Sinkhole Territory, Iron Dragon's Lair.
At the top of the steps forged from blades, spears, swords, and halberds, the Iron Dragon Mother lay coiled upon her throne as always. Her enormous dragon wings drooped lazily, covering many of the steps.
As the three Hatchling Dragons arrived.
The Iron Dragon Mother lifted her eyelids. Her pair of dragon wings spread, casting a deep shadow, and she straightened her posture.
"Mother, the radiance upon your scales outshines a thousand morning stars."
Garos was the first to offer his greetings, opening with flattery.
The Iron Dragon Mother was slightly taken aback, then showed a pleased expression. A trace of delight appeared on her dragon face.
Although Iron Dragon scales were black, with only a faint silver gleam on their surface that could hardly be called radiance, it was difficult not to feel good after hearing such elegant praise.
As for Red Dragon Sister and Iron Dragon Brother.
The two dragons were uncultured and merely called out, "Mother," dryly.
"Garos."
The Iron Dragon Mother focused her gaze on Garos, barely looking at the other two Hatchling Dragons.
"You are now seven years old, and your rate of growth has exceeded my expectations."
After a brief pause, the Iron Dragon Mother said bluntly and frankly, "Allowing you to remain in my territory was already an exception. Now that a year has passed, it is time for you to face dust and storms alone."
Her tone rang like clashing metal.
It was final and left no room for negotiation.
"Mother, I can offer more precious metal ores."
Garos said.
The Iron Dragon Mother did not answer. She merely shook her head calmly.
Seeing her reaction, Garos understood that the Iron Dragon Mother was determined to drive him away. Their previous deal no longer worked.
In truth.
Because Sinkhole Territory belonged to the Iron Dragon Mother, the precious metal ores Garos had ordered the two young dragons to excavate were, by dragonkin territorial customs, wealth that already belonged to her in her eyes.
Garos had used her offspring to excavate her wealth, then offered it to her in exchange for shelter and food.
It was more or less like getting something for nothing.
The Iron Dragon Mother was cold and old-fashioned, but she was not as easy to fool as the two Dragonlings. She had allowed Garos to stay mainly because she appreciated this offspring and retained a bit of familial affection.
And over this past year.
Garos's rapid growth had gradually made the Iron Dragon Mother feel a slight threat, leading her to resolve to drive him out.
By the nature of Evil Dragons, they often did not care for familial bonds.
There had been cases where offspring, after growing strong enough, coveted their dragon mother's territory, attempted to seize and occupy it, and fought fiercely against her.
Unless dragonkin had entered into servant contracts.
Otherwise, the Iron Dragon Mother did not wish for any dragonkin that was gradually growing stronger, including her own offspring, to remain in her territory.
She would formally drive Garos away, and while she was at it, chase off the other two Hatchling Dragons as well. Out of sight, out of mind, and she would no longer need to care for young dragons.
The Iron Dragon Mother felt a wave of relief.
"I understand."
Garos sensed the Iron Dragon Mother's resolve this time.
His training and growth over the past year, as well as his explorations of the Wilderness, had also given Garos some confidence in surviving alone.
The Hatchling Dragon lowered his head and said to the enormous Iron Dragon above, "Mother, thank you for your protection during this time. I will remember these carefree days I spent beneath your dragon wings."
Regardless of her true intentions.
The Iron Dragon Mother had protected him for seven years and adequately provided blood food and instruction.
Though he was being driven away, Garos would not bear a grudge.
At the same time, hearing the Hatchling Dragon's sincere words, the Iron Dragon Mother was slightly stunned.
Should I let Garos stay another year? The thought had just surfaced when the Iron Dragon Mother noticed Garos's absurdly powerful physique and immediately snuffed it out.
"Hehe, bastard Garos, you won't be able to bully us anymore."
Red Dragon Sister and Iron Dragon Brother were overjoyed.
Heh, don't celebrate too soon.
Garos thought.
Sure enough, noticing the two Hatchling Dragons happily bouncing around, the Iron Dragon Mother's expression hardened as she said coldly, "Samantha, Gordon, six lunar cycles have been enough for you to shed your soft scales."
Eh?
Those words sounded somewhat familiar, as though they had heard them somewhere before.
The two Hatchling Dragons blinked. Still slow to react, they stared blankly.
The Iron Dragon Mother could not even be bothered to change her lines and simply repeated the words of expulsion in an icy voice.
However.
Unlike Garos.
Neither of them was worried about being driven away by the Iron Dragon Mother. Instead, ambition ignited in their eyes, and they seemed exceptionally excited.
The two dragons knew nothing of the dangers and hardships of surviving alone. With dragonkin arrogance and conceit, they naïvely believed that once they left their dragon mother's territory, the world would be theirs to roam. Vast lands awaited their arrival, and countless lesser creatures awaited submission.
Seeing the looks in the two Hatchling Dragons' eyes, Garos could more or less guess what they were thinking.
They were simply too young and lacked the harsh blows of reality.
"I will leave your territory before dawn rises."
Garos turned to leave.
"Wait."
The Iron Dragon Mother suddenly called out to him.
"Is there anything else?"
Garos asked, somewhat surprised.
Has the Iron Dragon Mother changed her mind? If possible, Garos was willing to remain under her protection until the end of time, until he evolved to become even stronger than her.
"My dear Garos."
Having made up her mind, the Iron Dragon Mother said, "I have seen extraordinary potential and an unyielding spirit in you. I have never admired a Hatchling Dragon as much as I admire you."
She waved a claw.
Buzz!
A dark gold metal ring, its surface engraved with tiny, intricate runes, slowly flew over and landed before Garos.
"This Tail Ring once accompanied me. Now I give it to you as a parting gift. The runes engraved upon it are not mere decoration. You may explore and study them yourself. I believe they will bring you a small surprise."
The Iron Dragon Mother said slowly.
Garos was even more surprised.
A parting gift? Given how stingy and miserly Evil Dragons were with their own treasures, it would have been good enough if she had not taken away the Hatchling Dragon's pitiful hoard instead.
The Iron Dragon Mother's gaze was calm and profound as ever. Her heavy, steel-like facial armor concealed her expression, revealing no trace of emotion.
But since she was willing to offer a gift, she surely had her own reasons.
"Thank you."
Garos extended his tail and put on the Dark Gold Tail Ring.
Dragonkin aesthetics did include adornments, and Tail Rings were one of them.
Besides common items like necklaces and bracelets, there were also draping ribbons, Horn Rings, patterns plated onto dragon horns or scale armor, embedded gemstones, and more.
The dark gold Tail Ring had a fine texture without being ostentatious, appearing understated and steady.
Garos swished his tail and thought it looked rather good.
"Mother, what about us?"
Red Dragon Sister and Iron Dragon Brother looked eagerly toward the Iron Dragon Mother.
Garos spoke pleasantly and possessed boundless potential, so he was worth their mother's special regard. As for you two fools, forget it.
The Iron Dragon Mother could not be bothered with the two Hatchling Dragons. With a sweep of her dragon wings, she created a fierce gust that sent them flying toward the lair's entrance.
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