Beneath the Red Dragon

So if residents discover that the green areas beside the Tree of Life in the city have significantly fewer trees during the day, leaving only deep pits behind, they won’t be surprised because these trees have work to do during the day.

Many Tree-men have also sensed the birth of the World Tree and applied to the Imperial Guard Warriors to settle around the Dragon Castle, but they were refused.

However, the Tree-men were given another option, which was to be part of the ornamental greenbelt lining both sides of the road up the Forbidden Mountain, not allowed to ascend to the peak.

Even so, nearly half of the Tree-men chose this option. Being close to the aura of the World Tree is highly beneficial to these plant-based magical beings, so the Tree-men do not mind existing as decorations.

As for the Elves who originally guarded the Tree of Life, they were scattered and integrated into various cities and settlements, and the Tree of Life is no longer an exclusive treasure of the Elves but a possession of the territory.

Giant Dragons, these long-lived rulers, would also watch from the mountaintops as their territory gradually grew stronger, and the time spent might just be a brief rest for the Dragon Group.

Calm in emotion, Yougu guided his Flying Dragon to stop in front of the tall wooden fence, handing over his Flying Dragon to the Kobold guards maintaining order at the gate’s gap.

In the cities within the Dragon territory, flight is not allowed without permission. Even a privileged person like Jackal Wolfman Yougu, who holds significant power, is no exception. Only the Giant Dragons can freely fly over the entire territory.

Yougu passed through the crowded and noisy crowd. This ever-changing city is vast, and although it has not yet been officially named, it already has its own name in the mouths of most of the people—Royal Capital.

Near the Dragon Nest, in this off-center area of the Royal Capital, destined to become the largest city in the Dragon Group territory, clusters of tall buildings have already been erected, more complete and abundant than those in the city center.

Yougu’s goal is this cluster of buildings in the area.

The whole wide expanse of buildings belongs to the Magic Integration Department, each structure representing a subdivision under the department, serving as a focal point in the Dragon territory.

Thus, heavy guards are stationed around the perimeter, with high walls isolating the building complex from the other buildings in the city, and two hundred Kobold guards armed with short crossbows and poison arrows guard every exit and corner of the wall.

Also stationed here is a small squad of Imperial Guard Warriors, silently standing in their fully enclosed, heavy Iron Armor.

Each of these warriors, capable of twirling their heavy swords into sword flowers, rests their broad, everyday-use light weapon against the ground, holding the hilt with both hands, and scanning each creature attempting to get near.

The officer in charge of this garrison is an Imperial Guard Centurion, a Mixed-Color Dragon Descendant Giant Demon Commander.

Even as a Chiliarch and War Commander, Jackal Wolfman Yougu must show his respect for this Mixed-Color Dragon Descendant, Giant Demon Commander, and Imperial Guard Centurion.

Not only because the other party is a high-ranking official from the Imperial Guards, whose status is inherently superior to other war commanders, but because the Imperial Guard Centurion is almost a match for Jackal Wolfman Yougu.

Moreover, every Dragon Descendant warrior brought from the Gladiatorial Arena by a Giant Dragon is exceptionally powerful. This Giant Demon Commander had smashed at least eight War Tree-men with his Heavy Blade on the battlefield of the Greenfield Forest and is recognized by the territory’s supreme leader, Karon.

Even though all races within the Dragon territory have been mixed and segregated, the Dragon Descendant Giant Demon Commander essentially transcends the limitations of the Giant Demon species, becoming part of the new Dragon Descendant species.

Yet his immense strength and high status have earned this Dragon Descendant Giant Demon the admiration of many members of the Giant Demon Species in the territory, gathering considerable power around him.

”Zu Jia, I didn’t expect you guys to be guarding this place. Seems it’s very important here,” Yougu greeted. These exceptionally brave warriors are familiar with each other and once even drank together to celebrate after the war on the Greenfield Forest Plane.

”Halt, Yougu, this place is not to be approached. Even you, without permission, must not come within three steps, or I’ll have no choice but to kill you!”

The voice of the Mixed-Color Dragon Descendant Giant Demon Commander was low and thick. This Imperial Guard Centurion wore custom, heavy Armor, his blood-red cloak reminiscent of Red Dragon scales. His towering stature and heavy weaponry gave off a particularly oppressive aura.

”We’ve known each other and shared drinks, but you’re this strict,” Jackal Wolfman Yougu was slightly speechless, remembering scenes of celebrating with the Commander at the victory banquet. Privately, the Giant Demon Commander was not like this.

”I have the king’s bestowed token,” Yougu did not hesitate to hand the token to the other.

”The king’s will is not to be overridden, Yougu. I’ll find you for a drink another day and bring a couple of Giant Demon girls,” the Mixed-Color Dragon Descendant inspecting the token nodded toward his warriors, indicating it was okay.

”Forget it, I’m not interested in Giant Demons, but drinking is fine, I’m quite welcoming,” Yougu took back the token, stowed it in his chest, and then said, ”By the way, Zu Jia, how do I get to the Alchemy Division? I’m afraid if it’s the same inside as outside, I’ll get lost and end up dead.”