Chapter 568
A Double-Edged Sword, The Journey to Aurora
Chapter 568 A Double-Edged Sword, The Journey to Aurora
On the high platform of the Dragon Court, a cold, strong wind blows incessantly year-round, howling across the steel-hard scales of the giant beast and emitting a low, mournful wail.
Iron Dragon Gorton landed here.
He looked up at the increasingly majestic and imposing figure in front of him, his eyes showing little distance but rather a joyful intimacy. He took a step closer, his tail swishing happily behind him.
"Oh, my dear brother."
"You actually managed to win the loyalty of a chosen one."
He shook his head and spoke, his voice filled with undisguised excitement:
"I originally thought you were going to kill him. That would have solved some problems, but it would have been a real shame. This outcome is so much better; it couldn't be better for us now."
As he spoke, he leaned forward again, his dragon body appearing exceptionally relaxed in front of Garos.
Tie Long knew that the Kingdom of Aura was actually harboring a huge hidden danger.
The hidden danger is quite simple: it's the growth rate of the dragons.
Under the guidance of the emperor and some of the kingdom's policies, the growth rate of the Aura Dragons has been much faster than that of ordinary dragons. Even so, it still takes hundreds of years for a dragon to accumulate enough experience to reach the legendary realm.
As for the higher ranks of the Grand Masters, or even the Mandate of Heaven, those are things that are far, far away.
In the entire Kingdom of Aura, the Red Emperor Garos is in a class of his own. His power is unparalleled, and there is an insurmountable gap between him and all other dragons.
This situation has both advantages and disadvantages.
The benefits are obvious.
Garros's prestige reached its zenith; in the hearts of the people of Aura, he was almost equivalent to a god in the mortal world, like a living, blazing sun hanging high above the kingdom, his dragon might shining brightly in all directions.
Countless people worship him with fervent devotion, a devotion that requires no coercive means to maintain.
Moreover, Galos's original intention in establishing the kingdom was not to cultivate a group of helpers who could fight alongside him; he had his own considerations.
The disadvantages are equally clear.
If Garos is tied up in a battle and unable to break free, then the Kingdom of Aura will be exposed as lacking in trump cards when facing truly powerful enemies. Apart from the emperor himself, the kingdom has no other top-tier combat power capable of standing alone.
But now, with the arrival of a chosen one personally subdued by Garus, this situation has been disrupted.
Without compromising Aura's original strengths, Reinhardt's loyalty greatly compensated for the kingdom's weaknesses.
“During the time you were asleep, I was truly worried and could not have a single day of peace of mind.”
Gordon continued, his voice becoming more serious.
“Every time I hear news that the White Peril is causing trouble in the Cold Water Ocean, I pray in my heart that she will not suddenly decide to land and cause us trouble.”
"Otherwise, although our kingdom has a vast territory and a strong army, when it comes to it, there is no one who can stand in front of her and hold her up."
"Things are different now."
His tone was much more relaxed as he said, "With one more person from Destiny in charge, at least we don't have to be as worried as before. Even if the White Calamity really comes, we will have someone who can fight her."
Wanfa Bailong is a lone dragon, always operating alone in the Lengshuiyang area.
She has no dragons under her command, nor does she associate with any kingdom.
If one day she suddenly gets the urge to attack Aura, and Galos happens to be away, then the situation will really be ugly.
But with Reinhardt, things were different.
With him there, along with the other Grand and Legendary ranks, they can effectively resist. The Destiny factions will check each other, and the remaining Grand and Legendary ranks will at least have a fighting chance, or even a slight chance to defeat them.
After all, the Legend of Destiny is still a legend.
At the legendary level, quantity can determine the outcome of a battle.
Garos gazed at the distant sea of clouds and said softly, "The destiny of the living is more valuable than that of the dead."
Iron Dragon Gorton nodded in deep agreement, echoing, "Yes, if we had killed Reinhardt back then, the best outcome would have been to turn him into a Heroic Spirit and force him to serve Aura, but that would have come at too high a price."
The crux of the matter is that the strength of human destiny largely depends on the support of domains.
The concept of a domain is a power that only living legends can unleash, but heroic spirits do not possess domains.
If Reinhardt were to become a Heroic Spirit, he would immediately fall to the weakest tier among the Schicksal, and standing next to the other Schicksal would be incomparable.
Moreover, his future advancement will only be possible through brute force using resources such as spirit crystals.
