r18novel Page 187
Page 187
"That's right." Haivilan nodded, transforming back into human form. "We now have over a hundred dragons; such power is enough to sweep away any enemy. Shall we set off?"
"Almost there." Casaroz wagged its tail mysteriously, a cunning glint in its indigo vertical pupils.
"Wait some more?" Chaturio jumped up in dissatisfaction. "You've practically brought all the metal dragons and ferroalloys from the entire continent here, what are you waiting for?"
As soon as the words were spoken, three portals opened almost simultaneously, illuminating the entire plaza with magical light. Vera Marandes emerged, maintaining her elegant human noblewoman form, followed by her mate, Silverwing, also in human form. From the third portal, Dracol's enormous ancient golden dragon body slowly appeared, its golden scales dazzling like the sun.
53. Dragons have no organization.
Vera Marandes gracefully adjusted the human noblewoman's long dress, the magnificent gown woven from star silk shimmering even in human form. Her movements were unhurried, as if she had just experienced not a teleportation across half of Faerûn, but a simple afternoon stroll.
Silverwing was the image of a middle-aged nobleman, his deep blue suit spotless—if anyone from the Silvermoon Federation were present, they would likely recognize this Baron Maysfield, a figure of considerable renown within Silvermoon City. This fellow operated several humanoid identities within the Silvermoon Federation, this being just one of them—he stood beside Vera Marandes, gently stroking the back of her hand, exuding the cloying sweetness of a loving couple.
Seeing this, Casalos used the tip of its tail to Fiona's tail, while spreading its wings to pull Kara down beside it, causing both of them to tremble slightly.
Dracol showed no intention of transforming. The female ancient golden dragon passed through the portal and trudged heavily toward Casalos. The twelve adult golden dragons following behind her also maintained their dragon forms, like moving golden mountains.
"Lord Casalos," the old golden dragon spoke first, his voice booming like a bell, "Upon receiving your message, I immediately brought the family's forces here. These are the finest warriors of our Dracol family, the last..."
Her dragon head nodded slightly behind her: "Brandon, Eric, Lilith... they all have extensive combat experience. Although our family has always been independent of the Golden Dragon Court, no dragon can remain uninvolved in the face of a threat like the Dragon Worship Cult."
Tamarand separated from the Golden Dragon Court's ranks, still retaining the appearance of an elderly human, his golden beard fluttering in the breeze. As the head of the dragon lords representing the Golden Dragon Court this time, his responsibilities were heavy—both on the battlefield and in diplomacy.
"Elder Dracol, it's been many years," Tamaland said with genuine respect. "Your arrival is a great encouragement to us. It's truly rare for an independent family to lend a helping hand at such a time."
Upon hearing this, Dracol turned to him: "Tamarand, the changing situation has indeed caught the dragons off guard. Although our Dracol family is not affiliated with the royal court, in the face of a formidable enemy threatening the entire dragon race, our differences can be temporarily set aside."
Serancia reverted to her dragon form and gracefully stepped forward: "Sister Dracol, it seems your family has prospered greatly these past years. I remember the last time we met, Brandon was still a child."
"Time certainly flies." Dracol turned to his junior, "Brandon, come and greet Dragon Lord Thrancia. She is the youngest of the seven Dragon Lords of the Royal Court."
Brandon bowed respectfully: "Lord Thrancia, I have long admired your name. I have heard of your outstanding performance in the battle at the Great Glacier, and I deeply admire you."
"You're too kind," Serancia flapped her wings. "Although we golden dragons belong to different families, we are connected by blood. The royal court has heard of the contributions your Dracol family has made to the Enoch Desert region over the years."
Bryant joined the conversation, his voice steady and powerful: "Elder Dracol, I've always been curious about how your independent families maintain internal unity. Unlike the royal court system, you don't have a unified council."
"That's precisely the advantage of independence," Dracol explained. "We don't need complex political structures; family affairs are decided by bloodline seniority. Each dragon has ample freedom, yet clearly defined responsibilities. Bloodlines are more reliable than any system."
An elderly golden dragon named Eric added, "Our family tradition is that every member is responsible for the family's reputation. It's not about rules and regulations, but about a sense of honor."
