The autumn wind swept across the boundless grasslands and over the mountain peaks where the True Dragon resided, making the scorching winds that perpetually swirled around the Dragon Nest more temperate.
Even the Red Dragon, submerged in the blazing magma and enveloped by boiling molten flows, keenly sensed the slight change in temperature.
It was somewhat ironic. The Red Dragon's flesh and blood were considered supremely evil and rigid, brimming with fiery energy, yet it was peculiarly averse to cold and detested the frigid winter.
If a Red Dragon ventured into certain extremely cold domains, it could even cause a drop in its strength, leading to a beating from a far inferior opponent.
Vassals influenced by the Red Dragon's bloodline power also strongly avoided launching wars of conquest in winter. While the cold winter affected most races and creatures, the Red Dragon's vassals were impacted far more severely.
Kalon hadn't understood before why those ordinary tigers, still far from powerful, with fur no stronger than Red Dragon scales, were sufficient to withstand harsh cold climates.
Those ordinary tigers never feared the cold winter; they even became relatively stronger in winter. Yet the mighty Red Dragon, the race closest to perfect beings, was inferior in this aspect even to an ordinary tiger.
However, after gradually mastering control over his own body, Kalon discovered the true reason.
Almost all True Dragon s in the world constantly radiate their power and bloodline aura, interfusing with the Material World. This is also one of the sources of the Dragon Nest's environmental effects.
But this also meant a form of expenditure. When encountering cold air or certain extreme cold forces, it became a confrontation and suppression, further exacerbating the Red Dragon's own consumption. A single Red Dragon was clearly incapable of opposing the entire world.
The proof was the heat and sulfurous vapors perpetually steaming from between the scales and armor seams of every Red Dragon.
But Kalon was different from his Red Dragon kin. His talent [Bloodline Solidification - Mind Overclock] allowed him to gradually gain perfect control over his own body.
With prolonged control practice and the aid of his bloodline talent, Kalon could now freely open and close every scale on his massive body and contract every minute pore on his skin.
Not a single wisp of blood and qi could leak from the pores or skin of Kalon's body without permission; not a trace of aura could escape without being restrained within Kalon's body. All bloodline radiation and field effects lay dormant under Kalon's will, just like the Evil Dragon Blood within his body.
Furthermore, it was foreseeable that when Kalon reached his upcoming juvenile stage, with his reproductive organs fully developed and fertile, he could even freely control his intimate moments with partners and mates.
Although, given a True Dragon's physical prowess and abundant energy, such control was entirely unnecessary. Nevertheless, Kalon felt a rather proud sense of achievement on his own.
Kalon's body at this moment was like a super-large furnace and energy pile sealed off from all fire and energy. All his blood, qi, and bloodline energy were condensed within his body, forming a self-contained system, completely free from the weakness of cold aversion that plagued his Red Dragon kin.
In extremely cold environments, Kalon wouldn't be weakened by this flaw. His intensely concentrated power would only intensify its reaction and confrontation when released from his body.
And Kalon only exhibited those characteristics typical of Red Dragons when unleashing his full power. Usually, only the scent of lava and sulfur clung to his scales from prolonged immersion in magma.
At this moment, Kalon's body was soaking in magma. Deep crimson scales, each the size of an adult's palm, slowly shed from his body, floating and sinking in the churning molten flow.
True Dragon s shared some similarities with snakes. Generally, True Dragon s only shed their scales under rare circumstances, much like snakes shedding their skin as they pass through life growth cycles and enter new stages.
True Dragon s only shed scales during slumber that spans age categories, as their bodies spontaneously adapt to the evolution and transformation of the True Dragon bloodline, shedding old scales and regrowing new ones perfectly suited to their bodies.
However, because Kalon constantly soaked in magma, the overly abundant energy and magic kept his body and bloodline in a state of accelerated growth and change.
As scales are relatively fixed tissues on a True Dragon's body, they often couldn't keep up with Kalon's physical growth and changes. Therefore, Kalon actively shed his scales periodically to regrow new ones suited to his body.
When the last old scale shed and new scales grew, Kalon emerged from the scalding magma.