The top-tier talent that allowed him to reach his current level in such a short time will completely disappear with the transformation into a heroic spirit, and can never be found again.
Heroic Spirit conversion is always a last resort, not the first choice.
For example, the former Flower Knight, now the Heroic Spirit Ciel.
He died in battle against Gorsas and was transformed into a Heroic Spirit.
From then on, whether he could become stronger depended entirely on how many spirit crystals Aura was willing to feed him, which was essentially a huge consumption of resources.
It's a fact that Ciel's talent is not as good as Reinhardt's.
But if he were still alive, with his foundation, he would have a very good chance of challenging for the Grand rank. Moreover, with his spatial talent, he would definitely be one of the stronger players in the Grand rank, no worse than anyone else.
As for Reinhardt...
After severing ties with the past, this human being, with his years of hard work and his innate talent, may even be able to reach a higher realm in the future, and strive for immortality.
"How effective is the spiritual crystal I condensed from the Triple Crown Soul?"
Galos withdrew his gaze from the distance and turned to look at him.
"not bad."
"As you instructed, it was given to the Holy Temple, mainly to strengthen Xia Er."
"After absorbing this much, Xia Er's spiritual quality has reached the Grand level, and it is still going up. According to the current trend, it should be able to reach around level 32."
"Gorton replied."
Galos nodded; this outcome was within his expectations.
At the same time, the mention of the sanctuary sparked Gordon's interest, and he shifted the conversation accordingly.
“Brother, there are still several crowns imprisoned in the sanctuary.”
He started counting on his fingers, saying, "The Crown of Magic in the Southern Region, the Grand Ranger, the Crown of Guardians, and the Crown of War in the Eastern Region—these four alone are enough to make a difference. There are even more legends locked up in the Royal City prison."
He leaned forward, his tail swishing back and forth behind him.
"Shouldn't we take this opportunity to have a proper talk with the other kingdoms?"
"Just like the Romanian states back then, let them sign a treaty of unification with us, acknowledge Aura as their superior, publicly recognize Aura's suzerain status, accept our garrison, pay tribute on time every year, and do everything according to our rules."
He was somewhat agitated, and spoke a few steps faster, "What's the situation with those kingdoms now? The Grand Masters who were on our side are either dead or captured. They can barely muster a single Grand Master now. What makes them think they can challenge us?"
"We're just one step away from becoming the undisputed ruler of Atlantis!"
After he finished speaking, he looked expectantly at Galus, waiting for his brother's approval.
Galos remained silent for a moment.
"Not urgent."
He said, "Wait for those kingdoms to send people over themselves."
Gorton paused for a moment, then his eyes darted around as he figured out what Red Iron Dragon meant.
"That's true."
As he thought about it, he said, "Those kingdoms must be in complete chaos right now, with everyone panicking and no one knowing what will happen next. They are much more anxious than we are. They should be the ones bringing gifts and smiling faces to beg us for a chance, instead of us going to them."
Galos did not speak, but simply nodded slightly.
Gorton rubbed his paws together and moved closer.
"Is it time for us to take bigger steps?"
“Over the years, Aura has always prioritized stability, avoiding action whenever possible. Now that you're awake, those Grand Slam champions who dared to make a move have been dealt with. Shouldn't we… be a little more aggressive?”
Galos looked at him and asked, "What do you intend to do?"
Gorton's eyes lit up; clearly, he had been pondering this question for a long time.
"For example, Farrell's side."
He immediately said, "They have a large black oil field over there, in a good location, not far from our border, just across a mountain ridge. We can just cross it."
After he finished speaking, he stared intently at Galos, waiting for his brother's response.
Upon hearing the word "black oil," Galos nodded slightly.
"The non-aggression pact of that year should be torn up."
He said, "Don't worry about their reactions, just do what you think is best."
Gordon nodded emphatically, already mentally formulating a specific course of action.
But he didn't rush to leave. The excitement on his face slowly faded, as if he had suddenly thought of something important.
"Over at Reinhardt's place..."
He lowered his voice and said cautiously, "Although he has pledged allegiance, we have no contract here that can completely control a chosen one."
"So I want to ask, can you be sure he's under control?"
This is an unavoidable issue. The weight of destiny is too heavy, so heavy that, apart from Garos, no dragon in the entire Aura can reliably handle it.
Upon hearing this, Galos turned to look at him.
His eyes remained expressionless as he looked at his younger brother for a few seconds before speaking, asking in return:
"Does having a contract guarantee control?"
