Chapter 290: Chapter 261: White Dragon: It’s Finally My Turn to Claim the Highest Ecological Niche!

The rising morning light spilled over Dragon Valley, gilding the mountain walls on either side with a golden hue. Burning Steel Castle perched atop the cliff exuded a faint red tint, as if it was burning in the dawn light.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Before the dragons arrived, a strong wind heralded their coming.

The massive Red Iron Dragon flapped its wings, gradually approaching. The fort guards, Violent Bears, and flying dragons lowered their heads slightly in respect upon noticing, then continued their vigilant patrol.

Galos circled partially, not entering Burning Steel Castle. Instead, it landed directly in the clearing of Dragon Valley.

The Red Dragons and Iron Dragons followed closely, landing one after another, releasing the young dragons and adolescent dragons from their claws, allowing them to stumble and steady themselves.

"Heryam!"

Kahill, who was licking its wounds on the side, paused in its movements and looked at the young Blue Dragon, cursing harshly, "Damn Blue Dragon, do you think your life-sacrificing act will earn my gratitude?"

Her voice was filled with indignation, her scales slightly bristling from her emotional upheaval.

"No! Even if you did die, I wouldn’t thank you at all! Your self-righteous sacrifice left me with no choice but to flee disgracefully instead of fighting to the death—it’s a disgrace!"

It was clear she seemed very angry at the moment.

The Blue Dragon smiled slightly, "But because of that, weren’t we all saved?"

Though merely an adolescent dragon, the inherent rationality and calmness characteristic of Blue Dragons were evident, contrasting sharply with the Red Dragon’s irascibility.

"It was purely luck!"

Kahill growled, her dragon tail anxiously thumping the ground, "If it weren’t for the fortunate encounter with the Ignas Family’s great dragon, I would have died without dignity after fleeing all the way! I’d rather die in battle than that!"

The pride of the Red Dragon made her unable to accept survival earned through a companion’s sacrifice.

This was tantamount to humiliation for her.

Heryam met her eyes, not arguing, merely saying softly, "You’re right, but anyway, Kahill... we owe this to you."

The Red Dragon fell silent immediately, as if choked by these words.

After a few seconds, she snorted coldly, turning her head away, "...Just this once."

Galos quietly observed the scene, then turned to glance at Samantha.

Kahill seemed to bear some resemblance to Samantha in terms of personality.

Pride, arrogance, reluctance to admit defeat, among other traits—typical of Red Dragons, also noted in the inherited records as characteristic behaviors of their kind.

As for the more subtle differences, they certainly existed, but at the moment, he didn’t know enough about Kahill to say much.

What was evident was that Kahill was more prone to baring her teeth, had a more fiery temper, and was more irritable. When initially surrounded by Galos and other dragons, she had instinctively dared to bare her teeth and roar.

"Is it because Samantha grew up under my watch and was immediately confronted by the harsh realities after leaving the wilderness, which wore down her bad temper?"

Galos pondered.

In comparison, Red Dragon Kahill still needed considerable tempering.

To Galos, pride was fine, as the bloodline of the Dragon Race was indeed exceptional, qualifying them for pride. But being too arrogant, failing to discern the disparity with reality and provoking far superior beings, was sheer folly.

If this persisted unchanged,

such dragons were destined to perish prematurely.

However, with a qualified ’nurturer’, there might be change.

"Why are you staring at me?"

Under Galos’s gaze, Samantha tilted her head, asking in confusion.

"No reason."

The Red Iron Dragon shook its head, signaling the young dragons to gather together.

"Regarding the loyalty discussed earlier, how exactly is it to be expressed? If it’s like being used as a servant, you might as well kill me now," the Black Dragon, its bones almost piercing through the skin, said.

She was a young female dragon, yet her appearance was quite feral.

Her visage was terrifying, adorned with a pair of crooked horns and a gaunt face, looking akin to the skull of an evil demon.

Galos gazed at the Black Dragon.

Information regarding Black Dragons from the inheritance naturally surfaced in his mind.

Black Dragons preferred residing in gloomy swamps or mud holes, the filthier and more rancid, the better. They delighted in watching suffering and destruction, preferring to torment incrementally rather than directly killing their prey, with a sinister demeanor, adept at dealing with the undead.

Most dragons opting for the Necromancer path were Black Dragons.

"Why so hasty?"

A young dragon, with dragon scales as fresh green as new leaves, interjected, "The great dragons took significant risks by rescuing us and provoking the Duchy, it’s only right to repay them with lifelong loyalty."

Upon hearing this, Galos’s gaze shifted to the Green Dragon.

This was a male Green Dragon, with a well-proportioned and slender body, his eyes appearing perceptive.

