We surrender, but I have one condition." A youthful yet exceptionally deep voice echoed as the awakened Red Dragon slowly stepped out of the dark cave. The uneasy Young Dragons immediately seemed to find their backbone, gathering around Kalon on the right side.
Kalon softly spoke in Dragon Language, seemingly comforting the Young Dragons, and their bewildered hearts instantly settled.
Under the illumination of the blazing fire, in the eyes of numerous Ogres and humans, the Red Dragon that appeared was agile and majestic, with bulging muscles in its chest and abdomen, and strong leg muscles indicating the immense power it possessed.
Compared to it, other Young Dragons of the same age were simply generations apart. Its nearly eight-meter-long body was covered in scarlet-gold scales that emitted dazzling light under the fire, and its broad, fleshy wings were covered in mysterious and profound patterns.
Its head, unlike other Red Dragons, did not have bat-like wings on its neck and ears. Instead, simple lines outlined soft angles that even the most skilled sculptors in the world could not carve, like a perfect fusion of a Gold Dragon and a Red Dragon. The pair of three-pronged dragon horns on its head were ferocious and thick. This was a powerful and perfect creature; if Fafner the Ogre Giant represented beauty, then this Giant Monster before them was an artwork of power.
"Oh, I must obtain it. What a perfect piece of art it is. The human world will go mad fighting over it." The merchant Aiersu's breathing became exceptionally rapid, and his blood was boiling. After receiving confirmation from the mage beside him, he trembled with excitement. "It's still just a Young Dragon, my heavens, could this be the descendant of the Dragon God from legends? I will pay any price to obtain it."
Moreover, it seemed to be the leader of this group of Young Dragons. Aiersu watched as the Young Dragons quieted down after the Red Dragon appeared, clearly indicating the Red Dragon's high status and prestige among them.
A bold idea immediately surged in his heart: he would pay everything to keep this Red Dragon. As long as he could bind this Red Dragon to himself, the other Young Dragons, no matter whose hands they were in, would obey him in the future.
Fafna, who had always appeared exceptionally calm and languid, had already stepped forward. The mysterious Giant ogre is a rare female Ogre variant. She is a bloodline decedent of Decalutius, the three-headed sea demon of Soul Eaters, the ancient demigod ancestor of the Ogres. Not only does she possess naturally powerful mental strength, but she also has an extremely formidable talent.
Fafna's bloodline bestowed upon her the Soul Eater talent, similar to her ancient ancestors. Although not as powerful as the ancient demigod sea demon, the talent formed by the three heads of the ancient sea demon, symbolizing birth, growth, and demise, allows her to devour and contain the souls of three chosen targets with her mental and soul power.
Once she devours the other party's soul, her soul and the other party's soul form a symbiotic master-subordinate relationship, like another growing head. If the other party is strong, she will also become strong.
Her strength will also give back to the other party; if the other party is weak, it is difficult to affect her own power. And if she dies, the other party's life will also perish. Only when the other party falls into the silence of death will it bring her pain; not only is it extremely difficult to eliminate the lost soul, but her own talent will also fade with the other party's death.
She is currently only in her juvenile stage and can only select one person as the object of her talent's absorption. She has not yet reached the peak of her growth, let alone reaching the final talent slot that can only be used in the extremely old stage of a Giant Dragon.
Therefore, she is extremely cautious in using her talent. Even Morgor, who possesses the giant ancestral bloodline in the Ogre Tribe, did not gain her favor. In her opinion, Morgor, aside from his foolish mind, also has a limit to his power growth. Although he has already grown to his peak, he is far from sufficient to bear her talent, and she also knows that Morgor has coveted her for a long time.
Fafna had originally favored that Female Red Dragon. This Red Dragon was not only female, but her future growth potential far surpassed Morgor's giant atavistic bloodline. Even a true giant would not have more advantages than a Red Dragon.
But the moment she saw Kalon, she didn't need to make a choice at all. Her talent was screaming wildly on its own, craving. This Red Dragon before her was the best vessel for her talent. Even the ancient demigod sea demon Decalutius would not refuse such a talented Giant Dragon.
Morgor in the arena was still roaring angrily, "What right do you have to negotiate terms, with just a few weak Young Dragons?" The six-meter-tall Ogre Tyrant looked down at the quiet Kalon.
The Giant Dragon, including its tail, was only eight meters long. On all fours, it did not appear as tall as the Ogre, but it calmly looked past Morgor, who was blocking its way, and gazed at the Giant Monster and the Ogre Warlock among the Ogre crowd. Clearly, it was not ignorant of what was happening inside the cave.
"Morgor, listen to his conditions!" Fafna stepped down from the long couch, her delicate bare feet treading on the rough ground.
The Two-Headed Ogre Warlock also stopped, agreeing with the Giant ogres opinion. The situation was now completely under their control. These Young Dragons, if not foolish, would not rashly take flight and escape. At close range, no Giant Dragon could escape the volley of spears from the Ogre Warriors.
Kalon alone passed the secretly fuming Morgor, slowly walking towards the Giant Monster while speaking, "We can sincerely submit, but we demand relatively equal status and a certain degree of freedom. True Dragons must not be humiliated. In return, the Giant Dragons will willingly sign a contract with you and accept your command."
Kalon's proposal was not conceited. It is widely acknowledged in the world that the least efficient use of a Giant Dragon is to kill it. In the Ogres' eyes, these Young Dragons were equally afraid of death befalling them.
"Stop, Dragon, at this distance." The Ogre Warlock Black halted the young Dragon's steps. Even if Kalon was using negotiation to lull the Ogres, this shrewd and aged Ogre Warlock still remained very cautious, making Kalon stop about ten meters away from them.
"I agree to your terms." Fafna verbally agreed almost without hesitation upon hearing these terms. The terms were not harsh, even overly simple. If the Red Dragon was willing to cooperate, her soul-devouring talent would proceed much more smoothly.
Aiersu also nodded. The Giant ogres actions were very clever. For now, it was best to stabilize these Young Dragons. Human cunning and wisdom allowed him to devise ten thousand ways to renege later. As long as the Giant Dragons fell into his hands, they would be at his mercy.
"Very good, then next..." The Red Dragon slowly lowered its head, a gesture of submission for a true Dragon. It took a deep breath, as if burdened by the words of surrender it was about to utter.
The Ogres proudly prepared to accept the young Dragon's surrender. Even the cautious Two-Headed Ogre Warlock felt a surge of elation. This was a true Dragon, a creature that represented power and nobility. Although the old Ogre Warlock regretted not being able to take the Giant Dragon's head as a trophy, he would soon be able to engrave the Giant Dragon's image on his scepter, signifying that he had once conquered a Giant Dragon.
These thoughts flashed in an instant. Only the mage hidden behind the Ogres, beside Aiersu, had a sudden realization. The magic staff in his hand was about to glow with magical light as he shouted, "No, beware of this damned Giant Dragon!" The battle-hardened warriors instinctively raised their shields to protect Aiersu.
Before the mage could finish his words, the Red Dragon, which had been lowering its head, suddenly raised it, its eyes, like two shining rubies, radiating terrifying anger and killing intent. Its unfinished words echoed through the canyon, "Receive my wrath, you damned scum!"
Whoosh! The boiling flames transformed into a surging, violent conical breath expelled from the young Dragon's mouth. Several unprepared Ogre Warriors were instantly became BBQ-men. Before their screams could even escape, its hind legs, stronger than its forelegs, had already exerted force. The omnipresent magical energy in the air surged in, effortlessly lifting the Giant Dragon's body, tearing through the Ogres blocking its path, and charging towards the Ogre Warlocks.