Evil Red Dragon

Chapter 59 The Altar of God

The nest fell silent for a moment, with only the occasional bubbling sound of the lava pool.

Oliveira listened intently, her tail swaying gently.

She was very interested in these melodramatic backstories.

Alecto, however, showed little emotion; he was more concerned with practical matters.

"How are your Elvish and magical abilities?"

"I am fluent in all Elvish languages and can read and write the languages of eight countries."

Odette replied, her tone revealing professional confidence:

"In terms of magic... I am a level two mage who majors in nature magic and healing spells, and I also have some knowledge of magic circles. Before I was arrested, I was a scholar at Star Moon Academy."

"Xingyue Academy?"

Alecto vaguely remembered the name.

It was one of the academies connecting the Elf Empire and the Human Empire, renowned for its research into celestial magic.

"Then why did you end up in the hands of slave traders?"

Odette's expression darkened:

Three months ago, I was commissioned by the college to go to the City of Two Moons in Carando for academic exchange and to study several ancient sites.

On my way back, I was ambushed. My guards all died trying to help me escape. I fled all the way to Graystone Town, but I was discovered by slave traders and captured...

Alecto nodded.

This explanation makes sense. A half-elf scholar, despite having royal blood, is not valued and has limited strength, making him an easy target.

However, Odette's mention of the ancient ruins of Twin Moon City did pique his interest.

"What ruins did you study in Twin Moon City?"

He pressed for an answer.

Odette replied:

"It mainly involves the altar beneath Twin Moon City. This is done in secret because it is now the private property of a high-ranking human noble."

Twin Moon City.

Alecto knew the name.

Helena said she was heading there, and from what she said, something big was happening in Twin Moon City.

How much do you know about Twin Moon City?

Odette thought for a moment:

"That's the largest city in northeastern Calando, famous for its two magic towers."

The city is jointly ruled by three powerful noble families, with other forces intertwined.

The altar I'm studying is located beneath the mansion of the Rost family, one of the three noble families. It's a well-preserved ancient elven sacrificial site.

During the investigation, it was vaguely discovered that it was related to a moon goddess who had fallen in history, but it was discovered before it could be studied in detail.

"Moon Goddess..."

Alecto silently noted down this information.

So what if he knows? He was indeed tempted, but his abilities didn't allow it. Should he just take it all and give it away for free?

He could only change the subject:

How are you feeling right now?

"Much better."

Odette speaks the truth:

"The scroll looks great, thank you."

Alecto waved his paw:

"No need to thank me. I saved you because you're useful. From now on, you're one of my men. Sign up."

As he spoke, he handed the slave contract that he had prepared beforehand to Odette.

Odette readily accepted, bowing slightly in thanks.

"I am willing to serve you."

A wise person knows when to yield, and she couldn't think of a way to refuse, especially since this red dragon had saved her.

"Okay, next..."

Alecto suddenly got stuck. He wanted to continue learning about the situation on the elves' side from Odette, but he was still healing and didn't have the time or energy for it.

He scratched his head and asked Odette again:

"Have you studied alchemy?"

Odette smiled gently:

"As a scholar, I have been involved in all of these areas."

"That makes things easier."

Alector turned to Oliveira and handed her all the alchemical artifacts from his spatial bag at once:

"Here you go. Take Odette down and arrange her accommodations. From now on, you can learn from her. If you can create alchemical artifacts, I will reward you with a sum of gold coins."

Oliveira's eyes lit up.

gold!

"Yes, brother! I will definitely succeed, don't worry!"

She responded excitedly, wagging her tail even more enthusiastically.

Odette hesitated:

"Teach the red dragon?"

"Is there a problem?"

Alecto squinted.

No, there isn't.

Odette quickly shook her head:

"However... I've never taught Red Dragon before, so it may take some time for me to adapt to the teaching methods."

That's your problem.

Alecto said lazily:

"Although Oliveira is a bit slow-witted, she has a decent learning ability. You teach her as best you can, and she learns as best she can. That's all."

Oliveira pouted, clearly unhappy with the assessment that she was a bit slow, but didn't dare to argue back.

When Alecto is stronger than him, whatever he says is right.

After Oliveira left with Odette, Alecto went back to his work on the treasure pile and repaired the corridor.

