Under the Red Dragon.

Chapter 144 Be King
In the vast back garden of the Dragon King Castle, due to the planting and growth of the World Tree, the natural breath of life has dyed the originally barren half of the mud area with a light layer of green.

Many young grass sprouts took root in the soil, and a three-meter-tall World Tree sapling that looked like someone was holding it stretched out its tender green branches in the center of the garden.

Thanks to the magical spring water from the Green Forest, the World Tree sapling has grown to a size that ordinary trees would take several years or even more than ten years to reach in just half a month.

Moreover, the World Tree is different from ordinary trees. Its height and trunk diameter almost always grow in a fixed ratio. So even though it is only three meters tall, it is much thicker than other trees.

There are only a few tender green leaves hanging between the newly grown branches of the World Tree, making it look a bit bare.

Two fat Titan pythons tried hard to coil their short and fat bodies around the branches of the World Tree to avoid falling off the tree.

The two snake cubs were left here by Charon to grow up with the World Tree. This is an extremely important benefit for the two snake cubs. The magic python that bathes in the breath of the World Tree for a long time will also gain growth in its life essence, and its future achievements will be limitless.

The two snake cubs can also serve as a barrier to protect the World Tree to some extent, although they are still very weak now.

"Hiss, hiss,"

The larger snake cub struggled to wrap its tail around a thick branch and stretched out its forked tongue to detect the intensity of the life energy emanating from the World Tree in the air in order to capture it.

The other little snake was curled up lazily in a hole between the branches and the trunk, allowing itself to be nourished by the gradually growing thick breath of life.

"Ovo, the life energy you naturally exude is good for us. I wonder if I could taste you. Maybe your body could help us even more!"

The larger snake cub said greedily, its eyes that changed from round to vertical pupils gleaming with greed. It rubbed its fat and short body against the trunk of the World Tree Ovo to relieve the itchiness caused by the growth of its scales.

Ovo is the name given to the world tree by Charon. In the language of dragons and elves, it has a meaning - the god who created the world.

This is an explanation of the nature of the World Tree, and also a kind of expectation that Charon has for this sapling that is close to him.

"The name Dad gave you really suits your character, Greneke. You are always a greedy and vicious snake who is never satisfied, unlike Hanineke who is quiet, kind and restrained."

The thick sapling of the World Tree, Ovo, shook its branches, and dropped an especially thick branch, which gently flicked the greedy python, Grenec, away.

"Ouch," the greedy snake cub Grenec was flung away, and his short and fat body twisted in the air, making a frightened sound.

"Not only will I punish you for your greed, I will also report you to my father," the consciousness of the World Tree Ovo was fluctuating with joy, and it was obvious that it was very proud of its behavior.

"Haninek, you will stand with me, right?" The World Tree Ovo lowered another branch and gently touched the head of the sleepy smaller snake cub.

Influenced by the power of mental energy, which carries Charon's extremely strong personal imprint, these three cubs have obviously inherited or amplified Charon's characteristics in some aspects.

Another snake cub, Haninek, shook his dazed head and opened his vertical pupils. Even Haninek, who was called the snake of benevolent restraint by the world tree Ovo, like his brother, would only open his eyes into humane round pupils in front of Charon.

Although Haninek's pupils looked a little dazed, he blinked his eyes and said softly, "No, Ovo, Dad is busy. We shouldn't disturb him for such a small matter!"

"You're right. I don't know what Dad has been busy with recently. He hasn't come to see us for several days. Dad's power is more delicious than those natural auras and elemental magic."

The consciousness of the World Tree Ovo responded, and the active branches became quiet, as if they were looking at the red dragon's lair together with Haninek, the confused snake cub.

Charon was indeed very busy. Although most of the affairs in the territory were distributed by him with the power that others deserved, there were still many things that only he could decide, and his exploration of power and knowledge never stopped.

Karon's huge body was entrenched in his own nest, in this ever-boiling magma lake. The dim magma lake made Karon's glowing scales and the various treasures and divine irons floating in the magma appear haloed.

Pieces of hot or cold precious minerals dug out from deep in the earth's core and pieces of mithril emitting a silver glow floated in the magma. Charon spewed out hot but stable and continuously high-temperature dragon fire from his mouth, melting the pieces of material.

In his mind, Karon was reading the knowledge passed down from the ancient magic empire, and at the same time, he was integrating these materials according to this knowledge of creating magic treasures, connecting the existence characteristics of these materials, and allowing these materials to be harmoniously integrated to perform their best functions.

Among these materials, even the extremely heat-resistant minerals that were condensed in the magma of the earth's core gradually melted in the dragon fire spewed out by Charon, and changed into shape under the power of Charon. A large bell used to strike as a standard of time gradually took shape in the dragon fire.

