Chapter 447 Old Dragon of the Wilderness: I just took a nap, and you're saying this place is already taken?
Six years is but a fleeting moment for long-lived dragons.
However, this period of time was enough to bring a previously barren land to life and lay a solid foundation for a new kingdom.
Of the various supports promised by the Kingdom of Lorthen, in addition to the sovereignty recognition that was quickly fulfilled at the beginning of the kingdom's establishment, the other three important supports have also been gradually implemented, bearing fruitful results in the growth of the Kingdom of Aura.
In the spacious palace, after completing a round of physical exercise, Red Iron Dragon turned his attention to a summary of the kingdom's development in recent years.
He delegated the vast majority of matters to the Iron Dragon Regent, focusing instead on increasing his power.
But as the supreme ruler of the kingdom, Galus never truly distanced himself from power.
Occasionally, he would personally examine the kingdom's development trajectory and control the general direction of this giant ship's voyage, rather than completely being a hands-off emperor.
At this moment, a series of compiled and summarized documents were presented to Emperor Hong Tielong.
Galos examined the thick stack of documents without using his claws to flip through them.
With a flick of his thick, long, and flexible dragon tail, he tossed all the documents onto his head, which was covered in heavy scales.
Red Iron Dragon slightly closed his eyes and chanted a magic incantation in a low voice.
A few seconds later, a low-level spell was constructed.
Synesthesia
Buzz!
The documents placed atop the red iron dragon's head, along with the head itself, simultaneously emitted a soft, synchronized magical glow.
As these lights flashed rhythmically, a massive amount of information, such as text, data, charts, and so on, flooded into Hong Tielong's mind like a tide.
A few seconds later, Galos opened his eyes again.
He already knew everything recorded in that thick stack of documents.
"Learning these convenient spells was indeed the right choice. They can save me a lot of precious time and provide many unexpected conveniences."
Galos took the documents off his head and casually placed them aside.
The spells he learned and mastered were mainly auxiliary spells such as Cleanse, Synesthesia, Language Awareness, and Tracking Mark, rather than spells used for direct attack and destruction like Fireball and Chain Lightning.
The reason is simple.
Unless Garros completely abandons physical training now and devotes himself entirely to the study of magic.
Otherwise, given the offensive spells he possesses, the destructive effect he ultimately creates will probably never match the damage from a single, casual swing of his claws, and might even be less than the burning sneeze he lets out when his nose itches.
Red Iron Dragon steadied himself and focused his attention on the intelligence about the kingdom's development that he had just obtained.
"Over the years, Lorthern has given the wilderness many tangible benefits."
"Although we have involved the Kingdom of Theo in this, the cost we paid is far less than the gains we made. In this win-win cooperation, we are the greater beneficiaries."
Galos pondered the data and silently calculated.
The Kingdom of Aura's rapid development in six years was inseparable from Lorthern's assistance.
For example, under the careful guidance of the high-level alchemist team dispatched by Lorthorn, the industrial zone located on the outskirts of the Crimson Flame Royal City has now grown into one of the kingdom's powerful, beating hearts.
The industrial zone is now a completely different place, no longer just a simple crucible and furnace.
Instead, there are rows of sophisticated instruments, reaction vessels controlled by stable runes, and crystal arrays for analyzing complex substances.
The raw ore from the Serbian wilderness undergoes efficient smelting and metal refining technology here, removing impurities and extracting purer metals.
These metal ingots are no longer rough blanks; their purity and stability are sufficient to meet the requirements for casting advanced structural components.
Meanwhile, Lorthen's exploration team, along with local guides from the Kingdom of Aura, traversed treacherous terrain.
Six years have passed, and in addition to the original Thousand Serpents Trade Route, a standardized road network centered on Crimson Flame Royal City and connecting major mining areas, black oil fields, important settlements, military fortresses and other areas has taken shape.
These roads are not simply dirt roads, but are paved with local materials mixed with specific alchemical elixirs. They are sturdy, flat, and able to withstand the trampling of heavy transport convoys and large creatures.
Furthermore, several large teleportation arrays were even built in some of the most crucial locations.
These magic circles were built with Lorthern's assistance and are maintained jointly by both parties.
