Chapter 296 The Wrath of Heaven, The Magnificent Fireworks (Daily 10,000 words, seeking monthly votes)
The misty rain, like a giant gray veil, shrouded the coniferous valley below.
In the valley, rows of pine trees swayed gently in the wind and rain. Fine raindrops gathered and slid down the dark green needles, tracing glistening paths in the damp air.
call--!
A sudden gust of wind swept through, carrying icy rain, tearing a brief, almost vacuum-like passage through the valley and roughly pushing the fine curtain of rain to both sides.
The majestic, massive body of the red iron dragon, covered in thick scales, hovered above the valley shrouded in rain and mist.
His head was tilted slightly to the side, his eyes lowered, as if he were recalling something.
After a moment's thought, Galos folded his wings and landed steadily on the steep mountaintop on the side of the valley. His sharp gaze pierced through the rain and slowly swept over every inch of the rain-soaked land below.
Time is the most ruthless steel blade in the world, enough to turn countless heroes who once dominated the world to dust, eroding their glorious past into vague legends.
However, time is also a life-saving remedy for wounds.
The valley, which was once scorched by the blazing dragon's breath in order to completely erase its traces and just in case, has now been restored to its lush and vibrant state after more than twenty years of nourishment.
The area has been re-covered by lush vegetation, exuding a vibrant vitality amidst the continuous drizzle.
Galos's enormous head turned slightly, carefully surveying the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings.
Although the passage of time has left undeniable marks on the details of the valley—the trees have grown taller or moved, and the course of the stream may have changed slightly—he can still recognize the cave where the bear pack once dwelled; he can also vaguely see the forest clearing that was specially cleared out as a place for him to secretly train his 'little dragons'.
"More than twenty years have passed."
"Finally, I've set foot on this land again."
Galos's gaze swept across the valley and unexpectedly caught sight of a familiar, massive slab of rock—the place where he had loved to curl up and sleep peacefully in the sunlight or starlight during his childhood and adolescence.
Unexpected.
After more than 20 years of wind, frost, rain and snow, it has not collapsed, but its surface is covered with slippery moss and has a few deep cracks.
Galos felt a slight stirring in his heart.
He blinked cautiously to make sure no other creatures were watching him before slowly descending.
He tried to twist his massive body, carefully pulling his limbs inward, his huge body curling up little by little, completely pressing himself against the rock slab that carried his past memories, covering it so that not a single gap was left.
However, to be honest, it felt hard, cold, and damp.
It was a world apart from his luxurious, steel-clad dragon bed, which was covered in dazzling treasures.
No matter how he adjusted his posture, he could never recapture that feeling of closeness and comfort from his memories.
Click!
A soft yet clear crack interrupted his thoughts.
When he came to his senses and subconsciously straightened up, the rock slab beneath him, which bore the weight of years and memories, could not bear his terrifying weight, which was now far greater than before, and instantly shattered into a pile of moss-covered rubble.
Things are different now.
The rock slab that once brought him peace in his childhood can no longer support even the weight of his body.
Galos shook his massive head slightly, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes, but no lingering attachment.
Now, he is a lord who rules over the borderlands and commands the submission of all sides. He has a powerful retinue under his command, and many dragons follow him. He is no longer the weak and pitiful little dragon who struggled to survive in the wilderness.
He straightened his resilient body.
Countless raindrops fell, striking his broad, heavy body, which seemed to be cast from steel, and instantly shattered into fine mist.
Just then, the whisper of Iron Dragon Sorog echoed from the depths of his heart.
Red Iron Dragon sometimes nodded slightly, and sometimes fell into brief contemplation.
A moment later, through Sorog's telepathic communication, he had a clear grasp of the vicissitudes of the past twenty years in the Scaled Earth Rift.
"Riverwood...the Albert family..."
Galos's gaze suddenly sharpened like a knife, as if it could pierce through the rain curtain before him, but in just an instant, that sharpness disappeared into a deep calm.
Viscount Ironthorn, and that deadly dragon-hunting company. They had cornered Garros, nearly burying him alive.
It was during that baptism of blood and fire that he awakened his own dragon energy.
He remembers everything clearly, every detail still vivid in his memory.
