Chapter 412 I, Garros, King of the Wilderness, Emperor Ignas
A few days later, the red iron dragon rested for a while and recovered its strength.
When he awoke, Deborah, who had reverted to her dragon form, was still curled up beside him, breathing evenly, deep in a deep sleep, her scales shimmering softly in the light.
"It's time to start exercising."
Red Iron Dragon stretched its body, and its joints made a low, metallic sound as they moved.
He could clearly feel that his body had become more resilient after the battle with the legendary swordsman, and some of his attributes were increasing.
"Experiencing similar battles multiple times might become a powerful catalyst for me to break through to the legendary realm."
He pondered silently in his heart.
At the same time, before he could set off for his usual training ground, a familiar and steady mental fluctuation touched his consciousness.
It was Iron Dragon Sorog; he sensed the Red Iron Dragon's awakened spirit and immediately initiated a telepathic message.
"Garos, there is something important I need to discuss with you."
Sorog's voice echoed directly in Garros's mind.
Galos's mind stirred slightly, and he replied, "Perfect timing, I also have some ideas. Let's build a mental network. Take this opportunity to discuss the future development direction of the tribe."
He felt that his mind was clear and his thinking was quick, making him perfectly suited for strategic planning.
“Gorton, you speak.”
In the mental network, Sorog handed over the power of discourse to another blood brother.
Iron Dragon Gorton's voice came through the link, saying, "Garos, Elena asked me to convey a proposal to you—she asked if you would be willing to become the true 'King of the Wilderness,' ruling over the entire Sel Wilderness?"
This is not just a problem; it has profound implications.
"King of the Wilderness..."
Galos repeated the word in a low voice, then fell into a brief moment of contemplation.
Immediately, Samantha the Red Dragon broke the silence with a sneer.
"Hmph! What nonsense is that human little wench spouting?"
“Garos has just killed a legend! In the current wilderness of Sel, who dares to defy our power, who dares to challenge us head-on?! If Garros wants to, he can declare himself king at any time, without needing a human princess’s ‘proposal’ or the recognition of those so-called kingdoms!”
Her tone was full of arrogance and an instinctive aversion to human intervention in wilderness affairs.
Iron Dragon Sorog said, "Samantha, calm down."
"The Crystal Princess's suggestion is not entirely without merit and deserves our serious consideration."
"We must understand that the title of King of the Wilderness is not merely an empty title or a nice-sounding name; it represents a legitimate ruling order and status accepted by the surrounding major intelligent race kingdoms."
"Gaining this recognition can reduce a lot of hostility and harassment for us."
"If we want our tribe to achieve long-term and stable development, it is crucial to clear our name and shed the stereotype of us as a 'monster horde that infests the wilderness'."
"Otherwise, no matter how strong we are, as long as we are always seen as a threat that needs to be eliminated by the outside world, we will always attract wave after wave of punitive expeditions under various banners, and there will never be peace."
“A widely recognized ‘king’ and a ‘regime’ with legitimate status can make our exchanges with other countries, at least in trade, much more legitimate and smooth.”
At this point, Hong Tielong, the decision-maker, spoke up.
"I care more about the actual value it brings than an empty title."
He said to Tie Long, "Tell Elena that I need a concrete conversation to understand what exactly her so-called help entails."
"clear."
Gorton responded succinctly.
Soon after, through some kind of magic, Crystal Princess Elena's consciousness was connected to the Mind Network.
"Lord Garus, all you mighty dragons."
Elena's voice was clear and calm, getting straight to the point, and she continued, "I hope to establish a more stable and lasting alliance with you all, and with the Ironforge tribe you represent."
Galos: "In what specific way?"
The alliance wasn't just empty talk; he needed to know what Elena and the Kingdom of Lorthen behind her could offer the Ironforge tribe, and what they hoped to gain in return.
Galos was accustomed to making the interests and demands of both sides public.
After fully weighing the pros and cons, he will decide whether to cooperate or find room for maneuver and negotiation.
"Rest assured, the Kingdom of Lorthern has no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of the Ironforge, nor will it send a single soldier to the Sel Wilderness in an attempt to exercise military control."
Elena seemed to have anticipated this question.
Her voice was steady and candid as she began to elaborate on the four forms of support she could offer.
First, formal diplomatic recognition.
The Kingdom of Lorthen will be the first to publicly acknowledge and congratulate Garros as the sole and legitimate ruler of the Wilderness of Sel, calling him the King of the Wilderness. At the same time, it will use its influence to actively lobby and promote more countries to grant the same diplomatic recognition.
This will greatly enhance the status of the Ironforge at the national level and curb the harassment carried out by certain kingdoms under the pretext of 'cleaning up lawless lands'.
Second, free technical assistance.
The Kingdom of Lorthen is willing to send a team of its top alchemists, experienced engineers, and learned scholars to be stationed in the wilderness long-term to help the Ironforge tribe establish and perfect a complete alchemical industrial system.
