Chapter 41 - 40: Conservation
"This is an unsanctioned operation, not officially recognized by the High Elf authorities," Hiatt answered succinctly.
And after Hiatt’s analysis of the High Elves, from their darkest histories down to their rotten-to-the-core governance, David finally understood: If the High Elves actually ransomed them back, it would be tantamount to implicitly admitting the legitimacy of this military operation. If this military operation were legitimate, wouldn’t that mean acknowledging that they, the High Elves, had brazenly invaded the territory of the Crimson Calamity Pafila? Wouldn’t this just give that lunatic Red Dragon an excuse to seek vengeance?
No Elf dared to let the Crimson Calamity of eight years ago reoccur. This was especially true since this Calamity could directly reach their homeland of Dewensen... By then, it might not be called Crimson Calamity anymore. It could be ’Scorched Earth,’ ’Elves’ Tears,’ or ’Defending Dewensen.’
No one could bear a crime that would have their ancestors dug up and flogged repeatedly for a hundred and eighty generations. With no one daring to take responsibility, naturally, no one dared to claim these Elf prisoners of war, let alone prepare any ransom. At this very moment, the families of these High Elves had probably already been notified to go to the rear entrance of the logistics department, queuing up tearfully to receive compensation for training exercise accidents and signing non-disclosure agreements...
"...What the fuck!"
Upon learning the full story, David immediately felt an utterly damned frustration. This kind of expected loss made him feel as if he were playing a strategy game. He’d excitedly started a second mining base in the early stages, only to miss killing a single creep due to managing two things at once. Before he knew it, that creep had blown up the expansion base he’d just established.
"Then what the hell is the use in keeping you?!! Who’s going to answer me?" David’s roar, filled with Wrath, made all the High Elves tremble. They feared the enraged Red Dragon’s next words would be a tyrant’s decree: ’Let them dig a pit and bury themselves.’
Fortunately, David was becoming increasingly adept at controlling his emotions, especially anger. Since Wrath had its benefits, and could transform him into a ’combined weakening Taunt and crowd control’ at critical moments, David now mostly allowed his inner rage to vent freely. He would gain the Wrath status and then return to normal, just like now. But no one knew these reasons except for himself. A Red Dragon whose temper was unpredictable, whose mood swings were faster than flipping through a book, instilled even greater fear in the High Elves.
One Elf, unable to bear this repeated mental torment, immediately knelt and begged, "I can sing, dance, and I’m proficient in thirty-six musical instruments..."