new calendar year 362, spring.
Dusk arrived quietly as it always did, with only a trace of faded orange remaining on the horizon, and the clouds moving slowly.
There was no earth-shaking tremor, no brilliant rays of light.
It was after such an ordinary twilight that the Red Emperor, Garos Ignis, felt his consciousness gradually sink and fall into silence, officially entering the long slumber that every adult Dragon must undergo.
The Aura Kingdom, which carried the Emperor's will, did not stagnate because of this.
This behemoth, composed of Dragons and many other races, after undergoing a brief adjustment as natural as a breath, continued to function according to the strategy formulated by the monarch before his slumber.
Powerful legions remained stationed at various strategic passes, and war banners snapped in the biting wind.
The armor of the soldiers and the scales of the Dragonborn shimmered with a cold, hard luster under the sunlight.
But the changes were clear.
The horns of attack no longer sounded, and large-scale forward reconnaissance and cross-border deterrence operations had almost vanished.
Patrol shifts became more regular, defense lines were repeatedly reinforced and repaired, and the strategic focus shifted from the sharp advance of territorial expansion to the impregnable defense of what had been gained.
Within the vast territory, the keynote of development also turned toward deep cultivation and accumulation.
Due to the Emperor's explicit instructions before his slumber, a previously ignored focus began to be directed toward those areas that had once been overshadowed by war.
—The Legacy of knowledge, and the nurturing of the people.
"A kingdom that only knows how to wield swords is crude and fragile."
This quote from the Red Emperor was carved onto the Foundation stone of every newly established academy.
The "Basic Knowledge Academy," first established in the Crimson Flame Royal City, quickly became a model, subsequently springing up in town after town across the frontier and the hinterlands.
These academies were open to the children of all free citizens, teaching the most basic writing, arithmetic, and the general history of the kingdom.
The language curriculum mainly consisted of two types.
One was the Dragon language, serving as the official language and administrative language of Aura; the second was the Common Tongue, to facilitate communication with other races.
The textbooks were vetted, removing content that might shake loyalty to the Emperor and the kingdom, and incorporating numerous chapters praising the Emperor's great deeds and Legendary epics, allowing the concept of loyalty to take root in the minds of the younger generation alongside literacy and numeracy.
On the other hand, large-scale conquest and predatory resource acquisition were paused, replaced by the meticulous management of the territories already under control.
In the kingdom's hinterlands, artisans and farmers of various settled races were organized to receive instruction in basic agronomy, water conservancy, and mineral prospecting.
In a relatively stable environment, combined with the field guidance of Aura scholars, wasteland was systematically reclaimed, long-neglected irrigation canals were dredged, and some cold- and drought-resistant crop varieties were promoted.
Mineral extraction abandoned the previous method of draining the pond to catch the fish, turning instead to emphasize planning and long-term utilization to extend the lifespan of the veins.
Roads connecting major towns and resource production areas were widened and tamped down to be more solid, and regularly patrolling guards ensured the safety of caravans, allowing supplies to circulate more smoothly within the territory.
Everything seemed calm and steady, yet permeated with a solid sense of prosperity.
The entire Aura Kingdom, like a Dragon coiled in its lair, retracted its sharp claws and edges reaching toward the distance, curling its massive body more tightly, focusing on polishing its scales, strengthening its sinews and bones, and digesting the harvest already in its belly, while watching the ever-changing world outside the lair with a vigilant and calm gaze.
It was waiting, and also gathering strength.
However, time never paused for the slumber of any monarch, nor did it accelerate for the development of any kingdom.
It was like an invisible hand, gently plucking at all things in the world.
Every seemingly minor choice, every inadvertent encounter, was, under its manipulation, either quietly diverted, drifting further and further apart, or suddenly intertwined, knotted into a web.
Unconsciously, the seeds of a new story arc had already been sown.
Some were obscure, eventually dissipating with the wind; others were silently brewing, destined to eventually be widely spread.
The wind rose from the tips of the green duckweed, clouds surged between the deep valleys, all things changed their trajectories in silence, and the gears of fate were slowly turning.
new calendar year 364, Feywild, Verdant Homeland.