Salomes nodded: "This model does have its advantages. Although the royal court system seems more organized, each dragon lord is actually quite independent. Except when facing a threat from the entire dragon race, each family is basically in a state of autonomy."
"That's right," Griffindo agreed. "Modern Faerûn is not the ancient one; we golden dragons no longer need a strict hierarchy. Every family, every dragon, has the right to choose its own path."
Casalos listened to the golden dragons' pointless conversation, then released Fiona and Kara, letting them go to Bangalore to prepare for the reception of the hundred-plus dragons. Meanwhile, Hevilan, having reverted to her dragon form, squeezed into the group of golden dragons. Her scarred silver body stood out remarkably elegantly among the many robust yet slender golden dragons. She approached Vera Marandes, her voice gentle: "Vera, it's a pleasure to see you again. The last time we met…"
"That was indeed a magnificent battle." Vera Marandes showed no intention of reverting to her dragon form, but her majesty remained undiminished even when facing Faerûn's most powerful silver dragon. "It's a pity that the wretched red dragon escaped in the end, but at least we proved the power of metal dragons."
After saying that, she glanced at Klaus, who was watching the show from afar, her meaning clear. Unfortunately, he pretended not to see her and turned his head to flirt with Damara's liaison officer, who was trying to dock with it.
Silverwing, regaining his guard, added with a smile, "If other matters hadn't entangled us, we should have brought more reinforcements. But the High Forest cannot be without guardians, especially at a time like this."
"I understand." Azak joined the pile of gold and silver. "Every territory has its own responsibilities. The fact that the two of you have come in person is already a tremendous support. Speaking of which, Vera, your current position is quite unique. You don't entirely belong to the Golden Dragon Royal Court, nor are you an independent family; you are the lord of a territory."
Sephira also approached: "Indeed, the title of Red Dragon Queen of the High Forest gives Vera a unique position among the gold dragons. Although she is only an ancient dragon, her prestige is no less than that of any dragon lord."
"This is all thanks to the 'gift' of Queen Melogara," Vera Marandes said, her voice tinged with complex emotion. "Before she died, she bequeathed her territory and the title of Dragon Queen to me. Although I don't know her motives, I have a duty to protect that forest and guide the red dragons of the High Forest onto the right path..."
"Who can fathom the Red Dragon's thoughts?" Hevilan shook her head. "However, judging from the results, the High Forest is more stable and prosperous under your rule than before. The elves are also very satisfied with your governance."
Silverwing said humbly, "We're just doing our best. After all, it's a territory that Merogran has cultivated for thousands of years; its foundation is very solid. Our main task is to maintain balance and ensure that the various races can live in harmony."
Upon hearing this, Tamarand thoughtfully remarked, "This is the reality the Golden Dragons now face. We are no longer rulers, but guardians. We are no longer high above issuing commands, but rather coordinating the interests of all parties and maintaining peace."
"Exactly," Serancia agreed. "The role of the Royal Court is also changing. Previously, we might have issued direct orders, but now we offer more advice and support. Every family and every dragon has its own ideas; forced unification is no longer realistic."
Dracol's tail swayed gently: "This change isn't necessarily a bad thing. The power of the dragons lies not in absolute unity, but in their ability to stand together when faced with a threat. Just like now, regardless of our usual relationship, all the golden dragons are on the same side when faced with the threat of the Dragon Cult."
Brendon, young and impetuous, couldn't help but interject, "The elder is right. Although our Dracoel family is independent, we never refuse to cooperate with other Golden Dragons. We are bound by blood, sharing both honor and disgrace."
Eric added, "Moreover, independence has its advantages. We don't need to wait for the royal court's decision; we can act immediately in emergencies. Upon receiving His Excellency Casalos's message, the elders immediately decided to send troops without any delay."
"The royal court's response this time was also swift," Griffindo defended his side. "Although His Majesty Lares couldn't come in person, he didn't stop us, which shows how seriously he takes this matter."
Salomez's tone was somewhat grave: "His Majesty's prophecy worries us all. If what he foresees is true, the cost of this operation may be greater than we imagine."
