Chapter 492 The Grand Dragon
Late summer of the year 358 in the Gregorian calendar.
The sky over the Kingdom of Aura was a clear, deep blue, and the bright, scorching sun illuminated the royal court atop the mountain peaks, making it shine brilliantly.
The Red Emperor sat regally on his wing-like throne, majestic and serene like a mountain range.
Opposite him, Iron Dragon Sorog stood in the center of the hall, reporting the situation.
"Our mouthpiece has played an important role in the newly occupied areas."
Sorog said, "Especially in the two newly occupied provinces, after nearly a decade of media manipulation, our reputation has been turned around."
"The image of the Red Emperor as powerful and wise has been deeply ingrained in people's minds."
"The arrival of the Kingdom of Aura was also regarded as a stroke of luck by the local residents."
Ten years is but a fleeting moment in the long lifespan of a dragon.
But for humans, it is enough to change many people's minds and shape entirely new memories.
Those humans who submitted to Aura may still harbor some resentment and bitterness, but most have accepted reality.
Their lives gradually became stable and even more prosperous than during Theo's reign.
Because the overall situation was quite stable, many people even began to genuinely support the new ruler.
Various legends about the Red Emperor also spread among the people of the city and its streets.
Some say that the Red Emperor once shot down a satellite in the sky with a pebble; others say that the Red Emperor pierced through a natural barrier with a single spit.
Similar stories spread wider and wider, with increasingly exaggerated details.
Although most people know in their hearts that the truth is not so magical, they always smile knowingly and treat it as an interesting topic of conversation, occasionally teasing each other in taverns and teahouses.
Iron Dragon Sorog did not order strict control over these circulating anecdotes.
Instead, he secretly fueled the flames, deliberately letting some minor scandals and anecdotes about the Red Emperor circulate.
Some of these stories are true, and some are false.
For example, when the emperor was young, he liked to bang his head against the ground and mountains, getting himself covered in dust and dirt, or once, after waking up from a deep sleep, he groggily bumped into the summit of a mountain.
After realizing the importance of public opinion, Sorog spent a period of time studying the psychology of public opinion.
Ultimately, he came to a conclusion.
An emperor can be powerful and wise, but he doesn't need to be overly perfect or aloof.
Some harmless, talkable, or even humorous details can actually make the ruler seem more real and relatable to the people, making it easier for them to feel a sense of connection with him.
Of course, all of this has clear boundaries.
'Don't be fooled by the dragon's minions; they are the enemy!'
Those who are not of our kind are bound to harbor ill intentions!
'Humans, unite! Remember your race! Do not yield to those monsters!'
...
Those jokes, banter, and teasing can all be tolerated.
However, once such sharp remarks incite confrontation appear, the source of the voice will be physically silenced within three days.
Russell's Wolf Guards were never just for show.
Those werewolves with keen intuition and extraordinary perception wove a vast and meticulous intelligence network, covering every corner of the kingdom like a spider web.
They kept a close eye on what was happening in various places.
Once a fire is detected, it will be extinguished immediately, swiftly and decisively, leaving no future problems.
Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Theo continues to be in turmoil after losing two major provinces and suffering other heavy losses.
In this oppressive and crisis-ridden environment, some talented and ambitious individuals did emerge, attempting to turn the tide.
But so far, their efforts seem to be just a drop in the ocean.
Unless Theo produces a warrior with exceptional strength and charisma, it will be difficult to reverse the nation's declining fortunes.
Theo is Little Aura.
Such remarks have already spread far and wide, even circulating secretly among certain social strata within Theo, further eroding the will to resist.
"How is the Sanctuary Project progressing?"
Galos's deep voice rang out, shifting the topic from the battle of public opinion to another key project.
Sorog raised his voice slightly and said, "With the cooperation of the Kingdom of Lortherne, the Kingdom of Matna, and our own alchemists, and with the investment of the kingdoms' resources, the main framework of the Sanctuary has been completed."
"The progress is about 30% faster than expected."
