Chapter 355 Ancestor Ignas
"Stop it, everyone."
The deep voice of the red iron dragon and the cry of the phoenix rang out simultaneously in the sky, piercing through the clamor of wind and rain.
After receiving clear orders from both leaders.
Like dark clouds shrouding the battlefield, a massive flock of birds, composed of countless eagles, ferocious beasts, and demons, quickly dispersed in all directions, revealing several young and teenage dragons that had been besieged for a long time.
Their scales were covered with many new cracks and scratches.
Among them were several bleeding wounds of varying depths, slowly healing, the scent of dragon blood mingling with the rainwater.
Overall, these are all minor, superficial injuries and far from being serious.
The dragons stood tall and proud, their dragon might surging, their aura still strong and scorching, as if they had just warmed up rather than engaged in fierce battle.
On the other side, the number of birds had visibly decreased.
Many disheveled or charred corpses lay scattered haphazardly in the muddy jungle below.
The ocean of claws and wings did indeed briefly overwhelm the dragons due to their sheer numbers.
However, their individual attacks are ultimately of limited power against the dragon scales. On the contrary, when they are hit by the dragon's breath, claws, tail strikes and other area counterattacks, they are often either killed or maimed, or fall to the ground with broken wings if they are hit head-on.
To be fair, this Eagle Bird Legion is not weak.
They are numerous and of high rank.
If they could truly fight the dragons relentlessly, without regard for losses, and without ever experiencing a mental breakdown, until they were dead, it would be a truly remarkable feat.
With its sheer numbers, coupled with the exceptional talents of its members, it possesses a formidable strength.
They do indeed have a high probability of eventually fighting the dragons to a standstill, or even to the point of mutual destruction.
However, unless they are creatures that have been completely enslaved and controlled, they will inevitably be afraid after large-scale casualties, and it is difficult for them to reach that level.
Galos hovered, flapping its wings, and looked at the phoenix beside it, whose light was slightly dim.
He asked, "Do you have your own name?"
The phoenix nodded slightly, elegantly preening its somewhat disheveled feathers.
Creatures with high intelligence like her generally have their own names, which is one of the key distinguishing features between intelligent beings and ordinary monsters.
"Angie Phoenix".
She answered, her voice still clear and crisp, but with less of her initial arrogance.
According to ancient legend, all phoenixes originated from the same great ancestor named Phoenix.
Therefore, the phoenixes of later generations all used Phoenix as their common surname, which was passed down from generation to generation.
In this respect, it is somewhat similar to the dragon race.
However, dragons are usually more proud than phoenixes.
When many powerful dragons reach a pinnacle of achievement that brings glory to their lineage, they often choose to sever their previous surnames and leave only their unique names as the origin of their new bloodline, so that future generations can remember and pass them down.
For example, the lineage of Ignath, to which Garros belongs, derives its surname from a certain ancestral dragon.
That was a powerful being who transcended the level of legend, a being who had stepped into the realm of immortality.
Unless they encounter unexpected disasters or die in battle, they might still be alive in some distant plane, or possibly in the material world. However, the probability is low because ancient dragons are subject to many rules in the material world.
There are not many specific records about this ancestor Ignas in the Dragon Legacy; they are more like vague legends.
Among them, what impressed Galos the most was a message left by this ancestor himself:
My name is Ignas, and I reached the legendary realm at the age of 123, just as I was coming of age.
He became a legendary dragon almost as soon as he came of age.
This is enough to prove just how exceptionally gifted this ancestor Ignas was.
What impressed Galos so much about this message was that, in the transmission, the bottom of this message seemed to become a message board.
Each subsequent generation of Ignas dragon descendants, upon encountering this part of the heritage, would leave behind what they considered to be the most outstanding and noteworthy deeds.
[Alvarez, during his teenage years (age 15), defeated a golden dragon in its youth, a feat far exceeding his level.]
Clara, a magical genius! Even when she was still a fledgling dragon, she mastered and awakened all the spell-like abilities that were only possible for teenagers.
[Ortiz, hmph, before he was even a hundred years old, he successfully kidnapped princesses from thirty-two different kingdoms! Record holder]
【………………】
Such examples are numerous and varied.
This information about the ancestors' achievements seems to have become a stage for later generations to showcase themselves and even compete with each other.
When Garos has his own direct descendants in the future, he can also leave behind his own treasure of knowledge in this legacy of dragons.
Of course, he can also leave his most noteworthy and glorious achievements here.
For example, he can drink black oil that other dragons find hard to swallow; he dares to train to the death to exploit the fatal weaknesses that other dragons dare not train; and he can eat gems that other dragons find difficult to consume, as snacks.
He can write down any achievement that is unprecedented and unparalleled in a certain field.
If one day his power becomes strong enough to surpass that named ancestor Ignas...
