The difference between Dragonewt and Dragon lies in the latter possessing a true dragon form.
Among the nearly one hundred lizardmen present, about a third successfully evolved into dragons.
Lesser Dragon, Medium Dragon, Element Dragon, and above them all, the Dragon Lords!
Their rank wasn't determined by combat strength but by the origin they inherited.
Take fire as an example.
Ordinary fire dragons and red dragons are considered lesser dragon.
Above them are specialized dragons born from variations of the fire element, such as blaze dragons, flame dragons, or inferno dragons.
These are Medium Dragons.
Element Dragons are unique.
Examples include mantle dragons, magma dragons, or ash dragons.
Their hallmark is the ability to create a vast domain centered around themselves, transforming the environment within to suit their nature.
As for Dragon Lord…
Dragon Lords emerge from Element Dragon or Archdragon.
In theory, any Element Dragon has the potential to become a Dragon Lord.
The prerequisite is awakening the Dragon Lord factor and receiving the blessing of a True Dragon!
"No matter."
Damien said, "Consider this your reward in advance."
"We will complete your task without fail!"
Souka recalled the price Damien had mentioned earlier.
But this time, her heart was filled with even greater shame.
If they had fought the Western nations as mere lizardmen, it would indeed have been a life-or-death pledge.
But now, they had evolved!
For Souka and the others, facing the Western nations posed little challenge.
In truth, it was Damien's care for them.
'I must repay this kindness in the future!'
With no other choice, Souka silently vowed to remember Damien's generosity.
She also thought of the mockery from Soura, Sourei, and Soumin.
But this time, she didn't blame them.
In her current position, she wouldn't dare use the power granted by Damien to provoke the kijin.
All Souka could do was earn merits to prove to the kijin that the lizardmen... no, now Dragonewt... weren't shameless opportunists!
'One day, I'll lead Dragonewt to surpass the kijin and earn the favor of the Dragon God of Creation!'
"…"
Damien could hear some of his familiars' thoughts, especially when they concerned him.
But he said nothing.
Competition, as long as it was constructive, was a good thing.
"Next, follow Rimuru's orders. Don't disappoint me."
With that, Damien vanished from their sight.
"Yes!"
At that moment, Souka would have willingly died for Damien without hesitation.
"Congratulations, Miss Souka."
"We were rude earlier. Please don't take it to heart, Lady Rimuru."
Souka had learned of the grievances between the lizardmen and Damien. She now wished she could tear Gabiru apart!
When Souei came to recruit them, the process had been flawless.
But Gabiru, in his arrogance, acted alone.
Even if he couldn't see the bigger picture, he should have at least brought Souei to the chieftain for a decision.
Instead, Gabiru's unilateral actions drove Souei away, costing the lizardmen a golden opportunity to join Damien early.
Now, so many lizardmen had been led to ruin by Gabiru.
'Gabiru!!'
'You disgrace of the lizardmen!!'
To think they could have followed the kijin as Damien's second retainers.
But Gabiru's hubris and arrogance caused them to miss this chance.
In the end, not only were they outdone by the kijin and tengu, but even the goblins and Star Wolves surpassed them, leaving the lizardmen as the bottom rung of the forest's monster tribes.
Sigh…
What was done was done. No amount of resentment toward Gabiru would change it.
"Please allow me to head to the battlefield and rally the surviving lizardmen."
Souka was mentally prepared for some of her people to die.
She didn't blame Damien... in fact, she thought he was too merciful.
If it were any other powerhouse, ignored and insulted like that, the lizardmen would have been wiped out entirely.
How could they get off with just purging Gabiru's loyalists and sacrificing some lives?
All Souka could do now was act quickly.
She needed to save as many of her people as possible, allowing them to break free from their lizardman shackles and evolve into dragon, just as she had.
"Alright, let's move out."
With Rimuru's words, a massive teleportation array enveloped the Dragonewt and Dragons.
In the next moment, they vanished from the underground prison.
Half an hour earlier…
"All forces, halt!"
Gabiru, leading nearly 30,000 lizardmen, called for a stop.
He gazed at the cliff ahead, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Gabiru-sama?"
Seeing him pause, his loyal followers hurried forward to inquire.
"Ahead…"
Gabiru said, "I remember that's the forest wetlands, right?"
The forest wetlands were a basin-like valley with lush grass and abundant water, a favorite spot for many herbivorous creatures.
However, the layout was peculiar.
Resembling a meteor crater, it was surrounded by a ring of cliff-like stone walls, with only two entrances on the east and west sides for passage.
"Yes, Gabiru-sama."
One of his followers asked, "Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing's wrong."
"Lord Gelmud even considered the environment we lizardmen prefer."
"Truly worthy of Lord Gelmud!"
Without much suspicion, Gabiru ordered the advance. "Push forward. Once we cross this valley, we'll rest in the forest wetlands!"
The lizardman tribe numbered around 37,000.
At Gelmud's request, Gabiru had brought everyone except the truly weak and elderly.
Due to the rushed preparations, their equipment was subpar.
Only about 8,000 were fully armed with elite gear, while most wore simple leather armor.
As for weapons…
They used whatever was available.
If push came to shove, the lizardmen's own claws and teeth were decent weapons.
Thus, Gabiru led his 30,000 lizardmen through the mountain pass into the forest wetlands.
It was just before dawn, the sky dim, with thick fog shrouding the area, making it impossible to see far.
***
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