Defeat the entire world with the power of one dragon!

Chapter 443 The Eye of Truth, A New Direction of Evolution, A Prophecy of Failure
"The goddess of fortune is not a deity known for her fighting prowess, and her priests are not particularly skilled in combat either."

"However, her extraordinary luck was enough to keep her away from all kinds of dangers and to help her avoid harm and seek advantage."

"If you want to see her, you should first try to reduce her lucky charm."

Red Iron Dragon pondered, "Perhaps... we could try contacting the Doom Cult, which has long been an enemy of the Church of the Goddess of Fortune? They specialize in curses and bad luck, and should possess special methods targeting the luck attribute."

Just then, Sorog's voice came through the mind link again, carrying a strange tone.

"Wait, we just received another message from over there."

"The Church of the Goddess of Fortune has made remote contact with the Messenger of Good Fortune on the continent of Aurotara and conveyed our invitation to her."

"She readily agreed, saying that she would finish her task as soon as possible and then travel to our Kingdom of Aura to see for herself our current development and to formally discuss cooperation."

Upon hearing this news, Galos remained silent for several seconds before letting out a wry smile.

This is really interesting.

A high level of luck should instinctively keep the holder away from danger, but the target is drawn to the flames on its own.

"According to what the lucky messenger said when she left, she gave a blessing to the dragons when she was in Riverwood."

"And for a period of time after that, I did indeed conquer several map bosses in one go very smoothly, saving a lot of time; moreover, the plan against the red dragon Gorsas also went exceptionally smoothly, with almost no mishaps... In the end, my luck became quite good during that period."

"What she said at the time was probably true, and given her personality, there was no need for her to lie about something like this."

"Upon careful consideration, if the Good Fortune Messenger hadn't chosen to forcibly take Valhalla, but had genuinely forged a good relationship with the dragons through that blessing... then I would probably place great importance on my relationship with the Good Fortune Priest."

Galos was thinking about another possibility.

Luck, in this world where gods and magic truly exist, is a real power, yet it is elusive and intangible.

It can subtly guide someone to avoid deadly traps and risks, or to some hidden opportunities.

However, it cannot directly make specific choices on behalf of the host.

If you make the wrong judgment and choice at a critical moment, even the greatest luck may turn into a fatal misfortune due to unforeseen circumstances.

According to tradition, the god of fortune and the god of misfortune share the same origin.

At this moment, Iron Dragon Sorog said, "Our messenger has responded as I instructed."

“The Kingdom of Aura does not need any other bishops to come. We can wait patiently until the Good Fortune Messenger, Aliya, returns before discussing cooperation with her.”

After a few more minutes of communication, Galos ended the telepathic communication session.

In the spacious open space, Hong Tielong calmed down and collected all his distracting thoughts.

Immediately afterward, he activated his berserk state.

Fine, menacing blood vessels appeared in the dragon's eyes.

An invisible and intangible surge of fury, powerful enough to stir up the violent emotions deep within the hearts of living beings, swept outwards from his dragon body in all directions.

He took a deep breath, focused his mind, and tried to control the invisible spiritual radiation originating from the mad fire.

Without a doubt, this is an extremely powerful skill, and even legendary experts cannot be immune to its effects.

Galos named it "Rage Radiation".

The reason he was able to successfully kill the powerful bronze dragon Siano was largely because Siano was under the continuous influence of the rage radiation. His inner rage was constantly ignited and amplified, and he eventually lost his mind and chose to fight Garros to the death.

If he had remained clear-headed and rational at the time, he would have had a good chance to retreat safely and avoid death.

As for the previous battle with those four human legends...

Hmm... that battle ended too quickly.

Before the effects of the raging radiation had fully taken hold and failed to affect their minds, Garros had already ended the battle with swift and decisive action.

This is precisely one of the obvious drawbacks of Fury Radiation.

It takes a relatively long time to take effect and gradually influence the target.

Therefore, Galos hopes to use this skill more skillfully through repeated practice, making it effective quickly, or even concentrating its influence on a single point to instantly destroy a target's sanity defenses.

This has become one of his current training focuses.

Time slipped away quietly amidst Hong Tielong's daily rigorous training, never pausing for anything.

In the blink of an eye, winter has fully descended upon the Serbian wilderness.

Countless snowflakes drifted down softly, fluttering down from the sky.

The snow and wind here, though not as fierce as in the northern ice plains or some border regions, instead blanket the Serbian wilderness in silver, creating a beautiful scene.

Meanwhile, above the Crimson Flame Royal City.

A flying shuttle, its entire body shimmering with soft magical light, pierced through layers of snow and, after being guided by the air patrol and having its identity confirmed, slowly landed on the spacious platform of the High Mountain Royal Court.

A woman with an extraordinary and refined demeanor, clad in a robe embroidered with intricate star patterns, gracefully stepped out of the flying shuttle.

She appears mature and elegant; time has left few marks on her face, only imbuing her with wisdom and a transcendent air.

