Dialogue with the Nurturer

Under the Young Dragon's gaze, Ferrum stopped. Keeping some distance, he sat down where he was, obediently wagged his tail, and said, "Nurturer."

"What important matter brings you to my lair so late?"

Valyria furrowed the scales on her brow.

The little Chrome Dragon raised his head and studied her expression. Seemingly a little embarrassed, he said, "I thought that when Nurturer flicked me to the ground, it was a hint for me to come here at one in the morning to learn magic."

"What?"

Valyria's brow scales drew even tighter.

"There is a story in my inheritance about a Stone Sprite who, in order to learn extraordinary secret arts, entered an ancient monastery hidden within the mist to seek out the world's greatest sage and arcane master."

Ferrum said, "To learn secret arts from the master, the Stone Sprite endured trial after trial. Many years later, the master finally knocked three times on their head, told them to go to the central courtyard at three in the morning, and taught them the Cloud-Rising Spell and the Seventy-Two Transformations."

"I've never heard that story."

After listening, Valyria shook her head. "There are plenty of Stone Sprites in Ochre Valley too—things the size of a Gray Dwarf's fist. Their intelligence is very low. Can they learn magic?"

Ferrum thought for a moment before answering, "There will always be some born with extraordinary talent."

"This story does not belong to us. When we Iron Dragons speak, we have always been frank and direct. There is no such thing as hints."

After thinking for a while, Valyria said, "Besides, if it were a Lesser Dragon saying this, I might believe it. But Heavy-Metal Dragons are born with their gifts concentrated in their bodies. We have never excelled at magic, nor are we particularly fond of it. From the things you do every day, you do not seem like someone seeking the path of a spellcaster."

"So..."

Valyria leaned closer to Ferrum. Her face was broader than the Dragon Hatchling's entire body, her fangs like ranks of spears. "First, you made a wish to me tonight to test my attitude. After getting your answer, you found an excuse and secretly came before me. What exactly do you want to say?"

"As expected, Nurturer saw through me. Your gaze is like a blazing torch."

Ferrum wagged his tail. He did not look embarrassed, merely saying, "I would like to request your permission to explore deep into the mine veins."

"And your reason?"

"While playing with Moqi before, I found some Mushroom People. I became very interested in them. I want to enter the mine veins, capture them, and take their Iron Grease."

"So that was it."

Valyria nodded slightly, then waved a claw. "Go back. I do not permit it."

Ferrum froze. This was how Iron Dragons communicated: blunt and open. The Nurturer's words had been far too clear and direct, leaving no room for maneuver. He wanted to argue for it, but first had to consider how to speak.

Valyria returned to the depression at the center of the lair. Glancing over, she found the Chrome Dragon still sitting where he was, looking as if he wanted to speak but was holding it back.

That exchange about innate nature sprang into her mind again. Recalling Ferrum's behavior all this time, scenes flashed through her thoughts, and something within her stirred.

"The mine veins are complex and connect to unknown underground spaces. They are highly alluring to Dragon Hatchlings, so before you, many hatchlings came to request permission from me, including Ladon and the Ember Scar brothers. Without exception, I rejected them all."

As an exception, she said a few more words. "You want to enter the mine veins. What reason do you have that could persuade me?"

"The same reason as before."

After thinking for a while, Ferrum still said, "I want Iron Grease because I think it can strengthen my scales, claws, and fangs. I want to capture Mushroom People because I have some ambition in my heart. I want to experience what it feels like to subdue followers."

Valyria looked at him for a while. Her iron-like bearing gradually relaxed. Curling down into a crouch, she nodded and said, "Come here."

The little Chrome Dragon obediently moved closer.

"Since your birth, you have shown that you are different. Though you are not the most talented, you possess your own qualities: cleverness, diligence, curiosity about the world, and a touch of solitude."

"Half a year ago, when I first had the hatchlings undergo tooth-grinding training, you completed the task just like an Iron Dragon. You did exceptionally well, even chewing until your mouth was full of blood."

"Then you spent roughly three or four days healing your injuries, and then..."

Valyria narrowed her eyes and scrutinized the Chrome Dragon before her. "Then your scent changed. You became more and more diligent, and your life became extremely regular. Though you had always been a persevering child, that sudden scent of confidence and positivity had never existed before."

Valyria's expression remained unchanged, but her tone deepened. "I think that during those three or four days, something happened to you. It changed you and gave you firmer conviction and motivation. Am I right?"

"Yes."

Ferrum considered it for a moment, then admitted, "After eating ore for the first time, I suddenly discovered that I seemed able to absorb metal and strengthen my body's potential. After half a year of verification, I found that this was indeed true."

"Indeed true? Then why did you not say so just now?" Valyria asked coldly.

"I... I was uneasy."

Ferrum displayed the timidness a Dragon Hatchling ought to have.

"You do not trust me."

Valyria said, "I watched you hatch from your shell. I gave you your first piece of bloody meat and raised you day by day. Nothing you have experienced has escaped my eyes. Yet now you come to my lair and speak of your desires while concealing things from me, showing not the slightest trust. Do you think I should be pleased or angry?"

Ferrum fell silent.

He suddenly remembered a small matter from the days after the tooth-grinding training. Back then, he and Moqi had seen a rope bridge in Ironwood Forest. Ferrum had wanted to train, so he stepped onto it and walked across, destroying the bridge and snapping the rope, causing all the stakes at both ends to collapse as well.

