Defeating the World with the Power of One Dragon!

Chapter 89: Further Down the Path of the Evil Dragon

In the gradually perfected and now moderately sized alchemy workshop within Needleleaf Valley, Samantha clutched a glass test tube made from melted sand between her claws, her dark red dragon pupils fixed intently on the boiling liquid inside.

"Just a pinch more of sulfur-iron powder," she muttered under her breath, using her tail tip to lift a grinding bowl and pour in the metallic shimmering powder.

BOOM!

The test tube shattered, releasing pungent smoke that instantly filled the alchemy workshop. Samantha sneezed three times in quick succession from the irritation, flapping her dragon wings to disperse the fumes.

"Failed again!" she growled. "I followed the proportions from the inherited memories exactly! Where did I go wrong?" The red dragon lashed her tail in frustration.

The Bonegnaw Clan ogres had been expanding aggressively. Though they hadn't reached Needleleaf Valley yet, Samantha already felt threatened.

During Garoth's third year of dragon sleep, Samantha had also entered her own dormancy period. After awakening from her two-year slumber, she expected Garoth would have woken and returned by then.

Yet three years passed, then another three. Six years total, and still no sign of Garoth.

Without her usual support system and unwilling as a red dragon to submit to any creature other than Garoth, Samantha temporarily took charge of Needleleaf Valley, becoming the de facto leader for the faerie dragons and Rampage Bears.

But leadership didn't come easily.Especially now, with danger from the Bonegnaw Clan looming ever closer.

Forced to take matters seriously, Samantha worked to fulfill her promise of protecting Needleleaf Valley by attempting to create alchemical weapons for her followers - Flame Orbs.

These single-use alchemical devices could create powerful explosions when thrown. Stockpiling them would buy more time against the ogre invasion.

More time to resist, not to win.

To better manage the territory, Samantha forced herself to think like Garoth would, tempering her natural arrogance. Following Garoth's habits, she first ingested some faerie dragon scale powder to enhance her intellect.

The clarity that followed made her realize with painful certainty: the Gluttonous Ogre who had risen to power in the Bonegnaw Clan six years ago, right after Garoth entered dragon sleep, was an opponent she couldn't defeat.

And it wasn't just the Gluttonous Ogre.

With years of abundant hunting providing plentiful food resources - possibly further enhanced by the Gluttonous Ogre's leadership skills - the entire Bonegnaw Clan had grown stronger. Their ranks now included more elite warriors and multiple sorcerers.

The Bonegnaw Clan flourished like the midday sun, their territory expanding continuously, their numbers growing steadily.

Not even the most arrogant young dragon would believe they could subjugate this ogre clan as followers.

In this situation, Samantha's only options were to wait for Garoth's return while defending Needleleaf Valley as long as possible, or retreat with the faerie dragons, Rampage Bears, and her own magical beast followers if defense became impossible.

(Samantha had tamed a group of giant fire ants and fire lizards.)

Abandoning territory to ogres represented ultimate humiliation for a red dragon, but survival mattered more.

Though Samantha outwardly scorned Garoth's cautious, life-preserving ways, deeper reflection often revealed wisdom in his words. Unconsciously, she'd begun emulating him.

"No more failures," she told herself. "Stay calm, Samantha. Keep a clear head."

Taking a deep breath, she resumed work on the Flame Orbs.

Time passed slowly until finally, Samantha held a dull black orb in her claws, its surface marked with faint crimson patterns.

"The first success is always the hardest," she murmured, her draconic face breaking into a pleased smile as her tail swished contentedly.

Then-

A powerful draconic aura approached, its pressure growing steadily stronger.

Samantha's pupils contracted, her scales nearly standing on end as the giant fire ants around the workshop shrieked and burrowed underground in terror.

She rushed outside, gazing skyward.

Against the dark heavens, what looked like a comet streaked closer to Needleleaf Valley.

No - not a comet.

A dragon moving at impossible speeds, trailing comet-like flames behind it!

As the distance closed, Samantha caught a familiar scent. Her eyes widened, all tension draining from her body instantly.

Despite some changes in appearance, she recognized Garoth immediately.

"Garoth! My dear brother! Welcome back from your slumber!" Samantha spread her wings, feeling an immense weight lift from her shoulders as she took flight to meet him.

The fiery trails behind Garoth's wings gradually dissipated as he slowed his approach, feeling hunger gnaw at him again. His growth and evolution had consumed tremendous energy, and he hadn't eaten his fill after awakening before heading to Needleleaf Valley.

He could have flown back leisurely.

But like a child with a new toy, he couldn't resist testing his recently acquired jet propulsion ability, reveling in the exhilarating speed of his aerial maneuvers.

"The territory seems intact," he noted. "I'll hunt properly after this."

Descending toward Needleleaf Valley, Garoth saw Samantha flying up to meet him. He slowed further, studying his sister.

The once-young red dragon had matured somewhat, though still youthful. Now nearly ten meters long, her body had developed more spikes and protruding fangs, her scales taking on the dark red metallic sheen of tempered steel under moonlight.

Garoth sniffed.

Samantha carried the distinct sulfuric scent of red dragons - like volcanoes and lava - which would grow stronger with age. Thanks to his own heritage, Garoth found the odor pleasant rather than offensive.

"You've grown quite a bit too, Samantha," he remarked.

"Of course! We share the same bloodline. I won't fall behind you," Samantha replied, displaying typical red dragon confidence rather than mentioning her struggles and pressures during his absence.

The two dragons landed together in Needleleaf Valley.

The faerie dragon Vira came fluttering over with excited cries, only to stop abruptly before Garoth, blinking rapidly. "Garoth," she announced, "you look much scarier now than before!"

The intimidating explosive scales.

The massive, weapon-like Wings of the Celestial Comet.

The increasingly prominent dual characteristics of both red and iron dragon bloodlines.

All combined to make Garoth's appearance sharper, fiercer, more distinctly that of an evil dragon - and far more intimidating.