novelraw Chapter 255: Young Red Dragon, Variable
Chapter 255: Young Red Dragon, Variable
Beneath the wind and snow of the Fertile Plains, the red iron dragon gently stretched his body, immediately feeling fine stinging sensations coming from all over. He slightly tensed his muscles, and those small wounds immediately stopped oozing blood.
He examined his scale armor covered in fine cracks.
Few dragons would train like him, having his subjects attack him for practice when idle. The number of Battle-Hardened Patterns on his black-red scales had increased considerably. When these current cracks healed, some would also form Battle-Hardened Patterns.
"At this rate, perhaps by adulthood, or at latest prime age, my scales will be completely covered in Battle-Hardened Patterns."
"Additionally, my Frostburst Scales have a special structure with no Battle-Hardened Patterns present. The patterns are mainly on the inner layer scales."
"If in the future, fellow dragons or creatures familiar with dragonkind see my clean appearance, think I'm not combat-oriented, then challenge me, attack me, shatter my explosive scales only to suddenly see a body full of Battle-Hardened Patterns... I wonder what their reaction would be. Hmm, perhaps they'd be quite surprised."
Thinking this, the red iron dragon's mouth curved into an amused smile.
"Praise the Dragon Lord, your scale armor has grown harder."
The serpent woman slowly exhaled, lowering her head as she spoke respectfully.
When this ruler of the convergence lands first sought her as a sparring partner, her sword blade could still leave relatively deep marks on him. However, as their sessions increased, the red iron dragon's scale resistance to sharp weapons rapidly improved.Until now.
Even with her peerlessly sharp sword slash power, while she could still pierce his dragon scales, she could only barely cut the most superficial flesh, hardly causing any truly effective damage.
This visibly rapid growth speed was truly terrifying.
Garoth nodded slightly, saying: "Narys, take your weapons to the Black Iron Plains and have the alchemists refine and strengthen them. Their material is good but the forging technique is too crude."
The serpent woman Sword Saint was an excellent sparring partner.
Because of her presence, Garoth's resistance to sharp damage had improved significantly, and it hadn't reached its limit yet. He valued her quite highly.
"Next time, I hope your sword will be sharper, leaving deeper wounds on me."
Hearing this, the serpent woman responded: "Narys will not disappoint your expectations."
As she spoke, she felt increasingly grateful for the choice she'd made back then.
The red iron dragon merely allowed her to attack him, yet he could almost exhaust her completely while remaining utterly unmoved.
Though this was related to her not deliberately targeting weak points, the red iron dragon also hadn't countered at all.
If it were a real life-or-death battle, given her physique, if the red iron dragon landed just a few attacks on her, the fight would basically be over.
The pride of the serpentfolk Sword Saint.
After several sparring sessions with the red iron dragon, had been completely shattered.
On the other side, White Dragon Trixie crouched on the ground, stretching her neck to watch.
"This Narys usually puts on such a cold, aloof front even before a dignified prime dragon like me."
"But when Garoth appears, her ecological niche plummets immediately, becoming as docile as a little lamb."
She swished her tail, feeling pleased because the outcome matched her expectations.
Since comprehending the Dynamic Ecological Niche Theory, whenever she got angry, just thinking about this theory would gradually dissipate the violent rage inherent to dragon bloodline. Over time, Trixie's mindset had instead become calmer, making her magical studies more effortless and efficient.
Garoth noticed the white dragon's expression of "just as I expected" insight into truth.
He had no words, roughly able to guess what she was thinking.
"Garoth, when will the Molten Iron Tribe have new young dragons?"
Under Garoth's gaze, White Dragon Trixie pushed herself up, taking the opportunity to ask, her tone full of expectation.
She couldn't wait to experience the feeling of looking down on and bullying younger dragons.
"When the time comes, they will come."
Garoth said.
The subjects in the convergence lands, while active, also kept alert for dragon traces, but had found nothing so far. The scout vanguards in the Permafrost Tundra and Ser Wilderness reported the same.
Whether in the convergence lands or Ser Wilderness, the royal territories were quite vast.
And while dragon numbers weren't exactly scarce, they were certainly not common either. The reputation of Dragon Valley and Molten Iron Tribe hadn't spread yet, so encountering other young dragons required some luck.