The scenery here was slightly different from the Material Plane, with views like spring all year round.
Glowing moss, like a soft emerald carpet, covered the woodlands and hillsides; giant flowers, like colorful lanterns, bloomed quietly from hanging vines, emitting a soft halo and a delicate fragrance; clear streams meandered through, and the floating singing lotuses on the water played crisp notes in the breeze.
This place was a paradise for many gentle Fey creatures.
Flower Fairies danced lightly among the bushes, little tree spirits peeked out from behind tree trunks, and light elves traced shimmering trajectories in the air like fireflies.
At this moment, almost all the Fey were gathered in a forest clearing, forming a loose circle, looking toward the center with excitement and awe.
Standing there was a Red Iron Dragon over forty meters long.
Its scales had a metallic luster interwoven with dark red and deep black, shimmering with a cold, hard texture under the gentle light of the homeland; energy like magma veins flowed slowly on the membranes of its half-spread wings; jagged dragon horns and dorsal spines pointed straight to the sky, and its deep black vertical pupils looked calmly ahead.
And on the ground in front of the Dragon, there was only a patch of charred ash.
It could vaguely be seen that it was the outline left behind after some kind of massive creature had fallen.
This was the remains of a Rotting Earth Behemoth.
"Lady Vera! That was amazing! That was amazing!"
The Flower Fairies chirped as they flew closer, circling the dragon's head, scattering twinkling rainbow dust.
The little tree spirits ran out from their hiding places, jumping and shouting around the Dragon's tracks; the light elves flocked over, causing a dreamy river of starlight to surround the Dragon.
Hum!
With a surge of light, the massive Red Iron Dragon's form rapidly shrank and changed, finally transforming back into the Fairy Dragon Vera, familiar to everyone.
"Everyone, calm down, calm down."
"I hadn't even gotten serious, and this clumsy fellow already fell; it's really not worth mentioning."
The Fairy Dragon curled her lip and said nonchalantly.
However, her straight-backed posture, slightly squinted eyes, and happy, crooked mouth completely betrayed the pride in her heart.
The Rotting Earth Behemoth was a polluting monster that appeared periodically in the Feywild.
They were formed from rotting soil, withered plants, and accumulated negative emotions, shaped like moving small hills, with foul-smelling mushrooms and wriggling vines growing on their bodies.
This kind of monster would devour glowing moss, pollute clean streams, and turn beautiful gardens into foul-smelling swamps.
In the past, every time the behemoth attacked, the Fey of the homeland had to pay a significant price to repel or kill it, but now, the situation was different.
Because they had "Lady Vera."
A few years ago, the Fairy Dragon Vera returned to the Verdant Homeland.
The young Fey felt unfamiliar with this suddenly appearing kin, and the older generation who remembered her were also quite surprised by her changes.
Vera quickly integrated into the collective in her own unique way.
She used harmless pigments to draw fun patterns on the Flower Fairies' wings, taught the little tree spirits to play novel games she learned from the outside world, and would tell stories of the Material Plane that fascinated the Fey the most by the campfire at night.
She told of how she struggled in that distant and dangerous world to obtain powerful transformation skills; how she took the alias "Garos Ignis," rose from the perilous wilderness, united clans, recruited tribes, defeated strong enemies, and finally established a massive kingdom; and how a weak Fairy Dragon became the "Red Emperor," revered by countless creatures.
These stories were full of details and vivid.
For most Fey who had never left the Feywild, it was simply a Legendary epic.
Of course, there were Fey who privately questioned whether some plot points were too bizarre or if the details couldn't stand up to scrutiny, but all these doubts vanished when a Rotting Earth Behemoth attacked.
When that foul-smelling, massive monster trampled the mossy ground again, the Fey were in a panic.
But Vera flew out calmly, transformed into the Red Iron Dragon in full view of everyone, and in just ten breaths' time, her scorching Dragon Breath turned the behemoth into ashes all over the ground.
From that day on, all suspicious gazes turned into worship and awe.
Vera became the recognized guardian of the Verdant Homeland, the most powerful Fey, and the hero who brought miracles.
