Chapter 274 You are the Challenger
Absurd, utterly absurd.
As the first rays of dawn shone, bathed in the still slightly cool, pale golden light, the young golden dragon Alberto Aurelius felt an unprecedented sense of absurdity and an incredible shock wash over him.
That moment of disorientation even made him wonder if he had fallen into some kind of extremely sophisticated illusion trap.
He is Metal Dragon, a man with extensive connections.
At this very moment, they are being besieged by a horde of evil dragons.
Isn't this scene completely upside down and confused?
Feeling the fierce wind rushing towards him, Alberto the Golden Dragon had no time to think about anything else; his resentment and anger outweighed his fear.
For my ultimate dream.
He made a vow in his youth to become a Holy Dragon, and unlike other dragons of his kind, he would occasionally hone his skills and train himself, so much so that his life level surpassed that of other golden dragons of the same age, and he was stronger in battle than other golden dragons of the same level.
Red Iron Dragon's incredibly strong body certainly gave him a sense of intimidation.
However.
Alberto's sharp dragon eyes swept across the other's body, keenly catching a crucial detail.
There wasn't a single trace of the "battle-hardened markings" that symbolized someone who had been through countless battles and survived life-or-death trials.
This demonstrates the opponent's lack of practical combat experience.
On the other hand, his own golden back armor was covered with several fine yet clear lines, like medals etched on dragon scales, silently telling of past glories and victories.
That is irrefutable proof of strength and experience!
therefore.
In the instant that initial shock and disorientation vanished like the receding tide.
Alberto quickly calmed his mind, as still as an icy lake.
Instead of fleeing in disarray under the siege, he took the initiative to launch a fierce charge against the dragons that were pouncing on him like a pack of wolves.
Holy Strike!
The oath rune on his right arm, symbolizing the will to conquer, burst forth with a dazzling golden light that pierced the dawn. Alberto let out a roar that shook the heavens, and his dragon arm, covered in divine energy, was like a hammer of judgment wielded by a god, accompanied by a shrill whistling sound that tore through the air, as it crashed down on the chest of the oncoming red iron dragon Garos.
Almost at the same moment.
The red iron dragon's massive claws, covered in metallic scales, also carried terrifying power, and it met the attack head-on without any fancy moves.
Bang!
A deafening roar, loud enough to shatter eardrums, suddenly erupted, and a violent shockwave, mixed with scattered fragments of scales, scattered wildly in all directions like exploding shrapnel.
The two forces collided violently, causing both massive bodies to be inevitably thrown backward simultaneously.
However.
Just as the red iron dragon leaned back slightly.
The other "dragons," like wild dogs unleashed, seized the fleeting opportunity.
With unprecedented speed, they brazenly bypassed Galos's still-unsteady position and pounced on Alberto from different angles, who was also unable to fully regain his footing.
A spiritual stab!
The psychic light in Iron Dragon Sorog's eyes suddenly intensified, and an invisible, sharp thorn of will, imbued with powerful mental strength, ignored physical defenses, instantly traversed space, and pierced deep into Alberto's mind. The stinging pain surged through the golden dragon's consciousness like an electric current, inevitably causing a slight sluggishness in his movements.
Harden your body!
Almost at the same moment the mental stab struck, the black metallic scales covering Iron Dragon Sorog's entire body instantly shimmered with an even deeper, cold, hard luster, as if cast from refined steel. Using his heavy steel body as a weapon, like an out-of-control battering sledge, he slammed into Alberto's flank with a ferocious aura that could crush everything.
"Get out of my way!"
Alberto, enduring the throbbing pain in his head, let out a furious dragon roar.
His dragon tail, accompanied by a piercing whistling sound, lashed out with the force of a thunderbolt, striking the charging iron dragon's body with tremendous power. With a muffled boom, the heavy body of the iron dragon Sorog was sent flying.
However, the attacks were far from over.
A crimson dragon shadow approached simultaneously.
Samantha, the red dragon, flapped her wings violently, and her two massive feet, covered in blazing scales, stomped fiercely on Alberto's broad chest with immense force.
The moment of pushing off,
A scorching, destructive explosive rune was already branded onto the golden scales on the dragon's chest.
Boom!
A deafening explosion rang out, and violent flames and shockwaves exploded violently in front of the golden dragon's chest.
Alberto's dragon body trembled violently from the series of blows. He barely managed to gather his strength to steady himself and, relying on his superb combat instincts, dodged to the side at the last second.
A pale, chilling dragon's breath whistled past the edge of his wing membrane—a sneak attack from the white dragon Therese.
Just as he was still in shock, a shadow suddenly loomed over him.
The red iron dragon, though slightly shorter than him, was so strong that it made his soul tremble. It had once again broken through the distance and was now within arm's reach.
Holy Armor!
Alberto felt a horrifying alarm bell ringing in his mind. Without hesitation, he activated the immense holy oath energy within his body. A dense, almost tangible golden holy light burst forth from his body, rapidly condensing and shaping on his skin.
In an instant, a magnificent suit of armor, illusory yet possessing substantial defensive power, made of pure divine energy, completely enveloped his dragon body.
