"Let's save the conditioning of my digestive System for after the dust settles and the situation stabilizes."
The Red Iron Dragon dropped the rock fragment tightly gripped in his sharp claws, then pulled food from his personal spatial item. He opened his massive maw and began to eat rapidly, filling the void he had felt inside for some time.
For some time now, Galos had been eating a lot of low-energy food.
However, during this process, Galos could vaguely sense a certain change.
In a state of hunger where his energy needs were long unmet and he could only consume junk food, his digestive System had actually become more active. The rhythm of his gastrointestinal peristalsis had quickened, and the efficiency of converting ingested substances had improved by a sliver.
The change was very subtle, but it did not escape his mastery over his own body.
This meant that he could indeed use this method to gradually adapt and strengthen his digestive System.
However, the price to pay was also very obvious.
Eating so poorly meant that his body's basic needs were not being met for a long period.
He felt his strength weakening; the explosive power in his muscles was not as abundant as before, his body felt heavier than usual, and his training efficiency had significantly dropped. The same training methods now required more time to achieve the same results as before.
For a Dragon like Galos, who regarded strength as his foundation, this was far more uncomfortable than mere hunger.
Although, with his willpower, it was not unbearable.
But right now was the critical moment for vying for the Romanian Plain.
The situation in the Xio Kingdom was not yet fully stable, the threat of Lothorn was like a sword hanging over his head, and other surrounding kingdoms were like a pack of wolves circling.
There might be consecutive fierce battles awaiting him, and any slight negligence could lead to total defeat.
He could not take it lightly; it was best to adjust all aspects of his state to their Peak.
Everything depended on the situation; Galos would not blindly create a huge short-term weakness for himself just for the sake of training.
That would be tantamount to digging his own grave.
"If I raise my Star-Self Path Rank by one more level, I can acquire a powerful skill."
Galos swallowed the last piece of meat while contemplating, "This will provide the highest boost to my combat power for the upcoming period. I will focus my energy and time on training this aspect first, and push other things back."
After repeated weighing of the options, he finally made this decision.
He needed to achieve a Breakthrough in his Star Self Rank as soon as possible.
Hum, hum, hum!
Dragon Qi, dense and tangible, ignited from his body, rising like flames and causing the surrounding air to distort.
In an instant, the Red Iron Dragon's form underwent a drastic change. First, a new head extended, and then two new pairs of arms grew from his shoulder blades, transforming him into a two-headed, four-armed combat form.
Immediately after, a vigorous training session unfolded among the mountains.
Before he knew it, three days had passed in a flash.
During this period, the incident of the Red Emperor capturing the King of Xio alive continued to ferment, spreading to every corner of the Romanian Plain.
Even in some remote little villages, there were legends of the Red Emperor, or rather, a certain infamy.
"If you don't listen, the Red Emperor will fly over and snatch you away"—such threats to frighten children became widely circulated, and the name of the Red Emperor was already enough to stop a child from crying at night.
Additionally, the Lothorn Kingdom issued an official statement at the first opportunity.
The document, read personally by a court scribe and rapidly spread through the magical communication network, was sternly worded. It condemned the Red Emperor's "brutal conduct" and "unacceptable violation of kingdom sovereignty," demanding that Aura must guarantee the personal safety of King Thorfin and "immediately release King Thorfin unconditionally, returning him safe and sound to Xio."
The statement concluded by mentioning that "the New Federation will take all necessary measures to safeguard the interests of its member nations."
Rippos, Cambrook, Matna... these three kingdoms subsequently issued similar declarations.
However, compared to Lothorn's statement, the wording of these three kingdoms was much more euphemistic, expressing more concern and calling for a peaceful resolution to the problem, without such a hardline tone.
Anyone with a discerning eye could see the difference.
Lothorn was truly angry that its authority had been challenged, while the other kingdoms were merely making routine gestures. On one hand, they could not turn a blind eye, but on the other, they did not want to provoke the increasingly powerful beast that was Aura.
As for the condemnation from the various nations, Aura responded with the most direct silence.
There was no explanation, no rebuttal. The Aura Kingdom ignored this overwhelming diplomatic pressure, continuing to operate at its own rhythm.
And this disregard itself was a form of hardline stance.
Dragon Ridge Mountains, early morning.
When the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and spilled onto the rugged mountain Peak, the dark, heavy figure of Iron Dragon Sorog descended once again. The strong wind stirred up by his folding wings blew away the morning mist, revealing the scene on the cliff top.