The aid will cover everything from basic mineral identification, efficient smelting, and metal refining technologies to sophisticated advanced golem casting, rune weapon engraving, and construct energy core production.
Lorthern is willing to share this valuable knowledge.
Third, support for infrastructure development.
In addition to the Thousand Serpents Trade Route, the Kingdom of Lorthern can assist the Ironforge Tribe in a comprehensive survey and planning, providing some investment to establish a standardized road network connecting major areas of the wilderness, such as mining areas, black oil fields, and important monster settlements.
It can even help set up miniaturized teleportation arrays to facilitate circulation and development within the tribe.
Fourth, trade agreements based on equality and mutual benefit.
The Kingdom of Lorthern is willing to purchase large quantities of various specialty resources produced in the Wilderness of Sel at fair and reasonable market prices in a long-term and stable manner, such as specific magical minerals, rare herbs, and materials from ferocious beasts and monsters. At the same time, Lorthern will also open its doors to supplying the Ironforge Tribe with various materials that it urgently needs for its development but that the Wilderness cannot produce on its own at the moment.
For example, advanced alchemical catalysts, enchanting materials, and precision instruments.
It must be said that the four points raised by Elena are very beneficial to the Ironforge tribe.
Although the tribe had purchased a considerable amount of alchemical tools and blueprints through channels such as the Gem Merchant Guild, its foundation was still shallow and its accumulation was limited.
These alone are far from enough to truly establish a large and stable alchemical industrial system.
Not to mention compared to powerful nations like Lortheon, which can send magical satellites into the cosmos, the Ironforge tribe lags far behind even many human duchies and some large city-states in terms of alchemy.
The black oil crystals that have a significant effect on Galus also require a powerful and complete alchemical industrial system as support.
Galos quietly processed this information.
After a moment, he asked the most crucial question: "So, what is the price?"
Elena's voice became serious and solemn as she said, "What I seek in return is not the territory of the Sel Wilderness, nor will I ask the Ironforge tribe to become a vassal or subservient of Lorthern."
"What I truly desire is to be neighbors with a stable, prosperous, and powerful Sel Wilderness, and to establish a strong strategic alliance with the Ironforge tribe."
"At certain crucial moments in the future, when our Kingdom of Lorthene needs the support of our friends."
"Whether it's diplomatic support, moral backing, or priority supply of certain strategic materials, we hope to receive a response from the 'King of the Wilderness'."
Her words revealed a long-term perspective.
The war in the South is temporarily calm, but the seeds of hatred and self-interest have already been sown.
The nations suffered losses in the war but gained no real benefits. The voices within the Kingdom of Lorthen, yearning to re-establish absolute dominance, never ceased, and the flames of war could easily reignite one day.
Plan ahead.
Proactively cultivate potential powerful allies and divide possible enemies.
These are all wise moves to gain a more favorable strategic position for the kingdom.
After listening to Elena's entire account, Samantha, the red dragon, still habitually snorted, but her attitude was clearly not as intense and resistant as it had been initially.
She said, "That sounds a little better than sending troops to seize territory directly."
"However, cunning humans have always been adept at plotting and scheming. Who knows if this is yet another carefully woven trap?"
Elena did not directly refute the Red Dragon's doubts.
She remained silent, leaving the decision entirely to Hong Tielong, and quietly awaited his final answer.
Galos pondered for a longer time.
His massive dragon head was slightly lowered, and his pupils gleamed with a light of weighing and calculation.
Finally, he slowly raised his head, his gaze seemingly looking directly at the Crystal Princess in the distance through the network of his mind, and spoke in a deep voice.
“Princess Elena, your proposal demonstrates sufficient sincerity and is in line with the long-term development interests of our Ironforge tribe.”
Hong Tielong said, “We have power and resources, but we lack the systematic technology to transform resources into greater power. Lorthern has the technology and knowledge, but also needs a stable and reliable source of raw materials and a strategic rear.”
"Our interests do not conflict; on the contrary, they can complement each other."
Galos knew very well that gaining the official recognition of the Kingdom of Lorthene, the former leader of the human federation, was of great significance.
As long as the Kingdom of Lortheon sets an example, the other kingdoms that follow Lortheon will also give it their due recognition.
This would allow the tribe to save a significant amount of time spent dealing with the endless probing of other nations, enabling them to focus on their own development. Furthermore, Lor'then's technological assistance would accelerate the rise of the tribe's alchemy industry, something that could not be achieved quickly through mere plunder and trial and error.
He had already made up his mind.
"The Ironforge Tribe is pleased to establish a deep alliance with the Kingdom of Lorthen."
He gave a formal response, then added: "The specific details of the cooperation can be discussed and drafted by appropriate representatives from both parties."
"However, there are several core principles that must be clearly defined in advance and cannot be changed."
"The affairs of the Sel Wilderness shall be decided by the Ironforge tribe; Lorthern's technical assistance shall be aimed at cultivating our own talent, rather than simply relying on it; trade must be fair."