Green Dragons have an innate talent in understanding and controlling nature. Among the Five-Colored Dragons, they somewhat resemble the Metal Dragon, specifically the Silver Dragon, but only in the female form. Female Green Dragons are enchanting and graceful, whereas males appear slender and weak among the Dragon Race, far less mighty and strong than male Silver Dragons.

Regarding their personality traits.

The perception of the Green Dragons as a race is somewhat similar to that of Galos.

If the enemy appears cunning or difficult to handle, the Green Dragon will not recklessly make a move but will subtly follow the opponent to identify the most suitable time and tactics to attack.

Conversely, if the target seems weak, the Green Dragon will quickly emerge, first trying to use skills like the Intimidation and Suggestion Technique to control the target. If unable to control them, it will kill them outright.

The judgment of an enemy’s strength and weakness requires seasoned experience.

Young Green Dragons are easily influenced by the prideful nature of the Dragon Race, leading to misjudging the enemy’s level, which in turn places themselves in danger.

"What exactly do we need to offer?"

At this moment, Heryam spoke up.

His head was short and blunt, with a giant horn growing above his nose, and a cluster of blade-like scales under his chin, his entire body covered in sky-blue Dragon Scales.

The Blue Dragon, the representative of order among Evil Dragons, is organized and disciplined.

They hope for and demand clear definitions and well-structured relationships. They can accept commands from other Dragons but are unwilling to endure foolish leadership.

In the eyes of the Blue Dragons, order is necessary; without rules, nothing can be accomplished.

In their obsession with order, Blue Dragons generally surpass Iron Dragons; their evil lies in the belief that the existence of lower creatures is merely for their amusement, and they are indeed adept at playing.

"Kahill, you tell them."

Under the gaze of several young Dragons, Galos spoke leisurely.

Kahill was not too pleased about doing such a menial task as relaying messages, but under the scrutiny of Galos, he reluctantly nodded and relayed the situation he already knew to the other Dragons.

The land beneath them is called the Border Area.

And the Dragon Valley where they are currently located is the hub and core of the Border Area, with the Molten Iron Tribe under its command having conquered the entire Border Area.

Master of Molten Iron, King of the Borderland.

It was indeed the Red Iron Dragon who personally rescued them.

In return, they need to swear allegiance to the tribe and the Master of Molten Iron for fifty years, during which any spoils and wealth gained will belong to the Master of Molten Iron, but good performance can also earn them rewards of wealth.

While pledging loyalty, the tribe will also provide them with some growth resources.

However, during this period, they must demonstrate their value.

For instance, they must take their first occupation according to the tribe’s needs and not waste time idly.

After fifty years, whether they choose to leave or stay is entirely up to them.

In the eyes of the Dragon Race, fifty years is a very short time, and taking the first occupation per the tribe’s demands is not considered significant since Dragons live long lives and master many professions throughout their existence.

To sum up.

The requirements of the Dragon Valley are much more lenient than when they were with the Blue Dragon community.

"Liberal conditions."

The Green Dragon lowered its gaze, praising, "Mighty Master of Molten Iron, your breadth of mind earns my respect. I am more than willing to become a part of the Dragon Valley."

The other Dragons had no objections and readily agreed.

"You are severely injured; eat first to heal." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Galos waved a claw, and immediately followers brought forth food and basic Life Potions.

As the young Dragons devoured the food joyously, the Red Iron Dragon said, "I have arranged a Nurturer for you. She will be responsible for providing you with food and supervising your training and growth."

"Nurturer? Who is it?"

Red Dragon Kahill raised his head, scanning Samantha and Solrog.

In her view, the Red Dragon, head of the Five-Colored Dragons, or the Iron Dragon, head of the Iron Dragons, both qualified to be this Nurturer.

At this moment.

Whoosh—!

A fierce cold wind suddenly swept across the clearing, and the White Dragon Trish, at her stage of Great Perfection, descended from the sky. Her broad wing membranes blocked the sunlight, casting a chilling shadow on the ground.

"My name is Trish."

She raised her head, her ice-blue vertical pupils scanning the Dragons, a cold smile curling at the corners of her mouth, and she took a step forward, her body’s shadow enveloping all the young Dragons.

"Crawlers of the Border Area, revere me as—Pale Wings!"

"Listen well, as this is the title you’ll need to use from now on!"

The White Dragon Trish spoke with condescension, her gaze imperious and proud.

In front of the young Dragons, her ecological position seemed infinitely elevated, with every inch of her scales exuding the pressure of an upper-rank being, reaching an unprecedented level of greatness, giving her an immensely satisfying feeling as if she was bearing great responsibility and enduring hardship, which had finally paid off.