Chapter 470 The Domineering Aura of a Dragon
The night was as dark as ink, and sparse starlight fell on the dragon's dark scales, highlighting its majestic and imposing body.
The heroic spirit Mien looked up at the figure of the Red Iron Dragon Emperor, which was as large as a small mountain. After hesitating for a few seconds, he finally couldn't help but lower his voice and ask.
"Your Majesty, if Barna refuses to cooperate, do you... really intend to bypass the Emerald Peaks and harass those villages and towns?"
"I mean, for civilians who cannot take up arms."
In his view, civilians and soldiers were completely different.
When a soldier raises his sword and dons his armor, it means he has accepted his fate of dancing with death.
The armor clanged as they charged, and the blood-stained banners fluttered in the wind.
Their end may have been heroic or humble, but in any case, they had made a choice, whether out of loyalty to the kingdom, the pursuit of knightly honor, or simply to struggle for survival in a chaotic world.
And the common people...
They are the silent cornerstones, the soil and streams that allow civilization to survive.
They sow, harvest, build, and multiply, forming the very pulse of the kingdom. Yet, when war sweeps across the borders like a torrent, they are often the first to be swallowed up and crushed.
The cries of crying were drowned out by the shouts of killing, and their homes were reduced to ashes in the flames, and they did not even understand why the war had started.
Mien is a Watcher Paladin who has dedicated his life to his oath to protect the kingdom and its people.
Now, although he has become a heroic spirit, loyal to the Red Iron Dragon Emperor before him, the protective instinct deeply rooted in his soul still makes him feel a pang of pain for the innocent people who may be affected by the war.
The red iron dragon slightly turned its massive head, lowering its gaze to the holy warrior spirit.
"When there is an abyss behind me and no way to retreat, I might do anything to tear the earth apart and clear away all obstacles in my way, no matter what they are."
The dragon's voice was deep and slow, echoing through the night and the mountains.
As he spoke, he paused slightly, his large eyelids half-closing for a moment.
"As for now, I have no inclination to deliberately oppress ordinary people."
Upon hearing this, the paladin's tense nerves relaxed slightly.
His right knee touched the ground, his radiant body kneeling with his head bowed: "Your Majesty, I know you are not a true evil dragon; you still have compassion for the weak."
Red Iron Dragon shook his head.
"It has nothing to do with pity."
"I have no interest in lives that do not resist and cannot provide sufficient value."
The dragon's voice was deep and powerful, devoid of any warmth.
However, Mien felt that this might just be due to Red Iron Dragon's personality, a kind of 'reserve' as the Iron-Blooded Emperor, and an unwillingness to admit his compassion.
The paladin said nothing, but simply lowered his head even further.
He agreed, saying, "You're right, Your Majesty. I was being narrow-minded."
Galos's pupils contracted slightly, and his gaze lingered on the Heroic Spirit for a moment.
He sensed that the paladins seemed to have a strange interpretation of him, but he didn't care much about it and had no intention of investigating or correcting it.
It is not always a bad thing for subjects to have some positive expectations of their monarch.
As for the previous remarks made about Theo's legendary warrior Barna, they were essentially a form of intimidation.
Garros's identity as a red iron dragon, which was inherently classified as evil, did indeed bring him a lot of preconceived prejudices, unwarranted hostility, and unexpected troubles.
However, it cannot be denied that this identity can sometimes be transformed into a unique advantage.
It's like a hazy fog, making it difficult for the enemy to see his true intentions and bottom line, and making them more easily confused and intimidated by his apparent strength or ruthlessness.
Mass killing of civilians?
This seriously violates the unspoken bottom line of the nations and will arouse the strongest public outrage and joint intervention. However, if it were a real evil dragon, such as the red dragon Gorsas, it would be entirely capable of doing such a thing.
In the eyes of the Theo people, he was a vicious and ruthless man.
But in reality, Garros is not a barbaric dragon like Gorsas.
He is the Emperor of Aura, a man with a powerful background, a family, and a kingdom.
Moreover, he knew very well that the reason why the Kingdom of Aura was able to gain a foothold on the Romanian plains was largely because it had raised the banner of the Dragon Domain.
Otherwise, a kingdom ruled solely by evil dragons would make all neighboring intelligent kingdoms feel like they have a thorn in their side or a bone stuck in their throat.
