Dragonbirth Day (Part One)

Dusk had yet to fall, but the gathering grounds were already bustling beyond measure.

Dragon hatchlings converged from every corner of the valley, packing the gravelly ground tight. Many had arrived early to wait here. The little dragons bobbed their heads, every face brimming with anticipation and curiosity.

Today was Dragonbirth Day.

Dragonbirth Day was the day the hatchlings were born together. Back then, the Lineage had gathered them from all over and used magic to control their hatching so they emerged on the same day. This made them easier for the Lineage to nurture and educate, while also helping the young dragons embrace the concept of their kind, make connections, and compete with one another.

Thus, the twelfth day of March had become their shared birthday.

The first year after breaking from the shell was the fastest period of growth and development for dragon hatchlings. A year had passed, and those former younglings with oversized heads, round bellies, and stubby limbs had all taken on entirely different forms.

When they had first hatched, these fellows had been no larger than house cats. Now, even the smallest Tungsten Dragons and Nickel Dragons had gradually grown to around one and a half meters long.

As for large breeds such as Iron Dragons and Cobalt Dragons, every one of them exceeded two meters. Though they were called hatchlings, they were larger still than adult male lions.

Their scales had fully hardened, gleaming with different metallic lusters. At this moment, the hatchlings sprawled across the gravel in twos and threes, marking out their respective boundaries. Restless auras pressed against one another, and whenever they moved, their scales collided with a sound like metal rumbling low.

Whenever anyone impatiently slapped the ground or made a movement even slightly too large, it immediately drew a wave of threatening growls.

Fires had been lit in the gathering grounds, a rare sight. The bonfires burned brightly, crackling and popping as they warmed the coming dusk. Kobolds bustled around the huts, carrying all manner of tools as they hurried back and forth, their numbers several times greater than usual.

"Why hadn't In Tas come over?"

Moqi approached with light steps, came to Ferrum's side, and curled up on the ground. He had just been about to chat when the scent in the air caught his attention. "Oh? What smells so good?"

"I sent him back. The Lesser Dragons are all staying over there, so he'd fit in better."

Ferrum answered with his mouth, but his eyes remained fixed on the fire platform, watching the kobolds bustle around the huts.

The scent of food was utterly different from the bloody raw meat the hatchlings ate every day. It was mild and rich, without the slightest trace of bloodiness. Instead, it carried the fragrance of food steeped again and again in fire and smoke, drifting through the valley on the evening breeze.

It made the throats of all the young dragons in the grounds bob as they restlessly stamped their four feet.

A moment later, heavy footsteps came from above.

The restless gathering grounds swiftly fell silent. The Iron Dragons in the front row were the first to lower their heads, followed by the Chrome Dragons and Cobalt Dragons. Further back, the Tungsten Dragons, Nickel Dragons, and Lesser Dragons on the outskirts also gradually quieted and lowered their bodies.

Every dragon hatchling on the gravel ground turned in unison toward the same direction, bowing their heads to the same figure.

Valyria · Burningheart was a full fifteen meters long. Her scales were deep black and glimmered with a grim iron sheen. Towering and heavy, she was like a moving mountain, stirring an instinctive awe within the hatchlings.

"Before a Young Dragon like this, hatchlings probably wouldn't have much of a rebellious phase."

Though he had lowered his head, Ferrum's mind remained as quick as ever.

The Young Dragon settled atop the raised platform and calmly looked over every hatchling, one by one, neither hurried nor slow.

The little dragons caught in her gaze unconsciously lowered themselves further. They wanted to appear as mature as possible, yet could not restrain their fear and fondness, leaving them looking thoroughly awkward.

"Congratulations on surviving the weakest year of your lives. No hatchling has died, and no hatchling has been maimed. Every one of you is well, healthy, strong, and worthy of the Lineage's expectations."

Valyria spoke slowly. "Today is a time to celebrate you. I have no long speech to give. It is only that you have all grown up, and as your Nurturer, I have the responsibility to introduce today's food to you."

The Young Dragon lightly tapped her claws, and rustling footsteps immediately sounded around the edges.

The kobolds filed in from both sides of the fire platform, jointly carrying enormous stone platters. They carefully passed through the dragon group and set the platters down one by one before the hatchlings.

The aroma of meat was rich, and the hatchlings could not help tensing their bodies, unable to pull their eyes away. But the Nurturer's accumulated authority weighed heavily upon them. Before the Young Dragon spoke, not a single little dragon dared move first.

"This is a Furious Bear Beast hunted by Gnolls, transported by Gray Dwarves. Goblins paid tribute in sea salt, flying apes contributed braising sauce, the Scalebound sent spices, and kobolds were responsible for cooking it. Only then was this dish made."

Valyria said slowly, "Our Ashmark Lineage controls every mountain and river in the Lost Wilderness. Our territory stretches south to Red Tide Shoal and north to the Steelspine Plains, passing through the Streamlands, Ochre Valley, Gray Mountain Black Lake, and Red Fort."

"Several dozen tribes swear loyalty to our battle banners. The intelligent races ruled by the Lineage's seven dragon lords have a total population exceeding five hundred thousand."

"This is a gift offered by the retainers to the Lineage's new generation."

