Chapter 443: Taking Charge

Chapter 443: Taking Charge

“The style of a merchant,” Achille said. No matter how mysterious Qin had been before, or how stunning her entrance was now, this move was purely merchant-like. It was about securing more benefits for oneself, and Qin had succeeded extremely well at that.

None of the party attendees had simple backgrounds. And thanks to Zheng Yichen’s situation, Qin had effortlessly pulled many important figures into this gathering. Her dazzling entrance at this moment was perfectly timed. The rest was her time to shine.

The glittering entrance had allowed her to seize control of the party’s rhythm. Only after her arrival did the gathering truly begin.

“Tsk tsk, I’ll keep slacking off,” Zheng Yichen remarked, watching Qin lead the room. With Loris and Annie beside him softly explaining the hidden meanings behind Qin’s actions, he wasn’t too bored. What he heard was full of clever tactics. Though Qin’s behavior seemed very distinctive, to certain special individuals, it fell into the ‘predictable’ category. Their focus on her, the previously unseen guild president, was bound to lessen.

That’s exactly what Qin wanted. She didn’t want excessive attention from the Sanctuary Church or other forces due to standing out too sharply. Yet she also didn’t want this debut to be meaningless. She balanced it perfectly!

Even if the Sanctuary Church wouldn’t fixate on her special status in the future, Qin’s uniqueness would still leave an impression on these power s. This would make future business collaborations much easier to establish.

“She’s really good at leading the room too,” Zheng Yichen said, watching Qin speak. Among the attendees, some truly aimed for the mysterious president, Qin, but others had their sights set on him. Yet now, these people listened intently to Qin, temporarily setting aside matters concerning Zheng Yichen.

This created a buffer for the issues around him. It shifted the main focus to something minor, lessening Zheng Yichen’s apparent importance. This wasn’t bad; in fact, it was good. Too much attention could twist many answers. It also gave Zheng Yichen extra time to prepare.

“…I need to step away for a moment,” Achille said, frowning slightly to Saintess Deya. He temporarily left the venue. Qin noticed his departure. She took a moment to smile at him, having caught her gaze. Achille remained expressionless and kept walking out. He opened the Magic Weapon Summoning Book and saw a message: a Red Dragon was flying towards Kaja City.

It was that Red Dragon—Augusta—infamous as the Dragon Clan’s disgrace after being knocked out cold by Zheng Yichen last time. Why wasn’t he staying put in his Dragon Lair? What was he doing here?

Dragons were powerful creatures, but nothing like the wildly destructive beasts from stories who indiscriminately razed cities. When unprovoked, they rarely sought trouble; they’re basically… lazy. They wouldn’t stir things up unless irritated. And the troublemakers weren’t always humans either.

So why was Augusta the Red Dragon coming to Kaja? Had he held a grudge since his defeat and, finally knowing Zheng Yichen’s location, decided to seek revenge? But this delay was too long. Though lazy, Dragons weren’t slow to act when motivated. If he truly wanted revenge, he’d have attacked long ago, right after Zheng Yichen reappeared publicly using his Alchemical Avatar in Kaja City. Why wait till now?

What was this Red Dragon’s purpose?

Forget it. Nothing major would happen anyway. While impulsive, he wasn’t stupid. He knew the consequences of his actions. The Continent was no longer an era ruled by the Dragon Clan. Though their status remained high, they weren’t the only dominant power. Cause trouble and get hunted down? He’d have to accept it.

If the Dragon Clan was clearly in the wrong, even their protective nature wouldn’t launch an all-out war. Humans had amassed too many powerful individuals. A total war was a price even the Dragon Clan couldn’t shoulder.

“What happened?” Deya asked in a hushed voice when Achille returned.

“Augusta is coming. He’ll arrive before the party ends.”

“Revenge?” Deya instantly looked towards Zheng Yichen. “Should I subdue him first?”