Iron Dragon Gorton opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but for a moment he didn't know how to respond. He wanted to say, "It's better than nothing," but the words felt too weak. Galos looked back into the distance.
The sea of clouds surged below the high platform, a vast expanse of white, and the sunlight shone down from even higher up, spreading a golden carpet of light across the clouds.
“The characteristics of destiny are varied and bizarre, and the domains are even more diverse, with all sorts of things.”
He spoke slowly and deliberately, saying, "Some people can distort space, some can travel through the cracks of time, some can come and go freely in dreams... What kind of contract do you think could bind a destiny that is determined to betray it?"
He paused, then said:
"As far as destiny is concerned, the so-called absolute control is nothing but a joke. There has never been anything truly absolute in this world."
"Reinhardt's domain is light and darkness."
Galos continued, "He can conceal all traces in the darkness and purify negative states in the light. If he's determined to break a contract, do you think he can't find a way?"
The iron dragon's tail stopped wagging.
His expression turned serious, and fine lines appeared on the scales on his forehead. The entire dragon fell silent.
"What should I do?"
Gorton said, “Destiny is too dangerous. If he suddenly turns against us one day, no one but you can stop him. He can turn the Red Emperor City upside down all by himself.”
"This is a double-edged sword, and it's frighteningly sharp."
“We can’t place our hopes on his loyalty; that’s too unreliable. Loyalty is something that may exist today but not tomorrow. Humans are fickle. He may be sincere when he is loyal, but who can guarantee how long that sincerity will last?”
He poured out all his worries at once.
Galos did not answer immediately.
Compared to Sorog, Gorton is still quite inexperienced. If Sorog were here, he wouldn't ask him this question; Sorog knows what to do.
However, Gorton is still growing and has made a lot of progress over the years, so we shouldn't be too harsh on him...
Galos thought to himself.
He looked at Tie Long, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Do you remember what you were in charge of before you took charge of operating the kingdom?"
Gorton was taken aback, not expecting his brother to ask this so suddenly.
He tilted his head and thought about it carefully.
"He was responsible for... reshaping the perceptions of other kingdoms."
He answered honestly, his tone tinged with nostalgia, “Theo, Rebos, Lorthorn, Matna, Kambrook… I’ve been involved with almost all of those kingdoms that later became our vassals. Their people initially had no goodwill towards Aura; it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they hated it to the core.”
"After all, we just finished a war, people died and blood was shed. Hatred is not something you can just let go of."
Red Iron Dragon asked, "How did you do it?"
Gorton's eyes lit up, and he slightly raised his chin.
This is one of his proudest jobs, and he can't help but beam with pride whenever he talks about it. Although Sorog was there to guide and instruct him in the first few years, he basically did all the specific tasks on his own later on.
He worked for many years and achieved remarkable results, as evidenced by the transformation of Theo's vassal kingdoms.
There are many methods.
He started listing them, counting his paws.
"Use all sorts of methods, depending on the situation."
“Education is a long-term process, cultural infiltration is faster, and the exchange of benefits is the most direct. Give them benefits, let them taste the sweetness, and let them know that following Olabi is more cost-effective than following others.”
"However, ultimately, it is about changing their mindset and making them feel from the bottom of their hearts that following Aura will lead to a better life and allow them to realize their own value."
"Theo is the best example."
His tone carried a hint of pride, “Now, if you ask anyone on the streets of Theo, few people remember the Battle of the Two Auras. They only know that the Red Emperor is their protector, the great being who restored their pride and glory. They are proud to be part of Aura. This transformation cannot be achieved through swords and contracts.”
Tie Long spoke fluently and eloquently, becoming more and more articulate as he spoke.
Upon hearing this, Garus nodded slowly.
"Then why do you think that destiny should be dealt with through contracts or other coercive means?"
He asked calmly, "The essence of these two things is the same."
Iron Dragon Gorton paused slightly, lost in thought, as if he had vaguely grasped something, but had not yet fully understood it.
Galos looked at him, his gaze calm and deep.
“Reinhardt is destiny, that’s for sure.”
He continued, "But first and foremost, he is a human being."
"He has desires, emotions, and things he cares about. He has thoughts, weighs the pros and cons, and makes judgments between different choices. Like ordinary people, he has things he can't let go of and feels pain and fear just like ordinary people."
"Some things don't disappear just because he becomes a destiny."
