Beneath the Red Dragon

The Golden Empire, a vast territory, has grown three to five times larger than before, stretching from the Golden Harbor on the East Sea Shore to the furthest city in the west, a distance of twelve thousand li.

Winter Avoidance City is a city on the western border of the Golden Empire, near the West Hammer Coast of the Western Continent, influenced by the unpredictable sea winds from the Endless Sea, lacking the spring-like climate found in the heartlands of the Golden Empire.

Every year, for three months, it experiences colder seasons, and due to the rainy weather, temperatures often dip, thus earning the name Winter Avoidance City.

The city is still under construction; now in late autumn, most passersby are slave Frost Giants and over three hundred Giants from the ’Red Compassion’ Legion captured from the Divine Forsaken Mountain Range.

Among the Giants, Hill Giants are the majority, stacking and building the city walls under the supervision of Kobold overseers. Even in the bleak and chilling late autumn, vapor from sweat envelops these Giants’ heads.

Huge stone blocks are moved by these Giants onto steam-powered lifts, then transported to the thirty-meter-high city walls.

In the Dragon territories, thirty-meter-high walls are considered low walls.

This frontier defense city is also the first fortress connecting the Western Continent to the Forest Kingdom of the Vampire Species for trade. The initial goal was it becoming the Golden City, with walls at least one hundred and twenty meters high to complete the setup.

Giants waiting on the walls stack the enormous slabs seamlessly, and any mistake sees the kneecap-high Kobold overseer whip the offenders.

Typically lazy Giants now work tirelessly, afraid to rebel or even glare.

Because the Guard Army, uniformly dressed in light iron armor, wielding elite weapons, with armor-piercing crossbows hanging from their waists, watches coldly from behind their cloaks.

Each member of the Giant Demon Troll Guard Army exposes their fangs, chewing the jerky native to the Dragon territories, which takes half a morning per piece, while observing the Giants.

Although these Guard Legions cannot hunt and capture Giants for martial merit and profit like the ’Red Compassion’ troops stationed at Baystream City.

If they can suppress the resistances and rebellions of Giant slaves, these guards receive commendations and awards from the Governor’s Mansion.

Soldiers who receive awards accumulate meritorious achievements and commendations by year’s end, earning substantial benefits.

Perhaps it’s a few sheep, cattle, horses, or beasts, perhaps a tamed Dragon Beast for use, or perhaps the fine wine enjoyed by the Giant Dragon Lords, enough to stir these soldiers.

In addition, over thirty meters high on the city wall, low-level spellcasters select fitted Magic Rune Stones to embed in the walls.

These Magic Rune Stones connect to the city’s Magic Defense Nodes, some are for prohibiting flight over the city, and some forbid teleportation magic and other transport methods within the city.

These rune stones require precise placement to link the city’s defense system, but with the expertise of spellcasters from the Giant Dragon Academy, dubbed the ”Civil Engineering System,” this work is second nature.

When the Young Red Dragon Kedelos arrived outside the city with two adult Gray Dragons, Naka and Naluo, and a group of fledgling dragons, they saw a scene as busy as a construction site.

”Lord Kedelos!”

”Patrol Commander!”

The Guard Legion hastily saluted the Young Red Dragon, though his reputation was widespread, understood by even every Imperial commoner, as a high ruler of the empire, the Red Dragon deserved such respect.

”Hmm, is there anything happening today? Any wild dragons causing trouble?”

The Young Red Dragon asked, looking down at the soldiers from on high with a collection of Dragons folding their wings.

Given the Young Red Dragon’s size, the Guard Army appeared tiny, and their power like toys before him.

But Kedelos did not underestimate these people.

Under the influence of the Dragon Group, even Kedelos knew, the Dragon Group’s strength was bolstered not only by the Dragons’ power and authority but by the contributions of their subordinates.

Support coming solely from power can’t compare to the current empire’s stability and reliability.

”No wild dragons causing trouble. Since Lord Jib’s Barbarian Legion transferred here, they’ve diligently swept surrounding threats, no wild dragon dares disturb.”

A Giant Demon Guard hurriedly replied.

”That’s good,”

The Young Red Dragon nodded, swaggering with two curious Gray Dragons in tow, constantly observing, and a flock of chattering fledglings, stepping into the city gates.

Kedelos oversees patrols along the border, and Winter Avoidance City’s affairs were not initially his task.

This city is currently under Steel Dragon Midir’s responsibility.

Explored and summarized by the magic research department under the Dragons with methods aligning cultivation practices with magic potions to revive and grow Dragon bloodlines, named the Secret of Dragon Evidence, steadily increasing power.

But Steel Dragon Midir is not adept at combat, worrying even the Young Red Dragon for this fragile steel dragon.