novelraw Chapter 120: Dragon Family Gathering
Chapter 120: Dragon Family Gathering
The afternoon sun slanted through the coniferous forest, casting scattered golden flecks across the sulfur spring's surface. Samantha lay lazily upon a sun-warmed rock, idly stirring the water with her tail tip, her ruby-like scales shimmering with shifting hues beneath the ripples.
Before her eyes,
A battle raged between tiny metal figurines clashing noisily.
The majority were crude humanoid shapes formed from thin metal rods, while one 'red dragon' stood out—its form more refined, as if cast from a single metal piece with a crimson lacquer-like coating.
Without exception,
Each bore minute alchemical runes that granted them motion under Samantha's enthusiastic control. The 'red dragon' waged war against the 'human legion' under her command.
The mighty 'red dragon' dominated the skies, crushing the pitiful humans beneath its might.
Vira the Faerie Dragon, dusted in gold powder, played the role of the humans' 'gold dragon ally.'
Whenever the beleaguered human forces neared annihilation,
'Gold Dragon' Vira would intervene, locking horns with the red dragon in fierce combat.This had become their recent pastime.
Ever since Garoth's last encouragement,
Samantha had devoted herself more seriously to alchemy. Though still unable to match Garoth's diligence, she no longer resembled an ordinary red dragon.
At the very least,
She'd shed her laziness, consciously delving into inherited knowledge through self-directed study.
During leisure hours,
Beyond alchemy, she now trained her body regularly.
As time spent with Garoth accumulated,
Even slow-witted Samantha gradually realized his strength stemmed from relentless, almost self-flagellating daily training.
This wasn't mere hobby—
She couldn't match Garoth's extreme regimen,
But simply abandoning laziness for routine exercise already elevated her growth beyond ordinary red dragons.
Typical dragons also progressed through training,
Especially physically-gifted breeds like red dragons, though none matched Garoth's staggering rate.
Moreover,
Samantha's alchemy had advanced enough to craft simple moving constructs.
She grew obsessed with manipulating these toys, scorning Vira's childish ant-play as beneath dragonkind.
Eventually,
The faerie dragon bargained for game participation by addressing Samantha as 'Great Red Dragon Queen' during each encounter.
"Foolish metal wyrm! As noble dragons, how dare you ally with humans against your kin!"
Samantha deepened her voice while maneuvering the red dragon to slaughter human forces:
"I'll teach you the dire consequences of opposing red dragons!"
Vira's gold-dusted form glittered under sunlight.
Her illusion magic gave her a convincing gold dragon appearance—if one ignored the diminutive size.
"Wicked Red Queen, your crimes stain the earth!"
"I embody justice to punish your evil!"
Affecting a grandiose tone, Vira charged heroically,
Ram-sending the distracted 'red dragon' tumbling helplessly.
Meanwhile, Samantha's ear twitched.
The approaching sounds had broken her focus.
Familiar wingbeats approached—two distinct sets.
Samantha recognized one instantly, then caught two draconic scents riding the wind.
One scent stood out—
Like molten steel blended with wildfire, evoking a flame emperor enthroned upon iron.
The other was simpler: pure iron dragon reek, all rust and metal.
This iron tang felt unfamiliar initially,
Yet carried faint, puzzling familiarity that wrinkled Samantha's snout.
She lifted her fierce crimson head skyward.
Two dragons entered view.
The foremost silhouette—
A rugged black form cleaving clouds—was unmistakably familiar.
Trailing behind Garoth flew another dark shape,
Its iron-gray scales reflecting dull metallic sheen under sunlight, cold and unyielding.
"Samantha, see who I've found."
Garoth's wings swept treetops as he passed, scarlet scales glowing like banked embers.
He folded his pinions, settling before Samantha with regal grace.
The other iron dragon landed clumsily.
Samantha's pupils narrowed to feline slits,
Eyes widening in recognition: "Sorog?!"
The iron dragon studied Samantha with equal surprise,
Never expecting his red sister would follow Garoth too.
Red dragons were arrogance incarnate—
Born rulers who deemed all creatures exist to grovel at their claws.
They spurned companionship unless dominating the group.
Only profound experiences could reshape such temperament.
"Samantha, dear sister... long time no see."
Sorog bared fangs in a grin,
Noting her flawless scales and athletic build: "Wilderness fare suits you—you've filled out since childhood."
The words resurrected memories—
Her first winter, when Sorog sneered:
"Samantha! My weakling sister! A runt like you won't survive adolescence. Swear fealty to the Iron King, and I'll carry you to glory!"
Samantha snorted fiery sparks,
Prodding her brother's tattered wing membrane with a claw,
Scanning his injury-swollen body with disdain:
"Indeed, wilderness feasts agree with you—you've grown too fat to fly."
Sorog's smile faltered briefly.
Contrary to expectations,
The iron dragon showed no rage—as if tempered by worse humiliations.
His expression smoothed quickly.
"Truthfully, ogres did this."
Sorog shrugged his wings,
Confronting failure without pretense.
The anticipated quarrel fizzled.
Samantha huffed, turning to Garoth.
Garoth folded his wings elegantly:
"The 'Iron King' joins our cause. He'll assist governing territory and vassals."
In sulfur-steam haze,
Three draconic shadows intertwined on stone—
Like nestlings once did, though now every scale bore time's tempering.