A Dragon against the Whole World

Chapter 451: Chapter 340: The Map King at the Doorstep, Dragon and Pride of Lions

”In the northwestern part of the wilderness, the four Map Kings, except for that Eye Demon, are somewhat similar to the Wild Monster Lords I once subdued in the Border Area.”

Galos sorted through the information in his mind.

In terms of species and their affiliations with fierce beasts and monsters, the Map Kings seem no different from the Wild Monster Lords under his command.

But this is only on the surface.

In reality, those Map Kings are, without exception, highly intelligent and powerful beings.

Under their command are sizable, well-disciplined legions, far from weak lone wolves.

The strength of their individuals and the overall power they can mobilize far surpass the Wild Monster Lords in the Border Area who relied solely on instinct to hold their ground.

However, possessing intelligence also means there is potential for communication and negotiation.

This also means there is an opportunity to conquer them and convert them into his own followers.

”In the Border Area, I killed more than a dozen Wild Monster Lords, but only three chose to succumb.”

”The situation with the Map Kings in the Northwest Region might be different.”

”The probability of successfully bringing them under my command should be theoretically higher.”

Galos silently analyzed in his heart.

The development of the Molten Iron Tribe in the Border Area had long reached its ceiling, but after migrating to the broader stage of the Sel Wilderness, the situation is completely different.

Given the current size of the tribe.

Not to mention controlling the entire wilderness, even just wanting to fully control the Northwest Region seems beyond reach.

With continued conquests and expansions, the core forces of followers that can truly be mobilized at any time will actually be further diluted.

By then, conquering territories with the sheer force of the Dragon Group might not be difficult, but effectively managing the vast territories captured will become an extremely challenging issue.

For example, after the Molten Iron Tribe took over the entire Border Area, although its scale expanded rapidly, when deciding to launch a large-scale campaign into the wilderness, they also had to divert a portion of their valuable forces to guard the rear, to maintain the basic order of the Border Area and could not ignore it entirely.

Similarly.

As the Dragon Banner is planted on more and more new lands, more outposts, sentry posts, and strongholds need to be established, with strategic locations like the Quenching Highlands requiring garrison...

The tribe’s already limited power will be further dispersed and diluted.

”In the process of expansion, absorbing and subduing new, powerful forces as followers is a necessary strategy.”

The Red Iron Dragon lightly swished its thick tail, hitting the ground, pondering in its heart.

”Otherwise, the power of the Dragon Group and the tribe would be gradually consumed by one war after another, and they would be overwhelmed by the growing territory, gaining nothing.”

His ultimate goal is to wield the power to sweep the world with the might of one dragon, to one day truly act with impunity and do whatever he pleases.

But at the current stage, the importance of territory and followers is still self-evident.

In terms of sheer military strength, Galos doesn’t really need them; quite the opposite, they need Galos’s protection to survive and thrive.

However, the resources necessary for Galos’s rapid growth cannot do without the collection and supply from a vast territory and follower system.

Without them, all the trivial matters would require Galos’s personal attention, wasting his infinite time and energy, preventing him from focusing on his training and strengthening.

”These Map Kings are potential dangerous enemies, but they are also ready targets for conversion into followers.”

The Red Iron Dragon pondered for a moment, already having a clear first target in mind.

The Map King closest to Ximu Territory is the Lion King lurking in the Echo Rift.

This Lion King marked the Echo Rift and its vast surrounding area as its territory, ruling over a great number of various types of lion-like fierce beasts and monsters, establishing a hierarchical Lion Kingdom.

According to scout reports, the power of this Lion King is still expanding.

It is not satisfied with its current territory, intending to convert a larger area of land into a hunting ground for the lions.

Then, the Red Iron Dragon slowly closed its huge eyes, beginning to rest and recover its body.

Once its condition is adjusted to the peak and the tribe’s army is slightly rested, he will personally lead the Dragon Group and the elite Affiliated Legion to the Echo Rift to attack the Lion King Territory.

On one hand, it’s to accurately measure the true level of the other Map Kings;

On the other, it’s to attempt to subdue the entire lion group, adding a powerful new force to the Molten Iron Tribe.

As for why he has to go with the Dragon Group and followers instead of going alone to challenge.

The reason is simple: caution.

As of now, Galos himself is just a newly promoted Map King, on par with the other Map Kings in reputation, with no clear distinction of superiority.

For a powerful creature qualified to stand alongside him, Galos believes it is necessary to give it the due respect.

In case the opponent is a formidable foe with hidden reserves, rushing in alone and then encountering the opponent’s army working together could lead to an unexpected downfall.

Galos does not want to rush in with great momentum only to return defeated.

The sky gradually darkened as he pondered.

Galos lay in Needleleaf Valley, his physical condition and the body state affected by the Red Lotus Cursed were recovering at a visibly fast pace.

Afterward, time passed neither too quickly nor too slowly.