Translator: AnubisTL
Morning light pierced through the clouds, painting the entire sky a translucent blue. The reflection shimmered on the lake in Dragon Valley like a massive sapphire until gentle ripples shattered the sky's image into shimmering fragments.
"Here's the 95 black oil you requested," Samantha said, pushing a large barrel of black oil toward Garos. Her voice was calm, but a hint of anticipation lingered beneath the surface.
Her tail tip unconsciously flicked, her gaze drifting toward the red-iron dragon.
Garos understood the red dragon's unspoken desires perfectly. He grinned, revealing a fierce yet satisfied smile. "Well done."
The red dragon's tail swished more vigorously, sparks of joy escaping from the gaps between her scales.
But her tone soon shifted to regret. "Unfortunately, my technique isn't refined enough. I couldn't control the heat precisely, and the furnace's limitations hindered the purification efficiency, resulting in significant losses."
Since her defeat by the white dragon, Samantha had matured considerably.
In the past, she would never have admitted her shortcomings, instead blaming the inadequacy of her tools.
"It's already sufficient," Garos said, tapping the black oil barrel with his claw, producing a dull thud. "Your skills will only grow more refined. One day, you'll forge alchemical creations that will shake the entire Bernardo continent. I eagerly await that day."
Red dragons couldn't be suppressed through punishment alone.
After discipline, appropriate encouragement was equally crucial.
Garos understood this principle deeply.
He even considered compiling these insights into a "Dragon Taming Art" to be included in the inheritance, leaving it for future generations.
As this thought crossed his mind, Garos suddenly wondered:
"If I have descendants in the future, will they inherit my adaptive evolution Talent?"
"Innate talents are rarely passed down. It's unlikely."
"Then what about the traits I've already evolved? Like explosive scales, Celestial Comet Wings, and frenzy state. Will all these traits be inherited, or only some?"
This question, the inheritance could not answer.
He would have to investigate this matter later.
At the same moment, the thought of descendants suddenly ignited a surge of heat within Garos.
Images flooded his mind: the red copper dragon he had defeated, Samantha before him, White Dragon Treacy, the beautiful centaur with mixed elf blood, Frostfang, who yearned to serve him. Nearly every female he had encountered flashed through his thoughts.
Claim all the females!
Crush, conquer, and repeatedly humiliate his female enemies!
Make them his exclusive playthings!
Force them to bear his offspring!
These violent desires surged within him like molten lava.
The instincts of an evil dragon burned fiercely.
Though his iron dragon bloodline typically restrained him, the hedonistic nature of his red dragon bloodline now overwhelmed Garos.
Hah...
The red-iron dragon exhaled deeply, his scorching breath condensing into white mist in the crisp morning air.
With ironclad will, he suppressed the heat, banishing each sensual thought from his mind.
I cannot be ruled by instinct.
Now is not the time to indulge my desires.
Garos gradually regained his composure.
The current environment remained unstable, fraught with danger.
Only once the situation stabilized and fewer threats needed addressing could he consider indulging these urges and procreating.
"My lord," Russell, the dragon-blood werewolf commander of the Crimson Iron Cavalry, reported.
It's worth noting that Elvie, the hybrid centaur, had harbored ambitions to seize the cavalry command from Russell. However, Garos had suppressed her aspirations. Russell's loyalty and leadership skills had been proven over time, and as a dragon blood retainer, he held a higher position than Elvie.
Within the Ironforged Clan, strength was a major factor in determining a familiar's rank.
Yet even more crucial than strength was Garos's will.
If he so desired, even the lowliest kobold could rise to become a Warband Leader.
"We've confirmed five Bloodhoof Clan strongholds. Three are smaller, lightly guarded outposts, while the other two are heavily fortified by minotaurs," Russell said, bowing his head.
"Focus on the key points first," Garos said, turning to the werewolf.
"The Obsidian Mine and the armored rhinoceros Ranch."