Galos's massive head twitched slightly, its vertical pupils fixed on the Iron Dragon: "This project wasn't accomplished by us alone; the parties involved are complex, so we need to be careful."
Sorog responded in a deep voice: "Throughout the entire project, in addition to Samantha and I overseeing it, we also invited the Amethyst Dragon Yseramas to assist us."
"Neither Zijinglong nor I have a deep understanding of the specific details of alchemy techniques, but we are monitoring the mental fluctuations and emotional changes of all participants."
"To date, no obvious disloyalty or sabotage intent has been found."
“It’s still not safe enough.” Galos pondered for a moment and said, “I’ll try to recruit a legendary alchemical dragon from the Fubo Dragon Domain to participate in the final construction of the Sanctuary.”
"With a legendary dragon who is an expert in this field overseeing things, the risks can be minimized."
Tie Long's spirits visibly lifted: "That would be perfect."
"With the addition of the legendary alchemy dragon, many problems can be solved easily, and the quality and confidentiality of the project can be greatly improved."
Galos said no more and immediately used a special tool to contact the Golden Dragon Orvis, who was far away in the Fubo Dragon Domain.
After a brief fluctuation of magic, Orvis's lazy voice rang out, and the sound of waves crashing on the shore could be faintly heard in the background, as if he were lying on a warm beach.
"Hey, the famous Red Emperor Aura, what brings you here today? Is there something you need?"
Galos was already used to the other party's teasing tone.
He stated bluntly, "Invite a dragon who has reached the legendary level in alchemy to the Kingdom of Aura to participate in an important alchemical project. I can pay you a legendary quality item as a reward."
Ovis clicked his tongue, his voice laced with amusement: "A legendary alchemical dragon... that's quite a demand."
"However, the reward is quite generous, and many old guys should be tempted. Speaking of which, you seem to be quite wealthy now, taking legendary items as you please."
Galos's tone was flat and indifferent: "It's alright, just a little richer than other dragons of the same age, nothing to mention."
This kid is getting more and more extravagant.
Ovis did not dwell on the matter of wealth.
He knew very well that the resources a ruler of a country could control were something that even some ancient dragons might not be able to match.
Ovis suddenly changed the subject, asking with a smile, "By the way, how are you finding it to take care of your four little brats? They caused quite a bit of trouble when they were in the Fubo Dragon Domain, I remember it all clearly."
When Garos' four sons were still living in the Fubo Dragon Domain, the old golden dragon would often tease them.
He had a deep understanding of the temperaments of these younger generation members.
Compared to their endless "surprises," Alberto, who had initially given him a lot of headaches, seemed much more agreeable.
Galos responded slowly, "It's alright."
"The eldest brother's personality is indeed quite rebellious, but the other three are all alright."
He paused, then added, "Of course, after my guidance, Garcolo is much more obedient now. Perhaps after some time, his rebellious nature will resurface, but at least for now, he has learned how to respect the authority of his elders."
“Galcro? That kid is definitely a troublemaker.”
Ovis's voice was full of curiosity, "What method did you use to educate him? Tell me the details, and maybe I can learn from it and apply it to Alberto so that he can have an easier time in the future."
"Even though he's already an adult dragon, he still always makes me angry."
Galos replied nonchalantly, "It's simple, I killed him once with my own hands."
A brief silence fell on the other end of the consciousness connection.
A few seconds later, Orvis seemed to come to his senses.
His tone became somewhat subtle as he said, "Hmm... this method... is indeed very much in your style, but I think I should think of another way."
"Alberto may be annoying at times, but he doesn't deserve to die."
Immediately afterward, Ovis dropped his joking tone and said seriously, "Let's get back to business."
“I heard that the Helmod dragons have officially declared war on you, Garros. This group of dragons is no pushover. They have been entrenched in the Raging Sea for hundreds of years and are infamous.”
Has this news reached the Fubo Dragon Domain? Galos's heart stirred slightly.
He responded, "The declaration of war is a fact."
"However, there is a vast landmass between us and them, so the possibility of a direct conflict in the short term is unlikely."
