Beneath the Red Dragon

The sun sank beneath the mountains, casting the earth in a yellow dusk.

As the triumphal ceremony and the founding ceremony concluded, the bustle of the city returned to each household, with lights rising and smoke billowing.

Yet atop the mountains, an unusual commotion erupted.

Climbing the mountain path up to the Giant Dragon King’s Castle, torches blazed on either side; from the mountain’s base it seemed as if flickering lights connected the sky to the earth, deep into the twilight-stained clouds.

Even after a day of fatigue, groups of people cheerfully ascended the wide white stone steps, chatting merrily.

Though their tone was relaxed, the slight excitement and suppressed pride on their faces could not be erased.

For they were all fortunate ones invited by Karon Gogomola, the supreme ruler of the Imperial realm, the Giant Dragon King who ascended the throne today, to attend this important banquet.

This signified that their accomplishments were recognized by the Dragon Emperor above the throne, granting them additional affirmation in this manner.

In the past, many considered receiving an invitation from the master of the Giant Dragon King’s Castle to be the highest honor.

Many boasted incessantly about that palace towering in the mountains after leaving the current royal court of the Giant Dragon King’s Castle.

Legend had it that this palace was the most luxurious, vast, and majestic palace in the world.

There, one could enjoy all the world’s finest wines and foods, and see the most beautiful women; such rumors abounded.

Some minstrels even likened the dragon’s palace to a divine spirit’s abode in the human world, where anything imaginable could be enjoyed.

Even demons from Hell and abyssal devils envied the dragons for possessing such a palace.

Some poets specializing in scandalous stories wrote tales.

The powerful and brutal Red Dragon, to satisfy his lust, had supposedly imprisoned celestial angels and abyssal succubi deep within the palace, tormenting them day and night.

In the palace, the angels’ laments and succubi’s screams echoed endlessly, accompanied by the roaring laughter of the Red Dragon.

Even some residents who had never ascended the mountains believed such tales. For the Monarch’s generosity and leniency granted to the realm’s citizens sufficed; being more formidable against external beings made the Red Dragon seem more imposing.

Those officials fortunate enough to enter the palace boasted proudly to their colleagues. Although their previous visit to the Giant Dragon King’s Castle consisted of a brief breakfast and hours of arguments before being chased downhill, it didn’t stop them from flaunting their precedence.

Among those ascending were war commanders of the Giant Dragon Corps, including Jackal Wolfman Yougu, Barbarian Jib, Centaur Chiron, and military officers like Batorri, along with some advanced officials.

Warriors who had achieved significant honors in battles against the Beastmen were also invited to this banquet.

Besides them, scholars and mages who had made achievements were also among those invited, such as Alchemy Professor Ticky and scholars who had breakthroughs in dragon-blood potions, including the inventor Goblin Bang Bang.

The likes of Goblin Shanshan and several leaders of the Dragon Group Merchant Association had also arrived in the realm before today; naturally, those who earned fortunes for the dragons belonged among the invitees.

Count Renis, who traveled from the Forest Kingdom established by the Vampire Species and various nobility representatives, were all invited to attend. Even if the Dragon Group Empire didn’t ally with them, it would maintain good relations with forces extending an olive branch.

”Damn those guys, damn them all, ugh, ugh, ugh!”

Watching the line of people ascending the mountain top, Shari, once a competent assassin in the Blood Rose Mercenary Corps and now a notable intelligence officer in the Dragon Group Empire, glared angrily at her teammates’ backs, cursing vehemently.

The blond Mage Captain managed to earn an invitation by making breakthroughs in the magic alloy used to create magical power armor.

The Shield Warrior, a powerful Saint Tier Warrior, now a Second Squad Centurion under the First Legion of the Dragon Group Empire Central, was honored at the banquet for his bravery, having slayed six Beastman Commanders and one Beastman Grand Commander, earning the Combat Hero Medal.

The young Bill, now a Master Assassin of Saint Tier, the Deputy Minister of the Empire’s Unity Planning Department, was also invited for his meritorious achievements.

The team’s Druid and logistics master also became lucky ones due to their contributions. In other words, of the original Blood Rose Mercenary Corps, Shari was the only unlucky member unable to reach the peak.

The palace atop the mountain had long transformed into an illuminated divine palace amidst the night, with hundreds of maids having already prepared the first level of the castle’s palace hall under the prior arrangement of Charlize, Karon’s once competent assistant in political affairs and Chief Maid.

Several Metal Dragons were already chained to the wide corridor pillars outside the first level of the castle, guarding its gates.

Silver Dragon Chris, revered by many Metal Dragons as a Holy Valkyrie, was suffering the greatest humiliation of her dragon life; her head, usually held high during the parade, was now deeply buried in her paws.

Two Bronze Dragons turned away in silence; despite dragons feeling no shame, they cared deeply about their dignity.

Only the Ancestral Golden Dragon Oblash, this unfortunate yet lucky Golden Dragon, chose to slumber at the site amid heavy injuries, avoiding immense embarrassment.

Though Karon had once said on the battlefield he would do this, those with ties to Metal Dragons couldn’t believe the Red Dragon Monarch would truly act thus.

In their eyes, despite his crimson scales, the Red Dragon was wiser and more rational than the cleverest Golden or Silver Dragons, unlikely to make such unwise choices.

