Translator: AnubisTL
"A gold dragon has intruded into the Frontierlands?"
Hearing Garos's report, Red-Silver Dragon Deborah blinked, a flicker of genuine surprise and astonishment crossing her eyes.
"The information is accurate," Garos's deep, certain voice resonated. "Based on the detailed descriptions from multiple outpost familiars, judging by its size and the intensity of its dragon might, we can essentially confirm... it is a young gold dragon."
A young gold dragon... Its life grade would start at level 14 at the minimum.
Depending on its exact age, the average level for a young gold dragon typically stabilized between 14 and 16.
Even for inherently powerful high-tier dragonkind like red, iron, and silver dragons, the life grade range for their young stage was primarily between 13 and 15.
Generally speaking, they were one level lower than a gold dragon of the same age.
"Currently, almost all adult metallic dragons of great power have been urgently summoned back to their respective Dragon Realms."
Deborah's expression turned thoughtful. "A young gold dragon that wasn't summoned appearing in the Frontierlands is rare, but not entirely without reason."
Her eyes flickered, and she paused briefly before continuing, "Still, his actions are likely not driven by something as superficial as a simple 'protection racket.'"
As a being who also shared the bloodline of the metallic dragons, Deborah possessed an understanding of her kin's—and especially gold dragons'—thought patterns and behavioral logic that far surpassed that of other dragons.
The red-iron dragon nodded slightly, her eyes filled with encouragement, signaling the red-silver dragon to proceed with her analysis and judgment.
Deborah pondered for a moment, organizing her thoughts, and then spoke slowly. "The gold dragon clan's sensitivity to the aura of 'evil'... is unparalleled among dragonkind."
"The moment he stepped into the Frontierlands, he wouldn't even need to actively search."
"The unique scent of an evil dragon, lingering stubbornly in the air even after being deliberately suppressed and faded, would inevitably stand out like a torch in the night, captured clearly by him."
Her dragon's maw moved slightly as she continued:
"If he relies on this perception, he would be certain that this land has been secretly taken over and ruled by a dangerous evil dragon."
"Whether his true core objective is the efficient accumulation of wealth, the fulfillment of a metallic dragon's innate duty to 'punish evil and eliminate wickedness,' or some deeper, more hidden agenda..."
"His next primary strategy will inevitably be—to find a way to force the hidden 'evil dragon' into the open."
The voice paused slightly, the red-silver dragon's tone growing even more certain:
"He will most likely employ various means to provoke the evil dragon into acting, while simultaneously securing a righteous justification for himself."
"And then..."
"Under the banner of 'justice,' he will crush his opponent with the force of a thunderbolt, and then 'as a matter of course'... seize and annex all the wealth the evil dragon possesses."
Metallic dragons naturally lacked the inclination and patience to manage vassal races.
To maintain their reputation and face as 'just' and 'guardians of order,' they would never resort to the naked, bandit-like methods of amassing wealth used by the chromatic evil dragons.
So, the question arose—
Where did the metallic dragons' enviable, magic-shimmering, and abundant treasuries actually come from?
Beyond the occasional mercenary contract aligned with their righteous cause—which yielded a relatively "clean" form of income—the primary and most central source of a metallic dragon's wealth was "punishing evil."
They were especially fond of striking down evil dragons who had entrenched themselves in a region and amassed a considerable hoard.
Sometimes, a sufficiently powerful and patient metallic dragon, upon scenting the rise of a promising evil dragon quietly gathering strength in some corner of the world...
...would not immediately act to nip the threat in the bud.
Instead, they would wait with the patience of the most seasoned hunters, allowing the evil dragon's wings to grow strong, its territory to stabilize, and its treasury to overflow. Only then would they strike at the perfect moment, seizing all the wealth the evil dragon had so painstakingly accumulated for itself.
And among all the metallic dragons, the gold dragons were most fond of this practice.
It allowed them to satisfy the exhilarating "rush" of upholding justice and punishing evil, while simultaneously reaping immense material rewards and earning the highest praise and prestige.
A masterstroke of efficiency.
"So, it was all for the wealth..."
Garos stood atop the watchtower, his massive dragon head lowered slightly, pupils narrowing as his gaze swept across the vast Frontierlands.
