GOT King of Dragon

After a brief interruption, the group resumed their journey in silence. 

They arrived at a canyon within the Craggy Mountain Range before the sun's heat became unbearable. 

A Dragon Guard traveling with them explained, "Active volcanoes carry the risk of lava eruptions. To avoid disasters, the adult dragons on the island usually build their nests deep underground nearby." 

"This canyon before us was once home to Warmisore and Silverwing. However, it was abandoned for unknown reasons," he added. 

Rega asked, "Shall we go in and take a look?" 

"There's no need for you to take the risk, Your Highness. We'll send the Dragon Guards to investigate," Cole replied, selecting a few guards to move into the canyon. 

Rega didn't object. Since it was a deserted nest, the chances of finding a dragon were slim. It wasn't worth his personal involvement. 

After some time, the dispatched guards hadn't returned, but two soldiers approached from the rear. 

The soldiers came before the group and bowed respectfully. 

"What news do you bring?" Rega asked. 

One of the soldiers quickly answered, "Lord Robert has located two young dragons. One is currently being held, and the other was found at Dragon Mountain." 

"Dragon Mountain is located on the west side of the active volcano. It's a region of towering, perilous peaks. Silverwing recently laid eggs there," the Dragon Guard explained. 

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" 

Hearing that Silverwing might be at Dragon Mountain, Rega immediately perked up. 

Cole bent down and whispered, "Your Highness, adult dragons roam Dragon Mountain. It's too dangerous for us to venture there." 

"We'll only search near the mountain. Lord Robert will also send people to assist. There's no issue," Rega reassured him. 

Rega was specifically looking for an adult dragon and had been waiting for an opportunity like this. 

He assigned one soldier to stay behind and wait for the guards in the canyon while instructing the other to lead the way. 

The two locations weren't far apart, and the group soon reached Dragon Mountain. 

Due to its proximity to the active volcano, the area appeared desolate, with charred black rocks scattered across the ground and no signs of life. 

The temperature was noticeably higher, reminiscent of a hot summer day. 

As they entered a cave within Dragon Mountain, Cole asked, "When will Lord Robert arrive? We don't have enough people to subdue a fiercely resistant young dragon." 

"He should be on his way, Sir," the soldier replied, sounding unsure but continuing to lead the way. 

The deeper they ventured into the cave, the hotter it became, and a foul stench filled the air. 

Rega looked around and pointed at the soldier, questioning, "Who gave you the message? Did you see Lord Robert yourself?" 

The soldier turned pale and replied uneasily, "Lord Robert is on his way, Your Highness. Please don't worry." 

Seeing his unease, Rega snapped, "Cole, seize him!" 

Cole immediately drew his sword and held it to the soldier's neck as the remaining guards pinned him to the ground. 

The soldier begged for mercy. "Your Highness, I'm not lying! The young dragons are really in Dragon Mountain, and Lord Robert will come, I swear!" 

"Gag him." 

Rega had no patience for excuses. The soldier's words were clearly unreliable. 

Frowning, Rega crouched and began arranging two small rocks on the ground. 

"This is the East Coast. This one represents the volcano, and this one is Dragon Mountain…" 

In Dragon Mountain, he cautiously analyzed the limited information available. 

The East Coast mentioned by Alison, the soldier's claim about young dragons in Dragon Mountain… 

It was all deliberately misleading. 

Rega murmured to himself, "The East Coast is a mix of truths and lies. The soldier lured me into Dragon Mountain—what's their purpose?" 

"It's certainly not to kindly guide me to the young dragons." 

Recalling the information about Silverwing laying eggs in Dragon Mountain, a realization struck him. 

"There's a high chance that Silverwing, who recently laid eggs, is in Dragon Mountain. They want to lure me here to face an enraged Silverwing!" 

The thought clicked in Rega's mind. 

Despite the potential danger, his fear of a plot gave way to an intense desire to tame an adult dragon. 

