The sun had set below the mountains, casting a dim, yellowish light across the land.
As the entire triumph ceremony and founding ceremony concluded, the city's clamor dissipated into individual households, lights began to glow, and cooking smoke billowed.
However, the mountain peaks became unusually noisy.
Ascending the climbing stairs of the Dragon Kings Fortress, torches blazed on both sides, appearing from the base of the mountain as if tiny lights connected the entire sky and earth, extending deep into the twilight-reddened clouds.
Even after a day of exhaustion, groups of people, chatting and laughing, ascended the wide white stone steps.
Although their tone was relaxed and natural, the slight excitement on their faces and the pride suppressed in their hearts were undeniable.
This was because they were the lucky ones invited by Kalon Kogmora, the Dragon King who ruled the entire empire and ascended the throne today, the empire's supreme ruler, to attend this important banquet.
This meant that their achievements had been noticed by the Dragon Emperor, who sat high on the throne, and were given extra affirmation in this manner.
In the past, many considered being invited by the owner of that Dragon Kings Fortress to be the highest honor.
Many people, after leaving the Dragon clan's Fortress, now the royal court, would constantly boast about the palace high in the mountains.
Legend had it that this palace was the most luxurious, spacious, and majestic palace in the world.
There, one could enjoy all the fine wines and delicacies in the world, and meet the most beautiful women in the world—such rumors abounded.
Some bards even compared the True Dragon's palace to the temporary residence of a god on earth, where there was nothing you couldn't imagine, nothing you couldn't enjoy.
Even the devils in hell and the demons in the abyss were jealous that the True Dragon could possess such a palace.
Some poets who specialized in writing lewd stories even wrote in their tales that.
The powerful and brutal Red Dragon, to satisfy its lust, even imprisoned angels from the heavens and succubi from the abyss deep within its palace, tormenting and flogging them day and night.
Day and night, the palace would echo with the cries of angels and the screams of succubi, along with the arrogant and triumphant laughter of that Red Dragon.
Even some commoners who had never ascended the mountains believed such rumors. After all, the monarch's generosity and tolerance were sufficient for the people of the territory; for external beings, a more brutal Red Dragon would be more imposing.
Those officials who had the chance to enter the palace would boast proudly to their colleagues; although their last visit to the Dragon Kings Fortress only involved a brief breakfast and a few hours of arguing before being sent down the mountain, it didn't stop them from showing off as early arrivals to others.
Among those who successively ascended the mountain were various battle group leaders of the Dragon clans Legion, Yug the Gnoll, Gibb the Barbarian, Chiron the Centaur, as well as Bartoliand other important military officers and some high-ranking officials.
Some warriors who had received significant commendations for their merits in the war against the Orcs were also invited to this banquet.
In addition, some accomplished Scholars and mages were also among the invited, such as Alchemy Professor Tichi, and several Scholars who had made breakthroughs and optimizations in dragon blood potions; bang bang the Goblin inventor was also among them.
The Goblin Glitter and several heads of the Dragon clans merchant groups had also arrived in the territory before today; these talents who earned wealth for the True Dragon naturally belonged to the invited ranks.
Count Renis, who traveled from afar from the Vampire-founded Forest Kingdom, and representatives from various noble factions were all invited to attend. For these factions that actively extended an olive branch to the True Dragons, even if the True Dragon's empire would not form an alliance with them, it would still maintain good relations.
"Damn guys, truly damn, ah, ah, ah, ah!"
Watching lines of people ascend to the mountaintop, Sally, once a capable assassin in the Scarlet Rose mercenary group and now an excellent intelligence officer in the True Dragons Empire, glared angrily at the backs of her teammates, cursing fiercely.
The golden-haired mage captain, having made some breakthroughs in researching magic alloys for magical power battle armor, was invited to the banquet.
And the Shield Warrior, a powerful Saint-tier warrior, now a centurion of the Second Company under the True Dragon Empire's Central First Legion, was also among the banquet guests, having received a combat hero medal for his bravery in battle, slaying six Orc Overseers and one Great Orc Overseer.
And young Bill, this Saint-tier assassin master, now the Vice Minister of the Imperial Unified Planning Department, was also invited to the banquet as a high-ranking official who had made achievements.
The Druid and logistics master in the team also became lucky beneficiaries due to their contributions. In other words, of the original Scarlet Rose mercenary group, only this unlucky Sally was the sole member who failed to reach the summit.
The palace on the mountaintop had already transformed into a brightly lit divine palace in the night. Under the advance arrangements of Charlize, Kalon's former capable assistant for political affairs and chief maid, hundreds of maids had already properly arranged the grand hall on the first floor of the Fortress palace.
Several Metal Dragons had been chained to the broad corridor pillars outside the first floor of the Fortress, guarding the Fortress's gate.
The Silver Dragon Christiana, this sacred Valkyrie revered by many Metal Dragons, was currently suffering the greatest humiliation of her True Dragon life; her head, which she could hold high even during the parade, was now deeply buried between her paws.
The two Bronze Dragons also turned their heads in silence; although True Dragon s do not feel shame, they are very concerned with their dignity.
Only the Ancestral Gold Dragon Obirash, this unlucky yet fortunate Gold Dragon, chose to slumber in place amidst his severe injuries, which undoubtedly avoided immense embarrassment.
Although Kalon had said he would do so on the battlefield, some people with connections to those Metal Dragons still couldn't believe that the Red Dragon monarch would actually do it.
Because in their view, although the Red Dragon was covered in red scales, it was more rational and wise than even the most intelligent Gold Dragon and Silver Dragon, and would not make such an unwise choice.