Pieces of material were picked up by Charon's magician's hand and thrown into the dragon fire one after another, melting into juice and then blending into the gradually taking shape of the bell.

When the last piece of mithril melted into juice and merged into the body of the bell, dyeing the entire ancient blue-brown bell with a faint silver glow, Kallon stopped his dragon fire.

His will activated the field that enveloped the entire dragon's nest, and then he used his mental energy to infect the entire body of the clock, leaving behind his own mark and connection points for the field's radiation.

Huh, Karon exhaled, and a few sparks flew out from between his fangs.

Even though he was drawing endless amounts of magic and energy from deep within the earth's core, the long-term output of fine power put some mental strain on him.

However, after training in this way, his control over strength has been improved to a higher level. Some spells that previously required extra concentration can now be easily cast, maintaining the stability and accuracy of spell casting.

Boom,
Karon flexed his dragon claws and tapped the heavy bell lightly, causing a loud and melodious bell sound that echoed throughout the dragon's nest that was blocked by the field.

Karon nodded with satisfaction, stretched out his dragon claws and pressed down the two-meter-high bell, inputting his own strength and vibrating the magic power in his body. The good power conductivity and magic extensibility from mithril allowed Karon to easily expand his power.

Suddenly, the heavy and tall bell vibrated and emitted a deep, low sound. The invisible fluctuations it emitted were like a field, resonating and connecting with the field of the dragon's nest, emitting a terrifying repressive force and hidden destructive power.

"Very good, it seems I have the talent of a master craftsman," Karon nodded with satisfaction, and flicked the heavy bell into the lava flow.

In the bubbling and boiling magma lake, many similar bells are floating and sinking. There are also many scrapped bells that have been abandoned in the magma lake, allowing the boiling magma to slowly erode and melt these scrapped crops.

These intact bells are soaked in magma, moistened by the extremely rich magic power, connecting the entire dragon's nest and gradually producing a resonant rhythm.

This is a time experiment on the mysterious side of magic conducted by Charon with reference to the unfinished time devices of the ancient magic kings.

These large bells will be hung in every city and village in the dragon's territory, serving as time standards and ritual objects within the territory.

When the main bell of the Dragon Temple, hanging on the top of the dragons, rings, the sound of the bell will spread throughout the territory. The morning bell and the evening drum, these bells represent the beginning and end of each day, as well as the division of various time periods.

These bells will also serve as ritual instruments for receiving and transmitting the power of Charon's faith, and are also royal instruments for ruling the territory.

Charon, who left his power beacon in the giant bell, can also use these bells to transmit and spread his own field when necessary, and achieve a certain power suppression over the entire territory.

Moreover, Charon planned to use these bells as horns of the dragon army. When the bells rang, the army would move forward and bring death to their enemies.

On weekdays, the sound of bells can also be used to make soldiers march in unison to boost military morale.

The uses are varied. Although it is mainly an experiment to explore the nature of time, this is also Caron's usual style. He likes to maximize the utilization value of a certain resource.

"It looks like my idea can be put to the test," Caron watched the gradual changes in the finished products with a sense of accomplishment, then he spewed out dragon fire and continued to complete his plan.

As the territory gradually developed, this number of bells was far from enough, and Caron planned to abandon some of the bells in front due to his proficiency problem.

The most important thing is that the main bell that connects all the big bells in the territory, destined to be hung above the Dragon Temple and rung by the souls of those brave warriors, has not been completed yet, and Kalon has to keep working on it.

call,
Pale blue flames spewed out, burning the precious materials. Precious magic gems and elemental crystals were also thrown into the dragon fire by Charon to replenish abundant energy for the magic treasure to be created next.

At this moment, Caron, who was immersed in exploration practice, suddenly raised his head slightly. The field covering the entire mountain told him that the warriors he summoned had arrived.

Karon did not stop his dragon fire. In the mist of the steaming magma, his figure was vaguely illusory and fluctuated, and a figure stepped out from behind him.

About three and a half meters tall, the dragon-born form of Charon stepped out of his nest.

The gnoll leader Yugu, who was equally tall but only slightly shorter than Kalon in his current form, was already waiting outside the lair, on the wide steps at the foot of the mountain top.

"My Lord, my King," the tall leader of the gnolls, now the commander of the regiment and the captain of the thousand, Yougu, bowed and saluted, and reported to Kalon: "The rewards for all the soldiers in the regiment have been issued, and every soldier has received the corresponding reward."

"The spouses, oh, families, of those warriors who died in the battle have also been settled down and are enjoying the preferential treatment stipulated by the territory. The nameplates worn by each warrior have also been collected and buried in the Cemetery of Heroes. Tombstones have been erected for memorial services..." The hyena told Charon about all matters related to the handling of the last war.

