novelraw Chapter 203: The Bigger the Storm, the Pricier the Fish
Chapter 203: The Bigger the Storm, the Pricier the Fish
“Even if the thermal energy value isn’t fully accumulated to its peak, releasing it midway can still unleash considerable power.”
The Red Iron Dragon landed atop Sword Cliff, its sharp claws piercing the rugged rock. While surveying the surrounding territory, it carefully recalled the previous sensations.
“However—”
He turned his head to glance at the almost completely cracked Frostburst Scales that could no longer withstand much more attack, thinking to himself:
“Releasing the thermal energy value midway would damage my Frostburst Scales. After that, I won’t be able to accumulate much thermal energy unless under special circumstances. This strike is best used when the Frostburst Scales are entirely shattered and the thermal energy value has been fully charged to its peak.”
Garoth had no doubt.
This strike could instantly blast the mountain beneath his feet.
His most powerful attack now was this fiery breath enhanced and amplified by peak thermal energy value, seeming capable of destroying all dragon breaths.
To differentiate it from the normal Fiery Dragon Breath, Garoth named it Destruction Breath.
“The middle-aged Silver Dragon ‘Frostmark’ inhabiting the Convergence Lands.”“If a conflict breaks out, do I have a chance to win relying on Destruction Breath?”
Garoth imagined the middle-aged Silver Dragon as his hypothetical opponent, envisioning the outcome of their battle.
After a few seconds, he shook his head slightly. His rationality wasn’t clouded by the arrogant dragon’s pride.
Regarding the fact that he couldn’t win, he was quite confident.
Not that the chance was slim, but that there was absolutely no chance.
The gap was too great; the opponent was a Silver Dragon, not a common dragon. They were powerful beings who could defeat peers of the same rank and surely had professional levels.
“What’s the point of thinking about climbing ranks when there’s no chance?”
“Defeating the weak with strength, the strong with even greater strength—that’s the true way.”
“When facing someone far stronger, you either leave early or find a way to turn them into background support.”
Garoth thought to himself.
Regarding the middle-aged Silver Dragon inhabiting the Convergence Lands, he leaned toward the second idea. The key was the brass-silver dragon Deborah. Unfortunately, because she was dominated by desire upon awakening from slumber, she scared off the brass-silver dragon and hadn’t returned yet.
“Press the advantage and root out other wild monster lords?”
The Red Iron Dragon turned to look at his Frostburst Scales, deeply cracked all over. Feeling the energy and dragon qi spent, he shook his head slightly, abandoning that idea.
If he fought continuously, it wouldn’t be impossible to wipe out all wild monster lords in one go, but the consumption to himself would definitely be severe. At that point, he would lack the confidence to deal with unexpected situations, adding unnecessary risk.
Besides, there was no need to rush.
After the previous slaughter by the Molten Iron Tribe, only a few wild monster lords remained in the southwest.
After eliminating the Chimera, there were still three left—all quite powerful.
He couldn’t only be cautious when sensing danger; otherwise, it would be too late when ambushed. Garoth believed it was better to be steady and hunt when in full condition, preventing disaster from lurking in the shadows.
Garoth flapped his dragon wings and soared into the sky, returning to Dragon Valley.
The next day, at dawn, a group of Molten Iron Tribe’s kin arrived at Sword Watch Cliff to take over this fertile land.
Among them were two adult bipedal wyverns, who built nests atop the towering Sword Watch Cliff, developing the base into a stronghold.
The Ignas dragon clan filled another piece of their southwestern territorial puzzle.
Garoth adjusted his state inside Dragon Valley.
He engaged in lighter training while summarizing the feelings from his previous battle with the Chimera.
Especially his insights on the Frostburst Scales, Blade Tail, Dragon Qi, Spear Wings, and more.
Meanwhile, at the Estonian Great River.
The midday sun baked the river’s surface, creating shimmering argon and xenon vapor. Three deeply laden merchant ships sailed along the shore.
The merchant group emblem on the bows shimmered faintly in the waves, resembling a shield.
They belonged to the Iron Shield Merchant Group.
This was a small merchant group.
They purchased various ores and ferocious beast claws, fangs, and pelts cheaply from the Ser Wilderness and Convergence Lands via the Estonian Great River, then sold them at high prices in the southern federation to profit.
The shipmaster’s name was Hammer.
He was a plainly dressed, honest-looking middle-aged man, but occasionally sharp glints flickered in his eyes. He was a cunning old merchant who held a certain position within the Iron Shield Merchant Group.
“Master, why didn’t we dock when passing the Insect-Eating Clan just now?”
An apprentice of the Iron Shield Merchant Group asked in a low voice, saying:
“We have fixed trade with the Insect-Eating Clan. Those gnolls are masters at dissection and decomposition. The pelts, claws, and fangs of ferocious beasts and magical creatures... they always process them very well.”
The Insect-Eating Clan was a gnoll clan in the Ser Wilderness that had traded many times with the Iron Shield Merchant Group.
But this time, the fleet did not stop at the river segment where the Insect-Eating Clan lived, not even for a moment.
Hammer shook his head slightly and said:
“The value of various goods is not fixed. A qualified merchant knows how to adapt according to market fluctuations.”
He didn’t mind talking more with the apprentice, enjoying the admiration in their eyes.
After a pause, Hammer looked south and said: “The countries of the Lothrian Federation have recently seen a sharp increase in demand for various metal ores and magical ores, purchasing at high prices.”
After the funeral bell of the Holy Kingdom ceased ringing,
The Lothrian Federation appeared calm on the surface, but its undercurrents grew more turbulent.
Ores used to craft weapons, armor, war golems, and alchemical arms... were being bought at prices higher than the market value, supply failing demand. Many alchemy factories received massive orders, with furnaces and production lines running nonstop.
Merchants had keen noses.
Although no official news circulated and countries remained friendly, they sensed danger and unease.
Storms were brewing.
However, all merchants relying on waterways understood one truth:
The bigger the storm, the pricier the fish!
Now was the perfect opportunity to break through social classes.
“Our goal now is to return fully loaded with valuable ores and make a fortune.”
Hammer put away his wandering thoughts and said cheerfully to the apprentice:
“Bring me a bottle of wine from the cabin.”
Hammer ordered the apprentice.
Their destination this trip was the southeastern part of the Convergence Lands.
Although the goblins of the Gold Fang Tribe were greedy, shameless, full of lies, and stingy, Hammer was skilled at dealing with them and had almost established a fixed trade route with the Gold Fang Tribe.
“If everything goes smoothly, I’ll make several trips back and forth in this period, returning fully loaded.”
“In a short time, I can accumulate the wealth of several lifetimes.”
Hammer thought to himself, taking out a gold coin engraved with intricate patterns. Besides the exquisite design, there was a tiny inscription.
“The essence of wealth is flow; stagnant gold coins are just metal.”
This was the doctrine of the Goddess of Wealth.
Hammer gently kissed the gold coin, silently praying to the Goddess of Wealth, hoping this voyage would return fully loaded and safe.
Deep down, he didn’t believe in gods, but that did not stop him from praying.