Chapter 63: The Dragon Arrives |
A fierce gale suddenly rose, whipping the branches and leaves of the newborn forest into a wild dance.
In the sky, a figure crimson as molten rock tore through the cloud layer, carrying with it the scent of sulfur and waves of scorching heat as it roared and dove down.
The massive form of the Red Dragon Tyrone blotted out part of the sky's light, finally landing with a heavy, dull thud on the cleared ground before the Royal Court of White Pearl Island, kicking up a ring of dust.
His head, covered in dark red scales, was held high. His slit pupils, burning with a warlike flame, first swept the surroundings in surprise.
This lush, vibrant, almost unnaturally verdant forest was completely different from the desolate island in Tyrone's memory.
"Ha! Xia'er!"
Tyrone's voice was full of arrogance. "Look at this place of yours! When did it turn into a forest? These eyesore trees are truly suffocating for a dragon!"
Red Dragons do not like forests.
They prefer to dwell in high mountain wastelands and active volcanic areas, and naturally have no fondness for forests.
With that said, Tyrone flicked his tail, impatiently sweeping aside some vines, his gaze finally locking onto the jade-green figure at the entrance to the Royal Court. "But, that's perfect! My strength has grown tremendously lately! Come, let me test if your claws are still sharp enough!"
Tyrone's massive body lowered slightly, his wings half-spread. A low, threatening growl rumbled from deep in his throat, and hot sparks sputtered from his nostrils. His intense fighting spirit was almost materializing into tangible flames.
These past days of constantly attacking the Dwarves' logistical supply lines had given Tyrone ample experience.
Perhaps it was the result of his faith in the Dragon Mother, but Tyrone had recently even awakened some fire magic.
This, of course, made Tyrone even more confident.
Plant magic is naturally countered by fire magic!
I, the Red Dragon Tyrone, am invincible under heaven!
However, Xia'er, coiled in the shadows at the Royal Court entrance, only lazily lifted an eyelid.
This Red Dragon wants another beating.
But Xia'er didn't want to beat Tyrone right now.
After all, she was counting on Tyrone to contribute later. If there really was an ambush, Tyrone might even be in some danger; she might have to host a funeral feast for him on White Pearl Island.
"Tyrone, retract your claws and fangs. On this land, within my forest, even if Valentina brought those three deadweights, the outcome would still be uncertain. You, challenging me now, do you want to taste the flavor of being wrapped into a cocoon by vines and then dragged underground by roots?"
Xia'er directly stated the advantage the terrain gave her.
The growl in Tyrone's throat choked off. His slit pupils contracted as he warily scanned his surroundings.
Those seemingly harmless vines and gnarled roots seemed to instantly take on a sinister malice under Xia'er's words.
He could feel the vast, torrential Vitality underfoot, sharing the same origin as Xia'er. This was indeed not the battlefield he was familiar with.
"Hmph! Cowardly Green Dragon, only knows how to hide in the bushes and talk big!"
Tyrone growled unwillingly, but his poised, ready-to-attack posture clearly relaxed a bit. Only the sulfurous smoke puffing from his nostrils grew thicker.
Xia'er remained lazy, though she rose from the Royal Court entrance, her colossal form blotting out the sky. "Cease your pointless provocations, Tyrone. Rather than wasting energy on meaningless conflict, come with me to pull off a truly big score."
"A big score?"
Tyrone's attention was indeed captured, the fire of battle in his slit pupils replaced by greed.
"Correct."
Xia'er's voice lowered further. "A once-in-a-millennium opportunity. I've just received confirmed intelligence, repeatedly verified by the human merchant Jim and my Frogmen trade team..."
"The Dwarves' Eastern Sea Port! There are warehouses there piled mountain-high! The wealth there is enough to fill the lair of any one of us, and more! What's raiding Dwarven supply lines? What we're going to plunder is the entire port! Think about it, Tyrone. Gold Coins, gems, magical items, more than you can count, pouring down like a waterfall!"
The picture Xia'er painted struck precisely at the greed deep within the Red Dragon's soul.
Tyrone's massive body trembled slightly, excited to the extreme. His scorching breath made the surrounding air warp.
"Hmph! That sounds... somewhat interesting."
Tyrone's voice was full of power. His earlier provocation vanished without a trace, replaced even by some impatience. "When do we depart?"
"Soon."
Xia'er opened her maw. "However, there may be unknown dangers within the Eastern Sea Port... Tyrone, you must be mindful of this."
"Cowardly Green Dragon! Even if there were a Dwarven army of ten thousand stationed there, I would never fear it!"
The Red Dragon Tyrone was dismissive, utterly unconcerned about danger.
Not just 'possible' danger.
Even if there truly was a high-level Paragon stationed at the Eastern Sea Port, Tyrone would still go and plunder it!
We can play, we can fool around.
But don't joke with your Red Dragon brother!
"Since that's the case, then prepare yourself."
Xia'er nodded, exhaling a breath. A fragrance unique to Green Dragons flowed from her nostrils. "Muster all the Frogmen, Lizardmen, and kobolds! Make ready for the assault!"
For this raid, Xia'er was committing her full strength.
She would send out all her minions, strike in one go, and completely conquer the Eastern Sea Port.
This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. The Dwarven main force was in the south, and several legions were fighting Valentina in the north.
The Eastern Sea Port was at its most vulnerable.
And if that human's information was correct, that mercenary band of over a thousand humans was slacking off and not putting in effort. It was the perfect time to plunder them.
"Yes."
Saga gave a slight nod of understanding.
Disos, Saga, Xia'er, Tyrone.
The white, black, green, and red dragons would once again strike together. The last time they all sallied forth was during the destruction of the Lizardmen tribe.
This time was clearly more perilous.
But the spoils would also be far richer!
However, at this moment, Xia'er thought of another dragon.
Tina!
She'd almost forgotten this Ocean/Sea-Dwelling Dragon.
Without ceremony, Xia'er powerfully beat her wings and took flight. Her massive draconic form descended with heavy wind pressure onto a huge rocky platform at the edge of the island.
Folding her wings, Xia'er scanned the area ahead. There was a natural shallow cove, semi-enclosed by massive rocks, which was the dragon sleep site Tina had chosen.
At this moment, the seawater in the shallow cove appeared unusually calm, as if soothed by an invisible force, with only the faintest ripples stirring.
Compared to the heavily wounded Karta, Tina's injuries were theoretically much lighter.
Karta had awakened some days ago, so Tina's recovery period should also be nearing its end.
As a crucial combat asset for the upcoming, all-out plundering operation that required their full strength, her condition needed to be confirmed.
And just as Xia'er landed, the calm water surface began to stir without warning, forming a slowly expanding vortex at its center.
Immediately after, a huge head covered in fine, pale blue scales rose silently from the center of the vortex.
Tina had awakened.
Clearly, within the deep consciousness of her dragon sleep, she had keenly sensed the approach of this powerful fellow dragon, Xia'er, and chose to end her recovery state early, actively opening her eyes.
After all, this wasn't a growth dragon sleep, just a recovery sleep for injuries.
Once the injuries were fully healed, one could naturally choose to awaken actively.
"Xia... Dragon Lord, is there some command?"
Tina seemed somewhat dazed, rising from the shallow sea as she inquired of Xia'er with confusion.
"War is upon us."
Xia'er gazed at Tina, her voice low like thunder. "The wealth of the Eastern Sea Port will drown everything. Prepare to strike. Tell those Dwarves... the Evil Dragons are coming!"
Upon hearing this, Tina's brain momentarily short-circuited.
Huh?
What Dwarves?
Not fishmen?
And one more thing...
I'm not an Evil Dragon!