Flower Fairies wove fresh flower crowns for her every day, little tree spirits offered the sweetest berries, light elves held exclusive glowing dance parties for her under the night sky, and even Fey from neighboring regions traveled thousands of miles just to see this Red Emperor with their own eyes.
"Lady Vera... can, can you transform one more time? Just once..."
A palm-sized little Flower Fairy with wings as thin as cicada wings flew closer timidly, looking up at the Fairy Dragon with bright, sparkling eyes, and requested in a small voice, "Just... turn into the 'Red Emperor'..."
The surroundings suddenly fell silent, and then more expectant gazes were cast over.
Although they had seen it several times, the shock brought by that majestic body and immense power could make the Fey's hearts race every time.
If it were a strange behemoth from the outside world, they would only be afraid.
But because they knew it was transformed from the Fairy Dragon, their awe was filled with pride and longing.
Vera blinked her eyes, looked around at the faces full of worship, and the pride in her heart almost overflowed.
She cleared her throat deliberately, putting on an expression of "Since you are so earnest, I will reluctantly agree."
"Alright, just this once, watch carefully; this is the symbol of power, the embodiment of majesty, it is..."
"Vera."
A gentle but implicitly worried voice came from behind the Fey.
The Fey all quieted down and cleared a path.
Walking over was an elegant Unicorn, with a mane as silver-white as moonlight, a crystal-clear horn on its forehead, and an Aura of steady antiquity emanating from its whole body.
The true guardian of the Verdant Homeland, Elder Alvin.
The Unicorn walked slowly to Vera's front, its clear eyes gazing at her.
"Have you forgotten my warning from last time again?"
Vera's wings involuntarily tucked in a little.
Of course she remembered.
Half a year ago, after she used the Red Emperors Descent Technique to drive away a pack of dire wolves, Alvin had a serious, long talk with her.
The Unicorn Elder pointed out that she needed rest now; that transformation skill, every time it was used, consumed her life Origin and accelerated her aging process.
"You are no longer young, Vera," Alvin said, "The lifespan of a Fairy Dragon is inherently limited, and you are already long-lived among your kind; frequently using power that exceeds your own limits will only make your remaining time pass faster."
At this moment, facing the Elder's worried gaze, Vera puffed out her chest again.
"Elder Alvin, you are overthinking it!" She responded in a cheerful and confident tone, "I am Lady Vera, who established a kingdom in the Material Plane! This little consumption is nothing at all."
She turned her head and grinned at the expectant little Flower Fairy: "Watch closely, little one!"
Boom!
Light burst forth, her petite form expanded rapidly, scales interwoven with dark red and deep black covered her whole body again, and the forty-plus-meter Red Iron Dragon stood in the clearing, her wings spread, casting a large shadow.
"Waaaah—!"
The Fey gasped in unison, and although some timid ones subconsciously took half a step back, the excitement and worship in their eyes far outweighed the fear.
The little Flower Fairy flew happily onto the Dragon's front claw, other Fey also gathered around, some climbed onto the dragon's back, some gently touched the cold scales, and some flew and played around the dragon's wings.
The Red Iron Dragon stood quietly, letting the Fey play on her, appearing very patient.
Sunlight shone through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled light spots on the dark red scales; in the distance, the stream gurgled, the singing lotuses hummed softly, and together with the laughter and humming of the Fey nearby, it formed a strange and harmonious picture.
A majestic beast, and a gentle paradise.
Alvin stood quietly to the side watching, with no blame in its eyes, only deep worry.
As the guardian, it could see more.
Inside that magnificent dragon body, Vera's life fire was weakening; every heartbeat and breath was burning the little Origin she had left.
"Enough, Vera."
About ten minutes later, Alvin spoke again, its voice gentle but firm, "Change back."
The Red Iron Dragon lowered her head, locking eyes with the Unicorn's calm gaze for a moment.
Light surged again, the massive body shrank, and in an instant, she changed back into the Fairy Dragon form.
Vera's wings drooped slightly, her breathing was slightly rapid, but she immediately straightened her body, trying to make her expression look relaxed and at ease.
