Beneath the Red Dragon

The morning mountains are always shrouded in thick mist, making the Dragon King’s Castle built on the flattened mountain top seem hidden within the clouds.

Only the melodious and deep bell sounds from the Royal Capital at the foot of the mountain and the nearby Giant Dragon Hall make those in the deep fog feel they are still in the Mortal World.

The military counsel summoned by the Giant Dragon Lord, as well as relevant officials and military leaders from various legions, stand quietly before the towering castle in the mist, waiting quietly.

Even those fortunate ones of outstanding talent, once summoned by the Red Dragon Great Lord to the castle, still feel a sense of awe and wonder upon seeing this colossal fortress again.

Especially Batorri, the commander of the Flying Dragon Corps, who, despite having patrolled the skies on a flying dragon numerous times, has never stepped foot inside this castle.

The castle, only three stories high, has every level more towering and grand than the carefully built palaces of great nobility in mundane kingdoms.

Each level has outward protruding terraces specifically for dragons to land, which in the eyes of the people look like a dome shielding the sky.

The massive door, closed shut and elaborately crafted from a single piece of hard, white marble, adorned with intricate dragon reliefs, makes everyone feel as if standing before the palace of a Giant God.

When the lingering sound of the bell dissipates, the door slowly opens, revealing the true appearance of the castle, like a divine palace residing in the Mortal World.

Rows of white marble columns, carved and painted with numerous patterns, are regularly arranged to support the high dome. The colorful dragon murals on the dome writhe and leap, as if ready to break through and descend from the sky at any moment.

Some overworked scholars cannot even clearly see the grand murals on the dome.

And the throne deep in the central hall of the castle, even for elf archers skilled in archery, the arrows shot from the castle gate lose their flight before reaching the majestically towering throne.

On either side, flanking the central throne, two rows of Black Stone Thrones are already occupied by four majestic Giant Dragons, who at this moment, are looking down with scrutinizing eyes on the many summoned citizens and Beloved.

"Good day, honorable Great Dragon Lords,"

"We extend our highest greetings, dragon lords, summoned by the loyal warriors of the dragons!"

The staff of the military department and officials bow to the two Dragon Lords with noble etiquette, while Jackal Wolfman Yougu and Barbarian Jib and Centaur Chiron offer more respect, even when clad in their usual armor, pounding their chests and bowing in salute.

The Dragon Lords nod in response to the salutes from their citizens, but after returning the gesture, Bronze Dragon Alina closes her mouth, allowing Blue Dragon Akzhi to take the lead in the meeting.

Ocean Dragon Naxson and Red Copper Dragon Alfred follow suit, for while they may possess some military prowess, in matters of warfare, Akzhi serves as the chief decision-maker.

Blue Dragon Akzhi refrains from speaking, though he is slightly anxious, patiently waiting as the maids set the long tables with exquisite patterned cloth for the citizens who arrived at the castle early in the morning.

Then, they serve each seated guest with steaming cups of red tea, plates of raspberry pastries, almond pieces, sturgeon strips, and soft white bread.

However, most of these people know some news, especially the heads of the intelligence department, so they don’t have much appetite for feasting, merely nibbling a bit and drinking the refreshing red tea, waiting for the Dragon Lords to speak.

"Report the situation," Blue Dragon Akzhi’s patience runs out at this moment as he turns to the intelligence officer in charge.

"Based on investigations by trade groups and intelligence from our spies within the Beastman Kingdom, the Beastman Kingdom has committed almost all its naval forces to this war, deploying all available warships and vessels, conscripting no less than eighty thousand warriors,"

"The Shahua Fishmen allied with the Beastman Kingdom are impossible to investigate; our spies have no access to aquatic intelligent races."

The intelligence officer stands from his chair, holding no written records, but rather recounting the information from memory.

"The naval strength of the Beastman Kingdom is comprised of ten main ships and a hundred sailing battleships, with several mast-and-sail gunships as escorts, totaling at least two hundred and fifty ships based on troop estimates,"

"Among them, ten are primary ships purchased and modified from the Glie Principality of humans, using technology similar to the Magic Furnace for their core power, constructed from oak grown for one hundred and fifty years, with magic runes providing defensive protection, equipped with thirty heavy cannons and twenty enchanted dragon-hunting crossbows,"

The intelligence officer’s expression is serious, fully aware of the fleet’s terrifying potential. If these ships anchored on the sea fired in unison, they could demolish a wall built entirely of solid stone, and the wall of the Golden City is primarily wooden.

The atmosphere in the hall becomes momentarily silent, the expression of each officer turns grave, even those formidable war commanders grow serious.

Even with civilizations established in this Wilderness, fraught with anticipated hazards, it was unexpected that as the territory expanded, the imminent threat was not from surrounding monsters and tribes, but from the covetous eye of the distant Beastman Kingdom.

Especially during the periods when most dragons are in slumber, the vacant throne of the Red Monarch, a pillar of stability akin to a sea-fixing needle, makes it hard for these officials to believe the remaining Evil Dragons would work in harmony to unify the force within the territory.

Bronze Dragon Alina, seeing the silent atmosphere and the pensive Blue Dragon, chuckles softly; her voice is crisp, yet carries the characteristic echo of dragons.

"The Great Lord said before entering slumber that even though dragons are born intelligent, there are times when mortals possess wisdom not inferior to that of dragons, and you, all appreciated talents by the Great Lord, face such circumstances and have nothing to say?"

Bronze Dragon’s mockery has its effect, quickly prompting several war commanders to step forth.

Centaur Chiron pounds the armor on his chest and says in a deep voice, "Let those beastmen bastards come, dragon warriors will bring them terror and death."

Barbarian Chief Jib also exclaims, "Just a bunch of beastman brats, my... my big axe is already ached in thirst, bring one here and I’ll chop one, just need to chop a few extra times."

Batorri, the commander of the Flying Dragon Corps, moistens his lips but remains silent, yet his gaze sweeps over the two war commanders eager for battle and those officials ready to speak.