"Sometimes, the more you try to make a prophecy come true, the more likely it is to do so," Vera Marandes dismissed the ancient dragon's concerns. "Perhaps thinking about it from a different perspective will yield different results."
Hevilan nodded in agreement: "This is also why the Claws of Justice decided to join the war. We cannot shirk our responsibility just because we foresee difficulties. Justice needs to be upheld, even at a cost."
"The Silver Dragons' resolve is truly admirable," Tamaland said sincerely. "The Claws of Justice organization has given the Silver Dragons a stronger sense of unity than the Gold Dragons. Although you maintain the independence of your families, you always act swiftly and in unison when faced with a greater cause."
Azak explained, "This might be because we silver dragons have a more consistent understanding of justice. Unlike gold dragons, whose interpretations of wisdom and goodness can vary from dragon to dragon. Justice is relatively more direct and explicit—the Ptalian Code guides every righteous person."
"Furthermore, the existence of the Claws of Justice gives us a shared faith and goal," Sephira added. "While not all silver dragons join the Claws of Justice, most silver dragon families have members within them. This connection allows us to quickly assemble when needed."
Hevilan nodded: "Indeed, the friendships forged among the Silver Dragon Paladins of our various families within the Claws of Justice have deepened the bonds between families. Although we appear to be independent family structures, we have actually formed a much closer network through the Claws of Justice."
"This is the wisdom of the Silver Dragons," Dracol exclaimed. "Using ideals to unite loosely connected individuals into a powerful whole. While the Gold Dragons also value goodness, they are indeed inferior to the Silver Dragons in terms of organization."
The humanoid Silverwing waved its hand modestly: "Each has its own advantages. The independence of the Golden Dragons also brings more innovation and vitality. No model is perfect; the key is to find one that suits your own characteristics."
While the dragons were engaged in their lively conversation, the brass dragons also showed great interest in these newcomers. Several brass dragons surrounded the young golden dragon of the Dracol family, asking him all sorts of questions:
How many dragons does your family have?
Where do you usually live?
"Did Elder Dracol really defeat the Ancient Red Dragon single-handedly?"
"What exactly is your relationship with the royal court?"
Is life in an independent family more free than that of a royal family?
The golden dragons were caught off guard by this sudden enthusiasm, but they still patiently answered all kinds of questions.
Brandon chuckled and explained, "Our family has twenty-three members in total, ranging from fledglings to Elder Dracol, an ancient dragon. We usually reside in the mountains near the ruins of Mysdrano."
Lilith continued, "As for that battle, Elder Dracol was indeed very powerful, but that red dragon ultimately escaped. However, it never dared to set foot in our territory again."
Eric, in response to the question about the organization, said, "Our relationship with the Royal Court is complex; we are neither subordinate nor adversary. It's more like an equal alliance, where we support each other when necessary."
Chaturio, that troublemaker, was there nonetheless. Unlike when facing those imposing Golden Dragon Kings, Dracol's "friendliness" emboldened him, and he rattled off a barrage of pointless questions: "Wow! An ancient golden dragon! I've never seen one this close before! Can you breathe fire? Can you transform? Why are your scales so shiny?" (The rest of the text is nonsensical and likely a result of OCR errors.)
Dracol looked down at the excited bronze dragon, revealing his annoyance: "Little fellow, you ask too many questions."
"Hehe, sorry, sorry." Chaturio rubbed his front paws. "I was just curious! After all, we only see dragons as big as you normally. And we copper dragons love stories, you must have many exciting experiences, right?"
"Are you sure you copper dragons like stories?" Dracol asked rhetorically, but his tone softened somewhat. "I can tell you some another time. Right now, we have more important things to do."
Upon hearing this, Chaturio suddenly remembered why he was there. He jumped up high, craned his neck, and shouted to Casalos, who was watching from the sidelines, "Are we all here now? Can we start fighting?"
It landed on the ground, flapping its wings and shaking its head as it spun around in circles: "So many dragons gathered together, just thinking about it makes my blood boil! That skeleton Samasser is doomed this time!"
