novelraw Chapter 254: Burning Steel Castle, the Beauty of Numbers
Chapter 254: Burning Steel Castle, the Beauty of Numbers
Between the Ser Wilderness and the Permafrost Tundra,
The convergence lands.
As time passed, the Molten Iron Tribe flourished and developed steadily. Through digesting the fruits of victory, their foundations grew gradually across all aspects, radiating vibrant vitality.
Population-wise.
The gnolls, kobolds, and lizardfolk—these three illusion-like minions need no elaboration.
As long as food is sufficient, they multiply like weeds, growing generation after generation with extreme speed. Even though the Molten Iron Tribe has unified the convergence lands and achieved resource integration far beyond before, reproductive control is still necessary for these major minion races. 'Breeding halls' and numerous corresponding regulations have been established within their respective tribes.
The ogres, centaurs, gray-fanged werewolves... these minions have longer growth cycles and limited reproductive efficiency, but their individuals are relatively powerful, producing abundant elites.
For these core minion races, the Molten Iron Tribe has adopted a strategy encouraging reproduction.
This also includes the bipedal wyverns.
Bipedal wyverns are evil-aligned lesser dragons that dislike nurturing and caring for offspring. Under normal circumstances, when feeling significant population pressure, they might even discard dragon eggs or consume them directly for nutrition when hungry.Therefore, their dragon eggs are collected and cared for uniformly.
The wyverns need not worry about offspring care and are encouraged to reproduce. The tribe has accumulated numerous dragon eggs; once hatched and grown, the Molten Iron Tribe's air force numbers will increase again.
With environmental stability, abundant resources, and growing population numbers, the quantity of excellent chieftains across various tribes is steadily increasing.
These biological races long inhabiting barren lands seem to possess a unique 'evolution' mechanism.
When their scale reaches a certain magnitude, more elite chieftain individuals like sorcerers and warlords naturally emerge.
For example, long ago, the gnoll tribe only had Bloodfang Hodge as a single warlord. But now, gnoll warlords similar to the young Hodge number no less than ten, mainly holding chieftain positions within the Iron Will warhost.
While population and chieftains develop.
With the entire convergence lands' mineral resources supplying, a black oil field existing, and core tools obtained through trade... the Molten Iron Tribe's alchemical industry is also steadily advancing.
Weapons and armor forged from refined steel are produced daily through assembly-line manufacturing.
Chieftains can even equip themselves with alchemically enhanced runic weapons and protective gear.
Various alchemical golems are also being constructed one by one. Although the designs aren't the latest, somewhat outdated, they suffice for current needs.
...When resources are sufficiently abundant, the development speed of alchemical industry far surpasses other aspects.
The current Molten Iron Tribe resembles a gluttonous beast, daily consuming various convergence lands resources, growing enormous at speeds far exceeding before, rapidly developing, gradually becoming well-equipped with strong troops.
Even excluding Garoth's presence.
The Molten Iron Tribe's comprehensive standard has surpassed any previous convergence lands' four major tribes.
Though called a tribe, it actually already reaches city-state level—vast territory, numerous population, capable of challenging some weaker-tier principalities.
As the Molten Iron Tribe consolidates its convergence lands rule.
Squads of meticulously trained kobolds are dispatched in batches into the Permafrost Tundra.
Elite vanguards including centaurs, ogres, werewolves... cross the Estonian Great River in batches. Supported by the main base, they return to the Ser Wilderness first, preparing for subsequent plans.
The metal-based fortress is officially completed after over three months.
Since its wall construction primarily uses red steel blocks reflecting glowing red iron-like hues under light, it is named Scorchsteel Fortress.
Garoth's days become very peaceful and stable.
He rarely bothers managing territory affairs, primarily handled by Sorog. His time focuses mainly on personal training and strengthening, not slacking due to vain titles like convergence lands king.
Day after day, night after night.
The red iron dragon trains incessantly day and night. Through continuous physical tempering and adaptive evolution, his already exaggerated physical attributes for his age continue steadily growing.
Deborah often accompanies him.
Though unable to match the red iron dragon's pace, the brass-silver dragon also grows—her back rises and falls evenly, limbs agile and powerful.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Bitter cold winds howl and sweep through the air.
