Beneath the Red Dragon

But ever since Karon established his territory, he has taken the lead in learning from humans and those short-lived species, adhering to the laws of time, and abandoning the dragons’ almost non-existent concept of time.

This and other undesirable habits are one of the reasons why giant dragons are gradually retreating from the world stage today. Giant dragons, like their own legacy, are ancient and inflexible.

Those mages, through generations of improvement and progress, even the most basic tricks, Mage’s Hand, have countless versions, each with different specialized abilities.

And then there are other magics, such as those from the School of Moldable Energy, whose casters change the research and casting models for just a Fireball Skill at least hundreds of times.

In contrast, dragon legacy contains little addition and not even a hint of change.

In this era where multiple races rise and prosper, if dragons and their legacy cannot keep up with the evolution and development of other races, being pushed into corners or even crushed into ashes would not be surprising.

After the initial painful adaptation and the oversized fists of the Ancestral Red Dragon, the dragons in the group have almost all become accustomed to following the laws of time and have established a normal concept of time.

Undoubtedly, showcasing a strong adaptability is the most powerful survival law for giant dragons.

As the maids served their master’s customized lunch and offered the usual rare desserts, Karon then stepped down from the throne and headed to the reception room, with the next goal needing neither to be too formal nor too neglected.

As the afternoon bell rang for the fourth time, a middle-aged man wearing a noble, exquisite robe popular in Northern Continent Southern Rose City, resembling an open-front coat, and with a Magic Dragon Crown Badge on his chest, slowly stepped into the magnificent castle.

The royal court’s maid bowed slightly, ”Mr. Holister, please follow me; the master is awaiting your arrival.”

Brass Dragon Holister, in his humanoid form, appears as a tall, thin middle-aged man, with slightly sallow features, prominent facial traits, deep eyes, and distinct vertical pupils different from normal humans.

He politely nodded at the maid, seeming more like a natural habit, and casually assessed the maid’s attire. This came from the Brass Dragon’s preference as he adored fashionable and beautiful clothes.

The maid led this pre-scheduled guest through the deep and vast corridors to the reception room exclusively for the Emperor of the Golden Empire.

Before the broad and heavy door painted with red lines depicting flames and lava, Holister hesitated for a moment before revealing his true dragon form and boldly stepping into the reception room.

Karon was leaning against the warm fireplace, standing on a luxurious long rug, reading information about the visitor in his hand, a piece from an early intelligence network established by Karon—the Eye of Dark Crow.

Another piece was from the male Bronze Dragon Gross.

Bronze Dragon Gross temporarily did not wish to face the Red Dragon alone, which was understandable, but his actions also indicated this Bronze Dragon’s attitude.

Karon was aware that he was not a demon who enjoyed playing with dragon hearts, yet he was somewhat pleased that his silent influence could have positive effects.

When Karon heard the intentional faint footsteps of the Brass Dragon, he lifted his head from his thoughts.

The Dragon Emperor’s reception room was spacious enough that even a mature Brass Dragon could move freely within it.

However, this mature Brass Dragon, like his kin, was not considered beautiful among dragons, with a short and thick neck, bat-like wings resembling ribs growing from the shoulders and extending nearly to the tail’s tip.

Furthermore, compared to the colorful and vibrant scales of the Five-Color Dragons, this Brass Dragon’s scales were too muted.

Along with its slender physique and unique wide ax-blade crown from other dragons, combined with sharp spikes under the chin and eyes resembling molten metal spheres, they signaled the mature age of this Brass Dragon.

Karon was slightly surprised. He had chosen a humanoid form out of respect for the Brass Dragon’s habit of living within human civilization.

Moreover, in this humanoid form, neither side would immediately confront the direct divide and disparity between Metal Dragons and Colorful Dragons.

But this Brass Dragon evidently shared some similar thoughts, actively assuming his true dragon form.

Thus, Karon also revealed his true dragon form, though when embodying his human likeness, this shape was more like borrowing from his true form’s abilities, returning to his essence.

”Holister Blake.”

”Welcome to my distant Alien Scale brother,” Karon said, watching the Brass Dragon stepping into the room.

”By the way, your attire is fantastic; you have excellent taste.”

In that instant, Brass Dragon Holister’s meticulous expression showed slight pleasure, and he bowed his head in salute, ”Leader of the Dragon Group, Shaper of the Wasteland Civilization, Emperor of the Empire, ruler of the entire territory of the Land of Golden wasteland, forests, and sea, Noble Flame Monarch Karon Gogomola, I extend my respects to you and on behalf of my compatriots, express friendly goodwill.”

Karon, facing such formal etiquette from the other side, had no choice but to stand, facing Brass Dragon Holister: ”I am glad that this meeting can provide an opportunity for both sides to understand each other more. Even though the Good Dragon Alliance is far across the Southern Continent, your reputation has spread across the whole world.”