Although each activation consumes a considerable amount of resources, it also greatly shortens the mobilization time of key materials and personnel, resulting in a qualitative improvement in the kingdom's governance and responsiveness.
More importantly, this convenient transportation network strengthened the Crimson Flame Royal City's control over other regions, making orders from the 'central government' carry more weight and beyond question.
In addition, local specialties from the Serbian wilderness are no longer sold cheaply or exploited by middlemen.
According to the agreement, they were sold in large quantities to the Kingdom of Lorthen, which in turn acquired them at fair prices.
The rare minerals buried deep underground, the ancient magical plants growing on glaciers, and the precious materials produced by ferocious beasts and monsters have all become jingling wealth in the treasury of the Kingdom of Aura, making the kingdom rich rapidly. This wealth can also be used to purchase all kinds of resources needed.
But the most crucial element is knowledge.
The Kingdom of Aura learned and mastered a great deal of cutting-edge knowledge from the high-level alchemists and various craftsmen of Lorthen.
In the future, without Lorthern's assistance, the pace of construction in all parties may be slower, but it will certainly not come to a standstill.
"The problem is that the Holy King who was resurrected was not in the right state. As time went by, he could no longer suppress the ambitions of the various countries that were surging again. They were unwilling to have paid so much but not gained any benefits."
"The flames among the southern kingdoms are showing signs of reigniting."
“I have close ties with the Kingdom of Lorthen, and I will inevitably be tied to their war machine in the future.”
The red iron dragon raised its majestic head, its gaze seemingly piercing through the palace and gazing towards the southern horizon, lost in thought.
Since the Holy King appeared and quelled the civil war with swift and decisive action, the southern kingdoms have maintained a superficial peace for more than 20 years, temporarily setting aside their disputes and focusing on healing the wounds left by the war and recovering their strength.
But now, the strength of various countries is gradually recovering.
They began to stir, attempting to challenge the existing order.
About three years ago, an unidentified legendary expert openly fought in the airspace near the Royal City of Lorthen, causing quite a stir.
They were eventually driven out by the legendary garrison of Lorthorn.
However, the Holy King did not appear.
Such probing actions to test Lorthen's limits and the Holy King's status have become increasingly frequent recently.
With his keen sense of smell, Galos had already detected the increasingly intense atmosphere of unease in the air.
He sensed that unless the Holy King could once again demonstrate enough power to intimidate all the nations and make them truly feel the pain, a second, more widespread war among the nations would likely be unavoidable, barring any other major unforeseen events.
Since the former Lorthen Federation has disintegrated, this time it will not be an internal conflict.
Once it breaks out, the war will inevitably be more intense and fierce than the first civil war, and its reach will be wider.
"War is a huge vortex."
“Once it truly begins, even in the remote wilderness of Sel, my newly emerging dragon kingdom will have no chance of remaining unscathed and will inevitably be affected.”
"In this level of factional conflict, the side that tries to waver is likely to be the first to be purged and eliminated."
“Maintaining close relations with Lorthern is not a strategic problem and there is no need to change it easily. Besides, even if I choose to switch sides now and try to get closer to Rebos’ side, they will not be able to let down their guard against me, and I cannot trust them either.”
Hong Tielong took precautions and made a decision in advance.
Immediately, he slowly got up, left the palace, and went to the back mountain to train again.
It was nighttime.
Above the vast wilderness of Sel, two moons of different sizes hung high, casting a cool and bright glow, while countless glittering stars twinkled in the deep night sky.
Hong Tielong looked up at the vast and familiar night sky, then looked away.
As usual, he took out and used the Eye of True Sight, partly to evolve his eyes and partly to aid in his training, hoping to achieve better results.
But not long after, as he focused his gaze on the Crimson Flame Royal City...
Hong Tielong's pupils contracted for a moment, and his expression became serious and solemn.
In his extraordinary vision, there were countless points of light representing life, like stars reflected on the lake, twinkling in every corner of the royal city.
One of the spots of light was particularly large.
Within its tiny humanoid silhouette lie the claws and teeth of a dragon.
"A legendary dragon that came uninvited and without prior notice... I don't know if it's friend or foe."
"Is it a dragon lich sent by the Path of Scales? Or a legendary dragon from the Bronze Dragon lineage seeking revenge? Or something else entirely?"
