Beneath the Red Dragon

Chapter 12: Chapter 11: Absolute Control

Karon’s lair was very clean. Due to the arrival of the Red Dragon, the originally dark and damp mountain belly had become dry and warm, with bones piled in some corners for grinding teeth.

From the bone debris-covered corners grew a small number of Dragon-blood Red Flame Grass, this magical herb, crystal clear like Red Jade, nurtured from the bloodstains left by the Red Dragon’s teeth grinding and scale shedding.

Emitting a warm glow all over, it was also one of the sources of the increased temperature in the cave.

This was part of the Giant Dragon’s nest effect; the longer Dragons stayed in one place, the greater the impact they had on the surrounding environment and ecology.

The nest effect of Legendary Giant Dragons could easily alter a location’s terrain and climatic conditions, affecting all creatures living near the Dragon Nest.

Under the radiation of the Legendary Dragon’s power and bloodline, many half-dragon species could even be born near the Dragon Nest.

Many beasts and monsters would also mutate into powerful creatures with corresponding Giant Dragon characteristics, becoming one of the sources of many Dragon’s Beloved.

However, Karon was still just a Juvenile Dragon, and the nest effect’s influence was limited to his own cave.

After discovering this spontaneous spreading influence he carried, Karon, who was somewhat obsessive about control, had been attempting to see if he could actively manage the emission of these subtle forces, but so far with little success.

”Karon, Karon, can I come in?” Camid peeked and called from outside Karon’s lair.

A Dragon’s lair is an extremely important secret space for them, and entering another Dragon’s lair casually would be seen as a provocation.

Even Camid, who often followed Karon to sneak off into the forest and was now quite familiar, dared not enter Karon’s space randomly.

”Come in, Camid,” the Red Dragon’s voice echoed through the long passage, making White Dragon Camid somewhat hesitant about the Red Dragon’s lair.

Nonetheless, he shook his head and walked into the passage. Having spent a lot of time with the Red Dragon, Camid knew that usually, the Red Dragon was a Dragon easy to get along with.

Unlike Kleyna, who was bad-tempered and likely to attack at any moment.

Karon was honestly nesting in the cave; without hunting or joining the Juvenile Dragons’ activities, the Red Dragon appeared especially quiet.

And peace was detested by the eternally restless Red Dragon’s bloodline, but this was also what Karon needed to do.

”What is it, Camid? You don’t seem like the kind of Dragon who comes to my lair just out of curiosity.”

The Red Dragon did not get up. The interaction among these Juvenile Dragons was very casual, so he lazily flicked his flexible tail, trying to see if he could form different seals as he spoke.

White Dragon Camid first observed the environment around the Red Dragon with a curious expression. Compared to other Juvenile Dragons who simply dug a hole, Karon’s meticulously dug wide and tidy cave gave him the idea of imitation—it was indeed comfortable to live in such a lair.

Then Camid chuckled, ”Karon, you know, Antajena got beaten up.”

Karon’s face showed no expression as he lazily responded, ”Is this really something you need to specifically come and tell me about? It’s just Juvenile Dragons fighting, isn’t it? Camid, don’t you also get beaten often?”

”It wasn’t another Dragon that beat her up; Antajena got quite a thrashing outside from two Raven-men. She’s really mad but too embarrassed to come over and find you herself.”

A hint of schadenfreude appeared on Camid’s tiny white-scaled face. Green Dragons usually didn’t hold the weakest of the Five-Colored Giant Dragons, the White Dragon, in high regard, so naturally, Camid didn’t think much of Green Dragons.

”Beaten by Raven-men?” Karon’s eyebrows, covered with tiny red scales, furrowed.

Ever since Karon first led the Juvenile Dragons on a hunt, their activity range expanded beyond the confines of Dragon Nest Canyon, spreading into the forest.

And it was during her wandering in the forest that Green Dragon Antajena encountered the Raven-men who nested in the woods, only to be beaten and driven away from their spot by a small tribe of Raven-men.

This offspring of Ancient Beastmen and Extraordinary Magical Creatures, known for their volatile nature and penchant for noise, could not be tamed, even having the wilderness’s unmatched intelligence.

