As the conversation deepened, as ti flowed, and as Alberto spoke with increasing fervor.
The simple image of him as a brash youth was gradually filling in with richness, dinsion, and clarity in the heart of the Red Iron Dragon.
In essence.
Alberto was like a passionate young man born into privilege, yet to truly endure the harsh realities of ceaseless batterings and rciless grinding.
He possessed a burning ambition, held seemingly unreachable lofty aspirations, with a core that simred with a fierce defiance and discontent against a banal dragon life.
If one were to view dragon life as a grand ga.
The Evil Dragon, undoubtedly, starts at hell difficulty, where every step is accompanied by bloody thorns.
An ordinary tal Dragon, then, can be considered normal difficulty; although protected, one must still strive on their own.
While a Golden Dragon... especially one like Alberto, with pure bloodline and much favor, was nearly in a starter protection mode.
They are the natural darlings of the Dragon Race, bathed in the glorious favor of their ancestors and even the Dragon God Bahamut.
Growing in such an almost carefree, resource-rich, and bright environnt.
The ergence of an individual like Alberto, feeling life is too dull, hollow, and lacking challenges, thus yearning to break tradition, to be unconventional, to create sothing with one’s own hands... seems... not too difficult to understand.
As the atmosphere in the reception hall, under the catalysis of alcohol and confessions, beca much more harmonious than initially.
Seizing the pause in Alberto’s speech and his hearty drinking, Galos spoke again, steering the topic back to reality:
"So... about the compensation thod ntioned earlier, have you given it so thought?"
His voice was calm, devoid of any coercion.
Without much hesitation. Under the combined gaze of the dragons—Samantha stopped chewing, Trish licked her lips, and Solrog’s eyes were sharp as knives.
Alberto took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale all the surrounding air into his lungs.
The drunkenness on his face vanished instantly, replaced by an almost sacred solemnity and seriousness.
He straightened his dragon form, his voice deep and powerful, as if reciting an oath in the Holy Temple: "I, Alberto Aurelius, in the holy na of the great Platinum Dragon God Bahamut, hereby make an unbreakable vow—"
His golden vertical pupils swept across Galos: "I will undoubtedly repay all borrowed sums with interest within ten years!"
Upon hearing this.
The Red Iron Dragon shook his head almost imperceptibly.
What he wanted wasn’t just the compensation money, but the Golden Dragon itself.
Unfortunately, the other party was indeed a determined young dragon, far from those clueless, easily deceived fledgling dragons or young dragons.
Alberto had his deeply ingrained aspirations and almost obsessive principles; he was an incredibly stubborn Golden Dragon by nature.
Although this conversation brought them sowhat closer, establishing a slight semblance of mutual recognition... to truly "ta" him, to incorporate him into his system... was still as difficult as reaching the sky.
Nevertheless...
Galos didn’t feel discouraged or disappointed.
If Dragon Valley could gain another powerful Golden Dragon, it would naturally be a splendid bonus, but if not... it wouldn’t constitute any major loss for him either.
"The Border Area already has a lord like you in charge."
Alberto’s voice interrupted Galos’s thoughts, his tone tinged with a trace of regret, yet filled with new resolve: "Naturally, it is no longer linked to my original plans."
He paused, then continued: "However... the number of unclaid lands around is still substantial, I will plan otherwise."
"The Lothern Federation’s control over the Sel Wilderness is lting away like snow, I will likely venture into that wilderness full of opportunities and challenges, and there, personally establish the first territory under the governance of the Golden Law!"
Sel Wilderness?
The Red Iron Dragon pondered: "I have a suggestion."
He looked at Alberto and said: "Trying to reveal your talons, seize benefits, and showcase your own brilliance when the Federation’s great ship capsizes, will draw out countless powerful creatures like sharks slling blood."
"By then, the seemingly desolate Sel Wilderness will beco a battleground for countless ambitious individuals, plunderers, and erging forces."
"Of course, this includes myself, and the Molten Iron Tribe I represent as well."
Alberto targeted the Border Area as a springboard exactly because he sensed the enormous opportunity within the Federation’s internal turmoil.
And Galos, likewise, decided to return to the more chaotic but infinitely potential-laden Sel Wilderness after foreseeing this storm that will sweep across the south!
This world is never short of ambitious individuals.
Whether for power, for resources, for expansion, for survival... or for so grander ideals.
As ti passes, the number of powerful beings entering this chaotic land with similar thoughts will only increase.
To seize the greatest benefits in the upcoming, unprecedented chaotic situation, to occupy the most favorable position in this grand feast... Galos knew well that the preparatory work now must be done as thoroughly as possible!
For instance, securing a potential, powerful ally.
The young Golden Dragon in front of him, if pushed hard enough, could unleash its arcane scales, rivaling half of an adult Golden Dragon in a short ti.
He looked frankly at the young Golden Dragon, his words bluntly honest, almost naked: "At so point in the future, when our respective paths extend and expand across the wilderness, we may inevitably stand on opposite sides, becoming competitors, even adversaries."
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