Galos's gaze was fixed on the peculiar being in the royal city, pondering its possible identity and purpose.
He immediately abandoned his workout plan for the evening and his body soared into the sky.
Meanwhile, in the Crimson Flame Royal City, on a bustling street...
Despite it being night, the place was still brightly lit and bustling with people.
Creatures of different races thronged the streets, and all sorts of magical lamps mingled with traditional torches and oil lamps, illuminating the smooth stone-paved streets as if it were daytime, filling them with a vibrant atmosphere.
A tall and slender "young man" wearing a deep purple robe was strolling leisurely through the bustling crowd.
He had a handsome face and deep purple pupils. He looked very young, yet a calm demeanor that could only be acquired through the long years naturally surrounded him, causing some of the more perceptive creatures around him to subconsciously keep a distance from him and not dare to approach easily.
He is a legendary dragon who has been asleep for nearly a century and has only recently awakened when he discovered the dramatic changes in the wilderness, so he came to investigate.
—Iseramas.
He himself lived in the wilderness of Ser for many years, but because he disliked fighting and was naturally inclined to observe the changes in the world in a low-key manner, he did not leave behind any illustrious reputation and remained unknown to the world.
"interesting……"
Yseramas muttered to himself, surveying his surroundings with keen interest.
He saw an ogre stall owner handing a skewer of grilled meat to a human child with tongs; he saw a dwarf warrior and a troll warrior clinking glasses at the tavern entrance, talking loudly about their adventures during the day; he saw centaur patrols marching by in orderly steps, maintaining order and treating all races equally.
"Before I fell into a deep sleep, the Ser Wilderness was only home to countless primitive clans fighting each other in chaos, and the Lorthern Federation, which nominally governed the area."
"But now, it has become like this."
“A kingdom ruled by dragons rose up, and what's more, it was named ‘Aura’.”
A sense of emotion and surprise welled up within Iseramas.
He spent his long, slumbering old age in the wilderness of Sel, never imagining that when he woke up, the world had been turned upside down, and the once familiar wilderness had become strange and new.
The once mighty Lorthen Federation crumbled and became history.
The Red and Iron Dragon rose to prominence at an incredible speed in just a century.
A magnificent and orderly dragon kingdom rose up in the wilderness.
…All these changes surprised and disturbed Ysera, who had just awakened, as if he had become an old thing abandoned by the new era.
Initially, he even suspected that there was something wrong with his sleep process, which caused him to sleep for hundreds of years.
He then spent a considerable amount of time confirming and understanding before accepting the fact that this land had undergone tremendous changes in a century.
After calming his mind, Yseramas continued to wander around.
He didn't harbor much innate hostility towards the kingdom established by the dragon; his feelings were more out of curiosity about new things.
Moreover, after witnessing it firsthand, the relatively harmonious coexistence of various ethnic groups within the royal city made it difficult for him to connect it with the kingdoms he had imagined, ruled by greedy and brutal dragons.
Soon after, Yseramas stopped in front of a stall selling all sorts of pretty crystals and magical trinkets.
He casually picked up a piece of dark blue crystal and began to examine and play with it.
However, at that moment...
A majestic and awe-inspiring dragon's might descended from the sky, instantly enveloping him.
The bustling crowd around them remained oblivious to this and continued with their own activities.
This oppressive aura was directed only at him.
Yseramas paused slightly in the hand holding the crystal, then raised his head, his gaze piercing through the interplay of light and shadow and the hustle and bustle above the street, looking up at the high sky shrouded in night and light clouds.
A majestic and dangerous dragon figure loomed among the clouds, watching him intently.
"They discovered it so quickly?"
"I have clearly concealed my aura very well and applied a wide-range mental suggestion. Logically, I shouldn't be able to... Hmm, the other party either has a perception-type ability or possesses some legendary item."
A hint of surprise flashed through his mind, but he remained calm on the surface.
Immediately, Yseramas shook his head slightly, and his figure vanished into thin air. Those who witnessed this scene showed no reaction whatsoever, remaining indifferent as if they found nothing strange.
Meanwhile, a thousand meters above the Crimson Flame Royal City.
