Chapter 161 A Glimmer of Hope, Iron Dragon's Growth
The night was deep, and gusts of cold wind swept across the low hills where the gray magnetite mine was located.
Looking at the red iron dragon standing in the center of the centaurs, Sorog felt his scales tighten, as if they were being pressed down by some invisible force.
It's not Dragon's Might.
Rather, it is a kind of intangible, profound, and imposing aura that Tielong yearns to possess but does not have.
He folded his wings and landed on the ground only ten meters away from Garus, saying, "You came faster than I expected."
Galos's gaze swept over the centaurs, and he said, "There's no need to wait overnight to deal with them."
"These despicable fellows, they actually deceived me."
Tie Long was somewhat annoyed.
A similar thing actually happened to Garros. When he subdued the gnolls at Howling Cliff, they initially tried to feign submission before launching an attack on him.
But Galus saw through their plan.
He demonstrated his power before the gnolls attacked, changing their intentions.
A large part of the reason why Iron Dragon was fooled was that he was not strong enough. If he were as strong as Garos, these people would not have been feigning submission, but would have truly offered their loyalty.
Another factor is the pride inherent in dragons.
If it were replaced by Galus.
If a being of a higher life level suddenly offers to pledge allegiance, he will be extremely vigilant and will test the waters repeatedly, not easily falling into a trap.
"Sorogue, you are very good at managing territories and your dependents."
Hong Tielong commented calmly, "But you're not cunning or vigilant enough; you need to realize that."
He didn't blame Sorog for it. After all, he was just a young dragon, and it was normal for him to make mistakes occasionally. Even with Garos's caution, he couldn't avoid encountering danger and it was difficult for everything to go smoothly, let alone other young dragons.
The key is whether we can learn from our mistakes and grow, rather than standing still.
Young Tie Long has actually grown somewhat. This time, he didn't linger in the fight and wasn't blinded by the illusion that 'the advantage is in my hands'.
Sorog nodded, not refuting his brother's words.
He said in a deep voice, "I will find a way to awaken my psychic abilities as soon as possible and become a psychic. My keen insight into the mind can make up for my lack of this ability."
After a pause, Tie Long asked, "These people, their tribe should have even more warriors."
"What are you planning to do?"
Galos's dragon face revealed little emotion as he said, "It's simple: submit or be destroyed. I will give them the choice."
The bordering areas are mainly plains.
Centaurs are natural cavalrymen, and their power when charging on flat land should not be underestimated. In large-scale head-on conflicts, they can be just as effective as ogres, and their overall level is even better.
They are worth taking as family members.
However, if they do not know how to be appreciative, Galos will not force them, and will try his best to wipe out the clans he has offended, eliminating them completely.
Hong Tielong's simple yet dangerous words caused everyone to lower their heads even further.
At this moment.
The two centaur commanders, who had been severely wounded by Garros, managed to get up.
Galos spared their lives by not killing them earlier.
Tie Long looked at the two men who had attacked him and left him with many wounds. His gaze turned cold, and he slowly stepped forward, grinning as he asked, "Foolish and lowly creatures, is the result what you wanted? Are you satisfied?"
Iron Hoof and Silver Mane were pale and barely breathing.
After being utterly defeated by Garus, they realized they had made a huge mistake.
Iron Dragon was not alone; behind it were other dragons so powerful that they could not possibly contend with them.
If they had known this would happen, they would never have come to offend us. But who could have imagined that the dragons would band together in groups?
In the minds of centaurs, dragons like the Iron Dragon are always solitary creatures, and there are no known examples of them living together.
"Warriors of the Whitemane Clan, rise up!"
Iron Hoof stood up as if in a final burst of energy, and roared.
"The glory of the centaurs lies in battle! To live and die!"
He roared, picked up the broken spear, and charged ahead of the enemy towards the Iron Dragon.
Some of the kneeling men became restless, wanting to join the charge.
Pfft!
Unexpectedly, before the dragons could make a move, Silvermane hurled his heavy sword, piercing Ironhoof's chest and interrupting his charge, silencing the restless centaurs once more.
"you?!"
Iron Hoof fell to the ground, dying and coughing up blood. He opened his eyes wide, looking at his former comrade and rival with resentment and incomprehension.
“Fool, you will kill us all. There is no honor in living.”
Silvermane sighed and said in a low voice.
Iron Hoof did not respond; his pupils were completely dilated. He had already suffered a severe claw strike from Garros, and now he was pierced through the chest by Silvermane's heavy sword, dying on the spot.
Garros and Sorog watched silently as the centaurs clashed.
Immediately afterward, Silvermane gasped for breath and, enduring the excruciating pain in his body, knelt on the ground.
He understood that there was still a glimmer of hope.
"The noble Iron King, the great Crimson Wing Lord."
He forced a humble, ingratiating smile, lowered his head, and said, "I was blind, I failed to see the truth, and I did something foolish. Please forgive me, I am willing to pay any price for it."
Galos did not speak, but simply watched him silently.
Despite the excruciating pain, Silvermane slammed his forehead heavily against the hard metal fragments, ignoring the blood flowing down his brow bone.
“Our Bai Zong clan has lived in the border areas for generations, nomadically migrating to different regions. We are familiar with every water source and every mineral vein, and we know how to survive on this land.”
His voice trembled with pain, but he tried to maintain the most respectful tone.
"Look, our strong forehooves can crush the skulls of giant wolves, and our charge is unstoppable. Our eyes are as sharp as eagles, and our archers can shoot down birds from hundreds or even thousands of meters away. If you would be so kind as to grant us this favor..."
Silvermane struggled to raise his bloodied, thorn-pierced arm and pointed it at the kneeling warriors.
"These elite warriors will become your sharpest spear."
After a pause, he finally said respectfully, "I wish to offer—"
Iron Dragon interrupted: "Loyalty?"
“Foolish centaurs, you have now lost all credibility in my eyes.”
Silvermane remained silent, then gritted his teeth and said, "I made the wrong choice. I am willing to atone with my life, and I only ask that you forgive the other warriors."
Iron Dragon first looked at Garos.
Galos remained calm and said dismissively, "They have inflicted wounds on you; their lives are in your hands."
His silver hair and face were ashen.
Iron Dragon walked up to Silver Mane, his body casting a shadow that blocked the moonlight and enveloped him.
He Long revealed a cruel smile and said, "Centaur, just as you said, atone with your life. After you die, I will no longer make things difficult for other centaurs."
Silvermane was silent for a few seconds, then forced a smile onto his face.
"Thank you for your kindness."
He picked up a broken spear from the ground, hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and plunged it into his heart.
The spearhead pierced through the skin and flesh.
But it stopped abruptly before it could damage the heart.
Iron Dragon extended its hooked toe and gripped the broken spear.
Sensing the obstruction emanating from the Iron Dragon, the centaur opened its eyes in astonishment.
Iron Dragon said coldly, "Your life now belongs to the Ironclad Clan, and to us, the Ignas brothers."
(End of this chapter)
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