On the day of his founding, he will likely not receive a congratulatory gift, but rather a massive punitive army hastily assembled by a coalition of nations.
Let's not even talk about the reactions of other countries.
Within the dragon race alone, especially those factions that take it upon themselves to uphold order and punish evil, they will certainly not stand idly by.
Galos had no doubt.
If he were to truly go berserk and slaughter the innocent, perhaps before dawn, the radical purifying dragons of the Bronze Dragon King's lineage would rush towards him with the fury of judgment, and even the inclusive metal dragons would arrive, joining forces with the purifying faction to strike him, this evil dragon, together.
Jinlong Aovis, who used to have a fairly good relationship with him, will probably be at the forefront.
"How are you two recovering?"
Hong Tielong gathered his scattered thoughts and said, "Continue to train with me."
"Your Majesty, I obey your command."
The two heroic spirits responded in unison, and the light-forged weapons solidified once more in their hands.
And so, as the night deepened, the mighty dragon emperor once again immersed himself in the tedious and intense training.
As the eastern sky turned a pale white, then a golden red, and the sun rose higher, the chill in the mountains was dispelled.
After repeated impacts and exhaustion, the two heroic spirits' figures had become almost transparent, as if they would dissipate like morning mist at any moment. Only then did Garus finally stop his movements, slowly lower his body, and calm the surging dragon's might.
"Go back and rest."
He said this, his voice not revealing much fatigue.
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
The legendary spirits transformed into two streaks of light and shot towards the Hall of Heroes.
After the heroic spirits departed, Garus stood quietly for a moment, feeling the slight warmth of the morning light on his scales.
Then, he connected with his blood relatives through spiritual connection.
"Sorrog, convene an internal dragon group meeting."
"clear."
The response came almost immediately from the other end, calm and reliable.
Iron Dragon Sorog uses himself as a hub to temporarily connect the scattered consciousnesses of blood relatives across vast spatial distances, constructing a private realm of spiritual communication.
In the blink of an eye, the link has been firmly established.
Galos submerged his consciousness into the mental space.
His thoughts naturally coalesced and took shape, transforming into a giant red iron dragon consciousness coiled in the center of space.
Immediately afterwards, the other three consciousnesses descended one after another.
The first thing to solidify was the Iron Dragon Sorog.
His consciousness was clearly outlined with hard lines, indistinguishable from his physical form. It was a deep, matte black iron color, exuding a solid, steady, and calm mental aura.
"Samantha and Goldon have been connected."
Almost as soon as Sorog finished speaking, a burning crimson flame appeared in the mental space.
The flames rolled and churned, sometimes expanding and sometimes contracting, emitting the scent of sulfur and lava, and even faint, illusory crackling sounds could be heard, but they were all confined to a certain place, eventually transforming into the form of a red dragon.
This is Samantha's consciousness, full of aggression and destructiveness, yet also possessing restraint.
"I'm working on the key catalyst for the seventh-generation molten metal bomb. Sorog, you'd better have something important to do, or I'll set up the field test site for the next new bomb formula right on your hard forehead!"
Samantha's mental fluctuations came through, carrying with them the annoyance of being disturbed.
"The meeting was convened by Galos."
Tie Long said calmly.
"Um?"
Samantha's raging flames suddenly paused as she noticed the Red Iron Dragon's consciousness. Immediately, her rage and discontent receded like a tide, replaced by a mixture of pleasure, closeness, and worship.
“It’s my dear brother Galos. It’s alright now.”
She said with a grin.
Just then, the third consciousness arrived.
Beneath his thick scales and skin, there were faintly raised muscle textures, and his entire body was covered in shiny and beautiful dragon scales. It was none other than the Iron Dragon Gorton.
"Ah, the link was established at just the right time... or perhaps at the wrong time?"
"I was attending the royal spring open-air banquet when Sorog's spiritual request came crashing in, and I almost spilled mead on the dress of a marquise next to me," Gorton said. "Oh, and by the way, I'm now hiding in a corner of the banquet terrace, hoping no one noticed that I suddenly froze and stared blankly."
"banquet?"
Samantha's flames suddenly surged higher. "We're fighting on the front lines, plotting how to smash the enemy's last shell, while you're drinking mead, eating roast meat, and admiring the skirts of human noblewomen in the royal court?"
"Gorton, aren't you living a little too comfortably? Do you need me to help you stretch your muscles later?"
