Gallis felt his body; crimson blood seeped from beneath the scales.
"Everyone!"
The Young Blue Dragon gave the order, summoning his warriors and tribesmen. "Assemble!"
The two Archaic Species had proven their power in the previous battles. Without magic and protection, Gallis could no longer maintain the pride of Young Dragon, nor was he willing to risk his life alone. He could only order his army to attack.
This is not a duel, but a war to the death.
The Juvenile Dragon who were fighting in the rear broke free from their opponents and returned from both sides. The shield bearers regrouped, and the dragonborn warriors and Thunder Beast cavalry began to form ranks. In a short while, the Storm Army's lines, which had been crushed by Gallis, tightened up again.
On the other side, the Ember Scar Army, whose pressure had suddenly eased, began to gather towards Ferrum, and some of the Hatchling Dragon had already joined them.
"Rush ahead!"
Before Ferrum could even muster his troops, he gave the order and immediately charged forward.
His body was nearing its limit; the black and white lines in his vision were disappearing. Briefly touching the Critical Blood Limit was not enough for him to truly master the power of his Ancestor Stage. He had to hurry.
Gallis Deville, that's a big target. Zane has given them a rare opportunity, one they can't afford to miss.
This time, it was Ferrum's turn to attack first, and the sudden charge began.
He and Ladon charged forward one after the other. These two mere fledglings charged with the force of a raging dragon, carrying the power of a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing down. Even the battle-hardened Storm Army couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive.
They should indeed be alarmed, for the terrifying domain did not fully reveal its power until Ferrum charged into the battle.
He was a single dragon, a vanguard, like a raging torrent of swords rushing into the crowd. Countless blades clanged against shields and armor, slashing and cutting as Ferrum advanced, spewing out sparks and raining blood, tearing apart the once orderly shield formation.
Three warriors roared as they closed in on him, thrusting their spears at Ferrum.
At this moment, they still believed that the Chrome Dragon's body was vulnerable, and that as long as they could hit the white part of the Ferrum, they could still kill it with just a spear.
Unfortunately, they would never achieve this goal. The moment they thrust their spears out, a fierce edge flashed by, several heads flew off, and the powerless corpses, still clutching their spears, collapsed forward.
"Cast a spell."
Without Gallis giving orders, the young Blue Dragon made his own judgment: the best way to restrain the Heavy-Metal Dragon was to use magic. With combined spellcasting, they had plenty of ways to deal with the Chrome Dragon.
Intertwined lightning bolts descended around Ferrum, the heavy elemental energy pressing down on his body, and the undulating sand and sharp rocks making it almost impossible for him to move.
" Ferrum, we're here!"
The Lesser Dragon finally arrived. After all, they were still Hatchling Dragon and far from being able to roll and pounce on the Battlefield like the Heavy-Metal Dragon. The Lesser Dragon could not exert much power in the anti-air barrier and could only stay at the back to assist their Heavy-Metal Dragon companions in advancing.
However, as the Storm Army continued to retreat, the young Blue Dragon withdrew one after another, Lesser Dragon finally got the opportunity to go deeper into the Battlefield.
They gathered together, and layers of magical barriers were cast around Ferrum, causing his body to display colorful light and shadow, as if the charging paladin had received divine assistance.
"Roar!"
In the brief moment that Ferrum was restricted, Ladon had already broken through the formation.
The Iron Throne requires no protection; its innate elemental resistance makes it immune to magical attacks of equal magnitude. The roaring force of its Myriad Weight shatters mountains and rocks with every strike, making it unstoppable.
In fact, Ladon was already nearing his limit. His terrifying strength seemed to destroy everything, but the resulting reaction force was also breaking down his body. The fact that the Young Dragon could appear on the outer defense line meant that the battle inside was about to end. His face was as cold as iron, but his anxiety was burning like fire.
"Kill! Kill!"
Following closely behind Ferrum and Ladon, the Iron Dragon and Cobalt Dragon roared as they charged forward, "Kill!"
Gallis watched the enemy's continued advance, a thoughtful expression on his face.