He saw that the human king was still alive.
Thorfin's condition was even worse than it had been three days ago.
His once magnificent and majestic royal robe was now tattered, stained with dirt and dried grime. His hair was disheveled, sticking to his forehead and cheeks; his complexion was an unhealthy pallor, his eye sockets were deeply sunken, and his lips were cracked and peeling.
But he was still alive.
He had not become a cold corpse, nor had he become a puddle of flesh beneath the cliff.
The Iron Dragon grinned, understanding already dawned on him.
He landed slowly, stopping opposite the king.
On one side was the mountain-like black Dragon, and on the other was the ragged human curled up on the rock; they looked like creatures from two different worlds.
The Iron Dragon examined the human king, his gaze sharp as a knife.
Thorfin raised his head, meeting the Dragon's gaze.
In his eyes, there was no longer any previous anger, panic, or pleading; only a kind of calm and exhaustion remained.
"Three days have passed," the Iron Dragon's deep voice slowly echoed on the mountain Peak. "It seems you have already made your choice."
Thorfin took a deep breath of the cold, thin air and slowly exhaled, the white mist dispersing and vanishing before him.
"I, Thorfin Chapman, the seventh monarch of the Xio Kingdom."
He said each word clearly, every syllable seemingly squeezed with great difficulty from the depths of his throat, using all his strength. "Am willing to lead Xio, submit to the Aura Kingdom, and pledge allegiance to the great Red Emperor, His Majesty Galos Ignis."
"Xio... shall become the Xio of Aura."
After he finished speaking, his body trembled slightly, beyond his control.
The Iron Dragon looked down at him, carefully scrutinizing the appearance of this Mortal, without responding immediately.
The mountain wind howled across the cliff top, sweeping up small pebbles that tumbled into the abyss, and a silence of several tens of seconds spread between them.
Thorfin suddenly twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing an expression that was neither quite a cry nor a laugh.
"You might be thinking in your heart,"
he said to himself, his voice raspy, "This human king is truly stupid and cowardly."
"Stupid enough to not see the situation clearly, daring to make an enemy of the powerful Aura, and ending up with this outcome; cowardly enough to lack the courage to jump off this cliff or commit suicide, only able to cling to life and accept humiliating conditions."
The king raised his head, gazing at the gray sky where dark clouds were gathering.
"Yes, I am indeed stupid."
"But not because I made an enemy of Aura."
As he spoke, his gaze refocused on the Iron Dragon: "As long as Xio still desires to revive, as long as it still wants to restore its former life, it is destined to clash with Aura."
"In this regard, I do not believe I am wrong."
"Anyone sitting in my position would make the same choice."
"My stupidity lies in the fact that I trusted Lothorn's promises."
Speaking to this point, his voice carried a touch of regret.
"I overestimated the protection that the so-called New Federation could provide, and I underestimated the determination and decisiveness of Aura."
"Lothorn... merely treated us, Xio, as a pawn to be sacrificed, not as a true ally. When I needed aid the most, where were their armies? I suppose they now have nothing but a piece of empty condemnation."
The Iron Dragon tilted his massive head. He did not interrupt the king's speech, but continued to listen quietly.
"As for cowardice..."
Thorfin's voice dropped, and he raised his trembling hand, pointing to the edge of the bottomless cliff not far away.
"To tell you the truth, in these three days, I have thought countless times about jumping off from there."
"To end it all, without having to bear the infamy of being a monarch of a fallen nation, without having to endure the humiliation of being a Puppet king."
"Death is sometimes much easier than living, especially on such cold nights, listening to the wind sounding like the wailing of dead souls, and feeling hunger and cold gnawing at one's body."
"But I did not."
"It is not because I am greedy for the throne and power," he said with a wry smile. "After this incident, I have realized that for me, it is like a hot potato, not an honor. It is a heavy burden. Anyone in this position, once they realize their true situation, would find it hard to feel at ease, only feeling restless and unable to sleep or eat."
"Being clear-headed is not as good as being muddled."
"But I cannot help but wonder, if I die, what will happen to Xio?"
"My heirs, or my ambitious brothers, will be impatient to fight for the throne."
"And the newly ascended king, having not experienced the storms I have endured, having not tasted the despair of being captured alive by a Dragon..."
"Whoever it may be, in order to consolidate authority or to appease the indignant emotions within the country, they will likely be seduced again by the sweet talk of Lothorn or other kingdoms, and repeat the same mistakes."