Dragon energy circulates, enhancing claw attacks!
Galos's response was concise and deadly.
Black and red dragon energy suddenly wrapped around his giant claws, which swept towards Alberto's head.
BOOM—!!
A louder, more muffled explosion than before rang out.
The seemingly sturdy sacred armor shattered like fragile glass in less than half a breath, with energy fragments scattering everywhere!
Although the armor mitigated some of the power.
But the remaining, still incredibly powerful claw strike landed squarely on Alberto's left cheek and jaw.
Click.
A sickening cracking sound could be faintly heard.
Alberto's noble dragon head was violently thrown to one side by the force of the blow, and several broken, blood-stained, sharp dragon teeth flew out of his mouth with a painful groan.
What chilled Alberto even more was...
After successfully landing its attack, the red iron dragon showed no sign of greed or recklessness. Instead, it flapped its massive wings violently and retreated rapidly.
And at the very moment he retreated.
Iron Dragon Sorog, Red Dragon Samantha, and White Dragon Therese once again attacked from different tricky angles!
"Cunning! Despicable! A dragon devoid of any honor!"
Alberto's humiliation and anger were almost about to burst through the dam of reason.
He understood the opponent's tactical intentions—the red iron dragon clearly intended to use its powerful restraint and oppressive force, combined with the continuous harassment from other evil dragons, to wear him down.
In dire straits, there is no other option but to fight!
Alberto suddenly raised his scarred head.
Buzz—!
A sacred and dazzling light suddenly gathered and rose from above his head.
The light rapidly condensed and took shape.
In an instant, a dazzling crown made of pure holy light appeared above Alberto's head. On the surface of the crown were also engraved several lines of ancient and mysterious dragon language runes, the meaning of which did not need to be translated and was directly imprinted in the minds of those who witnessed it.
Law: The law is supreme; it is the cornerstone of civilization and must be treated with utmost respect.
Loyalty: One must keep one's word. Without loyalty, oaths and laws are meaningless.
Courage: Fearlessness. You must be willing to stand up when order is shaken, even if the odds are slim. If you don't act, then who will?
Responsibility: Be conscientious and dutiful. You must recognize the importance of your actions and bear the consequences. You must do your best to fulfill your responsibilities and obligations.
The Crown Oath!
Alberto practiced both sacred vows.
The Oath of the Crown is a lofty ideal of civilization, usually manifested as an identification with national spirit, loyalty to the monarch, or maintenance of laws and rules. However, Alberto's Oath of the Crown is somewhat different; it is an extension of the Oath of Conquest, a determination to defend his own crown.
Crowned Oath Spell: Turn the Tide!
The crown's light poured down like a fountain of life, enveloping Alberto's entire body. The many wounds he had suffered in the fierce battle—broken dragon scales, cracked bones, and scalded flesh—were now healing and mending at an astonishing speed visible to the naked eye! His life force, which had been slightly weakened by the battle and energy consumption, was also infused with a new source, instantly becoming as strong and dazzling as the midday sun.
Crowned Oath Spell: Defend the Challenge!
He stretched out his claw and grasped the red iron dragon.
On the opposite side, Red Iron Dragon, who was retreating, suddenly felt a chill.
A strong sense of resistance arose spontaneously, making it impossible for him to stay away from the golden dragon Alberto any further. Moreover, an indescribable, intense fighting spirit, like a wildfire, grew wildly and burned in his heart, making him want to challenge and completely defeat the golden dragon in front of him immediately.
Galos knew that this idea was influenced by magic.
But then he suddenly smiled, stopped, and neither moved away from the golden dragon nor got any closer.
"You are the challenger."
He beckoned Alberto with his dragon finger: "Come on, prove to me whether you're qualified to challenge me."
Alberto's dragon teeth clenched together with a grinding sound.
He, a majestic golden dragon, should have been the judge of evil, but now he is besieged by a group of evil dragons and even regarded as a "challenger" by them.
This is an insult to his lifelong beliefs.
But anger did not make him lose his mind.
We must finish this quickly!
The crown blazed fiercely above Alberto's head, like an ever-shining sun. His scales were gilded in the holy light, and his entire dragon body transformed into a golden meteor that crashed into the red iron dragon.
Galos's vertical pupils contracted into two deep, thin lines.
Instead of retreating, he advanced, using his left shoulder, covered by the thickest scales, to take the impact head-on.
boom--!
The moment the two dragon bodies collided, Alberto's horns plowed through the red iron dragon's shoulder armor, sending out blinding sparks, while Garus's right claw was already poised to strike.
Its claws, like red-hot steel rods, pierced towards the golden dragon's throat.
At the critical moment, Alberto's tail whip struck the Red Iron Dragon's wrist, forcibly changing the trajectory of its claws, leaving only a charred burn mark on its own neck.
Bang!
A sharp pain shot through his chest as the Red Iron Dragon's claws struck once more.
A barrage of attacks followed, forcing the golden dragon into a retreat. Finally, a fierce wing slash sliced through the golden dragon's sacred armor, scales, and flesh, leaving a deep, bone-revealing wound, and simultaneously drove it back.