"Did you see that, Elder Alvin?"
She said with a smile, "I told you this little consumption is nothing."
She turned to look at the Fey who were still immersed in excitement and raised her voice: "Everyone, no need to worry! Lady Vera will sooner or later be recognized by the ancestral land, receive the baptism of the origin breath, reshape the Foundation of her life, and live out a brand-new second life!"
"Haha, when I return to the Material Plane, I'll take you all to play in my kingdom!"
The surrounding Fey jumped and cheered: "Yay, yay! We want to go to the Material Plane too!"
Alvin stepped forward slowly, lowering his head to lightly touch Vera's forehead with the unicorn horn on his brow.
A stream of cool, gentle energy flowed in, slightly easing the Fairy Dragon's fatigue.
"Vera," the unicorn said softly, "you don't always have to put on a brave face in front of everyone. We all know you are strong, and we all know you are the hero of the Homeland."
"But even heroes need to be protected, and heroes have the right to feel tired."
Vera was stunned for a moment.
She saw her own reflection in Alvin's clear eyes.
A Fairy Dragon whose scales were graying at the edges, whose wing membranes had developed fine wrinkles, and whose iridescent luster was not as bright as it used to be.
That was not the version of herself she remembered.
In the Material Plane, when she was by Galos's side, although she was the smallest in size, she was always the one with the brightest colors, the most active, and seemingly endless energy.
She had jumped around on the armrests of the throne, darted through the long corridors, and played countless harmless pranks...
At that time, she always felt that aging was a distant matter that had nothing to do with her.
"I..."
Vera opened her mouth, her expression dimming; she wanted to say something, but it stuck in her throat.
Just then.
Hum!
The entire Verdant Homeland trembled slightly.
All the glowing moss brightened at the same instant, the hanging lantern flowers swayed without wind, and the singing lotus in the stream played clear musical scales in unison.
The Fey stopped in astonishment, looking around.
Then, they saw that in the oldest and tallest cluster of giant trees on the east side, the texture of all the trees revealed a soft golden glow at the same time. The light flowed and gathered along the branches and veins, eventually forming a pure pillar of light that shot into the sky, piercing through the clouds and rippling across the azure canopy.
"The ancestral land... the ancestral land is calling..."
Alvin looked up and murmured, his voice full of awe.
All the Fey held their breath.
They understood what this sight meant; the ancestral land had recognized a certain Fey and was about to bestow the Legendary baptism of the origin breath!
Hum!
At the same instant, a soft yet brilliant golden pillar of light descended from the sky, accurately enveloping Vera.
Warm, abundant, and vital energy wrapped around her whole body like a hot spring, dispelling all fatigue and weakness.
This was merely the aftermath of the light shining upon her.
If she could truly receive the baptism... A strong sense of anticipation and joy welled up in Vera's heart.
Just wait, Galos, I will definitely go back! In a brand-new, more powerful form!
The Fairy Dragon let out a comfortable moan, and the gloom in her eyes was swept away.
"Vera, go, child," Alvin walked up to her, his eyes full of gratification and blessing, "This is the opportunity you deserve."
Vera took a deep breath and turned to look around.
The Fey were looking at her with eyes mixed with envy, admiration, and sincere blessings.
The Fairy Dragon's mouth slowly curled up, she straightened her back, spread her wings, and let her scales shimmer between the golden light and iridescence.
Then, she looked at the Unicorn Elder and said in a relaxed tone as if she were just going for a walk in the woods: "You see, Elder Alvin, I said that the great Lady Vera would live out a second life."
Alvin was silent for a moment, a look of helplessness and tenderness flashing in the depths of his eyes.
This child, who did she learn this tone from?
The little Fairy Dragon in his memory who only mischievously pulled his mane had become... more and more inscrutable after a trip to the Material Plane.
Vera did not delay any longer, her wings fluttered lightly, and she flew towards the ancestral land, following the guidance of the pillar of light.
The golden light gradually gathered as she approached, and finally, together with her figure, submerged into the depths of the ancient giant forest and disappeared.
