Beneath the Red Dragon

The sounds of drums, horns, and conches were stirring and generous; the giant bell resounded solemnly amidst the majestic triumphant march.

Returning warriors and the honor guard passed through the scarred city walls, greeted by the fluttering banners, entering the royal capital.

Four extraordinarily tall Imperial Guard warriors, fully armored with magical armor, raised the banner of the giant dragon. The blood-colored cloak behind them was like a blood-stained royal banner, leading the triumphant warriors past the city’s towers one by one.

With the enemy’s blood, dye the king’s banner of the giant dragon.

But the Imperial Guard warriors, who were once the focus of envy from the citizens, were no longer the main attraction. The citizens’ focus gathered at the center of the procession.

Those Metal Dragons, entirely red like they were engulfed in raging fire, were under the chains forged from lava and flames by the Golden Supreme Lord Karon Gogomola using his innate power and magic.

These Metal Dragons were all dejected, their faces full of humiliation. Their former noble pride and dignity had been completely crushed by the king of the Dragon Group.

Bronze Dragon Gross’s blue skin seemed burned red by the chain of fire, and his dragon eyes were filled with humiliation and rage.

The fiery chain that pierced through his jaw had penetrated his nostrils, just like the nose ring piercing those disobedient domesticated cattle and horses.

The fiercely resistant Bronze Dragon Gross, should he dare to rebel, would feel the power of the chain forged with Ancestral Red Dragon’s might and will digging deeply into his flesh, inflicting pain that scorches his soul and body.

Other Metal Dragons were much smarter; the female Bronze Dragon Natarili had a terrifying blood hole in her body temporarily healed under the powerful healing power and magic of the giant dragon.

At this time, she kept her head bowed in shame, trailing slowly behind Gross, as the proud giant dragon could scarcely endure such deliberate humiliation.

The once-holy Silver Dragon Valkyrie Chris Tianna, however, held her beautiful, dignified head high. This proud Silver Dragon, even in failure, had not lost the grace of the Silver Dragon species, though her dragon eyes shimmered with fury and embarrassment.

The most arrogant and presumptuous Ancestral Golden Dragon Oblash was pierced by the chain of evil fire, bound upon the exhibition wagon, slowly pulled forward by eight Dragon Beasts.

Among these Metal Dragons, even the smallest female Bronze Dragon Natarili was eighteen meters long, while the newly adult Silver Dragon Chris measured twenty-one meters.

Although Ancestral Golden Dragon Oblash was only seventeen meters, the majesty and physique of the Golden Dragon were known to be the most extraordinary and powerful among the True Dragon Species, appearing as if cast entirely from gold-colored hardstone.

This made the observing citizens both excitedly proud and somewhat fearful, astonished and chattering.

Even some citizens who had witnessed the dragon battles found it hard to dismiss the sense of oppression brought by the giants’ imposing size and innate majesty when faced intimately with the true presence of dragons.

”These few fools dare challenge the Great Lord’s authority today; they truly don’t know their place. There’s no need for the Giant Dragon Lord from the Dragon Group to act. The Great Lord was a champion from the Gladiatorial Arena, and it’s said no one has ever defeated the Great Lord.”

These were fervent supporters of the Red Dragon, standing in the crowd, arrogantly gazing at the Metal Dragons. Despite his legs softening from being too close, he still puffed out his chest and declared boldly.

Karon Gogomola never shied away from his past and origins. Even the darker parts of his history merely added a touch of legendary color to his advancing path.

Thus, almost all of the dragons within the Dragon Group had stories from their past known to the populace through external exchanges.

The crowd buzzed with discussions, and Nora, who had brought the mixed-race youth Natis to spectate, brightened her eyes, deciding to emulate the Red Dragon’s past story by training in the Gladiatorial Arena within the royal capital.

”Who could have imagined, the most noble of True Dragons, Gold Dragons, and Silver Dragons, along with those Bronze Dragons, at this moment being displayed as trophies to those tiny races and creatures deemed pitiful by True Dragons.”

Steel Dragon Midir, transformed into a human merchant, sighed gently amid the crowd.

Though dragons enjoyed watching the spectacle, even this Steel Dragon couldn’t help but be silenced by the awe of the Ancestral Red Dragon’s might and force.

”Well, it seems the Gogomola Dragon Group doesn’t refuse the joining of other giant dragons, as long as they adhere to their laws and rulership.”

Steel Dragon Midir’s thoughts drifted again to the favorite real estate business of these species,

”Perhaps I can also join the Dragon Group. Their strength is not weak, capable of giving me protection, allowing me to engage in my preferred business,”

”Ah, now the real estate business in the territory of the Dragon Group is an undeveloped land of gold! If I can seize the opportunity, maybe in the future, like the predecessors, I too can fill my treasure vault just by collecting rent.”

Behind these Metal Dragons considered trophies was a parade of legion warriors, donned in steel armor. This ceremony was taken as the Monarch’s inspection and triumphal ceremony at this moment.

Thus, they advanced with high spirits, marching uniformly towards the square, a stern and silent steel forest, bringing a strong sense of confidence and pride to the citizens.