The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases

The trading of Dragon Eggs and Dragon Whelps by dragons could also attract the attention of the Chromatic Dragon Queen, potentially even incurring divine retribution.

This vile behavior, if it were to become rampant, would be a serious crime impeding the 'propagation' of the Dragon Race.

Although Chromatic Dragons were unsure if the Chromatic Dragon Queen's divine portfolio included the concept of 'reproduction', all dragons knew that Tiamat held an obscure title in addition to Chromatic Dragon Queen and Scales of Evil.

Her Majesty, the Great Tiamat—Mother and Creator of all evil dragons!

Several hours later, Nifadora, somewhat puzzled and struggling to keep up, followed David with difficulty to a decaying area within a deep, secluded cave. They landed before a silent swamp at the base of a cliff.

The moist swamp before them emitted a nauseating, rotten stench. The eerie surrounding trees swayed in the wind, causing the scales of Nifadora, a young Green Dragon, to bristle involuntarily.

This was because it was the territory of a prime Black Dragon. For most dragons, adulthood marked an absolute watershed. A juvenile dragon and an adult dragon were entirely different concepts; the former was merely considered a local threat, while the latter was a walking catastrophe. White Dragons, of course, were an exception. For most of them, adulthood merely signified an emergence from ignorance, a nascent intelligence that barely set them above common beasts.

Although Nifadora had complete confidence in David's strength, she still didn't believe the two of them combined could directly challenge an adult Black Dragon.

Moreover, this was the territory of a... prime Black Dragon. And they were right in the heart of its lair. Provoking it could lead to unimaginable consequences.

But Nifadora also knew her Dragon Lord well: once he decided on something, he acted immediately. Just as she took a deep breath, preparing to step forward and speak, David's tail snaked around her waist, stopping her. David himself then bypassed Nifadora's attempt to shield him and spoke directly:

"Sovereign of the Duolinge Wetlands, Malice Incarnate, Lady Felicia, I, David Uthos, son of the Crimson Calamity, have come to pay my respects and request an audience."

The boundless swamp remained silent, yet it constantly emitted a disquieting aura.

David repeated his call, but there was still no response.

Just as Nifadora, ever vigilant for a deadly surprise attack, was about to stop David's reckless action and pull him away, a series of bubbles suddenly frothed up from the murky mud, as if something in the swamp's depths was stirring.

"Dragon Lord, be careful!" Nifadora cried, trying to position herself in front of David, but his tail once again coiled around her waist, holding her back.

Suddenly, a massive claw burst from the swamp, tearing free from the heavy mud. It slammed onto the cliff face with a thunderous impact, landing just a foot from David's body.

Then, another claw gripped the cliff's edge. Between them, a long, narrow, gaunt face surfaced from the water. Two fiery yellow eyes flickered in the dark like burning coals. In stark contrast, its body seemed to meld with the darkness. It was so colossal that as it rose, its vast wings unfurled, seeming to swallow all light within the cavernous swamp, as if to engulf the entire world in shadow.

Only when David's pupils narrowed to slits, his vision switching to darksight, could he make out the silhouette and details of the Black Dragon before him. Her black scales gleamed with a malevolent luster, and black filth oozed from the gaps between them, as if even the air around her was corrupted. Swamp weeds and mud clung to her neck, yet they couldn't conceal the terrifying aura she emanated.

Though to human eyes she might appear emaciated, like a skeleton, to David, himself a dragon, she possessed a different kind of stark beauty that captivated the draconic heart...

Hmm, she's a bit old, but still a beautiful dragon, David thought.

Seeing that this Red Dragon whelp showed not a hint of fear, she opened her massive maw, baring sharp teeth. Saliva dripped from between them, sizzling and burning a smoky patch upon the swampy ground. A low, feline-like rumble emanated from her throat, eventually coalescing into draconic speech:

"Heh heh heh... Prince David Uthos. You've only just entered your youth, yet you're already eager to challenge me, a prime dragon?"

David also grinned, saying,

"How could that be? I'm not ready to die just yet! I've merely heard of your renowned dominion over the Duolinge Wetlands and have long admired you. Today, I've come specially to pay my respects. Truly, here on the Continent of Skanis, you could even be considered an elder to my mother, Pafila."

Although she knew perfectly well that this 'Red Dragon whelp' before her was up to no good, hearing herself ranked as an elder to his renowned mother, the Crimson Calamity, still brought an inexplicable satisfaction to her heart. Yet, despite this inward pleasure, she could never admit it aloud. She retorted, feigning irritation,

"Hmph. This old Black Dragon has yet to find her Legendary Destiny; I don't have the audacity to be named in the same breath as the legendary Crimson Calamity. Speak plainly. Why have you suddenly come to my territory? If your request isn't too outrageous, I might consider it, for your mother's sake."