Translator: AnubisTL
Samantha narrowed her eyes, sensing her position was being threatened.
Before this, she had been the only dragon by Garos's side. As for the Fairy Dragon Vera, Samantha considered her more of a "pet" than a true dragon.
Now, the Iron Dragon Solgorn had joined them.
Although they shared a similar bloodline and were bound by an invisible connection, Samantha still felt threatened. She didn't want her status in Garos's heart to diminish.
"Solgorn, you are the last dragon to arrive here," Samantha said, lifting her chin. "Remember your place. You rank only fourth among us."
Solgorn narrowed his eyes, instinctively wanting to lash out at the red dragon's provocation. However, considering his current weakened state and the fact that the crude and foolish red dragon wasn't worth the effort, he took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and asked, "Why fourth? Is Gordon here too?"
Samantha shook her head.
"Gordon is not here." She pointed to the Fairy Dragon Vera. "Vera is third, and you are fourth."
In her heart, Samantha still considered Vera a pet, but at this moment, she needed to align Vera with her against Solgorn. After all, Solgorn was a juvenile dragon, younger than her, giving her an age advantage.
Fairy Dragon Vera nodded rapidly, like a chick pecking at grain, and proudly raised her head. "Exactly! Exactly!"
Solgorn glanced at Garos, who remained calm, and decided not to press the matter further.
His gaze swept over Samantha and Garos before he grinned, revealing his teeth, and said with a hint of nostalgia, "It's rare for us, bearing the Ignis name, to gather like this after leaving the nest."
"If Gordon were here too, all four of us siblings would be together. The Ignis brothers would be complete."
Most evil dragons prefer solitude.
However, there are precedents for evil dragons living in groups, particularly among blue dragons, as recorded in their inheritance.
A famous example is the "Hermod Brothers."
Their current members consist of three ancient blue dragons residing in the Boiling Sea of the western Sierre Wilderness.
Legend has it that they were originally seven blue dragons of the same bloodline, forming a dragon pack that lived together, advancing and retreating as one, relying on each other, facing powerful enemies together, and sharing spoils and treasures. They carved out a vast territory in the Boiling Sea.
During their rise to power, four members perished.
The remaining three have now become formidable legendary ancient dragons.
Those who killed their brothers have tasted the full fury of dragonkind's vengeance, utterly annihilated, their bloodlines completely erased.
When Gordon was mentioned, the youngest and least reliable of the iron dragons, Garos shook his head. "Given Gordon's condition, he would struggle to survive alone in the wilderness."
As an iron dragon, Gordon shared the grand ambition of establishing a Dragon Empire. However, unlike Solgorn, who was naturally intelligent, Gordon was even more dull and lazy than the Red Dragon Samantha—a perfectly ordinary iron dragon.
Back in the Hemlock Hills, Gordon had never come to join them.
Garos estimated that his iron dragon brother's fate couldn't be good. Even if he were still alive, his life must be exceptionally harsh, undoubtedly the worst among their siblings.
"Survival of the fittest is the law of the wilderness," Garos said. "Let's not dwell on him."
Though physically weak, the iron dragon's spirit burned fiercely. "We, the Ignis brothers—Solgorn, Garos, and myself—will etch our names into the skies, the seas, and the earth!"
"And me!" Fairy Dragon Vera shouted. "Four brothers!"
"Outsiders with no blood ties shouldn't meddle in family matters," the iron dragon retorted.
"Simple," Vera replied. "I'll just change my surname."
The iron dragon shook his head. "That won't do. Surnames are mere formalities; bloodline is what truly matters."
Vera drooped her head, her wings sagging in disappointment.
The iron dragon continued, "Unless you join the Ignis brothers as a mate or consort."
After a pause, Solgorn sized up the fairy dragon's diminutive form and added, "Compared to our dragonkind, I prefer half-orcs. If Garos takes a liking to you, you might stand a chance."
Half-orcs referred to creatures like catfolk, werewolves, and foxfolk—beings with both human and animal traits.
The fairy dragon glanced at the imposing red-iron dragon, and a terrifying scene flashed through its mind: the memory of witnessing Garos training his little dragon. A shiver ran down its spine, and it hastily flapped its wings, darting behind a tree where it hid, too afraid to peek out.
Solgorn turned to Garos, his curiosity piqued. "My dear brother," he asked, "you'll soon be a juvenile dragon. Surely you've developed preferences by now. Which race of females do you favor?"
While dragons shared a universal aesthetic standard, individual tastes varied.
Metallic dragons generally favored humans, elves, and other creatures with smooth, hairless skin—delicate and petite beings. Chromatic dragons, on the other hand, preferred fierce-looking, robust monsters.
Solgorn's preference for half-orcs was considered a rather niche taste.
Samantha and the fairy dragon hiding behind the tree both perked up their ears, their gazes fixed on Garos.
Under the scrutiny of the dragons, Garos remained unfazed. He shook his head.
"I don't have a specific race I favor."
He said.
Solgorn's draconic face lit up with sudden understanding. "I see," he said. "You mean you're indiscriminately attracted to beautiful females of all races. Excellent! Such vigorous desire proves you possess boundless ambition."
That's definitely an overinterpretation, Garos thought. He just wants a peaceful life. Where's the ambition in that?
Garos, unwilling to argue with Solgorn, said, "To celebrate our reunion, we'll feast tonight in Needleleaf Valley. Let's eat our fill!"
Soon enough, night fell.
Bonfires blazed in Needleleaf Valley.
Earthstorm bears carried fresh meat, skewering it over the flames to roast. The sizzling meat was sprinkled with spices, their fragrant aroma mingling with the rich, savory scent of the cooking fat.
Several dragons savored the feast.
Samantha tore off a large chunk of roasted meat with her teeth. "I've heard," she said, "that older, more powerful dragons dine like human nobles or elves. Their tables are laden not only with meat but also with jams, sweets, fine wines, and countless servants attending them with song and dance."
Solgorn nodded. "Once we establish our magnificent empire, we'll have all these luxuries too."
"Not just the food, but also towering, glorious palaces and golden, resplendent residences."
Amidst the crude banquet in the mountain valley, the young dragons dreamed of the future.
Garos quietly tore at his food, savoring the flavors of fat and spices. Unlike Samantha and Solgorn, he spoke little. The flickering firelight danced in his dark eyes, reflecting the turmoil in his heart.
He harbored no grand ambitions.
Yet the monotonous food and crude living conditions undeniably left Garos wanting more.
If we could live more comfortably while still remaining safe and secure, that would be ideal, the red-iron dragon thought to himself as he chewed, swallowing meat and bone in one gulp.
(End of the Chapter)
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