He collected each of his old scales and placed them in his treasure vault. Now, a pile of old scales shed by the Red Dragon had accumulated in a corner of the vault. Although shed, these scales were only slightly dulled and remained rare treasures in the eyes of most creatures.
Even other True Dragon s would covet the old scales shed from Kalon's body. These scales carried certain traits of the Red Dragon, making them the best magical materials for bearing earth, metal, and fire elements, and they naturally possessed magic resistance to these three elements.
Their texture was also extremely sturdy. They could not only be used to forge magical artifacts but their defensive power alone could create armor and shields coveted by countless warriors.
By the Red Dragon's innate treasure appraisal and valuation ability, each scale on the Red Dragon's body was now worth no less than several thousand gold coins. Selling all these old scales could make Kalon a wealthy True Dragon.
However, Kalon wouldn't commit such a waste. Ordinary gold coins were no longer something he needed to obtain by selling his scales; he could acquire them easily through other means, with gains far exceeding the act of selling scales.
He planned to preserve these True Dragon scales to later craft them into medals or special tokens of honor, to commend those who made significant contributions to the Dragon Territoryand the kingdom.
This would be a unique reward and honor of the True Dragon Kingdom, also enhancing the cohesion and sense of superiority among his subordinates to some extent. A sense of superiority was an indispensable element in a mature social system, a manifestation of social status and class division.
Kalon would make everyone understand that as long as they contributed to the True Dragon, they would surely receive rewards.
Counting the gradually accumulating treasures in his vault, Kalon crawled out with a satisfied mood, then beat his wings and soared into the sky, heading towards the forest.
Kalon needed to hunt and feed. Before establishing a specialized team to provide and inspect food for the True Dragon s, Kalon and the True Dragon needed to hunt for themselves.
Although a True Dragon's powerful body was sufficient to resist and digest most poisons in the world, it wasn't completely immune to toxins. While Kalon trusted his vassals, he wouldn't entrust his safety to them before a mature food supply team was in place.
Moreover, this trip wasn't just for hunting and feeding; he also needed to inspect the site selected by the Bronze Dragon Alina for establishing the new city.
To show his regard for Alina and to appear before the pioneer group of the firstborn, which would benefit his rule, and to reassure them that the True Dragon was willing to shelter them with its mighty power.
The Red Dragon's massive body glided at low altitude. Its broad, thirty-one-meter wingspan and robust physique cast a huge shadow under the sunlight.
He wasn't in a hurry on this trip, also aiming to patrol his territory, so his flight speed wasn't fast. Even so, the flapping of his overly large wings still stirred up strong winds.
The vassals at the foot of the Dragon Nest were already accustomed to the True Dragon's presence, merely looking up to watch the master of the True Dragon fly by. Occasionally, some vassals raised their weapons, cheering and praising the Red Dragon's formidable power.
In some places, sudden violent explosions sounded. Kalon looked down to see the soot-covered Goblin bang bang scrambling out from a half-collapsed house, while a sturdy Dragonbornpropped up the beam of the other half.
Goblin bang bang had long been driven from the dense central camp of the goblin settlement and now lived near the edge of the camp. With the help of other vassals, he had acquired several laboratories dedicated to experiments.
Just moments ago, Goblin bang bang had destroyed another laboratory.
Kalon's figure continued to sweep over the forest, flying towards the Goldsea City.
Although the main urban area of the Goldsea City was some distance from the coast and harbor, tall watchtowers had been built on the protruding reef along the original coastline. This was a measure to provide early warning for the harbor and protect evacuation routes.
According to the suggestion proposed by the Giant ogre Fafna, the future administrative mansion and castle of the GoldseaCity would also be built outside the city near the sea. This location would become the most heavily guarded area.
Fafna intended to block the most likely source of danger at the Golden City's gates, somewhat embodying the idea of 'the administrator guards the city gate, the nobles die for the state.'
The expanded Goldsea City was extremely spacious; even the current Kalon could land and stroll on the streets. However, Kalon didn't descend but patrolled in mid-air.
His gaze swept over the increasingly populated the Dragon clan Basic Academy, the foundation of the True Dragon Kingdom's future and an indispensable component in building the kingdom's system.