”I should go have a look; these Raven-men have quite the nerve,” Karon got up, calling the White Dragon to walk out of the cave.

The Green Dragon was currently by a pond in the canyon cleaning her wounds; the Raven-men had left several cut marks on her back, and many patches of finely woven, jade-like Green Dragon scales were torn off.

The Green Dragon couldn’t lick the wounds on her back and refused help from other Dragons.

The other Juvenile Dragons were active in the canyon, mocking the Green Dragon’s situation, and even Kleyna, who had a decent relationship with the Green Dragon, showed a schadenfreude-like attitude.

Dragons were always like this, believing Antajena to be too weak and frail and laughing at her failure.

This was why Dragons, whether in groups or alone, retained a high degree of personal identity and independence, as they were inherently influenced by the inherited legacy of previous generations to some extent.

”This is nothing to laugh at,” the Red Dragon stood in the canyon, speaking seriously to the Juvenile Dragons, ”The Green Dragon is part of our Dragon Group. Her failure also means the Dragon Group’s interests are harmed, which is something we’ll not tolerate. Come now, follow me, Antajena, I will take you to teach those blind Raven-men a lesson who don’t recognize the masters of this land.”

The Green Dragon’s beautiful eyes brightened, and she followed the turning Red and White Dragons.

Kleyna and the rest of the Juvenile Dragons exchanged looks and also dragged their tails along.

The Raven-men’s tree nest wasn’t very far from the Dragons’ lair—dozens of miles to the west—but the Dragons’ activity had not yet extended that far.

Since Akzhi was merely a Young Dragon, his attention was mostly on the relatively easy-to-observe and control prairie, while the rest of the Juvenile Dragons were still in a protected state.

Akhzi only wished for the Juvenile Dragons to remain somewhat stable within the lair and didn’t have additional demands for them.

The Raven-men’s tree nest was constructed on a towering broadleaf tree, with sturdy branches below to allow each Juvenile Dragon to stand firmly.

As Karon landed on the canopy’s branches, the Juvenile Dragons descended one by one, surrounding the unsuspecting Raven-men.

These Raven-men, covered in multicolored feathers with sharp beaks and claws, cawed and made an ear-piercing noise, but hesitated and dared not rashly attack.

A single Juvenile Dragon they could boldly expel, but they hadn’t expected the arrival of seven Juvenile Dragons—a situation unforeseen by the Raven-men.

Moreover, the belligerent Kleyna was already seeking a hunting target, while the other Juvenile Dragons took on an offensive stance. As Karon said, the Juvenile Dragons were now united as one.

The leading Raven-man’s screechy voice rang out, ”Young Dragons, we have no intention to oppose you. We’ve been living here for decades, and before, we merely drove the Green Dragon away from our dwelling.”

Karon ignored the Raven-men; he was now a Red Dragon, a Five-Colored Evil Dragon, not one of those benevolent Metal Dragons.

Even benevolent Metal Dragons would have no room for negotiation when conquering destined territories.

”Antajena, go and break the wings of those Raven-men who harmed you, shred their claws too,” Karon raised his head, at that moment resembling a famous painting, ”you go give them a smack” .jpg.

The Green Dragon was somewhat puzzled and asked, ”Karon, why not just finish off these Raven-men?”

Not only did the Green Dragon want to finish off these Raven-men, but the Red Dragon’s blood within Karon was also itching to act, ready to unleash the flames of destruction without needing Karon’s conscious thought.

But Karon believed that even his body’s instincts and urges needed to submit to his will, rather than swaying his thoughts.

Every decision and action should stem from his thinking and will. He required absolute control of his will over his body. Thus, he contained the Red Dragon’s destructive thoughts and dissipated the Giant Dragon’s violent Dragon Fire.

He glanced at the eager Green Dragon openly and righteously, ”Antajena, if the Dragon Group wants to reign over the land, it shouldn’t bring wanton destruction. However, I wish that when you are strong enough, you visit here again, and if any creatures still defy a Dragon, I’d like to see their heads among your trophies.”

Green Dragon Antajena narrowed her slender eyes, revealing a hint of dangerous glint.