The whisper of the Iron Dragon echoed in her ears.
The human princess was silent for a few seconds, then finally shook her head and said: "Lothern is the crown of the Federation, the heart of the Southern Kingdoms. Even under the shadows of those behemoth-like Empires, this land still shines with an undying radiance."
She gazed at the silhouette of the royal capital outside the window, where the towering magic towers and bustling streets reflected a firm light in her eyes.
She said: "The Holy King of Lothern forged the glory of the Kingdom, but his departure will not cause the high towers to crumble. The Foundation of Lothern is deeper than you imagine."
Elena still held hope for the Kingdom of Lothern.
In her eyes, although the Holy King of Lothern had fallen, the Foundation of the Kingdom remained. As long as they could weather the growing pains of losing the Holy King of Lothern, relying on the wealth and resources accumulated over hundreds of years, the Kingdom of Lothern could still suppress the countries of the Federation.
She said to the Iron Dragon: "I understand what you mean."
"But look, the war has not yet begun, and the royal family has already sensed the danger, taking the lead in cutting expenses and tilting resources toward the army."
"As long as we do not sit and wait for death, but actively respond to potential dangers."
"I believe that with the heritage of the Kingdom, we will certainly be able to survive this turning point and move toward a more glorious path."
"Lothern was once proud of the Holy King of Lothern, but in the future, the spirit of the Holy King of Lothern in heaven will be proud of Lothern."
The Iron Dragon stroked his round belly and said in a low voice: "Cutting expenses? Does that mean that apart from the Moon Dew, nothing else in my supplies has changed?"
The value of his daily food could consume the savings of an ordinary person for decades, or even a lifetime.
Cutting expenses?
I'm afraid it's just talk.
"Elena, you are a member of the royal family. You know very well how extravagant the royal family is. My existence is the best proof. This is not something that can be changed in a short time."
The Iron Dragon cared very much about the human princess in front of him.
He said: "Don't wait until disaster strikes to regret it."
His voice carried concern: "Let's leave together, Elena. I will protect you well. Do not forget my identity. I am a noble and powerful Dragonkin, the leader of the Ferrous Dragon! Even in the wilderness filled with Vicious Beasts and monsters, I am a top-tier creature."
Hearing this, Elena stared blankly at the Iron Dragon.
The Iron Dragon Gordon had lived a life of luxury. Because of the comfortable and peaceful life over the years, he no longer had the fierce and murderous Aura belonging to Dragonkin.
But when he said those words just now.
His eyes turned into cold vertical pupils, the spines on his body stood up with a metallic clang, and his whole body radiated the oppressive Aura belonging to Dragonkin.
A Dragon is, after all, a Dragon.
He would not turn into a cat or dog-like pet because of changes in his living environment. When the need arose, his claws and teeth could still be sharp.
Elena did not fear the Dragon's might.
Years of companionship and growth had made her regard the Iron Dragon as family in her heart, not just a simple pet or playmate.
Looking at the usually lazy and gluttonous Iron Dragon, who was showing such a side at this moment, she suddenly smiled and said: "Gorton, you look like a real Dragon right now."
Gorton said with dissatisfaction: "What do you mean by 'like a real Dragon'? I am a Dragon!"
"Yes, you are a Dragon, born with wings that can soar in the sky, yet you are trapped in the palace because of me." Elena laughed, but as she laughed, her smile gradually faded. She looked directly into the Iron Dragon's eyes and asked: "Gorton, do you want freedom? As long as you want, I can let you leave the palace, let you return to the wilderness, or go anywhere else you want to go."
"Unless you come with me."
The Iron Dragon persistently persuaded: "Life in the wilderness is not as comfortable as the palace, but it has a unique charm. Maybe you will like it."
Elena sighed.
She shook her head slowly: "It is not a matter of liking or disliking."
She held a complex expression as she said: "I was born a princess, enjoying the favoritism of my father and siblings, having the resources of the entire Kingdom, living a superior life, with everything I want within reach."
"Now the Kingdom is at a turning point, and it is a critical time."
"I cannot only know that I am a princess when I am enjoying myself, and I cannot abandon my home and country when the storm is coming."
"The blood of the royal family flows in my veins, Gorton. When the last torch of the royal court is extinguished, you will see me standing on the highest tower of the royal city, either wearing the crown of victory or becoming the most dazzling torch."
"The people of the royal city will never see their princess fleeing from battle."
Her voice paused for a moment, and the human princess said word by word: "No matter what the future of the Kingdom of Lothern holds, I love the land beneath my feet, and I will live and die with it."
The Iron Dragon was silent.
He wanted to say, what is the point even if you stay?
A princess without real power, a mascot-like status—staying would not change anything, and there was the risk of death, or even something more terrible than death.
But seeing the human princess's firm eyes and expression, the Iron Dragon did not say these words.
"Gorton, you should leave on your own."
