Lord: I can see loyalty.

"Lord: I Can See Loyalty" is currently being serialized and is not to be missed!

The leader of the flying monkey bats led the way, his black figure appearing and disappearing in the gray-white clouds.

The mountain path became increasingly steep, and the scree slopes disappeared, replaced by large chunks of black rock with smooth, mirror-like surfaces that reflected the dim sunlight.

Vio stepped on it, but the sole of his boot slipped, forcing him to slow down and use the tip of his sword for support.

Alec followed behind him, his gray eyes constantly scanning the rock walls on both sides, his breathing technique slowly circulating as he remained vigilant.

The surrounding environment has completely changed.

The cracks on the rock face became fewer and fewer, replaced by patches of glassy lava, as if something had melted the rock surface and then cooled and solidified it.

The marks were dark red, standing out starkly against the gray-black rock face, like dried blood.

In some places, you can even see entire lava flows cascading down from the mountaintop, solidifying on steep slopes into strangely shaped rock pillars, like countless arms reaching towards the sky.

"This place has been spewed with dragon's breath many times," Alec said in a low voice, running his fingers along a smooth rock face. "And not just once or twice, but repeatedly."

"Look at the layers of lava, one layer on top of another, which means that dragon often roamed here. I never thought that this thing actually existed."

Vio nodded without saying anything.

The ancient and heavy aura in the air had become so strong that it was almost tangible, and the knight's aura had to be constantly activated in order to keep that oppressive feeling out.

He could sense that something was sleeping or waiting not far ahead.

The flying monkey bat leader stopped in front of a huge rock wall, turned around, and looked at the two with blood-red eyes.

"We've arrived." Its voice was still hoarse, but it carried a clear hint of fear. "The master's lair is just ahead. I can only go this far. Any further and I'll be burned to ashes."

Vio looked in the direction it pointed. At the end of the rock wall was a huge crack, wide enough for two carriages to drive side by side.

The edges of the crack were charred black, and the inner rock walls were as smooth as a mirror, reflecting a dim red light, as if something was glowing inside.

A deep humming sound came from the depths of the crack, like the breath of some giant beast, or like the tremor of the earth.

"Is the Dragon Scale Magic Stone there?" Vio asked.

The Flying Monkey Bat leader nodded. "Below the nest. Around where the master sleeps, there are many things you humans desire, but no one has been able to obtain them; all who have gone there have died."

It paused, a complex emotion flashing in its blood-red eyes, "If you don't run, you'll all die too."

Vio didn't answer, but simply took out a piece of dry rations from his pocket and tossed it to the leader of the flying monkey bats.

The leader caught it, sniffed it, then put it in his mouth, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it.

"Let's go." Vio turned around and walked towards the crack. "You've led us this far, that's enough. We'll handle the rest ourselves."

The Flying Monkey Bat leader watched his retreating figure, making a low gurgling sound in his throat, but said nothing more.

It turned around and flew down the mountain, its black form quickly disappearing into the clouds.

Alec walked over to Vio, gazing at the enormous crack. "You believe in it?"

"I only believe half of it." Vio drew his Demon Feather Sword, the purple patterns on its blade shimmering faintly in the dim light. "It has no reason to lie to us. If it wanted us dead, it could have just taken us straight to the dragon's mouth. Why go through all this trouble?"

Alec was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Let's go."

The two walked towards the crevice, one after the other.

The passage inside the crevice appeared wider than from the outside. The rock walls on both sides were covered with claw marks and burn marks, and the ground was covered with a layer of fine black gravel that made a rustling sound when stepped on.

The air was filled with a pungent smell, like sulfur or burnt hair.

The temperature was rising higher and higher, and with each step forward, you could feel the heat wave hitting you, as if you were walking into the depths of an active volcano.

The passage suddenly opened up at the end, revealing a huge cave.

The cave is as big as half a football field, with a towering dome that obscures the top.

The surrounding rock walls are inlaid with countless luminous crystals, illuminating the entire cave.

