A white-haired youth with ice crystal-like flowing light wrapped around his hairline sat in a large chair.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window behind the third floor of the castle, flocks of seabirds and terns, bathed in the sunset glow, carried the wind weaving through the forest, stirring up the surging waves by the sea.
Germot held his forehead with one hand and revised documents with the other. Document after document passed through his review and annotations, now stacked in a thick pile on the wide desk.
When the white-haired youth finished revising the last two documents, "Regarding the Dispersal and Internal Absorption of Elf Tribes" and "Related Suggestions for Attracting Technical and Cultural Talents through Cultural Promotion and Favorable Treatment," he finally let out a long breath.
Although at Alina's suggestion, reports on Dragon Territory affairs were written in the simplest and most direct form possible, the daily increasing workload still gave even the energetic Giant True Dragon a headache.
The Dragon Clans Territory, which sees population growth every month, is now bustling with affairs. The number of new slaves and free immigrants attracted by the conditions offered by the Dragon Territory has steadily increased as the Dragon Clan Territory's reputation has grown.
However, the settlement and planning of these populations required a lot of energy, and some newly recruited human Scholars, to demonstrate their abilities to the rulers, could write several suggestion reports almost every day.
These document reports had already been filtered by the Giant ogre Fafna as valuable and had accumulated to half a person's height.
To facilitate the handling of government affairs, Germott had recently come to the newly established castle in Golden City. Although this castle, built facing the sea, was tall enough to allow a Giant True Dragon to land freely.
But for convenience, the White Dragon still used polymorph to transform into a human form. Currently, in the Dragon clan, only Kalon and Germott had mastered polymorph. After the transformation by polymorph, Germott's current height also far exceeded that of ordinary people.
If it weren't for his still somewhat youthful face, just looking at his physique, one might think he was a tall warrior.
This was determined by the True Dragon's aesthetics. Except for the Female True Dragons, almost every male True Dragon would try to choose a tall and mighty image when using polymorph.
However, even with the White Dragon's best efforts during his youth, his somewhat tender face faithfully reflected his original age.
Knock, knock, knock. Outside the wide door, an elf maid cautiously knocked on the open door, her beautiful eyes quickly glancing over the spacious study.
Then she softly said, "Lord Germott, an Orc noble is waiting outside the castle to be received by you. He has already passed Lord Fafna's inspection and permission!"
These elf maids were openly selected from the tribes that had moved from Green Field Forest to the Dragon Clans Territory and were the first elves to express obedience to the True Dragons.
To accelerate the integration of these elves into the territory, many elves were recruited as attendants in the elf tribes.
Every True Dragon was assigned at least two elf maids. Kalon even assigned four elves, considered extremely beautiful by G True Dragon aesthetics, to Rosani, holding a one-in-ten-thousand hope of salvaging the Black Dragon's overly unique aesthetic preferences.
The tall youth, transformed from Germott, stood up from behind the desk, nodded, and said, "Let him come up!"
Germott reverted to his original True Dragon form. Most True Dragons preferred their original form, even Silver Dragons and Golden True Dragons, who most enjoyed transforming into humans and elves with polymorph. The True Dragon form was the highest aesthetic in the eyes of True Dragon race.
Moreover, Germott also felt that what the Red Dragon once said made a lot of sense: "You have to let those who are not sure whether they are enemies or friends overestimate your shortcomings."
Germott felt that his white scales were an excellent protective color. Although he did not want to admit it, White Dragon s generally left the impression of not being very intelligent on everyone.
The White Dragon faced the tall floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the scenery outside, waiting quietly.
Thump, thump, thump, heavy footsteps and light footsteps sounded. A deep, resonant voice sounded behind Gemot: "Greetings to you, esteemed White Dragon. Fatti extends his highest regards to you!"
Germott recalled the usual gaze and demeanor of his kin, Camid, then his agile eyes turned slightly dull, and he turned around.
Germott mimicked Camid's voice and said, "Speak, Orc, what business do you have with the esteemed Giant True Dragon!"
...
"Those Orcs actually treat me as an ordinary White Dragon. He thinks the True Dragons in the Dragon clan are all suppressed by Kalon and cannot have their own territories, and he even wants to use this to tempt me," Germott sneered, bringing up the Orc Fatti's conditions, watching the Dragon clan's actions.
At this time, the True Dragon Group had already gathered in the orchard. Besides Kalon and Rosani, who were far away in Green Field Forest, even Alina, who was presiding over the overall situation in Bay Stream City, was already present.
When Kalon was not in the territory, whenever a major decision was faced, the Dragon clan would always hold a gathering to discuss it together. Alina and Alfred had earned the respect and acceptance of the Dragon clan with their respective performances. The two True Dragons no longer had no sense of presence as they did initially.
"This is the Dragon clan's agreement that existed as early as the Young Dragon period. Moreover, everyone knows the current situation of the territory. Wouldn't a separate Dragon Lord be asking for trouble?"