Iron Dragon Gorton's consciousness subconsciously shrank its neck.
The memory of being beaten "offline" by Samantha is still vivid.
He quickly adjusted his tone: "My dear, powerful sister Samantha, don't you know me yet?"
“Those meads taste bland and tasteless, and those roasted meats are like chewing wax! Every scale of mine, every drop of my blood, yearns to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, to bathe in blood and fire on the battlefield, and to seize the glory and prestige that belong to us dragons! Not to be here in Lorthorn, a mascot carefully fawned over by human nobles, but actually doing nothing.”
At the end of his words, a hint of frustration and envy was revealed.
The Red Emperor's feat of seizing a war satellite during the Olympic Games has spread like wildfire across the Romanian plains, and his fame is even spreading to more distant regions.
Gorton heard every detail and was so envious he felt an itch to get it.
He often fantasized that if he were on the battlefield at that time, even if he could not do something earth-shattering like Garus, he could at least shine in a small-scale battle and win his own praise and respect, instead of being able to only imagine the magnificent scene from rumors and battle reports as he does now.
"alright."
The spiritual voice of Garus rang out, silencing the other noises in the spiritual space.
"The meeting is now in session."
Upon hearing this, Sorog projected a map into his mental space, showing the location and general outline of Norton Pass.
"The Heavenly Eye is now in the Dragon's Treasury. Theo's defeated army has retreated to the Emerald Peak Mountains, relying on the natural defenses of the Broken Norton Pass and the Broken Dragon Pass for defense."
"This is our last obstacle. Once we break through it, the heart of Theo will be indefensible."
"What are your thoughts on this?"
After Galos finished speaking, he looked around at his blood relatives.
Samantha's flames leaped excitedly, crackling and popping preemptively.
She was the first to excitedly say, "My dear brother, my research on the seventh-generation molten metal bomb is progressing smoothly."
"Give me enough time to prepare the explosives, and I can absolutely blast Norton Pass, along with the cliffs on both sides, into dust! I'll send them sinking into the ground!"
"Those stubborn defenders hiding behind the rocks will all be reduced to ashes in the explosion and flames! This will be the most magnificent salute to celebrate our final victory!"
Sorog's consciousness calmly explained, "The foundation of Norton Pass is directly connected to the main ley lines and is solidified by legendary spells and numerous magic arrays, rendering conventional explosive methods ineffective."
"Moreover, the enemy has the Shield of Indomitable Force."
"According to known intelligence, this legend is very skilled at strengthening the defenses of passes with his own domain, and he will greatly enhance the stability of the fortifications."
Samantha's flames flickered a few times, but this time she didn't immediately and fiercely refute Sorog.
It's true that she's been somewhat obsessed with the art of explosions lately, but she's not without tactical acumen. She understands that Theo's last line of defense won't collapse like an ordinary city wall with a single bomb.
However, the destructive flame within her still burned, and she muttered to herself:
"Anyway, I'm going to have to use my molten core bomb; there's always a chance it'll blow something up..."
Red Iron Dragon's will turned to Sorog: "Tell me your analysis and plan."
These so-called blood relatives' meetings were often in reality discussions between Garros and Sorog.
Samantha and Goldon's involvement was more about providing emotional feedback from different perspectives and ensuring they had a basic consensus on the strategic direction.
"There are only three natural passes that run north to south through the Cui Luan Mountains. Two of them have been permanently sealed off by Theo. The only open pass, Norton Pass, is located at the top of Duanlong Pass."
"It would be very difficult to take them down with a direct, forceful attack."
At this point, Tie Long changed the subject and said in a deep voice, "But precisely because of this, we must attack it head-on and crush it!"
Upon hearing this, Samantha looked surprised.
In her memory, Sorog was always like a human girl, always thinking about this and worrying about that, and could never fight to her heart's content. This time, however, the plan he proposed was exactly what she wanted.
As a powerful dragon, one must crush all those who defy you head-on!
Burn the enemy to ashes!
Trample the enemy into mincemeat!
"Sorrog, your idea this time is quite to my liking! You've made progress."
Samantha gave a rare positive review, saying with satisfaction.
Goldon, who was standing next to him, nodded subconsciously and shook his head as well.
"That sounds like it's full of the domineering aura that a dragon should have."
