Several days later.
Broad dragon wings with crimson patterns slowly spread open, revealing two entangled dragon bodies beneath.
Their dragon tails were tightly entwined like snakes with necks crossed, their bodies covered in scales of different colors and textures pressed closely together. The scales rubbed against each other with subtle movements, making a rustling, metallic sound.
"Huff... huff..."
The chest of the Crimson-Silver Dragon Deborah rose and fell violently, her breathing heavy and rapid.
Due to the intensity of the previous battle, her shimmering, beautifully arranged silver-and-honey-colored scales now bore many fine cracks. Some of the areas under the most pressure were even seeping blood. In contrast, the Red-Iron Dragon Garros's heavy black-red scales only showed some faint, inconspicuous scratches and a few melting frost crystals.
The Crimson Silver Dragon was exhausted.
However, Garros appeared calm and composed, handling it with ease.
After only a brief rest, the Red-Iron Dragon's powerful muscles bulged and swelled once more.
He lowered his head and gently gripped the Crimson Silver Dragon's slender, elegant nape with his sharp teeth.
"Wait... wait, Garros."
"I... I really can't go on."
The Crimson Silver Dragon's voice was hoarse and weary as she pleaded for mercy.
Garros was simply too strong; she felt as if her bones were about to fall apart.
Whether in his current mighty dragon form, his powerful human form, or any other possible shape, she was far from being his match. His body, tempered through a thousand trials, was as hard as refined steel.
The Red-Iron Dragon did not force her further and released his hold.
After taking a few more breaths and slightly calming her still-racing heart,
The Crimson Silver Dragon leaned her head gently against the side of the Red-Iron Dragon's solid neck and said softly, "Garros, I know that with your excellence and strength, you will surely have more than just me as a partner in the future."
Pausing for a moment, she continued, "I will not use the concepts of the Metallic Dragons to bind you, but you must promise me."
"—No matter what happens in the future, I must always hold the most important place in your heart."
"This is my only request, or rather, my hope."
Her voice was very soft, but also very serious.
In dragon society, the strong have been revered since ancient times.
Unless two dragons can maintain a consistent level of power, the stronger party will naturally be surrounded by many members of the opposite sex who desire to depend on or are attracted to them.
This is not just the norm for the Five-Colored Evil Dragons.
Even among the Metallic Dragon Race, such situations are common.
The Crimson-Silver Dragon Deborah saw through this very clearly.
She knew well that Garros was like the brightest torch in the darkness; no matter where he went, he was destined to attract countless gazes of admiration or love.
Rather than trying to impose rules and restrictions on him, which would ultimately lead to him resenting her,
It was better to give him the space to choose freely from the beginning.
At the same time, under this established premise, she wanted to ensure that her imprint on his heart was the deepest and her position the most unshakeable.
This was why she decided not to wait the final two years.
She didn't want any accidents to happen that might allow certain'seductive dragons' in her eyes—such as that Blue Dragon Zoraia with the enchanting horns and eyes that always seemed to have hooks—to get a head start.
That would cause her endless regret.
Beside her, the Red-Iron Dragon remained silent for a few seconds, his dragon pupils reflecting the Crimson Silver Dragon's slightly uneasy face.
He didn't immediately give those easy, sugary promises. Instead, he spoke slowly, using a deep and magnetic voice to tell the riddle the Crimson Silver Dragon loved most.
"In this vast and boundless world, there is a unique existence."
"It was born in a frigid land of howling wind and snow, yet it is hotter and more heart-searing than lava."
"It once crossed blades with me, viewing me as an enemy, but ultimately chose to follow closely under the shadow of my wings."
"It has witnessed me rise step by step from insignificance, and it is destined to accompany me until the end of the world; it has shared with me the sight of snow dancing wildly in the sky, and it has built with me the first foundations of the Burning Steel Fortress."
"Tell me, Deborah, what is it?"
The answer was already apparent.
The Crimson-Silver Dragon Deborah was briefly stunned, and then a brilliant smile blossomed on her beautiful dragon face. Her previous trepidation and unease vanished in an instant.
Her slender dragon tail flicked and wrapped around the Red-Iron Dragon's powerful body once more.
Time passed unhurriedly.
Soon, it was several days later.
The Red-Iron Dragon stepped out from the depths of the fortress for the first time. Standing on a high platform, he took a deep breath of the cold outside air, feeling his lungs expand as he stretched his entire body's muscles and wings.
