msmithbooks Chapter 403 - 320: The Iron Dragon Lady’s Doubts (Part 2)
Chapter 403 - 320: The Iron Dragon Lady’s Doubts (Part 2)
It is the key for Galos to initiate his path of passionate evolution, playing a very important role in his growth journey.
Opposite him, Letitia listened carefully to Red Iron Dragon’s methodical, detail-packed narration, her gaze again falling on the Lightning Tail Ring, long-damaged and impossible for outside dragons to easily replicate.
The extremely guarded posture around her body finally visibly relaxed a bit.
However, her scales were still slightly raised, her muscles remained in a semi-tense state, not yet fully relaxed.
The risks of long-term solitary life and the wilderness had instilled in her a habit of never letting her guard down easily.
"Galos, your rapid growth and the final form you present truly astonish me immensely."
She bared her cold-flashing sharp teeth, her pupils narrowed into two dangerous lines, and straightforwardly asked, "So, tell me, your return today, is it merely to show me your current strength? Or do you harbor other thoughts towards this territory I’ve managed for so long?"
Iron Dragon Lady’s excessive reaction did not surprise Galos.
This is not because she is overly sensitive or mean.
It is truly because, in the social rules of Dragons, familial relationships are extremely faint and thin.
Perhaps some camaraderie can persist among peers who grew up together.
But often, there is a deeper chasm and underlying competitive relationship between different generations of blood relatives.
The legacy of dragons records numerous elderly dragons successfully challenged or even killed by their offspring.
For land, treasure, or simply to prove oneself stronger, instances of blood relatives turning against each other are not uncommon.
"Relax a bit, Mother."
Galos swept his gaze casually over those Iron Dragon Followers, still tremble in fear but not daring to approach, and said, "If I truly harbored any hostility, what you should be doing now is not questioning me here, but busy collecting corpses for your followers."
His voice was very calm, as if he were simply stating a fact.
Yet, when these words fell into the ears of surrounding scorpion-tailed lions, Dragon Vein creatures, and other monsters, they all felt a chill of terror and dread.
Indeed, if this terrifying Red Iron Dragon truly had ill intentions, he could have struck first when the Dragon Lord left the territory, eliminating all followers with thunderous measures.
Even if he wished to take over these followers, he would first have to eliminate those Dragon Vein Follower leaders absolutely loyal to Letitia, leaving only those easy to tame or control.
Not like now.
Patiently waiting for the Dragon Lord’s return, facing her alone along with her entire Affiliated Legion.
After a period of deep consideration and weighing, Iron Dragon Lady Letitia slowly stretched out the limbs that had been slightly crouched, ready to explode at any moment, her body’s strong muscles gradually relaxing.
Like a large feline confirming no immediate danger, she crouched in a relatively relaxed posture, with her steel-sheened long tail swaying lazily behind her.
She looked once more at Galos’ impactful physique and finally asked the core question: "So, Galos, your time spent waiting for my return, what is the real purpose?"
Galos thought briefly, choosing his words carefully, then said, "I came here mainly to tell you two things."
"Firstly, the life back then in the Celestial Pit Territory was an indispensable growth experience for me, and the alchemy tool you gifted me at the end offered me tremendous help at a critical moment."
"Secondly, given we share a portion of similar bloodlines, I believe we have a better basis for cooperation than strangers. I hope we can attempt to establish some level of alliance or cooperative relationship."
Firstly expressing goodwill and recognition, then proposing a clear intent to cooperate.
After tersely completing his statement, Galos said no more, merely waited calmly for the Iron Dragon Lady’s response and decision.
Letitia also gazed at Galos, sweeping her eyes over his body, only slightly shorter than herself, yet many times more massive and robust.
Cooperation?
This proposal is not entirely out of consideration.
For Letitia, that crazy and powerful Red Dragon Gorsas always hung over her like a sword, a huge and unpredictable potential danger.
She is unwilling to leave the Sel Wilderness, a place she has been familiar with for many years.
But as long as she stays here, she will inevitably have to deal with Gorsas sooner or later.
Given the current balance of power, she is completely at a disadvantage.
Seeking allies against Gorsas’s threat, Letitia is actively searching for possible allies.
However, suitable candidates are scarce.
She previously attempted to unite with the Dominic Blue Dragon Family, though she has yet to receive a final reply, the outcome is likely to be a refusal, as those Blue Dragons are too astute and pragmatic, unwilling to act rashly over a vague potential risk.
On the other hand, any cooperation generally relies on two factors: trust, and a clear understanding of each other’s power level.
In terms of trust, despite thin familial ties between Dragon Lords, there remains a layer of blood connection and past understanding compared to complete strangers.
Moreover, Galos, in her impression, is notably different from the usual chaotic and mad Dragons, appearing more stable and reliable.
The alchemy tool she gifted him back then was in itself a forward-thinking investment.
As long as Galos is not extremely chaotic and mad like his Red Dragon father, then cooperation is a possibility.
Regarding specific power levels, body size often only represents part of the power, not all of it.
During her long life, Letitia has also hunted many ferocious beasts far larger than herself.
The Red Iron Dragon before her looks intimidating but may have a chance of being ineffective; after all, his age is too young, perhaps due to some serendipity leading to premature physical development, true strength may not align with his formidable physique.
After carefully weighing the pros and cons, Letitia focused her great dragon eyes back on Galos, and spoke: "My dear Galos, today is our meeting again after decades, which should have been a matter worth celebrating."
"But before we officially discuss any specific cooperation matters, I want to directly understand to what level you have currently grown."
"Your physique surprises me, but as a fellow giant dragon, you should know that size cannot represent everything."
She gazed at the Red Iron Dragon and said.
Galos asked: "How to understand?"
He had vaguely guessed Iron Dragon Lady’s thoughts, yet he still chose to ask, which is a form of respect and sets the tone for the following interaction.
Letitia’s head slightly lifted, a steady voice emanating from beneath heavy face armor.
She straightforwardly said: "Very simple, a calm contest."
"Only through the friction of scale armor against scale armor, the clash of claws against teeth, the most authentic confrontation of power and skill, can we clearly realize each other’s true strength level."
"I believe after that, whether it be cooperation or anything else, we can make better judgments."
Her proposal hit right at Galos’s desire.
He needed a battle of sufficient weight to establish the place he deserved in his mother’s mind.
In the world of dragons, promises of words are often as light as dust, only strength proven through tests of claws and fiery flames can forge truly solid contracts or alliances.