novelraw Chapter 261: White Dragon: Finally My Turn to Occupy the High Ecological Niche!
Chapter 261: White Dragon: Finally My Turn to Occupy the High Ecological Niche!
The rising dawn light spilled over Dragon Valley, gilding the mountain walls on both sides with gold-leaf-like brilliance. Scorchsteel Fortress standing atop the cliff glowed with a faint reddish hue, as if burning within the morning light.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
The wind arrived before the dragon.
The massive red iron dragon, whose size could already be described as enormous, beat its wings as it gradually approached. The Rampage Bears and flying dragons standing guard noticed and slightly bowed their heads in respect before resuming their vigilant patrol.
Garoth circled briefly without entering Scorchsteel Fortress, landing directly on the open ground of Dragon Valley.
The red dragon and iron dragon followed closely behind, landing one after another, each releasing the young dragons and young dragons they carried in their claws, letting them find their footing.
"Heriam!"
Kahir, who had been licking her wounds nearby, paused her movement, then turned to look at the young blue dragon, cursing angrily: "Damn blue dragon, did you think sacrificing yourself would earn my gratitude?"
Her voice filled with fury, her scales slightly raised from emotional agitation.
"No! Even if you really died, I wouldn't thank you one bit! Your self-righteous sacrifice forced me to choose fleeing like a coward instead of fighting to the death—this is utterly shameful!"Clearly, she seemed extremely angry at this moment.
The blue dragon smiled: "But because of this, we all survived, didn't we?"
Though still a young dragon, the rationality and calmness characteristic of blue dragons that surpassed other evil dragons were already evident. He didn't become angry at the red dragon's scolding, forming a sharp contrast with the red dragon's irritable temper.
"Pure luck!"
Kahir growled low, her tail anxiously slapping the ground: "If we hadn't coincidentally encountered the great dragons of the Ignas family, I would have died undignified after fleeing all that way! I'd rather die fighting than that!"
The red dragon's pride made her unable to accept survival bought by a companion's sacrifice.
Heriam looked directly into her eyes, not arguing, just saying softly: "You're right, but regardless, Kahir... we owe our survival to you this time."
The red dragon fell silent instantly, as if choked by these words.
Several seconds later, she finally snorted coldly and turned away: "...Don't let it happen again."
Garoth quietly observed this scene, then turned to glance at Samantha.
This Kahir's personality somewhat resembled Samantha's.
Traits like pride, arrogance, and unwillingness to admit defeat were common red dragon characteristics, personality features recorded in their heritage that matched their group identity.
As for more subtle differences, certainly there were some, but he didn't know Kahir well enough yet to say.
However, one obvious difference was that Kahir bared her teeth more than Samantha, had more temper, and was more irritable. Even when surrounded by Garoth and other dragons earlier, she had instinctively bared her teeth and roared.
"Was it because Samantha grew up suppressed by me, and had just emerged into the wilderness when she was brutally confronted by harsh reality, having much of her irritable temper worn away?"
Garoth thought to himself.
In comparison, red dragon Kahir still needed some tempering.
In Garoth's view, pride was acceptable—dragon bloodlines were indeed extraordinary, deserving of pride—but being too arrogant, unable to distinguish reality's gaps and challenging beings far stronger than oneself, that was truly foolish.
If she remained like this without any change,
However, with a qualified 'nurturer,' perhaps she could change.
"Was it because Samantha grew up suppressed by me, and was immediately struck by harsh reality upon leaving the wilderness, having much of her irritable temper worn away?"
Under Garoth's gaze, Samantha tilted her head and asked curiously.
"Nothing."
The red iron dragon shook his head, signaling the young dragons to gather together.
"The loyalty you mentioned earlier—what specific form will it take? If you intend to use me like a slave, you might as well kill me now," said the black dragon whose bones and scales seemed almost piercing through her skin.
She was a young female dragon, but her appearance was fierce.
Her terrifying visage featured a pair of curved horns and a withered face, her image resembling a demon's skull.
Garoth looked at the black dragon.
Information related to black dragons from his heritage naturally surfaced in his mind.
Black dragons preferred dwelling in gloomy swamps or mud ponds—the more polluted and foul-smelling, the better. They enjoyed watching pain and destruction, liked torturing prey slowly rather than killing directly, had sinister personalities, and excelled at dealing with the undead.
Most dragons who chose the necromancer path were black dragons.
"What's the hurry?"