Moreover, it was an exceedingly excessive insult to the proud Metal Dragons, not to mention the famed Good Dragon Alliance, with countless powerful Metal Dragons; they couldn’t possibly allow these Dragons to be tethered like dogs at the castle gates of the Red Dragon.

Although recognizing the Dragon Emperor’s commitment to his words, they occasionally worried about the newly established Golden Empire.

However, once they stepped into the castle, which resembled a palace, all worries were cast aside.

They have never visited the palace of the Divine Spirit, so they don’t know how it compares to the palace of the Red Dragon Monarch.

But standing inside the palace, under countless dazzling lights, they seemed unable to clearly see the exquisite and magnificent dome above. The giant marble columns carved with intricate patterns looked like pillars supporting the heavens.

Gathering over a thousand people, they still only occupied a small corner of the hall. The vastness of the space, illuminated by the lights, seemed endless, even the empty throne appeared immeasurably lofty and unreachable to them.

Long tables made of precious wood had been set up in the hall of the King’s Castle, covered with layers of exquisite silk cloth, and countless tempting dishes were placed on the delicate gold and silver tableware.

White-horned wild ox, rock antelope, wild boar, mountain deer, and other wild game, seven-gilled eel, sturgeon, pike, river perch and other river and sea delicacies, swan, pheasant, grey heron, and other mountain birds, either roasted or cooked, all kinds were laid out in all their variety.

There were also milk wine, mead, fruit wine, and even the rather expensive Hippocras sweet wine obtained through southern trade was brought out in barrels.

Among the exquisite silver vessels were countless spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and even saffron, which could easily purchase a normal horse with just a light pound, and sugar, which could trade for a good horse with ten pounds, were supplied without limit.

Even so, slim and beautiful maids were continuously bringing various foods as if in a stream. Such luxury and extravagance left even Count Renis, a vampire accustomed to lavish indulgence, gaping in astonishment.

It should be known that the Dragon Group’s territory had once experienced a war lasting several years, and if it were any other human kingdom, slightly poorer countries might not even ensure the king had meat to eat at every meal.

This gives an idea of how prosperous the Dragon Group had been.

After being awed by the palace’s opulence and the Dragon Group’s wealth, they noticed that Giant Dragon Lords were perched on distant thrones, conversing and laughing freely, discussing policies or amusing affairs.

This was due to Karon’s influence, who, along with the giant dragons of the Dragon Group, disliked cumbersome procedures and excessive formalities, preferring to be casual in private.

However, the newly joined young Red Dragon Kedelos and other giant dragons did not have the title of Giant Dragon Lord, so these dragons were simply lying on delicate and soft blankets.

In front of them was a large table with each dragon’s favorite food based on their scale color.

Some officials and guests thought of stepping forward to salute the Giant Dragon Lords but were impatiently sent back by them.

As the Dragon Emperor, Karon naturally commanded authority, and so did these Giant Dragon Lords.

Thus, they did not need to deliberately display or maintain their dignity. What should be shown now was the dragons’ tolerance and amiability.

And the officials and guests invited to the banquet soon relaxed in this atmosphere, shedding their restraints and engaging in lively conversation.

Apart from certain personnel, everyone could find and sit wherever they liked.

As the guests of the banquet gradually arrived, the maid waiting outside the King’s Castle gently rang the golden bell hanging in the spacious corridor, signaling the official start of the banquet.

Fortunately, Karon did not keep others waiting long. He did not need to deliberately assume the airs of a ruler, and at the moment the golden bell ceased, the figure of the Red Dragon Monarch had already stepped into the hall from the castle’s rear garden and ascended the throne.

The sound in the hall vanished instantaneously; the Dragon Lords ceased their conversations, and all the guests halted their chatter, turning collectively to gaze at the serenely dignified king.

But to everyone’s surprise, the Red Dragon seated high on the throne was straightforward.

Karon raised a massive golden cup, scanning the entire gathering, then curled his mouth into a grin, revealing his sharp, long fangs.

”The first cup of wine, to all the giant dragons fighting for the empire within the Dragon Group, to their noble courage, and unwavering determination.”

”To the Giant Dragons!”

The crowd responded, clinking their glasses; even the dragons lifted their cups, large as barrels, and guzzled the wine.

Once the Chief Maid refilled the wine beside him, Karon raised his cup again: ”The second cup of wine, to all the warriors of the Dragon Group, to their loyalty and valor in battle!”

”To the loyal warriors!”

The dragons echoed, and the people joined in, raising their glasses to drink again.

Karon nodded slightly and continued, ”The third cup of wine, to all the officials of the Dragon Group, to their diligence and wisdom!”

”To diligent wisdom!”

Karon lifted the final cup of wine, laughing aloud, ”To the fallen Heroic Spirits of the Dragon Group, to their sacrifice and resilience!”

”To the unyielding Heroic Spirits!”

The atmosphere in the great hall grew increasingly warm with each toast.

Red Copper Dragon Alfred’s vertical pupils spun wildly; when Karon set down his cup, he raised his again, loudly saying, ”And one more cup, to the leader of the Dragon Group, the monarch of the empire, Karon Gogomola!”

The dragons stood up, and so did all the guests, raising their glasses in unison.

”To the leader of the Dragon Group, the monarch of the empire!”

Karon smiled faintly, raising his cup again, ”Let us all drink together, to our future!”