She comes from the southern kingdom of Lorthen and is a very important figure.

The legendary mage, Margarita, is known as the "Star Speaker".

She was an astrologer, belonging to a special legendary path within the school of prophecy.

She can not only observe the subtle changes in the celestial phenomena to glimpse and predict the future, but she can also summon meteors from outer space to cause devastating damage, giving her many more powerful combat methods than those pure prophetic spellcasters.

During the war, her magic destroyed many enemy legions.

Led by several snake-woman attendants, Margarita passed through a magnificent passage supported by huge pillars and entered the main hall of the Dragon Court.

The space here is extremely spacious and the architectural style is magnificent.

Human figures appear extremely small in comparison to the massive architectural components.

On the throne forged from obsidian and dark steel, the Red Iron Dragon Emperor sat calmly.

His imposing and powerful physique, even without any movement, exuded an immense sense of oppression.

He lowered his eyes slightly, gazing at the legendary visitor who had come from afar.

Even as a legendary spellcaster, Margarita couldn't help but show a hint of amazement when she personally met the renowned Red Iron Dragon Emperor.

But she did not show any fear; she simply maintained an elegant and composed demeanor, with a slight smile on her face.

"Your Majesty Emperor Ignas, I have come to pay a visit to you and your kingdom on the orders of our Parliament, and to bring you the most sincere greetings from the Kingdom of Lorthene."

She gracefully performed the gesture of respect that monks exchange.

"Welcome to the Kingdom of Aura, Star Speaker Margarita."

Galos's voice echoed in the hall, saying, "The Kingdom of Aura will always remember the friendship shown by the Kingdom of Lorthen."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Margarita knew that dealing with this "Red Iron Dragon Emperor" was more effective in getting straight to the point than in lengthy formalities.

She took out the items she needed to deliver from her personal storage device.

It was a strange creation.

Two crystal balls, orbiting each other along a specific trajectory and rotating slowly, seem to contain countless fine, star-like runes inside, shimmering with a restrained and mysterious radiance.

"Your Majesty, according to our previous agreement, this item is the legendary artifact treasured by our country, the Eye of True Sight."

Margarita held it in her palm and introduced it to the dragon on the throne, "It has the miraculous ability to see through illusions, identify disguises, and analyze energy flows. It is exceptionally effective in detecting traps and discerning potential dangers."

Garros's gaze fell on the Eye of True Sight, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his dragon eyes.

“A fine creation, just what I need.”

He said this, while raising his paw as a gesture.

The dragonborn guard standing to the side immediately understood, stepped forward carrying a rather heavy-looking, specially made metal box, and opened it.

The box was lined with black velvet.

Lying quietly atop it was the legendary two-handed greatsword that had caused Garos considerable trouble. After being ambushed by the Dragon Cult, Garos had been pondering how to effectively improve his weaknesses in perception and awareness.

Finally, he remembered the way he had acquired his two combat forms, the Frenzy Form and the Blood Explosion Form.

By using powerful external tools as keys, they stimulate their own evolutionary talents.

So he traded the Flames of Despair with the Kingdom of Lorthen.

This weapon possesses a unique effect that is considered a nemesis of fire-based attacks, making it truly formidable.

However, it is ultimately designed for human users. For Garus, it is basically just a space-consuming decoration. It would be far more practical to exchange it for a more suitable tool that can make up for his shortcomings.

"It's yours now."

Red Iron Dragon said succinctly.

When Margarita saw the giant sword, a look of seriousness flashed in her eyes.

She placed the Eye of True Sight on another tray brought by the Dragonborn Guards, then stepped forward herself and carefully accepted the Ember of Pleasure using a specific magical technique.

The transaction was completed swiftly in a silent and solemn atmosphere.

Margarita's expression visibly relaxed a little.

She looked up at Garus on the throne again and said with sincere admiration, "Your Majesty, please allow me to express my personal respect."

"Your time to reach the legendary realm is not long, yet you were able to use the power of a single dragon to kill four legendary figures of the Scale Path who had plotted an ambush."

"Such a brilliant record is truly amazing."

"It is a wise move for Lorthorn to maintain a friendship with you and your kingdom."

Galos did not show much pride, but simply nodded calmly.

He said, "Strength is the cornerstone of maintaining one's own order and interests. The Kingdom of Aura pursues peace and development, but it is never afraid of any form of challenge."

After saying that, he looked at the Star Speaker in front of him with great interest and changed the subject.

"I have heard that the astrologers' lineage of prophetic magic is exquisite and can glimpse some tributaries of the river of destiny."

"Ms. Margarita, would you mind taking this opportunity to envision my future?"

Upon hearing this, Margarita's elegant smile remained unchanged, but she couldn't help but feel a slight chill in her heart.

Making prophecies for a powerful, legendary dragon or a monarch whose destiny is deeply intertwined is no easy task, and it even carries the risk of backlash.

