Chapter 31 The Prestige and Credibility of the Golden Dragon

Chapter 31 - 31 The Prestige and Credibility of the Golden Dragon"Ah, come on, don't make that face. What's wrong with coming out for a stroll with me? What's the joy in staying inside the Dragon Nest all the time?" On a floating ship drifting through the air, Lady, surrounded by Elemental Light, was teasing the unenthusiastic Little Golden Dragon. "Is this what you call a casual stroll?" Noah couldn't lift his spirits at the moment, as just looking at the dazzling equipment on his foster mother, he could tell. The Magic Wand in her hand was inlaid with four perfectly quality gemstones, with Mysterious Runes flickering occasionally. The shimmering Magic Robe seemed to be imbued with numerous Defense Magic spells. The necklace hung around her slender neck and the Magic Ring on her jade-like fingers could make any Golden Dragon envious. Yet, she wasn't dressed like she was going out for a casual stroll. Not to mention the floating ship beneath their feet, equipped with eighteen visible Magic-guided Cannons and many more heavy crossbows and bed crossbows. Among the personnel on board were ten Golden Knights from the Pioneer Knights, and even more Silver Knights and Attendants, all of whom were combat-ready, their numbers exceeded a hundred. By Noah's standards, the firepower and armaments of this floating ship could launch a small-scale war, capable of decimating most of the Earl Domain within the Kingdom in a short time. His foster mother had forcibly brought Noah out with such a display, claiming they were just going for a stroll, who would believe that? "Of course, after Casius became the Great Duke, our responsibilities switched completely. The things he originally needed to handle are now my responsibility..." Feeling the unease on Noah, Selena had to offer an explanation. After Casius was promoted to Legend, his status and role changed, so his every move couldn't be as carefree as before; it had to be well-considered. Hence, some things had to be attended to by Selena, his wife. "Don't worry, there's nothing to be anxious about. We're not going to start a war, nor am I taking you to a battlefield. It's just a visit to a dwarven settlement." "Really?" Noah's eyes were filled with doubt. The fully armed and intimidating display made it hard to believe it was a friendly visit. "That dwarven settlement is within the territory that Casius nominally rules. We won't be leaving the Duke Territory. Now, in this domain, there are no creatures that dare bear malice against the Augustus family." "That's good then." Noah exhaled deeply. He knew that after Casius was promoted to Legend, he triggered a massive beast tide, affecting areas thousands of miles wide. The direction of the beast tide was naturally away from human territories. It was an outward-expanding tide, with many slightly intelligent Giant Beasts and Monster Clans choosing to migrate the moment they sensed the breath of a human Legend. Although this sparked many disasters, it wasn't related to humans. Therefore, indeed, within the territory of the Augustus family, there shouldn't be any hostile Wisdom Races, but such matters are hard to say for certain. "What's the deal with this dwarven settlement?" Noah asked for more details. He preferred being a homebody dragon, staying put, after all, he had plenty of choices to keep him entertained. However, his foster mother disliked his reclusive lifestyle and thus dragged him out by force. "These dwarves belong to the mountain dwarves. We originally had no interaction with them, but the mountains they inhabit just happened to be marked under Casius' name. This visit is to clarify Augustus family's sovereignty over them." Selena spoke casually, but Noah could sense the iron-blooded tone in his foster mother's voice, representing the strength and dominance of pioneering Nobles. The territories of pioneering Nobles are carved out with swords and knives; hence, these Nobles care little for Royal Family awards. Even if more land was granted to them, they could only claim it back with force. "What if these mountain dwarves refuse to accept the sovereignty?" "I will allow them to migrate, but that is the final concession." Selena glanced at the Golden Dragon, speaking calmly. If the dwarves neither consented to submission nor migration, the result would naturally be obvious. The Duke Family with a Legend present won't allow independent forces on their territory. Even though this land wasn't originally owned by the Augustus family and had indeed been developed by mountain dwarves for hundreds of years, that isn't a reason for the mountain dwarves to resist. "Let's hope these dwarves have wise heads." "Let's hope so." The Lady's eyes as she looked at Noah were inscrutable. The 80-meter-long floating ship broke through the clouds and began to slowly descend, bringing immense pressure to the dwarven city built within the mountains below. It's worth mentioning that this creation, enshrouded in Magic Radiance, didn't cost the Augustus family a single copper coin because it was a gift from the True Spirit Tower located on the eastern continent to Casius, to congratulate him on his promotion to Legend. Many of the Magic Ornaments on the Lady are from such origins. To put it boldly, merely the gifts from various forces for Casius' promotion to Legend surpassed the Augustus family's accumulation of exploration over centuries. "Is this the dwarven settlement?" The Young Dragon poked its head out from the ship's railing, seeing a city built into the mountain ridges, using sturdy rocks as its foundation, forged with copper. Perhaps calling it a bastion or a fortress would be more appropriate. Looking at the sky bridge leading into the city and the winding paths carved into the mountain slopes, one could tell this is an impregnable city from ground-level assaults. "There must be over ten thousand dwarves here." "Does it make any difference for us?" The floating ship landed in the plaza of the dwarven city, where several hundred dwarven soldiers in heavy armor, holding warhammers or giant axes, were lined up, waiting with a quiet sense of menace spreading. But even so, Selena still raised a hand to disable the floating ship's Defense Magic Array. As the magic shield dissipated, the hot air mixed with the metallic scent rushed in. The Knights on board began to assemble, and the dwarves below moved restlessly, though it wasn't an act of aggression but rather whispering. Noah could clearly feel that most of the dwarves' eyes were fixated on him. Stunned, awestruck, incredulous, at a loss. As the peculiar atmosphere started to permeate the dwarven city, a square-built dwarf with dark gray skin, thick beard, and hair emerged from a rugged, majestic palace. His sharp gaze swept across the plaza, and the dwarves' restlessness gradually subsided in an instant. However, when he saw the Golden Dragon soaring at the prow of the ship, his expression changed as well. "Noble Child of the Golden Dragon, may the flames be with you. Please allow me, Elken Copperbeard, ruler of Ironforge and Child of the Mountains' Favor, to express my highest regard and greetings to you."