Beneath the Red Dragon

Under the planning of Bronze Dragon Alina, rows of orderly houses are nestled around the plains beneath the mountain peak, alongside the River of Gold.

But in the past few days, the downstream rafts have brought not just supplies, but a piece of exciting news that has invigorated the bachelors of the Pioneer Corps. Their energy seems endless, accelerating the pace of cultivating fertile lands.

Though these members of the Pioneer Corps are still serfs, their contributions to the Dragon Group Territory have earned them recognition as Free People, granting them the rights of the Free People.

Now the grain harvested from the lands established in Bay Stream City can sustain itself, and also provide a large portion to the Dragon Group Territory as reserves, which is the benefit of briefly implementing military governance.

This can be seen as an early reward from the Giant Dragon to the people of the Pioneer Corps, boosting their morale and driving them to work harder for the Dragon.

You must let the horse eat its fill if you want it to run!

The little girl Nora and some friends skillfully gathered the flocks of sheep and beasts from the hillside. With a snap of the whip, they drove the beasts that clung to the lush grass even at nightfall back to the pens.

Like her companions, Nora’s once pale and thin cheeks have become plump and rosy—the most obvious benefit of living in the Dragon Group Territory is being well-fed.

This condition may seem simple, yet most common folk around the world struggle to achieve it.

Also due to the Dragon’s Beloved’s fondness for meat, the people of the Pioneer Corps often eat meat. Though not daily, this lifestyle brings them happiness.

The little girl Nora is nearly forgetting the life in the Wilderness, forgetting her unfortunate parents, the impoverished village, and the danger present every day.

She now has her grandmother’s company, companions to play and shepherd with, a stable and peaceful life, and the care of kind elders. Life has never felt so wonderful to her.

Especially thanks to Nora’s patience and care, the flock she tends to has had its first newborn lamb this year, and as per regulations, she has received a lamb as a reward.

Currently, Nora is cuddling the little lamb that’s baaing constantly, while driving the flock. Once all were ushered into the pens, Nora returned her little lamb to the mother sheep, allowing it to grow strong with her milk.

Only then did Nora bid farewell to her companions, hopping and skipping back home.

A simple yet unpretentious wooden house appeared in Nora’s view. Despite being inconspicuous among the rows of houses, Nora spotted the light shining from her home at once.

This wooden house was built with help from Uncle Faen, the village chief, who lives next door to Nora.

Nora hopped to the outside of Faen’s home, raised herself on tiptoes, and knocked on Faen’s window, rap-tap-tap.

The village chief’s voice came from inside, ”The door is open, little Nora. Could you change your bad habit, you know, a single man living alone can have many inconveniences.”

”Hehe, Uncle Faen, don’t always say things unsuitable for children,” said Nora, jumping into the house, seeing village chief Faen kneeling before the other window, eyes closed in prayer, murmuring softly.

During this time, Nora and her grandmother received much care from the village chief Faen, considering him a true relative beyond their familiar bond, hence feeling no hesitation.

”Eh, Uncle Faen, you’re praying again—are you praying to those mighty, beautiful Giant Dragons? Let me listen!”

Little Nora plopped down next to Faen, grinning at the serious-faced village chief.

”I am praying to the Divine Spirit I revere. The Divine Spirit brings us light, hope, and a wonderful life. Though the Church has erred, it doesn’t reflect the Divine Spirit’s intentions.”

Faen explained earnestly, though expelled from the Church, he still believed in that Divine Spirit, so he stuck to his praying habit.

”But we never saw your Divine Spirit lend a hand during crisis, Uncle Faen. When we were captured, no divine miracle appeared,”

said little Nora innocently, ”But now, it’s the Giant Dragons who’ve given us a good life, it’s Bronze Dragon Alina, the Dragon Group ruling the Land of Golden, and the beautiful yet mighty Karon who provided us,”

”In my view, it’s these Dragons who bring us the good, hope, and light, Uncle Faen—hear me out, change your prayer target to the Dragons!”

Little Nora patted her ordinary chest, exclaiming.

Village chief Faen was momentarily stunned, only standing up after a long while.

”Where are you going, Uncle Faen, it’s so late, come taste grandmother’s mushroom soup,” invited Nora.

”Hey, I’m going to bring you an aunt, to feel the reward the Dragons have given us,” Faen touched Nora’s head, chuckling softly: ”Work hard, Nora, maybe next year, I’ll bring you a little brother.”

With her already large eyes wide open, Nora dazedly asked, ”But what does that have to do with my hard work!”