As for now?
Viscount Ironthorn himself has long since turned to dust in the wilderness.
However, the Albert family, who share the same surname, took over the Scaled Earth Rift.
Now, this land has been swiftly reclaimed by the Ironforge tribe, and those noble lords entrenched in their magnificent castles will surely receive the news soon.
However, Galus felt no fear.
The overall strength of the Ironforge tribe is currently slightly inferior to that of the entire Raymond Duchy.
but.
The wilderness, a vast and treacherous land rich in resources, has never been the home ground of the Principality of Raymond.
This place is far from the core of the duchy, and supplies are difficult to obtain. The number of troops stationed in the wilderness is already stretched thin, not to mention that in order to deal with the increasingly severe crisis of division in the south, some of the real strongmen and elite troops have already been hastily transferred back to the southern hinterland.
The remaining garrison's primary task is to defend those crucial resource outposts.
Unless there is a clear order from the highest levels of the duchy, they would never rashly withdraw troops for a private dispute over a nobleman's territory.
Under these circumstances.
To organize a force to attack the Ironforge tribe—even just against its vanguard—the power of a mere earl family is far from sufficient!
However, Galus had a deep understanding of the greedy nature of those nobles.
Once their core interests are touched.
They will never give up easily until they have truly suffered heavy losses and paid a terrible price.
Sorog's voice echoed in his mind once more: "Riverwood, a town primarily populated by merchants and adventurers, with some ordinary humans mixed in, should it be preserved or destroyed?"
Galos's thoughts were racing.
A few seconds later, he made his decision.
"Keep it for now."
Tie Long readily responded: "Okay, I will immediately declare a state of full martial law in Riverwood. During this period, only personnel are allowed to enter, and no one is allowed to leave. Ludwig will be fully responsible for the specific management and security matters."
In the grand blueprint of Iron Dragon Sorog.
As the Ironforge's territory continues to expand, its followers can no longer be limited to those bloodthirsty and warlike monsters.
Humans, as well as intelligent races such as dwarves and elves, will all be an indispensable part of its territory in the future.
Creatures with relatively high intelligence, complex social structures, greater productivity, and easier systematic management, such as humans, will sooner or later become important producers and builders within the territory of the Ironforge tribe.
Riverwood was the first sizable human settlement taken over by the Ironforge.
Rather than completely razing it to the ground and turning it into scorched ruins, Sorog prefers to preserve this existing settlement, carefully manage and transform it, and develop it into an important human stronghold and logistical base that radiates to the surrounding area.
"The Albert family's counterattack will come soon."
"However, humanity is also susceptible to the common ailment of arrogance and conceit. They are completely unaware of our true power and cannot cause much trouble."
“All strategic locations before, after, and around the Lin Tu Lie Dao have been manned by hidden sentries and elite scouts. Their every move will not escape our eyes.”
At this point, Iron Dragon Sorog paused slightly.
“Garos, my dear brother, such a grand return…shouldn’t we do something to announce to this land, to those who have forgotten or despised our existence, the mighty return of us—the Dragon of Ignath and the Ironforges?”
His voice carried a hint of excitement.
Upon hearing this, Red Iron Dragon nodded slightly: "The Federation's control over the wilderness is indeed weakening day by day, but being too flamboyant and high-profile is ultimately not a good thing." He suddenly changed the subject and continued: "However, we do owe that generous Crystal Princess a 'fireworks' show, and it's time to give her a precious gift in return."
Princess Elena's support went far beyond the glittering treasures and various resources.
Regardless of the true situation within the Federation, the Kingdom of Lorthern remains the nominal leader of the Federation to this day.
Although Princess Elena was on the fringes of royal power, she was ultimately an extremely wealthy and prestigious princess with a complex and intricate network of connections behind her.
In their previous conversation, she solemnly promised Galos that she would closely monitor the situation in the Sel Wilderness.
As long as the Ignas Dragon Swarm doesn't do anything too outrageous or reckless that challenges the Federation's bottom line, she will do her best to mediate and persuade the Federation garrison to ignore the existence of the Ignas Dragon Swarm in Federation-level affairs.
And this is precisely the most crucial benefit gained from forming an alliance with this princess.