High in the clouds, Ysera's body slowly solidified, revealing his true form as a dragon.
His scales were not made of hard metal or thick keratin, but rather sculpted like pure amethyst, reflecting a hazy and profound halo under the moonlight. A row of purple crystals floated on his back, undulating slightly. His wings were thin and broad, with rich psionic light flowing across their membranes.
It is the leader of the Gem Dragons.
—Amethyst Dragon.
Almost at the same time he revealed his true form, the clouds in front of him seemed to be parted by an invisible hand, and a majestic and dangerous dragon shadow slowly emerged.
Compared to the elegant and spiritual Amethyst Dragon, the Red Iron Dragon's physique seems born for battle.
Every part of his body was a terrifying weapon, covered in battle-hardened markings. Even with his dragon might concealed, he still exuded a terrifying sense of oppression, making the Amethyst Dragon feel that he should not be underestimated.
"An unfamiliar amethyst dragon."
"You've come uninvited, lingering in my royal city to observe. Do you find the scenery of Aura unique and worthy of your quiet appreciation?"
Hong Tielong spoke in a deep voice, his voice like rolling thunder echoing among the clouds.
Countless fine runes swirled in his eyes like stars.
His True Sight Eye had been activated, allowing him to discern the opponent's general level.
Legendary Amethyst Dragon: Level 23.
On the other side, Yseramas, seeing the legendary dragon emperor up close for the first time, was slightly shaken, and a hint of amazement flashed in his dragon eyes.
But soon, the amethyst dragon regained its calm and composure.
"You are Emperor Ignas?"
Yseramas gave a graceful nod, a gesture of courtesy among kin.
He himself was a psionicist and possessed great mental power, but he did not use any spells to probe or influence the mind of the red iron dragon in front of him.
This is a basic respect for a powerful member of the same clan, especially a monarch.
Immediately, the Amethyst Dragon explained, "It was indeed presumptuous of me to come uninvited."
"I slept in the wilderness for many years until recently, when I awoke to hear that during my slumber, a remarkable young member of my race rose up in the wilderness of Sel and established a magnificent kingdom."
Driven by curiosity, I came uninvited, wanting to see it for myself.
"If my actions have offended you, I sincerely apologize and ask for your forgiveness."
"As for the scenery here..." He glanced down at the brightly lit royal city and praised, "It is indeed unique, full of vitality and order, and has left a deep impression on me."
Galos calmly observed the Amethyst Dragon.
The other person was calm and composed, with clear and peaceful eyes, showing no hostility or greed.
Furthermore, the Gem Dragon race has always been known for its neutrality, rarely intervening in conflicts between secular kingdoms. Their attitudes toward Metal Dragons and Chromatic Dragons are usually similar.
After a moment's thought, Galos nodded, accepting the explanation and apology.
“My kingdom has always welcomed visitors who follow the rules and have good intentions. I am Garoth Ignas, and you must have heard of my name before.”
He welcomed him and introduced himself.
“Iseramas,” the amethyst dragon also gave his real name, “an old fellow who has been asleep for too long and has just woken up to find the world has changed drastically.”
Upon hearing this, Galos's gaze shifted slightly.
He seemed to have thought of something and asked, "Iseramas...did you ever have a close relationship with some kind of powerful lion-like magical beast?"
Upon hearing this, the amethyst dragon's eyes widened suddenly, but it did not answer immediately.
However, judging from his reaction in that instant, Galos already had the answer in his heart.
Old Long's skin is thick after all.
After a brief moment of surprise, Yseramas let out a hearty, unashamed laugh.
He said frankly, "Hehe, I didn't expect you to know about this old story. Yes, that's right. Many years ago, I did live as a lion for a period of time. It was a wonderful time."
Galos said slowly, "Under my command is a lord named Ennus."
“He has a strong amethyst dragon bloodline flowing through his veins, and his aura is similar to yours. If I’m not mistaken, he is probably one of your descendants left behind.”
Upon hearing this, the amethyst dragon Yseramas was slightly taken aback again, a look of surprise appearing on his face.
He was unaware that he had left behind dragon and lion descendants in this wilderness.
While gem dragons don't value their offspring as much as metal dragons, they aren't as cold-hearted as evil dragons either. Given the opportunity, they are usually willing to provide their offspring with appropriate care and guidance within their capabilities.