A clear stir ran through the gathering grounds as the hatchlings whispered among themselves.

"Ah..."

Moqi let out a low exclamation. In his mind, the Lineage had only ever been a concept that was enormous and powerful. Only after hearing the Nurturer describe it this way could he finally imagine the complete picture.

"I more or less guessed it before."

Ferrum spoke quietly. "The Kodo Beast meat we eat every day is something Gray Dwarves might not get to eat even once a year. The forty-seven hatchlings in Ochre Valley consume countless amounts of raw meat and vegetables every day. Without the resources and wealth of a kingdom, it would be impossible to support us. Not to mention that there are kobold clans dedicated to serving us, while Gnoll armies are stationed outside the valley to form defenses."

"Then doesn't that mean our status is incredibly high?"

Moqi swished his tail, delighted. "Looking at it this way, the good days are still ahead of us."

Ferrum froze for a moment. There was no explaining it to Moqi, so he could only nod. "The Nurturer once mentioned that this is an unprecedented experiment. One could only say... the Lineage's ambitions are immense."

"Come."

Ignoring the hatchlings' reactions, the Young Dragon continued tapping her claws lightly.

Another line of kobolds entered the center carrying shallow ceramic dishes. The contents were brilliantly colored and smelled sweet and mellow, entirely unlike the heavy, rich Furious Bear Beast meat.

"This is a honey-filled platter."

Valyria said slowly, "Wheat grown in the Streamlands was ground into flour. Berries from Gray Mountain were simmered in honey. Black chestnuts from Ochre Valley were roasted in their shells until they cracked. There was also cheese curdled from goat milk by the Scalebound, sprinkled with herbs. Only then was this dish assembled."

"These things do not grow out of thin air. They come from farmland, orchards, apiaries, and dairy sheds. Nor do they appear merely because you want them. You can only patiently wait for them to ripen. With strength, you may eat Furious Bear Beast meat, but if you wish to eat honey-filled platters from the territory, strength alone is still far from enough."

Moqi stared at the honey filling, unable to react for a moment. "What does that mean?"

"She's giving you a lord's lesson."

Ferrum said, "Production and governance."

"Huh?"

Moqi looked left and right and discovered that the other dragons all looked extremely serious. He hurriedly sat up straighter as well and nodded slowly, as if he deeply agreed.

"Lastly."

The Young Dragon spoke only once. Whether the hatchlings understood or not, she offered no explanation, merely tapping her claws for the third time.

This time, what the kobolds carried up were not dishes, but several slender, smooth ceramic bottles.

One glance at the craftsmanship of the bottles was enough to show that ordinary people could never have fired them. Once the wax seals were opened, a piercing, spicy fragrance of liquor, carrying the rich depth of years, immediately spread through the air.

"This is not something from our land."

Valyria shook her head. "It comes from a human kingdom called Aino. It is brewed from flameberries, distilled, then cellared in oak barrels for seven years. It is ordinarily enjoyed by Aino Kingdom's royalty and nobles, and bears the name of the nation: Aino Red."

"That kingdom does not border ours. The Tagoma Kingdom lies between us. Yet it is precisely because the Aino Kingdom is far away and the Tagoma Kingdom is close that we must form an alliance with the Aino Kingdom to suppress the Tagoma Kingdom together."

Valyria said, "These treasured strong spirits are an alliance gift sent by the Aino Kingdom. If you wish to drink them, strength will not suffice, nor is patience required. What matters is your foresight and judgment."

"This time, I understood."

Moqi nodded. "To become an impressive dragon lord, you have to find several more allies."

Ferrum did not look at the Aino Red. He merely stared at Valyria's enormous clawed toes, as though cast from steel.

Seven dragon lords. A population of five hundred thousand. Possessing such strength, yet still choosing to forge an alliance with a distant human kingdom. Perhaps the Ashmark Lineage's circumstances were not as optimistic as he had imagined.

The kobolds began pouring the liquor. They hollowed out whole tree stumps and polished the insides clean, turning them into large handleless cups. Though crude and primitive, they suited dragons' style.

Aino liquor trickled from the ceramic bottles and was presented before the little dragons. Its fragrance was rich, and the liquor itself was as clear and crystalline as pearls.

There was wine, meat, milk, and honey.

Ferrum's eyes shone, and warmth filled his heart.

Moqi at his side had long since become unable to wait. He swallowed repeatedly while stealing glances at the Nurturer on the raised platform. Restless beyond endurance, he muttered in a small voice, "Can we eat now? We can eat now, right? Hurry up and say we can eat."

"Taigo Ashmark knew of Dragonbirth Day and specially sent treasured strong liquor here. He has a message he wants me to deliver to you."

Valyria's voice changed slightly, becoming heavy and slow. "The leader said, 'You broke from your shells in Ochre Valley. Every day, you devour raw flesh and drink blood, living like beasts. But that does not mean you are truly beasts. Noble members of the Ashmark Lineage, on such a fine day, please drink deeply with me.'"

"So."

Valyria resumed her usual voice, nodding in greeting as her tone rose. "Let us set aside all other words for now. Everyone, please drink first."

The hatchlings across the grounds shrieked, raising their voices in a thunderous cheer.