“Don’t be too careless,” Orvis warned, his tone serious. “Although they spend most of their time at sea, it doesn’t mean they can’t land. In fact, the Blue Dragon can cause storms on land as well.”
"You must be careful and on guard. The Raging Dragon Domain has organized many campaigns to exterminate the Helmod Dragons over the past few hundred years, but it has never been able to completely wipe them out."
“Those three ancient dragon leaders are all extraordinary characters.”
Galos then asked, "Based on your understanding, what level is the leader of the Helmod dragon horde?"
Ovis pondered: "As far as I know, one of them is a Grand Slam champion, and the other two should be close to the Grand Slam level as well."
"However, this information is from over a hundred years ago."
"Their strength may have improved again, so you should be prepared."
"Grand rank..." Garus murmured to himself.
Dragons grow slowly, and some ancient dragons may not even reach the fully crown level. However, the lord of a dragon pack and wild dragons are not the same thing, and it is normal for them to have a faster growth rate and stronger talents.
It's important to understand that the prestige of a Grand Dragon far surpasses that of any Grand Human.
The good news is that he did not take an overly aggressive stance in his previous probing contact with the Helmod dragons; instead, he reached a tacit verbal agreement with them.
Of course, this relationship is based on the exchange of interests and has no real foundation of trust, so it may break down at any time.
"The Helmod dragons have been raiding and fighting at sea for years. I don't really understand why they suddenly turned their attention to the Kingdom of Aura, which is far inland."
"Is it simply because you can't stand having a dragon as your nation, or because you're envious of the resources and wealth you've accumulated?"
"This is not in line with their style."
"Those dragons, though mad, are also shrewd and practical, and rarely make enemies for themselves without reason."
"Ovis suddenly said."
After a moment's thought, Galos replied, "I've heard an unverified rumor that you might want to take a look at."
"I've heard that the Helmod Dragons are brewing a plan."
"They are preparing to land and establish a kingdom for the dragon."
"Assuming this news is true, then my success in establishing a nation as a dragon, and my advancement over them, would likely make me a potential competitor or even a benchmark, and it would not be hard to understand why I would attract their open hostility."
"Landing? Establishing a nation?" Orvis's voice suddenly became much more serious.
"The Helmod dragons are, in the traditional sense, a group of evil dragons that are brutal and disregard order."
"If they do succeed in establishing a nation and gaining a foothold, it will inevitably attract more evil dragons to follow suit, which will be a huge challenge to justice and order."
Galos said calmly, "I'm just proposing a hypothesis."
"This source is not entirely reliable, and its authenticity needs to be verified."
"No, since such news has spread, it must be true that it's not unfounded."
"Ovis said in a deep voice, clearly taking it to heart."
“I will report this matter to the other elders of the Dragon Realm. We must keep an eye on the movements of the Helmod Dragon Clan.”
"If they really start preparing to land and establish a nation, we must react immediately and strike them hard. We must not let them succeed."
Garros asked, "The Hermodian Dragonflight is adjacent to the Raging Tide Dragonflight."
"If a conflict breaks out, the main opposing force should be the Raging Waves Dragon Domain, right? Will the Subdued Waves Dragon Domain also directly participate in the campaign?"
“The Raging Dragon Domain…” When Ovis mentioned this Dragon Domain, there was a complicated meaning in his voice.
He paused slightly, then continued:
"In principle, the major dragon domains should not directly interfere in each other's sea affairs unless absolutely necessary."
"We will most likely first formally notify the Raging Dragon Domain, reminding them to be vigilant and prepared, and then see if we need to send reinforcements depending on how the situation develops."
"So, dealing with the Helmod dragon horde is mainly a matter for the Raging Dragon Domain itself?"
"That's a fair understanding, since they are the direct protectors of that sea area."
Orvis affirmed, "Moreover, our Fubo Dragon Domain also has its own troubles to deal with. Unless the Raging Wave Dragon Domain requests it, or the situation deteriorates to the point of affecting the reputation and safety of the Metal Dragon Clan, we will not overstep our bounds."
Upon hearing these words, Hong Tielong silently curled the corner of his mouth.