That year, the Fairy Dragon Vera, in the Verdant Homeland of the Feywild, was recognized by the ancestral land and received the baptism of the origin breath.
The invisible hand of time flicked again, and the gears of fate continued to turn.
new calendar year 368, Xio Kingdom, Royal Capital, Silverglow City.
The early spring sunlight pierced through the thin haze that hung over the city all year round, casting faint shadows on the white marble buildings.
The streets were crowded with people, packed tightly.
Citizens, merchants, minor nobles, and men and women who looked like Casters were all standing on tiptoe, craning their necks, their eyes focused on the temporary high platform built in the city center square.
The platform was still empty, but uniformed guards were already patrolling and maintaining order.
The air was filled with irrepressible excitement and a kind of collective, urgent anticipation.
Rumors about that "young Legendary" had been fermenting in the capital for months, and today was the day of official confirmation and conferment. Whispers, discussions, and irrepressible exclamations rose and intertwined in the crowd.
"An eighteen-year-old Legendary... Gods above, when I was eighteen, I couldn't sleep at night worrying about whether I could pass the knight squire examination!"
"The observers sent by Aura checked it personally and confirmed that there were no traces of improper cultivation; it was purely his own talent!"
"The Norlin Family? That small border barony in the south near the Black Forest? It's simply unbelievable..."
"We Xio... We Xio finally..."
The words remained unfinished, choked by sobs.
It had been exactly twenty-four years since Xio suffered a crushing defeat in the previous war and was forced to sign the humiliating Norton Treaty.
The younger generation had not experienced it firsthand, but the older generation of Xio people remembered it bone-deep.
The despair when the dragon's shadow covered the sky, the humiliation of the whole country in dead silence when the treaty was signed, and the subsequent prolonged reparations, restrictions, and oppression—"forbidden from possessing strategic war weapons," "restricting the scale of cultivation of Legendary and above powerhouses"—these clauses were like iron shackles around their throats, leaving the kingdom unable to breathe for over twenty years.
Xio's national power declined day by day, and morale was low.
And now, an eighteen-year-old youth, born in a humble borderland, had stepped into the Legendary realm with an indisputable posture.
For Xio, this was not just the success of one person.
It was a ray of light piercing through the long, dark night sky, igniting the fire of national revival that had been buried deep in the hearts of all Xio people, almost buried by despair.
At noon, the clock tower rang.
On the high platform, King Oliver Chapman of Xio arrived in person.
The King's face was gaunt, time had carved deep lines on his face, his hair was like frost, his back was slightly hunched, showing his old age.
But at this moment, his deep-set eyes were astonishingly bright, his gaze burning, as if he had returned to his prime.
After signing the Norton Treaty and betting on the future, he had defied all opposition and tilted the remaining national resources toward education, basic magic popularization, and the excavation of civilian potential.
This gamble finally saw its first astonishing return today.
His gaze was locked firmly on the young figure walking steadily up the steps.
Reinhardt Norlin.
A Legendary at only eighteen.
The youth's posture was as straight as a pine. He was not wearing the luxurious formal wear common among young nobles, but a well-tailored, simple dark blue stand-up collar uniform, with a style close to military casual wear. Except for a slightly worn Norlin Family crest on his left chest, there were no other accessories.
His face still retained some youthful innocence, but the contours were already firm, and his skin tone was wheat-colored from long-term outdoor activities.
His dark brown short hair was neat, his eyes were as calm as an autumn lake, his pace was steady and even as he walked, and he showed no stage fright or flashy demeanor in the face of thousands of gazes.
Reinhardt walked steadily to the foot of the throne, placed his right hand on his chest, and bowed to the King, his movements smooth and respectful.
"Your Majesty, good day."
The youth's voice was clear and steady.
Hearing this, King Oliver slowly stood up.
The attendant brought up a tray covered with dark blue velvet, on which lay a medal and a scroll of parchment tied with silver ribbon.
"Reinhardt Norlin,"
The King spoke, saying: "I, Oliver Chapman, in the name of the King of Xio, hereby confer upon you the 'Dawn Silverglow Medal'!"
