Translator: AnubisTL
"Ah, there's one more thing I need to report."
As Garos was discussing the situation in the Permafrost Tundra, Iron Dragon Solgorn reported with a grave expression: "I have dispatched ground troops and wyvern knights to pursue the remnants of the Dawn Tribe and Ironblood Tribe who fled north."
"These scattered remnants have split into small groups, and we eliminated some during the pursuit."
"However, a small number managed to escape into the depths of the Northern Ice Plains. Given the terrain limitations, I ordered the ground troops to withdraw, leaving only the wyverns to continue the pursuit toward the Permafrost Tundra."
Solgorn paused slightly before lowering his voice and continuing: "The subsequent pursuit did not go smoothly. Of the three wyverns that entered the ice plains, only one returned safely."
"According to the surviving wyvern, they did indeed catch up to a large group of fugitives."
"However, during the engagement with those barbarians, a group of northern barbarians suddenly appeared. They chose to aid the fugitives and launched a surprise attack against us, resulting in the immediate loss of two wyverns. Only one, wounded, managed to escape."
After hearing Solgorn's report, the Red Iron Dragon Garos's scale-covered forehead furrowed slightly, a thoughtful glint flashing in his vertical pupils.
The Frontierlands, situated at the border between the Permafrost Tundra and the Sierre Wilderness, served as a buffer zone between these two vast regions. Its unique geographical position made it a lawless territory, a no-man's-land where neither side held sway.
The primary threat in the Sierre Wilderness came from the federal garrison, a sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of all monsters.
Meanwhile, the Permafrost Tundra was dominated by two dangerous races: the barbarians and the giants.
The barbarians were a unique species, fundamentally different from humans and orcs.
Though their appearance resembled humans, from a biological standpoint, they belonged to the category of humanoids rather than being close relatives or branches of humanity.
Unlike humans and orcs, who required a class change to gain specialized skills, barbarians often naturally awakened the Berserker Talent. This innate ability allowed them to directly convert their rage into combat power.
One theory suggests that the "barbarian" path in the class system derived its name from this racial trait.
In the early stages of tribal development, the barbarians' difficulty in maintaining sanity while in a berserk state often led to numerous developmental challenges.
When a barbarian tribe grows to a certain size, especially with the increase in spellcasters like sorcerers and shamans, and particularly after the emergence of exceptional leaders who can balance fury with reason, it transforms into a formidable power capable of rivaling the War Cry Tribe and the frost giants on the Permafrost Tundra.
"The War Cry Tribe and the frost giants on the Permafrost Tundra."
"They are not only massive in scale but also possess deep-rooted power, their combined strength rivaling that of large human duchies."
"The war between these two major factions has raged for centuries, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage."
The red-iron dragon silently analyzed the situation in his mind.
His ability to establish a foothold and claim the title of King of the Frontierlands was largely due to the unique geopolitical environment: the federal garrison adopted a laissez-faire attitude toward this buffer zone, while the Northland races viewed it merely as a strategic buffer, considering the tribes originally dwelling there beneath their notice.
It was against this backdrop that the rise of the Ironforged Tribe unified the Frontierlands, transforming this buffer zone into a potential threat. Logically, this would inevitably provoke the hostility and suppression of the Northland powers.
The current peace in the Frontierlands exists only because the barbarians of the Permafrost Tundra and the giants are locked in a protracted war, mutually bogging each other down and temporarily unable to focus on the changes occurring in the border region.
However, once these two major powers cease hostilities and negotiate a peace treaty, they will inevitably strike with thunderous force when they discover that the Ironforged Tribe has completely seized control of the strategic buffer zone between them and the federation. And with their current strength, the Ironforged Tribe would stand no chance against a combined assault by the barbarians and giants.
The reason is simple: both of these major powers are led by legendary-grade leaders.
Garos's title as King of the Frontierlands is actually quite precarious. The Ironforged Tribe merely seized an opportunity to rise amidst the clashing interests of various factions, and they still lag far behind those true behemoths.
"The Frontierlands are ultimately only a transitional phase. I must complete my strategic plans for returning to the Sierre Wilderness before the Northern War ends."
A sense of urgency welled up in the red-iron dragon's heart, but he felt no panic.
The more evenly matched the warring powers, the longer their conflicts tend to last, making it difficult to achieve a decisive victory in the short term.
