novelraw Chapter 490: Crown-Level Dragon
Chapter 490: Crown-Level Dragon
New Calendar year 358, late summer.
The sky over the Aola Kingdom was washed a clear blue, the sunlight hot and bright, making the royal court atop the mountain peaks sparkle.
The Red Emperor sat on his wing-membrane throne, majestic and calm like a mountain range.
Opposite him, iron dragon Sorog stood in the center of the hall, reporting the situation.
“Our mouthpieces have been very effective in the newly occupied territories,” Sorog said, “especially in the two newly acquired provinces. After nearly ten years of manipulating public opinion, our reputation has been reversed.”
“The image of the Red Emperor as powerful and wise has deeply rooted in people’s hearts.”
“The arrival of the Aola Kingdom has been regarded by the locals as a stroke of good fortune.”
Ten years is but a blink in a dragon’s long life.
But for humans, it was enough to change many minds and create entirely new memories.
Those humans who submitted under Aola’s banner might still harbor resentment and hidden anger, but most had accepted reality.Their lives gradually stabilized and in many cases became more prosperous than under Theo’s rule.
Because the overall situation was relatively peaceful, many people even began to genuinely support the new rulers.
And tales about the Red Emperor began to spread through markets and alleyways.
Some said the Red Emperor once knocked a satellite from the sky with a single stone; others claimed he once pierced a canyon pass with a single spit.
Such stories grew wider and wilder, details increasingly exaggerated.
Although most people privately knew the truth was not so miraculous, they would smile knowingly and treat the tales as amusing gossip, trading a few jests in taverns and teahouses.
Sorog did not order strict suppression of these circulating anecdotes.
He quietly fanned the flames instead, deliberately letting certain little scandals and amusing stories about the Red Emperor leak out.
Some of those stories were true, some false.
For example, the emperor as a youth liked to bash into the ground and mountains until he came away dirty and bruised, or once woke up from sleep half-dazed and toppled a mountain peak...
When he realized the importance of public opinion, Sorog spent some time studying human crowd psychology.
In the end, he drew a conclusion.
The emperor’s image could be powerful and wise, but it did not need to be flawless or unapproachable.
A few harmless, discussable or mockable details could make the ruler seem more vivid and real, and therefore more approachable to the populace.
Of course, there were clear limits.
‘Do not be deceived by the dragon’s claws and fangs, they are the enemy!’
‘Those not of our kind must harbor malice!’
‘Humans, unite, remember your race, do not submit to those monsters!’
…
Jokes, teasing, and banter could be tolerated.
But the moment sharp rhetoric that incites division appeared, within three days the source of those voices would be physically silenced.
Russell’s wolf guards were not decorations.
Those keen, supernaturally perceptive werewolves had woven a vast, tight intelligence network that covered every corner of the kingdom like a spiderweb.
They monitored local activity at all times.
At the first sign of trouble they would snuff it out immediately, with decisive measures that left no future trouble.
Meanwhile, the Theo Kingdom, having lost two provinces and paying other heavy prices, remained in turmoil.
In this repressive, crisis-filled environment some capable and idealistic individuals did emerge, trying to reverse the tide.
But so far their efforts were only drops in the bucket.
Unless Theo could produce a warrior of extraordinary strength and charisma, it would be hard to reverse the kingdom’s continuing decline.
“Sanctuary project—how is implementation going?” Garoth’s low voice sounded, shifting the topic from the propaganda front to another key project.
Sorog’s tone rose slightly. “The Lothrian Kingdom, the Matna Kingdom, and our own alchemists—under three-party cooperation and with resources poured in by the kingdom—the main framework of the Sanctuary has been completed.”
“Progress is about thirty percent ahead of schedule.”
Garoth’s huge head moved slightly, his vertical pupils fixed on the iron dragon. “This plan isn’t something we completed on our own. The participants are complex; we must pay extra attention.”
Sorog replied in a low voice, “Throughout the project, besides supervision by Samantha and me, we also invited Amethyst Dragon Iseramas to assist.”
“I and the Amethyst Dragon are not deeply familiar with the specific alchemical techniques, but the mental waves and emotional fluctuations of all participants have been monitored under our watch.”
“So far, no obvious signs of treachery or sabotage have been detected.”
“Still not safe enough.” Garoth pondered a moment, then said, “I’ll try recruiting a legendary alchemical dragon from the Vophal Dragon Domain to participate in the Sanctuary’s final construction.”
“Having a legendary dragon skilled in this path stationed there would minimize risk.”
The iron dragon’s spirit visibly stirred. “That would be perfect.”
“With a legendary alchemical dragon on board, many problems will be solved, and project quality and confidentiality will be greatly improved.”
Garoth said no more, and immediately used a specific device to send a message to Gold Dragon Ovis, far away in the Vophal Dragon Domain.
