Several days later.
The wide Dragon Wings, adorned with crimson patterns, slowly unfurled, revealing two intertwined Dragon bodies beneath.
Their Dragon Tails were tightly coiled like embracing serpents, their bodies, covered in scales of varying colors and textures, pressed close together. The scales rubbed against each other with every subtle movement, producing a rustling, metallic sound.
"Hoo… hoo…"
Copper-Silver Dragon Deborah's chest heaved violently, her breathing heavy and rapid.
Due to the intensity of the previous battle, many fine cracks now marred her beautifully arranged, shimmering silver and honey-colored scales. Some of the most stressed areas were even oozing fresh blood. In contrast, Red Iron Dragon Galos's thick, black-red scales only bore a few faint, inconspicuous scratches and a small amount of melting frost and ice crystals.
The Copper-Silver Dragon was utterly exhausted.
Galos, however, appeared calm and composed, seemingly effortlessly.
After only a brief rest, the Red Iron Dragon's powerful muscles flexed and bulged once more.
He lowered his head and gently bit the Copper-Silver Dragon's slender, graceful nape with his sharp teeth.
"Wait… wait, Galos."
"I… I really can't go on."
The Copper-Silver Dragon's voice was hoarse and weary as she pleaded for mercy.
Galos was simply too strong; she felt as if her bones were about to fall apart.
Whether it was his formidable Dragon form, his powerful human form, or any other possible shape, she was no match for him. His body, tempered through a thousand trials, was as hard as refined steel.
The Red Iron Dragon no longer insisted and released his bite.
After catching her breath a few more times, and her still-rapid heartbeat had somewhat settled.
The Copper-Silver Dragon gently rested her head against the Red Iron Dragon's sturdy neck and softly said, "Galos, I know that with your excellence and power, you will certainly have more than one companion in the future."
She paused, then continued, "I won't restrict you with the Metallic Dragon's concepts, but you must promise me this."
"—No matter what the future holds, I must always hold the most important place in your heart."
"This is my only request, or rather, hope."
Her voice was soft, yet very earnest.
In Dragon society, since ancient times, it has always been a stark reality where the strong are revered.
Unless the strength of two Dragons can consistently remain equal, the stronger party will naturally attract and be surrounded by many members of the opposite sex who desire to attach themselves or are simply drawn to them.
This was not only the norm for the five-colored Evil Dragons.
Even among the Metallic Dragons, similar situations were not uncommon.
Copper-Silver Dragon Deborah saw this very clearly.
She knew that Galos was like the most dazzling torch in the darkness, destined to attract countless gazes of admiration or affection wherever he went.
Rather than trying to set rules for him, which might ultimately lead to him resenting her.
It was better to give him the freedom to choose from the very beginning.
At the same time, under this given premise, she wanted to ensure that the imprint she left in his heart was the deepest and that her position was the most unshakable.
This was also why she decided not to wait for the final two years.
She did not want any accidents to occur, leading to some'seductive Dragons' in her eyes, such as the Blue Dragon Zoraya, with her alluring Dragon Horns and perpetually captivating gaze, having the chance to get ahead.
That would cause her endless regret.
Beside her, the Red Iron Dragon was silent for a few seconds, his Dragon Eyes reflecting the Copper-Silver Dragon's slightly uneasy face.
He did not immediately offer those easy and sweet promises. Instead, he slowly spoke, using a low and magnetic voice, uttering the riddle the Copper-Silver Dragon liked most.
"In this vast and boundless world, there is a unique existence."
"It was born in a land of bitter cold where blizzards raged, yet it burns hotter than molten lava, scorching the heart."
"It once clashed with me, viewing me as an enemy, yet ultimately chose to follow closely in the shadow of my wings."
"It has personally witnessed my rise from obscurity, step by step, and is destined to accompany me until the end of the world; it once admired the dancing blizzards in the sky with me, and together we forged the initial foundation of Burning Steel Fortress."
"Tell me, Deborah, what is it?"
The answer was already on the tip of her tongue.
Copper-Silver Dragon Deborah was slightly startled at first, then a brilliant smile bloomed on her beautiful Dragon face, and her previous apprehension and unease vanished in that instant.
Her long Dragon Tail flicked up, once again coiling around the Red Iron Dragon's powerful body.
Time passed unhurriedly.
Soon, several more days had gone by.
The Red Iron Dragon emerged from the depths of the fortress for the first time, standing on the high platform, taking a deep breath of the cool, fresh air outside, feeling his lungs expand, and simultaneously stretching and moving all his muscles, bones, and wings.
