Chapter 34: Friends from Afar

Sakavi had no intention of equipping his orcish subordinates with weapons or armor, and even forming this legion was merely because he had no place to house them.

Over these years, following Sakavi around to scavenge meals, they had all grown fat and robust, and were especially fertile—bearing a litter of four to six every year. Though they performed poorly at labor, their attitude was impeccable; aside from the goblinoids, they were the most loyal supporters of Sakavi’s rule, and he dared not suppress them.

As major infrastructure projects neared completion and fewer hands were needed to mine obsidian in the wasteland, Sakavi had a sudden idea: he sent ten thousand able-bodied orcs straight to the army, ordering them to ride giant wild boars and wield wooden clubs in service of the great duke.

To deceive them, Sakavi gave them a grand name: the Fang Legion, implying they were the duke’s fangs—the most fearsome armed force. In reality, their sole purpose was to provide experience for the Anquan Force’s future training units, while also separating males from females to reduce reproduction, as the Agrik school district could no longer hold so many.

With thirty thousand orcs, ten thousand were suddenly conscripted; the entire orc tribe instantly grew sparsely populated. Sakavi immediately ordered the remaining orcs to build towns across the wasteland, gradually moving closer to other races.

The same applied to goblins, kobolds, and fishfolk—fertile races with little utility, yet unable to be castrated, as that would severely damage their loyalty and undermine unity. The safe and effective solution was to relocate them to different regions, assign them work, and reduce their opportunities to meet—thus drastically lowering their birthrate.

In the new settlements of young goblins and orcs, the next generation of children eagerly attended school for further education; thus, Sakavi would have a constant stream of talent coming to serve him in the future.

The tasks ahead no longer required Sakavi’s personal attention; he decided to devote his time to studying magic, as his own magic was too limited and easily countered in battle.

But just as he wished for peace, the wind refused to cease—perhaps other dragons had also consolidated their followers by now, or perhaps they noticed Sakavi had grown idle and decided to pay a visit.

“Klausuna, I’ve finally found you! You’ve made me search so hard!”

“? Do we know each other?”

“You dare say you don’t recognize me? It breaks my heart.”

“But I truly don’t know you! Have we ever met?”

“Of course not—but I’ve long yearned for the gold coins in your purse! Hahaha!”

“So you’re here to rob me, then?”

“Correct! As a reward, I’ll give you a big bad guy.”

“..., then who exactly are you?”

“I’m the little bad guy from Prank Village; the one standing outside is the big bad guy.”

“Kobrilex, if you scare this young lady again, I’ll twist your head off—do you believe me?”

“Sister, who are you?”

“I am Duchess Fidemina from the Rodmerian Continent; the one beside you is Kobrilex of the Modus Kingdom, a bronze dragon.”

“I don’t believe it—there’s no such thing as a blue bronze dragon. You’re lying.”

“This kid painted himself blue just to prank you.”

“Klausuna, believe me—I really am a blue metallic dragon.”

“Where’s Sakavi? Didn’t you say this place was already on track last year? Why haven’t I seen him?”

“He’s conducting magic experiments—trying to make paralyzed skeletons move. He hasn’t shown his face in over a year; reportedly, he can now occasionally hop and take a couple steps.”

“What kind of magic experiment is that? Come on, Fidemina, let’s go drag him to Wendisha’s place for a free meal.”

…………

“Sakavi, I heard your bone frame can now reanimate—is that true?”

“Correct. They can even jump up and paint dragons. Want me to paint you bronze? Guaranteed, everyone will know you’re rusted.”

“Hahahaha! Does Groverian even know he’s rusted?”

“Then why didn’t he come? Kobrilex.”

“He’s at Wendisha’s. Since you never showed up, I and Kobrilex came to see what you’re up to.”

“So you two often get together?”

“Staying home is boring. My old father won’t let me do this or that. Come on—we came specially to fetch you.”

Thus, Klausuna and Sakavi followed these two distant friends to Wendisha’s territory in northern Bledasso. A change of scenery was good—it let them see if the situation had changed.

“Sakavi, you busy dragon, finally decided to show yourself? Hard to believe!”

“During the early stage of territory development, I couldn’t trust my followers to handle things alone—I had to oversee everything myself. How’s things on your end, Wendisha?”

“At least I make some coin. I heard your territory loses money every year—how are you getting poorer the more you tinker?”

“Rumors! Absolute rumors! My territory started turning a profit last year; this year’s income will rise further.”

“You took ten years to turn a profit after seizing your land—you’ll make dragons laugh till their teeth fall out. Learn from me, Wendisha: collect protection fees regularly. If any of your followers want to leave, sell them as slaves. Everyone’s short on hands—slave traders are working themselves to exhaustion.”