“…Unnecessary. That Dragon might not be brilliant, but he isn’t foolish. We’ll discuss it after the gathering.”

Qin didn’t drag out her opening remarks. A lengthy speech would dampen the impact of her recent impressive entrance. She finished it appropriately. Then, the formal banquet part began. Next came the free social time—people could converse and negotiate as they wished.

Originally, Zheng Yichen’s area should have been crowded. But Qin drew off a large portion. Those were precisely the people keen on probing Zheng Yichan’s situation. The diverted group included others with different agendas, but virtually all had been captivated by Qin.

“He is the City Lord of Kaja,” Loris murmured. Her voice wasn’t excessively soft; others could hear it if they listened closely. The City Lord naturally heard it too, but he found it unremarkable. Servants arranged by the Purple Vine Guild wouldn’t be fools despite their youthful appearance. Since placed here, they surely had a role beyond holding a tray or merely marking a spot as a “Loli table.”

Introducing guests to Zheng Yichen was one of those roles, right? In others’ eyes, he was a Dragon, not a Human. He wouldn’t have prepared detailed information on human attendees beforehand like humans do. He wouldn’t know exactly who anyone was just by their approach.

Did Zheng Yichen need to follow such customs? Clearly not!

So having an interpreter was crucial. It let Zheng Yichen know beforehand who he was speaking to, preventing unnecessary clashes or misunderstandings.

“The City Lord… isn’t he a bit past prime age?” Zheng Yichen couldn’t help muttering as he scrutinized the City Lord’s greying hair. The City Lord wasn’t an ordinary human either; he possessed a certain cultivation level. However, this level clearly didn’t grant him longevity like other strong practitioners, nor did it let him maintain his youthful appearance.

“Cough. A preference of the Empire. Sir, you may call me Banc.” After a simple self-introduction, City Lord Banc’s friendly expression turned more solemn. “I assume with a Dragon’s wisdom, you understand my purpose for coming.”

This was a subtle compliment wrapped in a test. It probed Zheng Yichen’s response time and tone, clues hinting at his intelligence. As City Lord, Banc was very adept at this method.

As for his ability to approach Zheng Yichen first? Simple: this was Kaja City! He got priority. Unless the Sanctuary Church insisted, others had to queue up. Were members of other forces comparable to the Dark Church? No? Then queue! Noble families?

Remember, he represented the Empire. Backed by imperial power, his first approach was fully justified.

“Let’s discuss here,” Zheng Yichen said, gesturing to a nearby seat.

City Lord Banc nodded and sat opposite Zheng Yichen, waiting for him to continue. “Honestly,” Zheng Yichen said, “my feelings toward Humans aren’t particularly warm.”

City Lord Banc’s heart gave a tiny lurch. This opening wasn’t promising. If it was for claiming dominance, it could be manageable. But if it was genuine sentiment…

There’s never love or hatred without reason. He absolutely needed to understand the cause. “Humans number greatly,” City Lord Banc said vaguely, unable to pinpoint the exact grievance. “No one can guarantee all individuals eschew misdeeds.”

“Ah~ I know that.” Zheng Yichen nodded. “Otherwise, I certainly wouldn’t be lingering here even now. But first impressions of certain matters are truly hard to forget. Precisely because of that, my impression of Humans strikes… especially deep.”

“…” City Lord Banc felt a headache building. Before attending the party, he’d thoroughly researched Zheng Yichen. Combined with his current words, even without explicitly stating his experiences, it hinted vividly. Zheng Yichen was merely a Little Dragon initially, lacking formidable power. His first location was within human territories, not lands where the Dragon Clan resided.

Investigation into Zheng Yichen’s origin mountain region revealed some details, likely where he first appeared. Events unfolded in the nearby Town after Zheng Yichen’s disappearance from that mountain. Compiling these incidents painted his likely experience: some individuals in the Town, seeing he was merely a Young Dragon—even a newborn—developed unjustified intentions and acted upon them. How strong could a Young Dragon be?

