Chapter 528 - 330: Migrant Dragon Workers (Part 2)

Chapter 528: Chapter 330: Migrant Dragon Workers (Part 2)

Zog counted. There were only a handful left.

For Juvenile Dragons protected by adults, this was an extremely low survival rate.

Normally, most Dragons have a very safe childhood. The death rate only starts to skyrocket when they become sub-adults.

That’s the age when they’re most reckless. Due to their inability to judge an opponent’s strength, combined with their overly belligerent nature, they die at the hands of powerful figures they accidentally run into.

"When did this start happening?" Furin asked in surprise. She knew nothing about it either.

"In the last two years," the Green Dragon continued to explain. "Our territory was already shrinking because of those smoke-belching Human machines. But it was still manageable back then. Despite some difficulties, we could still find suitable territory. But everything changed a little over two years ago."

"A little over two years ago?"

"Yes. For a period of time, maybe just a few months, a little over two years ago, the average skill level of Mages from other races increased dramatically. It’s said that... someone... invented a system for deducing Inscriptions. Since then, the number of Inscriptions they’ve mastered has multiplied several times over, which is why Mages became so powerful." The Green Dragon looked quite aggrieved.

It was understandable. After finally reaching adulthood and thinking you were a top-tier combatant on the Continent, you step outside only to get slapped in the face and realize anyone could bully you. The disparity was indeed too great.

As for why the Mages had become so powerful...

Furin glanced at Zog.

Zog’s eyes darted around frantically, daring to look at neither Furin nor the Dragon before him.

’The great Inscription discovery? He was all too clear on that—it was Xiaomo’s doing.’

As Xiaomo’s boss, he could responsibly say that the number of mastered Inscriptions hadn’t just multiplied several times over; it had multiplied dozens of times over.

Meanwhile, the Green Dragon was still recounting his tragic tale. "As you know, a Dragon’s entire body is made of Casting materials. We’re practically the number one target for Adventurer Hunting parties. We had no choice but to learn to hide and eke out a living. But a year later, something even more terrifying happened."

"What was that?" Zog asked, trying his best to act like none of this had anything to do with him.

"Those Adventurers suddenly had a strange new weapon. It’s small, you hold it in your hand, and with just a press, it can shoot powerful Magic from a great distance. The users aren’t even Mages! Can you imagine that? People who aren’t Mages can use that kind of Magic. Have the other races become like the Dragon Race, able to inherit Magic?"

"Unimaginable, unimaginable..."

Though he said that, if Zog had sweat glands, he’d be drenched right now.

His hind leg dug furiously into the ground, gouging out a deep pit.

’This is bad.’

’I seem to have become the Dragon with the highest K/D ratio against the Dragon Race in history.’

Though that wasn’t his intention.

’These poor young Dragons have only seen Magic Guns. The heavy firearms division is already researching more.’

’Bigger calibers, bigger explosions.’

This direction was unanimously approved by all the researchers in the firearms division. They charged toward the "explosion is art" ideal like wild donkeys that had broken their tethers.

Especially the goblin Engineers.

Big explosions were practically a wild dance party on their aesthetic sensibilities.

"Fortunately, we adult Dragons can still barely withstand the damage from those wondrous weapons, so we can only stick together."

’Another six months, and they probably wouldn’t be able to withstand it anymore,’ Zog thought.

"But this can’t go on. Sooner or later, even we will find it hard to survive. So, we can only ask you, Mr. Zog, to take us in."

Zog and Furin exchanged a look.

They began a private conversation using Magic.

"You have to take them in. This is all your doing," Furin said, her tone resolute.

"What do you mean, my doing? Technology always advances. I’m just a part of it. Without me, someone would have researched something similar sooner or later. Besides, I wasn’t the one who researched it, Peter was."

When Zog started explaining things rapidly and frantically, it proved he was a little guilty and was trying hard to shirk responsibility.

Did he feel a sense of belonging to the Dragon Race? Not particularly, but they were his own kind, after all.