"By then, the entire Xio Kingdom might truly be reduced to scorched earth in the flames of war."
AI Model: gemini-3.0-flash
"The walls of Silverglow City will be torn down, the ancestral temple of the Chapman Family will be burned to ashes, and my people will become displaced refugees."
He looked directly at the Iron Dragon, his voice incredibly dry.
"I am afraid of this, I am terrified of this—this fear once surpassed my dread of death itself."
Perhaps because the Peak of his terror had passed, or perhaps because the three days of cold had made his mind clearer than ever before.
Thorfin understood many things now.
He realized that in the current situation on the Romanian Plain, while Xio seemingly still held the title of a kingdom, it was actually just a fragile pawn caught between the two major powers of Aura and Lothorn, its position extremely perilous.
If either side exerted even a little force, this pawn would be reduced to ashes in the coming fires.
He had already relied on Lothorn, and the result was being captured alive and brought into Aura's territory, with no rescue in sight to this day. That alliance was as thin as a cicada's wing.
But he was also lucky.
The Red Emperor had given him a chance to choose, allowing him to place his hopes under the wing-shadow of Aura.
Although this hope came with chains, at the very least, Xio could continue to exist.
Opposite him, Iron Dragon Sorog narrowed his eyes, the tiny figure of the human king reflected in his pupils.
Having also cultivated the Psion path, he could sense the truth in the king's words.
In just three short days, this young king, who had previously seemed ignorant and foolish, appeared to have matured quite a bit. Heh, time and trials are the best teachers, though the price of such lessons is often too heavy.
If the older generation of kings, tempered by trials and war, were still alive...
Aura might have continued to lie low for a while longer instead of choosing to raise the torch now.
However, the differences in race and lifespan were right there. The Legacy of human kingdoms was always interrupted by youth and lack of experience, whereas the Dragons of Aura received guidance and were very good at utilizing the advantage of their long lifespans, possessing great patience.
The Iron Dragon looked down at the king and said slowly, "Human, you have made a wise choice."
"Not every Mortal has the courage to admit their mistakes and seize the only opportunity in a desperate situation. In this regard, you have performed well."
Opposite him, the King of Theo looked up at the Iron Dragon and suddenly said, "I have heard that Dragons prefer direct communication and detest hypocritical concealment and roundabout tricks."
"Therefore, I have some words in my heart that I must say."
The Iron Dragon showed an interested look, a low rumble coming from his throat. "Oh? Speak then. With me, honesty is indeed considered a virtue, provided you can bear the consequences of that honesty."
Thorfin took a deep breath and then said seriously:
"As long as Aura remains powerful and the Red Emperor's strength remains at its Peak, I will be Aura's most loyal vassal, and Xio will be Aura's most submissive dependency. I will use everything I have—my authority, my wisdom, even my life—to ensure that Xio does not become a problem for Aura, and to ensure that Xio belongs to Aura."
At this point, he paused, his chest heaving visibly.
Then, his tone suddenly shifted.
"But if one day Aura weakens and reveals a flaw... if the Red Emperor's dragon wings can no longer shroud the sky..."
"...then, please forgive me, for I might become foolish once more and attempt to challenge Aura's authority again."
"The will to refuse submission flows through the Bloodline of the Chapman Family, and a longing for independence is buried in the hearts of the people of Xio. At that time, I will seize the opportunity, just as you are seizing the opportunity now."
Having finished these words, he panted slightly, waiting for the Dragon's judgment.
Thorfin was already mentally prepared to be killed outright.
However, the Iron Dragon listened quietly, his eyes showing no anger at being offended. Instead, he let out a roar of approval from his throat.
"Very well, Torfinn Chapman."
The Iron Dragon said unhurriedly, "You have finally... understood reality."
"Loyalty is built upon Aura's power, and ambition lies dormant beneath Aura's prosperity. Heh, this is very honest."
"Furthermore, our entire Aura Kingdom operates under a similar framework. Your thoughts are, in fact, the thoughts of many lords in our kingdom. This is not a problem."
Immediately after, he announced in a deep voice.
"Your choice shall be accepted."
"Prepare to return to your Silverglow City. Aura's envoys will arrive later to inform you of the new terms. The amount of taxes, the location of garrisoned troops, the rules of trade—these will determine the future fate of Xio."
The Iron Dragon leaned forward, casting a deeper shadow over Thorfin's head.
