Defeating the World with the Power of One Dragon!

Fertile Plains, near the Abyssal Rift.

"Dark gods above! I want to go back to the Abyss!"

"Which idiot led the way?!"

"Run! Run! Get out of this damned Material Plane!"

........

A string of terrified demon cries, mixed with dying roars and agonized wails, echoed violently here, rising and falling.

With the final sudden, piercing scream, all the clamor gradually ceased, dissipating into the howling wind and snow, leaving only two deep, labored draconic breaths.

"Garoth, you should have brought me here sooner if this place exists."

Gold Dragon Alberto shook his body with delighted vigor. The high-frequency tremors blurred his massive form into a streak of golden afterimage, flinging off the demon-stained blood and shredded flesh clinging to his scales and restoring their original dazzling sheen.

"Punish the wicked, slay the demons."

He surveyed the ravaged battlefield with satisfaction and said, "This is so much fun. I had an absolute blast!"

For a Gold Dragon whose nature revered order and goodness, slaughtering these lower-plane demons carried no moral burden; on the contrary, it produced a powerful feeling of enacting justice, purifying the world, and sheer exhilaration.

As for the rift that continually spawned demons, an ordinary Gold Dragon might immediately think about how to seal it permanently, but Alberto's thought process was clearly different from his kind.

He thought it might be better to leave it be.

That way it would keep luring more demons, giving him a perpetual supply for his noble demon-exterminating pastime.

Of course, whether to ultimately eliminate it or leave it temporarily was not really his decision to make.

"Demons keep pouring out almost endlessly. Since you find this so interesting, feel free to come here more often and help ease my burden," Garoth said.

As he spoke, Garoth also shook himself until his body became a blurred afterimage, flinging off the filth and debris of demonic remains.

With the release of his anger, the bloodshot veins around his eyes caused by frenzied flame had visibly faded, and his mental state returned to something manageable.

Almost at the same moment, hearing Garoth's words, the Gold Dragon's eyes brightened.

He immediately pressed, "Of course I can help relieve your burden! I'm more than happy to! It's just..."

He shifted tone and added, "What's the payment? You know I'm a noble Gold Dragon. I can't work for free."

Garoth cast a faint warning glance at the Gold Dragon.

"Alberto, you need to understand one thing: I'm being generous just by not charging you a territorial fee."

"In essence, it's you who craves coming here to slaughter demons for fun, not that I strictly need your help."

Gold Dragon Alberto mentally filtered out the critical part of Garoth's words.

He nodded to himself, pretending not to have heard, and said, "Well, that said, given our solid alliance, I, Alberto, will reluctantly agree to help you free of charge."

Garoth didn't bother to dispute the Gold Dragon's saving-face theatrics.

He lifted a massive claw toward the demon-strewn ground, slightly spread his talons, then suddenly—

Instant!

An invisible ripple expanded outward from Garoth's body, spreading across the surrounding area.

Immediately, all the demon corpses within the area rapidly dried and withered at a visibly fast pace, as if all their essences were being drawn out. At the same time, tangles of dense blood-tinged energy threads were forcibly condensed and extracted, irresistibly converging toward Garoth's body and ultimately absorbed by him.

The earlier battle damage was replenished almost instantly.

After repeated trials and use, Garoth had grown very familiar with the skill's characteristics.

When extracting residual life energy from recently dead bodies, the skill worked best, consumed the least, and was most efficient.

If he tried to directly drain a living being's life essence, many limitations would arise, such as the target's resistance and the strength of their will, which also related to the fact that his cultivation level on this path wasn't yet very high.

"Life extraction... This is a skill of the Eternal Death path?"

Gold Dragon Alberto recognized it and asked curiously.

Garoth nodded lightly and admitted calmly, "Yes, I started cultivating it concurrently not long ago."

The Gold Dragon opened his mouth, instinctively about to warn Garoth.

The Eternal Death path was notorious for danger and treachery. Advancement required practitioners to skate on the edge of life and death, raising levels through grievous injuries and near-death experiences. The more one did so, the easier it was to go wrong at a crucial moment—pretending to die might become real death, permanent and final.

But before the admonition could be voiced, Alberto recalled Garoth's past conduct.

In the brutal battle with the Mad King, he had personally witnessed Garoth's neck being violently snapped, his life aura fading to near nothing, clearly in a confirmed near-death state.

Yet in the blink of an eye, this red iron dragon revived, fought on, and eventually killed the Mad King.

Alberto did not know the exact reason, but he understood one thing:

Garoth probably possessed an extraordinarily powerful, near-second-life ultimate survival method.