A conflict erupted between the Raging Dragon Domain and the Helmod Dragon Clan... This was exactly the situation he wanted to see.
If these two sides really do go to war, he wouldn't mind secretly providing some assistance to the Helmod dragons, of course, at a high price.
After all, he only had a fragile verbal agreement with those dragons.
There was no deep friendship between them; it was purely an exchange of interests.
"Regarding the legendary alchemical dragon you requested, I already have a suitable target," Ovis concluded. "I will convey your requirements and reward to you. With the allure of legendary items, it shouldn't be long before an interested old fellow sets off for your Kingdom of Aura. At that time, I will have him contact you directly."
"Thank you," Galos said briefly.
After exchanging a few more brief updates, the long-distance communication came to an end.
Silence returned to the hall, with only the faint sound of the wind coming from outside the window.
Iron Dragon Sorog stood quietly to the side, listening to the entire conversation.
He spoke thoughtfully, "Should we... reveal to Helmod the news that 'the Fubo Dragon Domain and the Raging Wave Dragon Domain have noticed the possibility of the Helmod Dragon Clan establishing a kingdom'?"
"In this way, we might be able to get some benefits from them, or deepen the fragile cooperative relationship."
They only informed the other party that they were being targeted by the Dragon Realm, but didn't explain why they were being targeted.
Galos glanced sideways at the Iron Dragon.
He remained silent for a few seconds, weighing the pros and cons, and finally slowly shook his head.
"No need."
Galos said, "On the one hand, I don't think those ancient dragon leaders in Helmod are fools."
"Such vague information may arouse their suspicion, and it is more prudent to reduce direct communication with them when it is not necessary."
"On the other hand, even if we notify them, we may not necessarily gain any substantial benefits."
"It's better not to do things that are meaningless and risky."
Tie Long nodded, indicating his understanding.
"Sorg, I am about to enter a period of slumber."
"This slumber may last for decades. Based on past experience, you and Samantha will also enter slumber soon after I do. At that time, there will be a vacuum in the high-ranking officials of the Kingdom of Aura for a period of time."
"The kingdom's legends have been greatly enhanced."
"However, at critical times, we should still avoid actively getting involved in complex external disputes."
One of the main purposes of Galos's face-to-face conversation with Iron Dragon was to explain his impending slumber and to arrange the kingdom's operational strategy during his slumber.
Iron Dragon Sorog looked solemn.
"Understood. During our period of slumber, the Kingdom of Aura will continue the practices established during the tribal era."
He said in a deep voice, "We should prioritize stability in foreign affairs, quietly accumulate strength, develop our domestic affairs, and try our best not to provoke foreign enemies or get involved in unnecessary conflicts."
The red iron dragon on the throne nodded slightly, indicating its satisfaction with the answer.
"We were the first to achieve a decisive victory in the previous wars between the nations, which made us quite famous and attracted the attention of many surrounding powers."
Galos spoke slowly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the hall and looking towards the land.
"Now, we need to lie low for a while."
"This will not only allow us to calmly digest the fruits of victory and consolidate our rule over the newly occupied territories, but also alleviate the psychological pressure and apprehension of other kingdoms regarding Aura's continued rise, temporarily diverting their attention from us."
Upon hearing this, Sorog grinned, revealing a smile.
He chimed in, “Those short-lived kings and nobles are always keen on arguing about who is better in the short term.”
"The outcome of a war, the formation or breakdown of an alliance, the change of a throne... in their view, these are the most important events worthy of being written about and recorded in history."
"But we dragons never seek fleeting glory."
"What we want is a vision for the next ten, a hundred, or even a thousand years; what we pursue is a glory that will last for generations."
“Garos, I will always remember one of your words.”
After he finished speaking, he gazed at the dragon on the throne.
Under Sorog's focused gaze, the Red Emperor chuckled softly.
A moment later, the dragon's laughter subsided.
He slowly opened his mouth and uttered the words that the Aura Dragons had revered as gospel: "Be patient, my brother, time is always on our side."
(End of this chapter)
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