With sufficient preparation, subduing a Young Dragon wasn’t much harder than facing some potent Magical Beasts. Clearly, disaster nearly claimed the Young Dragon Zheng Yichen back then. Yet fortune intervened: Zheng Yichen was rescued by a Sorceress, her status then still uncertain.

Damn it… Banc silently conceded the immense appeal an unguarded Baby Dragon would evoke. Given an opportunity, he might have acted similarly. If shielded from the Empire’s gaze, he’d likely have gone solo. A Dragon? Irresistible! Beyond exploiting its resources, one could subjugate it through a Contract, incorporating Symbiosis clauses. Half the Dragon Clan’s lifespan—achievable without tedious cultivation!

Who wouldn’t covet that?

“Don’t give such a helpless expression. If I genuinely hated Humans, I wouldn’t be here, right?” Zheng Yichen chuckled. He held resentment but, being Human himself, he couldn’t despise his entire race. Though Earth Humans instinctively scored highest in sentiment. “Without those people’s actions, I wouldn’t have reached this point. In a way, I’m thankful to those who caused that unpleasant experience. Compared to them, luck favored me more.”

“Heh heh…” What could City Lord Banc say now? Any words risked seeming defensive. Say the wrong thing? He’d be vilifying Humanity before many witnesses. Silently, he cursed inwardly while forcing a stiff smile. This first contact was excruciating. Why must an elder suffer such awkwardness? Was this truly a young Dragon? Such cunning! Clearly, time spent with Sorceresses had sharpened him differently from ordinary Dragons. He’d seized command instantly, forcing Banc defensiveness. And Zheng Yichen held this leverage unshakably—beginning with personal suffering left Banc publicly hobbled.

Bah! Witnessing onlookers mock him stung bitterly. Shouldn’t they thank this suffering old City Lord sacrificing himself? Without him taking this hit, they’d fare worse!

Swallowing age-inappropriate fury internally, Banc awaited Zheng Yichen’s next words. How to speak? While Zheng Yichen lingered on this topic, any response was futile!

“Bottom line: beyond that initial unpleasantness, human society suits me fine—provided strength suffices,” Zheng Yichen continued. Banc inwardly sighed relief at concluding the prior topic. Could a normal discussion finally commence?

He soon realized relief came too early: “Actually, human gratitude surfaces strongest recalling my Sorceress savior… Hmm, was I mistaken? Or were Sorceresses once Humans too?”

“…!” Mother above! Sanctuary Church representatives observed them! Must he raise such topics? If privately speaking, Banc confidently would’ve tailored his words accordingly. Now…?

“Forget that subject,” Zheng Yichen interjected upon seeing Banc’s tense expression darkening further. He maintained a small smile; he’d gained control and issued an indirect warning. Banc must now understand: his identity would let him steer discussion ambiguously freely, imposing little pressure on himself—others absorbed that burden! “Now, pardon my interruption… What were you saying earlier?” Zheng Yichen prompted, effectively concluding the prior tangent.

“Sir, appreciating the Human Race’s lifestyle—might that mean prolonged stay and development here?” City Lord Banc inquired, adopting a non-committal approach. Zheng Yichen’s opening volley stifled grander openings. While moderate, several hints in Zheng Yichen’s past actions suggested this choice. Yet clear confirmation offered the needed reassurance that mere speculation couldn’t.

“The human world fascinates me, particularly the Magic Weapon Summoning Book!”

“What about… the Dragon Clan then?”

“The Dragon Clan? None of my business~” A subtle eye-roll and dismissive lip-curve accompanied Zheng Yichen’s response. “They offered zero aid during my darkest hours. Moreover, I struggled entirely alone before disaster struck initially.”

Oh? A Dragon devoid of Dragon Clan allegiance! City Lord Banc’s eyes gleamed sharply; this revelation held immense significance!