Because his long-suppressed desires had been fully released and satisfied, he felt that the circulation of Dragon Qi within his body was smoother than ever before, and even his thoughts had become clear and sharp.
His entire being was in a state of calm and refreshment.
As for the Crimson Silver Dragon, she had fallen into a deep sleep and had not yet awakened.
The physical difference between the two was indeed too great. For Deborah, this period had been no less taxing than an intense and prolonged battle. Once everything ended, she was almost instantly overwhelmed by exhaustion and fell into a deep rest to repair the immense physical and mental toll.
Garros actually felt somewhat unsatisfied.
However, considering the Crimson Silver Dragon's current state and the fact that he had neglected quite a bit of training time for this, he felt that he could not continue to indulge himself. It was time to resume his rigorous daily training.
Indulging in desire should only be an occasional seasoning in life.
Adhering to his original heart was the true norm for Garros.
His mind made up, the Red-Iron Dragon flicked his wings, his massive body rising nimbly into the air. After circling above Dragon Valley several times to fully activate his muscle groups, he landed steadily in the training grounds at the bottom of the valley.
On the other side, the Golden Dragon Alberto was performing his morning exercises.
Steam rose from his body; he had clearly been training for some time.
Seeing the Red-Iron Dragon finally appear after a period of absence, Alberto paused his claw-swinging movements.
He approached with a hint of curiosity and asked suspiciously, "Garros? You've been staying inside the fortress for all this time without coming out. What have you been doing? For you to actually stop your daily training for the first time, that's truly rare."
Garros glanced at him and gave a casual excuse: "Sleeping."
Hearing this, the Golden Dragon Alberto shook his head slightly, a 'you have fallen' expression appearing on his face.
"No heavy injuries requiring rest, no excessive training leading to fatigue—just sleeping of your own accord, and for so many days... Garros, you've become slack!"
As he spoke, Alberto suddenly seemed to remember something.
He frustratedly flicked his gold-scaled tail.
Wait! Why am I reminding him? Isn't this the perfect opportunity for me to surpass him? I should be encouraging him to sleep more and rest more!
He thought to himself.
But that thought only flashed by.
Soon, he changed his mind and felt relieved again.
"No, that wouldn't be good."
"A Red-Iron Dragon who is content with mediocrity and has voluntarily slacked off, even if I eventually surpass him, would not bring me any true sense of accomplishment or glory."
Thinking this, Alberto decided to use a bit of reverse psychology.
He puffed out his chest and continued to the Red-Iron Dragon, "What? Do you feel that because you've reached level 20 and your strength has increased greatly, you no longer need to perform the same tedious but necessary daily training as before?"
"If you really think that, then prepare to be completely surpassed by me!"
"Garros, you should know that while you were slacking, I, Alberto, was still shedding sweat and never stopped. And while you chose to sleep and rest, I, Alberto, was still diligently honing myself!"
"I am not a dragon who is content with falling behind or being mediocre."
He said solemnly, "Just you wait. When the day comes that you lose to me, I'll make sure you experience what it's like to carry a heavy debt."
Although his original intention was to motivate Garros to pull himself together, speaking of this, Alberto couldn't help but immerse himself in a beautiful fantasy, a wonderful scene appearing in his mind.
For example, the Red-Iron Dragon, in order to repay a massive debt from defeat, would have to accept various commissions from him.
The Red-Iron Dragon would disguise himself as a terrifying ancient Evil Dragon, appearing in a large human or elven settlement, baring his fangs and brandishing his claws to create panic.
Then, just as the Evil Dragon was about to commit an atrocity and the people were falling into despair,
The great Golden Order, Alberto Aurelius, would descend like a divine soldier. After a thrilling battle for justice, he would finally defeat the terrifying Evil Dragon before the eyes of the masses, saving all living beings!
At that time, he would surely receive a mountain of praise, worship, and glory.
His title of Golden Order would also spread far and wide with this heroic deed, being sung by countless creatures.
A moment later, Alberto snapped out of his intoxicating fantasy, preparing to further discuss the issue of effort versus slackness with the Red-Iron Dragon, only to find that the Red-Iron Dragon was nowhere to be seen.
He turned his head in confusion.
The Red-Iron Dragon was already at the other end of the training ground, vigorously beginning his daily training, having no intention of wasting another second chatting with him.
Seeing this, Alberto also put away all distracting thoughts.
He said no more and threw himself back into his own hard work, determined not to be left too far behind.
