Dusk slowly enveloped the earth like a soft veil, rendering the skyline in a blaze of splendor.
The blazing rays of the setting sun splashed wantonly, laying a magnificent and gorgeous brocade across the entire sky.
Inside Burning Steel Fortress, the Dragonkin meeting that had lasted for some time was now gradually drawing to a close. The clamor subsided, and a serene calm of settled dust filled the air.
"Deborah."
The Red-Iron Dragon slightly tilted its massive head, lowering its voice to ask the Red-Silver Dragon lying quietly beside it on the stone platform: "Do you, like that energetic Gold Dragon, also enjoy singing and dancing? Or perhaps..."
A hint of curiosity gleamed in its eyes: "...do you have a preferred 'role' you like to immerse yourself in?"
To delve into human society and life in different humanoid forms.
This behavior was far from a unique hobby exclusive to that maverick Gold Dragon, Alberto.
It was a shared interest lurking more or less in the hearts of almost all Metallic Dragons, though in terms of depth of obsession and degree of investment, compared to the Gold Dragon's almost selfless desire to perform, other Metallic Dragons often appeared more restrained and subtle.
"No."
The Red-Silver Dragon Deborah replied succinctly: "And frankly, I don't have much interest in singing and dancing either."
She paused briefly, as if recalling something, then continued thoughtfully: "However, speaking of this, it reminds me of my parents. They... seemed to have had similar 'role' experiences."
"I've heard them tell many interesting stories from their youthful adventures."
She slightly adjusted her lying posture and continued: "My father, Adrie, his favorite role back then was a bard with witty words, slightly frivolous manners, and a penchant for strumming the lute in taverns."
"And my mother, Serena, she was keen on playing a noble lady from a wealthy, high-born family, but with an exceptionally aloof demeanor—almost always frowning and stern, rarely smiling."
A humorous and frivolous Adrie? An aloof, stern-faced Serena?
Garros immediately conjured up images of those two Dragons as he remembered them.
Adrie appeared serious and deep, as if burdened with worries, with a cold face and a mind as narrow as a needle's eye; Serena's personality, on the other hand, was almost identical to Deborah's before him—cunning and eccentric, hardly fitting the description of 'aloof.'
Metallic Dragons, when they transformed into human forms, seemed particularly keen on adopting personas that were starkly contrasting to their Dragon natures, full of a sense of reversal.
Garros mused silently to himself.
Just like Alberto—in human form, he was a sunny, enthusiastic, and almost exaggeratedly passionate adventurer; but once he reverted to his true Gold Dragon form, he immediately became dignified, stubborn, and even somewhat heavy.
The Red-Silver Dragon gracefully lowered her head.
She took a gentle sip of the honeyed wine exuding a sweet fruity aroma, served timely by an attendant, to moisten her throat, and then enthusiastically continued recounting her parents' 'glorious years.'
"When they were young, they liked to travel together, jointly performing this meticulously planned role-play."
"That 'bard' always acted flashy and ostentatious. No matter which town or village he went to, he loved to stand in the bustling tavern or market square and emotionally sing his self-composed romantic tales about successfully eloping with a rebellious noble lady."
"And that 'noble lady' would always be dressed in luxurious, dazzling clothes, wearing gleaming gemstone necklaces, heavy gold earrings dangling from her earlobes, and adorned with a myriad of valuable ornaments on her wrists and hair bun... The two would travel together, yet without a single decent guard or servant by their side."
At this point, Deborah couldn't help but let out a crisp, light laugh:
"The result... almost without exception, there would always be some 'bad seeds' blinded by greed and harboring ill intentions, attracted by this overly tempting combination. Like sharks smelling blood, they would gather around, restless and plotting mischief."
A sly glint sparkled in her eyes: "As for the final outcome, naturally, there were no surprises."
"Those 'bad seeds' who came to them would often be counterattacked by my parents, ending up stripped clean and in a sorry state... I heard that a large part of the first pot of gold from their adventure journey was accumulated this way!"
A classic case of entrapment.
Using oneself as sweet, tempting bait, waiting quietly for those with ulterior motives and greedy desires to take the bait.
This was one of the favorite and most skillfully used tricks of Metallic Dragons!
As for transforming into various ferocious-looking monsters or beasts that easily provoke attacks, and then extorting in self-defense after the other party strikes first—this method seemed comparatively simple, crude, and even somewhat low-class.
Metallic Dragons usually didn't use this method much.
Unless they had already identified a specific evil target and simply couldn't be bothered to devise a more elaborate trap, they might occasionally resort to this more direct, though less artistic, approach.
"Sounds like you're quite interested in it too."
Garros said.
"Of course I'm interested!"
The Red-Silver Dragon gave an affirmative answer without hesitation, her tone matter-of-fact.