Odette's value was higher than he had anticipated.

He is not only a translator and scholar, but also has direct knowledge of Twin Moon City, and this intelligence may very well come in handy in the future.

As for teaching Oliveira... that's an added bonus.

The young female dragon definitely needs a systematic education; otherwise, she may forever remain a mediocre student.

Late at night.

More campfires were lit at the Chifeng camp, and patrols moved back and forth along the camp's perimeter.

Oliveira was in a small cave she had dug herself at the foot of the mountain, rummaging through the alchemical vessels that Alecto had given her.

Although she doesn't use most of them now, just looking at these valuable items makes her very happy.

Odette was placed in a separate stone house next to Oliveira.

Although simple, it was still clean.

She sat on the wooden bed, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings by the moonlight streaming through the window.

From hell to heaven.

That was her only feeling about the past few days.

From the slave traders' cages to Helena's laboratory, and then to the red dragon's territory...

Every transition is fraught with uncertainty, but at least now, she has some breathing room.

Odette stroked the faint silver ring on her wrist, a protective mark left by her mother.

It was this mark that allowed her to retain her last shred of dignity during those darkest days.

"Mother……"

She murmured softly:

"If you are watching over me from heaven, please guide me on the path ahead."

As for her father, forget about him.

After her mother gave birth to her, the man sent her to a convent, left some money, and left, never to return even once.

He is not her father, and she is not his daughter.

I neither resent nor hate.

They were just strangers.

The sound of patrolling footsteps came from outside the window. Odette slowly lay down and closed her eyes.

Exhaustion washed over me, but my brain was still working at high speed.

How will she survive here? And what will her place be?

Alecto doesn't seem like a benevolent master, but at least he's practical; he'll survive as long as he's useful.

Teaching a red dragon... A bitter smile appeared on Odette's lips.

This will definitely be an extremely difficult challenge.

But it's better than going back to the cage.

With these thoughts in mind, she gradually drifted off to sleep.

At the same time, in Twin Moon City.

In the basement of the Rost family mansion, Elena and her group were following a richly dressed, wealthy-looking old man to an ancient altar.

The old man is the current head of the Rost family, but his soul has been completely controlled by Helena, his self-awareness erased, and he has been reduced to a puppet.

The altar is shaped like a full moon and was carved from an unusually large piece of long moonstone.

Under the light, it gleams with a faint silvery sheen.

"This is it."

Helena stood beside Elena, confirming that the altar was indeed the work of the ancient elves and was remarkably well-preserved.

"According to ancient records, this altar is connected to the moon goddess's kingdom. Although the moon goddess's kingdom has long been broken, perhaps some fragments can be found through it."

She turned to look at Elena:

"Are you sure you want to do this? Forcibly activating an ancient altar of this level carries a great risk, and we don't even know the altar's specific functions yet."

"Risk and reward go hand in hand."

Elena said firmly:

"The boss already agreed. If we succeed, we will gain a powerful force to fight against the Church and the Noble Alliance."

Helena frowned slightly.

She wouldn't question the boss's decision, but that didn't mean she didn't have her own concerns.

The magic system of ancient elves differs greatly from that of modern humans, and rashly attempting to manipulate it could lead to unpredictable consequences.

"I need time to study it, at least to figure out the function of this altar and the conditions for its activation."

"You have plenty of time to study, no rush. There are still two other families and the Church of Light to deal with. Until then, you can stay here and study at your own pace."

Elena chuckled softly:

"The boss will come to help you too."

Helena nodded.

Tina, on the other hand, stayed quietly behind her the whole time and didn't cause any trouble.

This guy isn't stupid; he knows the priorities and urgency of things.

After confirming that there was nothing amiss, Elena led the group away, leaving Helena alone.

She sat down on the altar, took out paper and pen, and began to decipher the runes on the altar.

Dawn came quietly in Chifeng Territory.

Alecto opened his eyes, stretched his neck, and found the stinging sensation in the corridor lessened compared to yesterday.

At this rate, it will take at least another month to fully recover.

Oliveira poked half her head in, and seeing that Alecto was awake, she cautiously stepped inside.

"Brother, Odette has already started teaching me alchemy."