novelraw Chapter 264: Garros’s Golden Throne
Chapter 264: Garros’s Golden Throne
The biting north wind swept across Dragon Valley.
Red dragon Samantha had already returned to Black Iron Plains, and iron dragon Sorog had also departed, returning to his originally stationed outpost.
Brass-silver dragon Deborah currently stood on the highest watchtower, lightly flicking the tip of her tail with keen interest as she withdrew her gaze from the distance and turned it toward the red iron dragon who had just folded his massive wings and landed steadily on the platform before her.
"Garoth, I just realized that these 'dragon talents' you've gathered are all extraordinary, completely different from the ordinary evil dragons I've known in the past."
She spoke with a tone of some amazement: "An iron dragon who's calm and rational, capable of greatly restraining his primal desires; a red dragon with a fiery temper who can nevertheless settle down to conduct alchemical research; and a white dragon who displays world-shaking wisdom in such terrible weather with raging snowstorms..."
Deborah blinked her bright dragon pupils, the admiration in her voice becoming increasingly evident.
"In short, all of this is simply incredible."
From when the young dragons were brought back, to their conversations with the adult dragons, then the white dragon's appearance and her arrogant attitude toward the little dragons... she had been quietly observing everything happening below from the high platform, particularly shaken by the ecological niche theory expounded by that white dragon.
She had never expected it.
The white dragons, universally regarded by dragonkind as the most foolish dragon type, could actually propose such profound and philosophical concepts.This was knowledge not found in traditional inheritances.
If the Five-colored Dragons could widely recognize and follow this ecological niche theory for survival, avoiding unnecessary major conflicts and successfully passing through the most fragile and difficult early growth stages...
Deborah contemplated that, given time, the population of Five-colored Dragons would inevitably experience explosive growth.
Her mind involuntarily conjured up an image:
Evil dragons who should have been flamboyant secretly hiding their claws and fangs, enduring humiliation, suppressing their natures, until they grew strong enough to freely bully those below them, venting their long-accumulated anger with a retaliatory mindset... merely imagining this scene sent an involuntary chill through the brass-silver dragon's heart.
By that time.
If the Metal Dragons failed to find effective countermeasures, they might truly be completely overwhelmed by the evil dragon faction.
However, upon second thought, she realized this situation was actually quite unlikely to occur.
The deeply ingrained nature of dragons was right there for all to see,
and only White Dragon Trixie, as the originator of this theory, genuinely understood, accepted, and thoroughly grasped its essence, thus able to endure external insults without psychological burden, willingly lowering her own ecological niche.
If it were other dragon types, they would likely find it extremely difficult to achieve her level of 'transcendent' mindset and resilience.
Nevertheless, no matter what, as long as those young evil dragons could possess a bit more patience for lying low and hiding their time, and a bit less blindly impulsive pride and arrogance, their overall survival rate would improve accordingly.
Once this theory spread, it would inevitably produce some positive effects to some degree.
Not just for evil dragons, but applicable to metal dragons as well.
Some metal dragons, relying on elder protection and noble bloodlines, provoked enemies far stronger than themselves when young, resulting in being killed by enraged powerful foes - such cases were not uncommon either.
After careful consideration and freeing herself from some mental constraints, she suddenly realized that the dragons gathered around Garoth seemed none were ordinary, as if they had undergone some kind of evolution beyond their original foundations.
"Don't forget who they're serving under."
Red iron dragon Garoth said with effortless ease, his tone carrying a matter-of-fact quality: "As the leader is, so are the followers."
Hearing this nearly boastful statement, the brass-silver dragon unusually refrained from rebuttal, instead nodding thoughtfully: "Birds of a feather flock together, dragons form groups... that principle holds true."
Her gaze carefully roamed and examined the majestic and imposing massive form of the red iron dragon.
"Every word and action of the dragon flock's master will profoundly influence the dragons under him."
She praised sincerely: "Apart from occasionally displaying just a little harmless vanity, Garoth, your will is as firm as steel, your self-discipline and tenacity are admirable, your cautious nature leaves no openings, and you possess exceptional foresight looking toward the future... I can hardly find any obvious flaws in you."
"With an existence like you as role model and core, it's entirely possible that the dragons gathering around you would become distinctive, displaying traits surpassing their peers."