The werewolf Russell reported, "The Bloodhoof Clan's primary resource is the Obsidian Mine. They enslave creatures from other races to mine the ore. They also raise armored rhinoceros, selecting the finest specimens as mounts to train cavalry. The rest are slaughtered for meat. The armored rhinoceros ranch serves as the minotaurs' main source of meat and fodder."
Minotaurs are omnivorous.
Their staple diet consists of vegetation like grass, tender leaves, fruits, and melons. However, they also consume meat, and prolonged meat deprivation weakens them and stunts their growth.
After a pause, Russell added, "During our reconnaissance, we were spotted by a minotaur sentry."
"Oddly, after their patrol team discovered us, they only gave chase for about half a mile before retreating."
Dragon Leader Tasha landed before Garos and said, "The Bloodhoof Clan lacks effective countermeasures against the wyvern flock's harassment. They now largely ignore us, focusing on passive defense with occasional counterattacks."
Having heard the reports from the werewolf and the dragon leader...
Garos narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
Red Dragon Samantha snorted flames from her nostrils and suggested, "The Bloodhoof Clan fears Dragon Valley."
"Garos, they're not as strong as you think," White Dragon Treacy added, nodding in rare agreement with the red dragon. "I believe the most efficient approach would be to assemble the legion and crush their main camp directly."
Treacy continued, "Minotaurs are stubborn creatures. They're easily provoked into a frenzy, and their submissive behavior proves they're the weaker party."
Hearing their arguments, Garos found himself harboring similar thoughts.
As a Red Iron Hybrid, he naturally favored direct, decisive combat. His instinct was to fly over the Bloodhoof Clan's territory, destroy their defenses, and then decide whether to subdue or annihilate them based on their reaction.
However, Garos's rationality, combined with a martial dragon's keen sense of danger, made him uneasy. He sensed something amiss.
Garos summoned Vera and took a few sips of fresh scale powder from the fairy dragon.
Since Vera became a Dreamweaver, her scale powder had become even more potent.
The stimulant activated his mind, flooding his vision with vibrant colors. Garos's thoughts raced, his mind a whirlwind of analysis.
"According to the centaurs' descriptions, the Bloodhoof Clan is no ordinary clan."
"Their ability to establish multiple strongholds in the Borderlands and continuously expand their territory is something few clans can achieve."
"Yet now, despite the wyverns' provocations and the cavalry's reconnaissance, they've chosen to endure."
Garos's analysis grew more comprehensive. "Either they truly lack the means to respond, or they're preoccupied with other matters, or—they're feigning weakness."
He immediately dismissed the first possibility.
Unlike the red and white dragons, Garos was meticulous and cautious. If the Bloodhoof Clan were truly so weak, they wouldn't inspire such fear in the centaurs. The White Mane Clan's centaurs, who once dared to hunt white dragons, lacked the courage to confront the Bloodhoof Clan.
"Other matters or enemies are restraining the Bloodhoof Clan, or they're feigning weakness."
"The werewolves and wyverns haven't detected any conflict or war between the Bloodhoof Clan and other factions."
"If they're feigning weakness—why would they do that?"
"If they were merely dealing with the wyvern flock and scouting cavalry, the Bloodhoof Clan would have no reason to feign weakness. Unless... my presence, or the existence of other dragons, has already been exposed."
At this thought, Garos's mind paused.
Exposure seemed the most likely explanation.
Moreover, the minotaurs' show of weakness didn't necessarily indicate fear of dragonkind.
If they truly feared dragons, they would have chosen to migrate or pledge allegiance. Their current feigned weakness instead revealed the Bloodhoof Clan's hidden ambitions.
Garos slowly exhaled, his spirit gradually calming.
"Whether it's feigned weakness or some other constraint..."
"A simple test will reveal their true intentions. Let's see how they react."
Garos's gaze burned like a torch. He wouldn't rush to attack their main camp based solely on the Bloodhoof Clan's current behavior.
Other juvenile dragons, or even adult dragons, might have acted impulsively.
But Garos maintained a steady composure, choosing a more cautious approach.
(End of the Chapter)