Deep within Burning Steel Fortress, the Red Iron Dragon's consciousness slowly focused.
He temporarily ended his blood kin connection with Iron Dragon Gordon, awaiting a response.
At the last moment, Galos once again emphasized several crucial details to Gordon that required special attention and absolutely no oversight—including how to control the extent of information conveyed, how to assess Elena's true intentions, and how to mitigate risks in the early stages of cooperation—to ensure that his brother, who was at the heart of the enemy camp, would not expose himself due to a momentary oversight, or even jeopardize the entire Dragon Group's plan.
"Based on the detailed descriptions Gordon sent back, combined with the information relayed by the Gemstone Merchant Group's intelligence network, and cross-referenced,"
"It can be largely confirmed that Crystal Princess Elena… is by no means a short-sighted, simple-minded fool pampered by the court."
Galos pondered in his heart.
"On the contrary, she is very intelligent, possesses a keen political sense and impressive magical attainments, and more importantly… deep within her heart, there burns a strong desire to serve her country and share the burdens of the struggling Lothorn Royal Court. This is a potential collaborator with ambition and initiative."
Galos's Dragon head tilted slightly upwards, his gaze flickering, thinking:
"Hopefully… she will ultimately make the correct choice… that is most beneficial to both of us."
The Red Iron Dragon's massive body shifted slightly, adjusting into a more comfortable position that allowed the thick, plate-armor-like scales on his belly to fully extend.
The Female Sorceresses understood.
With their cool, magic-infused fingertips, they began to gently and precisely massage the relatively soft areas of the Red Iron Dragon's abdomen, helping him relax his steel-hard body.
While enjoying this rare moment of relaxation, Galos immersed his mind into the invisible blood kin connection network.
He first contacted Iron Dragon Sorog, then connected with Red Dragon Samantha, who was supervising the alchemy production line on Black Iron Plain.
At the same time, he was silently awaiting Gordon's crucial message from the Lothorn Royal Court regarding the Crystal Princess's response.
Meanwhile.
Spark Monastery.
"Listen up, you little hatchlings!"
Iron Dragon Gordon roared.
"The Great Steel King is setting off to return to the Royal Court! Next time we meet, I hope your 'Qi' can burn even brighter, and you can imitate a bit of the Great Dragon's demeanor!"
Under the gazes of the surrounding young male and female apprentices, a mix of awe, curiosity, and a touch of accustomed helplessness.
His massive body, covered in dull metal scales like a moving fortress, awkwardly propped up his strong limbs and took heavy steps that made the ground groan slightly with each stride. Then, with his enormous Dragon head held high, he departed from Spark Monastery in a manner he considered majestic but was actually somewhat comical.
Not long after.
Inside Crystal Princess Elena's luxurious study, which resembled a miniature magic museum, within the Lothorn Royal Court.
Elena reclined on a velvet-cushioned couch by the window, one slender hand resting languidly on Gordon's cool, hard scales.
She was listening to Iron Dragon Gordon vividly and graphically describe his incomparably powerful, extraordinarily intelligent blood kin brothers who were about to establish an immortal hegemony in the Serre Wilderness.
Initially, she didn't pay much attention, simply treating it as Gordon telling a story.
In her eyes, Gordon was like a pet, a companion, and as she grew older and had no offspring, an object for her maternal love to shine upon.
However, as she listened.
Elena's delicate face, which had originally held a somewhat doting smile, gradually became serious, then a hint of unconcealed doubt emerged.
Her gaze involuntarily slid from Gordon's Dragon head, expressive with passionate speech, to his enormous body, which appeared particularly round and plump due to long-term pampering in the Royal Court.
Comparing this to the fierce images of his brothers, who had grown up fighting in the blood and fire of the Serre Wilderness, as he described them.
The contrast was simply too stark, wasn't it?
"See! Elena! I knew you'd make that expression!"
Gordon keenly caught the distrust in the princess's eyes and immediately let out a low, displeased growl.
He nimbly (for his size) twisted his neck and extended a giant claw covered in metal scales, pulling out several copies of the "Federal Daily" from a nearby newspaper rack, each from a different date but with startling headlines on the front page.
