Chapter 530
Galeignus, the Red Son
Chapter 530 Gabriel Ignas, the Red Son
The fiery clouds at dawn were still burning, dyeing the sky a flowing golden-red.
However, there is the Red Emperor at the summit of Dragon Court, the Thunder Lord who is connected to him via communication devices on the far west coast, and many more powerful legendary beings scattered throughout the continent.
Whatever they are busy with at the moment.
They may not be in the same place, but at this moment their attention is all focused on one point.
The tilted, collapsed, and falling suspended city rapidly magnified in my field of vision.
Like a star falling from the sky, it trailed countless shattered building remains, torn bands of magical energy, and billowing smoke, tracing a long trajectory as it crashed into the bountiful heartland of Middle-earth.
Behind it, the clouds were torn apart, like a bleeding wound.
"It fell at this moment..."
Red Iron Dragon's pupils contracted to their limit, almost becoming a thin line.
He took the Eye of Truth to its extreme, piercing through vast distances to capture every fatal detail.
He could see the city continuing to disintegrate as it fell.
The massive building slabs peeled away, the magical shield cracked continuously, and finally exploded completely due to intense air friction and internal energy imbalance, turning into a storm of fire and debris that covered the sky.
Amidst this destructive splendor, Galos keenly sensed something amiss.
He noticed that in the gaps between the collapse of the building and the dissipation of energy, a kind of viscous, turbid purplish-black light flashed by, like festering pus or the tentacles of a living creature, before being swallowed up by the violent explosion.
Then came the impact.
Even from such a great distance, Garos could still feel the tremors emanating from the Dragon Court beneath his feet.
At the edge of the horizon, in the direction of Middle-earth.
A giant mushroom cloud, a mixture of dust, flames, and thick smoke, slowly rose into the sky, merging with the brilliant dawn light to create a magnificent yet terrifying scene.
Even at this distance, one can imagine the catastrophic destruction that occurred at the point of impact.
"Holden's Abyss development project has run into problems."
Is this just the beginning? Or the whole thing?
Red Iron Dragon's gaze was sharp as a knife, quickly sweeping across the higher and more distant airspace.
Holden's other floating cities, those colossal city outlines embedded in the sky like stars, still floated there quietly in the gradually brightening light.
They remained silent.
There were no more falls, nor any signs of a chain reaction of collapses; only the city from before had been transformed into a burning tomb on the earth.
silence.
The wind still howls atop Dragon Court, and the sea of clouds still surges beneath our feet.
Deep beneath the Dragon Court, the muffled roars of other dragons, disturbed by the noise, and the flapping of their wings began to echo.
Gradually, amidst the churning sea of clouds, the figures of some giant dragons emerged one by one. They looked on with surprise and uncertainty towards the dust clouds that had not yet dissipated in the direction of the Central Plains. Their low dragon language conversations came intermittently in the wind, filled with doubt and a faint unease.
Beyond the clamor, a deeper, more oppressive silence permeated the space between Galus and the other end of the communication.
"...You saw it."
After a long while, Ramorain's voice rang out again through the communication device.
His deep, thunderous voice had lost its previous passion and playfulness, leaving only solemnity.
"A floating city, Holden's floating city, fell from the clouds."
"I saw."
Galos's response was concise, revealing little emotion.
He paused, then added, "Only one."
“Yes, only one,” Ramorion repeated, but then changed the subject, “but the fall of this floating city has already said a lot. It’s like the first stone to roll down from the mountaintop.”
"What you said before sounds different now."
Galos narrowed his eyes and asked, "You seem to have known something in advance."
A low, ambiguous hum came from the other end of the communication line.
"There are eternal gods and immortal ancient life in this world, but there is no eternal and immortal material empire."
"Even the most magnificent palace and the most stable rule will eventually collapse, and often... it will start to rot from the inside out."
The Lord of Thunder spoke calmly, saying, "The thousands of years that have passed on me have not been wasted."
“I have my ways, dragons… especially a dragon like me who has lived long enough and whose claws have reached far enough, I always find a way to hear some secret whispers in the shadows.”
"What I can tell you is that Holden's harvest in the abyss never comes without a price."
"Burning beneath is not just wealth and power, but also a slumbering nightmare. Some things, along with Holden's harvest, have silently crept up and... are slowly building nests and hatching in their hearts."
Hong Tielong fell into a brief silence.
He was not unaware of the corruption of the abyss.