The Amethyst Dragon said, "Thank you for informing me. This is unexpected news."
"When I have time, I will go and meet the dragon-lion descendant who is connected to me by blood."
A gust of wind swept across the scales of the two dragons, stirring up waves of clouds.
Galos nodded slightly, acknowledging the other party's thanks.
Then, he subtly changed the subject.
"Isera, you have just awakened from your slumber. You will surely need time to get to know this unfamiliar land again."
His enormous dragon claw pointed at the Crimson Flame Royal City, and he continued, "Moreover, your descendant Ennus, being in my kingdom as a lord, is also closely connected with the fate of the kingdom. You only met him briefly, so I'm afraid you can't truly understand his current situation and growth."
The amethyst dragon listened quietly, a thoughtful look flashing in its eyes.
Seeing this, Galos felt somewhat relieved.
This is the first time he has encountered a gem dragon, and it is a legendary amethyst dragon of level 23.
The current Kingdom of Aura already has five-colored dragons, iron dragons, and even metal dragons with which it has good relations, but it is still blank in the lineage of gem dragons.
He hoped to leave this legendary amethyst dragon in the Kingdom of Aura in some form.
Although the Gem Dragon is a well-known neutral faction, as long as we can keep him here and establish contact, there will naturally be plenty of opportunities in the future to deepen his bond and interests with the kingdom through various means.
In the future, if the kingdom faces a crisis and needs support, it won't be just Garus, the only legend, who will step in to deal with it.
However, when faced with an ancient and elderly dragon, Garus did not directly make a request such as "I hope you stay," nor did he offer any specific terms of exchange.
His dragon-taming skills were already superb, and he was very clear that in many cases, being too direct about one's purpose would only arouse the target's vigilance and instinctive resistance.
Instead of doing that, it's better to guide the conversation and let the other person make their own 'decision'.
“In any case, Yseramas, you and I are of the same kind. You have long inhabited this place and are, in a sense, an ancient inhabitant of the Wilderness of Sel, while I am now the ruler of this wilderness.”
"I should do my part while you are just waking up and everything is still unfamiliar to you."
“If you don’t have a specific destination in mind for the time being, you might as well stay in my royal city for a while. Consider it a buffer to adapt to this new era of wilderness and learn about the changes here. As for Ennus, you can find a suitable time to contact him in a more relaxed manner.”
He offered an understanding and convenient option, giving Yseramas the complete choice.
On the other side, Yseramas fell into a slightly longer silence, clearly weighing his options carefully.
Galos's words truly resonated with him.
He needed time to adjust, and he was also curious about the kingdom and his own descendants.
Galus's promise would undoubtedly save him a lot of trouble. Moreover, the other party's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, giving him full respect and freedom. He was truly an extraordinary dragon, and it was no wonder that he was able to build such an orderly kingdom.
Finally, the amethyst dragon said with delight, "Hehe... Your Majesty Garus, your strength and magnanimity have impressed me deeply."
“You’re right. I do need some time to get to know this world again, especially the country chosen by my descendants who are connected to me by blood.”
"In that case, I'll shamelessly trouble myself to stay in your capital for a while and see what's so special about this kingdom that rose from the ground while I was asleep."
He took the initiative to express his willingness to stay.
Galos was satisfied with the result, but the dragon's face still maintained its usual calm and majesty.
He nodded slightly and said in a steady tone, "The Crimson Flame Royal City may not be as prosperous as those ancient capitals in the south, but we will try our best to make our guests feel comfortable. Welcome to your stay, Yseramas."
Temporary stay?
Now that you've stepped into my territory, don't even think about leaving easily! This isn't some ordinary inn where you can come and go as you please.
Hong Tielong thought to himself with delight.
With the shadow of war looming ever since, and given the Aura Kingdom's relatively weak legendary power, he wouldn't let such a legendary dragon, who had willingly delivered itself to his doorstep, slip away unnoticed.
Shortly after he settled the amethyst dragon, he received a new message.
—The messenger of good fortune has returned to the continent of Atlanta and will soon personally visit the Kingdom of Aura to discuss cooperation.
(End of this chapter)
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