Then his gaze swept over the tall gladiatorial arena being constructed in the city center, where in the future many prisoners who defied True Dragon rule and powerful, stubborn defeated warriors would be thrown in, along with various ferocious beasts and strange creatures.
This was clear evidence of the martial spirit within the True Dragon Kingdom and would also serve as a means to resolve disputes among the populace.
There were also the still-planned opera house, library, and grand bathhouse, as well as shops specializing in selling unique products from the Dragons Territory and some special equipment to be produced in the future—all of these were gradually being constructed and improved.
Kalon was relatively satisfied with the work capability of the Giant Demon Fafna; at least the Red Dragon's will had been faithfully executed by Fafna.
Although many residents of the Goldsea City had long grown accustomed to the sight of True Dragons, this Red Dragon, the supreme will ruling this land, was the only powerful True Dragon among the Dragon clan with a title recognized by the many continental kingdoms and other civilizations of the outside world, and he remained quite mysterious.
Apart from the battle to drive out the Fishmen, this Red Dragon rarely appeared in this Golddea City, as if he did not wish his overly ferocious and massive visage to disturb the people here, maintaining the natural mystique of a supreme ruler.
Therefore, even those long-time residents of the city, like the newly arrived creatures of various races, widened their eyes to watch the Red Dragon patrolling his territory.
As the dragonkin all knelt on one knee to salute the True Dragon in the sky, this atmosphere influenced the others, and soon everyone placed their hands over their chests, paying respects to the True Dragon above.
"Praise the master of the Dragon clan who rules this land, the mighty Red Monarch, the incarnation of flames, the ruler of earth and metal!" The people echoed the crowd, the boiling voices rising to the heavens, the enthusiasm and atmosphere infecting the Red Dragon in the sky.
"Roar!" The massive Red Dragon let out a roar that shook the four corners of the world, then his figure flew off into the distance.
At that moment, Countess Bartoli, standing on the deck of a giant ship in the harbor, withdrew her gradually fervent gaze and said to the squinting-eyed mage Hsiusir beside her, who was also looking up intently, "What an incredible creature, Hsiusir. You say this Red Dragon is still only a juvenile? I thought he was a young adult. No wonder even your teacher has great confidence in this Red Dragon."
Hsiusir shook his head, smiling as he said, "Wrong, Bartoli. Our confidence in Kalon isn't just because of his power, but because of his unique traits, rationality, and wisdom. A Red Dragon with rationality, wisdom, and exceptional talent—tsk tsk, just thinking about it makes his future seem unpredictable!"
The beautiful, tall, short-haired Countess Bartoli looked at a blue-haired woman beside her. The curvaceous and tall countess, wearing exquisite flat deerhide boots, stood about 178 cm tall, but this blue-haired young woman, with her delicate features and an air of lazy indifference, was a full head taller than Countess Bartoli.
Countess Bartoli smiled at the blue-haired young woman and said, "carlit, it seems the enormous price I paid to buy you was an absolutely correct choice. If Kalon Kogmora is truly as Hsiusir says, then the returns I can expect will be quite satisfying."
Carlit, in human form, shook her head, her voice flat and cold. "You are mistaken, Bartoli. I have long forsaken the Dragon clan, and the True Dragons have long abandoned me, they no longer considering me one of them."
"Those True Dragon whelps would love to tear me apart. Even Kalon would not tolerate the existence of a traitor. Perhaps all you will get is disappointment!"
The young, short-haired countess was bold and free-spirited. A light smile appeared on her beautiful face as she shrugged and spread her hands, saying nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter. You are merely a way for me to demonstrate an attitude toward the Dragon clan. Even if this attitude comes at a steep price, I, Bartoli, never regret the choices I make. That's just who I am!"
The Red Dragon's figure flew over all inhabited areas within his territory. He also passed by villages nestled in the forests, where various crops laden with plump fruits brought him a sense of joy.
Reclaiming wasteland with full effort and planting crops were now the most important goals for the Dragon Clan Territory, partly to ensure the territory's development was not constrained, and partly due to the ever-growing True Dragon.