It is a more fundamental and aggressive dimensional characteristic than the fleeting emotional influences of the Immortal Wilderness; it distorts matter, corrupts souls, and erodes order.
Holden's exploration of the Abyss was like walking on a knife's edge or drawing water from a poisonous pool.
No matter how thorough the preparations or how tight the protection, over the years, something unpredictable will eventually seep in.
Disasters are not unimaginable.
But guessing is one thing, getting solid intelligence is another.
Galos needs more specific information to assess the risks and judge the situation.
"What exactly is it? Corrupted flesh and blood? A spiritual plague? Or has the lord of the abyss taken notice of this place?"
Galos pressed for details, trying to get to the heart of the matter.
"Specifically?"
Lamorion hesitated for a moment, then said, "I'm not quite sure either."
"Some things, if you know them too clearly, can become a burden."
He avoided details, offering only a vague description.
"However, I can feel the balance shifting."
He continued, “Garos Ignas, my kinsman, ha ha, the fall of this city is just the beginning, a clear sign that times are about to change.”
The tone of the ancient blue dragon slowly rose.
"Chaos is the ladder of progress! It is a disaster for those who have been enjoying the comforts of order for too long, but for us predators who are eager to rise and whose claws have never dulled, it is the best stage!"
"The stage of the dragons, our era, is about to begin!"
At this point, he steered the conversation back to the original goal, his voice filled with fervor: "Look, the gates of Middle-earth have been opened a crack to everyone!"
Holden must be overwhelmed with problems and have no time to spare; other countries are also intimidated and are caught in a state of observation, hesitation and fear.
"This is the perfect opportunity for us to extend our dragon claws and define our territory! A once-in-a-lifetime chance!"
“You named your country ‘Aura,’ and I can sense your ambition and desire for dominance from that.”
"We can join forces and converge from two directions."
"Your legions march south from the north, and my dragons advance east from the west. Without Holden's suppression, this continent is just a disorganized mess. Who can truly stop our power?"
"We can divide the Central Plains equally and govern accordingly; or, we can divide interests and spheres of influence in any more flexible way that we approve of; or, when the dust settles and only we remain, we can have a glorious duel between dragons, free from the influence of any ants! The victor will take all!"
"At that time, at least on the planet Bernardo, the glorious era in which dragons ruled the sky and the earth will return!"
"Monarchs like you and me will lead the future of this world."
The Lord of Thunder has drawn up a grand blueprint.
He even openly stated the possibility that he might eventually turn against Aura, instead of feigning friendship with Garus.
These words are very persuasive to any dragon with ambition.
Galos listened quietly.
His gaze swept once more over the floating city on the distant horizon, then looked down at the vast kingdom beneath his feet.
The temptation is immense.
The wealth of Middle-earth is beyond doubt.
If we can seize this opportunity to bring it under our control or exert a significant influence, it will be a qualitative leap for the development of the Kingdom of Aura. Lamorion's proposal is not entirely unreasonable; pursuing a two-pronged approach will help to share the risks and pressures.
But the risks are equally enormous.
Holden has only fallen one city.
Are their internal problems really as serious as Lamorion claims, or is there something else going on?
“Your proposal is very powerful, Lord of Thunder.”
Galos began, “The opportunities and risks of Middle-earth are now laid bare before us because of this fall. However, such a momentous strategic decision, concerning the fate of the entire kingdom, requires more careful observation and weighing.”
He neither agreed outright nor refused outright.
A low chuckle came from the other end of the communication, as if he had already anticipated this answer.
“I understand that we are not those lone wolves who are only responsible for themselves.”
“We have dragons and legions under our command, and blood relatives and subjects by our side. Major decisions do require time to weigh the pros and cons. I do not ask for an answer now.”
He said earnestly, "I'm just sharing with you the future possibilities I see over the long years, and what I believe is the best path for both of us."
“A wise monarch will always listen to information from multiple sources.”
"However, I believe that as more signs appear and the tides of the times crash upon the land of Aura, you will make the choice that best serves your interests and those of your kingdom... and that will often be the right choice."
After a brief silence, the Lord of Thunder spoke finally:
"Then let's end our conversation here."
"Red Emperor, I look forward to hearing the resounding horns of the Aura Legion marching south soon. Whether we are ultimately on the same side or on opposite sides in the future, may your kingdom be forever secure and your flame never be extinguished."
"May your thunder forever echo in the sky," Garus replied politely.