Other bronze dragons echoed this sentiment:
"Yeah, yeah! With this kind of force, let alone one Dragon Worship Cult member, even ten of them wouldn't be enough to fight them!"
"I can't wait to see what those dragon liches look like!"
"Maybe we can even take down their base while we're at it!"
The warlike bronze dragons, though not as flamboyant as the bronze dragons, were clearly becoming restless. Uriel whispered to his companion, "Indeed, with such a powerful force, Lares' prophecy is proven false—they didn't appear in his illusions."
But Casalos still shook his head: "No rush, no rush... those guys who should be the last to be absent haven't made a move yet."
"Who?" Haivilan asked疑惑地, "Who else might be coming? Could there be other dragon reinforcements?"
Tamarand frowned as well: "Lord Casaloz, are you referring to the chromatic dragons? Besides the three already here, are there any other chromatic dragons willing to participate in this?"
Dracol pondered, "Could it be a Gem Dragon? They've always been reluctant to interfere in the affairs of the Material Plane."
As soon as the words were spoken, a strong magical fluctuation suddenly appeared in the air. A golden vortex-shaped portal slowly opened, and the dazzling light caused all the dragons to involuntarily squint their eyes.
Elminster's signature white beard emerged first from the portal, followed by his gaunt figure. The old mage brushed the dust off his robes while muttering complaints.
"Who said we haven't made a move!" His voice was filled with obvious dissatisfaction, and his white beard trembled slightly with emotion.
Casalos's dragon beak clicked, emitting a mocking chuckle: "Heh, just you, an old geezer? Where are all your little lovers and disciples? Where are Shaving and the others?"
"What mistress!" Illminster's face flushed instantly, his white beard standing on end. "I have no such relationship with them..."
He paused, seemingly trying to control his emotions, then continued, "You dumped the Hellgate Fortress business on us like a clean slate, then came running over here on your own, and now you're complaining we're too slow? Don't I have to clean up your 'bead'...?"
Halfway through his speech, Elminster suddenly realized that hundreds of dragons were staring at him. The enormous dragons' eyes held curiosity, anticipation, mockery, and, in the eyes of a few colorful dragons, schadenfreude.
The old mage cleared his throat, not finishing the word, and adopted a serious expression: "Ahem... Don't worry, I'm here to guide them. There are quite a few of them; they've already entered the astral plane aboard your magic ship. They'll be there as soon as I send them the coordinates."
Casalos's tail wagged happily, finally pulling these instigators—who had repeatedly let Samaster escape only to vanish at the crucial moment—onto his chariot: "Besides my side's Shaving Tooth and Thinker, who among you is willing to wade into this mess this time?"
"Who else do you want to come?" Elminster shook his head, his white beard swaying from side to side with the movement. "You should know very well that my mentor and Hinb are not coming. The ones who have a grudge against Samass are me, Kelburn, Lyra, and Elasdra—a few old guys."
"It's good that Storm, that madman, didn't come to cause trouble," Casalos commented bluntly.
"..." Ilminster's eye twitched slightly, clearly exasperated by Casalos's bluntness. "I also brought along a bard, the Nameless One. Don't worry, he's very..."
"Huh, Van der Dragonspine is back?" Casalos suddenly interrupted Ilminster, his nostrils practically spitting out sparks of surprise.
Elminster's expression grew even more complicated. His white beard stopped fluttering, and he froze on the spot. He opened his mouth as if to ask something, but in the end, he only let out a long sigh.
Although he was already numb to how Casalos knew all sorts of secrets that shouldn't be revealed—after all, this guy made of iron seemed to know everything about the filth among the gods—it was still quite unsettling to hear such secrets slapped in his face.
"Yes, he's back," Elminster continued through gritted teeth, "but he has no name!"
"That's really interesting." Casalos's response was full of meaning, but he didn't press the matter further.
Seeing that Casalos hadn't exposed the harpist's misdeeds, Elminster secretly breathed a sigh of relief and tried to get back to the point: "In addition, Elsie Fogel, the Lord of the Dawn God Church, personally led eight legendary priests and eleven paladins to participate in this siege of Samaster..."