Because the long-suppressed desires had been fully released and satisfied, he felt that the circulation of Dragon Qi within him seemed smoother than ever, and even his thoughts became clear and sharp.
The entire Dragon was in a state of calm and refreshed mind.
As for the Copper-Silver Dragon, she had fallen into a deep sleep and had not yet woken up.
The physical disparity between the two was indeed too great. This period of time was no less draining for Deborah than a fierce and prolonged battle. After everything ended, she was almost instantly overwhelmed by exhaustion, falling into a deep rest to recover from the immense physical and mental expenditure.
Galos still felt a lingering sense of unfulfillment.
However, considering the Copper-Silver Dragon's current state, and the fact that he had indeed neglected a good deal of training time for this, he felt that he could no longer indulge himself. It was time to resume his rigorous daily training.
Indulging in desires could only be an occasional adjustment in life.
Adhering to his true nature was the norm for him, Galos.
With his mind made up, the Red Iron Dragon gently flapped his wings, and his massive body gracefully ascended. After circling Dragon Valley a few times to fully activate his muscle groups, he landed steadily on the training ground at the bottom of the valley.
On the other side, Gold Dragon Alberto was engaged in his morning exercises.
He was steaming with heat, evidently having been training for some time.
Seeing the Red Iron Dragon, who he hadn't seen in a while, finally appear, Alberto paused his claw-wielding movements.
He approached with some curiosity, asking doubtfully, "Galos? You've been staying cooped up in the fortress all this time. What have you been doing? It's truly rare for you to break your daily training routine."
Galos glanced at him and casually replied, "Sleeping."
Hearing this, Gold Dragon Alberto shook his head slightly, his face displaying an expression of 'you've fallen from grace.'
"No severe injuries requiring recuperation, no excessive fatigue from overtraining, just choosing to sleep, and for so many days… Galos, you've become complacent!"
As he spoke, Alberto suddenly seemed to remember something.
He annoyingly flicked his golden-scaled tail.
That's not right! Why am I reminding him? Isn't this my perfect opportunity to surpass him? I should be encouraging him to sleep more and rest more!
He thought to himself.
But this thought was fleeting.
Soon, he had a change of heart and felt relieved.
"No, that's not good either."
"A Red Iron Dragon who is content with mediocrity and willingly slackens off, even if ultimately surpassed by me, will not bring me any true sense of accomplishment or glory."
Thinking this, Alberto decided to use provocation.
He puffed out his chest and continued to the Red Iron Dragon, "What? Do you think that now that you've reached level 20 and your strength has greatly increased, you no longer need to undergo the monotonous but necessary daily training as you did in the past?"
"If you really think that, then just wait to be completely surpassed by me!"
"Galos, you must know that while you were diligently training, I, Alberto, was also sweating, never stopping; and while you chose to sleep and rest, I, Alberto, was still diligently honing myself!"
"I am not a Dragon content with being left behind or with mediocrity."
He said in a deep voice, "Just wait. The day you lose to me, I will make sure you experience what it's like to bear heavy debts."
Although his original intention was to motivate Galos to get back on track, as he spoke, Alberto couldn't help but immerse himself in a beautiful fantasy, vivid and wonderful images appearing in his mind.
For example, the Red Iron Dragon, in order to repay a huge battle debt, would have to accept his various commissions.
The Red Iron Dragon would disguise himself as a terrifying ancient Evil Dragon, appearing in a large human or elf settlement, baring his fangs and claws, creating panic.
Then, just as this Evil Dragon was about to commit atrocities and the populace fell into despair.
The great Golden Order, Alberto Aurelius, would descend like a divine soldier, and after a thrilling battle for justice, he would ultimately defeat the terrifying Evil Dragon under the gaze of all, saving the common people!
At that time, he would surely reap an abundance of praise, worship, and glory.
His title of Golden Order would also spread far and wide with this heroic deed, sung by countless beings.
Soon after, Alberto snapped out of his intoxicating fantasy, preparing to discuss the issue of diligence and complacency with the Red Iron Dragon again, only to find that the Red Iron Dragon's figure was no longer before him.
He turned his head in confusion.
The Red Iron Dragon had already begun his daily training with great fervor at the other end of the training ground, not wasting another second chatting with him.
Seeing this, Alberto also put aside all distractions.
He said no more, rededicating himself to his arduous training, determined not to be left too far behind.