After a brief magical ripple, Ovis’s lazy voice came through, and in the background the sound of waves softly breaking could be heard, as if he were reclining on some warm beach.
“Oh, the infamous Aola Red Emperor. What brings you to me today? Something you need?” Ovis teased.
Garoth was used to that tone. He spoke bluntly, “Help me invite a dragon who has reached legendary rank in the alchemical path to come to Aola to take part in an important alchemical project. I can pay a legendary-quality item as compensation.”
Ovis smacked his lips, amusement in his voice. “A legendary alchemical dragon… that’s a high bar.”
“But the reward is generous; it should tempt some old fellows. By the way, you seem flush with wealth these days—pulling a legendary item out like that.”
Garoth’s tone was flat. “Enough, just a bit richer than dragons my age, nothing to fuss about.”
That kid… getting more extravagant by the day.
Ovis did not press the matter of wealth further.
He knew well that the resources a sovereign could marshal often outstripped those of many ancient dragons.
Ovis shifted topic and asked with a chuckle, “By the way, how are those four pups of yours settling in? They caused plenty of mischief back in the Vophal Domain—I remember it clearly.”
When Garoth’s four sons still lived in the Vophal Domain, the old gold dragon often went to tease them.
He knew their temperaments very well.
Compared with the endless ‘surprises’ from those youngsters, the troublesome Alberto had seemed much more agreeable.
Garoth answered slowly, “They’re alright.”
“The eldest is indeed rebellious, but the other three are manageable.”
He paused, then added, “After some education, Garcro has become more obedient. Maybe in time his rebellious streak will resurface, but for now he knows how to respect his elders’ authority.”
“Garcro? That brat’s a real pain.” Ovis sounded curious. “What method did you use to teach him? Tell me the details, I might try something on Alberto so he’ll be easier to handle.”
“He’s an adult dragon, but he still makes me angry.” Ovis continued.
Garoth answered with breezy calm: “Simple—I personally killed him once.”
On the other end of the connection, there was a brief silence.
After a few seconds, Ovis seemed to come back to himself. His tone took on an odd nuance. “Hmm… that method… is very much your style. But I think I’ll find another way.”
“Alberto’s annoying at times, but not deserving of death.”
Ovis dropped the joking tone and grew serious. “Back to business.”
“I heard the Helmod Dragonflight officially declared war on you, Garoth. That pack of evil dragons is no joke. They’ve occupied the Raging Tides Sea for centuries and are fearsome.”
This news had reached the Vophal Domain? Garoth’s mind flickered.
He replied, “They have declared war.”
“But there’s a vast land between us, so a direct conflict in the short term is unlikely.”
“Don’t be complacent.” Ovis warned with gravity. “Although they live at sea, that doesn’t mean they can’t land. In fact, Blue Dragons can summon storms even on land.”
“You should remain cautious. The Raging Tides Domain has repeatedly organized campaigns against the Helmod Dragonflight over the past centuries, yet failed to exterminate them.”
“Their three ancient dragon leaders are not minor figures.”
Garoth asked, “From what you know, what level are Helmod’s leaders at?”
Ovis thought, then said, “As far as I know, among them one is crown-level, and the other two should be near crown-level as well.”
“But that information is a hundred years old.”
“Their strength may have improved; be prepared.”
Crown-level… Garoth silently repeated.
Dragon growth is slow; even some ancient dragons don’t reach full crown-level, but a dragon group leader often grows faster and has stronger talent.
The value of a crown-level dragon is not comparable to a crown-level human—far higher.
Fortunately, his earlier probing contacts with the Helmod Dragonflight had not taken an overly aggressive stance; instead, they had reached a tacit verbal agreement.
Of course, that relationship was built on mutual interest and not real trust, and could break at any time.
“The Helmod Dragonflight has long raided and fought at sea. I don’t understand why they suddenly aim their spearheads at inland Aola.”
“Is it only because they resent the idea of a dragon nation, or envy the resources and wealth you’ve gathered?”
“That doesn’t fit their style.”
“Those evil dragons are brutal but shrewd; they rarely make enemies without reason,” Ovis said unexpectedly.
Garoth considered and replied, “I’ve heard an unconfirmed rumor you can take as reference.”
“I heard the Helmod Dragonflight is brewing a plan.”
“They intend to land and build a realm for evil dragons.”
“If true, and if I succeeded in founding a dragon nation first and stood ahead of them, they might see me as a potential rival or benchmark, and thus openly hostile. That would explain their enmity.”
“Land? Found a nation?” Ovis’s voice grew heavy.
“The Helmod Dragonflight is a traditional evil-dragon flock, cruel and lawless.”
“If they really manage to found a nation and hold it, other evil dragons will likely follow. That would be a huge challenge to justice and order.”
Garoth’s tone was steady. “I’m merely proposing a hypothesis.”