Thinking Zog was unwilling to accept them, the Green Dragon started telling a sob story. "We’re very easy to raise! We’ll do anything you ask. As you know, Dragons can eat almost anything..."

He sounded more and more pitiful as he spoke.

"Alright, alright..."

Before Zog could even finish, the dragons before him bowed their heads.

"Thank you for your kindness, great Zog."

"There’s no need for thanks."

’What will happen if they later discover that both the Inscription discovery and the Magic Firearms are connected to me? They won’t have a total meltdown, will they?’

’The very Dragon saving you is the culprit—the *claw*-prit—behind your suffering!’

’What kind of evil arch-villain plot is this?’

Zog, savior of his kind from dire straits!

As for why they were in dire straits?

Don’t ask!

"I will allow you to live in my territory, but Deepwater City doesn’t support idle Dragons. You can’t just eat and drink for free. You will need to contribute your value."

"We can become your loyal Warriors!" After saying this, the Green Dragon felt a bit awkward. "Although... maybe... you... might not have much need for Warriors."

"I indeed do not, but value isn’t only demonstrated through combat. It’s late today. I’ll designate an area for you to rest. Later, some Beastmen will bring you enough food. Is there anything you’d like to eat?"

This was clearly beyond their expectations. "We can choose?" a few of the sub-adult Dragons asked excitedly.

"Of course. I can provide a little food for free."

Afterward, they all started clamoring at once, shouting out what they wanted to eat—sheep, calves...

’It’s clear they haven’t eaten anything good in a long while.’

Only after Zog left did the group of Dragons begin to discuss things cautiously.

"Zog... doesn’t seem as scary as the legends say."

"Yeah, he’s actually a kind Red Dragon."

"So kind..."

Meanwhile, the "kind" Red Dragon Zog returned to the Lord’s Mansion.

He pondered what kind of work to arrange for this bunch of Dragons.

’The fact that a Dragon’s entire body is composed of Casting materials is bound to be a huge hidden danger sooner or later.’

’To completely resolve this conflict, the only way is to develop substitutes and designate Dragons as a "protected species."’

’However, it isn’t that *none* of a Dragon’s body parts could be used as Casting materials.’

’Dung, shed scales, replaced teeth—all these could be sold.’

’Consider it this batch of Dragons’ first lodging payment.’

’As for Dragon Blood, bones, and the like... selling those sounds too tragic. That can be discussed later.’

’I can’t just let them live by selling their metabolic byproducts. It would be best if they participated in labor.’

’Dragons are intelligent beings, too. Sooner or later, they will have to integrate into a fully modernized society.’

’Once technology develops further, holing up in the wild and surviving by fighting and killing will definitely be unrealistic.’

’Perhaps if I could find a suitable form of labor for Dragons, Deepwater City could accept even more of them.’ ℯℯ𝑙.

’In the future, in addition to Devils, this place could have another feature: the Dragon Race.’

’But the prerequisite for all of this is that the Dragons maintain peace with other races.’

’Conflicts must be explicitly prohibited.’

’Judging from today’s interaction, they’re doing quite well.’

’There aren’t that many innately brutal races. A couple of heavy punches from life will straighten them out.’

Thinking of this, he called out, "Elsa!"

When the boss works overtime, the assistant naturally works overtime too.

"What is it?!"

"Tomorrow, go and gather information on the newly arrived Dragons. Their specialties, abilities—be as detailed as possible."

"The newly arrived what?"

"Dragons. Dragons—my kin. The creatures with horns, wings, and tails that can’t speak the common tongue."

"Wait, let me get this straight. The group of Dragons from the trending topics are staying in the city."

"Yes. And it’s very likely more Dragons will come here in the future. So we need to find suitable jobs for them and turn Dragons into qualified members of the workforce."

"Dragons... qualified members of the workforce... You really do see everything if you live long enough," Elsa retorted.

"Have faith in them. Even if they can’t do anything, they can still be mascots, can’t they?"

Zog felt the interaction with the dragons tonight had gone rather well.

And so, the next day, Deepwater City’s first Dragon talent recruitment fair began on the outskirts of the city.