At the very beginning, Garros only wanted a peaceful life; he did not care about sleeping in the open.
But every victory was like adding fuel to a fire.
Step by step, his desires grew—he wanted exquisite food, a proper residence suited to his form, more servants to attend to him, and a life lived without restraint. Greed and ambition grew within him like a bottomless pit.
"Hoo—" The Red-Iron Dragon breathed deeply, suppressing his restlessness.
Every time he achieved victory or became stronger, his heart grew restless.
"The nature of an Evil Dragon grows along with my changes. If I'm not careful, I'll be influenced and act irrationally. It's truly a moment that allows for no relaxation," Garros thought silently to himself.
The ambition of an Evil Dragon roared in his chest, but the chains of reason bound his claws.
Dragon Sleep was imminent, and now was not a good time for further development. The Molten Iron Clan, having just gone through a war, needed to rest, digest, and consolidate their gains.
After some time.
Dragon Valley.
The Dragon Flight, led by Garros, returned first.
"Great Lord of the Crimson Wings, Death Omen Star."
"You have returned in triumph; every scar on your body tells a tale of glory."
The Earth Rampage Bear, Mobel, came running over, offering flattery and praise.
"While we were away from Dragon Valley, were there any unexpected situations?" Garros asked casually.
"None! With us Earth Rampage Bears on guard, the sleeping grounds are as secure as a fortress," Mobel said with absolute certainty.
The sleeping grounds of the Iron Dragon Sorog were in the deepest part of Dragon Valley, guarded primarily by the Earth Rampage Bears.
The Earth Rampage Bear pack rarely participated directly in war. Aside from Mobel, the other bears had low intelligence and could not remember too many friendly units; in the chaos of battle, it was easy for them to lose their minds and attack friend and foe alike.
Their position in Dragon Valley was equivalent to the lord's personal guard.
Apart from Garros, no other dependents, including other dragons, could easily command the bears.
The current bear pack, including Mobel, reached five adults, and the number of juveniles and cubs had increased significantly.
Although these magical beasts were the first Garros had subdued, they remained one of his stronger clans of dependents to this day.
Earth Rampage Bears grew quickly, and their average Life Level as adults could reach Rank 8. By their Peak as Mature Adult Dragons, they were around Rank 10. If not for their lack of intelligence, each one could serve as a leader.
"Go back. Remember, do not let any creature near the sleeping grounds," Garros said.
At this moment, the Red-Silver Dragon Deborah circled the sky a few times, taking in the scene of Dragon Valley before landing beside Garros.
"You were in the Serel Wilderness before; why did you suddenly come to The Borderlands?"
"I was very surprised when I first discovered your aura," the Red-Silver Dragon said.
She had ended her Dragon Sleep and activated her mixed blood, intending to return to the Serel Wilderness, but she encountered the Red Dragon Samantha on the way, and was stunned to discover that Garros had actually come to The Borderlands.
"The human garrison in the Serel Wilderness is too numerous, and my actions are restricted," Garros said: "The Borderlands are barren, but they are also freer. I do not need to be overly forbearing. I can develop better here; one day, it is not impossible to occupy this place completely."
The Red-Silver Dragon clicked her tongue and said: "I see. You want to become the King of the Borderlands."
"But that difficulty is not low. It seems I haven't told you yet—my parents reside in The Borderlands."
"[Frosttrace] and [Copperflame]. They are officially titled Mature Adult Dragons."
She hooked the corner of her mouth and said with a grin: "I acknowledge your strength, but if you were to face my parents now and a conflict were to arise, you would not have any chance of winning. They would beat you until you're toothless."
Garros did not refute this.
A Mature Adult Dragon is a dragon between two hundred and four hundred years old.
And Silver Dragons and Copper Dragons are not the disgrace to dragonkind that White Scale is.
A Mature Adult Copper Dragon is at least Rank 16, and a Mature Adult Silver Dragon is at least Rank 18. They are already approaching the Legendary Domain, and they are on a completely different level from Garros.
"Would your parents attack a Young Dragon without reason?" Garros asked.
With the arrogance and dignity of a Mature Adult Metallic Dragon, they generally would not allow themselves to attack a Young Dragon, at most giving a slight lesson.
"Oh, my father is a Silver Dragon; his personality is rigid and strict, but he is very law-abiding—the kind of law-abiding where the rules are carved into the scales."
"Under normal circumstances, he would not bully the weak, but if he discovered you slaughtering the weak, raping, and plundering, he would definitely be unable to restrain his sense of justice, and would take action to punish you, or even Seal and imprison you."