A young dragon with scales as fresh as new leaves interjected: "The great dragons were willing to risk provoking the duchy to save us, taking enormous risks. Even lifelong loyalty would be appropriate repayment."
Hearing this, Garoth's gaze shifted to the green dragon.
This was a male green dragon, with a well-proportioned and slender build, his eyes looking quite clever.
Green dragons possessed innate talent in natural perception and control. Among Five-colored Dragons, their appearance characteristics somewhat resembled silver dragons among metallic dragons—but this only applied to females. Female green dragons were captivating and elegant, while males appeared somewhat slender and weak among dragons, far less majestic and strong than male silver dragons.
In terms of personality.
The green dragon's racial impression actually somewhat resembled Garoth's.
If enemies seemed cunning or difficult to deal with, green dragons wouldn't act recklessly but would quietly follow them to find the most suitable time and tactics for attack.
Conversely, if targets appeared weak, green dragons would quickly emerge, first attempting to control targets using skills like intimidation and suggestion spells, killing directly if control failed.
But determining how to judge enemy strength specifically required experienced judgment.
Young green dragons were easily influenced by dragon pride in this aspect, leading to misjudging enemy levels and instead putting themselves in danger.
"What exactly do we need to contribute?"
His head was short and blunt, with a massive single horn growing above his nose, a cluster of blade-like scales on his chin, and sky-blue scales covering his body.
Blue dragons—the lawful representatives among evil dragons, organized and disciplined.
They expected and demanded clear definitions and well-structured relationships, could accept commands from other dragons, but were unwilling to tolerate foolish leadership.
In blue dragons' eyes, order was necessary—without rules, nothing could be accomplished.
In their obsession with order, blue dragons generally exceeded even iron dragons. The evil of blue dragons lay in their belief that lower creatures existed solely for their amusement, and they were very good at playing.
"Kahir, you tell them."
Under the young dragons' gaze, Garoth said unhurriedly.
Kahir wasn't very willing to do something as low-level as relaying information, but under Garoth's gaze, she reluctantly nodded, then explained the previously understood situation to the other dragons.
And Dragon Valley where they now stood was the hub core of the convergence lands, with the Molten Iron Tribe below having occupied the entire convergence lands.
Lord of Molten Iron, Convergence Lands King.
This was precisely the red iron dragon who had personally saved them.
As repayment, they needed to pledge loyalty to the tribe, to the Lord of Molten Iron for fifty years. During this period, any spoils and wealth obtained would belong to the Lord of Molten Iron, but if they performed well, they could also receive wealth rewards.
While pledging loyalty, the tribe would also provide them with certain growth resources,
but during this time, they must demonstrate their value,
for example, they must undergo their first job assignment according to the tribe's needs, not wasting time.
After fifty years, whether they wanted to leave or stay would be their own choice.
In dragon eyes, fifty years was very brief, and having their first job assignment follow tribe requirements wasn't a big deal—after all, dragon lives were long, and they would practice many professions.
In short.
Dragon Valley's demands were much more lenient than when they were in the Blue Dragon Community.
"Generous conditions."
The other dragons also had no objections, completely agreeing.
"Your injuries are severe—eat first to heal."
Garoth waved his claw, and immediately nearby followers presented food and low-level life magical medicine.
While the young dragons feasted, the red iron dragon said: "I've arranged a nurturer for you. Afterwards, she will be responsible for providing your food and supervising your training and growth."
"Nurturer? Who is it?"
Red dragon Kahir raised her head, her gaze sweeping over Samantha and Sorog.
In her thinking, the leader of Five-colored Dragons—the red dragon, or the leader of Iron Hybrid Dragons—the iron dragon, both qualified to be this nurturer.
Just at that moment.
Whoosh—!
A biting cold wind suddenly swept across the open ground as adult great perfection white dragon Trixie descended from the sky, her broad wing membranes blocking sunlight, casting cold shadows on the ground.
"My name is Trixie."
She raised her head, ice-blue vertical pupils scanning the dragons, a cold smile curling at the corner of her mouth as she stepped forward, using her body's shadow to envelop all the young dragons.
"Insects of the convergence lands, address me as—Pale Wing!"
"Listen well, this is also the honorific you must use from now on!"
White Dragon Trixie said arrogantly, looking down upon them.
Before the young dragons, her ecological niche seemed infinitely elevated, every scale emitting the pressure of a superior being, breaking through to an unprecedented height realm, giving her an extremely comfortable feeling as if she had endured humiliation and hardship before finally tasting sweetness.