Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The formation isolated sound both internally and externally, so the guards of the Holy Altar did not hear the conversation between the two dragons. Seeing the Red Dragon turn around and walk towards them, they could not help but feel their hearts racing as they stood up and unsheathed their swords.
Jose felt a chill.
“Strange, how can I still feel cold after transmigrating into a fiery Red Dragon?”
He did not think too much about it. He only thought that the cave was too humid. After taking a few steps, he stopped and did his business.
…
The three dragons searched for the entire night and found nothing.
“Phew!” Jose heaved a sigh of relief. “How lucky! We didn’t encounter anything!”
Yaligos was also very relaxed. She looked at the crystal ball in her hand and said, “Even O’Neal can’t blame us now. After all, we’ve gone through the entire area indicated in the mission.”
“Maybe. Well, whatever. We have to get back to base.”
“Yeah.”
The three dragons lifted the kobold guide and flew toward the Graystone Stronghold.
It was a time of war, and they could not directly fly over the city wall. Thus, the three dragons landed on the strategic open ground in front of the Graystone Stronghold and successfully entered the city after an inspection.
“Doug, this is your reward,” Jose said as he held out a broken red scale.
These were the scales that had fallen off when he was injured. According to the inheritance system of the dragons, once they awakened the ability to use magic power, the dragon scales could be used to convert followers, so he had kept the dragon scales that had fallen off.
Doug received the dragon scales excitedly. Low-ranked dragonkin such as kobolds could use dragon scales and dragon blood to increase the density of the dragon bloodline in their bodies through magic rituals. They could strengthen their body, and if they were lucky, they might even awaken to become Dragon Warlocks.
“Oh benevolent True Dragon, receive my deepest gratitude! Doug is willing to serve you forever!”
“Very well. Then keep an eye out for all sorts of news around you. I may come to you at any moment.”
“Understood!”
“Go on.”
The kobold guide left.
Jose explained to his companions, “It’s always good to have one more source of information.”
He turned to look at the Black Dragon’s cave; its black entrance was like the Black Dragon’s mouth. “Let’s go. I feel like our mission won’t end so easily.”
Upon entering the cave, the three dragons immediately noticed something amiss.
“It’s only been a day. Why are there so many people?”
Currently, the number of elite monsters in the cave was twice as many as when the three dragons first came. This was very abnormal.
The front line’s combat strength was usually tightly managed. Most of the forces of the Graystone Stronghold would have been transferred to the front line, but now there were so many elites here. Something big was definitely going on.
The three dragons continued toward the Black Dragon’s office when the door to the office opened, and an unexpected dragon stepped out. It was none other than Jose’s brother.
“Barron, why are you here?”
Seeing his younger brother walking towards him, Barron smirked in disdain. “Oh my stupid brother! Your reaction is always so slow!”
“Come in and report now that you’re back! What are you chatting for?!” The sudden roar behind him scared Barron so much that his neck shrunk.
Jose lost interest in finding out more. He hurried into the Black Dragon’s office with his companions.
At this time, O’Neal was no longer as relaxed and content as he was when he tasted the sweet food earlier. He was burying his head in the messy parchment scroll on the table. He raised his head and stared with his scarlet eyes, showing a questioning look.
“Lord O’Neal, we’ve searched the mission area and found nothing unusual.” As he spoke, Jose handed him the crystal ball.
O’Neal placed his dragon claws on the crystal ball and closed his eyes with rapt attention. Soon after, he opened them, unable to hide his disappointment. The search range of the three dragons was impeccable. He was so busy that he was not in the mood to make things difficult for the three young dragons.
“Your mission isn’t over yet. Gather in the hall at noon.”
“Yes.”
The three dragons heaved a sigh of relief and walked out of the Black Dragon’s office.
Jose realized that Barron was nowhere to be seen. He casually pulled over a gnoll whose back was facing him. “Whose subordinates are you? Where did you come from? How long have you been here?”
The gnoll was about to fly into a rage when he turned around and saw a Red Dragon. He immediately revealed a flattering smile. “Revered True Dragon, we are the reserve troops under Lady Venom. We were transferred over from the Red Nest last night.”
“Did something big happen yesterday?”
“Don’t you know?”
“Why else would I ask you?! Don’t dawdle and tell me!”
“It’s like this. Yesterday, the mages of the various strongholds used magic to explore the mountains and forests in their territory. In the end, they discovered that more and more areas were shrouded by a mysterious barrier, and the detection magic on them had failed. That’s all I know.”
“Alright.” Jose thought of the Black Dragon’s red and tired eyes; the pressure he was feeling must be huge.
He asked other people about it, and the results were almost the same. After all, the people he asked were only low-level soldiers, and the information they knew was very limited. O’Neal definitely knew more detailed information, but their relationship was not that good, so he did not go and waste his time by asking.
The three dragons left and found a quiet place in the forest not far from Graystone Stronghold. They then lay down and rested.
“The Human Alliance Army has made such a big move this time. There will definitely be a huge battle next. We have to be mentally prepared.”
After a short pause, Jose continued, “Speaking of which, we still have to thank Warf. No matter what, Graystone Stronghold is far from the front line, so it’s much safer.”
Yaligos nodded in agreement. When large occluded areas started to appear in other places, Graystone Stronghold would no longer be as conspicuous. On the contrary, it was safer as it was located at the back.
The three dragons rested in the forest for an entire morning before rushing to the Black Dragon’s Cave at noon.
When the three dragons arrived, the cave was already packed.
In addition to the low-level monsters like gnolls, kobolds, and goblins, there were powerful ogres, trolls, gnomes, and a few dragonkin monsters.
Of course, Jose, his companions, and some other dragons were the most conspicuous in the hall, especially the two teenage dragons that were blue and green.
The three dragons found an inconspicuous corner and stood still, waiting for the Black Dragon Commander.
Monsters were naturally free and unrestrained, with the strong reigning supreme. It would be strange if hundreds of monsters gathered together and could maintain silence.
Just as Jose thought of the monsters as ducks in a farm, an imposing presence descended.
Draconic aura!
Moreover, it was the draconic aura of an adult dragon. The hall that sounded like a marketplace a moment ago immediately became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. Black Dragon O’Neal walked out of his room.
He first scanned the hall and saw that everyone was bowing their heads in respect or submission. Only then did he walk to the center of the hall in satisfaction.
O’Neil took out a map and used his magic to project an image of the map in the air. He enlarged it so that everyone could see the markings on the map.
Jose observed the map and realized that it was a map of the Graystone Stronghold defense area. The mountains were marked with serial numbers and divided into regions.
“Mistress has given the order! Even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we have to dig out those hidden humans! I’ve decided to have every True Dragon lead a team to conduct a thorough search!”