After some time, White Dragon Tracy, completely white and emanating a biting chill, slowly flapped her wings and flew over.
She waited patiently until Galos completed a set of high-intensity explosive training and had a brief intermission before approaching him.
Under the Red Iron Dragon's gaze, White Dragon Tracy came straight to the point, saying, "Galos, there is something that requires your consent."
Galos was concise: "Speak."
Tracy organized her words and said, "As the tribe has developed to this point, the Young Dragons and hatchlings who were originally sent to the Borderlands have generally grown into adolescent Dragons, and their size and required activity space have greatly increased."
"Moreover, according to the current trend, more newborn hatchlings will continue to be sent to the Borderlands for nurturing and protection in the future."
"Although Dragon Valley is vast, if this continues long-term, it may not be able to accommodate such a large number of Dragons."
She paused, then presented her idea: "Therefore, I hope to open up an independent territory outside, at a suitable location, specifically as a place for the centralized education and nurturing of Young Dragons and hatchlings."
Hearing this, Galos pondered for a moment, then nodded.
He had also noticed the problems brought by the increasing number of Dragons.
For the tribe to develop healthily, a continuous increase in the Dragon population was an inevitable trend. Planning ahead and establishing a dedicated breeding base in advance was indeed a wise move.
"Granted."
"Since this is your idea, you will be fully responsible for selecting the site and establishing it."
He approved.
"It sounds somewhat similar to our Dragon Domain's Young Dragon Academy."
Gold Dragon Alberto, who was also listening during his training break, interjected.
"In the Dragon Domain, newborn hatchlings, once they reach a certain age, are also gathered for unified education."
"However, what is taught there is mostly old-fashioned content like peaceful coexistence and adherence to rules, which is mundane and boring. I never liked it much as a child."
Hearing this, White Dragon Tracy grinned, revealing a smile.
"Academy? Alberto, you've reminded me."
"Then, this place will henceforth be named White Dragon Academy."
"However, I will not teach hypocritical peace and rigid rules like the Metallic Dragons."
"In my White Dragon Academy, the most important lesson is to make every hatchling clearly understand their ecological niche within the Dragon Group and in the world!"
As the principal, Tracy's days would certainly be more enjoyable then.
The Gold Dragon thought for a moment, then spoke, saying, "Once your White Dragon Academy is built, remember to notify me."
"I can, in my spare time, serve as a special guest Gold Dragon lecturer and teach those hatchlings some… well, important knowledge."
For example, his deeply held theory of charisma.
Although this theory was proposed by Galos, he felt that as the first practitioner outside of Galos, he was fully qualified and obligated to promote it.
On the other side, hearing Tracy and Alberto's conversation, Galos also felt a spark of interest.
He said, "Once your academy is officially built and operational, I will also occasionally visit and guide those outstanding hatchlings."
For example, he could impart the theory of destiny.
Although this was initially just his Dragon Brother Gordon's radical opinion, he felt that as Gordon's elder brother and the King of Molten Iron, he was fully qualified to refine and elevate it.
At that time, he could tell those Young Dragons:
Loyalty to the Ignas Dragon Group and fighting for the great King of Molten Iron was their innate destiny, and he, Galos, was the 'Destined Dragon' who would lead them to fulfill their destiny!
This would strengthen the cohesion of the Dragon Group and make them more loyal to him.
White Dragon Tracy had not expected her proposal to not only be approved but also receive active support from Galos and Alberto.
She nodded heavily, solemnly assuring him.
"I will certainly establish the White Dragon Academy and make it the cradle of future powerhouses for the tribe!"
After speaking, Tracy eagerly spread her Dragon Wings and, filled with enthusiasm, excitedly flew off to begin dealing with matters related to site selection and establishment.
Galos retracted his gaze and resumed his training with single-minded focus.
However, this state of concentration did not last long.
His movements suddenly paused slightly, his Dragon Eyes abruptly contracted, and then he looked up at the southern sky, his sharp gaze seemingly able to penetrate layers of wind and snow to see the distant landscape.
Iron Dragon Sorog's urgent and solemn emergency message boomed in his mind.
"Galos! Numerous scouts dispersed around Fungus King's Territory have simultaneously reported!"
"—In the southwest and southeast regions, above the lands controlled by the Fungus King, extremely fierce battle commotion has erupted, vast in scale, with sword gleams soaring to the sky! Furthermore, well-equipped human legions, with surging momentum, are advancing through the fungal monsters' territory!"
"The specific situation is unclear, but they are coming with great force."