Chapter 13: Leaving the Nest, Tail Rings

Sky-Pit Territory, Iron Dragon Nest.

At the very top of the steps forged from melted blades and spears, the Iron Dragon Mother, as always, coiled upon her Wang Zuo, her massive dragon wings lazily drooping, covering many of the steps.

And with the arrival of the three young dragons.

The Iron Dragon Mother lifted her eyelids slightly, spread her pair of wings to form a thick shadow, and straightened her posture.

"Mother, the radiance upon your scales surpasses a thousand morning stars."

Garos spoke first to offer greetings, starting with flattery.

The Iron Dragon Mother was slightly stunned, revealing a pleased expression, and a bit more joy appeared on her dragon face.

Although the iron dragon's scales were dark black, and the slight silver shimmer on the surface counted for little radiance, hearing such beautiful praise made it hard not to feel refreshed.

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

These two dragons had no culture and simply called out "Mother" in a dry voice.

"Garos."

The Iron Dragon Mother's gaze focused on Garos, barely looking at the other two young dragons.

"You are now seven years old, and your growth speed has exceeded my expectations."

Her voice paused for a moment, and the Iron Dragon Mother stated bluntly and frankly: "Keeping you to live within the territory was already an exception; now, a year has passed, and you must face dust and storms alone."

Her tone was sonorous, like metal clashing.

Decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Mother, I can offer more precious metal ores."

Garos said.

The Iron Dragon Mother gave no verbal response, simply shaking her head calmly.

Seeing her reaction, Garos understood that the Iron Dragon Mother's determination to expel him was extremely firm; the previous transaction no longer worked.

In fact.

Because the Sky-Pit Territory belonged to the Iron Dragon Mother, the precious metal ores that Garos had ordered the two young dragons to dig up were, by dragon territorial customs, in the Iron Dragon Mother's eyes, wealth that already belonged to her.

Garos used his offspring to dig up her wealth, then presented it to her in exchange for protection and food.

It was somewhat like trying to get something for nothing.

The Iron Dragon Mother was cold and rigid, but unlike the two hatchlings, she was not easily fooled; she was willing to let Garos stay mainly because she appreciated this offspring and held onto a bit of old affection.

And during this year.

Garos's rapid growth gradually made the Iron Dragon Mother feel a slight threat, so she made up her mind to expel him.

By the nature of evil dragons, they often do not consider family ties.

There have been cases where, after offspring grew up, they coveted the dragon mother's territory, attempted to seize and occupy it, and engaged in fierce battles with the dragon mother.

Unless a servant contract had been established with the dragons.

Otherwise, the Iron Dragon Mother was unwilling to let any dragon, including her own offspring, that was gradually becoming stronger, continue to remain in her territory.

Formally expelling Garos, and incidentally driving away the other two young dragons as well, so she wouldn't have to see them or worry about them, and would no longer need to care for the young dragons.

The Iron Dragon Mother felt a wave of refreshment.

"I understand."

Garos sensed the Iron Dragon Mother's firmness this time.

And his own training and growth during this year, along with his exploration of the wilderness, had given Garos some confidence to survive alone.

The young dragon lowered his head and said to the massive iron dragon above: "Mother, thank you for your protection during this time; I will remember this carefree period living beneath your dragon wings."

Regardless of his true heart.

The Iron Dragon Mother had ultimately protected him for seven years and adequately provided blood food and instruction.

Although expelled, Garos would not hold a grudge.

At the same time, hearing the young dragon's sincere words, the Iron Dragon Mother was slightly stunned.

Perhaps, let Garos stay for another year? This thought had just popped up, but as soon as the Iron Dragon Mother noticed Garos's absurdly strong physique, she immediately crushed it.

"Hehe, you bastard Garos, you can't bully us anymore."

The Red Dragon Sister and the Iron Dragon Brother were overjoyed.

Hehe, don't get happy too soon.

Garos thought.

Sure enough, noticing the two young dragons jumping with joy, the Iron Dragon Mother's expression stiffened, and she said coldly: "Samantha, Gorton, six lunar phases have already passed, enough for you to shed your soft scales."

Eh?

This sounds somewhat familiar; it seems I've heard it somewhere before.

The two young dragons blinked their eyes, hadn't reacted yet, and looked a bit dazed.

And the Iron Dragon Mother was too lazy to change her lines, directly copying them, and recited the expulsion words in a cold voice.

However.

The two were not like Garos.

They felt no worry about the Iron Dragon Mother's expulsion; instead, ambition ignited in their eyes, making them appear exceptionally excited.

The two dragons knew nothing about the dangers and hardships of living alone; with dragon arrogance and conceit, they naively believed that once they left the dragon mother's territory, it would be a future where the sea is vast enough for fish to leap and the sky is high enough for birds to fly, that vast lands awaited their arrival, and countless inferior beings awaited their submission.

Seeing the eyes of the two young dragons, Garos could roughly guess their thoughts.

After all, they were too young, lacking the heavy blows from real life.

"I will leave your territory before dawn rises."

Garos turned and prepared to depart.

"Wait."

The Iron Dragon Mother suddenly called out to him.

"Is there anything else?"

Garos, somewhat surprised, asked.

Had the Iron Dragon Mother changed her mind? If so, Garos would be willing to stay under her protection until the end of time, until he evolved to become stronger than her.

"My dear Garos."

The Iron Dragon Mother made up her mind and said, "In you, I see extraordinary potential and an indomitable spirit of will. I have never admired a young dragon quite like this before."

She waved a claw.

Buzz!

A dark golden iron ring, its surface inscribed with tiny, intricate runes, slowly flew over and landed before Garos.

"This tail ring once accompanied me. Now I give it to you as a parting gift. The runes inscribed upon it are not mere decoration; you may explore and study them on your own. I believe they will bring you a little surprise."

The Iron Dragon Mother spoke slowly.

Garos's surprise deepened.

A parting gift? Given an evil dragon's stinginess and greed for treasure, it would be more typical for her to snatch away the pitiful hoard of a young dragon instead.

The Iron Dragon Mother's gaze was calm and profound, as always; the heavy steel faceplate that concealed her expression revealed no sign of any fluctuation.

Yet, since she was willing to offer a gift, she must have her own reasons.

"Thank you."

Garos extended his tail and slipped on the dark golden tail ring.

In the aesthetic culture of dragonkind, adornments do exist, and the tail ring is one of them.

Beyond common items like necklaces and bracelets, there are also flowing sashes, horn rings, or the practice of plating dragon horns or scales with preferred patterns, inlaying gems, and so on.

The dark golden tail ring possessed a certain texture, yet was not ostentatious, appearing low-key and steady.

Garos swished his tail, feeling it looked quite good.

"Mother, what about us?"

The Red Dragon Sister and the Iron Dragon Brother looked up at the Iron Dragon Mother with eager eyes.

Garos speaks well and has boundless potential, worthy of Mother's special regard; as for you two fools, forget it.

The Iron Dragon Mother, too lazy to attend to the two young dragons, flapped her dragon wings to create a great wind, blowing them away toward the nest's exit.

(End of this chapter)