Regardless of how much of the Ancient Blue Dragon's true purpose is cooperation and how much is scheming, judging from this contact and conversation alone, it is undoubtedly a dragon lord with both power and wisdom, worthy of communication and negotiation, and there is a possibility of short-term cooperation.
Of course, they both knew it.
If both sides can clear away other obstacles and reach the final stage, then they will eventually have a battle and stand on opposite sides.
The light on the communication device went out, and the connection was lost.
At this moment, the dawn sun had completely leaped over the horizon, its light pouring down without reservation, dyeing the Red Iron Dragon's scales an even more intense golden-red, as if he himself were burning from the inside out, vying with the rising sun for brilliance.
Below, the sea of clouds remained as brilliant as ever, surging with waves of gold and white.
However, the dust clouds over the distant Middle-earth lingered, reflected in the dragon's vision.
He gazed in that direction for a long time, lost in thought.
The fall of the floating city, Ramorain's invitation, the future of Atlanta, the path of Aura... countless pieces of information and possibilities intertwined and collided in my mind, eventually returning to calm.
Immediately, he contacted Elder Jinlong, who was far away in the Fubo Dragon Domain.
"Garos! Is that you? Take your cub away! I've really... had enough! By the Dragon God, even a metal dragon's patience has its limits!"
That was Orvis's voice.
In the background noise, you can faintly hear shouts like "My evil grandfather!" and "Take this!" as well as the muffled sound of something being overturned.
The "babies" that Orvis refers to are naturally the offspring of Garos and the golden dragon Nasa.
This dragonborn was born in the Kingdom of Aura. After receiving his initial education, he was recently taken back to the Fubo Dragon Domain by his mother to live, where he also came into contact with other metal dragons.
It is also worth mentioning that Galus and Natasha's first child was this one offspring.
The blue dragons Zoraia and Deborah gave birth to four healthy dragon eggs in their first pregnancy, and none of them were dragons.
However, perhaps because of the superior bloodline of the Golden Dragon, Galos's talent was among the best of all his offspring.
"Father?"
Suddenly, the communication device projected a light screen, which, after a moment of swaying, stabilized and condensed into a half-body image.
It was a golden-red dragon shadow.
He has a pair of gracefully swaying dragon horns, a head structure that combines power and streamline, and his teeth, though not fully grown, are already thick and long. He has thick armor and bright, sharp eyes.
What is most striking is the color of his scales.
His body was covered with golden scales that looked exceptionally hard; however, bright red dragon scales were regularly distributed on his shoulders, neck, limb joints, back, and tail tip.
Overall, he looks like a hybrid dragon that perfectly combines the nobility of a golden dragon with the power of a red dragon.
Despite its small size, it already possesses an extraordinary demeanor.
Gabriel Ignas.
He inherited the Claw of Annihilation, is a dominant and positive gold-red hybrid, possesses extremely high talent, and has an extraordinary name.
"Gabriel, how are you feeling in the Fubo Dragon Domain?"
Hong Tielong looked at his son in the image and asked.
"I love it here, Father!"
Gabriel shook his head cheerfully, his voice excited, "There are lots of dragons here! The environment is beautiful, and there are so many... uh, 'evil' things that I need to correct!"
"If you like it, that's fine."
Galos nodded, preparing to ask for more details.
"I like you, you dragon egg!"
Orvis's irritable voice broke in.
With a flash of golden light, Orvis's dragon head forced its way into the projection area, pushing Gabriel out of the picture.
"Garos! You've come at the right time! Listen to what your son has done! Likes it? He likes messing with other dragons! He likes being his 'young dragon king'!"
"Ovis said, his face pale with anxiety."
"Eh? Grandpa... don't talk nonsense, I was upholding justice! Oh dear..."
Gabriel tried to explain off-screen, but his voice quickly faded, accompanied by a thud and the sound of wind, as if he had been thrown far away.
Orvis pointed his claws at the red-gold dragon outside the projection and poured out his grievances to Garos.
"This kid! Relying on his talent, strong scales, outstanding physique among dragons of the same age, and the combat skills he learned from you, he's only been here a few days and he's already given himself the title of 'Young Dragon King'!"
"It wasn't a big deal!"
Ovis took a breath and tried to make his tone sound fair. "Young dragons are energetic, lively, and even a bit competitive, which are all good things. It shows that they are energetic and ambitious."
However, his voice suddenly rose, and his anger level visibly soared.
"But he's different! This young dragon king doesn't organize any normal hunting competitions, flying races, or skill exchanges among the other young dragons!"
"He came up with his own way of doing things!"