He slapped the newspapers down in front of Elena like displaying spoils of war.
[death star Descends! Raymond Duchy's Century-Old Gemstone Mine Bloodbathed by Giant Dragon]
[Black Rock Duchy Mine Outpost Turned into Hell Overnight, No Survivors, Suspected to be Destroyed by Evil Dragon Mountain-Burning Wings's Raid, This Evil Dragon's Sins are Monstrous, Carries a Bounty of Ten Million Gold Coins]
Besides the headlines, there were also the accompanying images.
—A minefield melted into a glassy pit by Dragon Breath, steel city walls as if ravaged by a giant beast, and… a blurry yet ferocious, sky-obscuring silhouette captured by a magic scrying crystal, exuding a malevolent aura.
"Look! Look closely at these!"
Gordon's voice carried a strong sense of confidence: "This is the masterpiece of my blood kin—'death star'! Listen to that name! Look at these achievements! Isn't that enough weight?!"
Elena took a deep breath.
To be mistaken for Mountain-Burning Wings? She had heard of that notorious Evil Dragon.
She sat up straight, her expression becoming focused and serious, and with the keen insight unique to a high-level mage, she carefully read, word by word, the duchy reports that she usually didn't pay much attention to.
Gradually.
The image of a Dragon of incredibly powerful strength, terrifying growth speed, and cautious and steady conduct… a Dragon that absolutely no force could underestimate, became incredibly clear and real in her mind.
Elena's gaze slowly lifted from the newspaper.
She looked back at the round mass in front of her, scrutinizing Gordon from head to toe, repeatedly.
As if trying to unearth bloodline evidence from his plump exterior that could connect him to that death star.
She said with some hesitation: "Gordon, are you sure… that the Dragon referred to as death star is really your blood brother?"
She paused, the doubt in her tone deepening.
"Are you two… truly close relatives flowing with the same source blood? No mistake?"
Her underlying meaning was clear: You two… the difference… isn't it too great?
One slaughters decisively in the Serre Wilderness like a Demon King descended.
The other has grown fat as a ball, living a life of luxury in the Royal Court.
"Of course! Absolutely certain!"
Iron Dragon Gordon's reply was unequivocal.
"We have similar blood flowing in our bodies, there will be no mistake about that."
Elena fell silent.
She repeatedly examined Gordon's eyes and expression, trying to catch any trace of pretense, but saw only pure pride and undeniable affirmation.
She recalled Gordon's origin—he was indeed discovered and brought back to the Royal Court from the Serre Wilderness, a place far from civilized order, full of primitive strife and cruel laws.
After thinking and questioning the Iron Dragon for more than ten minutes.
She gradually accepted this seemingly absurd and bizarre fact.
"Serre Wilderness… Ignas Dragon Group… Abel Duchy…"
The Crystal Princess's gaze became profound and sharp, as if penetrating the walls of the study, casting towards that vast and unpredictable land at the edge of the kingdom's territory.
All this time.
A strong sense of unwillingness, like a raging fire, burned within her day and night—she was unwilling to merely be an exquisite vase adorning the Lothorn Royal Court. She yearned to prove her worth, to use her wisdom and strength to do something useful for this kingdom she deeply loved, which was now in turmoil.
However.
She was in the innermost heart of the Royal Court, and her noble princess status, while bringing a halo, also became a heavy shackles binding her hands and feet.
Her brothers and sisters, who constantly coveted the throne and regarded her as a potential threat or bargaining chip, used various rules and means to set limits and obstruct her everywhere… In this critical moment when the Federal undercurrents were surging and the situation was as tense as a drawn bow, she had a full heart of ambition and the power of a high-level spellcaster, yet she sadly found… that she could do almost nothing substantial to touch the core or change the status quo.
But now.
Things seemed to be taking a turn.
"Gordon."
Elena's gaze suddenly retracted, refocusing on the Iron Dragon, and her voice became more solemn and clear than ever before:
"Can your blood kin engage in rational, effective discussion and communication? Are they willing to consider accepting… certain Delegation missions from the Royal Court in exchange for specific, valuable resources, or sufficiently generous magical remuneration?"