"Heh, so this is a divine decree personally issued by Losanda, isn't it?" Casalos held his tail high, speaking in a mocking tone. "Indeed, after all, He personally descended to the mortal realm and failed to kill Samaster. If He doesn't get his revenge, He wouldn't be the God of Dawn... Hey, old man, do you want to know what He did back then?"
The atmosphere solidified instantly.
All the dragons fell silent, and the plaza was so quiet that even the wind seemed exceptionally clear. Even the most chattering brass dragons were silent, and the mischievous bronze dragons shrank back, not daring to utter a sound.
Elminster's face turned deathly pale instantly, and he hurriedly waved his hands, "No, no, no... I don't want to know!"
After saying that, the old mage turned around and instantly appeared in the direction of the golden dragons, where he began to chat with Vera Marandes, completely abandoning Casalos.
"Vera, it's been a long time." Elminster's voice still carried an undisguised nervousness. "Your scales look even more radiant."
"Elminster, you're still the same as ever," the noblewoman Vera Marandes replied with a smile, offering no criticism or questioning of the old sage about how he, in human form, could see the scales were more radiant. She gave him, and herself, a graceful way out. Clearly, she had also overheard the conversation. The ancient golden dragon was at a loss for words regarding Casaloz's audacity in speaking ill of a certain petty deity.
Tamarand quietly moved further away from Casalos, and even Hevilan, who had clearly expressed her disrespect for the Dragon God, subtly took a few steps back. Dracol's massive body also visibly tensed, clearly considering whether he needed to take some protective measures.
Even the colorful dragons chose to remain silent. Amuris and Elvia each turned their heads, pretending to observe the distant mountains or rivers.
For short-lived species, the God of Dawn is a conductor of creativity, the lord of dawn, the master of birth and rebirth, the guardian of spring and eternal youth, and a mentor of self-improvement. But among dragons, its reputation is more telling: this creature, having been rejected by its lover, the Earth Mother, harbored resentment towards the land she was cultivating at the time, and used its divine power to burn that entire fertile kingdom into a desert.
Casalos looked at the dragons or "people" who were avoiding him and pretending to be busy, shook his head helplessly, and pointed his tail high into the sky.
"What are you all afraid of? Even the gods can only stare helplessly now, it's boring!" It looked up at the midday sun: "Why don't you come down and bite me?"
The sun shone warmly, and the clouds drifted lazily. There were no unusual phenomena in the sky, no thunder, no lightning, and no divine light descended.
54. Save them
The dragons' clamor gradually subsided, turning into hushed whispers. Even the most boisterous brass and copper dragons felt uneasy amidst the subtle shift in the atmosphere. Such a direct and blatant provocation against a natural symbol of divine power wasn't unprecedented in Faerûn's history, but the consequences...
Casalos lowered his tail, his indigo vertical pupils sweeping over every dragon present.
"Alright, enough chit-chat." Tie Long's voice was calm, as if he didn't care at all about what he had just done, silencing all the whispers. "You're all thinking about when to fight, where to fight, and who to fight—right?"
Chaturio was the first to jump up: "Yes, yes, yes! That's it! We can't all be gathered together just for a tea party!"
"And there's the most important question." Hevilan reverted to her dragon form, her silver body leaning slightly forward. "Why did we come to Damara? Could it be…?"
She didn't finish her sentence, but none of the dragons present were stupid. Especially the old dragons who had lived for thousands of years; their minds worked incredibly fast.
"Samass is in Damara?" Tamaland's voice was filled with disbelief.
"Impossible!" Ilminster whirled around, his white beard bristling. "Zheng Yi is in the north; his undead army is still locked in a standoff with Vicariturar!"
Casalos's dragon beak clicked: "Yes, Samass is in Damara."
The square exploded instantly.
"What?!"
"How is that possible!"
The iron dragon's tail slammed heavily onto the ground, its metallic scales screeching. "This new anomaly is Samaster; the real one is long dead." It turned to look at Gaelos. "You killed him with Gerlesk—but that doesn't matter at all."
Gaelos's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: any qualified paladin has had numerous experiences of being manipulated by evil forces, let alone a legendary paladin like Gaelos.