(I love hearing these words, give me more.)
The red iron dragon imperceptibly gave Deborah an encouraging look, as if silently suggesting she might as well offer more words of praise.
"What about me? What about me?"
Just then, a clear, cheerful voice sounded.
From a small door in the side spire, faerie dragon Vira's petite, delicate body nimbly emerged from a concealed attic.
She happily circled the brass-silver dragon's massive head a few times, eventually hovering steadily before Deborah, her exquisite little face filled with eager anticipation as she impatiently asked:
"So how am I different from other faerie dragons?"
"Smart!"
The brass-silver dragon responded almost without thinking, her voice carrying laughter: "Vira, you're absolutely the smartest faerie dragon I've ever seen so far!"
Hearing this rather familiar evaluation, Garoth shot the brass-silver dragon a surprised glance, while the latter gave him a sly wink, revealing tacit understanding.
The excited faerie dragon obviously didn't notice the subtle interaction between the two.
She happily danced in circles through the air, her colorful wings rapidly fluttering and scattering many shimmering magical dust particles that drifted down, illuminating the surroundings brightly.
"Yes! I'm the smartest faerie dragon!"
She proudly declared.
Vira stopped, affectionately rubbing her cheek against the brass-silver dragon's cold, hard faceplate, then cheerfully proposed: "Deborah, want to play a riddle game now? The smartest faerie dragon is always happy to oblige!"
"Alright!"
The brass-silver dragon readily agreed, turning to invite the red iron dragon: "Garoth, do you want to join us?"
The red iron dragon slightly shook his head, his voice carrying a barely detectable weariness: "No, I'm somewhat tired and need rest."
The previous intense training and combat had left him feeling some fatigue deep in his body - it was time for proper relaxation and recuperation. He always understood the importance of balancing work and rest.
Immediately, the brass-silver dragon and faerie dragon remained on the spacious watchtower, beginning their riddle game,
while the red iron dragon turned and entered Scorchsteel Fortress's deep interior.
This magnificent fortress had a clear structure, divided into four levels from top to bottom.
In the strict hierarchical concepts of dragonkind, status was often closely tied to elevation.
Therefore, the highest fourth level was Garoth's exclusive private domain. Without his explicit permission or formal summons, neither his followers nor other dragons were absolutely forbidden from entering.
This level contained Garoth's sleeping quarters, trophy room displaying his glorious achievements, and other core spaces.
The massive treasure accumulated by Dragon Valley had also been entirely relocated here, adjacent to Garoth's living quarters.
The third level was the grand council hall where giant dragons discussed important matters.
This space was extremely vast and open, supporting the dome with several enormously thick giant pillars, the floor paved with hard stone material, featuring small doors for servants to enter and exit, and wide stone daises for dragons to comfortably crouch or coil upon... most prominent was the golden throne placed in the main position, symbolizing supreme authority and belonging exclusively to the dragon flock's master.
This throne's structure differed from conventional seating, its design more fitting the massive, unique body curves of dragons.
It was cast from rare gold and mixed with various precious hard metals, its surface meticulously engraved with runes that could long maintain dazzling brilliance, currently emitting eye-catching golden light, silently proclaiming the supreme status and power it represented.
Worth mentioning, both the third and fourth levels had facilities directly connecting to external high platforms.
"With an existence like you as role model and core, it's entirely possible that the dragons gathering around you would become unique, displaying traits surpassing their peers."
Scorchsteel Fortress's second level primarily served as antechamber and reception area.
In the future, if important servant representatives needed receiving or formal meetings with other dragons were required, they would typically be arranged on this level.
As for the bottom first level, it served as daily living quarters for fortress guards and servant attendants.
Those responsible for guarding Scorchsteel Fortress were mainly elite combat forces like Rampage Bears, flying dragons, and ogres who had undergone strict selection; while the servant group consisted mainly of carefully chosen serpentfolk, among whom were even outstanding individuals possessing sorceress or shaman abilities.
Worth mentioning, all servants were female,
even though Garoth hadn't personally required it.
Considering male dragon lords' strong possessiveness, and the potential elevation of their own tribes if dragon offspring were born, his subordinate followers, when providing attendants, all very consciously selected exclusively beautiful and pure females.