Defeating the World with the Power of One Dragon!

Chapter 185: The Brass-Silver Dragon's True Purpose

"Blood as kindling, wails as wind."

................

The brass-silver dragon Deborah blinked her eyes, her slender neck slightly tilting forward as her crimson-scaled body adorned with silver patterns shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight.

Garoth's riddle contained many concrete symbols.

Blood, wails, broken spears, scorched earth... They were all tangible representations, making them easy to interpret.

As a natural-born master of puzzles.

After just a few seconds of thought, the brass-silver dragon declared decisively: "War! It's war!"

Under her expectant gaze, Garoth slowly nodded, not stinting on praise as he said: "Correct. You're the best riddle-solver among metal dragons I've ever met."

Hearing this, the tip of Deborah's tail lifted slightly in barely contained joy.

She possessed the nature of brass dragons - the two most beautiful moments in her life were: first, revealing answers to puzzle-solvers scratching their heads in frustration, and second, cracking carefully designed riddles from others."Any more? Give me another one!"

She said: "I can solve another, granting you an extra opportunity to command me."

The brass-silver dragon looked at Garoth with eager anticipation.

Among metal dragons, brass and yellow dragons - one obsessed with riddles, the other with chatter - were the two least popular dragon types. Few dragons, or indeed any intelligent creatures, were willing to accompany them in solving puzzles or conversing.

But sharing common interests.

Made befriending these two dragon types remarkably easy.

Garoth understood this well, yet he shook his head in refusal. Knowing when to stop was important - one shouldn't always indulge others.

"You solved my riddle, so I permit you to join this adventure."

Garoth said solemnly: "But remember your promise - obey my commands. Otherwise, our relationship ends here."

The brass-silver dragon nodded: "As long as it doesn't violate my moral principles."

Garoth narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked: "If one day I wage war in the borderlands, would that violate your moral code?"

"Borderlands?" The brass-silver dragon looked puzzled.

"The land beneath our feet - the buffer zone between the Ser Wilderness and Permafrost Tundra."

Garoth asked: "You don't know this place?"

Realization dawned on Deborah as she said: "Of course I know. This is where I was born. Though in my inherited memories, it's recorded as the convergence lands - 'borderlands' isn't the common term."

After this explanation.

The brass-silver dragon answered Garoth's question: "War is merely a means, not an end. What matters is the purpose."

She looked directly at Garoth and said:

"If it's for slaughter, to satisfy your cruel nature, I would refuse your command. At most I wouldn't oppose you, but I wouldn't become your accomplice either."

Garoth pressed: "What if it's for wealth or resources?"

The brass-silver dragon shook her head righteously: "Such unjust acts I cannot condone."

Garoth considered, then said: "What if you received a share?"

*Ahem*... Deborah suddenly covered her mouth with a claw, then said with solemn seriousness: "Most creatures in the convergence lands are ignorant savages. Wealth and resources would be better utilized under dragon stewardship - this would actually benefit the region's development!"

Garoth asked no further.

He'd already discerned the brass-silver dragon's fundamental nature.

Chaotic good through and through.

She had moral principles, but few, and with flexible boundaries.

Lawful good dragons like gold or silver dragons would never start wars merely for wealth or resources, nor support such actions.

—They would punish evil, incidentally acquiring wealth and resources in the process.

Meanwhile.

The Molten Iron Legion's minions had finished their battle, killing resisters, disarming and capturing those who surrendered, then began cleaning up.

They collected all intact equipment and weapons, not even sparing the minotaur corpses.

Logistics posed little challenge for the Molten Iron Clan.

Apart from centaurs, creatures like ogres, gnolls, and gray sacrificial wolves were inherently bloodthirsty - fallen enemies became their food, and in desperate hunger, even dead kin served as emergency rations.

Civilized beings considered this brutal savagery.

But in resource-scarce regions like the borderlands, this was part of natural selection - winners took all, losers were consumed entirely.

The minions, after intense bloodshed.

Indulged their primal instincts, forgoing even simple roasting or steaming as they tore into minotaur flesh raw, replenishing their exhausted bodies.

Garoth landed but neither participated nor intervened.

Perhaps his fused human nature left him without appetite for humanoid flesh, but he wouldn't stop his minions from feasting on minotaurs.

Setting aside Garoth's personal distaste, minotaurs actually made excellent food - rich in protein and energy.

Karu approached with heavy footsteps.

Though covered in wounds, his vigorous vitality meant none were serious. Currently, he happily cradled a minotaur head.

Garoth looked closer - it was the Bloodhoof Chieftain's head.

"My lord, please enjoy the head - the tastiest part! Eating brains makes you smarter."

Munching on a horn fragment, Karu's words were muffled as he offered the head to the red iron dragon, though his movements betrayed reluctance.

"No need."

Garoth declined.

Karu's fierce face broke into a simpleton's grin as he asked: "Then... can I eat the Bloodhoof Chieftain's remains?"

His offering was genuine, but his main goal was obtaining Garoth's permission to devour Balor's corpse - though coveting it, ogre customs dictated that since Garoth slew Balor, the remains were his rightful spoils.

"Go eat."

Garoth saw through the glutton ogre's scheme.

"Yippee!"

Karu curled into a ball and rolled toward Balor's remains, joyously feasting.

Glutton ogres grew through consumption.

Eating high-quality prey elevated Karu's life level.

Though the Bloodhoof Chieftain had burned through his demonic blood, leaving only ravaged remains, their essential life force still made them rare delicacies for Karu.

"You're not eating?"

Deborah asked, watching the feeding dragons.

Samantha was tearing into a mammoth while the white dragon Trixie ripped chunks from a giant minotaur's flesh, her blood-smeared face radiating ferocity.

Garoth shook his head slightly.

The Dragon Valley had spice reserves from merchant caravans. Compared to raw flesh, Garoth now preferred carefully cooked, flavor-rich meals.

With current conditions.

In his rigorous training life, fine dining became a rare indulgence.

Deborah studied this atypical red iron dragon, her gaze lingering on his majestic yet composed profile.

Neither joining the feast nor stopping the brutality.

This contradiction made her scales itch with curiosity.

This red iron dragon differs so much from my concept of evil dragons - is he not truly evil?

The brass-silver dragon wondered.

Suddenly, an unusual flapping sound reached her ears.

Turning, she saw the petite faerie dragon Vira.

The existence of dimensional dragons astonished Deborah, especially seeing one coexisting with evil dragons. But having noticed Vira while tailing Garoth, her reaction remained calm.

Upon reflection, chaotic good dragons like faerie dragons mixing with evil ones wasn't unprecedented.

As for herself, Deborah didn't consider this "consorting with evil."

Joining the adventure was merely one objective - she had another.

—To subtly influence Garoth toward becoming a good dragon through constant proximity!

"Hey newcomer, joining Dragon Valley, right?"

The faerie dragon circled Deborah, saying: "Remember - I'm third in command. As for you... probably sixth."