Garoth briefly instructed his subjects to guard the Abyssal Rift well, then with a flap of his wings, vanished instantly amid the howling winds.
Dragon's Visage, Scorchsteel Fortress.
The majestic fortress stood atop the cliff, unmoving amid the wind and snow.
Its overall form wasn't perfectly symmetrical, with sharp towers resembling dragon horns. The walls bore many casting marks and cracks that densely arranged into draconic patterns. At first glance, it appeared somewhat rough, yet possessed a peculiar aesthetic beauty—a fortress architecture very fitting of dragon style, guarded mainly by Rampage Bears and flying dragons.
At this moment, the red iron dragon appeared above Scorchsteel Fortress.
He folded his wings, gradually descending to land directly on a protruding terrace, his claws touching the hard metal floor.
Garoth stood at the terrace edge, looking down with a commanding view that encompassed the entire Dragon's Visage landscape.
By now, those light superficial wounds left by the Sword Saint had basically healed.
Garoth's regeneration speed had been continuously improving.
Though still far from the ultra-fast combat regeneration like his spikes, it was steadily increasing, allowing his injuries to recover quickly after battles.
Of course, this rapid recovery wasn't without cost—it consumed his energy.
Taking a barrel of 95-grade black oil from his spatial ring, Garoth tilted his head back and gulped it down, immediately feeling refreshed as his somewhat depleted energy received substantial replenishment.
With the development of alchemical industry.
High-grade black oil like the 95-grade, which Garoth had been reluctant to drink casually before, now had increased production, allowing him to occasionally indulge freely.
"Guess a color!"
"I am newborn flame, yet also withering maple leaves; I symbolize forbidden danger, yet represent ultimate passion."
"—Mixed-blood dragon, what color am I?"
With a cheerful voice, the brass-silver dragon emerged from the arched doorway behind the terrace.
Garoth thought for a few seconds before answering.
"Correct! Your turn to pose a riddle."
The brass-silver dragon said happily.
"Wait, I need to exercise to vent energy now."
The 95-grade black oil transformed into fiery energy within his body. As Garoth spoke, flames shot from his nostrils and mouth. Immediately, he beat his wings and flew into Dragon Valley, beginning his exercise where the ultra-heavy training equipment was placed.
The brass-silver dragon didn't idle either.
She couldn't drink black oil, but imitated Garoth by drinking a bottle of magical medicine that stimulated bodily activity, then exercised alongside the physically robust red iron dragon.
Sun rose, moon set, snow fell.
In the blink of an eye, several more months passed, bringing them to early year 251 of the new calendar.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With each deep breath, drum-like sounds came from within the red iron dragon's chest as he exercised his heart through the Bloodburst spell.
Suddenly, a gentle tapping sensation came through his bloodline connection.
"Garoth, hidden sentries at the Estonian Great River border report spotting a young dragon crossing the river toward the convergence lands."
Iron dragon Sorog's voice sounded in Garoth's mind through their blood kinship connection.
"Tell me more."
Garoth slowly exhaled as he responded.
"The information comes from hidden sentries—frogfolk inhabiting the river."
Frogfolk, primarily aquatic creatures. After the Molten Iron Tribe unified the convergence lands, they discovered a frogfolk clan in the Estonian Great River and quickly subdued them. They now mainly occupy the southern riverbank responsible for trade and surveillance.
"They detected the scent of dragon blood in the water, then spotted a young female red dragon flying across the Estonian Great River."
The voice paused briefly before iron dragon Sorog continued: "However, the red dragon's condition isn't good—bleeding along her path, bearing injuries, as if being pursued."
"Wait, new information just came. A unit of dwarf cavalry with golems is crossing the river, chasing along the red dragon's escape route."
Coming from the Ser Wilderness direction.
Being pursued.
Dwarves.
The red iron dragon stopped his heart exercise, a gleam flashing in his eyes as he said: "Tell our subjects not to act rashly, maintain concealment as much as possible."
After thinking a moment, he added: "Summon Samantha and the Grand Artificer. We'll go personally."
If it's regular Federation forces, they'd likely have communication devices.
Just in case, best to bring alchemists who can block communications.
After over a year of peaceful life, a new variable had appeared for the Molten Iron Tribe. After ending his communication with Sorog, the red iron dragon stretched his powerful body and suddenly soared into the air.