“Has the Rosen Empire shown any improvement yet?”

“Worse than ever! The jackal-men of Lokar Plains now dare attack regional viceroy offices; not even a single merchant’s shadow remains.”

“So this visit isn’t just for afternoon tea—you intend to intervene in the Rosen Empire’s affairs?”

“Correct, Sakavi. My father’s plan is for the Modus Kingdom to lead us in launching a ‘bandit suppression’ campaign to enter Skullcrusher City and depose that fool Grun. The Black Forest and the Church both say the backlash would be too severe—they can’t appear publicly. This dirty work falls to us.”

“Oh? So you plan to kill Grun outright? What’s the sentiment inside the Rosen Empire?”

“According to my spies in Rosen, their army can no longer be mobilized. Sakavi, the main force will be me, Fidemina, and you; Groverian will lure Grun out of the city.”

“Wendisha, I need my own followers to verify this intelligence. Who do you intend to install as the new emperor of the Rosen Empire?”

“Samokuro Obsidian. This old general enjoys immense prestige in the military. If you have no suitable candidate, we plan to support him.”

“I cannot give you an answer yet. I must wait for my followers’ intelligence before making a judgment.”

“Alright, everyone—business is concluded. Now for entertainment! Our rusted bronze dragon, Kobrilex, will host the competition.”

“Look here at the giant javelin. Each dragon must grab one, fly through the obstacles ahead, then hurl it into the giant target vase at the designated height. The worst performer must present a golden javelin as prize to the champion. Who’s first?”

Wendisha said: “Klausuna, you’re the youngest here—you go first!”

“But I have no money! A javelin thicker than a goblin isn’t cheap.”

Groverian: “Charge it to Sakavi—he won’t miss a few coins. Go on, be careful—there are several obstacles ahead. Don’t hit your head.”

The vase-javelin contest was extremely popular among dragons, said to have existed for over a thousand years. The javelin champion had always been the dragons’ ultimate pursuit.

“Now, your humble, faded blue bronze dragon, here to provide live commentary. Rules: Contestants must fly along a designated course within a time limit, navigate a series of obstacles, and launch their custom ‘arrows’ at the giant target vase while in motion. Those who hit the target without violating rules win.”

“Here comes our stunning beauty, Klausuna! She doesn’t rush—she observes… perfect patience! She moves! A graceful sidestep, like a death ballet—using only the tiniest adjustment of her wingtips, she glides flawlessly through the most dangerous gap between two whirlwinds, unscathed! Exquisite control! Beautiful, absolutely perfect! Where are your applause, everyone?”

“Now she’s entering Blade Canyon! Listen—the wind howls, the harpies shriek! The black dragoness tries to use her lightning mastery to stabilize her flight… but the turbulence is too strong! She’s blown off course and must waste precious time readjusting! Oh, her tail grazes the cliff wall—that will cost her points!”

Next, the tauren shaman presents the ‘Living Dense Forest’! The moving obsidian pillars rise like awakened ancient titans! Klausuna approaches! Her flight path becomes wildly intricate, as if weaving an aerial spiderweb. Each wingbeat, each tail flick, perfectly avoids the pillars’ trajectories.

She even uses one pillar’s upward surge as a stepping stone to perform a brief ground-skimming glide! The tauren on the wasteland roar their battle cries for her! But alas—the rules forbid touching the pillars; she’ll lose points for that.

The ultimate test of patience and finesse: the ‘Spiderweb Thunderfield’! The beautiful lady grows too cautious—her speed slows… no! Her tailtip brushes an arcane orb! A chain explosion erupts! Though she blocks the damage with her protective lightning, the scene is chaotic—she’ll definitely lose points!

“She’s nearing it—the black giant vase! Her throw is elegant, precise… HIT! Direct center! Perfect arc! Perfect power! The obsidian arrow thuds heavily inside the vase, as if drumming victory for the lady!”

…………

The next game is “Crush the Castle.” Rules: Build a miniature castle model from boulders and timber. Dragons take turns sweeping it with their tails or crushing it with their bodies—see who can reduce it to rubble with the most stylish flair. Pure power release, full of thrill. Three rounds total; the lowest scorer each round must rebuild the castle.

The “True or False Treasure” tasting: Each dragon brings one item they’re most proud of (or a meticulously crafted forgery). Everyone takes turns examining, commenting, and guessing its authenticity and origin. This tests not only eyesight, but also one’s knowledge and plundering history.

Prize: The most clumsily made forgery’s owner must destroy it on the spot; the most exquisite, legendary authentic item’s owner receives a “tribute gift” from every participant.

After three consecutive contests, it’s time to relax. Wendisha has prepared hot springs and pastries. The dragons may bathe, sip afternoon tea, and boast of their past glories.