He picked up the medal.
Its design was a long sword piercing through tangled clouds, surrounded by olive branches and star patterns, cast from mithril and fine gold, shedding a cold brilliance in the sunlight.
"There is only one such medal, awarded only to heroes who have made epoch-making contributions to the kingdom and brought hope and historical turning points!"
The King personally pinned the medal on Reinhardt's chest.
The silver glow and the dark blue uniform complemented each other, shining brightly.
Then, the King unfolded the parchment scroll and read aloud.
"Effective immediately, Reinhardt Norlin is conferred the title of'Star Knight', enjoying the rank of Marquis, granted the authority of Governor, and the Saer Province in the southern border of the kingdom is designated as his hereditary fief. I hope you will always hold a sincere heart, forge ahead, and with the sword in your hand and the wisdom in your heart, protect the kingdom's territory, inspire those who come after, and illuminate the path forward for the revival of our Xio!"
The rank of Marquis, the actual power of a Governor, and a provincial fief.
This was a reward far exceeding that of an ordinary Legendary powerhouse, even breaking the kingdom's centuries-old convention.
The King's intention was obvious.
He wanted to use this young Legendary who had emerged out of nowhere as the core to re-gather the scattered hearts and Luck of the kingdom, and take advantage of the recent strategic contraction of the Aura Kingdom and the suspected sleep of the Red Emperor to strive to promote Xio's revival!
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
The young Legendary bowed with his hand on his chest again, his voice still steady, but in the depths of his eyes, a blazing flame corresponding to his age finally ignited.
"Reinhardt will certainly not fail the King's trust, nor the kingdom's expectations! Silverglow guides, unwavering!"
The King patted his shoulder heavily, then turned to face the thousands of expectant citizens in the square, took a deep breath, and shouted with all his might.
"Today, we are not just conferring an honor on a young Legendary! Today, we are crowning the future of Xio! May the Silverglow never be extinguished! May Xio—be reborn!"
The humiliation, unwillingness, and longing suppressed for twenty-four years erupted like a volcano at this moment.
The crowd erupted into deafening waves of sound, thousands of arms raised high, and the cheers merged into a torrent.
"Silverglow never extinguishes! Xio lives forever!"
"Silverglow never extinguishes! Xio lives forever!"
"Silverglow never extinguishes! Xio lives forever!"
The waves of sound surged, rushing straight into the sky, as if even the clouds above the city were to be dispersed.
At the edge of the crowd, several Aura Kingdom observers in dark travel clothes with restrained Auras were calmly recording everything.
At first, their expressions were flat, watching coldly, but in the face of this fanatical wave of emotion that swept the whole scene, they couldn't help but be slightly moved, exchanging a look.
One of them silently adjusted the angle of the magic crystal recording the image in his hand, capturing the scene completely.
After the ceremony, the crowd was reluctant to disperse for a long time, still chanting slogans.
Meanwhile, the news, along with the footage recording the complete ceremony, was quickly sent back to the distant Aura Kingdom with the highest priority.
Dragon Ridge Mountains, Crimson Flame Royal City.
"An eighteen-year-old young Legendary... Heh, truly impressive."
The Iron Dragon muttered to himself, his vertical pupils showing neither joy nor anger, "The younger generation of our Aura knows that when a strong enemy is nearby, one needs to lie low, endure, and accumulate strength, rather than... such a flashy celebration and encouragement."
He talked to himself, then changed the subject.
"However, Xio has no other choice. They need a flag too much to gather those hearts that are about to fall apart."
The bad news was that he had recently felt lethargic and tired, his sleeping period was approaching, and Samantha's situation was similar.
The good news was that he had not officially fallen into deep sleep yet.
"The dream of revival... let them dream it for now. After all, dreams have to wake up eventually."
The Iron Dragon looked in the direction of the Xio Kingdom, his gaze seeming to pierce through space and land on that land that was celebrating.
"And the process of shattering a beautiful dream is often the most cruel."
He paused, a trace of pleasure flashing in his vertical pupils: "—Coincidentally, I enjoy this process very much."