Chapter 468 The Legend of the Grand and the Legend of Destiny, Four Dragon Eggs
The Cui Luan Mountains stretch across the northern part of the Kingdom of Xio, extending 1,200 kilometers from east to west, with an average elevation of over 4,000 meters.
It is not a single mountain range, but a series of interconnected peaks, deep valleys, cliffs, and dense forests forming a perilous place. The entire mountain range stretches nearly 100 kilometers from north to south, shrouded in clouds and mist, with a volatile climate. Since ancient times, it has been a natural barrier separating the north and south.
There are only three natural passes that run north to south through the entire Cui Luan Mountain Range.
Two of them were completely sealed off by the Kingdom of Theo hundreds of years ago with a massive project. Countless workers and alchemical machinery spent thirty years pouring billions of tons of rocks and concrete into the depths of the pass, and then permanently solidified it with layers of magic arrays, eventually turning it into a forbidden land that even birds could hardly cross.
The only remaining, and most dangerous, pass is the 'Norton Pass'.
It is a natural passage between the two main peaks of the Cui Luan Mountain Range, Qingtianzhu and Wuzhongya, which are thousands of meters high. At its narrowest point, it is only 120 meters wide. On both sides are towering cliffs with exposed rock and no vegetation. Moreover, the bottom of the passage is not a flat road, but a steep slope that is winding and rugged with jagged rocks. The steepest part is close to 60 degrees, which is difficult for infantry to climb, let alone heavy equipment.
The terrain here is already harsh, and the Kingdom of Theo has carried out engineering projects for hundreds of years.
They carved steps and anti-slip grooves into the slope, embedded countless firing holes and magic amplifiers into the rock walls on both sides, and built defensive fortifications at the top. The attackers could only climb up the narrow, steep slope, with the Theo defenders poised to unleash a rain of arrows, rolling stones, scorching oil, and magical bombardment overhead.
Even if they paid a heavy price to reach the top, what awaited them was not open ground, but a majestic pass embedded in the mountain.
The original name of this level is no longer important.
Since Aura established its kingdom in the wilderness and raised its dragon banner in the north, the people of Theo have given it a new name that is full of realistic meaning.
Broken Dragon Pass!
It means to cut off the dragon kingdom's southward expansion and firmly block its ambitions north of the Emerald Mountain Range.
March 15, 344, dusk.
The towering Optimus Prime and Endless Cliff were tinged with a dull golden-red by the setting sun, and the protrusions on the rock walls reflected the last rays of sunlight.
In the shadow of the mountains, a long and silent procession is winding its way along the mountain path on the northern slope.
This is Theo's defeated army, which retreated from the Indestructible Wall.
Most of the soldiers in the column had tattered armor and were wrapped in dirty bandages. Many of them needed to help each other to walk. Their eyes were empty, and their faces were etched with exhaustion and fear. Only when they occasionally looked towards the southern pass did a faint glimmer of light appear in their eyes.
The aura of several legendary powerhouses enveloped the group, dispelling any potential Aura scouts and magical spying that might be following them.
It was thanks to their protection that this army was able to retreat all the way here without being annihilated in the pursuit.
"Open the floodgates—!"
A loud command came down from the gate wall.
The heavy gate of Duanlong Pass, cast from a composite of various magical metals and two meters thick, slowly rose amidst the rumbling of alchemical machinery and the chanting of spells by mages. The bottom edge of the gate rubbed against the stone grooves on the ground, producing a dull creaking sound, and the brightly lit passage inside gradually came into view.
The defeated soldiers silently quickened their pace.
As they stumbled through the doorway, the sight inside momentarily stunned many.
Warm, dry air swept over them, carrying the aroma of hot soup and toast; healers in white robes moved through the crowd, chanting healing prayers in a low voice, and a gentle healing glow would occasionally flash; the neatly lined-up gatekeepers watched them silently, their eyes showing no disdain, only the same solemnity.
All of this seemed like a distant memory compared to the war-torn and death-stricken northern plains behind them.
The command post at the highest point of the pass is a stone platform carved out of the main peak's rock mass and suspended ten meters above the ground.
【The Unyielding Shield】Waitanyarth stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the defeated army swarming in like ants.
This legendary warrior was over four meters tall, as imposing as a mountain.