The convergence lands' weather patterns lack predictability. Earlier heavy snow persisted for over half a year, followed by sporadic fine snowflakes continuing until now. Cold winds and cold currents constantly blow from the north, lasting longer than any previous instance, making one suspect this land might soon be swallowed by the Permafrost Tundra.
Southwest convergence lands, Fertile Plains, Abyssal Rift.
Dust-like snow particles swirl down carried by wind.
A special training session occurs here.
Under curious gazes from surrounding minion guards, the serpentfolk Sword Saint tenses her tail muscles coiled firmly, upper body erect with chest out, arms unfolding like flower petals one by one. Blades that have drunk countless demon blood appear sharp and dangerous.
"Dragon Lord, I'm coming."
She takes a deep breath, speaking to the majestic, robust red iron dragon before her. Her gaze suddenly turns sharp, her entire aura resembling an unsheathed sword.
Though unable to match the red iron dragon's pace, the brass-silver dragon also grows—her back rises and falls rhythmically, limbs agile and powerful.
Dozens of meters vanish in a blink.
The serpentfolk Sword Saint appears before the red iron dragon like lightning. Six long swords trace dangerous arcs, their edges simultaneously reflecting the red iron dragon's image.
Actions like tidal waves!
The convergence lands' weather patterns lack predictability. Earlier heavy snow persisted for over half a year, followed by sporadic fine snowflakes continuing until now. Cold winds and cold fronts constantly blow from the north, lasting longer than any previous instance, making one suspect this land might soon be swallowed by the Permafrost Tundra.
Razor-sharp sword shadows!
The six-armed serpentfolk shouts low, several blades transforming into countless afterimages simultaneously engulfing the red iron dragon—continuous, endless, like surging tides. After each strike, before any reaction, an additional strike follows, the sword afterimages also dealing supplementary damage.
Clang clang clang!
Dense metallic clashes ring incessantly, blazing sparks constantly flying.
Almost within a blink, the six-armed serpentfolk Sword Saint's swords strike dozens if not hundreds of times like torrential rain. Even solid refined steel ingots should shatter under her peerlessly sharp assaults.
However, the red iron dragon enduring the Sword Saint's attacks remains unmoved.
Like reefs battered by ocean waves, letting the waves shatter repeatedly against them, they stand firm and unharmed.
The six-armed serpentfolk race combined with Sword Saint profession creates a certain numerical beauty in combat, essentially equivalent to three synchronized human Sword Saints of same level attacking simultaneously. While not necessarily sweeping same-level opponents, it absolutely ranks among top-tier powerful path combinations.
However.
Regarding numerical values, there's always a higher mountain.
Compared to the red iron battle dragon, her numerical values resemble a 'fresh recruit'.
Attack and defense continue.
The six-armed serpentfolk Sword Saint unleashes slashes freely around the red iron dragon, while the red iron dragon withstands the attacks with his body, never counterattacking.
Crack!
Soon, all frostburst scales shatter, revealing the red iron dragon's second layer of black-red scale armor.
Hiss... As the scales slightly part and vibrate, rolling heat waves emanate from the red iron dragon's body. High temperatures distort the air, evaporating moisture, forming dense, scalding white mist.
Clang clang clang clang clang!
Metallic collision sounds continue unceasingly.
The six-armed serpent woman drips with sweat, her skin turning slightly red from the high-temperature field, but her attacks don't cease. She even employs explosive techniques, sword strikes landing on the red iron dragon's black-red scales, tearing the scale armor open, leaving one bleeding sword mark after another. Scattered sword energy sweeps across surrounding ground, immediately leaving deep gashes.
"Enough."
After some time, the red iron dragon speaks.
The six-armed serpent woman looks immensely relieved, chest heaving violently, emitting rapid panting, her stamina nearly depleted.
Like reefs battered by ocean waves, allowing the waves to shatter repeatedly against them, they stand firm and unharmed.
Though covered in varying depth bleeding sword marks, scales densely cracked like spiderwebs, his aura hasn't diminished much. Those seemingly bloody injuries are merely insignificant minor wounds on his body.