Today, the Serbian wilderness is engulfed in war and chaos.
Federal troops were already overwhelmed and exhausted.
If, at this moment, an order were to be delivered from the royal court's high command, implying that they should selectively ignore certain areas, they would only feel relieved, glad to have one less thorny problem to deal with that required risking their lives.
Sorog asked, "When will the fireworks be lit?"
"Now!"
Hong Tielong said decisively.
“Call Samantha; she’s been looking forward to this moment for a long time.”
Not everything is something that proud dragons are happy to entrust to their minions.
Moreover, it's not appropriate to bring too many family members along when raiding the Federal Principality's territory.
With its speed and flight advantage, the dragon that rules the skies is preparing to personally take action.
Splash!
Heavy, leaden-gray clouds pressed down on the sky, and torrential rain poured down, relentlessly enveloping a saltpeter mining outpost surrounded by fortifications in the central part of the Serbian wilderness.
The raindrops pounded on the muddy ground, the rooftops, and the cold alchemical equipment, creating a continuous roar, as if the only sound in the world was the deafening roar of the water.
This place belongs to the Principality of Abel.
Because of its unwavering support for the Kingdom of Reiber, the Duchy of Abel received far more resources and strong support than ordinary duchies, and its military strength was so formidable that it could be considered a regional hegemon.
The same applies to the Duchy of Haltai, which is also backed by the Kingdom of Lorthen.
As the shadow of war intensifies, some of the elite forces of the Principality of Abel, which were stationed in the wilderness, have been redeployed to the war-torn front lines.
However, its profound heritage means that the garrison stationed in the wilderness should not be underestimated.
Inside the nitrate mine stronghold, sophisticated alchemical golems and heavily armed human guards were stationed in a tight defense.
Among them, the most eye-catching is a war behemoth produced in the Kingdom of Reipos, possessing autonomous intelligence—[Wrath of the Heavens]! It has both powerful ground suppression and air combat capabilities, enough to easily tear apart any ferocious beasts or monsters that dare to invade.
Crackling sounds!
Crackling sounds!
Dense raindrops pounded furiously against the cold, massive steel body of the Wrath of the Sky, shattering it into countless tiny water droplets.
Several alchemists were braving the heavy rain to carefully perform routine maintenance on it.
They were completely focused, meticulously repairing the minor scratches left on the golem armor from the battle, and using the unique skills of alchemists, restoring some transmission joints and energy nodes that had aged slightly due to long-term use to near-factory standard perfect condition.
Sudden!
Two blinding lights suddenly appeared on the metal mask of the Wrath of Heaven.
It opened its eyes.
The massive metal head suddenly lifted, its cold 'gaze' piercing through the heavy rain, gazing into the depths of the sky shrouded in thick, dark clouds.
The built-in detection device emitted a emotionless, mechanical sound.
"High-energy life activity detected!"
"Warning! Warning! A highly threatening life form is approaching at high speed! Direction: Directly above!"
Under the astonished gazes of countless guards, this war behemoth unleashed a deafening roar of its engines.
It spewed out dazzling energy flames from behind, and its enormous metal wingspan of over forty meters fiercely tore through the wind and rain. Its massive steel body shot into the sky like an arrow released from a bow.
Almost at the same moment.
A meteorite, wreathed in crimson flames and golden lightning, carrying the power to destroy everything, forcefully pierced through the thick rain clouds and plunged down from the top of the sky.
The rainwater around it evaporated the instant it touched the terrifying heat, leaving a thick, almost tangible trail of white steam behind it, like a malevolent star descending upon the world, bringing a suffocating sense of oppression as it rapidly approached the earth.
It was indeed—the Wings of Sky Rift, the Death Star—Garos.
His gaze was sharp as a knife, clearly reflecting the towering steel figure, nearly twenty meters tall, rushing towards him.
This was not the first time Garus had encountered the wrath of the heavens.
He remembered it vividly—when he decided to flee the Sel Wilderness, he plundered the gem mines of the Principality of Raymond along the way, and encountered this powerful creation during his escape.
At that time, he was still a young dragon and did not dare to confront him head-on. He could only retreat in a sorry state and avoid his sharp edge.
However, things are different now!