But Jinlong truly lives up to its name.
The Crown Oath amplified his already immense life energy, keeping him full of fighting spirit and far from being seriously injured.
Alberto's wings flapped suddenly, and his golden body shot towards Garos like a meteor, his claws gathering a dazzling holy light, determined to tear through the red iron dragon's defenses in one blow.
"roar--!"
The Iron Dragon Sorog crashed into him from the side like a black storm of steel. Alberto was forced to dodge to the side, but before he could regain his footing, the Red Dragon Samantha's fiery breath swept over him like a raging torrent, and the scorching fire forced him to raise his wings to block.
"Get out of my way!"
He roared, his dragon tail sweeping like a steel whip, pushing the approaching white dragon Therese back several feet. But the next second, the iron dragon's heavy fist slammed into his back, causing his scales to crack and dragon blood to splatter.
Damn it!
Despite the excruciating pain, Alberto locked his dragon eyes on Garos and charged once more.
This time, his dragon claws finally touched the red iron dragon's chest.
"boom--!"
The sacred oath energy collided violently with the black and red dragon energy, and the shockwave exploded, unleashing a deafening roar. Alberto's claws pierced deeply into Garos's scales, shattering a dense layer of scales.
However, the red iron dragon did not bleed.
The cold-burst scales on his chest were shattered in large areas, revealing another layer of black and red scales with crisscrossing battle marks that were clearly visible. Alberto was slightly taken aback and found it hard to believe.
In that moment of stunned silence...
Garus's tail wrapped around Alberto's body and suddenly yanked him. Caught off guard, the golden dragon lost its balance, and in that instant, the red iron dragon's knee slammed into his abdomen.
"cough."
Alberto spat out a mouthful of dragon blood, his body riddled with wounds from the relentless barrage of attacks from the Red Iron Dragon. Before he could even regain his footing, the Iron Dragon attacked from behind. The Red Dragon's fiery breath blocked his retreat, while the White Dragon's frost-laden breath froze his wings.
"hateful!"
He roared, and the light of the Crown Oath burst forth once more, his wounds healing rapidly. But the besieging dragons gave him no chance to catch his breath.
Garros's offensive was like a storm, each strike precise and ruthless, without any hesitation; the iron dragon Sorog was like a moving steel fortress, using his body as a weapon to withstand every counterattack from the gold dragon, while also finding his psychological weaknesses; the red dragon Samantha's flames and explosive runes constantly interfered.
Alberto's dragon scales kept breaking, and his dragon blood spilled, staining the earth red.
As the battle continued...
His counterattack also shattered more of the outer scales on the Red Iron Dragon's body, revealing black and red dragon scales with many battle marks, which gradually made the Golden Dragon lose its will to fight.
He realized that even in a one-on-one situation, he might not be a match for Red Iron Dragon.
What's more, these evil dragons ganged up on us without any sense of morality.
The Halberd of Conquest!
Alberto suddenly raised his right arm, and the oath on the dragon scales shone brightly, leaving his body and instantly condensing into a dazzling golden halberd, which he gripped in his hand and swung wildly.
The air was torn apart in an instant.
This attack was incredibly powerful, and the dragons were briefly forced to retreat.
"Step back!"
The golden dragon used a command spell, causing the white dragon Therese to instinctively retreat. He then flapped his dragon wings and burst out of the gap, quickly moving away.
"Chase!"
The dragon flapped its wings, about to give chase, but was stopped by Garus.
On the other side, with the ripples in the air, the hybrid metal dragon appeared before Alberto. He was slightly taken aback at first, then overjoyed.
"Assassins disdain to use me, for I am more naked than a dagger."
"Golden Dragon—what am I?"
The Crimson Silver Dragon asked with a smile.
What? Jinlong was slightly taken aback.
"Ah, it's Vera!"
Suddenly, the crimson-silver dragon in front of him shattered like a dream, transforming into a small, exquisite fairy dragon that winked at him innocently yet mischievously.
The real answer is—backstabbing!
The Crimson Silver Dragon appeared behind the Golden Dragon without warning, and its icy breath struck the Golden Dragon's back without any obstruction.
The golden dragon's body was frozen inch by inch at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the hard ice crystals spread wildly, instantly covering most of its body.
BOOM—! BOOM! BOOM!
Alberto, his body frozen stiff, crashed to the ground like a meteorite, ice crystals and frozen soil mixed with dragon blood splattering everywhere! A huge crater was formed at the point of impact.
Alberto, his dragon scales cracked and covered in thick frost, struggled to climb out of the fissured crater.
However.
The red iron dragon's claws, carrying irresistible force, slammed heavily onto his chest. The force was so heavy that the frozen ground beneath him collapsed again, and his bones groaned under the unbearable weight. At the same time, the Holy Oath Crown hanging above his head could not withstand the weight and shattered inch by inch with a clear, mournful cry, its golden light dissipating.
"It's over, challenger."
Garus looked down at the golden dragon, calmly announcing the outcome of the battle.
P.S.: I wrote a lot, so it's a bit late. Please vote with monthly tickets!
(End of this chapter)
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