She asked the key question that would determine whether cooperation could begin.
Gordon's jaw muscles twitched instinctively.
The phrase "Of course they are! They'd be begging for it!" was almost on the tip of his tongue.
But just as those impulsive words were about to burst forth.
He remembered the Red Iron Dragon's instructions: "Stay calm, Gordon, never let the other party easily see our bottom line. Let them propose their demands and show their chips."
He forcefully swallowed the affirmative answer that was about to blurt out, his face quickly shifting to an expression of deep consideration, even with a hint of difficult hesitation.
The Iron Dragon was silent for a few seconds before slowly saying in a deliberate tone, "They… hmm… are not those ignorant Evil Dragons who follow chaotic instincts and only know destruction and plunder; they naturally possess basic intelligence and the ability to communicate rationally."
Then, his tone shifted again as he continued:
"However, perhaps because they have lived for many years on the fringes of civilization, in a wild land where order has collapsed, their conduct inevitably carries a strong aura of untamed wildness and stubborn recalcitrance."
"Moreover, they have now developed a vast and impressive enterprise, with many powerful monster dependents gathered under their command. They are already regional overlords who make surrounding forces hesitant to act, and their arrogance… is probably far superior to that of an excellent Iron Dragon like me, Gordon."
"Ordinary gold and jewels, common magic ores… have long lost their appeal to them. They have their own independent, grand visions and strategic plans for the future."
"They probably will not easily or rashly accept requests from unfamiliar forces—especially from human kingdoms."
Not rashly accepting—meant there was a possibility of acceptance.
Elena pondered thoughtfully.
And the key to making them accept lay entirely in… whether the price offered was shocking enough, and whether it was enough to move those arrogant wilderness overlords who had seen many "big scenes."
"Gordon." Elena's voice returned to its usual elegant composure, but with an added, undeniable royal authority: "On my behalf, and representing the will of the Lothorn Royal Court, convey a formal intention to your blood relatives."
"Just say—"
"The Lothorn Royal Court, with great sincerity, hopes to discuss establishing a long-term strategic cooperative relationship based on mutual trust and win-win benefits with the powerful Ignas Dragon Group."
To prevent her princess identity from being disregarded,
she specifically invoked the name of the Lothorn Royal Court.
This was both a display of the highest level of sincerity and importance, and a silent declaration to the other party: the one about to speak with you is not a princess seeking personal help, but rather… a kingdom entity with supreme authority and vast resources! This was enough to make even the proudest Dragon Lord… lower themselves a little and seriously weigh the astonishing value contained within this proposal.
Of course, they might be suspicious.
But at the very least, it could earn her an opportunity for dialogue.
"Good! Leave it to me!"
Upon hearing this, Iron Dragon Gordon immediately raised his head and pledged confidently:
"My blood relatives attach great importance to my opinions and views; they have great respect for my judgment. Since it is you—Elena—who wishes to establish cooperation with them, I, Gordon, will certainly do my utmost to act as a go-between and facilitate the arrangement."
"Then, I entrust this matter entirely to you, Gordon."
The Crystal Princess nodded slightly.
After speaking, she seemed to finally let go of the heavy burden in her heart, leaning back in relaxation, gently resting against Iron Dragon Gordon's hard, cold scales, which were like tempered steel.
She picked up a thick tome with moonstones inlaid on its cover, elegantly turned the pages, and quietly began to read, as if the conversation that could change the fate of the kingdom had merely been a casual interlude in the afternoon.
But her gaze did not focus on the pages for a long time; her thoughts had clearly already flown to the vast land known as Serre Wilderness, and to the Dragon.
Borderlands, Dragon Valley, Burning Steel Fortress.
After a period of remote communication and internal discussion, primarily based on the Red Iron Dragon's ideas, the core members of the Ignas Dragon Group… finally finalized the detailed next steps for the Molten Iron Tribe's formal advance into the Serre Wilderness.
The tribe's massive war machine was about to roar into action.
First stop: Scale Earth Rift Road!