Then, he could erase his name and make it the new surname of this dragon lineage, so that his descendants would remember his existence forever. This would be a great honor among the dragons.
Let's get back to the main topic.
Garos gathered his scattered thoughts, flapped his enormous dragon wings, and turned to fly to another battlefield.
Angela the Phoenix let out a cry and led a flock of eagles in close pursuit, while the other dragons also flapped their wings and followed beside their leader.
On the other side.
The chase and fierce battle between the amethyst dragon lion Ennus, the holy deer, and the eye demon has come to an end.
The beholder's wrinkled, spherical body had been torn to shreds, with limbs and broken pieces scattered all over the ground. Its viscous bodily fluids were mixed with dust and dirt, making it utterly dead.
Its remains still bore the aura of scorching divine energy, as well as the marks of a beast's massive lion claws tearing and fangs gnawing.
The most fatal blow came from the massive main eye that had been pierced.
A luminous spear, solidified as a physical object, remains firmly embedded in the surface. Though the light emanating from the spear has gradually dimmed, it has not yet completely dissipated.
The Holy Spirit Deer is still alive, but its situation is not good.
The amethyst dragon-lion Ennus was pressing its powerful body down, pinning the Holy Spirit Deer firmly to the ground, preventing it from getting up.
Its massive mouth, filled with fangs, hovered above the long neck of the Holy Spirit Deer. The sharp tips had already pierced the snow-white fur and torn open the flesh, and strands of deer blood, radiating a soft white light, were slowly seeping out.
There were also some ferocious beasts and monsters loyal to the Holy Spirit Deer trying to rush over to their rescue.
However, they themselves were already surrounded and blocked by the molten iron army, which was like an iron barrel, and they were too busy to take care of themselves.
Feel fortunate to have such a sweet treat.
If this were during my reign as king, you would already be the most delicious dish on my table, and I would savor your warm and fresh flesh.
The amethyst dragon lion's low growl, carrying spiritual energy fluctuations, directly entered the Holy Spirit Deer's ears.
"You despicable lion! You only managed to gain the upper hand by taking advantage of the moment when I was exhausted and both I and the demon were weakened!"
"If we were both at our peak, and we fought fairly, I would beat you so badly that you would be begging for mercy on your knees."
The Holy Spirit Deer struggled unwillingly.
But each time it exerted force, the dragon's claws pierced deeper, bringing waves of excruciating pain.
Suddenly, the amethyst dragon-lion released its hold on the holy deer, took a few steps back, squatted down, and leisurely licked the deer blood that stained its claws.
The Holy Spirit Deer immediately tried to struggle to its feet and escape.
But just as it stood up, before it had gone far away, a dragon's might, far deeper than that of a lion, spread out as if it were a tangible force, pressing heavily on its body and causing it to freeze in its tracks.
It raised its head and looked at the majestic dragon shadow that blotted out the sky, a hint of fear and hesitation flashing in its eyes.
After struggling for a moment, it finally chose to stay where it was, just pacing anxiously with its hooves digging at the muddy ground.
Galos lowered his massive head, his gaze sweeping over the ravaged battlefield.
【leader】
Ennus, the amethyst dragon-lion, let out a deep and respectful roar, conveying its general meaning through psychic energy.
I severely wounded the Eye Demon, intending to spare its life and await your personal judgment, but this Holy Spirit Deer seized the opportunity, delivering the final blow and killing the demon before I could.
It gave a brief report on the situation.
Galos folded its wings and slowly landed in front of the Holy Spirit Deer, its massive body casting a shadow that almost completely enveloped it.
"Now, you only have two paths in front of you."
He got straight to the point, without any beating around the bush, giving the Holy Spirit Deer the two simplest options.
Surrender, or death.
The Holy Spirit Deer remained silent for a few seconds, its massive, branching antlers drooping slightly.
It finally made its choice, its first two white-fur-covered knees slightly bent, and it slowly knelt down in the mud, bowing its head deeply at the same time.
“I… am willing to submit to you, mighty dragon lord.”
"Very good, get up."
Galos spoke calmly, gesturing for the Holy Spirit Deer to stand up.
The Holy Spirit Deer stood up, glanced at the Amethyst Dragon Lion sitting on the other side, licking its paws with lingering satisfaction, and then looked firmly at the Red Iron Dragon.
"Great Iron King, before I formally pledge my allegiance to you, could you grant me a small request?"
It paused, raised its hoof, and pointed it unceremoniously at the Amethyst Dragon Lion, continuing, "Once I've fully recovered, I will have a fair, one-on-one duel with this opportunistic lion!"
"The loser must consciously bow down and curry favor with the winner, and be of a lower status."
Galos turned his gaze to the Amethyst Dragon Lion.
From his perspective as an observer, the Amethyst Dragon Lion Ennus clearly has a greater chance of winning.
It possesses greater physical strength and excels at using psionic energy to assist in ferocious battles.