Dos lazily flicked his tail. With the addition of Germott and Alina, he was much more relaxed now, and the scratches on his horn had faded considerably.
"I think establishing trade relations with the Orc Kingdom is acceptable, but allowing them to establish new territories next to the True clan's territory cannot be agreed to."
Alina lay on the ground, ignoring Alfred's eager flattery. They were now officially companions, but both True Dragons were too busy to even spend much time in their own lairs every day.
"The Orc Kingdom was once a powerful empire that ruled Ekania World. Although driven overseas by humans, they have always been looking for an opportunity to return to the main continent. If the Dragon clan give them this opportunity, it might attract the hostility of other human kingdoms!"
Alina expressed her concerns. "Moreover, although the Orc Kingdom has declined, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. We cannot, for a little profit, learn from those humans who raise tigers only to suffer later!"
Alfred, beside her, nodded repeatedly. He didn't know much about this, but it didn't matter; he just needed to show his support for Alina's statement.
The Elder Red Copper Dragon had once taught the young Alfred that no matter whether a Female True Dragon's words were right or wrong, one should not directly oppose them on the surface, and should even express agreement.
Antagena's prostrate body suddenly squatted up. Her beautiful scales glowed with emerald light in the sun, but this Female True Dragon's opinion was contrary to Alina's.
The Green Dragon's slender eyes flickered with sinister light. She enticed the Giant True Dragons in the Dragon clan, saying, "The Dragon Clans Territory is far from human kingdoms, and there are boundless mountains blocking the way. The hostility of those human kingdoms will not pose a substantial threat to us."
"But if we accept this condition from the Orc Kingdom, we can not only use the power of the Orc Kingdom to open up areas that are temporarily inaccessible to us, but also, when the Dragon Clans Territory expands again in the future, we can conveniently swallow their mature fruits."
The Green Dragon, who was naturally fond of enticement, spoke in a soft, melodious voice, wanting to stir the True Dragon's greed. She said, "We can also take this opportunity to extort a large sum of gold coins from them. At that time, every True Dragon will be able to get piles of gold coins. Just think of those lovely little things we can effortlessly possess!"
The other True Dragon's breathing visibly tightened. Gold coins held an attraction for Giant True Dragon s that surpassed everything. Even Alina, who had been quite calm just now, hesitated. The True Dragon's greed made this Female True Dragon, knowing it was wrong, not immediately speak out to refute.
Only Germott still watched the reactions of all the True Dragons with relatively calm eyes.
At this moment, Camid lazily covered his mouth with his Dragon claw, opening his sleepy eyes and yawning.
Then, with a thoughtful expression, he looked at Antagena, who had activated her bewitching instinct, and said, "Kalon said that often, the first person to speak well of an outsider is a potential traitor!"
Antagena was instantly furious. This beautiful female True Dragon bared her teeth, revealing a threatening posture, and roared, "You fool, don't you use your own brain to think about what good it would do me to betray the True Dragon? Kalon said, Kalon said, don't you have a brain to judge for yourself?"
Camid casually revealed his fangs. He said with a serious face, "I'm just a White Dragon!"
Although Camid's performance was quite comical, it made the True Dragons, who were deep in greed, come to their senses. Alina even directly questioned, "Antagena, you haven't taken the Orc's gold coins, have you, to speak for him in such a roundabout way?"
The other True Dragon s also looked at Antagena with suspicion, their greed receding, and rationality once again occupying their minds.
"Damn it, you would rather believe a foolish White Dragon and an outsider than believe me?" Antagena roared in anger. This female True Dragon lowered her front paws, and her tail tensed, which was a prelude to an attack.
"Enough,"the White Dragon Germott, who had always been calm, stopped the argument. He said with an exceptionally serious expression, "In just a few months that Kalon has been away from the Territory, are you going to start endless arguments?"
The White True Dragon's gaze towards the Green Dragon was calm and firm. He said, "No one doubts that Antagena, you would betray thenDragon clan, but Alina has joined the True Dragon, so she is a part of the True Dragon. Don't say such words that are not conducive to unity in the future, Antagena."
"I just hope that whether you have received benefits or not, you don't forget that you are also a part of the Dragon clan. The interests of the Dragon clan are closely related to all True Dragons, including you."
"I don't want Kalon to come back and see a divisive and split True Dragon and a mess. I'm sure you also don't want to see Kalon's disappointed look towards you. True Dragons who cannot control their greed and cause harm to the clan's interests will not be liked by Kalon. He will have all the True Dragons tear you apart!"
The Female Red Dragon Klenaya chuckled softly, "Does this kind of female True Dragon, who thinks she's smart but is actually stupid, also want to become the mistress of the Dragon clan? It's even more ridiculous than Camid becoming a Legendary Mage!"