For a scoundrel like that, it was better to let him be victorious.

For Garoth, dabbling in something as dangerous as the Eternal Death path was no big deal.

"Let's go."

Garoth no longer delayed. His huge dragon wings slammed down and he shot skyward.

The violent airflow encountered during high-speed flight gradually washed away the last traces of filth and debris clinging to him.

Seeing that, Gold Dragon Alberto followed immediately, beating his wings to catch up.

The two colossal dragons flew side by side at high speed toward Dragon Valley.

The landscape below blurred as it receded, icy winds and snow pelted them, but were easily deflected by dragon scales.

"Garoth, I've decided," Alberto said. "After I awaken from this slumber, I want to stay in your Molten Iron Tribe for a while."

He organized his words and continued explaining his plan.

"I increasingly realize that establishing my ideal golden order requires a sufficiently stable and consistently prospering stronghold as a foundation and example."

"In this regard... I must admit, I'm not doing as well as you."

"So, I hope to learn from you about managing, governing, and developing a domain. During that time, I'm willing to serve the Molten Iron Tribe without pay, as the price of learning."

Garoth slightly tilted his head and regarded the Gold Dragon with a scrutinizing look.

Able to calmly admit one's shortcomings?

This Gold Dragon's temperament had indeed matured; at least he was far more pragmatic than before.

"You're welcome to stay and learn within the Molten Iron Tribe," Garoth said, his voice cutting through the wind and snow to reach Alberto clearly. "But, Alberto, I heard from Deborah that your parents... won't they personally come to drag you back to the dragon domains?"

Alberto's flight rhythm faltered and his breathing stuttered.

Several seconds passed before he regained composure. "No, no problem! My parents... as important members within the dragon domains, they won't easily leave Vophal Dragon Domain."

"Come to take me back?"

"Heh, at most they'll send a follower messenger, or maybe some older siblings will come to convey words and persuade me."

As he spoke, the Gold Dragon regained his confidence and proudly lifted his head.

"As long as my parents themselves don't show up, I, Alberto, fear no one!"

Though somewhat rebellious, his outstanding draconic talent and the growth he had achieved over the years were evident; now his strength equaled that of an adult Gold Dragon.

Unless his parents personally intervened, even relatives who might be stronger would find it hard to forcibly return him to the dragon domains.

"Besides, isn't there you, Garoth?"

Alberto suddenly laughed heartily and said, "We are steadfast allies who share fortunes and calamities!"

Hearing this, the red iron dragon nodded slightly, seeming to agree.

"I will step in if necessary."

He first issued the promise, then casually asked, "By the way, what exactly is your parents' life level? I don't think you've ever detailed it."

Gold Dragon Alberto scratched the scales on his neck with a claw, his gaze drifting, his tone vague.

"...Not too high, really, just two rather... um... outdated old Gold Dragons."

Garoth's fast flight slowed imperceptibly.

Old Gold Dragons?

By dragon age classification, an old Gold Dragon would at least rank among the legendary tier!

Damn Alberto, trying to drag me into this?

Based on Alberto's approximate age earlier, Garoth had judged it most probable that his parents were in their prime, and he had prepared himself mentally for that.

But now it looked like a less common, low-probability scenario had occurred.

Prime phase is indeed when dragons are most fertile, but it's not the only time; some much older dragons can still sire offspring, and ancient dragons having children later in life was not unheard of.

For feral dragons it might be casual.

But for metallic dragons, especially older metallic dragons, their concern for offspring and protectiveness often grew stronger with age and power.

"Alberto, leave my convergence lands now, immediately."

He prepared to drive the Gold Dragon away.

"You already forgot what you just said?" the Gold Dragon reminded him.

"I haven't forgotten. Saying it doesn't mean I'll do it. Don't forget I'm an evil dragon; we evil dragons are famously unreasonable. Do you want to leave the convergence lands yourself, or should I throw you out?"

Garoth chuckled, his gaze becoming dangerous.

"No! Don't be hasty, Garoth, hear me out!"

Gold Dragon Alberto hurriedly said, "My parents have very important duties in the dragon domains. They absolutely wouldn't leave the domains and come all the way to the convergence lands just to drag me back. I swear by the great dragon god Bahamut!"

At those words Garoth's mouth twitched upward into a fleeting smile.

On the surface he maintained a stern face and spoke severely: "That's all? I'm sheltering you while taking on the potential risk of being held accountable by two legendary Gold Dragons in the future."

"Do you think an empty promise like that is enough?"

Alberto sighed and launched into a series of more concrete, practical pledges.