In the center of the ground was a huge depression, as if it had been pressed out by something over a long period of time. The bottom of the depression was smooth as a mirror, with a dark luster.

Around the depression, countless oddly shaped pebbles were scattered, some the size of a fist, others as tall as half a person.

And among those rubble, Vio saw what he was looking for.

Dragon Scale Magic Stone.

The stones were dark gold in color, with a layer of fine, scaly patterns on their surface, and they shimmered with a faint light under the illumination of the crystals.

Their shapes are irregular; some look like scales stacked together, while others resemble the skeleton of some kind of creature.

"It was burned by dragon's breath." Alec squatted down, picked up a fist-sized dragon scale magic stone, weighed it in his hand, and said, "It was still very hot. No wonder it was baked by dragon's breath."

Vio didn't answer, but quickly scanned every corner of the cave.

Several huge cracks in the dome let in faint sunlight. Deeper into the cave, there was an even deeper passage, pitch black, its destination unclear.

The buzzing sound emanating from that passage was clearer and deeper, like the breath of some giant beast.

"Let's hurry," Vio whispered. "You keep watch, I'll do the picking."

Alec nodded, stood up, held his greatsword horizontally in front of him, and stared intently into the dark passage with his gray eyes.

Vio also squatted down and began to select the best-quality dragon scale magic stones. He didn't need too many, just a few would be enough.

But since we're here, it can't hurt to bring more.

The blade of the Demon Feather Sword sliced ​​through the bottom of the stone, peeling the dragon scale magic stones off the rock wall.

Vio's movements were quick and steady, each sword strike precisely cutting into the cracks in the stone without wasting a single ounce of strength.

He stuffed the stones he had collected into his backpack, one, two, three...

Just then, the buzzing sound intensified suddenly in the passage deep inside the cave.

Vio's hand stopped, and Alec raised his sword at the same time.

The ground began to tremble, gravel tumbled down from the dome, the temperature in the air rose sharply, and the pungent smell of sulfur was so strong it was almost suffocating.

Then, a huge black shadow surged out of the passage at an astonishing speed, rushing straight towards the two of them!

Vio only had time to raise the Demon Feather Shield and point the shield towards the dark figure.

"boom--!"

A burst of scorching flame spewed from the shadowy figure's mouth, striking the Demon Feather Shield directly.

A purple magic shield instantly lit up, forming a semi-transparent barrier in front of Vio, blocking the flames from entering.

The flames crashed against the magic shield like giant waves, one after another, creating a deafening roar.

Vio's feet dug two deep furrows in the ground, and he was pushed backward several meters, but he held on to his shield and did not retreat an inch.

The flames finally stopped.

The purple light on the Demon Feather Shield dimmed slightly, but it remained intact.

Vio gasped for breath, his arm numb and his hand aching. He looked up and finally saw the full form of the dark figure.

That was a dragon.

A real, living, fire-breathing dragon, just like in legends, with a magnificent appearance and a powerful sense of oppression.

Its size is so enormous it's suffocating; its head alone is as big as a carriage.

Its entire body was covered in dark red scales, which gleamed with a metallic sheen under the light of the crystals.

Its eyes are golden, with vertical pupils filled with savagery and rage. Horns extend from the top of its head backward like two curved spears. Its wings are folded on its back, and the wing membranes glow with a dark red light in the dim light.

Red Dragon Draenei!

Vio didn't have time to look at the panel; he just stared intently at those golden eyes, his magic feather shield trembling slightly.

Alec stood beside him, his greatsword raised high, his gray eyes showing no fear, only pure calm.

"Humans," the red dragon spoke, its voice deep and resonant, echoing like muffled thunder in a cave, "daring to trespass into my lair and steal my things."

Vio didn't answer, but quickly brought up the panel.

[Name: Delaney]

Race: Dragon

Age: 255

[Faction: Red Dragon Draenei]

[Hobbies: Sharpening claws, animal entrails, monster entrails]

【Features: Enormous, Dragon Breath, True Dragon, Magic Defense, Physical Defense】

Loyalty: Not loyal to you

[Status: Angry, Confused]

"It actually managed to block my dragon breath...?" The red dragon lowered its head, its golden vertical pupils staring at the magic feather shield in Vio's hand, a hint of confusion flashing in its eyes.