Take ordinary animals, predatory beasts like tigers, for example. In areas with average species resources and scarce prey, a tiger's required range and hunting territory typically span 100 to 400 square kilometers, with exceptionally powerful tigers even reaching 900 square kilometers.
In regions rich in species resources but with intense competition, even a tigress needs at least 10 square kilometers of hunting territory to ensure an adequate food supply.
Male tigers, which consume more than tigresses, require at least 30 square kilometers. Moreover, these tigers not only hunt various animals like wild deer, wild sheep, elk, and boars but also feed on berries, many large insects, and numerous small animals and beasts in autumn and winter.
Although the Ekania World is rich in magic, and species resources within the True Dragon's territory are exceptionally abundant, supplying the increasingly powerful True Dragon requires even larger territories, as the True Dragon cannot recklessly disrupt ecological balance for the sake of hunting.
That is something even the most foolish and cruel Chromatic Dragons would not do.
Given Kalon's current size, he needs to consume at least three Giant Antelopes with an average body length of 3.5 meters daily to maintain energy for regular activities. Although nourished by ample magic, True Dragons are not purely elemental beings.
If he wants to go without food for several days or even over ten days, Kalon must consume several times that amount. The growing juvenile True Dragon s also have terrifying appetites; the amount of meat each True Dragon consumes daily could feed a family of three for a long time.
Moreover, the True Dragon Territory also has an increasing number of kin and subjects to support. Relying solely on grain purchased from other continental kingdoms in the Northern Continent and hunted prey can only sustain them for a limited time.
This is why Kalon places such great importance on agricultural foundations. The territory is now channeling all its efforts into reclaiming land and planting crops.
Once the first harvest is reaped, the kin will no longer need to compete with the True Dragon need for resources, as this grain can replace hunted prey. The Dragon clans Territory will also no longer be constrained by the many noble kingdoms of the Northern Continent.
Kalon, filled with joy, descended and landed before a vegetable garden lush with melons and fruits. The villagers, already startled by the True Dragon's massive form, were now trembling and prostrate on the ground, unsure what this True Dragon intended to do.
An elderly villager named Liri was pushed forward. Trembling, he approached and knelt before the Red Dragon, paying his respects. "Honorable Great True Dragon, we do not know your purpose for coming. Our village also reveres the rule of the True Dragon s and has never acted beyond the territory's laws. Moreover, the village is currently poor and has not accumulated much gold or wealth!"
"Hmm, it seems these ordinary people still hold onto their ingrained impressions of True Dragons. With a True Dragon's character of never visiting without a purpose, they must think I'm here to plunder treasure. Changing these perceptions will require long-term propaganda and gradual changes in daily life,"
Kalon looked at the villagers, whose fear made their words stumble, and spoke gently, "You need not be afraid. I am merely pleased to see the fruits of your hard labor. Go to the vegetable garden and pick a few melons and fruits for me to taste. They seem ripe."
The elderly villager quickly had several young men pick a large armful of melons and fruits, of all varieties. There were tomatoes larger than an adult's fist, green-skinned Oily Fruits, and a pumpkin bigger than a washbasin. Even some fruits not meant to be eaten raw were picked by these panicked youths, each one glossy and exuding a fresh fragrance.
Kalon's eyes lit up. He took the melons and fruits from the villagers' hands and swallowed them one by whole. The True Dragon's stomach paid no mind to some fruits not meant to be eaten raw; he merely wanted to taste them.
The mixed fragrance of the melons and fruits spread in his mouth, but what arose was a sense of solid achievement, not the satisfaction of a craving.
Squinting his eyes, Kalon spat out a silver coin and laughed heartily, "You have done well. This is payment for those melons and fruits. Remember, as long as you submit to the rule of the True Dragon s, the True Dragon s will protect your safety and rightful privileges!"
Before the Red Dragon finished speaking, he had already taken to the sky, his massive figure swiftly disappearing into the distance.
The villagers, who had initially wanted to refuse the Red Dragon's silver coin, could only kneel on the ground, their eyes red as they kowtowed and loudly exclaimed, "Thank you, Great True Dragon! Thank you for the protection of the Dragon clan! We will forever support the rule of the True Dragons!"
Heh, the demands of these ordinary people are just that simple—to live well is enough!