These included but were not limited to: if in the future the Molten Iron Tribe or Garoth faced a legendary-level threat, as Garoth's staunchest ally he would immediately seek aid from his elders to try to bring powerful reinforcements for Garoth.

Only then did Garoth reluctantly agree to continue harbouring this troublesome Gold Dragon.

After this small episode, Alberto relaxed and returned his attention to the original topic, asking Garoth about domain development.

Garoth looked out at the vast land shrouded in wind and snow and reflected with feeling:

"Great dragons like internal strife, monsters are savage and brutal, beasts and demons don't share a common tongue, and food and resources don't grow on wind. "

"In short, managing a domain, especially to grow it, is not an easy matter."

He gave examples: for instance, Iron dragon Sorog and red dragon Samantha only needed to handle concrete management tasks—coordinating followers, developing the domain, advancing alchemical industry, dealing with mountains of daily trifles.

As the leader of a dragon cluster, he had to think about much more, and every day he needed ways to enhance and strengthen himself.

"But you are capable of making the Molten Iron Tribe flourish and bringing the Ignas Dragon Cluster into order."

Alberto shamelessly pressed, "Is there any secret you can reveal? Like, what's the most crucial thing?"

Garoth hesitated for a few seconds, then spoke in a low, serious voice: "Alright, Alberto."

"In the name of our rare friendship, I'll tell you this secret."

"Listen carefully."

Gold Dragon Alberto's spirit perked up, his wingbeats slowing as he strained to catch every word, afraid of missing a single syllable.

Under Alberto's eager gaze, the red iron dragon slowly said, "The key lies in two words."

"Charisma!"

Alberto froze, his massive head seeming to lock in midair.

After several seconds of silence he shook his head vigorously and protested, "Garoth! I'm asking seriously. Don't joke like that."

Garoth shook his head slightly, maintaining a solemn expression.

"No, Alberto, I'm serious."

As a dragon cluster ruler, Garoth had naturally deeply considered how to embody that role, how to make followers loyal, allies trust, and enemies fear.

Combining his rise and subsequent reflections, he gradually summarized and formed a set of ideas about leadership temperament.

He called it the Charm Hierarchy Theory.

Creatures occupying different social positions and statuses possess corresponding layers of charm attributes.

Charm grows and manifests as status rises; conversely, status is greatly influenced by the strength of an individual's charm.

The two reinforce and accomplish each other.

Garoth explained in detail to the puzzled Gold Dragon beside him: "You understand the word charm too superficially."

"When I say charm, it's a composite concept."

"It includes outward dignity, posture and presence, bearing and style, speech and wisdom, the intimidating yet reassuring aura conferred by great power, persuasive credibility, and many other aspects."

"It's an impression that makes others form a deep, instinctive judgment at first sight, a strong, visceral sensation."

"Like me: when I spread my wings and stand in the sky, any creature that sees me, regardless of race or faction, instinctively considers me a leader-level presence at first glance."

"That is my charm."

He turned his head and gave Alberto an objective assessment.

"As for you, Alberto, your charm isn't bad either. Your brilliant golden scales and powerful physique are outstanding among dragons."

"But, frankly, your first impression reads more like that of an elite-level giant dragon."

"Compared to someone like me, who reads like an overlord or boss, on the leader-aura scale you still fall short by a wide margin."

Gold Dragon Alberto mulled over Garoth's words and did not argue.

He found the analysis piercingly accurate and very reasonable.

After some thoughtful silence, he asked, "So... Garoth, what should I do to effectively increase my charm?"

Garoth swept a scrutinizing gaze across the Gold Dragon and said, "Honestly, among the Gold Dragons, your first impression, aside from appearing more robust and muscular than your kin, lacks distinctive identifiers."

"The grand vows in your heart, your firm resolve, your lofty ideals... those are internal and can't be directly perceived through appearance."

Garoth thought briefly, then offered his suggestion.

"You should add some memorable features to yourself."

"For example, drape lavish golden banners, inscribe runes on your horns, or otherwise adopt unique symbols to strengthen your image, make you stand out, and thereby give you the basic foundation of leader-level charisma."

Garoth himself didn't need such things; his form and posture made him unique enough.

"Knowledge of domain management can be learned, but without corresponding charisma, it's all for nothing."

Garoth generously coached Alberto.

Sharing some of his theoretical ideas gave him a genuine sense of accomplishment, and Garoth suddenly found he somewhat understood white dragon Trixie.

Gold Dragon Alberto listened to Garoth's theory and gradually displayed an expression of enlightenment.

As for exactly what he grasped from this exchange and how he planned to put it into practice, Garoth had no way of knowing.