He was not a giant hybrid; he was born with this unusual appearance. His entire body was covered in heavy gray-white plate armor, which had no ornate patterns on its surface, only defensive runes deeply engraved into the metal, which shimmered with a dim light in the twilight.
His face was square and stern, with a jawline as sharp as if carved by an axe, and his deep gray eyes were as calm as an ancient well, revealing little emotion.
Until a familiar figure, supported by his adjutant, climbed onto the command platform.
Rodrigo Crown's battle robes were stained with dust and dried blood, his left arm was splinted, and his face was pale from magical healing. Only his eyes remained sharp and clear.
The two Theos's "shields" exchanged a glance.
After a moment of silence, Whiteyat spoke first, his voice deep and resonant: "What are the losses?"
Rodrigo walked to the edge of the platform, gripped the cold rock railing, and looked at the soldiers gradually gathering inside the pass.
His voice was hoarse from exhaustion as he said, “The frontline corps suffered more than 120,000 casualties, including about 80,000 confirmed dead, more than 40,000 seriously wounded and incapacitated, about 30,000 captured, and countless others missing.”
He paused, then continued, "As for the legendary events, Barna was captured by the war commander of the Kingdom of Aura, Aivim was slightly wounded, Hosander's raid on the royal city failed, and the Sky Eye Satellite... has been taken away by the Red Emperor."
"The Red Emperor..."
Whiteyat repeated this recently chilling title.
The dragon emperor Aura, who personally led his troops into battle, is now depicted in Romanian countries as a conqueror wielding flames and steel.
He didn't comment further on the record, but simply extended his huge, rock-solid hand and gently patted Rodrigo's shoulder.
Although it was a light tap, it made the latter sway slightly.
"You've worked hard, little Rhodes." Whiteyat's voice softened slightly. "From now on, I will fight alongside you. This pass will be our shared shield."
Whiteyant's full name is Whiteyant Crowne.
Like Rodrigo, he came from the most illustrious military family in the Kingdom of Theo, the Kron family, and shared similar bloodlines.
If strictly calculated according to family lineage, Waitanyat is Rodrigo's uncle.
Rodrigo nodded, his gaze still fixed on the interior of the pass.
He saw the exhausted soldiers gradually gather around the fire after receiving food and treatment. They were wrapped in blankets, drinking hot soup, and their empty eyes gradually regained some vitality.
That wasn't a rekindled fighting spirit, but something more primal and stubborn.
A will to survive with nowhere else to retreat.
"A defeated army often has two possible outcomes."
Rodrigo said slowly, "A complete rout, utter collapse; or... a desperate army will surely win, launching a counterattack from the brink of defeat."
His voice was low, as if he were speaking to Waitanyat, or perhaps to himself.
Whiteyat followed his gaze, and after a moment, slowly nodded.
Yes, a group of desperate soldiers.
Having lost satellite surveillance, the border defenses built up over many years, and many comrades who fought side by side, even the dignity of soldiers has been severely eroded in the defeat.
They had lost everything, except for the homeland they needed to protect and the formidable pass before them.
Such an army, if well-managed, can sometimes be more terrifying than a highly motivated elite force.
Because they were already standing on the edge of a cliff, any retreat would mean falling; they could only move forward, not backward.
If we give them a glimmer of hope, and keep that taut string from snapping, the defensive line formed by these soldiers will be more stubborn than we can imagine, and their well-prepared military formations will be more effective than usual.
"Command here is now in your hands."
Whiteyat turned to Rodrigo and said in a deep voice, "You are good at commanding large armies and winning their hearts."
"With the natural defenses of Norton Pass, the fortifications of Dragon's Lair, and my domain... this place will become an insurmountable obstacle for Aura."
“We will break their dragon teeth here and nail their outstretched claws firmly to the foot of the mountain.”
Upon hearing this, Rodrigo let out a soft breath, looked up at his burly uncle, and felt a subtle sense of relief.
Theo's Shield and the Unyielding Shield are the most renowned "double shields" of the Crown family.
Unlike Rodrigo, who was known for his command and control and for his legionary warfare, Whiteyat's reputation was built entirely on his incredible individual defensive capabilities.
Under normal circumstances, advancing to Legendary status does not change a person's racial characteristics.
But Whiteyatt is an exception.
He was a pure-blooded human, yet he was born with the physique of a giant.