The two Archaic Species possessed strength comparable to that of Adolescent Dragon. Combined with various guards, Heavy-Metal Dragon, and Lesser Dragon, they were almost equivalent to a main force of the Ashmark Lineage, making them a formidable enemy. Without his suppression, the Juvenile Dragon were unable to maintain their defensive line.
"Perhaps it's time to retreat."
Gallis thought that he was currently only on the outer perimeter of the defensive line, which was not important, and it wouldn't matter if he gave it up.
However, while he was pondering, the two Archaic Species abandoned the Juvenile Dragon that was trying to intercept them and charged forward again. Arcs of light and afterimages intertwined to form rainbows as they approached from the left and right at an extremely fast speed.
Ladon's attack was as before, a straight charge, colliding head-on with Gallis. However, this time he did not retreat, but stayed in place to fight the Young Dragon's roar.
Ferrum leaped forward, unleashing all his innate power to slash at Gallis along different arcs. He had gradually come to realize the characteristics of the domain's ability: the closer he got to his target, the more blades he could mobilize, and the greater the power of his slashes.
Gallis no longer had the magic to repel them, Ferrum could take the risk. The best course of action was to circle around the Blue Dragon and continue attacking, while avoiding the Young Dragon's slapping blows.
"Um?"
Gallis narrowed his eyes, looking at Ladon, who was struggling against him. The Archaic Species had revealed a weakness due to its eagerness, and was now fully exposed to his power.
The Young Dragon, nearly sixteen meters long, had claws far larger than Ladon's. Gallis almost gripped Ladon tightly, letting out a deep, rumbling roar as he forcefully closed his claws and pushed Ladon backward.
The powerful force squeezed Ladon's bones, and the claws gradually pierced his shoulder blades and back, and hot blood flowed backward from Ladon's body like a waterfall.
Ferrum poured all his power into his claws; when he slashed with all his might, he almost completely tore the young Green Dragon's body apart.
But Blue Dragon are completely different from Green Dragon. Blue Dragon are true warriors. Although Gallis has indeed lost his magic, his body, protected by scales, still harbors a rolling aura of blood, enveloping his muscles, internal organs, and bones.
Blood and energy are another layer of armor for warriors. The reason why Taigo in the sky was able to stand firm amidst the siege of dragons was also due to this kind of blood and energy.
However, Gallis was not Taigo after all. Under repeated slashing, his scales shattered and his life force continued to diminish.
However, the Young Dragon's movements were completely unaffected. He seemed to prefer enduring Ferrum's attacks to killing Ladon. The Evil Dragon's instincts were activated, and Gallis let out a ferocious roar.
Ladon was also roaring. This was the situation he had anticipated. He was about to burn out and had to end the fight quickly. He didn't have the same survival abilities as the Cobalt Dragon and could only rely on the strength in his body to hold on.
Both sides revealed their ferocious nature. They did indeed possess wisdom and heritage, but whether it was the Chromatic Dragon that relied on spellcasting abilities or the Heavy-Metal Dragon that believed in primal power, in the end, they were still predatory beasts.
Battles between wild beasts always end in fierce fighting to determine the victor.
The Hatchling Dragon were all blocked by the Juvenile Dragon, and the Bloodfire Guards and Ironfang Warriors were also fighting against Gallis's guards. Ladon alone could not defeat the Young Dragon, and he would not receive any further support.
However, among the dragons, he trusted Ferrum Solaxus. The Chrome Dragon that could fight him was definitely not weak. Ferrum was the only companion he could rely on right now.
Gallis's advancing body came to an abrupt halt. He was supposed to use his giant claws to push Ladon all the way into the ruins and crush it, but suddenly he could no longer move forward, because the roaring Ladon completely blocked his power and restrained him on the spot.
Gallis realized he was in danger and exerted even more force, crushing the Hatchling Dragon's tendons and bones, his claws digging into Ladon's body and piercing his chest.
A burning pain shot through his claws and toes, as if he had touched a molten core.
That's Ladon's heart.
