" Fulatimir nearly blew his scales in frustration on the spot.

For crying out loud! They had risked getting mauled by Chromatic Dragons for nearly a month, defying the dangers, just waiting to divvy up the spoils after this shipment, and now he suddenly says the deal is off! Anyone would be furious!

If he hadn’t known his best friend so well, he might have suspected Sebriz was trying to ditch him and keep all the profits for himself!

Running into someone so foolishly righteous from reading too many biographies, Sebriz felt like he was about to cough up blood himself, but he quickly explained,

"We’re up against a tough opponent: the Chosen of the Moon Goddess, Star Singer Aria. Even back in Toriel, I’ve heard she’s a prominent hawk."

"She’s just a legend! If she dares to take these by force, I’ll just burn it all down. Surely she wouldn’t dare be reckless."

"Damn it! Don’t you understand at all? She’s the Moon Goddess’s spokesperson in the material realm. Have you forgotten what the Moon Goddess represents? Or are you choosing to selectively forget certain historical facts for the sake of some money?"

"...Alright, I get it. What should we do? I’ll follow your lead," Fulatimir fell silent for a moment before reluctantly conceding.

Perhaps not all Dragons were aware, but those Metal Dragons who had read histories knew one thing for sure:

The mastermind behind the planning and execution of ’The Slaying King Star Dragon Mad Lock’ back then was inextricably linked to the involvement of the Moon Goddess, Sahani Moonbow.

There were even rumors that this ’Secret of Lunar Brilliance,’ revered by the High Elves as the ’Mysterious Prophet,’ still resided atop The Slaying King Star. She personally guarded the Dragon Mad Lock, which was vital to the very lifeline of all High Elves.

All High Elves understood the importance of this mission.

Should they lose the suppression and threat of the Dragon Mad Lock, allowing Dragons the opportunity to recover their civilization of congregating and mass attacks, then given the Dragons’ vindictive nature, a bloody retaliatory purge against these High Elves—who had backstabbed their ’Dragon Lords’ during the Dragon Wars—was almost inevitable.

So, in Sebriz’s view, the Chosen of the Moon Goddess before him was essentially the spokesperson for ’Class-A war criminals’ in the eyes of Dragons.

He could rob Chromatic Dragons and do business with High Elves.

But he would never allow himself to possibly make deals with a war criminal.

Heaven knew what they might do with these war supplies.

Might it threaten the Metal Dragon Race of Toriel, or the solitary Dragon Island?

This was a line he could not cross!

"First, we set a high price to push them away. While they discuss, we find an opportunity to leave."

"And what about this batch of goods?"

"The ones we can’t take with us? Of course, we’ll burn them," Sebriz said, somewhat regretfully.

"Burn it?!" Fulatimir felt as if his cloaca was gushing blood, barely resisting the urge to leap up in outrage.