Defeat the entire world with the power of one dragon!

Chapter 510 King vs. King, War Between Two Nations
"Let's start exercising our digestive system after things have settled down and the situation has stabilized."

The Red Iron Dragon dropped the rock it was clutching in its claws, took out food from its personal storage space, opened its huge mouth, and began to eat rapidly to fill the emptiness that had been lingering in its body for some time.

During this period, Galus has been eating a lot of foods with very low energy content.

However, during this process, Galus could vaguely sense some kind of change.

When his energy needs are not met for a long time and he can only consume junk food, his digestive system becomes more active, the pace of intestinal peristalsis speeds up, and the efficiency of converting ingested substances also improves slightly.

The changes were subtle, but they did not escape his control over the body.

This means that he can indeed gradually adapt and strengthen his digestive system in this way.

However, the price paid was also obvious.

Eating poorly can lead to a long-term lack of fulfillment of the body's basic needs.

He felt his strength weakening, the explosive power in his muscles was not as abundant as before, his body became heavier than usual, and his training efficiency was significantly reduced. The same training method now required more time to achieve the same results as before.

For a dragon like Garus, who sees power as fundamental, this is far more unbearable than mere hunger.

Although, given his willpower, it wasn't unbearable.

But now is a crucial moment for the struggle to conquer the Romanian plains.

The situation in the Kingdom of Theo is not yet fully stable. The threat from Lortheon hangs like a sword of Damocles overhead, while other surrounding kingdoms are like a pack of wolves lurking around.

A series of fierce battles may be waiting for him, and any carelessness could lead to total defeat.

He cannot let his guard down; he should try to get himself into peak condition in all aspects.

Everything depends on the situation. Galos wouldn't create a huge short-term weakness for himself just for the sake of training.

That would be tantamount to digging one's own grave.

"If the level of the Star Path is increased by one level, a powerful skill can be obtained."

As Galos swallowed the last piece of meat, he pondered, "This will be the biggest boost to my combat power going forward. For now, I'll focus my mind and time on training this aspect, and postpone everything else."

After careful consideration, he finally made this decision.

He needs to break through to the Star Self level as soon as possible.

Buzz!
A tangible dragon aura ignited from his body, rising like flames and distorting the surrounding air.

In an instant, the Red Iron Dragon's body underwent a dramatic change. First, a new head extended out, and then two new pairs of arms grew from its shoulder blades, transforming it into a two-headed, four-armed fighting form.

Immediately afterwards, a vigorous training exercise unfolded among the mountains.

Before we knew it, three days had passed in the blink of an eye.

Meanwhile, the story of the Red Emperor capturing King Theo continued to unfold, spreading to every corner of the Romanian plains.

Even in some remote villages, there were legends of the Red Emperor, or rather, some ominous reputations.

The saying "If you don't behave, the Red Emperor will fly over and take you away" has spread widely, and the name of the Red Emperor has become enough to stop children from crying at night.

In addition, the Kingdom of Lorthen issued an official announcement immediately.

A strongly worded document, read aloud by the court scribe and rapidly disseminated through the magical communication network, condemned the Red Emperor's "tyrannical acts" and "unacceptable violations of the kingdom's sovereignty." It demanded that Aura guarantee King Thorfinn's personal safety and "immediately and unconditionally release King Thorfinn and return him intact to Theo."

The announcement concluded by stating that "the new federation will take all necessary measures to safeguard the interests of its member states."

The kingdoms of Rebos, Kambrook, and Matna... subsequently issued similar statements.

However, compared to Lorthene's statement, the wording of these three kingdoms was much more tactful, expressing more concern and calling for a peaceful resolution, without being as forceful.

Anyone with eyes can see the difference.

Lorthen was genuinely angry at the challenge to his authority, while the other kingdoms were merely making perfunctory statements, unable to ignore the situation but also unwilling to provoke Aura, this increasingly powerful beast.

In response to the condemnation from various countries, Aura simply remained silent.

Without offering any explanation or rebuttal, the Kingdom of Aura ignored this overwhelming diplomatic pressure and continued to operate at its own pace.

This disregard itself is a strong statement.

Dragon Ridge Mountains, early morning.

As the first rays of sunlight pierced the clouds and shone on the rugged mountain peak, the dark and heavy figure of the Iron Dragon Sorog descended once more. The strong winds whipped up by its folded wings dispersed the morning mist, revealing the view from the cliff top.

He saw that the human king was still alive.

Thorfinn's condition is worse than it was three days ago.

His once magnificent and majestic royal robes were now tattered and covered with mud and dried stains. His hair was disheveled and stuck to his forehead and cheeks. His complexion was an unhealthy pale and bluish-white, his eyes were sunken, and his lips were chapped and peeling.

But, he is still alive.

He did not become a cold corpse, nor did he become a pile of flesh at the bottom of the cliff.

Tie Long grinned, already understanding the situation.

He landed slowly and stopped opposite the king.

On one side was a black dragon as large as a small mountain, and on the other side were ragged humans huddled on rocks, looking like creatures from two different worlds.

Iron Dragon scrutinized the human king, his gaze sharp as a knife.

Thorfinn raised his head to meet the dragon's gaze.

His eyes no longer held the anger, fear, or pleading they once had; only a calm and weariness remained.

"Three days have passed." Tie Long's deep voice echoed slowly from the mountaintop. "It seems you have made your choice."

Thorfinn took a deep breath of the cold, thin air and slowly exhaled, the white mist spreading and dissipating in front of him.

“I am Thorfinn Chapman, the seventh monarch of the Kingdom of Theo.”

He spoke each word with difficulty, each syllable seemingly squeezed out from the depths of his throat, using all his strength, “I am willing to lead Theo to submit to the Kingdom of Aura and pledge allegiance to the great Red Emperor, His Majesty Garos Ignas.”

"Theo... will become Aura's Theo."

He finished speaking, his body trembling slightly uncontrollably.

Tie Long looked down at him, carefully examining the mortal's appearance, without immediately responding.

The mountain wind howled across the cliff top, swirling up small pebbles that tumbled into the abyss, and several seconds of silence stretched between them.

Thorfinn suddenly twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing an expression that was both crying and laughing.

"You might be thinking to yourself."

He said to himself, his voice hoarse, "This human king is truly foolish and cowardly."

"Foolish enough not to see the situation clearly, daring to oppose the powerful Aura, and ending up like this; cowardly enough not to even have the courage to jump off this cliff or commit suicide, but to live a life of humiliation and accept humiliating conditions."

The king raised his head and looked up at the gray sky, where dark clouds were gathering.

"Yes, I was stupid."

"But not because of being an enemy of Aura."

As he spoke, his gaze refocused on Tie Long: "As long as Theo still wants to revive the nation and return to his former life, he is destined to clash with Aura."

“I don’t think I’m wrong about that.”

"Anyone sitting in my position would make the same choice."

"My stupidity lay in believing Lorthern's promise."

At this point, his voice betrayed a hint of regret.

“I overestimated the protection that the so-called new federation could provide, and I underestimated Aura’s determination and decisiveness.”

"Lothern... only treats us, Theo, as a pawn to be sacrificed, not a true ally. Where were their troops when I needed help the most? I guess all they have now is an empty condemnation."

Iron Dragon tilted his massive head slightly. He did not interrupt the king's speech but continued to listen quietly.

"As for cowardice..."

Thorfinn's voice lowered, and he raised his slightly trembling hand, pointing to the edge of the bottomless cliff not far away.

"To be honest, I thought about jumping off there countless times during these three days."

"It's all over now, without having to bear the infamy of being a king who lost his country, or the shame of being a puppet king."

"Death is sometimes much easier than life, especially on a cold night like this, when you hear the wind howling like the wails of the dead and feel hunger and cold gnawing at your body."

"But I didn't."

“It’s not because I’m greedy for the throne and power.” He gave a wry smile and said, “After this incident, I’ve realized that it’s a hot potato for me, not an honor. It’s a heavy burden. Anyone in this position who realizes their true situation will find it hard to feel at ease and will only feel restless and unable to eat or sleep.”

"Being confused is better than being clear-headed."

"But I can't help but wonder, what would happen to Theo if I died?"

“My sons, or my ambitious brothers, will be eager to vie for the throne.”

"The newly enthroned king has not experienced the storms I have weathered, nor has he tasted the despair of being captured by a dragon."

"Whoever it is, in order to consolidate their authority or to appease the anger within the country, may very well be swayed by the sweet words of Lortheron or other kingdoms and repeat the same mistakes." "At that time, the entire Kingdom of Theo may truly be reduced to ashes in the flames of war."

"The walls of Silvershine City will be torn down, the ancestral temple of the Chapman family will be burned down, and my people will become displaced refugees."

He stared directly at Tie Long, his voice hoarse.

“I was afraid of it, I was terrified of it, and at one point I was more afraid of death itself.”

Perhaps it was because the extreme fear had passed, or perhaps it was because the cold of the past three days had made his mind clearer than ever before.

Thorfinn now understands many things.

He realized that in the current situation on the Romanian plains, Theo, though seemingly still holding the title of kingdom, was actually just a fragile pawn caught between the two major powers of Aura and Lorthen, and was in an extremely dangerous situation.

If either side exerts even the slightest force, the piece will be reduced to ashes in the ensuing flames.

He had already relied on Lorthen, but he ended up being captured alive and taken to Aura. To this day, no rescue has come. That alliance was as thin as a cicada's wing.

But he was also lucky.

The Red Emperor gave him a choice, allowing him to place his hopes under the shadow of Aura.

Although this hope comes with chains, at least Theo can continue to exist.

Opposite him, Iron Dragon Sorog narrowed his eyes, his pupils reflecting the tiny figure of the human king.

Having also studied the path of a spiritual sorcerer, he could sense the truth in the king's words.

In just three days, this young king, who had previously seemed ignorant and foolish, appeared to have matured considerably. Ah, time and trials are the best teachers, but the price of such lessons is often too heavy.

If those older generation kings who had weathered storms and wars were still alive...

Aura might continue to lie low for a while longer, rather than choosing to take action now.

However, the differences in race and lifespan are undeniable. The inheritance of human kingdoms is always interrupted by youth and lack of experience, while the Aura Dragons, having received guidance, are adept at leveraging their long lifespan and possess patience.

The iron dragon looked down at the king and said slowly, "Human, you have made a wise choice."

"Not every mortal has the courage to admit their mistakes and seize the only opportunity in a desperate situation. You did a good job in that regard."

Across from him, King Theo looked up at the iron dragon and suddenly said, "I've heard that dragons prefer direct communication and despise hypocritical pretenses and roundabout tricks."

"Therefore, there are some things I have to say that I have to get off my chest."

Tie Long's eyes lit up with interest, and he let out a low growl: "Oh? Go ahead and say it. Here, honesty is indeed considered a virtue, provided you can bear the consequences of honesty."

Thorfinn took a deep breath and then said seriously:

"As long as Aura remains strong and the Red Emperor's power remains at its zenith, I will be Aura's most loyal vassal, and Theo will be Aura's most docile subordinate. I will use everything I have—my authority, my wisdom, and even my life—to ensure that Theo will not become a problem for Aura and to ensure that Theo belongs to Aura."

He paused for a moment, his chest heaving noticeably.

Then, his tone suddenly changed.

"But what if one day, Aura weakens and reveals its weaknesses... what if the Red Emperor's dragon wings can no longer cover the sky..."

"...Then please forgive me, I may be foolish again, and may try to challenge Aura's authority again."

“The Chapman family has an indomitable spirit running through their veins, and the people of Theo harbor a deep desire for independence. I will seize the opportunity then, just as you are seizing it now.”

After saying this, he breathed slightly, awaiting the dragon's judgment.

Thorfinn was mentally prepared to be killed outright.

However, Tie Long listened quietly, without any anger or offense in his eyes. Instead, he let out a rumble of approval from his throat.

“Very good, Thorfinn Chapman.”

Tie Long said slowly, "You finally... understand reality."

"Loyalty is built upon Aura's power, and ambition lurks beneath Aura's strength. Ah, that's quite honest."

"Moreover, our entire Kingdom of Aura operates within a similar framework. Your ideas are actually the ideas of many lords in our kingdom, so this is not a problem."

Immediately afterwards, he solemnly announced.

"Your choice will be accepted."

"Prepare to return to your Silvershine City. Aura's envoy will arrive shortly to inform you of the new terms, tax amounts, garrison locations, and trade rules—these will determine Theo's future."

Iron Dragon leaned forward, casting an even deeper shadow over Thorfinn's head.

"Remember your words today. Under Aura's shadow, be a good puppet, maintain Theo's stability, and suppress any potential sparks of rebellion. This is the best choice for Theo right now."

"This is also the last right thing you, as a king, can do for your kingdom."

Having said that, the Iron Dragon said no more and stretched out its huge front claws.

The giant claws enveloped Thorfinn's entire field of vision, and the shadows swallowed his body.

This time, however, the human king was not frightened. He simply stood silently in place, allowing the iron dragon to grab him.

The wind picked up again, and the roar of the wings beating against the air was deafening.

The view from the mountaintop shrank rapidly in Thorfinn's field of vision, and the edge of the cliff he had gazed at countless times gradually blurred.

Thorfinn took one last look at the solitary peak that had once filled him with despair yet also seemed to have given him a new lease on life, then closed his eyes completely, burying all his emotions deep within his heart.

Not long after, in the northern part of the Kingdom of Theo, in the province of Sal.

The terrain here is flat and the view is wide open. There are many sentry posts, and the soldiers guarding the area are on high alert. Since the king was captured, the entire northern defense line of Theo has been in a state of war, although most people know that it is futile.

A guard on a watchtower was routinely patrolling the distant horizon, his eyes a little sore from focusing for so long.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted, and he abruptly raised his hand to signal to his companion.

"Warning! Something's coming! It's a dragon!"

A sharp whistle shattered the silence.

The soldiers stationed there quickly took their positions, bows and crossbows nocked, spears gripped tightly, and the mages began chanting incantations in hushed tones. Everyone nervously gazed at the sky.
There, a dark blue figure was flying rapidly, its wing membranes beating the air with a muffled thunderous sound.

As the figure drew closer, the soldiers gradually made out the details.

It was an exceptionally strong blue dragon, about fifteen meters long, with muscle lines clearly visible beneath its scales. Unlike ordinary wild dragons, its neck, shoulders, chest, and other common weak points were covered with heavy armor, and its joints were inlaid with plates to enhance protection. There were even specially made combat kits on its claws.

Strong and well-equipped.

This is often a hallmark of the Aura Dragon.

Those completely wild dragons rarely bother to make armor for themselves, nor do they have the means to do so.

Under the tense and vigilant gaze of the human guards, the blue dragon slowed down in a flat area some distance from the sentry post.

It did not make any aggressive gestures, slowed down its flight pace, and then landed gently.

The blue dragon folded its wings, folded them to its sides, then turned its head and placed the object in its right forepaw on the ground.

That was a human being.

A human being dressed in tattered fine clothes, with disheveled hair and a haggard face.

Despite his disheveled appearance, the soldiers recognized the face almost immediately.

They had seen this face in countless official portraits, ceremonial events, and royal announcements.

"...That's our king?!"

"Aura's dragons have brought the king back! He's alive!"

Exclamations of alarm rang out from all parts of the defensive line.

After several days of fermentation, the news that King Theo had been captured alive by the Red Emperor had spread throughout the kingdom, and everyone knew about it.

Most people were pessimistic, believing that His Majesty Thorfinn was likely dead or even murdered, but now the king had returned alive, albeit in such a humiliating manner.

The blue dragon glanced at the human king and let out a low growl.

Then, the blue dragon spread its wings again, pushed off the ground with its powerful hind legs, and its huge body quickly rose into the air, flying back in the direction it had come from. It soon became a small black dot in the sky and finally disappeared into the clouds.

A brief silence fell over the area. The soldiers looked at each other, unsure how to react.

Finally, an officer was the first to react. He shouted, "Open the sentry post! Welcome His Majesty! Quickly, send someone to inform the governor to send the best physician! Also, immediately relay this message back to Silvershine City!"

The soldiers snapped out of their daze and began to get busy.

Several cavalrymen spurred their horses out of the outpost and ran toward the figure that looked like it was about to collapse.

King Thorfinn stood there, gazing at the familiar Theo banner and the cavalrymen running towards him, a complex and indescribable emotion flashing in his eyes.

He is back.

He returned as a puppet, but ultimately he did. As long as Theo is still alive and the people of the kingdom can continue to live on this land, he is willing to pay any price.

April 20, 417 (Gregorian calendar).

Shortly after the Kingdom of Lorthen and other members of the new federation issued strong condemnations, King Thorfinn Chapman was released by Aura and, after undergoing a series of tests and verifications by the spellcasters of Theo, returned to the Theo capital, Silvershine City.

(End of this chapter)