"My mother is a Copper Dragon. Aside from riddles, she really, really likes pranks. Being targeted by her is sometimes worse than being sealed by my father."
The Red-Silver Dragon did not mind telling Garros about her parents.
The names Frosttrace and Copperflame are unknown to newcomers, but to the intelligent creatures who have lived in The Borderlands for years, they are like thunder in the ears.
The Red Maple Valley where they reside is secluded from the world, but it is a hegemon of The Borderlands.
The various races of The Borderlands always tacitly avoid Red Maple Valley.
"Don't worry, I know that although you look fierce and sharp, you are completely different from other Evil Dragons."
The Red-Silver Dragon patted Garros on the shoulder with an "I've got you covered" expression, saying: "I will speak well of you. As long as you don't do anything too excessive, my parents won't bother you."
An ordinary Evil Dragon might feel slighted and get angry upon hearing such words.
Garros, however, nodded naturally and said: "Is that so? Then I thank you in advance."
The Red-Iron Dragon flashed a brilliant smile, which formed a huge contrast with his ferocious and vicious appearance.
In the eyes of the Red-Silver Dragon, this made her freeze for a few seconds.
She hurriedly turned her head away, not daring to look directly, pretending to tidy her wing membranes, while her voice softened unconsciously, saying: "It's just a small matter. We are now accomplices—ah no, companions. We should help each other."
Garros asked again: "What if your parents insist that I am an Evil Dragon and attack me without asking any questions?"
The Red-Silver Dragon shook her head: "That won't happen. They believe that the formation of an Evil Dragon is related to Acquired factors. They have even thought about adopting Evil Dragon offspring to cultivate them into Good Dragons. They do not have much prejudice against Evil Dragons."
Adopt Evil Dragon offspring?
Do you think I'm suitable? I am a naturally evil Red-Iron Dragon.
If you do not abandon me, I am willing to worship you as my foster father!
Garros's dragon eyes lit up.
He had never been opposed to latching onto a powerful backer. If the Iron Dragon Mother had not insisted on expelling him, he would have been willing to stay in her territory until he was an adult.
"It's a pity I haven't met suitable Hatchlings or Young Dragons. They think that those above the Young Dragon stage have essentially fixed personalities and are not suitable for slow cultivation through adoption; using intense methods like imprisonment and whipping is more effective."
Hearing this, Garros felt very regretful and dismissed the idea of latching onto them.
"Then what if? What if they insist on attacking me? Even if I haven't committed any great evil."
He asked the previous question again.
"Oh my, I said that wouldn't happen."
"But if it did happen—"
Her voice paused, and the Red-Silver Dragon said: "—it would mean my parents have violated their own moral standards."
"Departing from one's own moral standards is a big problem for Metallic Dragons, and I cannot sit idly by."
"At that time, I will stand in front of you to persuade them. If that really doesn't work, I will pretend to let you capture me, giving you a chance to escape."
Garros nodded with satisfaction.
"Want to play a riddle game?"
He changed the subject and said to the Red-Silver Dragon.
The Red-Silver Dragon nodded without any hesitation: "Okay, okay, you go first."
"There is a creature that has four legs in infancy, two legs in adulthood, and three legs in old age. What is it?" Garros did not use his own brain, but recited a classic riddle from his past life.
The Red-Silver Dragon pondered slightly.
A few seconds later, she answered uncertainly: "A human? Or rather, a humanoid creature."
Garros flicked his tail, making a crisp sound: "Correct!"
"My turn, my turn."
The Red-Silver Dragon was in high spirits and told Garros a riddle. Garros was sometimes able to answer, and sometimes needed the Red-Silver Dragon's hints. The whole process of solving riddles made the Red-Silver Dragon very happy, and she felt greatly satisfied.
Time passed slowly.
Garros's days became full and peaceful again.
He had the Red-Silver Dragon and the White Dragon take turns sparring with him to exercise his ice resistance and Explosive Scales, hone his wings and tail, fuse Life Qi and Demonic Energy to form Dragon Qi, and exercise and strengthen his Dragon Heart through the Blood Burst Technique.
Meanwhile.
After ending the battle with the Bloodhoof Clan, the Molten Iron Clan took over their resource points, mainly focusing on garrisoning and consolidating, without continuing to expand outward. Apart from occasionally trading with merchant ships passing through the waterway, they were basically inactive.
Like a tiger that has eaten its fill, silently licking its claws while waiting for the next hunt.