The wilderness is vast and rich, and some of the special resources it contains are not only inefficient to explore and develop by the Iron Smelting Tribe alone, but also inevitably overlook some.
Galos was not a stubborn and xenophobic dragon; he did not reject cooperation with intelligent races.
As long as such cooperation can bring him substantial and tangible benefits without compromising his absolute authority and the tribe's independence, he is willing to choose a win-win development path.
For example, if the Blue Dragon leader hadn't been so stubborn and arrogant, and had been willing to sit down and negotiate, he might have been able to live peacefully with the Dominic Dragon Clan and share the wilderness; also, he maintained a peaceful relationship with the Mountain King and the Fungus King for decades, keeping to himself and not interfering with each other.
Unfortunately, few people were willing to talk to him about win-win situations before this.
Meanwhile, upon hearing Garos's response, Elena, far away in the Royal Court of Lorthen, couldn't help but smile.
Indeed, this King of Iron possessed foresight and rational thinking far exceeding that of ordinary evil dragons.
Gorton was truly fortunate to have such a wise and powerful blood relative.
After a moment's thought, Elena said, "Then, Lord Garros, when do you plan to formally declare yourself king?"
Galos narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in his dragon pupils.
He said calmly but firmly, "The matter of becoming king is not something to be rushed."
"Once we have integrated the northeastern and southern regions of the wilderness, eliminated all discordant and disobedient voices, and truly brought the entire Ser Wilderness under our control, this title will naturally be well-deserved and a natural outcome."
"By then, the name 'Iron Smelting Tribe' can be replaced with a more appropriate name."
Upon hearing this, the Iron Dragon Sorog in the mental network was jolted, and an indescribable excitement surged into his heart.
From a clan that initially lived in a remote corner to the Ironforge tribe that now dominates a region, the future goal is to establish a true dragon kingdom.
Decades of trials and tribulations, decades of weathering the storms.
Over the years, he has steadfastly followed in Garos's footsteps, witnessing his power grow like a snowball, and he is undoubtedly getting closer and closer to his grand dream of building a powerful, orderly, and respected dragon empire together.
This made him even more grateful that he had made the absolutely right choice back then.
Elena's voice also carried a hint of laughter.
She said, "Emperor Ignas...please allow me to address you as such in advance."
"On the day you officially establish your kingdom in the Wilderness of Sel, the Kingdom of Lorthern will be the first to step forward and offer you our sincerest congratulations and the most formal diplomatic recognition, adding to the splendor of this grand occasion."
King of the Wilderness, Emperor Ignas...
Galos silently recited it to himself and smiled without a sound.
That sounds pretty good.
Achieving legendary status at the age of 100 is difficult, but "establishing a nation at the age of 100 and becoming a dragon emperor" is also an extraordinary feat.
Its rarity is even greater than that of a centenarian legend, and it is a glorious deed that can be engraved in one's own heritage and passed down to future generations.
If a dragon wants to establish and maintain a kingdom, it needs to possess at least legendary-level strength as a deterrent.
Moreover, strong individual strength alone is far from enough; one also needs to be able to navigate complex situations, demonstrate one's wisdom and charisma, and gain widespread recognition.
otherwise.
The newly formed dragon kingdom is likely to face joint fear and attack from neighboring countries in a short period of time, and will ultimately be short-lived.
Such negative examples are not uncommon in the Legacy of the Dragon.
One of Galos's deepest goals is to be able to contend with, or even overwhelm, the entire world with the power of a single dragon.
But he knew that before achieving that distant goal, he needed to proceed steadily and cautiously, accumulating and developing in a stable manner to lay the most solid foundation for it.
As time went by, Galos and Elena gradually reached a consensus.
A collaboration that is about to change the landscape of the Serbian wilderness and even the surrounding area has been initially set in motion through this intangible spiritual connection.
The Ironclad Tribe, entrenched in the wilderness of Sel, was previously regarded as a horde of monsters.
Soon, it will officially enter the vision of various countries in a brand new form, becoming something that cannot be ignored.
Immediately, Crystal Princess politely withdrew from the mind network.
Samantha, the red dragon, immediately growled excitedly, "Now that the decision has been made, what are we waiting for?"
"Shouldn't we start immediately and completely eliminate that king of the hill giants who's entrenched in the northeast? My claws are itching to tear those giants apart."
Iron Dragon Sorog calmly added, "The Mountain King and his giant tribe have been entrenched in the northeastern region of the wilderness for decades."
"They have always held onto that mountain range territory and have not had a strong desire to expand outwards."
“This behavior pattern is somewhat abnormal, as if it has some kind of plan of its own. If it is to be dealt with, I think it should be done as soon as possible.”
Ultimately, they turned their attention to the red iron dragon.
After a moment's thought, Garos slowly said, "Our current goal is to unify the wilderness; the previous peace ends here."
Two tigers cannot share one mountain.
The last remaining Sannoh should exit the stage.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