At just eight years old, he was already taller than an average adult, capable of tearing tigers and leopards apart, and far stronger than ordinary people. He continued to grow, and after reaching adulthood, he was four meters tall.
His bone mass is five times that of an average person, and the density and resilience of his skin and muscles are also beyond human capabilities.
People have called him a dragon in human skin, a humanoid monster, and so on, both respecting and fearing him.
In order to fully realize his talent, Whiteyatt embarked on a dual-path approach.
He also studies the life path of the monks, enhancing his resilience and regenerative abilities; at the same time, he delves into the watchful path of the paladins, mastering the oath of protection and the power of defense.
He made unimaginable efforts to push both paths to legendary status.
Lifeflow level 23, Watcher level 24.
Although neither of them broke through the level 25 threshold, the synergistic effect brought by the dual legendary paths allowed him to reach a level of defense and endurance unmatched in the Kingdom of Theo.
During the first civil war, the Unyielding Shield held off four legendary figures, including a high-ranking one, and managed to hold out until reinforcements arrived. Shortly afterward, it recovered quickly and returned to the battlefield.
It is worth mentioning.
Advanced Legendary refers to a Legendary character of level 25 or above.
Although Aura's Red Emperor did not meet the required level, he was already being treated as a powerful high-level legendary figure.
No one dared to underestimate this dragon.
Legendary characters above level 30 are called Grand Legendary, meaning they have reached the level of ordinary kings in the legendary realm, and their power itself is their crown.
Legendary characters above level 35 are revered as Destiny Legends!
It means that their ideas are like destiny, capable of changing the course of events in an instant.
If a god were to descend upon the material world, unless they dared to disregard the risks and descend in their true form, their clones and incarnations might not be a match for the legendary figures of destiny.
King Lorthorn was a legendary figure of destiny.
Apart from him, the legends of the Romanian countries, the strongest of all time, were only at the highest rank; none of them possessed a destiny.
There have never been any Grand Rank powerhouses in Theo's history. In the contemporary era, the highest-ranking one on the surface is Bosiva.
If Posival, the "Tooth of the Mountains," is Theo's sharpest spear, then Whiteyat, the "Unyielding Shield," is Theo's strongest shield.
Unlike Rodrigo, who had rushed to the northern frontier early on, Waitanyat had been guarding the kingdom's western border.
His mission was to guard against a possible surprise attack by the goblin kingdom of Matna. He never participated in the early battles against Aura, nor did he guard the Indestructible Wall. After all, the territory of the Kingdom of Theo was unstable in all directions, and it could not concentrate its efforts on one place like Aura, which had long since solved the problem of the Ice Plains and only had the Cold Water Ocean as its backing.
It wasn't until the Aura cavalry broke through the border and the front lines were in dire need of attention, while the goblin kingdom in the west was engaged in battle with the dwarven kingdom of Cambrook and had no time to look eastward, that the royal family finally transferred Whiteyant to Norton Pass.
"If I had been there when the indestructible wall was attacked, things might have been different."
Whiteyat turned his gaze toward the capital, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice.
“These are not peaceful times. The lives of the soldiers on the front lines are hanging by a thread, yet our king is still busy controlling his inner court and guarding against his family, even at the cost of the safety of the defense line… He is short-sighted, narrow-minded, and not befitting a monarch.”
Whiteyant was outspoken in his criticism of the king.
In fact, the threat posed by the Goblin Kingdom was not high. There were only minor skirmishes in the western frontier, and no real war broke out. As early as when the friction on the Aura border escalated, Whiteyat had volunteered to go to the northern frontier to assist Rodrigo in consolidating the defenses, but his request was rejected by the king on the grounds that "the western frontier also needs a strong general to oversee it."
The reasons sound plausible, but the truth is self-evident.
The royal family did not want to see the two "shields" of the Cronn family merge into one, forming an uncontrollable military center.
Over the years, due to frequent border wars, the Cronn family, who wield real power, has gained increasing prestige within the military.
The name "Double Shields" was known throughout Theo, and many soldiers trusted them even more than they trusted the royal family and the king.
However, having achievements that overshadow the ruler has always been a major taboo in kingdoms.
To this end, the current King Theo has employed numerous methods.
