Translator: AnubisTL
"Why do we need to change territories? We're doing just fine in Hemlock Hills," Samantha asked, genuinely puzzled.
She hadn't considered that the Earth-Rending Centipede's appearance was just the beginning, likely signaling the arrival of a much larger Blackrock Legion force.
Moreover, due to the inherent laziness of dragonkind, she had grown accustomed to life in Hemlock Hills and wasn't prepared to relocate.
"Use your brain, Samantha," Garos said. "Do you really think the appearance of these alchemy golems was just a coincidence? Others will be here soon."
Samantha tilted her head, pondering seriously, and gradually grasped the reason.
Red dragons weren't actually stupid; in fact, their intelligence ranked among the highest of dragonkind. However, their logic often followed the pattern: My wisdom allows me to solve problems with brute force.
Only when violence failed would a red dragon consider alternative approaches.
"Oh, you're afraid an army will come to surround and kill us, so you're planning to flee," Samantha declared after a few seconds of contemplation, her eyes widening in realization.
Whack!
Garos struck her head with his tail, his draconic face stern.
"This is a strategic retreat. If you don't understand, don't spout nonsense," Garos snapped.
Samantha, who had just been struck by his tail, rubbed her head with her claws, baring her teeth. Her instincts urged her to retaliate, but when she met Garos's gaze, she immediately became submissive.
"Dragon Lord, where shall we go next?" Earthstorm Bear Mobel asked cautiously.
Hearing this, Garos fell into deep thought.
There was an old proverb among dragonkind:
A dragon who admires the spring rose must also heed the winter giant's footprints.
In essence, it meant to be vigilant in times of peace and prepare for future dangers.
Garos had taken this wisdom to heart.
During their time in the Hemlock Hills, knowing it was merely a temporary refuge with limited resources, he had diligently scouted other suitable habitats.
After careful consideration of his findings, he had identified three primary targets:
Greystone Ridge:
The rocky cliffs were riddled with natural caves, perfect for establishing highly concealed dragon nests. Its towering, rugged terrain made it easily defensible and difficult to attack. Surrounded by lakes and forests, the area teemed with diverse wildlife, ensuring abundant water and food resources.
Silver Moss Plains:
Once home to a large mithril mine, the soil still contains trace amounts of the metal, leading to the mutated growth of abundant silver sprout moss. Consuming this moss and the soil itself aids the development of dragonkind's scales, claws, and fangs, and the area teems with ferocious beasts.
Needleleaf Valley.
A bowl-shaped valley surrounded by mountains on three sides, with geothermal hot springs steaming within. The sulfurous fumes mask dragonkind's scent, and a major river tributary meanders through the valley.
These three locations all boast far richer resources than the Hemlock Hills.
In the Sierre Wilderness, territories like these are always claimed.
After a brief deliberation, Garos ultimately chose Needleleaf Valley.
The apex predator of Greystone Ridge is the giant-tailed steel scorpion.
These massive creatures possess a terrifyingly potent venom, lethal to young dragons. Garos hadn't specifically enhanced his poison resistance, leaving him uncertain whether he could withstand the scorpion's venom.
The Silver Moss Plains, while lacking a dominant apex predator, are a battleground for numerous ferocious beast packs, constantly vying for survival. Garos had initially favored this location, but he later discovered that military expeditions frequently visited to collect silver moss and other mutated plant specimens, making it the riskiest option.
As for Needleleaf Valley,
besides its inherent low risk, it lay neither too close nor too far from a branch of the Thousand Serpents' Trace, a winding network that crisscrossed the Sierre Wilderness like veins. This proximity allowed contact with merchant caravans traveling the Trace or teams transporting resources like minerals and black oil.
The downside was the presence of numerous goblin and hyena-man tribes in the surrounding area.
"Needleleaf Valley? Roar! Excellent!"
Upon hearing Garos's decision, Earthstorm Bear Mobel's eyes widened, and he roared with excitement.
His enthusiasm stemmed from a simple reason: Needleleaf Valley had a more formal name, recognized by the surrounding intelligent tribes:
Earthstorm Bear Ridge.
It was the former territory of Mobel's Great Earthstorm Bear Clan, and the very place he had recommended to Garos, adhering to the principle of "a son smiles at his father's passing."
It was during their initial exploration of the bear clan's territory that Garos had inadvertently discovered a branch of the Thousand Serpents' Trace.
"My esteemed Dragon Lord, I pledge to be your sharpest blade and seize Needleleaf Valley for you!"
Mobel knelt before Garos, his voice rough and guttural.
The night wind ruffled his fur, revealing the dense network of alchemical runes etched into his skin—the handiwork of Samantha, the Red Dragon Alchemist, over the past six months.
Empowered by these runes, Mobel had grown considerably stronger.
Yet he knew he still couldn't match the old bear in strength. His greatest asset wasn't his own power, but the dragon before him.
Hmph, you wretched old fool, Mobel thought gleefully. This bear will reclaim everything you've taken—seize your territory and claim your she-bears!
Garos, true to his word, clapped the Earthstorm Bear on the shoulder.
"Once you've subdued the bear clan, you'll be their leader. But remember this: if the clan causes trouble, I'll break your legs."
Immediately afterward, the Earthstorm Bear hoisted the relatively intact Earth-Rending Centipede onto his back, along with other essential supplies, and began sprinting across the land toward Needleleaf Valley.
Garos spread his wings and soared into the sky.
The silhouette of Hemlock Hills gradually blurred into the twilight.
He glanced back at the territory he had called home for nearly a year—the iron firs shattered by explosive scales, the crooked ruins of his alchemy workshop, the winding tunnels dug by earth spiders, and the collapsed fissures he had carved with his impact.
Everything would revert to wilderness upon his departure.
As if recalling something, Garos suddenly paused mid-flight, then turned back toward Hemlock Hills. He instructed Samantha to continue ahead with the Earthstorm Bear, leading the way to Needleleaf Valley.
Samantha didn't know what Garos intended, but she didn't question him.
After a while, as she flew through the sky, she glanced back at Hemlock Hills.
A sudden burst of flames erupted, spreading like wildfire across the hills, gradually engulfing the entire area. The vast hills transformed into a blazing torch in the night, its light illuminating the surrounding darkness, while the scorching heat warped the air into shimmering waves.
The dazzling flames reflected off her scales.
The red iron young dragon soared from the "volcano" like a shooting star, rapidly closing the distance.
This world teemed with alchemy items and magic, each possessing unique and extraordinary effects.
Though a tinge of nostalgia lingered, Garos decided to burn Hemlock Hills to ensure his safety and prevent further pursuit. He hoped the flames would purify everything, erasing as much evidence of his presence as possible.
He couldn't be certain if it would work, but it would at least ease his mind.
(End of the Chapter)