On the other hand, this is an opportunity to further deepen the connection and trust between the two sides.

After a brief consideration, she made her decision.

"Since Your Majesty has given the order, I will do my best to try."

She bowed gracefully in response, then her expression became solemn and focused, entering another state.

The Star Speaker's hands were clasped together in front of his chest, as if cradling an invisible star.

Her eyes slowly closed, and she began to chant obscure incantations.

As her chanting echoed through the hall, specks of light, as dazzling as starlight, emerged and drifted out from between her outstretched hands.

Om-!
In an instant, a magnificent starry sky seemed to be projected above the grand hall.

Centered on the Red Iron Dragon Emperor seated on his throne, stars are connected by invisible lines, outlining a complex network. Astrologer Margarita's consciousness cautiously extends and explores the future dimension of time along these lines that represent the possibilities of fate...

However, the next moment, Margarita's expression suddenly changed.

What she "saw" was not the clear or complex fragments of the future she had imagined.

A thick fog shrouded Galos, preventing her from glimpsing any definite future.

Meanwhile, one after another, stars representing possibilities dimmed and went out, and the lines of fate connecting the future broke and dissipated like snapped strings.

"Well……"

Margarita let out a painful groan, her body swaying slightly uncontrollably, forcibly interrupting the divination spell.

The spectacular starry sky above the palace also vanished.

She opened her eyes, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead, and her breathing seemed somewhat disordered.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry... I cannot predict your future."

She said, her face pale.

Hong Tielong was slightly surprised.

He pondered for a moment, then asked, "An unpredictable future... what are some of the possible reasons behind that?"

After a moment's thought, the Star Speaker Margarita calmed the surging magic within her and cautiously replied, "There are two most likely possibilities."

"Firstly, your own destiny carries too much weight, and the essence of your life and the possibilities of the future are too complex and vast, exceeding the observational limits of my current predictive abilities."

"Secondly, there is a being stronger than me who intervened in advance and obscured your future trajectory."

The Red Iron Dragon Emperor was silent for a few seconds, then slowly said, "Thank you for your attempt, Lady Star Speaker."

"This result itself is very important information to me."

Margarita gave Garros a deep look.

The unfathomable and extraordinary nature of this Red Iron Dragon Emperor exceeded her previous assessment and imagination.

She took a deep breath, gave another graceful bow, and said, "It is my honor to serve you."

"It seems that Your Majesty's future is destined to be paved by your own hands, rather than determined by the stars."

Not long after, the legendary mage Margarita left the Kingdom of Aura, taking with her the Flames of Joy.

The legendary item, the Eye of True Sight, was kept and will soon become the key for Garus to attempt the next round of adaptive evolution and completely make up for his sensory shortcomings.

Outside the palace, snowflakes continued to fall silently, covering the ever-growing dragon city.

After some time, the Kingdom of Theo, feeling increasingly pressured by the continuous loss of its biological and human resources, finally could not hold back any longer and officially dispatched diplomatic envoys to the Kingdom of Aura, making a request that the Kingdom of Aura repatriate the intelligent creatures and monsters originating from the Kingdom of Theo.

Why would we spit out the human resources we've already taken in?
This request was naturally rejected by the Kingdom of Aura.

After that, the Kingdom of Theo never mentioned the matter again.

However, while the Kingdom of Aura was accelerating the establishment and improvement of its border defenses, the Kingdom of Theo was also constantly strengthening its military capabilities in its border regions and increasing the number of troops stationed there.

The commotion was quite significant, and there was no attempt to conceal it.

Meanwhile, in order to curb the continued loss of its biological and human resources, the Kingdom of Theo spared no expense in constructing high walls along its long border with the wilderness.

The border between the two countries is long and winding, with complex terrain.

Despite the extreme defensive measures taken by the Kingdom of Theo, there are still occasional determined intelligent beings or individuals who manage to overcome these obstacles and successfully reach the land of hope in their hearts.

However, objectively speaking, their measures have indeed effectively curbed large-scale population loss.

As a result of this event, the latent conflict between the Kingdom of Aura and the Kingdom of Theo was brought into the open.

Along the long border between the two sides, some small-scale but frequent frictions and conflicts have begun to emerge, and the atmosphere in the border area is becoming increasingly tense.

However, this applies to both the Red Iron Dragon Emperor of the High Mountain Court and the King and his staff in the capital of Theo.

Both sides' top brass are well aware that starting a war at this juncture would not bring any substantial benefits to either side.

One side is a newly established kingdom with everything in need of development and a stable environment; the other side has just ended a large-scale civil war, which has been extremely depleted and needs rest and replenishment, as well as a period of stability to recover.

Barring any major unforeseen events, both countries will exercise necessary restraint and keep the conflict confined to a small area.

The outbreak of a full-scale war seems highly unlikely at present.

While guarding against the Kingdom of Theo, Red Iron Dragon turned its attention to the permafrost tundra.

(End of this chapter)