Defeating the World with the Power of One Dragon!

Chapter 247.5: Picking chestnuts from the fire, a true dragon emerges in troubled times

"By the way, there's one more thing I need to add."

As Garoth discussed the situation in the Permafrost Tundra, the iron dragon Sorog reported with a grave expression: "Regarding those defeated remnants from the Dawn Tribe and Ironblood Tribe who fled northward, I have dispatched ground forces and flying dragon knights to pursue them."

"These fleeing soldiers scattered into several small units, and we eliminated some during the pursuit."

"But a small portion still managed to escape deep into the northern ice fields. Considering the terrain limitations, I ordered the ground forces to withdraw, keeping only the flying dragons to continue the pursuit mission toward the Permafrost Tundra."

At this point, Sorog's voice paused slightly before he continued in a lowered tone: "The pursuit after this didn't go smoothly. Of the three flying dragons that originally entered the ice fields, only one returned safely."

"According to the surviving flying dragon's description, they did catch up with a relatively large fleeing group."

"However, while engaging those barbarians in combat, a group of northern barbarians suddenly appeared. They chose to support and coordinate with the escapees to launch a surprise attack against us, resulting in two flying dragons falling on the spot, with only one escaping wounded."

After listening to Sorog's report, the red iron dragon Garoth slightly furrowed his scaly brow, his vertical pupils flashing with thoughtful light.

The convergence lands region is located at the junction between the Permafrost Tundra and the Ser Wilderness. As a buffer zone between these two major regions, this area holds a very special geographical position—a no-man's-land that neither side properly manages.

The greatest threat in the Ser Wilderness comes from the Federation garrison, hanging over all monsters' heads like a giant sword.Meanwhile, the Permafrost Tundra is dominated by two dangerous groups: the barbarians and the giants.

Barbarians are a unique race, fundamentally different from both humans and orcs.

Although they resemble humans in appearance, from a biological perspective, they belong to humanoid creatures rather than being close relatives or branches of humans.

Unlike humans and orcs who need to change professions through training, barbarians often naturally awaken their rage talent. This innate ability allows them to directly convert anger into combat power.

One theory about the origin of the "barbarian" pathway in the professional system suggests it derives from the characteristics of the barbarian race.

In the early stages of tribal development, due to difficulty maintaining rationality while enraged, barbarian tribes often face numerous developmental challenges.

But when tribal scale expands to a certain extent, with increasing numbers of spellcasters like sorcerers and shamans—especially when outstanding leaders emerge who can balance rage and reason—barbarian tribes transform into formidable entities powerful enough to rival the frost giants in the Permafrost Tundra.

"The War Cry Tribe and the frost giants on the Permafrost Tundra..."

"Not only are they massive in scale, but they also possess profound foundations. Their comprehensive strength rivals that of large principalities in the human world."

"The war between these two major powers has continued for quite some time, and to this day no decisive outcome has been reached."

The red iron dragon silently analyzed the situation in his mind.

His ability to establish a foothold and claim kingship in the convergence lands largely benefited from the special geopolitical environment: the Federation garrison adopted a hands-off attitude toward this buffer zone, while the northern races merely viewed it as a strategic buffer area, considering the tribes originally entrenched here utterly insignificant.

It was precisely under such circumstances.

That the rise of the Molten Iron Tribe unified the convergence lands, turning this buffer zone into a potential threat that, by conventional logic, would inevitably attract hostility and suppression from northern powers.

The current peaceful coexistence.

Exists because the barbarians and giants of the Permafrost Tundra are trapped in the quagmire of war, mutually restraining each other and temporarily having no time to concern themselves with changes in the convergence lands.

However.

Once these two major powers cease hostilities and negotiate peace,

When they discover that the strategic buffer zone between themselves and the Federation is completely controlled by the Molten Iron Tribe, they will inevitably strike with thunderous force. And given the Molten Iron Tribe's current strength, they fundamentally cannot withstand the combined assault of barbarians and giants.

The reason is simple—both these major powers have legendary-level leaders overseeing them.

Garoth's title as King of the Convergence Lands is actually not very secure. The Molten Iron Tribe merely seized opportunities to rise between the cracks of various powers, still possessing enormous gaps compared to those true behemoths.

"The convergence lands are ultimately just a transitional phase. I must take advantage of the window period before the northern war concludes to quickly complete the strategic layout for returning to the Ser Wilderness."