"Yugu, I promised you that you and your tribe have proven your loyalty and ability to me, and I will not be stingy with my reward."

After quietly listening to the words of his current capable subordinate, Caron slowly spoke.

The gnoll maintained a slightly bowed posture to show his respect for the Dragon King, which was also a way to alleviate the growing pressure from Kalon, but the heat in his eyes still exposed his desire and thoughts.

"I can give you dragon blood, but you must know what a real dragon's blood is. If you want to obtain it, you must bear its weight. Even if it is you, if you endure the refinement of dragon blood, there is only a 50% chance of success! And the price is death!"

Karon looked at the werewolf who was not in a hurry to speak but quietly waited for his next words. His thorny cheeks twisted slightly, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a slightly hideous smile.

"And you, Yougu, are now my trusted dependent, a capable subordinate, and a brave warrior. I don't want you to leave me so soon because of an unexpected failure."

Karon stared at the Jackal's movements, language and expressions, watching the Jackal's reaction.

Bang, this brave and wise gnoll knelt on one knee, and he responded in a low voice: "My Lord, it is my honor to serve you. I still have a few years of peak years, and I am willing to dedicate everything to you in these few years."

The gnoll raised his head, his blood-red eyes condensed with a firm will.
"I only hope that in my last years, my Lord will allow me to try and accept the glorious trial of dragon blood!"

“Heh,” Kalon pointed his dragon claws upwards and clenched them slightly. He laughed softly, “What kind of master do you think I am? A stingy ruler who squeezes out the surplus labor of his subordinates and makes them make mortal attempts when they are in decline?”

The gnoll Yougu was shocked, and immediately knocked his head heavily on the ground which had been pressed extremely solid by the Dragon's Nest. Although the gnoll did feel a little resentful, he never doubted the generosity of the red dragon in front of him.

He just felt that maybe he hadn't done enough, but he couldn't do better!
The jackal Yugu's voice trembled. He begged in a low voice, "Please forgive me, great master. Yugu did not have such thoughts! Perhaps it was only my greed that made me do such an offensive thing!"

"No, Yugu, every creature has its own desires. I will let all those who are loyal to me know that they will get the rewards they deserve."

A dark scale appeared on the dragon claw that Charon stretched out. It was an old scale shed by the red dragon, carrying his unique breath and mark.

He threw the token made of old scales to the gnoll who was kneeling on the ground and dared not get up, and then said in a deep voice: "I have another way for you, my loyal warrior, go, Yugu."

"Take my token and go to the Magical Integration Department to find Teach, the head of the Alchemy Department, and have him take you to withdraw a few portions of the Water of Life. This will extend your peak years and lifespan."

Karon turned and walked towards his lair, leaving his last words, "Tell Teach that I allow him to use Caedilos's dragon blood for potion research. This is also one of the guarantees for your future."

"Remember to follow Teach to find Caedilos. The young red dragon may still be rebellious. Protect Teach. He is a talent! But I bought him from the orcs for two silver coins!"

The overjoyed gnoll leader, Yougu, the war captain of the Dragon Territory, looked up suddenly, and in his red pupils there appeared something that the gnolls had never had before, that was tears!
Yugu knocked his head heavily on the hard ground, and responded with a trembling voice: "My Lord, my King, Yugu will be your loyal hound forever!"

The gnoll Yougu turned around, strode down the mountaintop, and walked towards the imperial guards who were guarding the stone steps leading to the dragon's nest.

A bat-winged dragon with gorgeous scales was staying behind the imperial guards and was being guarded by them. Although flying was forbidden on the mountain of the Dragon's Nest, those summoned by Charon were an exception.

This six-meter-long bat-winged flying dragon was now looking proudly at the halfway point of a mountain in the distance, where many flying dragons of its own species were flying up and down in the mountains and shuttling between the cliffs and caves on the mountainside.

Although these flying dragons were subdued by the dragon group, they were not allowed to climb to the top of the mountains.

And this bat-winged dragon, which served as Yougu's mount, climbed to the top of the mountains, so it was inevitable that it was a little proud, because even the king of the bat-winged dragon clan, Feilong Swift Shadow, could only build a nest on the mountainside.

"Let's go," Yougu put his index finger and thumb in his mouth and blew a loud whistle, summoning the flying dragon that was flapping its wings triumphantly. He turned over and sat on it, riding the dragon and rushing down.

Not far away, hundreds of flying dragons were chasing each other among the mountains under the setting sun, their speeds as swift as the wind and their wings as dense as clouds.

(End of this chapter)