Chapter 122: Creating a New Dragon Breed
The Stepstones, Tyrosh, the Purple Palace
This was a vacant suite within the Purple Palace. Its owner was a powerful Magister of Tyrosh, an unfortunate fellow who, after being presented to Jon by Mia Mors, was killed by Jon due to his status as a slave owner.
Since this man's rooms were spacious enough and had several secret chambers installed for certain unspeakable proclivities, the suite became Jon's private laboratory after he discovered it.
The suite had two floors in total. After entering through the main door, there were suites on the left and right that resembled torture chambers. There were eight such rooms in total, spread across both the upper and lower floors.
In the system Jon possessed, the dragon race had dragon claws, dragon limbs, and dragon wings. The only creatures somewhat comparable in this world were the Long-winged Dragons ridden by the pterosaur knights.
Dragon-like creatures such as Divine Dragons, Demon Dragons, Ice Dragons, and Fire Dragons were beings capable of breathing dragonfire. Because their power was too great, they were restricted by the laws of that world, forcing them to seal their power within dragonstones.
The magic stones and dragonstones in Jon's possession were similar in nature—it was merely that the rule systems of their respective worlds were different.
After Jon returned to Tyrosh, Salladhor Saan gradually transported those Long-winged Dragons back from the sea. When the Long-winged Dragons appeared in Tyrosh, the entire city was thrown into an uproar.
With Jon's arrival, the experimental subjects in this laboratory all became restless. Behind those iron bars were Long-winged Dragons that had been contaminated by Jon's magic stones.
Striped Long-winged Dragons were the most common variety found in Pterodactyl Point, and also the smallest. After being infused with the power of Jon's magic stones, many mutations appeared among these creatures.
Some grew extra heads, others extra limbs, and some even developed multiple tails. Under the influence of the magic stones, they became grotesque, like malformed constructs pieced together at random.
Although their appearance was horrifying, their intelligence and strength had increased tremendously. Nourished by soul energy, these once low-intelligence creatures had undergone remarkable evolution.
Especially upon seeing Jon—their creator—they behaved as though they had found their parent.
Following Jon into the laboratory was Jeyne Belaerys, the Dragonlord of Valyria.
Today, Jeyne wore a white Tyroshi-style gown. Her perfect figure appeared striking beneath the exotic attire.
"Aegon, you look no different from those Blood Mages now. I have every reason to believe that you will surely be able to create an even more powerful creature."
Jeyne spoke with ease. During their time together, the composure and determination Jon displayed had gradually earned her respect.
Jon also held a favorable impression of this Dragonlord from the Valyrian era. Jeyne was confident, fearless, and endlessly curious about the unknown—traits that defined her charm.
"Jon! You're here!"
Just as Jon and Jeyne were about to continue inspecting the creatures, a cheerful voice rang out.
Thump...
"Take it easy! Why are you always so reckless..."
After being struck squarely in the chest, Jon spoke with mild irritation.
"You're someone with the blood of a dragonlord—how could that hurt you? I just came to see Bran today, and I didn't expect you to be here too. You must check my training later—I want to become one of your warriors!"
After lifting her head from his chest, she tugged at his sleeve playfully. Glancing at Jeyne's figure, she stuck out her tongue mischievously.
After spending time in Tyrosh, the former "Little She-Wolf," Arya Stark, had grown into a spirited young girl.
Though Arya did not inherit the beauty of her mother, Catelyn Stark, the blend of Stark resilience and Tully blood gave her a unique presence.
Today, Arya wore black and gray leather armor. At her waist hung Needle, the sword Jon had given her. In addition, Jon had selected a Valyrian steel dagger for her from the treasury of Tyrosh.
Bran, Arya, Rickon, and Sansa had all come to Tyrosh. Due to the Northern campaigns, Eddard Stark feared unforeseen dangers and chose to send his children away for safety.
Here, Jon arranged their futures according to their talents.
Arya, gifted in agility and stealth, was placed under the training of a Water Dancer.
Rickon, who inherited the wild blood of House Stark, was sent to train among warriors.
Sansa, after the turmoil in King's Landing, became determined to pursue power and requested to study magic.
As for Bran—who possessed extraordinary Skinchanger talent—Jon kept him close for direct training.
"Where is Bran?" Jon asked.
"He's over there rolling his eyes again! Jon, why don't you look like that when you control animals? It's terrifying!"
Jon almost laughed at Arya's description. Before becoming a Dragonlord, he had also entered that white-eyed state when using Skinchanging abilities.
"His talent is already stronger than mine. Even Jeyne and I might not match him in soul manipulation."
After explaining, Jon led Arya toward a second-floor chamber.
Inside, Bran stood still—his eyes pale and unfocused—as he controlled a Long-winged Dragon.
Through his perception, Jon could feel Bran's consciousness moving within the creature, examining its body.
This left Jon conflicted. Choosing Bran's future path was dangerous—one wrong decision might limit his potential.
At the same time, Jon had begun to form a troubling hypothesis.
Based on Jeyne's knowledge and his own observations, Jon suspected that the Others might not be natural beings at all.
Instead, they might be the creations of a powerful Skinchanger who had lost control.
The way the Others commanded wights was eerily similar to how Jon controlled animals.
Combined with legends from beyond the Wall, Jon grew increasingly convinced—
The Others were likely born from a catastrophic failure of control.
"Ugh... whew..."
Bran exhaled as he exited the state.
"What is it? Why are you all here?"
"How did it go?" Jon asked.
"I've checked it. The test subject has fully developed the organ you mentioned. But if it's to leave the laboratory, it still needs time."
The subject Bran referred to was Jon's greatest success so far—a dragon created through mutation and controlled evolution.
This creature was no longer a typical Long-winged Dragon.
It now possessed a structure closer to true dragons—limbs, wings, and greater stability.
To create a dragon capable of carrying riders, Jon had been experimenting extensively with these creatures.
Recently, more individuals with this new structure had appeared.
Jon named this species:
Riding Dragons.
Though they lacked the overwhelming power of true fire-breathing dragons, they had clear advantages—
Lower intelligence requirements.
Lower energy consumption.
Higher reproducibility.
An army of such creatures…
Would bring a different kind of terror to the battlefield.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics