Dragonbirth Day

In the young dragons' lair, Xilong looked at Jiazhuosa's enormous form.

"Windsong Plateau is not a very good place."

The hanging furnace in the corner was about to burn out. The young dragon added a bundle of pine branches and walked back.

"Many mountain clans nominally pledge loyalty to the Lineage and follow our war banners, but in truth, they have no fixed abode and are wild and unruly."

Jiazhuosa said slowly, "When the Lineage treats them well, they linger around Windsong Plateau. But whenever it comes time for taxes or conscription, they scatter at once, hiding in the Mistveil Mountains beyond the border. They are difficult to restrain."

"I think they're all quite good," Xilong said.

"You think it's good because there is no Great Dragon above you controlling you. You can do as you please and hold authority like a lord's. That is why you think it's good."

Jiazhuosa said, "The other Chrome Dragons have mostly gone to similar places, and I am not worried about them. But Windsong Plateau is different."

"To make the mountain clans submit, the Lineage once sent two dragon lords there in succession, carrying out several campaigns of intimidation and bloody suppression."

Jiazhuosa said, "That rule would originally have continued, until the Lineage discovered that Windsong Plateau was too barren. The gains the dragons could reap there were far from enough to cover the cost of the army and supplies, so they had no choice but to abandon it."

"After several rounds of occupation, rule, and withdrawal, the local clans harbor deep resistance toward us. Even hatred."

After listening, Xilong nodded slightly. "I won't be going alone. Moqi and Kelaili will be with me, and I'm even bringing Bido along. He can handle some dirty work."

"The Lesser Dragons will all be going to Red Fort."

Jiazhuosa glanced at him. "I thought that for your companions' sake, you would choose somewhere closer to Red Fort."

"How long will Lesser Dragons need to study magic? Three years? Five years? That is not very long for dragons. There is no need to worry about them. Besides, there are indeed things I want to do myself."

Xilong fell silent for a while. "Of course, if I have the chance, I also want to visit Red Fort. It is the center of the Lineage, after all. I hear it is very lively."

"Fine, since you have made your decision."

Jiazhuosa nodded and said no more. She extended a claw. "Then I will use this to wish you success."

Xilong glanced at it, and his expression shifted slightly. "I haven't beaten Ladon yet."

"This has nothing to do with Ladon. You met the Lineage's expectations and became a Seventh-Level Calamity. This is the Lineage's reward. Mithril is not the finest magical metal, but for a young dragon, it should be enough."

Jiazhuosa said, "Eat it. Eat it in front of me."

What kind of strange hobby is this?

A huge question mark rose in Xilong's mind, but he did not hesitate. The Feeder had long known of his ability to consume metal; there was nothing shameful about it.

He stepped forward, dragged the lump of Mithril—the size of a mortal's head and somewhere between liquid and solid—in front of himself, lowered his head, opened his jaws, twisted his neck, and bit down.

The lair grew even quieter. Jiazhuosa watched his swaying head, her gaze deep and distant.

Only after Xilong had swallowed every bit of Mithril, after quite some time had passed, did Jiazhuosa speak again. "As for meditation, have you gained any additional insights?"

Xilong froze for a moment. Jiazhuosa rarely repeated herself, yet this was not the first time she had asked him this question.

"See one's nature, and wield it freely."

Xilong considered it. "This is what I have been trying to do all along. Even now, I still cannot grasp it completely, but I vaguely feel that meditation demands more of the spirit, will, and soul than of the body. The heart triumphing over matter—this is precisely what we Heavy-Metal Dragons lack."

"If Aitixiya learned that a Heavy-Metal Dragon could achieve a bloodline ascension through meditation, she would probably be very curious. Perhaps she would make a special trip from Shien Peninsula to see it."

Jiazhuosa was silent for a long while, then shook her head. "Go. Send Ladon in."

Xilong retreated as instructed.

"Remember what I told you all."

As he reached the cave entrance, he heard Jiazhuosa say behind him, "We Heavy-Metal Dragons, no matter when, will always defend our promises and our dignity."

"I... understand."

Xilong nodded lightly and left Jiazhuosa's dragon lair.

The silence vanished in an instant, swept far away. Clamor and festivity rushed headlong toward him.

Today was Dragonbirth Day, a time for celebration. The Kobolds had lit bonfires, roasting tons of Kodo Beast meat over the flames. Strong liquor was splashed out of oak barrels by the ladleful, while the young dragons drank deeply and cheered.

Ladon stood outside the lair. He met Xilong's gaze, then stepped forward.

"There was never any special favoritism."

As they passed each other, Xilong said softly, "The Feeder spent more time on you than on any other dragon."

Ladon paused, but said nothing. He continued onward.

Xilong did not mind. He stood where he was for a while, breathing in the scent of food below. His eyes gradually brightened. After gathering his emotions, he leaped lightly and joined the gathering.

"Boss Xilong."

Bido, the Nickel Dragon, hurried over. The black spot on his forehead twitched. "Your food is all prepared. This way, this way."

Xilong looked him over from head to toe, then nodded. "You're fairly clean today."

"Of course. We washed ourselves in the stream several times."

Bido smiled as well, still wearing that eager, flattering expression. "Boss Xilong, are you really taking me to Windsong Plateau?"

"What, you don't want to come with me?"

"Of course I do. Following Boss Xilong, my future will surely be vast and bright. It's just..."

Bido rubbed his claws together like a fly. "It's just... it doesn't feel very easy."

Before he could finish, he suddenly felt the ground tremble faintly. He hurriedly dodged to one side, turned his head, and looked up at the mountain-sized Cobalt-Blue Overlord.

"Every gang wanted a Cobalt Dragon to join them, so I made some arrangements and split everyone up. This way, there won't be another Cobalt-Blue Overlord for a while."

Kेलaili said.

"You make it sound as if I stole you away."

Xilong shot him a glance. "Windsong Plateau is dirt poor. If you join me, I'll have to worry about how to feed the two of us."

Kेलaili snorted coldly, turned away, and buried himself in eating meat, ignoring him.

In Tas had been there from the start. He had stood beside Xilong for a long time before speaking. "Everything that needed to be said has been said, but I still feel uneasy. Once we part, our statuses will be different."

"Our statuses were always different."

Xilong extended a clawed toe and clasped it with the Thunderclap Dragon's, comparing them.

After a long silence, he said softly, "So they are still the same."

Jili ran over. Thorn Dragons were a large dragon breed and grew quickly. By the time she reached him, she was actually a little bigger than Xilong.

"I'll miss you often," Jili said.

Xilong stroked her horn. "Study magic properly, so the Nickel Dragon won't bully you."

Jili nodded solemnly.

The Feather Dragon was eating and grooming her scaled feathers by herself in a corner, keeping her distance. Only when Xilong approached her did Afterglow speak in a low voice. "The next time we meet, I will challenge you."

Xilong laughed. "That sounds like something Iron Dragons would say."

"But I will still challenge you."

"Cheers! Cheers!" Moqi had drunk himself happy, muttering and chattering with every companion nearby, making a great racket.

Jelierion, Hidorivi, and Leijieduolei stood in another area. Drawn by Moqi's voice, they all looked over, then nodded at Xilong.

Xilong nodded back in greeting.

It was a spring night. The wind and leaves swayed gently, and the air carried the scent of damp earth. The Tungsten Dragons beat the ground and softly began to sing.

"Yesterday we ran together,

Today we each set out on our own.

The world is ever-changing; what the future holds, no one knows,

So raise your cups, my friends,

For those still by our side.

Raise your cups, my friends,

For those fated to part.

When the sun shines bright, we will meet again.

When spring grows warm and flowers bloom, we will meet again."

The Feather Dragon beat her membranous wings and rose into the sky, whirling above the valley. Her magic evaporated, scattering sparks like rain.

It was beautiful beyond all description.

Later, the Lesser Dragons all took flight, one after another, circling Ochre Valley. Each released their own magic, their lights reflecting and intertwining beneath the night sky like a grand fireworks display.

Round and round, round and round.

Until every last light faded away, the Lesser Dragons set off beneath the stars and moon toward Red Fort. They said no more farewells, and never looked back.

The Hatchling Arc, complete.