Immediately after the first civil war, the two shields were redeployed to the two most distant defensive lines; key members of the Crown family were promoted in name only but demoted in reality and dispersed to various locations; other military families were secretly supported in an attempt to balance Crown's influence...
Whiteyat had long harbored resentment about this.
The Red Iron Dragon Emperor of Aura led the charge, personally leading his troops into battle. His mere appearance boosted the morale of the entire army, and they broke through the border defenses. In contrast, King Theo, secluded in his palace, left nearly a third of the legendary warriors to guard the capital in order to consolidate his power. This resulted in insufficient legendary forces at the front lines, which Aura easily breached.
Rodrigo frowned deeply when the matter was brought up.
But he didn't respond in the end; he just shook his head and brought the topic back to reality.
"It is an indisputable fact that the front line has been breached. The most important thing now is to hold this pass. I will go and familiarize myself with the defense arrangements first."
Waitany said no more and turned to face the vast mountains beyond the pass.
He knelt on one knee, his large hand pressing against the cold stone surface of the command platform, and a deep and firm vow slowly resounded.
"I pledge my blood, I swear my oath with my soul."
"My body and this pass will coexist, my life will continue with this place."
"Mountains and rocks are our bones, fortifications are our skin; we will not retreat when the enemy arrives, and we will never be separated, even in life or death."
As the oath was completed, Whiteyat's body resonated faintly with the pass beneath his feet, and the runes on his gray-white heavy armor lit up one by one, gradually synchronizing with the energy fluctuations of the defensive arrays throughout the pass.
He deeply integrated his life and field with the defense system of Norton Pass.
We all prosper together, and we all suffer together.
The defenses of the pass will be strengthened by his presence, and he will gain almost limitless protective power from this land.
This is one of the powerful skills possessed by the legendary Watcher Paladin.
Meanwhile, after a short rest, Rodrigo convened a defense meeting at his command post inside the pass. Attendees included the original garrison commander of the pass, officers from the defeated army who still possessed command capabilities, and representatives of the accompanying mage corps.
Without any lengthy preamble, Rodrigo issued a series of directives.
"First, all retreating troops will rest for three days. After three days, they will participate in defense duty according to the reorganized order. Medical resources will be prioritized for the seriously wounded, and the lightly wounded will recover faster with magic and potions."
"Second, conduct a comprehensive inspection and recharge of all defensive facilities within the pass, including heavy artillery turrets, magic amplifiers, and flamethrowers. Inventory and list the stored ammunition, fuel, and magic crystals, and report the consumption and inventory daily."
"Third, the three main mage towers are put into wartime status, with the detection range expanded to seventy kilometers north of the pass. The focus is on monitoring the movements of the Aura Legion and the magical fluctuations in the sky. Do not neglect the underground either. Send out all available reconnaissance magic eyes. I need to know the exact time when the main force of Aura will arrive at the foot of the mountain."
"Fourth," he paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, "Immediately contact the capital and report the current situation at the front and the defense plan for Duanlong Pass. We need more reinforcements—not just supplies and troops, but more importantly, legendary experts; we need at least two."
Upon hearing the last point, his adjutant beside him looked troubled.
The adjutant whispered, "Commander, the legendary figure in the capital... he probably won't obey orders easily. His Majesty..."
Rodrigo's gaze turned slightly cold as he interrupted his adjutant, raising his voice to ensure everyone in the command post could hear him: "Tell the capital that I, Rodrigo Crowne, will not command a war that is destined to fail."
"Norton Pass is a natural fortress, but not insurmountable."
"If Emperor Aura were to personally arrive, and with the help of his legendary warriors and dragons, this place would undoubtedly fall."
"If the legends from the capital cannot come, then let the capital immediately seek help from its allies, especially Cambrook and Rebos. They also do not want to see Aura break through the Green Mountain Range and threaten the southern flank of the entire Romanian plain."
"Otherwise, if Norton Pass falls due to insufficient strength, the war will no longer be confined to the border, and the Aura Legion will advance deep into the heart of the kingdom."
"If there is no possibility of victory, then rather than let countless warriors die meaninglessly and be buried in the wilderness, it is better to abandon this place directly. At that time, whether the legends left behind in the capital can still sit in their towers in peace will be up to them to decide."
This is almost a blatant threat.
The adjutant's face turned pale. After hesitating for a few seconds, he finally nodded emphatically, turned around, and strode away.