After some time, the entirely snow-white White Dragon Therese, radiating a piercing chill, slowly flapped her wings and flew over.
She waited patiently until Garros finished a set of high-intensity explosive training and had a brief interval before approaching him.
Under the Red-Iron Dragon's gaze, the White Dragon Therese got straight to the point and said, "Garros, there is something I need to ask your permission for."
Garros was concise: "Speak."
Therese organized her words and said, "As the tribe has developed to this day, the Young Dragons and Wyrmlings who were originally sent to The Borderlands have generally grown into Young Adult Dragons. Their size and the space they need for activities have increased significantly."
"Furthermore, according to the current trend, more newborn dragons will be sent to The Borderlands for training and protection in the future."
"Dragon Valley is vast, but if this continues long-term, I'm afraid it won't be able to accommodate such a large number of dragons."
She paused and proposed her idea: "Therefore, I hope to open an independent territory in a suitable location outside, specifically as a place for the centralized education and training of Young Dragons and Wyrmlings."
Hearing these words, Garros thought for a moment and nodded.
He had also noticed the problems brought about by the increasing number of dragons.
For the tribe to develop healthily, a continuous increase in the number of dragons is an inevitable trend. Planning ahead and opening a specialized training base was indeed a wise move.
"Approved."
"Since this is your idea, you will be fully responsible for selecting the site and construction."
He granted permission.
"It sounds somewhat similar to the Young Dragon Academy in our Dragon Domain,"
The Golden Dragon Alberto, who had been listening during his training break, interjected.
"In the Dragon Domain, once newborn dragons reach a certain age, they are also gathered for unified education."
"However, most of what's taught there is old-fashioned content like peaceful coexistence and following rules. It's vulgar and boring; I never much liked it as a child."
Hearing this, the White Dragon Therese grinned, revealing a smile.
"Academy? Alberto, you've reminded me."
"Then, this place shall be named the White Dragon Academy from now on."
"However, I won't be like the Metallic Dragons, teaching hypocritical peace and rigid rules."
"In my White Dragon Academy, the most important lesson will be to let every little dragon clearly recognize their own ecological niche within the flight and the world!"
As the principal, Therese's days would surely be more enjoyable.
The Golden Dragon thought for a moment and then spoke, "Once your White Dragon Academy is built, remember to notify me."
"I can go and teach those little dragons in my spare time as a guest Golden Dragon lecturer, imparting some... well, important knowledge."
For example, his firmly believed Theory of Charisma.
Although this theory was proposed by Garros, he felt that as the first practitioner besides Garros, he was fully qualified and obligated to promote it.
On the other side, hearing the conversation between Therese and Alberto, Garros also felt a spark of interest.
He said, "Once your academy is officially built and operational, I will also visit occasionally to guide those little dragons who show outstanding performance."
For example, he could teach the Fatalism.
Although this was originally just his dragon brother Gorton's wild theory, he felt that as Gorton's elder brother and the King of Molten Iron, he was fully qualified to refine and sublimate it.
When the time came, he could tell those Young Adult Dragons:
Being loyal to the Ignas Dragon Flight and fighting for the great King of Molten Iron is their innate destiny, and he, Garros, is the 'Dragon Destined by Heaven' who will lead them to fulfill that destiny!
This would enhance the cohesion of the dragon flight and make them more loyal to him.
The White Dragon Therese hadn't expected her proposal to not only gain approval but also receive active support from Garros and Alberto.
She nodded heavily and gave a solemn guarantee.
"I will definitely establish the White Dragon Academy and make it the cradle for the tribe's future powerhouses!"
With that, Therese impatiently spread her dragon wings and, filled with enthusiasm, flew off excitedly to begin the work of site selection and construction.
Garros withdrew his gaze and began training again with single-minded focus.
However, this state of focus did not last long.
His movements suddenly paused slightly, his dragon pupils abruptly contracting. He then looked up toward the southern sky, his sharp gaze seemingly able to penetrate layers of wind and snow to see the scene in a distant land.
The Iron Dragon Sorog's urgent and grave message echoed in his mind.
"Garros! Numerous scouts scattered around the Mushroom King's territory are reporting simultaneously!"
"—In the southwest and southeast regions, on the lands governed by the Mushroom King, extremely violent combat movements have broken out! The commotion is immense, with sword light piercing the sky! Furthermore, a well-equipped human legion with a surging aura is advancing through the territory of the fungal monsters!"
"The specific situation is unclear, but they are coming with fierce momentum."