The Red Dragon Just Wants To Do As It Pleases

"A young Red Dragon, most likely our target for this trip, the offspring of the Crimson Calamity. Why won't you let me shoot him down directly, Lady of Strategy?"

A human, whose massive stature and height of 2.4 meters could easily qualify him as a giant among men, looked on with some regret as David flew away into the sky.

Even though he had already ascended to the Divine Realm, a young Red Dragon was still quite infamous on the Elariya plane. Taking some parts from it as a reward to bestow upon his descendants in the material plane seemed like a worthy gift.

The pathway to the Hall of Valor grew narrower by the day. He had to spur his descendants to quickly complete the trials set by the War God and ascend to the Divine Realm by the most impeccable path, so as not to become the laughingstock of the members of the War God's fellowship.

Hearing the warrior's question, the statue at the prow of the ship emanated a divine light from its pupils:

"According to my intelligence, the Crimson Calamity Pafila is a special Red Dragon, hatched and raised by a Brass Dragon. Hence, she likely carries some traits of the Metal Dragons."

"Albert, should you kill her offspring here, she would most likely fly into a rage. A Red Dragon in the throes of fury is not conducive to accurately assessing intelligence..."

Sensing that the Red Knight was about to repeat that same argument, Albert, whose ears had practically grown calluses from hearing the same speeches while rushing between different planes for ten years, quickly raised his hands in surrender:

"I get it, My Lady! I'll shut up now—immediately, right away!"

In Albert's eyes, the Lady of Strategy's mouth was certainly on par with a Brass Dragon's—even though he had never actually given a live Brass Dragon the chance to open its mouth.

But he could understand her position. After all, as a Demigod and the Lady of Strategy serving the War God, she was like a general strategizing from behind the scenes. At this very moment, she could be overseeing hundreds or even thousands of different planes, remotely commanding countless Godchosen like him. They roamed across various planes like scattered Scouts, sifting through all the 'suspects.'

In his mortal life, he was indeed an unbeaten champion of countless battles, the founder of the Luocheng city-state, the King of Eutonius, an undying legend. He was handpicked by Kurgis, one of the former War Gods, to be a Godchosen. Even after the magnificent war between pantheons, he did not perish but was instead chosen by the ultimate War God, Tempas, to enter the Hall of Valor and become a member of the War God's fellowship.

But even as a 'living legend' of the past, present, and future, he had to remain humble before the gods.

It was the gods who granted him immortality in his mortal form.

It was the gods who allowed him to recognize his own ordinariness anew.

Even one as strong as him, Albert, when placed within the War God's fellowship and the vastness of the Hall of Valor, could not always maintain an undefeated status.

There are truly countless warriors of extraordinary strength in this world.

However, as they neared Skanis on the Old Continent of Elariya, and Albert saw four other ships arriving and gathering almost simultaneously, along with the 'old acquaintances' on their decks, he was shocked:

"Are we about to face an ancient Red Dragon?"

"An adult Red Dragon," the Lady of Strategy corrected.

Then, as an astonished Albert opened his mouth to speak, she added:

"A Red Dragon that entered legend shortly after reaching adulthood and also acquired the title of Crimson Calamity on the Elariya plane. Four experienced legendary individuals would normally be a reasonable deployment. However, considering this Red Dragon is a follower of 'Tiamat,' to prevent any unforeseen incidents, we must include a champion warrior strong enough to withstand my Lord's descent as a contingency."

Albert clearly understood that he was that contingency, and his heart felt somewhat eased.

While the War God's Godchosen were numerous, those capable of directly withstanding the descent of a powerful deity were few and far between.

Such direct descents, without any preparation, often required sacrificing a follower's physical body.

For priests or mages of other pantheons, such as those serving nature or magic deities, this type of sacrifice might not be significant.

Yet, for warriors like them, it was an exceptionally heavy price to pay.

For a warrior, a body 'forged' through countless hardships and trials, long accustomed to battle, was even more important than a Divine Artifact.

"Let's see which old buddies are here?"

"The mighty warrior Hackett Sashasta, hmm, paired with the 'Dust Universe Barricade'—a competent frontline shield warrior."

"Dragon Spear thrower Alex Flint, hmm, with the 'Spear of Thunder'—a fine armor-breaker."

"'Steel Dragon Sword' Derek McRead?"

"Well now, 'The Sword of the Red Dragon's Bride,' Reese Calder."

Not a single 'nobody' among them.

"Plus me, Albert, with my 'Descent of the Heavenly God'..."

"Tsk, with this lineup, I feel we could even take on a deity's avatar."

Albert looked at his old companions across the sea, who returned his smile. He took a deep breath and murmured to himself:

"Alright, we can declare it now. If that Red Dragon is the thief who dared to steal divinity, then nothing can prevent the death of that Crimson Calamity."

"Even if the Chromatic Dragon Queen herself were to descend, we'd have enough time to slay that Red Dragon a dozen times over before She arrives."

It was just a pity. They had been disappointed far too many times already, and not a single battle had allowed him to fight to his heart's content.