Beneath the Red Dragon

Under the long-term influence, the White Dragon Sloraka, who initially stumbled over Dragon Language, was now incredibly fluent in expressing himself.

This White Dragon was still striving to improve his status, so during a pause in the casual chat of several Giant Dragons, he boldly interjected: ”I’ve heard merchants and emissaries from the Imperial sea trade groups discussing the rampant piracy.”

Seeing that the gaze of several Giant Dragons was drawn to his topic, especially the direct stare of the Ancestral Red Dragon’s dark golden eyes, White Dragon Sloraka swallowed and then said: ”Originally, our Imperial territory was remote, and even if there were merchants coming and going, it wasn’t very frequent, so we only needed to be wary of some sea monsters.”

”But now the empire is prosperous enough that even distant trade routes cannot deter those merchants eager to pursue wealth. As the empire’s commerce and trade thrive, those pirates have also set their sights on this Golden Sea Route.”

”I’ve already heard of more than a dozen incidents of pirate attacks. Those pirates specifically target merchant ships in areas far from the Imperial sea route defense. Even the isolated merchant ships of the empire have been extorted by those wanton and arrogant pirates.”

The Dragon Lords all frowned in unison, their scales creasing. The actions of these pirates were as audacious as openly plucking Dragon Scales.

Even the Golden Dragon, upon learning that these pirates dared to infringe upon its wealth, would roar and send these pirates all sinking into the sea.

But the current naval strength of the empire was very weak, and the vast expanse of the empire’s territory made even the land area difficult to fully control, let alone the even more immense sea.

The sea territories, even with several Giant Dragons patrolling day and night, could only cover the near-sea regions.

And those pirates, doing the work of carrying their lives on their belts, would certainly not fear these Giant Dragons unable to extend their hands. Before the navy of the empire expanded, it seemed there was no better way for the empire to deal with such matters.

”These troublesome pests are exceptionally agile,” White Dragon Roni said fiercely, ”Sloraka and I have also followed merchant fleet ships to pirate-infested waters, but once those pirates see a trace of dragons, they hide.”

”They would even pretend to be merchant ships in advance, hoisting the flags of a trade fleet. Sloraka and I found no loopholes and couldn’t act directly!”

”Deniro, how are things going with your communication with the Nagas in the deep sea?” Bronze Dragon Alina turned to the arriving Fog Dragon to inquire.

Fog Dragon Deniro shook his head, ”The Nagas of the deep sea have not responded. I even suspect that my communication cannot reach their territory. A force is obstructing my message, and now I can’t even be sure if the Nagas have received my information.”

The Dragon Group in the Royal Court was deliberating matters of the Imperial importance, and outside the Royal Court, Silver Dragon Chris Tianna also descended upon the mountain top.

The information gathered by the Dragon Group had been fully conveyed, and even Silver Dragon Chris and the two Bronze Dragon temporary workers were aware of it, so the long-waiting Silver Dragon Chris finally made an appearance upon seeing several Giant Dragons gathered in the Royal Court.

Silver Dragon Chris, feeling somewhat apprehensive, walked toward the open great hall, much like during the first rites of leaving the parents’ nest for a journey in adolescence.

But the Nine-headed Hydra coiled on the rocky pillar stopped the Silver Dragon, whose heart was starting to beat erratically.

”Stop there, Silver Dragon, you are not yet a formal member of the Dragon Group,”

The Hydra, under the pretense of Dragon Power, haughtily declared: ”Without the Dragon Group’s approval, you cannot set foot in the council of the Dragon Group.”

Silver Dragon Chris’s heart instantly cooled down. Being able to come already demonstrated the Silver Dragon’s attitude and inclination, and for a Silver Dragon never lacking courage, reaching the threshold before the Royal Court of the Giant Dragons still required an hour of courage before deciding to advance. Yet a threshold stood like a chasm.

Silver Dragon Chris suddenly turned and left in a daze, oblivious even to the voice of the Ancestral Golden Dragon Oblash beside her, roaring ’bitch.’

Sitting atop the throne, the Ancestral Red Dragon’s dark golden eyes quietly revealed a dense, indelible Light of the Soul. The departure figure of the Silver Dragon Valkyrie was sharply perceived by this Red Dragon.

This caused the Ancestral Red Dragon’s fangs to slightly show, and Karon thought with a smile: ”To be an important piece, smooth sailing is no match for the resolve honed through twists and turns!”