"I will give you a wealth of resources and send you to the place you want to go."
Elena said softly.
The Iron Dragon shook his head and said: "I will stay here until the end."
Immediately after, he added: "But you cannot withhold the wealth you mentioned because of this."
Elena nodded with a smile, then quietly snuggled against the Iron Dragon, feeling the cold touch of his dragon scales, which made her feel exceptionally peaceful inside.
The Iron Dragon did not speak again, enjoying the peace of the moment.
But his eyes flickered slightly, the laziness and looseness on the dragon's face were gone, his spirit was tense, thinking about how to protect himself and Elena in the coming chaos.
He was a Young Dragon, possessing powerful strength himself.
But in a behemoth like the Kingdom, this did not count for much.
The guards in the royal palace had an average Life Level of over 10, and a slight leader was a powerhouse of Rank 15 or above, and there was no lack of Legendary existences in the open and in secret.
Correspondingly.
Those who coveted the territory and wealth of the Kingdom of Lothern were not to be underestimated. Adult Dragons could not do much in this situation, let alone a Dragonkin like him who was not yet a youth.
Not long after, Elena left the Iron Dragon's residence.
Gorton thought over and over, and finally, the only thing he could think of was that one day when the flames of war swept to the capital of the Kingdom of Lothern, regardless of whether the human princess was willing or not, he would find a way to take her away from the sea of fire and then dive into the Serel Wilderness.
Suddenly.
The Iron Dragon Gordon had a flash of inspiration.
Thinking of the Serel Wilderness, he also thought of the Young Dragons he lived with in the beginning.
Regarding Garros's current situation, Gorton knew a thing or two.
In the boring time of living in the royal court, he often read the Federation Daily, especially paying attention to Dragonkin news.
One report about a Red-Iron Hybrid Dragon slaughtering human nobles and looting gem mines caught his attention.
Considering that the number of Red-Iron Hybrid Dragon was small and the age matched, he could be sure that the Evil Dragon mentioned in the report, known as "Sky-Rending Wings" and "Death Omen Star", was definitely his brother Garros.
When he was enjoying a luxurious life in the royal court, the Red-Iron Dragon had already grown into a famous Evil Dragon that could make it onto the Federation Daily, and even had such a resounding title.
This once made him very envious, thinking that if he had not been brought to the human lands, he could definitely have had such a reputation.
"Garros was the wisest and strongest among us since childhood."
"He must already be a Lord Dragon now, with his own territory and dependents."
"Perhaps I can pay a certain price, find a way to contact him, and seek his help. At least, when I take Elena to escape to the wilderness, I can have someone to meet us."
The Iron Dragon thought silently.
Although there was no specific way to contact Garros at the moment, Gorton was not in a hurry.
The Holy King of Lothern had fallen not long ago, the news had not fully spread, and the Lothern Federation was still calm on the surface.
The things he worried about would not happen immediately, and there was still time to plan from a long-term perspective.
Besides, his luck had always been good.
The current problem might be solved one day.
"Since things have come to this, let's eat a bit more."
"After eating, I need to exercise and digest. I cannot be as lazy as before."
The Iron Dragon used his tail to curl up the bell and shake it, asking the attendants to bring food.
Time passed slowly and unhurriedly, and quietly, another two years passed.
new calendar year 249 (Bernardo and various Empires take the day the first interstellar spaceship lifted off as the beginning of the era, symbolizing the entry into a new era of interstellar exploration).
It is now the third year since the fall of the Holy King of Lothern, and the news is known to everyone.
The Kingdom of Lothern officially announced his death and held a state funeral. Envoys from various countries offered flowers and eulogies, singing praises and tributes to the achievements of the Holy King of Lothern, while mourning the passing of the Holy King of Lothern.
All Kingdoms and Duchies in the entire Federation were remembering this founder of the Federation.
The Holy King of Lothern was also the pillar of the Federation.
He organized the Federation, swept away the chronic illnesses, ended the disputes of the Southern Kingdoms, and allowed the countries to usher in vigorous development in peace.
The respect for the Holy King of Lothern was from the heart of each country.
However, respecting the Holy King of Lothern did not mean they could continue to respect the current Kingdom of Lothern, they just temporarily suppressed their different intentions.
The fall of the Holy King of Lothern left the Federation in a heavy atmosphere. There was no obvious friction or dispute between countries, but silent undercurrents were slowly brewing.
The Borderlands, Dragon Valley.
Shortly after the funeral bells in the Southern Kingdoms ceased.
The white roses offered by the envoys of various countries were still emitting their final fragrance before the tomb of the Holy King of Lothern.
And in the deepest cave of Dragon Valley, the rock that had not moved for ten years was cracking.
With the fall of the Old King, the Red-Iron Dragon, who had been sleeping in the cave for ten years, gradually awakened, opened his eyes, and revealed dragon pupils like the deepest night.
PS: Don't forgot to give power stones!