Beneath the Red Dragon

”The wish the Storm Titan held when leaving his legacy was that his descendants would possess a will as strong as his, worthy of wielding the mighty power of natural disasters,”

”But if the descendants fail the test, the Storm Titan would let other races seize this power, even if they are blood enemies of the Storm Giants, even if the enemies use the Titan’s crown to enslave and massacre all Storm Giants in the world!”

Giant Garcia’s face showed a look of shame as he softly spoke, ”My grandfather often said, the Storm Titan does not want his descendants to flaunt false strength through the inheritance left by their ancestors. Only true strength of oneself is worthy of the Titan’s gift, even if it comes from an enemy! The weak who rise without self-awareness belong in the shadowy depths, surviving as they may at best.”

”But I believe, among all beings I’ve seen, only you have a possible chance of passing the Titan’s test!”

Karon couldn’t help but be in awe of the majestic aura owned by the Storm Titan.

”Truly deserving to be the Titan Giant who once vied with Dragons for supremacy over the cosmos, ruling the world,”

”Among these races that were once dominant and ruled the world for countless generations, there are always such strong figures. I wonder, among the ancient ancestor Giant Dragons who once reigned over the cosmos and claimed the earth, what astonishing tales might have survived.”

Unfortunately, the gods are neither omnipotent nor omniscient, and the Dragon’s legacy is much the same. The legacy left in the Ancestral Red Dragon’s bloodline is mostly only the tales of Ancient Giant Dragons ruling the earth (committing evil deeds, rampaging among all beings).

Karon held the Titan’s crown in his claw, his dark golden pupils gazing into the eyes of the Storm Giants, casually asking his last question: ”The crown of the Storm Titan may be an immensely powerful treasure to others, but in my hands, it might be completely destroyed, disappearing from this world forever, no longer a symbol of royal authority...”

”It already belongs to you, it is your possession, and no one else should meddle in its disposal!” the Storm Giant spoke solemnly.

”Hahaha, good, good,”

The Ancestral Red Dragon suddenly laughed, the voice of the dragon ebbing and flowing, exuberant pride bursting within the heart of the Ancestral Red Dragon.

”Bow your head, Garcia,” Karon halted his laughter and softly said.

Storm Giant Garcia bowed his head, and the Storm Crown, lifted by the claws of the Ancestral Red Dragon, was placed on Garcia’s head.

Giant Garcia was so shocked by the Ancestral Red Dragon’s action that he quickly raised his head, a look of confusion rolling in his eyes, his arms large as ancient forest trees having nowhere to place, suddenly raising up and then putting down, yet stammering words froze in his mouth, unable to speak.

The other Storm Giants also thought some sudden change had occurred, their faces unwittingly showing bewildered expressions.

Until the resonant voice of the Ancestral Red Dragon sounded again.

”Garcia, from now on, the Storm Giant Race is the beloved of Gogomola, and you are the king of the Storm Giants,”

The Ancestral Red Dragon smiled, revealing his fangs, dark golden eyes radiating gold light sweeping over all the Storm Giants, making them flutter like wind passing over a wheat field, spreading over the earth, knocking the floor with deep dull sounds.

”I allow you to safeguard this supreme crown for me, because I still have important tasks to accomplish, temporarily unable to fulfill your aspirations,”

The Ancestral Red Dragon laughed loudly: ”Look, my Golden Empire’s royal court, how vast and far-stretched, those handmaidens, although loyal, often feel frustrated as their strength could hardly maintain this royal court,”

Karon lowered his head, six thick dragon horns pointing towards the heavens, overseeing the kneeling Storm Giants, he smiled and said: ”You all, once I leave, guard this grand royal court for me, keep this Titan’s crown in trust for me!”

”By the command of my Lord, I will not fail!” Garcia thumped his giant and mighty chest like the deep drum sound of a mortal, excited and beyond suppression!

The Ancestral Red Dragon did not glance at the precious crown again, leading the reluctant Dragon Group out of the royal court.

Commander Gabriel stood sideways at one side of the grand hall’s door, facing the Ancestral Red Dragon and the Dragon Group, slightly lowering his head without speaking.

Karon ordered the rest of the Giant Dragons to move ahead, stopping beside this Dragon-blood Angel, his large dragon claw patting Gabriel’s broad shoulder, sending the Commander concealed under the Dragon-faced Golden Helmet stumbling a step backward.

”After I leave, watch over the empire.”

Karon looked at the Imperial Guard Warriors, each like a pillar, and softly said.

The Ancestral Red Dragon did not promise any ruling of the empire to this Dragon-blood Descendant, as they were not born for that purpose. But neither was there need for the Ancestral Red Dragon to grant further authority.

The Imperial Guard of the Dragon Emperor represents the Emperor’s will, the fully capable Imperial Guard Warriors possess the name and confidence to guard the empire.

The Dragon-faced Golden Armor suddenly opened, revealing Gabriel’s face which possessed the perfection of the Ancestral Red Dragon, he earnestly whispered: ”As long as the Imperial Guard remains, the empire’s Dragon Banner shall not falter, Father!”

The Ancestral Red Dragon nodded, suddenly thrashing his thick dragon tail at a speed even lightning could not rival, sweeping this stern young man into the sky.

Until the Commander of the Imperial Guard, though already prepared, was still unable to resist the Red Dragon’s actions, angrily stabilizing on the ground, only to see the Ancestral Red Dragon’s distant silhouette sinking into the deep corridor, with the Red Dragon’s mischievous words echoing.