"Isn't this a very interesting thing? It allows us to cleverly punish the hidden wicked among the crowd, uphold a bit of justice, and at the same time, ill-gotten gains come to us voluntarily—it's simply hitting two birds with one stone!"
She gently shook her elegant Dragon head, adding her own opinion.
"However, if it's in a remote, barbaric land with fierce folk customs and chaotic rules—like the former Borderlands—where the malice of intelligent beings is often as bare as beasts, such an adventure would seem a bit dull and uninteresting."
Pausing, she continued with interest: "But if it's in those prosperous kingdoms that pride themselves on high civilization and orderly rule..."
"Watching those usually impeccably dressed, sanctimonious 'respectable people' tear off their hypocritical masks and reveal their ferocious true colors with ill intentions, only to suddenly discover that the 'fat sheep' in their eyes are actually the hidden 'big sharks'—"
"At that moment, the expressions on their faces would surely be very, very interesting!"
As she spoke, she cast her gaze carefully on the massive Red-Iron Dragon beside her, scrutinizing his build and temperament. She pondered for a few seconds, as if seriously conceiving something.
Then, the Red-Silver Dragon excitedly proposed:
"Garros, if we have the chance later, we can try playing like this too."
"You could try playing... hmm... a reckless brute with nothing but brute strength, simple-minded, and lacking any cunning or scheming. As for me, I'll play a naive, ignorant, even a bit silly rich young lady."
Deborah's eyes sparkled with a mischievous light, as if she could already see the scene.
"Just imagine: two 'newbies' who are fresh out of the nest, inexperienced, yet carrying quite a few valuable treasures, wandering through those seemingly civilized towns. What an irresistible temptation that would be for those greedy bad seeds hiding in the shadows! It would definitely attract a lot of 'volunteers' to take the bait!"
Listening to Deborah's vivid description, a trace of interest flickered in Garros's eyes.
He slightly nodded his massive Dragon head and replied, "Sounds quite interesting indeed."
In the leisure time after completing daily rigorous training, using this somewhat 'dramatic' method of 'entrapment' like these Metallic Dragons do—being able to stretch one's limbs and observe the myriad facets of the world—might not be a bad way to entertain and relax.
However...
This thought was merely a fleeting one, quickly suppressed by more practical considerations.
AI Model: gemini-3.1-flash-lite
After all, he was not one of those Metallic Dragons naturally protected by the order alignment and in relatively safe situations, but a Hybrid Dragon flowing with the Bloodline of an Evil Dragon, one who would likely invite relentless pursuit if his identity were exposed in the civilized world.
That kind of "cozy" life, where one could leisurely and willfully transform into a humanoid form to delve into the kingdoms of intelligent beings for role-playing games... was simply too distant for him, and currently unattainable.
"Exhilarating!"
Just then, a hearty, satisfied shout rang out from Alberto in his humanoid form in the center of the hall.
He had just finished the last flamboyant and powerful dance step.
At this moment, his golden curly hair was dampened by sweat and clung to his smooth forehead, while his temples were covered in a fine layer of sweat beads. Heat rose from his body as if he had just undergone an intense battle; his chest heaved slightly, his breathing was slightly rapid, and his entire demeanor suggested that his physical stamina had been exhausted to the limit.
It must be said, this state of exhaustion... was acted out truly vividly and incisively.
Immediately, Alberto leaped lightly and jumped back onto his massive stone platform.
A soft and bright magical light flared up around his body.
Enveloped in the light, his slender humanoid body, belonging to the adventurer, rapidly expanded, stretched, and transformed as if being inflated.
The light dissipated.
The majestic true form of a Gold Dragon, covered in brilliant golden scales, had replaced the previous human image and stood tall once more.
His entire draconic Aura underwent an earth-shattering change in an instant—from that sunny, enthusiastic, and seemingly endlessly energetic young adventurer, he instantly withdrew and settled, reverting to that dignified, noble Gold Dragon with sharp eyes and an extremely paranoid disposition.
"I had a great time tonight, Garros."
Alberto turned to the Red-Iron Dragon, lowering his massive dragon head slightly in a gesture of solemn gratitude.
"Thank you for your generous hospitality."
He paused, then added: "What is called a promise—that is something one must strive with all one's might to fulfill, no matter what difficulties or obstacles lie ahead!"
"Before our respective journeys inevitably lead us to opposite sides, Garros, as long as you encounter any powerful enemy you cannot handle alone, you can send me a distress signal, and I, Alberto Aurelius, will certainly do my best to rush to your side as quickly as possible!"
Although he had been defeated by Garros in the battle shortly before.
But as he spoke these words now, they carried a resolute confidence and extraordinary Aura, as if he were the one possessing absolute strength, the one capable of protecting Garros.
Undoubtedly, this failure had not truly wounded the pride and arrogance deep within the Gold Dragon's bones.
