[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-defeating-the-world-with-the-power-of-one-dragon":3,"chapter-defeating-the-world-with-the-power-of-one-dragon-defeating-the-world-with-the-power-of-one-dragon-chapter-163":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Defeating the World with the Power of One Dragon!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1057278,1369,"Chapter 163: Pale Wing - Mere Young Dragon!","defeating-the-world-with-the-power-of-one-dragon-chapter-163",163,"\u003Cp>An unknown amount of time later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Nick felt he was about to faint from exhaustion, the centaurs finally came to a stop, bringing him to a grassland area - their camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stumbling dazedly off the centaur's back, Nick's mind remained foggy until a deep, resonant voice like that of a colossal creature echoed in his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard you wanted to see me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words jolted Nick like a bucket of ice water, instantly clearing his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He jerked his head up to behold a beast beyond normal comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moonlight shattered into countless silver shards across its scales, while the spikes along its spine resembled a rebellious forest of spears, rising and falling with each breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most terrifying was the oppressive aura - even motionless, explosive power visibly coursed beneath those corded muscles, the impossibly powerful body like tempered steel with each scale a forged shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stood mere paces apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compelled by instinct, he dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead against the earth as he recalled the monikers circulating about this young dragon in Raymond Duchy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The great Wings of the Skyrend, the baleful star heralding death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your loyal and humble servant is finally blessed to behold your true visage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the centaur camp, Garoth observed the prostrate merchant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several seconds of scrutiny, the red iron dragon's lips curled slightly. \"Wings of the Skyrend? Death's harbinger? Is this how humans name me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nick answered, \"These titles spread from Raymond Duchy, where bounties have been placed upon you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that Raymond Duchy viewed him as an enemy - an entirely expected development - Garoth felt no anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he nodded approvingly; the names had a decent ring to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the Molten Iron Clan, vassals most commonly praised Garoth with the title \"Redwing Lord,\" but such honorifics originating from subordinate clans carried little weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For dragonkind,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only titles circulating among enemy factions held true recognition, spreading more widely through such channels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet such epithets remained unpredictable - they could just as easily become laughingstocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, when Garoth first slaughtered intelligent creatures by exterminating an entire goblin clan, had that spread, he might have been saddled with \"Goblin Slayer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being associated with inferior creatures\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would feel like swallowing feces to a true dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Garoth cared little for titles, having a respectable one certainly beat something like \"Goblin Slayer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wings of the Skyrend isn't bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But this 'Death's harbinger' sounds too malevolent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this internal assessment, he inquired further, \"Any other names?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nick hesitated briefly before murmuring, \"There's also 'Vein Plunderer,' 'Golem Shredder,' and similar titles.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These sounded rather mediocre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding no more impressive names, Garoth ceased his inquiry, fixing his gaze upon the merchant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Humans typically regard me with either hostility or abject terror. Yet you sought audience with me. Why? Don't claim it's merely to demonstrate loyalty and reverence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, the red iron dragon's colossal form leaned slightly forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overpowering shadows engulfed the human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the crushing weight of that presence, Nick drew a deep breath before lifting his head, his face still wearing a smile. \"Fools fear your flames, but I see the future in you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With almost theatrical admiration, he declared, \"Never have I seen nor heard of a young dragon like you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You understand trade's importance over mindless plunder, know when to sheath your claws rather than flaunt them recklessly, recognize the right moments to bare fangs instead of constant retreat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garoth listened silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Molten Iron vassals often flattered him, most praised only his strength and power. Nick's appeal to his intellect felt refreshingly novel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, unlike Sorog or Samantha,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such honeyed words brought pleasure but couldn't sway his judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am a merchant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I recognize immeasurable value in you. I'm certain that following you presents the rarest opportunity of my lifetime.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I dream of establishing my own grand trading house, elevating my family's status for generations to come. To achieve this, I need powerful patronage - to cling firmly to your mighty leg.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not even death could shake this resolve.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Producing a mithril-inlaid ring, he continued, \"Commissioned from a dwarven alchemist, this spatial artifact can resize and store numerous items. A gift for your consideration.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garoth accepted the ring,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stowing it without immediate wear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His penetrating gaze seemed to pierce Nick's soul as he remarked evenly, \"Just for family and descendants?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tonight held monumental importance for Nick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Garoth sought an agent among southern nations - someone to gather intelligence, relay messages, and establish influence beyond mere trade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, Nick showed promise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he pass Garoth's evaluation, greater support would follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure familial motives made unreliable servants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If deemed unsuitable, knowing what Nick now did, the human would never leave this place alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under that placid draconic stare, Nick's heart skipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several seconds of contemplation, he exhaled slowly. \"Primarily... for myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Raising his wrinkled face, he sighed. \"As you know, compared to long-lived beings like yourself, human lives flicker briefly as fireflies. I crave longevity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pausing, he pressed his forehead to ground, pleading earnestly, \"When my body withers with age, I beg your mercy - the chance for dragon vein transformation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garoth studied the human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'd likely perish during transformation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stated bluntly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gritting his teeth, Nick responded, \"However slim the chance, I'll seek means to improve success. I don't seek immediate transformation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even should I fail, my unborn child and growing family would remain loyal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the human finished,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red iron dragon suddenly raised his head, eyes narrowing skyward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill permeated the air like glacial winds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More critically, he detected draconic presence - polar ice given sentience, frigid and savage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then white wings sliced through night skies, wreathed in arctic mist, drawing closer as centaurs erupted into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pale Wing returns!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silvermane's expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pale Wing - the white dragon repelled by White Mane Clan two decades prior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through feigned submission followed by ambush, centaurs had nearly slain her, though not without cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their previous chieftain succumbed to wounds from that battle, weakening gradually until death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Younger centaur warriors knew only tales of hunting white dragons, ignorant of the true price paid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The white dragon driven off by White Mane Clan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garoth knew of this creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sixteen-meter white dragon circled above, frosty gaze scanning below until noticing the red iron dragon amidst centaurs, her eyes sharpening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"White Scales? What brings you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garoth instinctively addressed the airborne dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His red and iron dragon heritage prompted this automatic naming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the white dragon Trixie - who'd initially come to assess the situation - immediately darkened with rage, her frigid aura intensifying visibly as she glared murderously downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her original revenge motive against centaurs\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was instantly overshadowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damnable! Arrogant half-blood!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mere young dragon daring to insult the mighty Pale Wing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trixie seethed with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, realizing his unconscious bias, Garorth politely amended,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah no - White Dragon. My apologies, that was a slip of the tongue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1154,"2026-06-03T10:02:46.839Z","2026-06-03T10:02:53.297Z",1,"novelbin.me","3262c52afc570b8e00e9a2ffdb3eae6848230170395bf16d61634211ae7d010d","defeating-the-world-with-the-power-of-one-dragon-chapter-164","defeating-the-world-with-the-power-of-one-dragon-chapter-162",561,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdefeating-the-world-with-the-power-of-one-dragon-cover.jpg"]