novelraw Chapter 47: Needleleaf Valley
Chapter 47: Needleleaf Valley
"Why change territories? We've been doing just fine in the Iron Fir Hills," Samantha asked, confused and perplexed.
She hadn't considered that the appearance of the Earth-Rending Centipede was merely the beginning, signaling the likely arrival of larger Black Rock forces. Moreover, due to the inherent laziness of dragonkind, she had grown accustomed to life in the Iron Fir Hills and wasn't prepared to relocate yet.
"Use that head of yours. Do you really think these alchemical golems appeared by mere coincidence? Others will come soon enough," Garoth replied.
Samantha tilted her head, seriously contemplating the matter before gradually understanding the reason. Red dragons weren't foolish - in fact, their intelligence ranked high among dragon species. Their thought process simply followed the logic: "My wisdom tells me to solve problems with strength." Only when violence failed would a red dragon consider alternative approaches.
"Oh, you're afraid an army might come to besiege us, so you're preparing to flee," Samantha exclaimed after several seconds of thought, having an epiphany.
Thwack!
Garoth smacked her head with his tail, his draconic face stern. "This is a strategic retreat. Don't spout nonsense if you don't understand."
Rubbing her head with a claw while grimacing, Samantha instinctively wanted to retaliate due to her nature. But meeting Garoth's gaze immediately made her submissive again.
"Dragon Lord, where shall we go next?" Mobel the Earth Rampage Bear cautiously inquired.
Hearing this, Garoth fell into thoughtful contemplation. Dragon culture had a proverb: "The dragon who sees spring roses must also watch for winter giant's footprints" - essentially meaning to prepare for danger in times of safety, or to provide for a rainy day. Garoth had taken this to heart.While residing in the Iron Fir Hills, knowing it was merely a transitional territory with limited resources, he had never neglected scouting other potential habitats. After recent investigations and deliberations, he had three options:
Greyrock Ridge - cliffs riddled with natural caves perfect for building highly concealed dragon nests. Its towering, precipitous terrain made it easily defensible, surrounded by lakes and forests teeming with wildlife, abundant in both creatures and water resources.
Silvermoss Plains - formerly home to a large mithril deposit, its soil still contained trace mithril particles that had mutated into silver-sprout moss. Even eating dirt or moss here could enhance a dragon's scales and claws. The area swarmed with dangerous beasts.
Needleleaf Valley - a bowl-shaped valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, with hot springs emitting sulfur vapors that could mask draconic scents. A major river tributary meandered through it.
All three locations offered far richer resources than the Iron Fir Hills. Such territories in the Ser Wilderness were always claimed.
After brief consideration, Garoth ultimately chose Needleleaf Valley. Greyrock Ridge was dominated by giant-tailed steel scorpions - massive, lethally venomous beasts whose toxins could threaten young dragons. Garoth hadn't specifically strengthened his poison resistance and couldn't be certain of surviving their venom.
The Silvermoss Plains lacked a dominant species, instead hosting numerous beast factions locked in constant struggle. Garoth had initially favored this location until discovering military forces occasionally came to collect silvermoss and other mutated plant samples, making it the riskiest option.
As for Needleleaf Valley, besides being the safest choice, its moderate distance from a branch of the Thousand Serpent Traces - the sprawling trade route network crisscrossing the Ser Wilderness like veins - allowed contact with merchant caravans or mineral and black oil transport teams. The drawback was nearby tribes of intelligent creatures like goblins and gnolls.
"Needleleaf Valley? Hahaha, wonderful!" Mobel's eyes widened excitedly upon hearing Garoth's decision.
The bear's enthusiasm had simple origins. Needleleaf Valley had another more formal name recognized by surrounding intelligent tribes: Rampage Bear Ridge. This was Mobel's original homeland where his earth rampaging bear clan resided, and the very place he'd previously recommended to Garoth, embracing the philosophy of "when father dies, son laughs." It was during their scouting of the bear clan that Garoth had incidentally discovered the Thousand Serpent Traces branch.
"My esteemed Dragon Lord, let me be your sharpest blade to conquer Needleleaf Valley!" Mobel knelt before Garoth, his gruff voice declaring. The night wind ruffled his fur, revealing dense arrays of runes carved into his skin - six months' worth of work by Samantha the red dragon alchemist. These alchemical runes had significantly strengthened Mobel.
Yet he knew he still couldn't compare to the old bear. His greatest advantage wasn't himself, but the dragon before him. "Hmph, that damned old bastard," Mobel thought gleefully. "This bear will reclaim what was lost, seize your territory, and take your she-bears!"
Garoth hadn't forgotten his promise, patting the bear's shoulder. "After subduing the bear clan, you'll command them. But remember - if problems arise, I'll break your legs."
Soon after, the Earth Rampage Bear carried the relatively intact Earth-Rending Centipede along with other necessities, sprinting across the land toward Needleleaf Valley. Garoth soared through the skies on beating wings. The Iron Fir Hills' silhouette gradually blurred in the twilight as he glanced back at the territory he'd inhabited for nearly a year.
The iron firs shattered by explosive scales, the crooked ruins of the alchemy workshop, the winding tunnels dug by earth spiders, the collapsed fissures from his impacts - all would return to wilderness after his departure. Seemingly remembering something, Garoth abruptly halted mid-flight and turned back toward the Iron Fir Hills, instructing Samantha to follow Mobel ahead to Needleleaf Valley.
Though puzzled by Garoth's actions, Samantha didn't question them. Some time later while flying, she looked back toward the Iron Fir Hills. A cluster of flames suddenly ignited, spreading like wildfire until the entire hills became a blazing torch in the night, its glow illuminating the darkness while heat waves distorted the rising air.
Reflecting the dazzling flames on his scales, the red iron young dragon ascended from this "volcano" like a meteor, swiftly catching up. This world contained countless alchemical artifacts and magics with peculiar effects. Though somewhat nostalgic, to ensure safety and prevent tracking, Garoth had decided to incinerate the Iron Fir Hills, purging everything with flames to eliminate traces of their presence. He wasn't certain this would work, but it at least gave him peace of mind.