"A Golden Dragon has broken into The Borderlands?"
Upon hearing the information shared by Garros, Red-Silver Dragon Deborah blinked, a trace of clear surprise and astonishment appearing in her eyes.
"The information is accurate."
Garros's deep and firm voice rang out, saying: "Based on the detailed descriptions from the kin at multiple outposts, and judging by the size and Dragon Qi intensity displayed, it can be basically confirmed... that is a Golden Dragon in its youth."
A young Golden Dragon... its Life Level starts at at least Rank 14.
Depending on the specific age difference, the average level usually stabilizes between Rank 14 and Rank 16.
Even for Innate powerful superior Dragonkin like Red Dragons, Iron Dragons, and Silver Dragons, the Life Level span during their youth is mainly within Rank 13 to Rank 15.
Generally speaking, they are one rank lower than Golden Dragons of the same age group.
"Nowadays, powerful Metallic Dragons that are adults or older have almost all been urgently summoned away by their respective Dragon Domains."
Deborah revealed a thoughtful expression: "A young Golden Dragon that hasn't been summoned appearing in The Borderlands, while rare, is not entirely unreasonable."
Her eyes flickered, her voice paused slightly, and then she continued: "However, his actions are likely not as shallow as mere 'extortion'."
As an existence that also flows with the Bloodline of the Metallic Dragon Race.
Deborah had a profound understanding of the thought patterns and behavioral logic of her kin—especially Golden Dragons—that far exceeded other Dragons.
The Red-Iron Dragon nodded slightly, his eyes carrying an encouraging meaning, signaling the Red-Silver Dragon to continue elaborating on her analysis and judgment.
Deborah pondered for a moment, organizing her thoughts, and slowly said: "The Golden Dragon clan's sensitivity to the aura of 'Evil'... is arguably the crown of all Dragonkin."
"As long as he steps into the territory of The Borderlands, he doesn't even need to deliberately investigate."
"Those unique scents belonging to Evil Dragons that permeate the air—even if they have been deliberately restrained and diluted, yet stubbornly remain—will inevitably be as conspicuous as torches in the dark night, and will be clearly captured by him."
Her dragon snout opened and closed slightly, and she continued:
"If he relies on this perception to conclude that this land has been secretly taken over and ruled by a dangerous Evil Dragon."
"Then, regardless of whether his true core purpose is to efficiently accumulate wealth, or to practice the Metallic Dragon's duty of 'punishing the wicked and eliminating evil', or even harboring some deeper, more secret schemes."
"His primary strategy going forward will inevitably be—to find a way to force the hidden 'Evil Dragon' out."
Her voice paused slightly, and the Red-Silver Dragon's tone became increasingly certain:
"He will most likely use various means to force the Evil Dragon to act, while simultaneously finding a legitimate reason for himself."
"And then."
"Under the banner of 'Justice', crush the opponent with thunderous momentum, and then 'naturally'... receive and annex all the wealth possessed by that Evil Dragon."
Metallic Dragons naturally lack the tendency and patience to manage kin races.
To maintain their reputation and Face as 'Justice' and 'Guardians of Order', they would never use the naked, robbery-style methods of the Chromatic Evil Dragons to accumulate wealth.
So, the question arises—
Where exactly does that enviable, magical-glowing, abundant wealth treasury of the Metallic Dragons come from?
Besides occasionally accepting some job commissions that align with their righteous stance to earn relatively 'clean' rewards, the most primary and core source of Metallic Dragon wealth is precisely 'punishing the wicked and eliminating evil'.
Especially those keen on striking down Evil Dragons that have entrenched themselves in a region and accumulated significant wealth.
Sometimes, a sufficiently powerful and patient Metallic Dragon, if it smells a promising Evil Dragon quietly rising and accumulating power somewhere...
They won't even immediately take action to nip it in the bud.
Instead, they will wait patiently like the most experienced hunter, waiting for the Evil Dragon's wings to grow full, its territory to stabilize, and its treasury to be filled, before choosing the most appropriate moment to suddenly strike! Taking all the wealth the Evil Dragon has painstakingly accumulated as their own.
And among all the Metallic Dragons.
Golden Dragons, in particular, love this path.
They can satisfy the hearty 'pleasure' of practicing justice and punishing evil, while also reaping abundant material rewards and lofty reputation and praise.
Killing several birds with one stone.
"Coming for wealth, huh..."
Garros stood on the observation deck, his huge dragon head bowed slightly, his pupils narrowed slightly, and his gaze cast toward the vast The Borderlands.