Moreover, this was an extremely excessive humiliation for those arrogant Metal Dragons, not to mention the famous Good Dragon Alliance, which contained countless powerful Metal Dragons, and it was impossible for them to allow these True Dragons to be tied up like dogs in front of the Red Dragon's castle gate to guard it.
Although this made them realize that the Dragon Emperor, who had ascended the throne, always kept his word, they occasionally worried about the newly established Golden Empire.
However, when they stepped into the palace-like Fortress, all their worries were cast aside.
They had not been to a god's temporary residence, so they didn't know how it compared to the Red Dragon monarch's palace.
But standing in the palace, under countless dazzling lights, they still couldn't quite discern the exquisite and magnificent dome above them; the gigantic marble pillars, carved with intricate patterns, seemed like pillars supporting the heavens.
Even with over a thousand people gathered, they only occupied a small portion of the hall; the vastness of the space, illuminated by the lights, seemed to stretch endlessly, and even the empty King's Throne appeared incredibly distant and unreachable in their eyes.
The Fortress's grand hall had already been set with long tables made of precious wood, covered with layers of exquisite silk cloths, and countless enticing foods were placed on delicate gold and silver tableware.
Wild game such as white-horned wild oxen, chamois, wild boars, and mountain deer; river and sea delicacies such as lampreys, sturgeon, pike, and river perch; and mountain birds like swans, pheasants, and herons, either roasted or cooked, were all dazzlingly abundant.
There were also alcoholic beverages such as milk wine, mead, and fruit wine; even the quite expensive Hippocras sweet wine, purchased through southern trade, was transported in barrels.
Among them, delicate silver goblets also held countless spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and even saffron, where a single pound was enough to buy a normal horse, and sugarcane, where ten pounds could buy a good horse, were supplied without limit.
Even so, slender and beautiful maids continued to bring in various foods like a flowing stream. This scene of lavish luxury even left Count Renis, the Vampire who was accustomed to extravagant enjoyment, wide-eyed in astonishment.
It should be known that the Dragon clan's territory had also experienced a war that lasted for several years. In other human kingdoms, a slightly poorer country might not even be able to guarantee that its king could eat meat several times a day.
This gives an idea of the True Dragon's former prosperity.
After these people were awestruck by the palace's vast luxury and the True Dragon's prosperity, they then noticed that Dragon Lords were gathered on separate thrones in the distance, chatting and laughing, speaking freely, discussing policies, or telling interesting stories.
This was also influenced by Kalon; he and the True Dragons within the Dragon clan disliked tedious procedures and excessive etiquette, so they were as informal as possible in private.
However, the True Dragons who joined the Dragon clan later, such as the Young Red Dragon Kadilos, did not have the title of Dragon Lord, so these True Dragons simply lay on exquisite soft carpets.
In front of them, a huge table was set, on which were placed the favorite foods of the True Dragons of various scale colors.
Some officials and retainers still wanted to go forward and pay their respects to the Dragon Lords, but they were all sent back by the impatient Dragon Lords.
As the Dragon Emperor, Kalon possessed inherent majesty, and these Dragon Lords were no different.
Therefore, they did not need to deliberately display and maintain their majesty; what should be displayed now was the True Dragon's tolerance and amiability.
And those officials and invited guests, in this atmosphere, quickly relaxed, shed their inhibitions, and engaged in lively conversation.
Except for certain designated personnel, everyone could freely find their preferred seat.
As the banquet guests gradually arrived, the maid guarding outside the Fortress's gate gently struck the golden bell hanging in the wide corridor, signifying the official start of the banquet.
Fortunately, Kalon did not make others wait long; he did not need to deliberately put on the airs of a ruler. The moment the golden bell ceased, the Red Dragon monarch's figure had already entered the hall from the Fortress's rear garden and ascended the throne.
The sounds in the hall instantly vanished without a trace; the Dragon Lords ceased their conversations, and all the guests stopped talking and laughing, turning their gazes uniformly towards the calm and majestic monarch.
But to everyone's surprise, the Red Dragon, high on the throne, was extremely straightforward.
Kalon raised his massive golden goblet, surveyed the entire hall, then curled the corners of his mouth, revealing his stark white, thick, long fangs.
"The first toast, to all the True Dragons in the Dragon clan who fought for the empire, to their noble courage and fearless determination."
"To the True Dragons!"
Everyone echoed, clinking glasses, and even the Dragons raised their massive, bucket-like goblets and guzzled down their drinks.
Once the chief maid by his side refilled his drink, Kalon raised his goblet again: "The second toast, to all the warriors of the Dragon clan, to their loyalty and blood-courage!"
"To the loyal warriors!"
The Dragons echoed, and everyone joined in, raising their goblets and drinking again.
Kalon nodded slightly and continued: "The third toast, to all the officials of the True Dragon, to their diligence and wisdom!"
"To diligent wisdom!"
Kalon raised the final goblet and laughed loudly: "To the departed heroes of the Dragon clan, to their sacrifice and indomitable spirit!"
"To indomitable heroes!"
The atmosphere in the grand hall gradually grew warmer with successive toasts.
Alfred's vertical pupils darted around. When Kalon put down his goblet, he picked his up again and said loudly: "One more toast, to the leader of the True Dragon, the monarch of the empire, Kalon Kogmora!"
The Dragons stood up, all the guests stood up, and they collectively raised their goblets.
"To the leader of the Dragon clan, the monarch of the empire!"
Kalon smiled faintly, raised his goblet again, "Let us all drink, to our future!"