"If Silverwing is here, I can try to tame her!" 

He knew that a dragon who had recently laid eggs would be extremely aggressive, hostile toward any living being in her sight. 

Even so, he couldn't resist trying his luck. 

"Just a quick look—if it's too dangerous, we'll retreat!" 

With this cautious optimism, Rega approached the bound soldier and looked down at him. "The message said the young dragons are in Dragon Mountain?" 

"Yes! That's the intelligence from Lord Robert—I'm not lying!" the soldier pleaded in panic. 

"Who delivered the intelligence?" Rega pressed. 

"It came from a dragon handler under Lord Robert, someone he trusts greatly," the soldier explained. 

"Looks like someone bribed that handler," Cole interjected. 

Rega nodded. "I see. Someone has set a trap for us." 

"We should return and confront Lord Robert to uncover the traitor," Cole said grimly. 

--- 

**"No, we've already entered Dragon Mountain; there's no reason to leave empty-handed."** 

Reigar steadied his emotions, determined to continue exploring. 

Cole stepped in front of him, speaking sternly. "Prince, Dragon Mountain is extremely dangerous. I cannot allow you to put yourself at risk." 

*"Screeech~~"* 

As Reigar was trying to come up with an excuse to slip away, a painful roar echoed from deep within the cave. 

"Everyone, protect the prince and retreat!" 

Cole immediately reacted, sword in hand, shielding Reigar. 

*"Screeech~~"* 

The dragon guards formed a protective circle around Reigar as the roar sounded again. 

Reigar tugged at Cole's white robe, excitement lighting up his face. "Listen, that's not the sound of an adult dragon." 

Cole's gaze sharpened, and he tilted his head to listen carefully. 

Indeed, the roars continued to echo, but they lacked the deep resonance of an adult dragon. Instead, they were sharper, more immature. 

Reigar smiled. "That's exactly what we're after. Let's go check it out." 

Cole hesitated several times, but Reigar moved forward without waiting. 

Frustrated, Cole clenched his fist and issued an order to the dragon guards. "Bring that traitor along. If we run into danger, throw him to the dragon first." 

The guards hesitated, shaking their heads in panic, but their mouths were gagged, leaving them no chance to object as they were dragged along in despair. 

The cave was deep and winding, and Reigar navigated through the dim light, the young dragon's cries growing louder with each step. 

He didn't care if a young dragon truly existed. 

The mere possibility of its presence was enough to justify delving deeper into Dragon Mountain. 

Soon, the cave opened up into a massive cavern. 

Reigar pressed against the warm stone wall as he advanced, his eyes locking onto a restless beast ahead. 

It was a dragon. 

Reigar examined it carefully. The dragon's entire body was covered in pale gray scales, its wing membranes a translucent, light white. Its gray-blue slit pupils were filled with panic. 

"That's Shadowflame, Your Highness," one of the dragon guards who had caught up whispered, identifying the gray dragon. 

Sunfire and Shadowflame had both hatched from dragon eggs during the same period. Their sizes were similar, placing them in the category of juvenile dragons. 

Reigar gave no response, continuing to observe. 

Shadowflame's body, larger than a horse, sprawled on the ground, appearing massive. 

Yet at this moment, the dragon let out fearful cries. 

"He's injured," Reigar murmured softly. 

He noticed Shadowflame's painful, writhing movements. The pale gray scales, which blended seamlessly into the dim environment, were riddled with wounds, blood streaming freely. 

The most severe injury was to one of its wings. 

It had been almost entirely torn from its base under the ribcage, hanging limply on the ground and rendering it unable to fly. 

"He's gravely injured!" 

Reigar recalled the intelligence provided by Alisen, who had mentioned a fight between two young dragons on the eastern coast. 

It seemed she hadn't lied about that. 

Shadowflame's injuries were likely caused by Sunfire. 

*(End of Chapter)*