Sorog ignored the approval of his two blood relatives and went on to explain in detail.
"Garos's previous capture of the Heavenly Eye was a miraculous and unexpected attack that exceeded the enemy's expectations, breaking the balance of the battlefield and securing victory at the front. However, the subsequent battle in the Emerald Mountains was of a different nature."
He paused, organized his thoughts, and then continued speaking.
"The Kingdom of Theo suffered a crushing defeat at the front, and the morale of its army was severely damaged, forcing it to retreat. But deep down, they may not have truly accepted the defeat or acknowledged it as a complete failure. Now that they have retreated to Duanlong Pass, relying on the terrain and the defenses built up over the generations, they must still harbor some hope and wishful thinking."
“They would think that as long as they hold this place and rely on the natural barrier, no matter how powerful Aura’s monster army is, they will not be able to break through. Norton Pass is insurmountable and Dragon Pass will never fall.”
"If we choose to use strategy at this time, try to outsmart them, bypass them or break through the pass from the inside."
"So, even if we succeed, the Theos will think that they only lost to trickery and a moment of carelessness. They believe that Aura is not invincible and that they dare not confront them head-on. As long as we are more careful, we still have a chance..."
"In this way, Theo's army may be defeated, but their will to resist will not be extinguished."
"Theo Legion may break up into smaller units and move into the vast Cui Luan Mountains or even the plains behind enemy lines to carry out guerrilla warfare and harassment, thus bogging us down."
"Their people will also remember that their army was defeated by the trickery of a cunning dragon, not by defeat on a fair battlefield, thus creating fertile ground for resistance."
At this point, Iron Dragon Sorog paused, his gaze becoming extremely sharp.
"At this stage of the war, it is no longer about fighting for a few cities or a few pieces of land."
"We need a victory, a glorious battle that will make all onlookers tremble, all enemies submit, and our morale burn to its peak!"
"At that time, Theo's will to fight will collapse along with the Norton Pass."
"They will choose to cease hostilities and negotiate, because resistance has lost all meaning."
A direct assault on Norton Pass means that the Kingdom of Aura will need to invest more resources and suffer heavier casualties in the short term. However, in the long run, from the perspective of destroying the enemy's will to resist, laying the foundation for post-war stability, and deterring surrounding forces, the strategic value of such a victory far outweighs the short-term costs.
Garros gazed at the projection of the Iron Dragon Sorog's consciousness, his eyes revealing approval.
Sorog's strengths have always been his meticulousness and execution ability. However, he sometimes focuses too much on immediate gains and losses and lacks a longer-term strategic vision. If it were in the past, facing a formidable natural barrier like Norton, his priority would likely have been to find ways to bypass it or outsmart it to reduce the cost of conquering it.
But now, having experienced the baptism of the Double Olympia battle and personally led large-scale battles, Iron Dragon Sorog has grown once again.
His gaze became more profound.
He began to learn to think beyond the framework of a single battle and to consider issues from the perspective of the entire war and even the post-war landscape.
Immediately afterwards, the red iron dragon slowly stood up.
His consciousness seemed to rise infinitely, filling the entire mental space, becoming infinitely majestic, something one could only look up to.
"Sorog".
"Here." Tie Long's spiritual form leaned forward slightly to show that he was listening attentively.
How much time do you need?
"The 20th." Sorog's answer was without hesitation, clearly indicating that he had given it considerable thought.
"Our Grand Legion Commander, after capturing a human legend with the might of his army, has been on a high-intensity feeding spree for two weeks. The breakthrough to the legendary realm is just around the corner, and he will soon complete the transformation of his life level."
"During this period, I will mobilize the legions, integrate siege equipment, complete pre-battle mobilization, and stockpile enough supplies to support high-intensity assaults. At the same time, I will contact allies, including Lorthern, for support and prepare for possible counterattacks from Theo or interference from other countries."
"allow."
Regardless of whether Barna ultimately cooperates, Aura's Red Emperor is prepared for a direct and forceful attack.
He will use every possible means to increase his chances of winning and reduce his losses.
However, he would never rely on the enemy's negligence or a single clever trick to achieve victory.
True victory must be built upon one's own unparalleled strength and determination; there is no room for luck.
The Red Emperor can pluck stars made by mortals from space; he will also use iron and fire to carve through the enemy's supposedly insurmountable barriers on earth.
(End of this chapter)
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