The result, naturally, was that he had been hung up and given a beating.

But when Ferrum later went to inspect it, he found that the Gray Dwarves had already repaired the stakes, driving thick Ironleaf Wood deep into the ground. The originally thin, fragile hemp rope had also been replaced with sinew cord used to make ballistae and catapults.

"It was because I was overly cautious and suspicious that I tread so carefully."

Ferrum said earnestly, "Before this, I did not know whom I could trust. That led me to put on a false front. I recognize my mistake, and I hope Nurturer will not be angry anymore."

What a strange tone. He was clearly admitting fault and apologizing, so why did it sound as if he were comforting her instead?

Seeing the little thing's solemn expression, Valyria almost wanted to laugh, but restrained herself.

Still maintaining the bearing of a Great Dragon, she said, "You heard those rumors and believed that Iron Dragons are the masters of this Lineage, while the other dragon species are merely dependents. Even though Chrome Dragons are also a Higher Species, they are only blades wielded by Iron Dragons. Is that right?"

Ferrum hesitated for a while, then nodded. "A little."

"I will not tell you that Chrome Dragons can also become the masters of the Lineage. That is still too distant for you. What I will tell you is this: even if you are a blade, so what? Does being a blade mean you are not a member of the Lineage? Would Iron Dragons not want that blade's edge to become sharper?"

Valyria said, "Conversely, the little dragons of Ochre Valley are born with nothing. If you do not trust and rely on your own Lineage, whom else can you trust and rely on? Think carefully about the reason within this."

Ferrum nodded again. "I... understand."

"I hope you truly do understand. You are the best Chrome Dragon in the Lineage. You should become an unmatched sharp edge. Do not hide your own brilliance because of this tedious, foolish nonsense."

Valyria said, "I grant your request to explore the mine. But it is not because I favor you—it is because it will truly be useful to you. In exchange, from now on, you will watch over those Nickel Dragons for me."

"Nickel Dragons?"

"Those Nickel Dragons know my bottom line and do not dare violate my rules, yet they constantly make trouble within the rules and cause the Lesser Dragons to harbor hatred. I do not like that."

Valyria said, "But you frightened them. Perhaps that will make them lose their fighting spirit and become even more timid and overly cautious. That would not be good either. Whether Iron Dragons, Chrome Dragons, Nickel Dragons, or Lesser Dragons, all are worth cultivating in my eyes. Since Chrome Dragons are born able to suppress Nickel Dragons, you will help me temper them."

Ferrum pondered for a while. He knew the Nurturer's rule of equivalent exchange. Even Ladon, if he wanted more meat, had no choice but to break stones in the quarry. In Ochre Valley, wanting something for nothing was unrealistic.

"Alright," he agreed.

"Then our agreement is made. I do not want the other hatchlings to know the details of this matter. Let this be a little secret between you and me."

Valyria nodded slightly.

"Lastly, there are two more requirements."

"First, the mine veins are complex and connect to underground spaces. Though there are no large-scale disasters, there may still be some dangers. If you feel unequal to the task, do not force it. Since you possess extraordinary talent, you should protect yourself all the more and not lightly place yourself in danger."

"Second, no stealing. There is much ore excavated by the Dwarves in the mine veins. It does not belong to you. Though we Heavy-Metal Dragons cannot be called kind, we will never commit base acts. Chromatic Dragons and Exotic Dragons are what we despise. Do not become like them."

"No problem." Ferrum nodded.

Valyria waved a claw. "Good. Then I will make arrangements and let you enter tomorrow or the day after."

Ferrum lowered his head in salute, then took his leave.

Valyria walked toward a side cavern in the lair and began sorting various materials, muttering softly, "Clear blood of the glacial blind salamander, cold fragrance grass, hemp-rope flowers..."

Those were materials for making potions. Though not especially precious, they were rather difficult to find.

Valyria could not enter meditation and demonstrate it through teaching as Aitixiya could, but she had another method. She could use potions to let the Dragon Hatchlings experience the feeling of meditation. Whether they could succeed afterward would depend on the hatchlings' own abilities.

"The ability to consume metal?"

Valyria pondered.

Within Ochre Valley, the most exceptional was naturally Ladon, an Archaic Species. But Jelierion, Ferrum, and Kelaili were also very good. Some Tungsten Dragons had displayed remarkable talent as well.

Back then, the Supreme Dragon had been proud of His strength, arrogantly believing Himself without equal. Yet in the final, inescapably fatal situation, He had voluntarily burned His own Blood Edict, "Myriad Weight," using His life and divinity as kindling to obtain another Blood Edict.

"Scattered Fire Sets the Plains Ablaze."

The Supreme's divine throne blazed fiercely, sharing His strength, His might, and His love with every Heavy-Metal Dragon, reaching everywhere without limit.

From then on, the probability of Variant Species appearing among Heavy-Metal Dragons greatly increased. Their potential and talents could easily undergo transformation. In theory, nearly every Heavy-Metal Dragon had the possibility of becoming Supreme in the future.

The Evil Dragon Mother and the Three-Tailed Dragon Queen had always launched divine oracle hunts, pursuing and killing powerful Heavy-Metal Dragons across the worlds, for this very reason.

"Jialagedong, you arrogant, conceited madman. You have brought misery upon us all."

The Young Dragon slowly ground the herbs between her claws. "Go in peace. Heavy-Metal Dragons will not perish. One day, a new Supreme will arise to grasp the authority you burned away."