"I fear it is far more than that."
The young gold dragon's actions at the Frontierlands outpost—nearly provocative yet laced with obvious probing—had stirred a premonition in the red-iron dragon's mind. It was a sense of something grander and more aggressive than mere plunder for wealth.
This gold dragon's appetite might be far larger than Deborah currently imagined.
But no matter what, this was the territory of the Ironforged Tribe! It was the land Garos had conquered with his own claws. He would never allow the gold dragon to get what it wanted.
He is only a young adult, Garos thought. Strong, yes, but still just a youth.
He had not yet reached the formidable adult stage, let alone the prime age where experience and mana reached their zenith. He was far from a threat that could make the Ironforged Lord truly wary.
"Deborah."
Garos's voice rumbled, deep and powerful. "Prepare yourself. You will accompany me to meet your 'noble' kinsman."
For the sake of certainty, he decided to bring the red-silver dragon along.
Gold dragons possessed a sense for evil dragon auras as keen as a hound's. Even if he suppressed his own Red Iron Hybrid aura as much as possible, it might still fail to escape the young gold dragon's sensitive perception.
And Deborah... the concealment spells she wielded, derived from her silver dragon bloodline, were precisely the shield they needed now.
"Yes! Yes!"
At the words, a spark of eagerness instantly ignited in Deborah's eyes. Her sharp dragon fangs clicked together unconsciously, producing a faint, excited sound. "I've long been sick of those arrogant gold dragons, always acting like they're the most noble beings in the multiverse!"
The metallic dragon species usually presented a united front to the outside world, jointly resisting various threats.
Yet internally, deep-rooted competition and subtle hierarchies still existed between the different metallic dragon types.
The silver dragons had never ceased their yearning to challenge the gold dragons' status as the "Head of the Metallic Dragons."
As a Red-Silver Dragon, the moment Deborah heard that a gold dragon had descended upon this land, the silver dragon's competitive instinct deep within her bloodline was instantly ignited.
Besides, during her time in the Boiling Sea Dragon Domain, Deborah had not been without contact with gold dragons of her own age.
Those gold dragons were indeed friendly, gentle, and always polite in conversation.
Yet, without exception... in every interaction with her, they would unconsciously betray a hint of an innate, utterly concealed "condescension."
It was the feeling of a true ancient noble, patiently and deliberately "lowering" themselves to speak with a commoner out of good breeding, rather than engaging in a genuine, equal exchange.
This subtle yet palpable sense of difference always left a trace of resentment lingering in the proud red-silver dragon's heart.
"And me! Don't forget me!"
A voice, clear as a silver bell yet brimming with fierce fighting spirit, suddenly rang out. The multi-colored Fairy Dragon Vera flew over, hovering before Garos and Deborah.
"Let's take down that arrogant gold dragon! Show him the true power of our Ignis Family!" she declared, waving her small claws.
To deal with this suddenly appearing young gold dragon, the Ironforged Tribe's dragons had practically turned out in full force.
Such a grand display... was certainly enough to give the representative of the "Head of the Metallic Dragons" the respect and face he deserved.
Garos smiled, his gaze sweeping over the vibrant Fairy Dragon and the battle-ready Red-Silver Dragon.
"Very well," he rumbled in agreement. "Vera, stay close to Deborah."
As his words faded, the Red-Iron Dragon turned his gaze beyond the borders of Dragon Valley.
It was the hour before dawn. The deep night had not yet fully receded, and the vast, boundless sky hung heavily over the earth like a massive sheet of ink-soaked, charcoal-gray velvet. Yet, along the distant horizon, a faint but resolute sliver of pale blue dawn was beginning to bloom.
"Dawn approaches," Alberto said with a faint smile. He withdrew his gaze from the sky and remained suspended in mid-air.
"Steel, sulfur, ice... The scent of evil dragons is drawing closer."
"Hmph. This is more interesting than I anticipated," Alberto remarked, catching the strengthening scent in the air. "I hadn't expected so many evil dragons to be nested here. They are not to be underestimated."
Despite being in unfamiliar territory, the young gold dragon showed no sign of retreat or haste. He simply hovered in place, calm and composed, like a host awaiting the arrival of honored guests, waiting for the evil dragons to approach.
(End of the Chapter)