Tie Long nodded thoughtfully, as if he understood something.
"Don't put too many filters on them just because their destiny level is high, or think of them as too special."
Galos said slowly, "Do you think there is any essential difference between the chosen ones and ordinary people? No, it's just that they are more powerful, live longer, and see further."
“Destiny does not represent omnipotence; their wisdom, judgment, and emotions are all traceable.”
"Even the gods are not omnipotent."
He withdrew his gaze and looked again at the boundless sea of clouds in the distance.
"As for the double-edged sword you're worried about..."
"Whether a sword has an edge or not depends on who wields it, not on the sword itself. No matter how sharp a sword is, if the person wielding it doesn't know how to use it, it's more likely to hurt the user than the enemy. Conversely, if the person wielding the sword knows how to use it, then it's the most suitable weapon."
Gorton looked thoughtful and remained silent for a long while.
A few seconds later, he suddenly grinned, and a sense of enlightenment almost overflowed from his face.
“Brother, I understand.”
"Iron Dragon Gorton said."
He adjusted his thoughts slightly and continued, "As for Reinhardt, after he recovered from his injuries, he went back to Theo first. You can tell from him that he still has feelings for this country, otherwise he wouldn't have gone back to see it after so long."
Galos asked, "So, what are you planning to do?"
Tie Long smiled and began to make plans.
"First, I need to give him a new identity."
He said, speaking at a moderate pace, “The loyalty of a chosen one is no small matter; it cannot be taken lightly. It must be properly arranged so that everyone knows what it means.”
"We can't let people think he's a defeated dog who surrendered and went homeless; that would be bad for everyone."
"Theo, the Guardian God, how about that title?"
He turned to look at Galos, as if seeking his brother's opinion, but his eyes already held the answer.
"Not a lackey of conquerors, not a defeated man, but a hero who protects his homeland."
“I will let all the people of Theo know that their Light of Theo has not died or fled, nor has he been enslaved. He simply traveled and adventured abroad with the intention of protecting Theo, honing his sword. Now he has returned in triumph to continue to protect this land he loves.”
His speech became faster and faster, and his tail wagged along with it.
"I will make Reinhardt Theo's hero, a hero worthy of admiration."
"As for the past conflicts and bloodshed, they were problems arising from different eras and environments. Times have changed, environments have changed, and people have changed. The return and awakening of a hero is more valuable than the fall of a hero."
"The Light of Theo has realized his mistake and returned to the right path, pledging allegiance to the great Red Emperor, and together we will safeguard the peace and prosperity of Atlantis."
"This incident itself can be considered a beautiful story."
"He achieved fame at a young age, suffered setbacks and left, returned in the realm of destiny, fought the Red Emperor, and suddenly realized the truth, choosing to pledge allegiance to me. I will arrange for some people to spread this story, and have bards compile his experiences into songs and biographies."
"This is a huge boost to the morale of Theo."
“A living guardian deity is more useful than anything else, and for Reinhard himself, this is also a kind of… bond.”
He considered his words carefully before continuing:
“When everyone sees him as a guardian angel, he will be more willing to play that role.”
“Once all these things are done, Reinhard will be one of us. He will stand on our side and sincerely defend our rule, because he will find that defending us is defending himself.”
Galos looked at him and slowly nodded.
"Go ahead and do it. I'll be watching."
He stretched out his claw and patted Iron Dragon's shoulder. The claw was larger than Iron Dragon's entire head, but the force was very light, as if he were patting a child's shoulder.
"Leave this to me, don't worry."
Iron Dragon Gorton chuckled, his dragon face beaming with eagerness. "I feel incredibly smart right now."
He opened his mouth, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth, and his eyes narrowed into slits as he smiled.
After finishing the main points, Tie Long took his leave not long after. He spread his wings, leaped into the air, and his massive body spread steadily in the wind, quickly disappearing into the clouds, leaving only the sound of the wind echoing between the high platforms.
Galos stood alone, his gaze piercing through the sea of clouds, looking towards another continent in the distance.
Aurotara.
"With a chosen one overseeing things, I can go to Aurotara with more peace of mind after a while, and while I'm at it, I can also meet Serol in the real world."
He thought to himself silently.
He had this idea before he fell into a deep sleep: to go to the continent of Aurotara and explore its true nature. However, he had always been unable to leave. Now, with Reinhardt in charge, he could finally put this long-shelved plan into action.
(End of this chapter)