Gallis paled. He finally understood why the Divine Edict had mentioned the name of a Hatchling Dragon. At that moment, he seemed to see a majestic ancient Ancient Dragon staring at him in the palace, with countless descendants of Ancient Dragon chanting and roaring around him.
After a brief moment of surprise and doubt, Gallis erupted in fury. He knew that Ferrum was tearing his body apart, but he was already beyond caring. The heart was the source of power for dragons, the origin of all things. How could a dragon from the material world possess such a burning dragon heart?
"It must be killed."
Ferrum made up his mind. Gallis's claws had already pierced Ladon's chest, but Ladon also held the Young Dragon firmly in place. This was the last chance. Zane, the dragons, Ladon, the army... he had received too much support and too much help.
Ferrum Solaxus will never disappoint.
Ferrum exhaled all the air and power from his lungs, letting out a deep roar. The area created by the Critical Blood Limit had reached its end, and the soldiers finally saw the edge of his blade.
Those Invisible Blade materialized into countless menacing black knives, surging forth with a piercing buzzing sound as Ferrum roared.
A thousand years after the fall of Jialagedong, a dragon finally touched that innate power once more. It was a blade forged by the Supreme Being for the Chrome Dragon, carrying a killing intent that had slumbered for a thousand years, and slashing with all its might.
In a world where black and white intertwine, Gallis's blood gushed forth like a torrent of thick ink.
The locked stalemate was finally broken, and the Young Dragon stumbled forward, looking at his chest, seemingly unable to believe the outcome.
His chest was completely ripped open, exposed to everyone's gaze; before he could crush Ladon's heart, the intertwined black blades had already shattered it.
Gallis Deville, a member of the Storm Family, was killed in action.
Ferrum and Ladon's power rapidly waned; they had finally killed this mighty enemy, but no one cheered or looked at the fallen corpse.
The Hatchling Dragon crossed the defensive line and continued their frantic advance.
--
Valyria breathed heavily. Her communications with the outside world had been cut off, but at this moment, she could still hear the continuous horns, feel the earth trembling, and hear the tidal wave of battle cries.
She looked at the anti-air barriers rising in all directions and realized she had made a mistake.
In order to rescue and cover the retreat of the Tungsten Dragon from the old barracks, she refused Zane's orders, which was certainly a huge mistake. However, with the family's Hatchling Dragon already almost all dead or wounded, and thinking of those little ones clapping and singing, Valyria had no reason to stop herself from going to the rescue.
Even if time could be reversed, Valyria would still not hesitate.
But this mistake triggered a chain reaction, something Valyria hadn't anticipated.
The army of the Ashmark Lineage has been mobilized. The main forces of each unit have abandoned their defenses and are preparing to fight the Blue Dragon around the old barracks.
Just as she was unwilling to give up Tungsten Dragon, her family was also unwilling to give up on her easily.
Valyria hadn't understood the principle that on the Battlefield, a single move could affect the whole situation. Zane said she was far from understanding and didn't know anything about war, and Valyria agreed. She was just a Young Dragon, a warrior.
She felt there was still a chance to salvage the situation, and the only way for the warriors to do so was through fighting.
The Blue Dragon wanted to besiege the enemy's stronghold and ambush reinforcements, but if they lost the so-called "stronghold," then the enemy's trap would fall apart on its own.
Zane's strategy was correct; the family should not be brought to ruin because of him.
Three Young Blue Dragon each occupied a territory, their soldiers stretching like clouds. Valyria's guards had all been slaughtered, and she was already exhausted. So no matter how she charged into battle, biting and grabbing, she could not escape their claws.
The Blue Dragon were in no hurry to kill her, but strolled around leisurely, allowing the warriors to continuously cast out grappling hooks in an attempt to capture the iron Iron Dragon.
The Storm Family was able to recover quickly from the previous Dragon Blood War because they were able to reproduce without any burden. The Blue Dragon were eager to expand their clan and needed more females to bear offspring for them. Adult Dragon were difficult to control, but Young Dragon were excellent targets.
