Tale of the Red Dragon Without Dragon's Might-Chapter 443 - 436: Preparing for the Final Battle

After the Tomb Guardian revived Evil Thought, he didn’t snap his fingers to look cool; he was way past that age. Instead, he turned into a wisp of black smoke and suddenly disappeared, returning to the camp located at the Elf Tavern.

Because Bhaal had reclaimed the power of bloodline and died, and because the reincarnated Evil Thought had finally broken free from the shackles of fate, gaining free will, conquering his own evil thoughts and desires, his eyes had become clear.

Leon stood to the side, thinking... In fact, he had only heard about it, as he hadn’t played through much of the game plot.

It’s said that before being influenced by Bhaal, Evil Thought had a happy childhood, gentle and kind in his early years, desiring to become a paladin... In the game, there were a few special exclusive dialogues about his background upon switching to a paladin. The main focus of the whole game series was on the protagonist, being a child of Bhaal, fighting against destiny.

"Minsk had doubts about you, little assassin, but Boo never did." The towering Ranger Minsk had a furry, chirping hamster perched on his shoulder, which was his external brain, a mini space hamster with telepathy.

"From now on, you will be the author of your own legend—you’ve done well." After ditching that ugly flat-bangs hairstyle, the white-haired Shadow Heart still looked pretty and cute.

...

After the jumbled praises and admiration from everyone, Evil Thought walked slowly towards Olin’s scattered corpse, picking up the dagger containing the Nether Stone from the bloody remains, and took the Nether Stone off the dagger. Another Nether Stone was in hand.

"Just one last Nether Stone left," Jahira said, crossing her arms with her pointy ears slightly twitching, "Now we must turn to the last person—Gotaish, and take his Nether Stone."

"We could ally with him." Former enemy Minsala had now joined the protagonists, her presence perfectly explaining the phrase "the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

If it was just for the sake of clearing the game, adopting unscrupulous means to achieve the goal, Leon supported Minsala’s suggestion. He recommended cooperating with Gotaish, deceiving him to leave the heavy protection of the Steel Guardians and Flaming Fist, then finding a chance to betray him, easily obtaining the Nether Stone, saving time and effort.

"Kill him, Gotaish, that liar. I used to trust him so much," Karak said, so agitated that the Hell Engine in her chest emitted a red glow.

She had every reason to be angry, as she had once been a guard for Gotaish, always admiring and following him, but this trust ended badly—she was sold to Zarriel by Gotaish, her heart replaced with a Hell Engine as an experimental subject.

"He has Steel Guardians with him, groups of Steel Guardians," Gael stroked his chin, "We must find a way to disable those Steel Guardians."

"My father is in his hands," Will couldn’t help but interject. His father was the Grand Duke of Border’s Gate, Raven Guard, the actual ruler of Border’s Gate, kidnapped and controlled by Gotaish, "We must rescue him."

Leon remained silent throughout, watching the debates with interest.

For him, it didn’t matter if the Karsus Crown was obtained a few days earlier or later. Otherwise, with his understanding of the game plot, he could entirely collect the three Nether Stones within a day, kill the Neser Brain—which, in the entire Ferren Continent, was actually nothing—and seize the Karsus Crown.

Until the debate was nearing its end, and the protagonist group finally decided not to cooperate with Gotaish, Leon slowly spoke up, saying he knew where Grand Duke Raven Guard was being held by Gotaish.

"You’ve been with us all along; how do you know so much?" Jahira asked, frowning.

"Why do I feel like you know everything," Gael squinted his eyes.

Leon showed a mysterious smile and said, "I don’t know everything; I only know what I know."

He felt he had taken the place that belonged to Mizora in the original game; although he joined the protagonist group, he didn’t participate in battles.

No matter what they planned to do next, the first thing was to return to the Elf Song to rest and gather their strength.

Then that night, a group of Vampire Derivatives attacked the protagonist group, attempting to kidnap Astarion, to take him back to his master, Kazador. If Astarion wanted to break away from his past completely, he would have to face Kazador.

The rescue mission for Grand Duke Raven Guard had to be put on hold for now. Anyway, as long as they didn’t fall out with Gotaish, they didn’t have to worry about the safety of Grand Duke Raven Guard. The protagonist group decided to head to Kazador’s palace. In the game, Kazador’s palace was on the Lower District city wall, somewhat unreasonable, and in reality, undoubtedly in the Upper City.

Kazador was just a vampire, though certainly stronger than an average vampire, still not a match for the protagonist group... Kind-hearted Evil Thought certainly did not help Astarion replace Kazador and perform the wicked ritual. Eventually, Astarion did not become an ascended vampire, which was entirely within Leon’s expectations.

If it were in the game, Leon would support Astarion in becoming an ascended vampire because of the strength it brings, but not in reality. It brought no benefit to Astarion; the skyrocketing ambition would only lead him to destruction, corresponding to that saying—"Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad."

The little issue of the Hag kidnapping a little girl could be addressed when there was time; if not, just ignore it. Compared to destroying the Supreme True God, it was nothing.

The next day, the protagonist group charged towards the Steel Throne located underwater, rescuing Grand Duke Raven Guard hidden by Gotaish at the Steel Throne. Under his guidance, they headed to the Dragon Nest located beneath the Flying Dragon Pass, a lair of a Bronze Dragon, the lair of An Su, partner of the founder of Border’s Gate, Balduran.

An Su had long been dead, now an Empty Shell Dragon... Unlike dragons who explore undead magic to pursue power, some Metal Dragons see undeath as a method to achieve a higher purpose. To guard the Divine Artifact and fulfill their vow, a dragon might transform into an Empty Shell Dragon, accepting the form of undeath until the mission is fulfilled.

In the mouth of the Empty Shell Dragon An Su, the Mind Flayer Monarch has always been protecting the protagonist group from the Elder Brain’s control, which actually was Balduran in disguise. However, considering that Mind Flayers have no soul, Balduran was actually long dead, leaving only a Mind Flayer inheriting Balduran’s memory; otherwise, he wouldn’t have killed his once-close partner.

Helping An Su rest in peace, the protagonist group obtained the Legendary Level weapon and equipment, Balduran’s Giant Slayer, and Balduran’s Helmet, then marched grandly towards the Steel Guardian Foundry, assisting the Gond believers in the uprising, engaging in a mêlée with the Steel Guardian Titans, and finally shutting off the Steel Guardians’ main control switch, battling Gotaish. freewēbnoveℓ.com

As a chosen of the God of Tyranny, Gotaish had some skills—but only just that, proving that not all chosen ones of gods are powerful, just the powerful chosen ones are.

Up to this point, the three Nether Stones had finally been collected.

The Mind Flayer Monarch rarely appeared from the Astral Prism.

"As expected, the wharf under the city must lead to the Molding Realm Secret—the chosen one imprisoned the Elder Brain there."

"The gemstones are in hand, and the chosen one is dead; now is a rare opportunity."

"Once we reach the Molding Realm Secret, we will go straight for the Elder Brain and end this—whether the result is death, enslavement, or freedom."

After so much trouble, finally, the showdown was at hand, and Leon was feeling a bit excited.

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