"He made other young dragons, and even some teenage dragons, play the roles of all sorts of evil creatures."
"Goblin tribes, gnoll gangs, fallen wizards... he made up all the scripts on the spot! And he himself is always that 'righteous red-gold dragon, His Majesty Gabriel Ignas,' going to 'punish' and 'eliminate' those 'evil'!"
"Although many of the young dragons found it novel, enjoyed playing with it, and followed along with his antics."
"But how long has it been? Several dragons have already come looking for me."
Ovis rubbed his temples with his paw, looking exhausted: "The dragons say that playful entertainment is fine, but they hope their offspring can play more positive roles, at least not always as evil villains waiting to be trampled underfoot by 'justice.' This is a bad trend."
"But what about that little brat Gabriel? He's not going to back down at all!"
“He also argued with me, saying things like ‘the path of justice is destined to be lonely’ and ‘only the strongest can shoulder the responsibility of purifying the world,’ and he absolutely refused to let Bie Long be the protagonist of justice.”
Young Dragon King... a role-playing game... he's quite good at it.
Galos chuckled, but wasn't particularly surprised.
When his offspring was born and saw his dragon father, he shouted that he would represent justice and destroy the inherently evil Red Iron Dragon, and rushed up to bite his claws. After a period of "loving education", he gradually became obedient.
Even so, Gabriel's fundamental character did not change much.
When Galus was a little older, he asked him how he defined justice and evil in his mind.
Justice? I am justice. Justice surrounds me, and evil reigns supreme!
Gabriel's answer was roughly as follows.
As for personality, Garos is currently unable to definitively determine whether this offspring is more like a golden dragon or a red dragon.
However, he didn't care about any of that.
No matter what kind of dragon it is, as long as you don't stand against it, it's not a problem.
“I believe that with your wisdom and experience, you can handle this matter well, Ovis.”
Red Iron Dragon said slowly, "Metal dragons, especially gold dragons, are known for their ability to educate their offspring and guide young dragons onto the right path. Gabriel is currently in the Fubo Dragon Domain, and Natasha... well, she's not very good at meticulous and patient discipline."
"I'll entrust the shaping of Gabriel's character and basic qualities to you for now."
These words are a form of recognition and entrustment.
However, Orvis, on the other end of the communication, felt no joy at being trusted.
He looked even more frantic, even somewhat exasperated.
“You…you hear that! Galos! Put your hand on your heart and say it: look at Alberto, and look at Natasha! Do you really think that I, Orvis, am known for successfully educating future generations?!”
"Why is it that none of my direct bloodlines can make things easy for the dragon?"
"They all seem to be missing a screw in their heads."
You should first look for the problem within yourself.
Galos thought to himself, but didn't say it aloud.
After all, although Ovis complained, his care for his offspring was genuine.
In response to Orvis's accusation, Galos said, "Then tell Natasha and let her handle it. She still has ways to deal with Gabriel."
Upon hearing this, Ovis paused, then hummed softly, his tone softening.
"...No need, I've decided to handle this myself... Natasha is so heavy-handed, she almost ripped off Gabriel's wings last time..."
Natasha is a martial arts dragon. She usually laughs and jokes, but when she gets serious, she is ruthless. She can almost use the four elements to scratch Gabriel all over his body, which she calls "tempering his body".
Although Ovis complained a bit, he couldn't bear to see his grandson, the dragon, get beaten up.
He changed the subject, and his voice became serious.
"Alright, let's put this family matter aside for now. You suddenly called me, it can't be just because you're worried about Gabriel, right? What happened?"
After a moment's hesitation, Galos decided to get straight to the point.
"A floating city of Holden has fallen."
"what?!"
Ovis's expression changed drastically, his dragon eyes narrowed, and his previous irritation was instantly replaced by seriousness.
"Are you sure? When did this happen?"
“Just now, at dawn, I saw it with my own eyes from the Dragon Court.”
Galus briefly described the scene at that time.
"It's still unclear which city it is, but it's located in the southeast of the Central Continent. The fall was very rapid, and the impact caused a huge dust cloud. It won't be long before the news reaches the Fubo Dragon Domain."
He paused for a moment, then continued:
"However, I didn't do this specifically to inform you."
"After the Helmod Dragonflight landed and established their kingdom, they defeated the alliance of kingdoms that had attacked them. During this process, the Raging Dragon Realm remained silent and did not intervene. I want to know, is something wrong with the Raging Dragon Realm?"
(End of this chapter)