"A magical item? Damn humans..."

Vio did not answer, but slowly stood up, raised the Demon Feather Shield in front of him, and placed the Demon Feather Sword behind the shield.

He glanced at Alec, who nodded slightly.

"run!"

The two turned around at the same time and ran wildly towards the cave exit.

"Trying to run?!" The red dragon roared, opening its massive jaws once more, with scorching flames gathering deep within its throat.

Vio didn't turn his head, but simply slung the Demon Feather Shield behind his back and focused all his energy into his breathing technique, channeling all his power into the shield.

The purple magic shield lit up again, forming a barrier behind the two of them and keeping the flames out.

The force of the flames propelled them even faster, and the two were practically blasted out of the cave!

They burst out of the crevice and raced down the steep mountain path, with loose rocks rolling beneath their feet. They nearly slipped several times, but they managed to keep their balance and their speed increased instead of decreasing.

Behind them, the roar of the red dragon was deafening, and the mountain trembled.

"Have they caught up yet?!" Alec roared.

Vio glanced back.

The red dragon's enormous body was stuck in the crevice and couldn't get out for a while. Its wingspan was more than ten meters wide, but the cave exit was too small for it. It could only desperately ram into the rock wall, sending rocks flying everywhere.

"No," Vio gasped. "Looks like it can't get out."

The two continued running downhill until the scorching heat gradually faded away, until only the sound of the wind and their own panting remained behind them.

They stopped behind a huge rock, collapsed to the ground, and gasped for breath.

"Uncle Valentine... this is truly a fine piece of equipment." Vio looked at the magic feather shield in his hand. The purple patterns on the shield's surface had faded considerably, but it was still intact. "He's more suited to be a magic item maker."

Alec leaned against his greatsword, a flicker of disbelief in his grey eyes.

"The dragon's breath was actually blocked by your shield."

"It did block it." Vio nodded. "But if it comes again, it might not be able to stop it. This shield needs time to replenish its magic power. I can't deploy such a strong defense with my own magic power alone."

The two remained silent for a moment, with only the sound of the wind whistling through the mountains.

"By the way, did you get the stuff?" Alec asked.

Vio patted his backpack. "Of course, a big bag, more than enough."

"Let's go then."

Vio didn't move immediately. He leaned against the rock, gazing towards the mountain peak, a glint of something unfathomable in his eyes.

"Alec."

"Um?"

"What do you think would happen if that dragon were placed on the battlefield?"

Alec frowned slightly. "A sweeping attack. No army could withstand that level of dragon breath."

"What if we could tame it?"

Alec was stunned.

He stared at Vio, his grey eyes filled with disbelief. "Taming a dragon? Your Excellency, are you kidding me?"

Vio didn't laugh or answer; his expression was calm, a calmness that sent chills down one's spine.

Its panel has a loyalty section, meaning it's possible to win it over, though difficult, not impossible.

Alec opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Taming dragons is a plot device found only in folk knight tales, where heroes ride dragons, soar through the skies, rescue princesses, and defeat demon kings.

However, dragons are also among the most powerful creatures in the world. They are proud, brutal, and arrogant, and never bow down to anyone.

"Are you serious?" Alec's voice was a little hoarse.

Vio stood up, dusted himself off, and laughed, "I suppose so, but it's not the right time yet. We need to break through to the fourth rank first, resolve the crisis in the North, and establish a firm foothold."

He turned around, gazing towards the mountaintop, the image of the dragon replaying in his mind.

"I will come back someday...maybe not long."

Alec looked at him, his gray eyes filled with disbelief.

"Let's go," Vio interrupted his reverie and started walking down the mountain. "There's still a lot to do."

Alec stood up, slung his greatsword over his shoulder, and followed. On the mountaintop behind him, the roar of the red dragon still echoed, shaking the mountainside.