After the meeting, Rodrigo remained alone in the command post.
He slumped into the hardwood chair, looking up at the stone ceiling, his weariness no longer concealed.
Outside the window came the sounds of soldiers lining up and craftsmen repairing their tools; these sounds mingled together, making the room seem even quieter.
"Aura, Theo... The battle between the two Auras."
He murmured to himself, a complex and indescribable feeling welling up inside him.
To be honest, he was both intimidated by the high degree of cohesion displayed by the Kingdom of Aura and, at the same time, felt a touch of unspoken envy.
The Red Iron Dragon Emperor was able to personally lead his troops into battle and charge into enemy lines, and all his generals and soldiers were willing to die for him.
Under the unified will of the Red Emperor, the entire Dragon Kingdom operates with extreme efficiency.
On the other hand, Theo is plagued by internal factional infighting, mutual distrust between the royal family and the military, and obstacles in resource allocation at every turn. If everyone could be united, with the kingdom's foundation and accumulated strength, how could it have been so helpless in dealing with the emerging Aura?
Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in reality.
Now, it is Theo who has been breached at the front line and forced to retreat to a strategic pass.
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Aura, at the High Mountain Dragon Court.
The Red Iron Dragon Emperor of Aura stood in the palace, his gaze calm as he examined the image projected in the magic before him.
Those were four dragon eggs.
Their shells exhibit highly similar characteristics.
The main color is dark red, with a surface covered with cold, hard black textures resembling steel, interspersed with some silver-white and bronze patches and stripes.
This multicolored, interwoven shell signifies that both parents have multiple bloodlines.
Although he couldn't sense its life force through the projection, Galos knew that it contained his direct offspring, who was slowly taking shape.
Beneath each eggshell lies a new life that will be connected to him by blood, and the cornerstone of the future of the Aura Dragon Clan.
“My dear Garos, your feat of plucking stars has even reached the Fubo Dragon Domain. It’s a pity I couldn’t witness it with my own eyes.”
A light, cheerful voice came from the projection.
The Crimson Silver Dragon strolled closer, her long neck gracefully curving. She picked up two dragon eggs and slowly played with them in her claws, her eyes gleaming with mischief and pride: "Coming down from the sky with satellites in hand...tsk tsk, no wonder she's the dragon I've chosen, so majestic. She'll definitely attract more attention from other female dragons now."
Upon hearing this, Galos turned his head, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.
"This happened only half a month ago, and the news has already reached the Fubo Dragon Domain?"
He knew that the story of his capture of the satellite was spreading rapidly across the Romanian plains, becoming increasingly exaggerated and bizarre, with some even saying, "The Red Emperor shot down a satellite with a single pebble."
However, the Fubo Dragon Domain is far away in the sea, separated from the plains by thousands of mountains and rivers, so information should not be transmitted so quickly.
“Oh, that’s what Alberto said when he was communicating with his father.”
The Crimson Silver Dragon said, "Alberto said that he fought alongside Emperor Aura, advancing and retreating together, slaughtering each other on the battlefield. The emperor plucked stars, while he guarded order and reaped glory."
Galus:
He gave a low hum, it was hard to tell whether it was helplessness or amusement, then shook his head slightly, but didn't expose Alberto's lie, and simply said, "Well, he played a significant role."
In the previous war, Alberto the Golden Dragon was the only metal dragon to directly participate in the battle.
Ignoring the rules and regulations of the metal dragons, and without even needing Garos's orders, he declared that the Kingdom of Theo intended to expand the Abyss Rift, and that it was his duty to defend order and fight against the evil kingdom, and then volunteered to join the war.
His sister, Natasha the Golden Dragon, was stationed in the royal city. Although she did not participate in the battle directly, she served as a safety net.
For example, if Yseramas, the Amethyst Dragon, had completely adhered to the principle of neutrality and disregarded the royal city, the enemy legend would have had to consider the consequences of attacking a gold dragon. If Natasha were in danger, she would have directly summoned the old gold dragon in the Land of the Dragonflight.
Garros turned his gaze back to the dragon egg projected on the screen.
After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "A normal dragon egg takes one year to develop and two years to hatch."
"My offspring may be born special, taking three years to gestate, or perhaps five or six years to hatch, but before that, I will settle this war."
(End of this chapter)
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