Many elves had crossed mountains and rugged terrain to reach Saeolus, the domain ruled by the Duke of Silver, Mirillian.

As for the law-abiding elf commoners, most were stopped at the border checkpoints. Facing a seemingly endless wait for approval, some who couldn't endure it simply chose to return the way they came.

David had just arrived at Dewensen City when he caught the attention of the guards, who signaled him to stop for an inspection.

Unwilling to waste time, David simply used his tail to pull out the badge of a Pioneer Knight Viscount, flashed it, and then glided over the city gate with Yolanda in his grasp.

Arrogance.

This brazen, imperious act immediately caused many hot-blooded young High Elf guards to reflexively raise their bows. Fortunately, an older soldier who recognized David—the viscount newly appointed seven years prior—quickly stopped them, averting a potential disaster.

"TEE HEE HEE, it seems these High Elves aren't as welcoming as you'd imagined," the Mixed-Blood Succubus in his claw started to stir trouble.

David, however, didn't care in the slightest. "This is what happens when you've been isolated for too long, always looking down on others, considering everyone beyond your borders barbarians. A few beatings would've made them see reality. It's just too bad your father is also a coward, afraid of causing trouble with the Elven Gods for the Chromatic Dragon Queen. Otherwise, if we'd pushed straight from the Dewensen coast to the Gloomy Region last year, we wouldn't be suffering the disdain of these long-eared folk now."

David believed that the old dragon certainly had the strength to do so. Just a few legends, right? His mother, Pafila, had slaughtered five of them on the spot before her ascension to godhood last year, and they were all Godchosen.

This, however, left Yolanda quite flustered. "...Your Highness, you really have a way with jokes," she said. Even if David hadn't said it outright, how could someone as astute as Yolanda fail to understand what that fellow was thinking?

Not every dragon possesses the same audacious capital as the Crimson Calamity, Pafila... she thought. At least her father, Christoph, did not.

It was said that her father, Christoph, suffered the cruelty of the Drow for the first half of his life before going to Hell. There, he hardly had a chance to act out before falling into the hands of Yolanda's mother, becoming a mount for the succubi of the Land of Torment. After a lifetime of constant setbacks, how could he dare to act recklessly again?

As the two dragons 'joked' among themselves, David flew to the gate of his home at 186 Golden Oak Avenue under the alarmed and angry gaze of the High Elves. Meanwhile, his dragon father, Attilicia, who had received word of David's coming, was already waiting at the doorstep.

Fortunately, Attilicia had revealed his Silver Dragon true form during the 'King's Decree' incident seven years ago and had since begun to appear in public again as 'Priest Attilicia.'

Otherwise, David would have had to suffer another social death in front of the succubus, Yolanda.

Whether it was due to the toil of repaying debts over the past years, or perhaps the sudden and overwhelming stress of this year's upheavals, the youthful, elf-form Attilicia had deep, dark circles under his eyes and an unkempt beard. To the uninformed, it wouldn't be surprising if he were mistaken for a middle-aged or even elderly dragon, worn down by life's vicissitudes.

This young Silver Dragon had just managed to muster his spirits and force a smile to greet his son. However, when he saw Yolanda, the 'Holy Warrior' David had unceremoniously dropped off, the smile instantly froze on his face. His intended warm greeting for his son turned into:

"And this is..." His eyes were filled with vigilance. Though a smile remained on his face, it looked incredibly awkward.

Yolanda's crude Shape-Shifting Magic might fool ordinary High Elves, but could it fool him, a dragon who had spent the better part of his life immersed in playing humanoid roles?

Moreover, the sulfurous scent from her Red Dragon bloodline and the indelible, corrupt stench of Hell were constantly grating on Attilicia's nerves. So much so that his original intention to 'pour out his grievances' to his son was temporarily shelved.

This is a Red Dragon type! Most likely a mixed-blood Red Dragon from Hell! And she actually has the gall to impersonate a Holy Warrior of their righteous order! This marriage, he would absolutely not... Hmph, even if his son took a liking to her, he would have to earnestly persuade and warn him from the sidelines: What's so good about Red Dragons?! They might look enthusiastic and heroic on the outside, but just wait until they mate—regret will surely follow! Wasn't he a living example?! He had been thoroughly exploited by Pafila for half his life! It was truly unbearable! Now that Red Dragon has ascended to godhood, heaven knows how long his, Attilicia's, suffering must continue! Wait a minute, isn't my son still a juvenile dragon right now? Oh, then it's fine.

Just as David was about to speak, the 'Holy Warrior,' Yolanda, had already initiated a polite and fitting greeting:

"Hello, Uncle Attilicia. My name is Yolanda, Yolanda Amelieca Glaciya. I am a friend of David Uthos. This is a small token of my esteem; please accept it, Uncle. Just be careful, it's a bit heavy." With that, she handed over the gift she had prepared in advance upon learning of David's itinerary.

Attilicia reflexively took the gift. As Yolanda let go, the unprepared Attilicia nearly stumbled and fell, almost suffocating when he glanced inside the gift box.

Barto Red Copper. It seemed to be the Heart of Red Copper, harvested from Malboggi, the Sixth Hell.

This material, though called Barto Red Copper, was somewhat analogous to rare earths on Blue Star. Due to Malboggi's seemingly endless slopes and rolling stones, countless rare minerals had formed there under immense physical pressure and grinding over countless millennia. Through this eons-long process of compression and deposition, this substance was created. On Blue Star, it would be considered a genius-level critical superconductor. In the material world, it was likewise an exceedingly rare super-enchanting material and alchemical component, even more valuable than an equivalent weight of gold.