"I'm afraid it's far more than that."
Through the young Golden Dragon's behavior pattern at the The Borderlands outpost, which was almost provocative yet carried obvious traces of testing, a premonition that was more grandiose and aggressive than mere wealth plundering quietly rose in the heart of the Red-Iron Dragon.
The appetite of this Golden Dragon might be much larger than what Deborah imagines right now.
But in any case, this is the territory of the Molten Iron Tribe! It is the territory that he, Garros, built with his own hands; he would never let the Golden Dragon get its wish.
It is only in its youth; although its power is strong, it is ultimately just a youth.
It is not in the powerful adult stage, nor is it in the prime of life where experience and magic have reached the Transcendent state; it is still far from reaching the level that would make the Lord of Molten Iron feel wary.
"Deborah."
Garros's deep and thick voice rang out: "Prepare yourself, come with me, and let's go meet this 'noble' kin of yours."
For the sake of caution, he decided to bring the Red-Silver Dragon.
Golden Dragons have a sensitivity to the aura of Evil Dragons as keen as a hound; the scent of his Red-Iron mixed blood, even if restrained to the best of his ability, might not be able to perfectly evade the sensitive perception of a young Golden Dragon.
And Deborah... the concealment Spell she mastered, originating from her Silver Dragon Bloodline, was precisely the barrier needed at this moment.
"Okay! Okay!"
Upon hearing this, light instantly burst from Deborah's eyes, eager to try. Her sharp dragon teeth clicked together unconsciously, making an excited, soft sound: "I have long found those Golden Dragons who are arrogant and always think they are the noblest existence in the Universe to be an eyesore!"
The Metallic Dragon Race is usually united externally, jointly resisting various threats.
But internally, between different Metallic Dragon species, there also exists deep-rooted competition and subtle distinctions of superiority.
The Silver Dragon clan has never stopped longing to challenge the Golden Dragon's status as the "Head of the Metallic Dragon Race".
Deborah, who flowed with the blood of the Red-Silver Dragon, felt the competitive instinct belonging to the Silver Dragon deep in her Bloodline ignite instantly the moment she heard that a Golden Dragon had descended upon this land.
Moreover, when she was in the Boiling Sea Dragon Domain, it was not as if Deborah had never encountered Golden Dragons of her age.
Those Golden Dragons were indeed friendly, gentle, and polite when communicating.
However, without exception... in conversations and interactions with her, those Golden Dragons would always unconsciously reveal a trace of an Innate "superiority" that was difficult to completely conceal.
That feeling was like a true ancient noble, who, out of good upbringing, patiently and deliberately "lowered their status" to talk to commoners, rather than a heartfelt, truly equal exchange.
This subtle yet real sense of difference always left a trace of resentment lingering in the heart of the proud Red-Silver Dragon.
"And me! And me!"
A small voice, crisp as a silver bell yet carrying thick Battle Intent, suddenly rang out. The colorful Faerie Dragon Vera flew over, hovering in front of Garros and Deborah.
"Defeat that stuck-up Golden Dragon! Let him properly learn the might of our Ignas Family!"
She waved her little claws and announced loudly.
In this situation, in order to deal with this suddenly appearing young Golden Dragon, the dragons of the Molten Iron Tribe were almost swarming out.
Such a formation... could be considered giving enough spectacle and Face to this representative of the "Head of the Metallic Dragon Race".
Garros looked at the energetic Faerie Dragon and the high-spirited Red-Silver Dragon and smiled.
"Fine."
He agreed in a low voice.
"Vera, you stay close to Deborah."
As his voice fell, the Red-Iron Dragon cast his gaze outside Dragon Valley.
It was already early morning; the deep night had not yet completely faded. The vast, boundless firmament was like a huge piece of gray-black velvet soaked in ink, heavily covering the earth. However, beneath that distant horizon, a trace of an imperceptible yet incredibly firm light blue dawn was quietly spreading.
"Dawn is coming."
Alberto smiled faintly, withdrew his gaze from the sky, and floated quietly in mid-air.
"Steel, sulfur, ice and snow. The scent of Evil Dragons is getting closer and closer."
"Heh, more interesting than estimated; I didn't expect so many Evil Dragons to be entrenched here. It really cannot be underestimated."
Sniffing the scent that was gradually becoming stronger and closer in the air.
The young Golden Dragon Alberto did not retreat in the slightest, nor was he in any hurry to act. Despite being in strange territory, he just remained quiet, like a host waiting for an honored guest to arrive, floating in place, waiting for the Evil Dragons to approach.