In the blink of an eye, the wrath of the heavens was drawing near.
The giant steel fist, gleaming with energy, collided violently with the red iron dragon's claws, covered in thick scales, high in the sky.
Boom—!!!
With a deafening roar, a visible shockwave surged forth, creating waves that spread wildly in all directions from the point of impact.
The Wrath of the Sky was struck head-on, its chest twisted and collapsed, and it plummeted uncontrollably toward the ground below.
Before it could even initiate any countermeasures.
The Red Iron Dragon's wings flashed like giant blades, interspersed with dragon claws, and its tail launched a combined attack like a storm, instantly sweeping across the Wrath of Heaven and leaving countless deep marks on its steel body.
Sizzle! Crack! Boom!
The chilling sounds of steel tearing apart, the cracking of parts shattering, and the hum of energy overload blended into a sonata of death.
Countless twisted parts fell from the sky like a torrential rain.
The red-hot sparks burst wildly in the cold water vapor and then vanish in an instant!
The mighty steel body of the Wrath of the Heavens was easily dismembered like a paper toy under Garros's fierce attack.
In the instant it was destroyed, it exploded violently without any warning, turning into a raging inferno in mid-air, creating a vacuum in the rain, as if a second sun was rising.
The guards on the ground almost cheered, thinking that the terrible explosion had finally brought an end to the fearsome dragon.
However.
Sizzle! A blinding golden bolt of lightning tore through the expanding flames!
A dragon shadow, its body crackling with lightning, burst out of the 'sun'. Its scales were covered in cracks and charred marks, but it didn't look too bad.
Garos's fire resistance greatly reduces the damage from flames.
The shockwave from the explosion couldn't harm his Cold Explosion Scales. The high temperature flames and impact force instead caused him to accumulate a lot of heat energy, as if a ball of fire was burning inside his body.
Whew! Whew!
Two more massive dragon shadows tore through the rain from different directions, swooping down on the chaotic stronghold and throwing the guards into disarray.
at the same time.
Despite the futile, ticklish energy beams and alchemical shells from the ground-based anti-aircraft weapons, the Red Iron Dragon crashed to the ground!
boom!
The earth trembled beneath his feet!
Enveloped in golden lightning and black-red dragon energy, his enormous and majestic body moved with incredible speed.
The places they passed through.
Whether it was a sturdy fortification, a towering watchtower, or a stubborn alchemical golem, everything collapsed and shattered like a sandcastle. Even the battle-hardened and powerful human guard leaders were crushed like ants in the face of that unparalleled power.
Iron Dragon and Red Dragon were slightly weaker, but they still displayed strength beyond that of normal teenage dragons, blocking their retreat and killing the guards who tried to escape.
Boom—!
Finally, a heavy magic cannon that had been accumulating power for a long time managed to hit the Red Iron Dragon amidst the chaos.
The dragon's body trembled, its scales flying everywhere, and it let out a low roar.
With a sudden flap of his enormous dragon wings, his massive body soared into the sky! The Iron Dragon and the Red Dragon followed closely behind, quickly escaping the chaotic battlefield.
The remaining guards on the ground, witnessing this scene, almost wept with joy, believing that they had finally defeated this terrifying dragon.
However, in the very next second...
The red iron dragon spread its wings, its body radiating heat, hissing as it evaporated the rainwater, its scales resembling red-hot irons.
He took a deep breath and then exhaled sharply onto the ground.
A destructive dragon breath, far more terrifying than any previous attack, like a molten lava river pouring down, and like a spear of judgment hurled by the god of fire, crashed fiercely onto the earth.
Wherever the dragon's breath passed, the hard rocks melted and vaporized instantly, like butter.
The mine pit was directly penetrated and torn apart!
The nitrate ore was ignited and detonated, triggering a chain reaction. The continuous rumbling explosions sounded like thunder echoing across the earth.
The ground surface cracked and collapsed wildly, like a fragile eggshell.
The raging flames, mixed with the shockwave of the explosion, formed a massive pillar of fire that stretched from the sky to the ground.
It ruthlessly evaporated the rain curtain, and in the gloomy night sky, it bloomed a firework that was woven from flames, blood and death—the grandest and most magnificent firework!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