With Viscount Thorn's death, control of this trade route was reclaimed by his family's superiors, and it continued to operate based on the reputation initially maintained and accumulated by the Molten Iron Tribe, having already become a relatively prosperous trade route.
Choosing this place
was not only to reclaim their original territory and erase the past humiliation,
but also because this location was on the border of the Serre Wilderness.
It was suitable to serve as a bridge for further advance into the Serre Wilderness.
As for the Raymond Duchy's pursuit—unless those higher-level federal entities intervened, their Garrison Corps (garrison troops) in the Serre Wilderness might not be stronger than the Molten Iron Tribe.
The warriors of the Molten Iron Tribe, and the Dragon that commanded them, were already prepared to fight fiercely against the federal states.
However, regarding the specific strategy of "whether to establish cooperation with Crystal Princess Elena," Red Dragon Samantha showed clear doubt and resistance.
Within the invisible bloodline network, Samantha's voice rang out, filled with undisguised disgust.
"Why? Why must we cooperate with those humans? I don't think it's necessary at all; I detest those hairless, scaleless little crawling insects from the bottom of my heart."
"Samantha, calm down."
He responded, "Because… she can bring us Gemstone."
"And they are endless, countless, top-quality Gemstone, enough to fill our treasury."
"Not just Gemstone… the channels she represents can also provide us with other even rarer, more precious resources that are difficult to buy on the market, such as solidified black oil crystals, those top-tier magical wonders that only exist in royal secret vaults."
After a few seconds of silence,
"Hmph."
Samantha first habitually snorted coldly, then her tone underwent a subtle and rapid shift: "However, on the other hand."
"These hairless, scaleless little things called humans… sometimes, if you look closely… they're actually quite cute? With their round eyes and soft appearance."
"Hmm, we can also appropriately make contact, as long as they know to offer enough Gemstone to show respect."
At this moment, Iron Dragon Sorog said, "Gordon has responded!"
Gordon's loud voice, with a clear hint of seeking credit, immediately echoed in the consciousness of every blood relative.
"Brothers! Elena is very interested in cooperation; her attitude is very positive, and she has a strong intention to cooperate."
Hearing Gordon's report, Galos nodded, showing little excitement or emotion.
He had long anticipated Crystal Princess Elena's positive response.
As early as when he first gained a deeper understanding of the princess's character and circumstances through Gordon, Galos had already formed a mental image of her.
She was a magical flame confined within a magnificent cage like a crystal cover, with a burning desire to ignite a prairie fire, yet struggling to find the fuse to light it.
And now,
he had offered the fuse.
As long as the princess's original intention remained unchanged, and her fervent desire to serve her country rather than be a mere ornament had not extinguished, then she would undoubtedly seize the opportunity.
"Elena is still waiting for my reply. She wants to know our preliminary intention. Should we… agree to her? Give her a definite answer now?"
"No hurry."
Galos smiled slightly and said, "Let her… wait a little longer."
Whether it's any negotiation, transaction, or cooperation… taking the initiative is a crucial matter concerning the final distribution of benefits.
And in a contest of patience and composure… it is often the party that can remain calmer and appear less eager… that ultimately seizes that decisive initiative.
No sooner had Galos finished speaking than,
"Gordon! You fat-brained fool, listen to me!"
Red Dragon Samantha roared viciously, "Don't let your love-struck brain ruin our good fortune!"
"If your pathetic, foolish infatuation with human little bugs causes us to lose Gemstone veins or black oil crystals… I'll strip off your scales, pull out your tendons, and roast you over a volcano like a pig to eat. I guarantee the smell will make all the Kobolds in the tribe drool for three days."
Samantha's brand of care was always so 'warm'.
"Hmph—!"
Iron Dragon Gordon immediately let out a scornful sneer, as if he had heard the most absurd joke in the world.
"Stupid Red Dragon! Samantha, you muscle-brained fool, what do you take me for? Those ignorant insects who are obsessed with romantic plots in knight novels and whose heads are clouded by love?!"
"Yes, I am obsessed with Elena, but that is like an obsession with Gemstone, with wealth, not based on foolish emotions."
He declared emphatically, "I know what to do, so you can rest assured."