Chapter 13: Leaving the Nest, Tail Ring

The Abyssal Territory, Iron Dragon’s Nest.

At the very top of the stairs forged from melted blades and spears, the Iron Dragon Mother sat as always upon her throne, her massive wings lazily drooping, casting shadows over countless steps.

And with the arrival of the three hatchlings.

The Iron Dragon Mother lifted her eyelids, spread her wings to cast a deep shadow, and straightened her posture.

“Mother, the radiance upon your scales outshines a thousand morning stars.”

Garos was the first to greet her, launching straight into flattery.

The Iron Dragon Mother blinked slightly, her expression softening, a hint of pleasure appearing on her dragon face.

Though her scales were pitch-black, with only a faint glimmer of silver on the surface—hardly any true radiance—such a beautiful compliment was hard not to delight in.

As for the Red Dragon Sister and the Iron Dragon Brother.

These two had no culture; they simply muttered “Mother” in dry, flat tones.

“Garos.”

The Iron Dragon Mother’s gaze fixed entirely on Garos, barely glancing at the other two hatchlings.

“You are now seven years old, and your growth has surpassed my expectations.”

Her voice paused, then she spoke plainly and directly: “Keeping you within my territory was already an exception. A year has passed—you must now face dust and storms alone.”

Her tone rang like metal clashing.

Firm, decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

“Mother, I can bring you more precious metal ores.”

Garos said.

The Iron Dragon Mother said nothing, only shook her head calmly.

Seeing her reaction, Garos understood: her resolve to expel him was absolute; their previous bargains no longer held.

In truth,

since the Abyssal Territory belonged to the Iron Dragon Mother, the precious metal ores forced from the two hatchlings by Garos—by dragon territorial customs—were, in her eyes, already her own wealth.

Garos used his own offspring to mine her wealth, then offered it back to her in exchange for protection and food.

It was, in a way, getting something for nothing.

The Iron Dragon Mother was cold and rigid, but not as easily fooled as the two hatchlings; she allowed Garos to stay primarily because she admired him, moved by a touch of old sentiment.

And over this past year,

Garos’s rapid growth had gradually made the Iron Dragon Mother feel a faint threat, solidifying her decision to expel him.

By the nature of evil dragons, familial bonds are rarely honored.

There have been cases where offspring, once grown, coveted their mother’s territory and launched fierce battles to seize it.

Unless a dragon had sworn a slave contract.

Otherwise, the Iron Dragon Mother would not allow any dragon—her own offspring included—to remain in her territory as it grew stronger.

To formally expel Garos, and simultaneously drive away the other two hatchlings, so she need not see them again—and no longer bear the burden of caring for them.

The Iron Dragon Mother felt a surge of relief.

“I understand.”

Garos sensed the Iron Dragon Mother’s firm resolve.

And his own year of training and growth, his explorations of the wild, had given him some confidence in surviving alone.

The hatchling lowered his head and spoke to the massive dragon above: “Mother, thank you for your protection these past years. I will remember this time of peace, living beneath your wings.”

Regardless of his true feelings,

the Iron Dragon Mother had protected him for seven years, and had properly provided blood meals and instruction.

Though expelled, Garos bore no resentment.

At the same time, hearing the hatchling’s sincere words, the Iron Dragon Mother paused slightly.

Should I let Garos stay one more year? The thought barely surfaced—then vanished the moment she noticed his unnaturally powerful frame.

“Heh, bastard Garos, you can’t bully us anymore.”

The Red Dragon Sister and Iron Dragon Brother cheered excitedly.

Heh, don’t get too happy yet.

Garos thought.

Sure enough, seeing the two hatchlings bouncing with joy, the Iron Dragon Mother’s expression hardened, and she coldly declared: “Samantha, Gorton, six lunar cycles have passed—your soft scales are ready to shed.”

Huh?

That sounded familiar—hadn’t she said this before?

The two hatchlings blinked, confused, momentarily stunned.

The Iron Dragon Mother didn’t even bother to change her words; she recited the same expulsion lines, cold and mechanical.

But

unlike Garos,

these two had no fear of her expulsion; instead, their eyes burned with ambition, gleaming with excitement.

The two dragons knew nothing of the dangers and hardships of solitary survival. Driven by dragon arrogance and pride, they naively believed that once they left their mother’s territory, they would be free as fish in the sea, birds in the sky—vast lands awaiting their arrival, countless inferior creatures ready to kneel.

Seeing their expressions, Garos could guess their thoughts.

They were simply too young, untouched by the crushing weight of reality.

“I will leave your territory before dawn rises.”

Garos turned to depart.

“Wait.”

The Iron Dragon Mother suddenly called out to him.

“Is there something else?”

Garos asked, surprised.

Had the Iron Dragon Mother changed her mind? If she would, Garos would gladly remain under her protection until the end of time, until he evolved beyond her strength.

“My dear Garos.”

The Iron Dragon Mother made her decision and said: “In you, I see extraordinary potential and unyielding will—I have never admired a hatchling so much.”

She waved her claw.

Hum!

A dark-golden ring, etched with intricate, tiny runes, floated slowly forward and landed before Garos.

“This tail ring once accompanied me. Now I give it to you—a parting gift. The runes engraved upon it are not mere decoration; explore them yourself. I believe they will bring you a pleasant surprise.”

The Iron Dragon Mother spoke slowly.

Garos was even more surprised.

A parting gift? With an evil dragon’s greed and stinginess over treasure, it was a miracle she didn’t just steal his pitiful hoard.

Her gaze remained calm and deep, as always; the thick steel-like mask hid her expression, revealing no emotion.

But since she chose to give a gift, she must have her own reasons.

“Thank you.”

Garos extended his tail and slipped on the dark-gold tail ring.

In dragon aesthetic culture, adornments exist—and tail rings are among them.

Besides necklaces and bracelets, there are flowing scarves, horn rings, or even etching preferred patterns onto horns and scales, inlaying gems, and so on.

The dark-gold tail ring had weight and texture, yet was unobtrusive—quiet, steady.

Garos flicked his tail; it looked quite good.

“Mother, what about us?”

The Red Dragon Sister and Iron Dragon Brother stared hopefully at the Iron Dragon Mother.

Garos spoke well and showed boundless potential—worthy of your special attention. You two fools? Forget it.

The Iron Dragon Mother ignored the two hatchlings entirely, flapped her wings to summon a gale, and hurled them toward the nest’s exit.

(End of Chapter)