Beneath the Red Dragon

The Land of Golden, atop the mountains, Dragon Group King’s Castle.

In the deep and vast first-floor hall of the King’s Castle, illuminated by the magic crystal lamps, a magnificent gold lamp that resembles a giant chandelier hangs at the center, burning with fierce flames. The fire core excavated from deep underground continuously radiates its heat and glow.

All around the hall are marble pillars carved with exquisite scroll patterns, and the dome-like arched ceiling resembles a painted crystal glass sky, depicting countless murals of dragon battles and scenes of wars conquering the Other Plane.

The thick walls around are painted with scenes of brave warriors under the command of Giant Dragon Lords fighting on the battlefield, and the image of each warrior transforming into loyal heroic spirits stepping into the Holy Hall of the Giant Dragons after falling.

On the glossy dark stone slabs that can reflect the shadows of the Dragons, huge black stone thrones rise from the ground, lined up on both sides at the deep center of the hall, surrounding the central throne on three-tiered steps against the wall at the end of the hall.

Although the black stone thrones are crafted in the manner of stone chairs, they more resemble enormous stone beds, allowing Giant Dragons of various scale colors to choose a comfortable posture to perch or crouch on their thrones.

With the nourishment of wealth and food, each Lord Dragon’s body is fully developed, surpassing those wandering wild Dragons, with each Dragon reaching over ten meters in length in their youth. Even the frailest, White Dragon Camid, reached ten meters long.

This makes the Giant Dragons perched or crouched on the black stone thrones appear like small hills, seated above the grand hall.

The first gathering in this King’s Castle has made the dragons of the Dragon Group somewhat excited.

Although nominally belonging to all Giant Dragons, hardly any Dragon sets foot in this castle representing majesty and royalty for trivial matters.

Except for White Dragon Camid, who’s been a sidekick of Karon since childhood, so he doesn’t much mind about this aspect.

"The ladies at the celebration sure are enthusiastic, even making dragons feel a bit fatigued. Why do I feel like activities at the celebration are more tiring than a whole day of battling,"

The excited Red Copper Dragon Alfred chattered on endlessly to the nearby Black Dragon Rosani. This was a treatment he never experienced as a Lord, and being part of such an important gathering always made him feel acknowledged by the Dragon Group.

Engrossed in these feelings, the Red Copper Dragon failed to notice the peculiar look in Bronze Dragon Alina’s eyes across from him. Most Five-Color Dragons have no concept of chastity, but many Bronze Dragons follow a monogamous family system, and barring some accidents, a Bronze Dragon won’t abandon its mate.

Bronze Dragon Alina came from such a family.

Black Dragon Rosani lazily lay on his throne, his long neck draped over the cool stone chair’s edge, his fierce and menacing head hanging down, occasionally responding to Alfred’s chatter.

"Those enthusiastic ladies might be nice, but how can they compare to the wild horses running passionately? I’ve got an idea, Alfred,"

The Black Dragon’s drooped head twisted at an unnatural angle, his neck contorted like a twisted rope. These Five-Color Dragons with their long necks can perform such incredible feats.

"What do you think about holding a horse race like a competition in the arena? This way, the winner could choose the best horse for me, sparing me the need to personally inspect and pick one."

The corner of Red Copper Dragon Alfred’s mouth twitched. Even the Metal Dragons, who share an aesthetic across species, couldn’t comprehend why the Black Dragon was so fixated on horses.

It can only be attributed to each Giant Dragon or creature having its unique predilections.

The Dragons chatted with each other, seemingly leisurely, yet all awaited the arrival of the owner of the empty Black Stone Throne at the end of the hall.

The reigning king of the territory, the leader of the Dragon Group, Karon Gogomola, had yet to appear, making the dragons mildly anxious.

Dragons aren’t creatures known for patience. While they can endure temporarily for some goals, they are mostly impulsive.

Thankfully, numerous Kobolds brought in large wooden tables, covered them with exquisite tablecloths, and then carried out whole roasted fragrant wild cattle and sheep sprinkled with various spices, allowing the waiting Dragons to feast one by one.

Then, maidservants brought large basins of fruits and barrels of brewed fruit wine, calming the restless hearts of these Dragons as they began to enjoy their meals and snacks.

Thud, thud, thud,

Large shadows projected from outside the wide King’s Castle gate, the silhouette of a massive Evil Dragon.

The dining Dragon Group bit through the hard bones in their mouths, swallowed them down, and then paused, looking toward the shadow that twisted and slithered like a serpent across the ground from the castle gate.

The massive Red Dragon stepped on its shadow and entered the King’s Castle hall, heading straight for the throne.

The Dragon Group slightly lowered their heads, showing obedience and respect for the leader of the Dragon Group.

Karon made heavy steps, ascending the three-level, wide yet low stone steps, then perched on his throne, nodding to all members of his Dragon Group as a gesture of acknowledgment.