Translator: AnubisTL
Sierre Wilderness, Blackrock Principality's Chromite Base.
Groni, a dwarf sorcerer, was in his alchemy workshop, meticulously arranging several dragon scales of different colors. A satisfied smile gleamed in his single eye.
Over twenty years ago, he had been responsible for operating and maintaining the alchemy golems at the Blackrock Principality's Black Oilfield Base. During an experiment to track a hybrid dragon, he lost his eye in an explosion.
However, this setback did not crush his spirit.
Instead, he realized the absolute necessity of meticulous care and the danger of carelessness in his work.
After this painful lesson, the inherent boorishness of the dwarf race had almost vanished from his demeanor.
Paradoxically, this made his alchemy skills soar to new heights.
Later, he was transferred here to serve as chief sorcerer at the chromite mine, overseeing all other alchemists. His responsibilities included the maintenance, improvement, and operation of various weapons, armor, alchemy golems, and defensive siege engines.
"Truly a blessed creature. The Creator must have shown them such favoritism," the dwarf sorcerer mused, temporarily pausing his research after studying the dragon scales for a long time.
The armor, patterned after dragon scales, offered significantly better defense than other types. If they could fully understand the intricate structure of dragon scales and use that knowledge to forge true dragonscale armor, its defensive capabilities would undoubtedly leap forward.
"But..."
"The microscopic structure of the hybrid dragon's scales back then was completely different from these—far more complex and unique."
At this thought, the dwarf sorcerer's smile vanished. He reached up to touch the black eyepatch covering his blind eye, the searing pain from that day still vivid in his memory.
It was precisely because of this blinding injury that he came to hate the red-iron dragon.
Unfortunately, he never managed to track down the red-iron dragon. When he later heard of its appearance, it had launched a surprise attack on a stronghold of the Duchy of Raymond, displaying formidable power and earning nicknames like "Ominous Star of Death" and "Sky-Rending Wing."
Gradually,
helpless against the red-iron dragon and unable to even locate it, the dwarf sorcerer found himself without a means to exact his revenge.
He slowly buried his hatred deep in his heart, shifting his focus to other dragonkind.
Not long ago, when their sentinels spotted a dragon pack flying through their airspace—all little dragons—he immediately ordered a pursuit and ambush. His decisiveness paid off instantly, resulting in the capture of three dragons at once.
Once the relief forces arrived and transported the dragons away, he would undoubtedly be credited with the primary achievement.
Such a feat would be enough to elevate his position even further.
Despite having only one eye, the dwarf sorcerer seemed to see a bright and unobstructed path ahead.
"But first, let me collect some interest."
A venomous glint flashed in the dwarf sorcerer's eyes as he emerged from the alchemy workshop and approached the rear of the heavily guarded encampment.
Blue, green, and black. Three dragons were imprisoned in steel cages, reinforced with alchemy. Runes etched into the chains pierced their ribs and wings, binding them tightly within the cages.
"How are you feeling, little dragons?" the dwarf sorcerer asked with a grin.
"Vermin, when I break free, I'll tear your flesh from your bones, piece by piece, and let you die in endless agony." The female black young dragon growled in a hoarse voice, her eyes burning with malice.
"Is that so? What a terrifying threat." The dwarf sorcerer stepped forward, ordering the guards to tighten the chains. The grating of metal against flesh and bone sent a wave of pain through the black dragon, forcing her against the cage. The runes on the chains flared to life, activating immobilizing spells that immobilized the weakened, severely injured creature.
"Then you'll go first," the dwarf sorcerer said.
He produced a sharp knife and began gouging out the black dragon's scales, taking chunks of flesh and bone with each slice.
Throughout the process, the black dragon remained silent, its eyes fixed on the dwarf sorcerer, as if trying to burn his face into its memory. Though young, the black dragon's inherent malice and vengeful nature already shone through.
"Anyone else want to make a fuss?" the sorcerer asked after filling a bucket with dragon scales and flesh. He turned to the other dragons.
"Dwarf, release us, and we swear we won't seek revenge. Instead, you'll gain the friendship of dragonkind," the male green young dragon said in a low voice. "Friendship versus hatred—an easy choice, wouldn't you agree?"
Green dragons, widely considered the most intelligent of the chromatic dragons, were known for their cunning, schemes, and silver tongues.
Unfortunately, the dwarf sorcerer was well aware of this.
"I prefer threats and curses to flattery," he replied, ignoring the green dragon's increasingly elaborate attempts at manipulation. He continued to gouge out the green dragon's scales and flesh.
Next, he approached the blue dragon.
The blue dragon was the largest, bound by the thickest and longest chains, their runes the most densely packed. Unlike the black and green dragons, who had either threatened or tried to negotiate, the blue dragon...
The blue dragon lay motionless on the ground, its body completely relaxed, showing no signs of attack or defense, as if it had resigned itself to its fate.
"Well, little brat, aren't you going to say anything?" the dwarf sorcerer asked, clearly relishing the opportunity to humiliate a top-tier magical creature like a dragon.
The blue dragon opened its eyes, glanced at the dwarf, and remained silent, continuing to lie flat on the ground.
"Could it be that among you dragons, there's a saying about 'biting dragons that don't bark'?" the dwarf sorcerer laughed, then began to slowly gouge out scales and flesh from the blue dragon's body.
These were valuable materials, and he intended to save some for later.
"You lowly thing, you'll pay for this," the black dragon rasped, struggling to lift its head.
The dwarf sorcerer gave him a pitying look. "Pay? Do you really think you'll survive? You young dragons are so ignorant of the world's ways. When you're shipped south, you'll learn what true—"
Before he could finish, the dwarf sorcerer felt a sudden tightening in his chest, and an invisible sense of danger made his hair stand on end.
After a moment of stunned silence, the dwarf sorcerer abruptly raised his head.
Without a sound, a crimson Ominous Star of Death streaked across the sky, its dark red trail tearing through the gray-blue night like a fiery scar.
A dragon wing that split the heavens.
A Harbinger of Death.
He had arrived.
A crimson trail blazed across the sky above the Sierre Wilderness. When the red-iron dragon appeared, descending like a meteor, every dwarf's heart tightened instantly.
(End of the Chapter)
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