Neither the barbarians nor the giants were willing to go all-in. Though small-scale conflicts were constant, a decisive, life-or-death battle remained elusive. Unless something drastic happened, this war was likely to drag on for a long time.
This bought Garos valuable time to develop.
"Come to think of it, I only managed to seize control of the Frontierlands because the Northern War flared up again."
"Now, planning to return to the Sierre Wilderness is also due to the impending civil war within the federation, with conflict about to erupt."
"In chaotic times, the more turmoil there is, the more it benefits 'evil dragons' like me to rise and grow."
The red-iron dragon raised his head, gazing toward the vast, boundless horizon.
A gentle breeze swirled dead leaves around him, and a few fell softly onto his black-silver dragon scales. He took a deep breath, suddenly feeling the knot in his chest dissolve.
In times of peace,
a Hybrid Red Iron Dragon like him, born with the label of "evil" and subjected to constant discrimination, would be hunted down by all sides at the slightest display of power, forced to hide and barely survive.
But now, the times had changed.
Fight!
Wage war!
Let the flames of conflict burn even brighter!
Let strife never cease!
Only through this could he snatch opportunities from the flames of chaos and achieve true ascension.
At this, Iron Dragon Solgorn proposed, "I plan to establish more hidden sentries and scouts along the northern border near the Ice Plains, equipping them with advanced communication devices. This will allow us to receive immediate warnings upon detecting any traces of barbarians or giants."
The red-iron dragon exhaled a scorching breath, immersing his thoughts in communication via the bloodline link.
After careful consideration, he responded, "Rather than passively defending, I prefer a strategy of proactive strikes."
"Solgorn, while strengthening the northern border's early warning system is necessary, we must also dispatch elite teams to gather intelligence deep within the Permafrost Tundra."
"This will ensure we learn of any major developments in the tundra region in advance, allowing us to prepare accordingly."
The war in the Frontierlands had now concluded.
The Ironforged Tribe had suitable personnel for such infiltration missions.
Since the Sierre Wilderness era, the Ironforged Clan had systematically cultivated loyalty among its members, consolidating their rule by promoting the greatness of the Lord of the Crimson Wings and the tribe's benevolence.
Don't always ask what the tribe can do for you; think more about what you can contribute to the tribe!
Loyalty! Absolute loyalty to the great Lord of the Crimson Wings!
The tribe's debt can never be repaid!
Through years of subtle indoctrination, these ideals had taken root, and a large number of the younger generation of chosen now burned with fervent devotion to the Ironforged Tribe and the Lord of the Crimson Wings. The kobolds were particularly zealous.
After careful consideration, Solgorn decided to select elite members from among these loyalists for special training.
Then,
He secretly dispatched them to the Ice Plains Region to infiltrate the northern barbarians and frost giants as spies or undercover agents. If direct infiltration proved impossible, they were to retreat to a secondary plan: gathering intelligence from other Northland races.
He reported his plan to Garos, who swiftly approved and endorsed it.
Immediately after, Garos unfurled his crimson dragon wings and soared into the sky.
The handling of the fierce giant deer and its territory mirrored the previous subjugation of the white tiger: the Ironforged Tribe would dispatch guards to take control, while allowing the wild monster lord to remain in place, provided it remained at the tribe's beck and call and fought for them when required.
With the submission of the final wild monster lord, the last piece of the puzzle fell into place. The Ironforged Tribe had finally achieved complete control over the Frontierlands, with only one exception—the abyssal rift.
Several days later, a frigid wind swept in from the Ice Plains, bringing with it heavy snowfall that quickly blanketed the vast land in a layer of silver.
On the Fertile Plains in the southwest of the Frontierlands, White Dragon Treacy and Half-Centaur Elvie led their elite forces in establishing a tightly fortified defensive line centered around the abyssal rift. They guarded this dangerous area day and night without respite.
For a long time, the limited scale of the spatial portal meant that only low-level demons such as quasits, imps, and fiends emerged from the rift. Even the occasional elite demon proved no match for the combined strength of the white dragon and the centaur chiefs, quickly being eliminated. These fallen demons became valuable abyssal materials, traded through the Gemstone Merchant Guild's network and bringing considerable profits to the Ironforged Tribe.
(End of the Chapter)
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