Beneath the Red Dragon

Golden Empire, the undulating Dragon’s Nest Mountain Range, its true height unknown.

No Giant Dragon has measured the current height of these majestic and endless ranges, nor have any mortals or scholars dared to actually measure the height of this mountain range.

Yet every person who comes to the Golden Empire and steps onto this land can see, from the distant coastline, this towering Holy Mountain standing in the depths of the sea of clouds.

Even some maids serving in the Dragon King’s Castle only know that when the Dragon Group leveled the entire peak, the Giant Dragon Castle established on the broadest mountainside rose 10,000 meters high above the Royal Capital.

The inexhaustible Earth Core Energy and volcanic magma accumulated beneath the earth for millions of years seem to be influenced by the nest effect of this Ancestral Red Dragon’s long-term dwelling.

The nest effect, initially without subjective will, under the intense subjective will of the Ancestral Red Dragon, day by day, causes the Dragon Group Mountains to grow and rise.

Facing south from the north, extending from west to east for thousands of miles, the easternmost mountain range already starts extending into the sea.

Some fishermen who love sailing the seas on whale sea beasts have been amazed to find countless peaks emerging from the seabed, growing from the volcanic root veins.

These underwater mountain ranges are growing so rapidly and numerously, with a trend of gradually severing the near-sea territories from north to south, that many external scholars and mages are speculating about the power level of the current Emperor of the Imperial based on the influence of the nest effect.

It’s known that the Emperor of the Imperial had already started to emerge on the world stage in his youth, even after many years which could be considered for short-lived species, this elusive Red Dragon remains in the adolescent stage.

In the collection of Dragon tales circulated in the Northern Territory, or in the monster manuals and picture books held by nobility and mages, there is much knowledge about Giant Dragons for others to learn.

But despite following this knowledge or those scholars who make bold assumptions, the real nature of this Red Dragon cannot truly be touched.

Because even the nest effect of a Legendary Giant Dragon cannot compare to the subtle yet massive large-scale effect of the Ancestral Red Dragon, which nearly alters the fundamental terrain and accompanying ecosystems of entire regions.

Even the bloodline of the Ancestral Dragon, although possessing might stronger than ordinary Giant Dragons, cannot during the adolescent stage, surpass the influence of the Dragon Emperor of the Golden Empire constrained by the path of the Giant Dragon itself.

The Ancestral Golden Dragon Oblash still remains tethered at the entrance of the Giant Dragon Castle, guarding the gate as proof.

And analyzing the rare battles showcased externally by the Ancestral Red Dragon, finding the reason for this peculiar Red Dragon’s immense strength along with its weakness is quite challenging.

Because every time this Ancestral Red Dragon exhibits abilities externally, they differ from those before, as if peeling layers off an onion, revealing yet another layer beneath.

Only one thing is known by those seeking to secretly explore the secrets of the Ancestral Red Dragon. It remains a pure Giant Dragon, possessing the intense greed that is exceptionally strong in every Dragon.

It is said in the Golden Empire, among all races living within this realm, the most outstanding, pure, and beautiful maidens must be chosen by the Red Dragon and are filled into its luxurious grand Royal Palace.

All races must offer the largest and brightest pearls and gemstones, present the most beautiful and softest silk and beast hide, the tastiest food, the most intoxicating wines, for the Dragon Group’s enjoyment.

Otherwise, how else can the lavish lifestyle of the Dragon Group and the opulence of the Emperor of the Imperial be explained?

In the Icaria World, scholars dedicated to the study of Dragon civilization and ecology have emerged, aiming to understand and explore the fundamental power and weaknesses of this Dragon Emperor from the roots of Dragon civilization, these individuals are dubbed Dragonologists.

This academic culture quickly became prevalent in the Northern Territory, but this is just one of many changes prompted by the Dragons.

The Golden Empire threat theory, the rhetoric of Dragons conquering the world, the discourse of the Dragon Group attempting to subvert the traditional order of justice with evil order, began to gain popularity as the Golden Empire grew stronger, the origin unknown but not without reason.

Karon Gogomola stands atop the mountain peak facing the evening breeze, seemingly unaffected by the chaotic rumors outside.

Silver Dragon Flo appears solemn-faced, standing front to back before the Ancestral Red Dragon’s figure on the mountain top, overlooking the empire’s night below.

Adult Silver Dragon Flo feels strange; despite being of the Super Giant Dragon Species, the adult Silver Dragon’s physique appears somewhat frail before the adolescent Ancestral Red Dragon.

The Ancestral Red Dragon at a length of twenty-seven meters, even among Golden Dragons, which have such a physique, usually achieve this in adulthood; the pressure felt by the adult Silver Dragon is needless to say.

But adult Silver Dragon Flo finds this point precisely strange.

Faced with such a figure of the Ancestral Red Dragon embodying the concept of strength, Silver Dragon Flo feels no match, like a child facing a grown strong man, visibly struggling to compete.

Yet the sensation given by the Ancestral Red Dragon to him is merely this.

Only a Dragon’s eyes can discern the differences between oneself and the opposite.