Chapter 339: Chapter 223: Forbidden Punishment (Part 2)
Ultimately, David, at the head of the council, just couldn’t bear to watch anymore. However, he didn’t want to forcibly twist the will of a follower; mishandling the situation could directly cause the follower to lose his ambition and potentially miss out on his Legendary Destiny. All David could do was look towards Nifadora with a somewhat dazed expression.
Nifadora, suppressing the urge to laugh, gave him a "leave it to me" look and immediately issued an order:
"Summon the Follower of the Dragon, Ogre Monado."
Upon hearing Monado’s name, Rosinde, who had been suicidal moments before, suddenly became compliant.
If Monado found out he had attempted suicide behind her back, he feared she would twist his manhood off on the spot.
It wasn’t long before Monado arrived, practically sprinting. Her biceps were so large horses could be raced on them, and she stood nearly 2.8 meters tall, comparable to a warrior from the neighboring Warhammer Wolf Brigade. She knelt on one knee, asking,
"Dragon Lord! Was it you who summoned me?"
"Your husband has encountered a thorny problem and is contemplating death as an escape. Could you talk some sense into him?" David said, flicking his tail.
The Ogre, her eyes glinting fiercely, whipped her head around. She saw Rosinde with the Dragon Tooth Blade pressed against his neck, looking at her timidly.
"Yes, My Lord!" Monado responded gravely.
She then stood up and strode forward like the mighty warrior Dian Wei from the Three Kingdoms. Before Rosinde could tremble out, "My love..." he was sent spinning like a top by a slap from her fan-sized hand.
The Dragon Tooth Blade around his neck flew off due to the impact, embedding itself in a Dragon Nest pillar less than two centimeters from Naferutali’s throat.
What kind of monsters are these?!
Naferutali knew the moment she laid eyes on the Ogre Monado that this creature was the absolute bane of shadow assassins like her.She wouldn’t even have to wait for Monado to reach Legendary status!
Monado’s strength and vitality, akin to a humanoid Dragon, completely overpowered Drow. It seemed she also possessed a power similar to Rosinde’s, granting immunity to severe injuries and instant death.
To kill Monado, Naferutali would have to whittle her down bit by bit. But if Monado caught her in a single mistake and landed a direct hit, Naferutali would likely be done for.
Meanwhile, the Barbarian, whom his Ogre wife had just plucked from the wall, was asked by her,
"Still want to die?"
The beaten and bruised Barbarian whimpered,
"No, no, no, not anymore! I... My love, the moment I saw you, I regretted my cowardly behavior. Anger and shame just clouded my judgment..."
"Hmph! Worthy of being the man I, Monado, chose," she declared.
Monado immediately clapped a hand onto Rosinde’s crown, pressing the breathless Barbarian’s head against her broad, muscular chest. She then reported to David, who was watching from above with interest,
"My Lord, he says he no longer wishes to die."
"Good. So, how do you intend to deal with these half-Drow Barbarian descendants?" David inquired.
Monado lacked Rosinde’s concerns and shame. Now effectively the matriarch of Rosinde’s clan, she immediately made a decision, stating,
"My Lord, I am just an Ogre who hasn’t received much education. But in both Barbarian tribes and our Ogre tribes, anyone aspiring to be recognized as an adult by their people must prove themselves in a coming-of-age ceremony.
"I believe that since they possess Rosinde’s Barbarian bloodline, they should prove themselves on the battlefield. If they bring back ten enemy heads and return alive, we will acknowledge their identity.
"Should the Dragon Lord then be willing to grant them the Bloodline Ceremony, it would be our honor."
"Not bad. Monado sees things clearly," David nodded noncommittally.
The Bloodline Ceremony itself was an effective means of maintaining a follower’s loyalty, as any blessings bestowed by the Dragon’s Delight could also be revoked by the Dragon’s Wrath.
It was like the rebar in their ladder of power; if it were pulled out, their entire progression path would collapse.
In this world, aside from those with an absolute, fanatical belief—willing to devote themselves to a great cause—few would willingly relinquish such supernatural power and the extended lifespan of a Long-lived Race to return to mortality.
Those possessing such conviction were mostly lawful good adherents of the Tri-Holy Church.
Indeed, David had no concerns that these low-level small fry within the power structure would betray him.
"So, does this mean you’re willing to accept Naferutali’s apology and reconcile?" David asked, scratching a Dragon Scale on his chin with a claw.
This time, Monado didn’t presume to decide, instead looking at Rosinde, who was still in her arms.
The Barbarian immediately understood. He said,
"My Lord, you have entrusted us with the right to decide the fate of our bloodline and kin. Such grace already fills us with immense gratitude; how could we dare overstep on such a matter?"
In plain language, this meant the issue was too sensitive; they dared not decide on their own for fear of taking the blame.
David was amused. How had a Barbarian and an Ogre, followers of a similarly reckless Red Dragon like himself, become so scheming? He couldn’t help but look towards Nifadora at his side.
Nifadora, who could practically read David’s mind, knew exactly what the Red Dragon was thinking. She glanced at him reproachfully, her elegant tail swaying like a lithe green snake, and said,
"Actually, if you don’t harbor any grudges, then there’s really no need to overthink this."
"Oh?" David’s interest was piqued.