Blue Iron Dragon are fine, Blue Gold Dragon don't matter either. Chromatic Dragon never care whether their offspring are purebloods or hybrids. As long as outstanding offspring are born, they are even willing to make peace with the Titan.
Just then, they heard a roar in the distance, and the three Young Dragon, along with Valyria, all looked up in that direction.
Through the rolling smoke and heavy enemy lines, the Hatchling Dragon finally saw their besieged Nurturer.
Ferrum could hardly recognize her. Valyria's body was covered in wounds, large patches of scales had fallen off, revealing ferocious red muscles and pale bones. A vicious claw strike tore through her waist and abdomen, almost severing Valyria in two.
Normally, a dragon would lose its fighting ability or even die from such injuries, but she still managed to hold on and not fall.
"That's enough."
Valyria's voice drifted over from afar, stern and almost reprimanding.
In fact, that was all the Hatchling Dragon could go. They broke through the enemy's outer defenses, but there were still millions of enemy troops ahead. The Giant Dragon lords were engaged in battle, and the main force of the Ashmark Lineage could not advance. Instead, this force was the first to get close.
"Let's go back, and take my resolve with us. Let's stick to our previous tactics!"
Valyria then said...
Ferrum had a lot to say. He wanted to tell Valyria about his achievements. In his opinion, killing the young Green Dragon and the Young Blue Dragon was nothing to brag about, but he had defeated Yuge - Kelangemo.
He wanted to tell Valyria what Zane had said, to tell her that he had not won by force, but by courage and determination, and that it was not his victory, but hers.
All the Hatchling Dragon, whether they were Iron Dragon Chrome Dragon Cobalt Dragon, Tungsten Dragon, tungsten dragons, or Nickel Dragon Lesser Dragon, all showed great courage in this war. The Heavy-Metal Dragon that came out of Ochre Valley were able to defeat the Chromatic Dragon.
He wanted to tell Valyria that they had grown up, that the Hatchling Dragon also had their own power, and that they would prevail.
But upon seeing Valyria, Ferrum was speechless. He didn't even dare to look into Valyria eyes, which were so weak yet so bright, and as hard as iron.
Was she struggling to stay afloat while waiting for them? If so, what would their arrival mean?
In the distance, Valyria knew he could send out the message: the "point" used to besiege the enemy and attack reinforcements was about to be declared dead, the Ashmark Lineage no longer needed to attack, and there might still be a chance to salvage the situation.
She looked at Ferrum, then at Ladon, and then at the other Hatchling Dragon around them.
This was the first time the Hatchling Dragon had seen their Nurturer smile.
"You are all excellent, meeting the family's expectations for you. One day you will be stronger than me, I believe."
Valyria withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at them, and with his last burst of power, shook off the iron chains binding him.
The smile faded from her face, replaced by a stern and cold expression. Suddenly, she roared, "But right now, we're still a long way off!"
"Don't forget what we said!"
She roared and howled as she charged into the enemy ranks, fearlessly shouting out everything she had said and everything she hadn't had time to say.
" Heavy-Metal Dragon, always keeping its promises!"
" Heavy-Metal Dragon, forever defend your dignity!"
" Heavy-Metal Dragon has no reason to be weak!"
Ladon, his back hunched, coughed up a ghastly red blood, his head throbbing as if it were about to explode. Why this again? Why always this? Foolish valley lord, with your meager and shallow knowledge, this is all you know, this is all you can say.
But she had done everything she could.
Valyria managed to stand firm in the end. Although she was almost exhausted, she still killed dozens of enemy soldiers. It wasn't until the Blue Dragon could no longer tolerate her and began to cast spells that they discovered that the Iron Dragon had long since bled out.
" Scattered Fire Sets the Plains Ablaze!"
Valyria finished speaking his last words.
She proudly surveyed the surroundings, her damaged membrane wings spreading out to the sides like an iron-cast battle flag.
Before her stood a surging enemy army; behind her lay her family and her dragon horde.
At this moment, her majesty could King's Landing the world.
Valyria Burning Heart, a member of the Ashmark Lineage, has fallen in battle.
The Hatchling Dragon raised their heads and roared in anguish.