The beatings from reality were still too few.
Of course, this attitude and promise displayed by Alberto was undoubtedly a good thing with more pros than cons for Garros.
This Gold Dragon was indeed extreme, arrogant, and had a paranoid, unpredictable personality... but it was also undeniable that Alberto, having embarked on the Holy Dragon Path, placed exceptional importance on the oaths he made himself.
Furthermore.
He clearly had developed a unique sense of trust and identification with the Red-Iron Dragon who could "recognize" his philosophy.
Possessing such an ally—powerful, committed to promises, and capable of bursting forth with extraordinary combat power in critical moments due to ideological alignment... on the future Serel Wilderness, which was destined to be turbulent, might truly yield unexpected and excellent results at certain critical moments.
Subsequently, the two dragons exchanged and confirmed a method for emergency communication across long distances.
Then, with the departure of The Dragon Flight, the gate to the second level of the Burning Steel Fortress slowly closed.
Above the towering cliffs of Dragon Valley, the night wind whistled by, carrying the scent of the wilderness.
"I am about to set off."
Alberto looked to the south: "To the Serel Wilderness! There, I will personally lay the cornerstone and build my own 'golden order' that cannot be infringed upon."
Just as the Gold Dragon flapped his wings, preparing to ride the wind and fly toward his unknown journey.
The Red-Iron Dragon beside him, as if suddenly remembering something important, abruptly called out to stop him: "Alberto, wait!"
The Gold Dragon paused slightly in the air, folding the wings he was about to flap, and turned his head in confusion to look at Garros.
"What?"
Meeting Alberto's questioning gaze, Garros frankly stated his request: "Before we part, could you let me personally experience the power of your 'Holy Strike'?"
He deliberately emphasized his tone: "Please do not hold back."
The Holy Dragon's Holy Strike was far more powerful than that of an ordinary Paladin; when Alberto used Holy Strike, Garros had felt a hint of danger, so he used his Dragon Qi arm to restrain it, preventing the Holy Strike from landing on him.
But now, he wanted to test the effect of Holy Strike on himself again.
The Gold Dragon licked the wound on his lower jaw that had not yet fully healed, a complex light flashing in his eyes—there was both confusion at Garros's strange request and a hint of excitement at being able to legitimately strike back.
He nodded his massive head heavily: "A strange request, but no problem! I agree! I will do as you wish and give it my all!"
In that previous frustrating battle where he was ganged up on by several Evil Dragons, the injuries he sustained were truly not light.
The vast majority of them were caused by the Red-Iron Dragon before him! Although powerful divine arts like "Lay on Hands" and "Reverse Wounds" had healed him in time, his body still bore many remnants of shattered and peeled-off dragon scales, making him look quite disheveled.
To be able to get such a legitimate opportunity to "strike back" now.
Even if it was just a symbolic strike, how could he refuse?
"Then... get ready!"
Alberto let out a low dragon roar.
Hum—a strange energy humming sound rang out.
Chains of Oath of Conquest runes, shining with holy golden light and composed of pure energy, emerged and bulged on the Gold Dragon's forelimb like living creatures, then rapidly intertwined and converged.
In an instant.
A massive halberd, solidified and condensed from Sacred Oath energy, appeared in his dragon claw, held firmly in his grip!
The next moment.
"Ho—ly—Strike!"
Accompanied by Alberto's roar, full of power and sanctity, a brilliant scorching light lit up on the halberd, carving a burning and dazzling arc through the air as it slashed toward the Red-Iron Dragon.
The Red-Iron Dragon did not dodge or evade, puffing out his chest, where the Frostburn Scales had not yet recovered, to meet it.
Clang—Riiip!
After experiencing severe resistance, the halberd tore through the dragon scales, leaving a huge but not very deep mark on the Red-Iron Dragon's body, with shining light still lingering and winding around the surface.
To this, the Red-Iron Dragon merely shook his body.
"Hmm." Garros's voice was calm and waveless, even carrying a hint of ease.
"Nothing special."
He said.
"I was not wrong! Those who can recognize my philosophy are definitely not true evil beings."
Seeing this scene, Alberto was first astonished, and then the trust in his eyes deepened significantly.
The Holy Strike, strengthened by the Oath of Conquest, would inflict radiant punishment derived from the holy Origin, several times the physical damage, upon creatures bearing an evil alignment; that searing, intense pain that penetrated deep into the Soul and marrow was enough to make even the fiercest demons wail.
Yet looking at Garros's reaction at this moment.
—He merely shook his body, not even frowning, and his tone was so flat that it was as if he had just been bitten by a mosquito.
This could only mean that the holy radiant damage targeting evil had almost no effect on him, or rather, the degree of its effect was negligible!
Holy Strike does not lie to dragons.
This meant that the Red-Iron Dragon was not a creature of an evil alignment.