"Damn it, what kind of attitude do you all have?" Antagena turned and flew into the sky, leaving behind her angry words, "I'm going to find Kalon. Let's see if you still dare to gang up and bully me."
Alina showed a worried expression. She asked uneasily, "Will Kalon be angry because of this? Perhaps my attitude was too aggressive!"
"It's fine. As a True Dragon, Antagena's nature is to be bewitching and fickle. She has already started to forget the original agreement of the Dragon clan. Giving her a warning now is also for her own good," Red Dragon Klenaya replied calmly.
"As for Kalon, you don't need to worry even more. If Antagena dared to deceive him in the past, it wouldn't be as simple as a verbal warning!" As one of the few female True Dragons in the Dragon clan, Klenaya took the initiative to comfort the somewhat worried Alina.
Germott sighed as he watched the Green Dragon fly away. Now that he was in charge of the Dragon clan, he somewhat understood the Red Dragon's past troubles. Not all True Dragons could overcome their nature, just as not everyone could become successful.
Following Netis's soul's guidance, Kalon passed over the vast remnants of the World Tree and arrived at the depths of the forest.
Here, strange rocks were scattered, forming a natural stone forest. Although not tall enough, it gave Kalon an ancient and unchanging aura.
As Kalon stepped into it, he seemed to feel a sense of time's stagnation. Even his own body movements slowed down, as if he were in a state of slumber, quiet and gentle.
There were no magic arrays in this area, but it isolated all outside sounds, as if the entire world instantly became silent. Only the gurgling sound of the spring, resembling a small well, flowed nearby.
"This spring possesses magical power. It is said that every person who comes here for the first time, if they are lucky enough, can glimpse a corner of their own destiny through the reflection of the spring water," Netis's soul whispered.
"Many years ago, those Mages poured the water from this spring onto the World Tree, and my soul sprouted because of it. Over many years, I once saw a Time Dragon also stop here, washing his body with the spring water, and then drinking his fill!"
Time Dragon. Kalon's understanding of this creature was only two words—monster. The starting point of this creature was the end that most creatures and ordinary True Dragon s in the world looked up to. They were born with the life essence and rank of a Legendary level.
This creature only needed to grow steadily, gradually awakening its spell abilities, to become the pinnacle creature of the endless world.
Compared to Time Dragon, whether Metal Dragon or Chromatic Dragon, they were more like toys casually created by the Dragon Gods. Ordinary True Dragons needed to grow to their peak to compare with the starting point of a Time Dragon.
When Kalon heard that such a powerful creature was also interested in this magical spring, his curiosity also arose. He walked to the front of this magical spring, stopping to gaze.
This spring was only as large as two people embracing, but it was enough to reflect Kalon's entire figure. The flowing spring water seemed to disappear directly into the void, not wetting the ground.
But Kalon did not find any images appearing on the water's surface, except for his reflection.
Just as he thought he was not lucky enough, the shimmering spring suddenly transformed into a dazzling light, like that seen when crossing a Plane teleportation gate. Images appeared in his consciousness.
Those were scenes from Kalon's life after his birth, from breaking out of the True Dragon egg and coming into this world. Each scene was similar to his past, but some details had changed.
Just like Kalon's only acknowledged friend now, Pixie Raven, the moment she appeared before the Red Dragon, she was instantly swallowed by the Red Dragon.
Subsequent scenes began to differ from Kalon's past memories. The invading Ogres were all killed by Carlit, who risked severe mental injury, in cooperation with Blue True Dragon Akzi and the True Dragon.
Then, the growing Red Dragon successfully seized power and expanded the Territory, and the True Dragon gradually became a hegemon of the wilderness.
However, a split occurred within the growing True Dragon. The other True Dragon s began to harbor their own intentions, and under the bewitchment of Antagena, the True Dragon eventually engaged in battle.
Antagena and Red Dragon Klenaya were killed by Kalon in the struggle. White Dragon Germott was severely wounded. Dos and Blue Dragon Akzi left the True Dragon.
But the scene finally froze there. A pink True Dragon tail, flashing from the void, shattered all the images.
That pink tail seemed to appear simultaneously in the past scenes and in reality. Kalon, who had woken up, just happened to see the last tip of the tail disappear into the void.
"Netis, did you notice it just now?" Kalon asked with a solemn expression.
"Noticed what? Kalon, did you see your future destiny?" Netis's soul was completely unaware of this and asked back blankly.
"Perhaps the future destiny is untouchable, but I should have seen a branch of my destiny," Kalon's expression became serious. Kalon deeply understood the changes in his character and biological nature. Sometimes, just a shift in thought would lead to different consequences.
The images he saw in this spring were not enough to surprise him. What he cared about was that pink tail, which clearly belonged to a True Dragon, but was completely different from the Time Dragon in Kalon's impression.
"Has my destiny been shifted, or is it that..." Kalon silently looked at where the tail had disappeared, and a spurt of Spark shot out.