In contrast, the Holy Spirit Deer's abilities are more inclined towards healing, support, purification, and holy strikes, rather than specializing in direct combat, and it has no restraining effect on the Amethyst Dragon Lion.
In legion battles, the Holy Spirit Deer can play a more strategic role than the Amethyst Dragon Lion.
However, in a one-on-one duel, the Amethyst Dragon Lion has a win rate of at least 70%.
However, this was merely Galos's rational judgment.
Clearly, the angry and irritated Holy Spirit Deer itself did not think so.
[Leader! I am very much looking forward to this duel!]
The amethyst dragon-lion eagerly agreed with a low growl, and at the same time, it opened its mouth wide, revealing its gleaming white fangs, in the direction of the Holy Spirit Deer.
[You naive little snack, your courage is commendable!]
But that doesn't change the fact that in my eyes, you'll always just be a delicious meal.
Hearing the other party's continuous low growls, the Holy Spirit Deer wrinkled its nose in disgust.
It couldn't help but exclaim, "Savage and vulgar lion!"
"Do you possess immense power yet lack the ability to speak like an intelligent being, only able to roar like a foolish beast?"
"Hmph, ignorant."
This time, the amethyst dragon-lion Ennus spoke clearly and unambiguously, refuting the Holy Spirit Deer's question and proving that it was not incapable, but simply unwilling.
That's enough.
Galos's deep voice broke the tension between the two.
He looked at the Holy Deer and asked, “Tell me your name.”
"Lucy."
The Holy Spirit Deer answered.
"Lucy, and Angela."
Galos's gaze swept over the Holy Spirit Deer that had just submitted, and the Phoenix that hovered in the sky with its flames extinguished, and he announced in an unquestionable tone: "You two will enjoy the same status as the Dragon Lion Ennus."
"You will serve as lords under my command, continuing to lead your original tribes and govern the territories you are familiar with."
"However, rights and obligations are commensurate."
"You must meet all the prerequisites I have set and pledge allegiance to the Ironforge."
"…………"
He roughly repeated the conditions he had previously stated to Ennus.
This includes relinquishing the title of king, accepting garrison troops, providing manpower and resources, and responding to conscription.
Finally, he asked in a deep voice, "If you have any objections to these conditions, you may raise them with me now."
Phoenix Angela carefully waved her right fire wing and said, "I hope that the Iron Legion stationed in my territory will be composed of creatures that are more aesthetically pleasing and better looking."
"For example, some shiny, beautiful creatures, or at least not ogres or gnolls or anything like that."
She has a particular preference for the appearance of her subordinates.
Galos's gaze sharpened instantly, and his dragon might intensified slightly.
You actually dared to bring it up?
"Can."
Hong Tielong suddenly grinned, revealing a kind smile.
"If you can survive for ten minutes under my thumb, I'll grant you this small request."
Angela's feathers bristled as she sensed the danger lurking behind that smile.
She quickly shook her head and pulled it back: "No, no! I didn't say anything."
"Please pretend I didn't mention it, I'll follow your arrangements."
On the other side, both the Holy Spirit Deer Lucy and the Amethyst Dragon Lion Ennus wisely remained silent, offering no further comment.
They are well aware that retaining their existing territory and autonomy is already a great blessing, and they should not have any further ambitions.
Immediately, the members of the Ironforge tribe skillfully and efficiently began to manage the battlefield, collect spoils, and treat the wounded.
After the Eye Demon died, the creatures enslaved by its psionic powers regained their senses, but due to severe injuries or mental exhaustion from the previous frenzied battle, very few survived, and all were in a state of extreme weakness.
Galos felt no regret whatsoever at the final death of the Eye Demon.
While both are creatures that control minds, the essence of the Beholder leans more towards evil enslavement and absolute control.
This is fundamentally different from the Amethyst Dragon Lion using psionic energy as a combat aid.
The existence of the Eye Demon is itself an extremely unstable source of danger. If it remains in the tribe, no one can guarantee that it will not secretly enslave and manipulate other members of the tribe.
This would be a huge hidden danger.
Moreover, in the mainstream world's perception, demons from lower planes or other worlds are generally considered to be more dangerous and evil than dragons.
Taking in an Eye Demon would undoubtedly confirm the Ironforge tribe's status as an evil faction.
This is very detrimental to the future development of the tribe.
Splash!
The heavy rain continued to pour down relentlessly, washing away the corpses and remains scattered across the battlefield and diluting the freely flowing blood, but it was difficult to completely dispel the thick hue of blood in the short term.
The members of the Ironforge tribe were like worker ants busy in the rain, cleaning up the battlefield.
After giving the two newly appointed lords some important instructions on subsequent integration, reporting, and key points of defense, the dragons bid farewell to the lords and returned to their respective territories.
(End of this chapter)
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