Beneath the Red Dragon

Four gates now stand in Golden City, two for entrance, two for exit, teeming with traffic and people.

Those entering are lines of carts and troops carrying military supplies, while those leaving are families and merchants stranded by the port blockade, as well as adventurers.

Following the declaration of war, news of impending conflict spread through taverns, inns, and guilds across the territory, casting a shadow of war over all cities.

Yet many ships and visitors from afar remained unaware, heading towards Golden Harbor, causing severe congestion.

Under the command of Ocean Dragon Naxson, War Tree-men from various regions slowly approached Golden City, dismantling the city walls facing inland to relieve the city pressure due to the constant flow of people.

Once the population was evacuated, these War Tree-men, along with Elf Druids, used magic and talents to drive the forest to the outskirts of the city. There, logs were transported into the city, and craftsmen began constructing a ring-shaped moat town.

However, not many houses within the city were demolished. The structures served as part of the defensive walls of the moat town, saving much effort and allowing the large moat town to be quickly established.

Cylindrical artillery pieces were mounted and secured on the moat town walls, and giant crossbows glinted menacingly on corner towers.

On the coast, a massive Red Dragon clung to the castle built on the island reef, gazing at the newly arrived ships docked at port, as ragged-clothed people disembarked for routine registration and inspection by coastal guards.

Although the Land of Gold still engaged in the slave trade, purchasing large numbers of serfs and slaves from noble territories during overseas trade voyages to bring back to the territory,

promotion by the publicity department and hired minstrels caused voluntary migrants to surpass the number of purchased serfs.

Word of mouth about the changes and real situations in the territory gradually convinced migrants of the news about the Land of Gold, resulting in a continuous influx of voluntary migrants.

Additionally, many merchant ships arrived with tea, silk fabric, and various porcelain collectibles, cautiously navigating the remaining channel into the crowded harbor.

The Dragon Group Territory is no longer a mere destination for the product dumping by merchant groups and nobility. Ships once laden with slaves, salt, grains, and weapons, now see the Dragon Group exporting its products overseas.

The once vast trade deficit has gradually been erased, with Dragon Group Territory ships carrying gold, fur, salt, and various refined ores and ironware to other countries.

Young Red Dragon Kedelos perched atop the castle, gazing below, felt tempted by the continuous flow of wealth, even as ships continued arriving despite the port blockade.

"Damn Beastman mutants, future wealth will be mine too. Dare to impede my earnings? Crushed you should be,"

Youthful Kedelos’s teeth clenched, eyes almost bulging with greed. If not for the submission contract, he might have swooped down and plundered treasure from the ships already.

"Your vessels have been requisitioned; you may take all your goods, and requisitioned ships will be compensated by the territory. Here’s your requisition ticket,"

The Dogman Captain with guards boarded the newly docked ship, speaking to the captain.

"This is Count Kael’s fleet; you can’t do this," said the armed guard beside the captain, surrounding them.

"You Evil Dragon followers, showing your true colors, are you? Set sail, set sail, we’re leaving here," the captain shouted.

But the harbor was littered with holed ships; many vessels lay submerged underwater, others tied with thick ropes, floating and blocking the formerly wide harbor. Returning ships must navigate carefully.

"Hmph, we sent Flying Dragons patrolling the sea path, warning approaching merchant ships. Yet greed consumed you, ignoring warnings; your ship’s requisition serves you right,"

The Dogman Captain, undeterred by the tall and well-armored guards, didn’t even draw his weapon, merely raising a small command banner.

Thwup,

Youthful Kedelos on the castle flapped his wings, alighting on the ship’s deck, his weight causing a slight shudder to the vessel.

"You miserable, cowardly scum, get off my ship now, take your stuff, this ship is now mine!"

Youthful Kedelos exhaled sparks from his nostrils, lowering his head, baring fangs to intimidate the merchants and guards.

Before the intimidated collected themselves, a Flying Dragon Rider from the distant ocean blew a resounding horn in the sky.

Hoo, hoo...

All, including the Dragon, looked back, and on the distant horizon, a speck jumped from the sea, followed by more, forming a line.

Next, sails emerged from the horizon, an endless wall of sails like a forest on the sea, occupying the entire sightline.

Hundreds of giant ships formed an oceanic wall, pressing towards the shore. Even at his vantage, Kedelos saw countless shark-riding Shahua Fishmen within the surging tides next to the wall.

The dense Shahua Fishmen formed a shadow beneath the sea, wider than the surface ship wall; they drove ever-rising waves towards the harbor.

Young Red Dragon spread his enormous wings, soaring up from the ship, unleashing a resounding roar in midair.

"Roar..."

Sentinels on the lookout tower sounded the enemy alarm simultaneously with the ringing of Golden City’s bells, the sky resounding with horns and bells.

A broad iron chain spanned the harbor, slowly rising and tautening from the sea.

Armor-clad, towering Beastman, Count Gahn of the Beastman Kingdom, stood on his flagship, gazing at the nearing shore.

Surrounding Beastman warriors gathered, their thirst for battle and plundering excitement causing them to pound their chests and roar.

"Rather than wasting the warriors in a forthcoming civil war, let them be the Beastman Kingdom’s outward blade,"

Gahn straightened his chest, quietly saying, "It’s up to us whether we are pawns or heroes."