Away from the Nest, Tail Ring

Sinkhole Territory, Iron Dragon's Lair.

At the top of the steps forged from swords, spears, blades, and halberds, the Iron Dragon Mother was perched upon her throne as always. Her enormous dragon wings hung lazily, covering many of the steps.

As the three Hatchling Dragons arrived.

The Iron Dragon Mother raised her eyelids. Her pair of dragon wings spread, casting a heavy shadow as she straightened her posture.

"Mother, the radiance upon your scales surpasses a thousand morning stars."

Garos was the first to offer his greetings, opening with flattery.

The Iron Dragon Mother was slightly stunned, then revealed an appreciative expression. A hint of pleasure appeared on her dragon face.

Although Iron Dragon scales were dark, and the faint silver gleam on their surface could hardly be called radiance, it was difficult not to feel pleased upon hearing such elegant praise.

As for Red Dragon Sister and Iron Dragon Brother.

Neither dragon was particularly eloquent. They simply called out, "Mother."

"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 calmly, "Allowing you to live 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 voice rang out like clashing metal.

It was decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Mother, I can offer you more precious metal ore."

Garos said.

The Iron Dragon Mother offered no verbal response. She merely shook her head calmly.

Seeing her reaction, Garos understood that the Iron Dragon Mother had made up her mind to drive him out. Their previous arrangement no longer worked.

In truth.

Since Sinkhole Territory belonged to the Iron Dragon Mother, the precious metal ore Garos had ordered the two little dragons to excavate was, by dragon territorial customs, wealth that already belonged to her in her eyes.

Garos had used her offspring to mine her wealth, then offered it back 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 rigid, but she was not as easy to fool as the two young dragons. The main reason she had allowed Garos to stay was that she appreciated this offspring and still held some lingering affection for him.

And during this past year.

Garos's rapid growth had gradually made the Iron Dragon Mother feel a slight sense of threat, prompting her to resolve to drive him away.

By the nature of Evil Dragons, they rarely cared about family ties.

There had been cases where offspring, after growing strong and coveting their dragon mother's territory, had tried to seize and occupy it, engaging in fierce battles with her.

Unless dragons had entered into servant contracts.

Otherwise, the Iron Dragon Mother did not wish for any dragon 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 out the other two Hatchling Dragons as well. Out of sight, out of mind—and she would no longer need to care for Hatchling Dragons.

The Iron Dragon Mother felt a wave of relief.

"I understand."

Garos sensed the Iron Dragon Mother's resolve this time.

Moreover, the training and growth he had undergone over the past year, as well as his explorations of the Wilderness, had given Garos some confidence in his ability to survive alone.

The Hatchling Dragon lowered his head and said to the massive Iron Dragon above, "Mother, thank you for your protection during this time. I will remember these carefree days spent beneath your dragon wings."

Regardless of her true feelings.

The Iron Dragon Mother had protected him for seven years and had adequately provided him with flesh and guidance.

Though he was being driven out, Garos would not resent her.

At the same time, upon hearing the Hatchling Dragon's sincere words, the Iron Dragon Mother was slightly stunned.

Should I let Garos stay for another year? The thought had barely surfaced when the Iron Dragon Mother noticed Garos's absurdly robust frame and immediately crushed it.

"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 hopping about in delight, the Iron Dragon Mother's expression hardened. She said coldly, "Samantha, Gordon, six lunar cycles have been enough for you to shed your soft scales."

Huh?

Those words sounded somewhat familiar, as if they had heard them somewhere before.

The two Hatchling Dragons blinked, still not understanding, their minds blank.

The Iron Dragon Mother could not even be bothered to change her lines. She directly repeated the cold words of expulsion.

However.

Unlike Garos.

Neither of them was worried about being driven away by the Iron Dragon Mother. Instead, ambition blazed in their eyes, and they seemed exceptionally excited.

The two dragons knew nothing of the dangers and hardships of surviving alone. With dragonkind's arrogance and conceit, they naively believed that once they left their dragon mother's territory, the future would be as vast as the sea for fish to leap through and as boundless as the sky for birds to soar. The sprawling land awaited their arrival, and countless inferior creatures awaited submission.

Seeing the looks in the two Hatchling Dragons' eyes, Garos could roughly guess their thoughts.

They were still too young, lacking the harsh blows of real life.

"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 into something stronger than her.

"My dear Garos."

Having made up her mind, the Iron Dragon Mother said, "In you, I have seen extraordinary potential and an unyielding will. Never before have I admired a Hatchling Dragon so greatly."

She waved a claw.

Buzz!

A dark-gold iron 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 study them on your own. I believe they will bring you a small surprise."

The Iron Dragon Mother said slowly.

Garos was even more surprised.

A parting gift? Given an Evil Dragon's stinginess and possessiveness toward its own treasures, it would have been good enough if she did not seize a 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, giving no hint of emotion.

But since she was willing to offer him a gift, she certainly had her own reasons.

"Thank you."

Garos extended his tail and put on the Dark Gold Tail Ring.

In dragon aesthetic culture, ornaments did exist, and Tail Rings were among them.

Besides common items like necklaces and bracelets, there were also draped ribbons, Horn Rings, patterns plated onto dragon horns or scales, embedded gemstones, and more.

The dark-gold Tail Ring had a pleasing texture without being flashy, appearing understated and steady.

Garos swayed 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 sweetly and possessed boundless potential, so he was worth his mother's special regard. As for you two idiots, forget it.

The Iron Dragon Mother could not be bothered to pay attention to the two Hatchling Dragons. With a sweep of her dragon wings, she created a gust that sent them flying toward the lair's exit.