Chapter 281: Chapter 276: Scraping Scales and Peeling Skin Chapter 281: Chapter 276: Scraping Scales and Peeling Skin These six fellows have a very effective method, whereby virtually every noble in the city would obediently pay their protection fee after being surrounded for several days. This is because the protection fee is set cleverly according to their total assets.

The amount demanded by the six bandit dragons treads a fine line in the nobles’ psychology. Although significant, it doesn’t cause a major dent in their wealth. Gritting their teeth, they’d still reluctantly cough it up.

The catch is, the sum to hire dragon slayers would greatly surpass the protection fee, which is why, after some hesitation, many nobles still prefer paying the fee.

Once paid, the six bandit dragons would keep their word and leave the city along with their ragtag followers, nabbing all the low-ranking monsters around the city before they depart.

It can be said they fulfilled their promise – pay up, and you’d be free of monster disturbances. Of course, in essence, it’s simply another form of extortion and pillage.

However, compared to the means employed by other Five Colored Dragons when raiding human cities, it’s surprisingly moderate.

After successfully robbing a city, they would move on to target another city in another country, employing a hit-and-run strategy, never plundering two cities of the same country within a short span.

In doing so, these six scoundrels became the notorious bandit dragons in the border areas of several countries.

Because the ransom they demanded was always just right combined with the inherent human thraldom, most nobles in the region silently bore the exploitation of the six Five-Colored Dragons.

Yeah, true, not all nobles are so cowardly. As with those who spend long periods by the river are likely to get their shoes wet, some hardy humans would defy even though they could manage the demanded amount. Instead, they’d rather shell out to have the dragons slain.

But, all the contracted dragon slayers end up not only failing but also getting killed. The dragons raised by Prince Mureya were far more powerful than they appeared, possessing magical proficiency matching their own level.

In addition, Prince Mureya’s training that required them to periodically spar with demons from the Abyss, made them more brave and skilled than their indolent kin.

After defeating the oncoming slew of failed dragon slayers, their reputation spread…more powerful monsters, and even dragons came to join their cause.

Since they ensured that targets of their extortions didn’t harbor any formidable powers they couldn’t counter, these six fellows flourished within the crevices of the nations, enjoying life as domineering bandits.

But this lifestyle didn’t last for long and immediately ended when Mureya announced the dragon-search mission to the Church of the Good God. The behaviour and formidable magic of these dragons – quite unlike the other Five-Colored Dragons – had already been documented by the Churches of the region.

Once the mission was assigned, high-ranking officials from the local Churches reported in scores. Following this, six red-clothed Grand Archbishops were dispatched from the Dawn Church, the Justice Church, the Morning Glow Church, and other Churches of the Good God, along with a temporary Golden Rank Paladin Squadron.

In just a day’s time, the infamous Tricolor Dragon Bandit Group was crushed. The strength gradually built by the six Five-Colored Dragons over the months was obliterated, and the hundred-thousand monsters attracted by their infamy were wiped out.

Then came the capture operation. Since they were skilled in various types of magic, especially escape tactics like Teleportation Magic, the six red-clothed Grand Archbishops had a tough time and spent quite some effort and time capturing them.

In the end, the captured evil dragons that pledged allegiance to the six accused Five-Colored Dragons were also brought before Prince Mureya. Normally, rules dictate that except for the six dragons Prince Mureya specifically wanted, the rest of the evil dragons should be killed.

However, after discussing amongst themselves several grand red-clothed archbishops decided to bundle everything up and give it to Muria. This was because Muria, a kind-hearted Golden Dragon, seems to have a fondness for subduing and training the Five-Colored Dragons.

“That is what we’ve been doing these days, Muria,” said Krest, the Red Dragon, looking obsequiously to Muria. “Could you loosen the restraints on me? They are quite uncomfortable.”

“You seem to have forgotten to mention one thing,” said Muria, smiling at Krest. “If it’s hard to recall, I can give you a hint—it’s the very first thing you all did upon arriving here.”

“…” Red Dragon Krest froze for a moment before guiltily turning his head. He knew exactly what Muria was talking about.

“When I was trying to track your location, you actually used the magic I taught you against me, shielding your location from me,” Muria continued, her face still beaming with a warm smile. “Were you all trying to betray me?”

“We didn’t mean to betray you,” Krest defended in a low voice. “But you… you’re always so strict with us. We only blocked your tracking magic to gain a little longer freedom, knowing full well you’d find us eventually.”

“Strict?” Muria’s smile vanished, replaced by a flash of anger. She violently kicked Krest’s snout, “If I hadn’t been so strict with you all, would you be able to gather such substantial forces in just a few months? You would have ended up with your heads chopped off and displayed on the city wall as trophies.”

“Aren’t I bound and brought before you right now?” Krest mumbled under his breath. Though his voice was soft, Muria heard it loud and clear.

“Heh!” Muria sneered, her metal-clad foot pressing on Krest’s now bleeding snout, “That was a mission I gave to the Church. Without my interference, you all would have had your freedom for a fair bit longer. How about it? Do you hate me?”

“No, not at all,” Krest the Red Dragon shook his head sincerely, his face full of flattery. “You’ve been so kind to us; how could we hate you?”

“Flattering me now is too late,” Muria warned coldly, glancing at Krest and the three green dragons and two red ones by his side, all of them bigger and more powerful than their peers.

“Whatever your reasons were, your actions are equivalent to rebellion and must be met with appropriate punishment.”

“What kind of punishment?” Hearing that Muria wasn’t going to kill them, Krest let out a sigh of relief. The other five dragons also relaxed a bit. As for punishment, they had already grown accustomed to pain and suffering.

“Scaling and skinning,” Muria said coldly, looking at the now more relaxed Five-Colored Dragons.

“…” The air momentarily grew still. All of the dragons present stared at Muria in shock. Apart from death, this was the cruelest punishment possible for dragons.

“No! Muria! I’ve learned my lesson, I won’t do it again!” Krest the Red Dragon shrieked in horror.

“Silence!” A large dragon claw reached out and grasped Krest by the throat, “How dare a mere traitor call His Majesty by his first name!”

The Red Dragon Otlis sneered and dragged the junior of his breed away, completely ignoring his screams of terror and pleas for mercy. The other five dragons were also dragged away by ten-or-so green dragons Muria had subjugated, who were all rejoicing in their misfortune.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read