Chapter 99

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Chapter 99: The Final Church in the Shadows of Palgauro City

“Lord Lolth, it’s been a while.”

Shelldor didn’t immediately share what had transpired, but her tired expression revealed that the usually cheerful Red Dragon Grand Monarch had recently encountered some troubling matters.

The Happy Number carriage came to a stop outside Palgauro City. Shelldor guided a small group through various districts of the city, from impoverished areas to luxurious quarters. While everything appeared unchanged at first glance, subtle differences emerged upon closer inspection.

Even in the bustling center, the once-prevalent arrogant nobles were nowhere to be seen. The slums housed fewer poorly dressed beggars and vagrants than before. The streets were considerably cleaner, and the city’s rivers no longer served as garbage dumps. Signs posted throughout proclaimed “Five silver coin fine for public urination” and “No littering – all trash must be disposed of in bins.”

Overall, Shelldor had successfully implemented the demon king’s initiatives without any peculiar deviations.

Under her guidance, the group swiftly arrived at Palgauro City’s most iconic structure – the magnificent Lauren Institute. Supported by twelve white stone pillars nearly ten meters tall, the building was constructed entirely of giant stones. Though smaller than some ancient palaces or churches, the Institute still covered an area larger than four or five football fields combined. Despite its relatively young age of just over a hundred years, the place emanated a dignified and majestic atmosphere.

“I consider this place my new nest… Hmm, built entirely with giant stones – quite comfortable to reside in.”

With these words, Shelldor effortlessly pushed open the heavy door to the council chamber, revealing its unchanged interior. The room was arranged like a theater, with stepped seating on three sides, a tall dome illuminated by magic crystals above, and a long aisle leading to the widest platform at the building’s center. The platform, originally intended for important foreign guests and the highest-ranking senators of the Republic of Seychelles, now lay covered with woven mats serving as Shelldor’s bed.

“Please, take a seat in the front row,” Shelldor said, settling herself on the platform.

Lolth and her companions took their places on the nearest step directly facing the platform.

Then, Shelldor stretched lazily on the platform, her body emitting a faint reddish light. As the light faded, the Abyssal Red Dragon emerged, her body massive as a small mountain with elegant curves.

“Hmm… even though I can’t fully unleash my true form, this feels much more comfortable,” Shelldor spoke, now transformed into a dragon, her words forming from condensed magic.

This transformation startled the unprepared Old Harper, who leaped from his chair.

“Dragon, dragon, dragon – you’re a dragon!”

Although he knew Lord Lolth’s “friends” were extraordinary beings, having encountered spirits and Balrogs before, the sight of a dragon still proved overwhelming for Old Harper.

Even Ann couldn’t help but express admiration. “Abyssal Red Dragon… what a beautiful species.”

Kanor, however, remained composed, tilting her head to observe. “It’s quite big…” the little girl remarked, gesturing with her hand.

Isabella, more familiar with this form of the Red Dragon Grand Monarch than her humanoid appearance, involuntarily tensed and grew somewhat guarded.

Shelldor noticed everyone’s reactions and laughed heartily. “Oh, it seems the Dragon race on the continent is indeed not very sociable,” she shifted her gaze, her huge yellow vertical pupil shining like a lighthouse as she looked at Isabella. “Rest assured, knight… We are no longer enemies, and moreover, with you bearing the Curse of Weakness, I won’t harm you.”

Though Shelldor meant no ill will, her words struck Isabella harshly. She relaxed her clenched fists but remained silent, lowering her head.

“That’s enough, Shelldor,” Lolth remained calm, sitting cross-legged with her hands folded across her chest. “What exactly has happened here?”

Believing that addressing problems early made them easier to handle, Lolth pressed for answers.

“Indeed, nothing escapes Lord Lolth’s notice. Did you spot the issues in Palgauro City immediately upon arrival?”

Lolth shook her head at Shelldor’s question. “No, I noticed nothing amiss with Palgauro City,” she said, observing Shelldor’s dull dragon scales. “I sensed it from you… if even you, the Red Dragon Grand Monarch, can’t rest properly, the situation must be serious.”

“Is that so? Using wax doesn’t seem reliable,” Shelldor said, shifting from lying down to sitting on the high platform with a sigh. “However, it is indeed a rather troubling matter.”

She used her front paws to retrieve a black item from between her chest scales and tossed it toward Lolth.

“What is this?”

Lolth caught the black item – a rolled-up scroll. Despite being as large as half of one of Shelldor’s scales, it felt surprisingly light, weighing about the same as an apple.

“This is an activated scroll,” Shelldor replied, surprising Lolth.

“Scroll?”

She examined it more carefully. Though the black object felt very light and appeared to be made of thin, rolled layers, its shape was completely rigid and hard. Rather than resembling a traditional scroll, it looked more like a piece of modern art.

The residual magic essence it carried left Lolth puzzled. This magical essence felt peculiar – instead of the typical remnants of a magic scroll’s power, it more closely resembled the essence that remained after experiencing chaotic events like elemental tides. Yet it possessed no specific attributes.

“Where did you obtain this?”

“My demon dragon underlings acquired it from a group of suspicious individuals in the city,” Shelldor paused, then corrected herself. “No, not mere swindlers… They’re a reclusive group who call themselves ‘The Final Church,’ followers of an ancient deity I’ve never heard of before. Initially, I dismissed them as con artists, but now it seems they’re playing for real…”