A sense of urgency welled up in the red iron dragon's heart, but he didn't feel panicked.

The more evenly matched powerful forces are, the longer their wars tend to last, making it difficult to determine victory or defeat in the short term.

Currently, neither the barbarians nor giants have the determination to go all-in. Although small-scale conflicts continuously occur, they lack decisive battles to the death. Unless major changes occur, this war will likely continue for a long time.

This buys precious time for Garoth's development.

"Thinking carefully, I precisely seized the opportunity when northern warfare reignited to successfully seize control of the convergence lands."

"Now planning to return to the Ser Wilderness is similarly because internal strife within the Federation is about to erupt, with war imminent."

"In chaotic times, the more chaotic the situation becomes, the more beneficial it is for 'evil dragons' like me to develop and grow."

The red iron dragon raised his head to gaze at the vast, boundless sky.

A gentle wind swirled withered leaves around him, several fallen leaves lightly settling on his black-silver dragon scales. He took a deep breath, suddenly feeling the congestion in his chest completely vanish.

In peaceful, prosperous times.

Mixed-blood red iron dragons like him, naturally bearing evil labels and suffering discrimination, would attract suppression from all sides if they showed even slight promise, forced to hide and survive miserably.

But now, the times have changed.

Fight!

Wage war!

Let the flames of war burn more fiercely!

Let conflicts never cease!

Only in this way can he seize opportunities from the chaos and achieve true rise to power.

At this moment, the iron dragon Sorog proposed: "I plan to establish more hidden sentries and scouts along the northern border near the ice fields, equipping them with advanced communication equipment. This way, once we detect traces of barbarians or giants, we can receive early warnings immediately."

The red iron dragon exhaled a burst of scorching dragon breath, immersing himself in mental communication through the blood kinship link.

After careful consideration, he responded: "Rather than passive defense, I prefer proactive strategies."

"Sorog, the northern border indeed needs an early warning system, but simultaneously we must dispatch elites deep into the Permafrost Tundra to gather intelligence."

"This way, once major changes occur in the tundra region, we can learn in advance and prepare early."

Currently, the warfare in the convergence lands has concluded.

The Molten Iron Tribe happens to have suitable talent within to execute such infiltration missions.

As early as the Ser Wilderness period, the Clan of Molten Iron began systematically cultivating members' loyalty, consolidating rule by promoting the greatness of the Redwing Lord and the tribe's benevolence.

Don't always ask what the tribe can do for you—think more about what you can contribute to the tribe!

Loyalty! Offer absolute loyalty to the great Redwing Lord!

The tribe's benevolence can never be fully repaid!

—Similar ideologies, through long-term subtle indoctrination, have now produced numerous fervent followers among the new generation of subjects who swear loyalty to the Molten Iron Tribe and worship the Redwing Lord, particularly prominent within the kobold community.

After careful consideration, Sorog decided to select elites from these loyalists for special training.

Then.

Secretly dispatch them to the ice field regions as scouts or undercover agents attempting to contact barbarians and frost giants. If direct infiltration of these two major powers proves impossible, they could settle for gathering intelligence from other northern races.

He reported this plan to Garoth and quickly received approval and recognition.

Immediately after, Garoth spread those crimson dragon wings and soared into the sky.

As for handling the Giant Deer fierce beast and its territory, the approach mirrored when they previously subdued the white tiger: the Molten Iron Tribe dispatched guards to take over while allowing the wild beast lord to continue inhabiting the original area, but it must remain ready to heed the tribe's summons at any time and fight for the tribe.

With the final wild beast lord's submission.

The last puzzle piece fell into place as the Molten Iron Tribe finally achieved complete control over the convergence lands, with only one exception remaining—that Abyssal Rift.

Several days later.

A cold front from the ice fields invaded the convergence lands, goose-feather snow falling thick and fast, soon blanketing the surface world in silver.

On the King's Fertible Plain in the southwestern convergence lands,

The white dragon Trixie and the mixed-blood centaur Vernel led elite troops to establish tight defensive lines centered around the Abyssal Rift, guarding this dangerous area day and night without cessation.

For a long time.

Due to spatial channel size limitations, what mostly emerged from the rift were low-tier demons like quasits, manes, and dretches. Occasionally appearing elite demons couldn't withstand the combined strength of the white dragon and centaur leader either, quickly being eliminated and transformed into valuable abyssal materials. Through the Gem Merchant Consortium's trade network, these brought considerable profits to the Molten Iron Tribe.