“This source isn’t fully reliable; its truth must be verified.”
“No, rumors like this don’t arise from nothing.” Ovis’s voice sank, clearly concerned.
“I’ll report it to the other elders in the dragon domains. We must watch Helmod’s movements.”
“If they really begin preparations to land and found a nation, we must react at once and strike hard. They must not be allowed to succeed.”
Garoth asked, “The Helmod Dragonflight borders the Raging Tides Domain. If conflict erupts, the main opposing force should be the Raging Tides Domain, right? Will Vophal also directly participate?”
“Raging Tides…” Ovis’s voice carried complex meaning as he paused and continued:
“In principle, the major domains should not intervene in each other’s seas unless necessary.”
“We will most likely officially notify the Raging Tides Domain first, warn them to be on alert and prepare, and then based on developments decide whether to dispatch forces to assist.”
“So, dealing with Helmod is mainly the Raging Tides Domain’s affair?”
“You can understand it that way. After all, they are the direct guardians of that sea.”
Ovis affirmed, “Vophal also has its own troubles to handle. Unless the Raging Tides Domain asks for help, or the situation deteriorates to threaten the reputation and safety of the metal dragon clans, we won’t overstep.”
Hearing this, the Red Iron Dragon’s mouth twitched imperceptibly.
A clash between the Raging Tides Domain and the Helmod Dragonflight—this was exactly the situation he welcomed.
If the two fought, he would not mind secretly offering some assistance to Helmod, of course at a high price.
After all, his pact with those evil dragons was fragile and purely transactional.
“As for the legendary alchemical dragon you requested, I already have a suitable candidate,” Ovis said at last. “I will pass your request and payment along. With the lure of a legendary item, it shouldn’t take many days for an interested old dragon to set out for Aola. I’ll have him contact you directly.”
“Thanks.” Garoth replied briefly.
After exchanging a few more short updates, the long-distance communication ended.
Silence returned to the hall, only the faint sound of wind from outside the windows.
Sorog had stood quietly aside, listening to the entire conversation.
He spoke, thoughtful: “Should we… leak the message that the Vophal and Raging Tides domains have noticed the Helmod Dragonflight’s possible nation-building to Helmod?”
“Perhaps that could be used to extract benefits from them or deepen a fragile cooperative relationship.”
Telling them only that the domains were watching, but not why they were watched…
Garoth glanced toward the iron dragon.
He was silent for a few seconds, weighing pros and cons, then slowly shook his head.
“No need.”
Garoth said, “On one hand, I don’t think those Helmod ancient dragon leaders are foolish.”
“This vague information might arouse their suspicion. When unnecessary, reducing direct contact is safer.”
“On the other hand, even if we informed them, we might not gain substantive benefits.”
“Things that are pointless and risky are better left undone.”
Sorog nodded in understanding.
“Sorog, I will soon enter a slumber.”
“This sleep may last decades. From past experience, after I enter slumber, you and Samantha will also enter yours in turn, and then there will be a period of vacuum in Aola’s leadership.”
“The kingdom under us has gained quite a few legends.”
“But in critical times, we should avoid meddling in complicated external conflicts.”
Garoth had called this face-to-face meeting in part to announce his impending slumber and to arrange how the kingdom should operate during it.
Sorog’s expression turned grave.
“Understood. During our successive slumbers, the Aola Kingdom will continue the practices set since the tribal era.”
He said in a low voice, “Externally, stability will be prioritized. Quietly accumulate strength, develop internal affairs, avoid provoking outside enemies when possible, and steer clear of unnecessary entanglements.”
The Red Iron Dragon on the throne nodded slightly, satisfied with the answer.
“We were the first to achieve a decisive victory in the recent wars among nations, and as a result gained much attention, attracting the notice of many surrounding powers.”
Garoth said slowly, his gaze seeming to pierce the hall and sweep over the land.
“Now we need a period of hibernation.”
“This will let us digest the fruits of victory, consolidate control over newly occupied regions, and reduce other kingdoms’ psychological pressure and fear of Aola’s continued rise, causing their attention to shift away from us for a time.”
Sorog cracked a dragon smile at that.
He agreed: “Those short-lived kings and nobles always relish momentary gains.”
“A victory in war, the making or breaking of an alliance, a change of throne—these are to them grand events worthy of history.”
“We dragons never sought momentary glory.”
“We want the layout ten years, a hundred years, even a thousand years from now. We pursue glory that lasts through the ages.”
“…Garoth, I have never forgotten something you once said.”
When he finished, he looked toward the dragon on the throne.
Under Sorog’s focused gaze, the Red Emperor let out a low laugh.
After a moment, the laughter subsided.
He spoke softly, uttering the words that Aola’s dragons had come to revere: “Be patient, my brothers. Time will always stand with us.”