"Remember your words today. Under the wing-shadow of Aura, be a good Puppet, maintain the stability of Xio, and suppress any sparks of resistance that might sprout. This is the best choice for the current Xio."
"This is also the last correct thing you can do for your kingdom as a king."
After saying this, the Iron Dragon spoke no more and extended a massive front claw.
The giant claw covered Thorfin's entire field of vision, and the shadow swallowed his body.
But this time, the human king did not panic; he simply stood silently in place, letting the Iron Dragon pick him up.
The wild winds rose again, and the roar of wings beating the air was deafening.
The scenery of the mountain Peak rapidly shrank in Thorfin's vision, and the edge of the cliff he had gazed at countless times gradually blurred.
Thorfin took one last look at this lonely Peak that had once made him despair yet seemed to grant him Rebirth, then closed his eyes completely, burying all his emotions deep in his heart.
Not long after, in the northern part of the Xio Kingdom, Saer Province.
The terrain here was flat with an open view, and sentry posts were numerous. The guarding soldiers maintained a high state of vigilance. Ever since the king had been taken, the entire northern defense line of Xio had entered a wartime state, though most knew it was futile.
A guard on a watchtower was routinely patrolling the distant horizon, his eyes somewhat sore from long periods of focus.
Suddenly, his pupils contracted, and he abruptly raised his hand to signal his companions.
"Alert! Something is coming! It's a Dragon!"
A sharp whistle pierced the silence.
The soldiers stationed there quickly moved into combat positions, crossbows were cocked, spears were gripped tightly, and mages began to chant incantations in low voices. Everyone looked toward the horizon nervously.
There, a blue-black figure was flying rapidly toward them, its wing membranes beating the air with a sound like muffled thunder.
As the figure approached, the soldiers gradually saw the details.
It was an exceptionally strong Blue Dragon, about fifteen meters long, with muscle lines clearly visible under its scales. Unlike ordinary wild dragons, its neck, shoulders, chest, and other common weak points were draped in heavy armor, with plate armor inlaid at the joints for enhanced protection, and even specialized combat kits could be seen on its claws.
Strong, and equipped with sophisticated gear.
These were often the signature characteristics of Aura's Dragons.
Those completely wild Dragons would rarely bother to forge armor for themselves, nor did they have the means to do so.
Under the tense and vigilant gaze of the human guards, the Blue Dragon slowed down over a flat area some distance from the sentry post.
It did not make any aggressive gestures, slowed its flight rhythm, and then landed slowly.
The Blue Dragon folded its wings at its sides, then turned its head and placed the object in its right front claw on the ground.
It was a human.
A human wearing tattered fine clothes, with disheveled hair and a haggard face.
Despite his disheveled appearance, the soldiers recognized that face almost immediately.
They had seen this face in countless official portraits, celebratory ceremonies, and royal announcements.
"...That is our King?!"
"Aura's Dragon has sent the King back! He's still alive!"
Exclamations rang out all along the defense line.
After several days, the news of His Majesty Ignis being captured alive by the Red Emperor had spread throughout the kingdom. Everyone knew it.
Most people had pessimistically believed that His Majesty Thorfin was more dead than alive, or might even have been killed long ago. Now, the king had actually returned alive, albeit in such a humiliating manner.
The Blue Dragon glanced at the human king and let out a low guttural sound.
Then, the Blue Dragon spread its wings again, its powerful hind legs pushing off the ground. Its massive body quickly took to the sky, flying rapidly back the way it had come, soon becoming a small black dot on the horizon before finally disappearing into the clouds.
A brief silence fell over the area. The soldiers looked at each other, not knowing how to react.
Finally, an officer was the first to react, shouting orders: "Open the checkpoint! Welcome His Majesty! Quick, send someone to notify the Governor and have the best physicians come! Also, immediately send this news back to Silverglow City!"
The soldiers snapped out of their daze and began to get busy.
Several cavalrymen galloped out of the outpost toward the figure that looked as if it might collapse at any moment.
King Thorfin stood where he was, looking at the familiar Xio flag and the cavalrymen riding toward him, complex and unspeakable emotions flashing in his eyes.
He was back.
As a Puppet, but he was back nonetheless. As long as Xio remained and the people of the kingdom could continue to live on this land, he could pay any price.
April 20th, new calendar year 417.
Shortly after the Lothorn Kingdom and other New Federation members issued strong condemnations, King Torfinn Chapman was released by Aura. After a series of tests and identification by Xio Casters, he had returned to the Xio royal capital, Silverglow City.