The difference between Dragonewt and Dragon lies in the latter possessing a true dragon form.
Among the nearly one hundred lizardn present, about a third successfully evolved into dragons.
Lesser Dragon, dium Dragon, Elent Dragon, and above them all, the Dragon Lords!
Their rank wasn't determined by combat strength but by the origin they inherited.
Take fire as an example.
Ordinary fire dragons and red dragons are considered lesser dragon.
Above them are specialized dragons born from variations of the fire elent, such as blaze dragons, fla dragons, or inferno dragons.
These are dium Dragons.
Elent Dragons are unique.
Examples include mantle dragons, magma dragons, or ash dragons.
Their hallmark is the ability to create a vast domain centered around themselves, transforming the environnt within to suit their nature.
As for Dragon Lord…
Dragon Lords erge from Elent Dragon or Archdragon.
In theory, any Elent Dragon has the potential to beco a Dragon Lord.
The prerequisite is awakening the Dragon Lord factor and receiving the blessing of a True Dragon!
"No matter."
Damien said, "Consider this your reward in advance."
"We will complete your task without fail!"
Souka recalled the price Damien had ntioned earlier.
But this ti, her heart was filled with even greater sha.
If they had fought the Western nations as re lizardn, it would indeed have been a life-or-death pledge.
But now, they had evolved!
For Souka and the others, facing the Western nations posed little challenge.
In truth, it was Damien's care for them.
'I must repay this kindness in the future!'
With no other choice, Souka silently vowed to rember Damien's generosity.
She also thought of the mockery from Soura, Sourei, and Soumin.
But this ti, she didn't bla them.
In her current position, she wouldn't dare use the power granted by Damien to provoke the kijin.
All Souka could do was earn rits to prove to the kijin that the lizardn... no, now Dragonewt... weren't shaless opportunists!
'One day, I'll lead Dragonewt to surpass the kijin and earn the favor of the Dragon God of Creation!'
"…"
Damien could hear so of his familiars' thoughts, especially when they concerned him.
But he said nothing.
Competition, as long as it was constructive, was a good thing.
"Next, follow Rimuru's orders. Don't disappoint ."
With that, Damien vanished from their sight.
"Yes!"
At that mont, Souka would have willingly died for Damien without hesitation.
"Congratulations, Miss Souka."
"We were rude earlier. Please don't take it to heart, Lady Rimuru."
Souka had learned of the grievances between the lizardn and Damien. She now wished she could tear Gabiru apart!
When Souei ca to recruit them, the process had been flawless.
But Gabiru, in his arrogance, acted alone.
Even if he couldn't see the bigger picture, he should have at least brought Souei to the chieftain for a decision.
Instead, Gabiru's unilateral actions drove Souei away, costing the lizardn a golden opportunity to join Damien early.
Now, so many lizardn had been led to ruin by Gabiru.
'Gabiru!!'
'You disgrace of the lizardn!!'
To think they could have followed the kijin as Damien's second retainers.
But Gabiru's hubris and arrogance caused them to miss this chance.
In the end, not only were they outdone by the kijin and tengu, but even the goblins and Star Wolves surpassed them, leaving the lizardn as the bottom rung of the forest's monster tribes.
Sigh…
What was done was done. No amount of resentnt toward Gabiru would change it.
"Please allow to head to the battlefield and rally the surviving lizardn."
Souka was ntally prepared for so of her people to die.
She didn't bla Damien... in fact, she thought he was too rciful.
If it were any other powerhouse, ignored and insulted like that, the lizardn would have been wiped out entirely.
How could they get off with just purging Gabiru's loyalists and sacrificing so lives?
All Souka could do now was act quickly.
She needed to save as many of her people as possible, allowing them to break free from their lizardman shackles and evolve into dragon, just as she had.
"Alright, let's move out."
With Rimuru's words, a massive teleportation array enveloped the Dragonewt and Dragons.
In the next mont, they vanished from the underground prison.
Half an hour earlier…
"All forces, halt!"
Gabiru, leading nearly 30,000 lizardn, called for a stop.
He gazed at the cliff ahead, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Gabiru-sama?"
Seeing him pause, his loyal followers hurried forward to inquire.
"Ahead…"
Gabiru said, "I rember that's the forest wetlands, right?"
The forest wetlands were a basin-like valley with lush grass and abundant water, a favorite spot for many herbivorous creatures.
However, the layout was peculiar.
Resembling a teor crater, it was surrounded by a ring of cliff-like stone walls, with only two entrances on the east and west sides for passage.
"Yes, Gabiru-sama."
One of his followers asked, "Is sothing wrong?"
"No, nothing's wrong."
"Lord Gelmud even considered the environnt we lizardn prefer."
"Truly worthy of Lord Gelmud!"
Without much suspicion, Gabiru ordered the advance. "Push forward. Once we cross this valley, we'll rest in the forest wetlands!"
The lizardman tribe numbered around 37,000.
At Gelmud's request, Gabiru had brought everyone except the truly weak and elderly.
Due to the rushed preparations, their equipnt was subpar.
Only about 8,000 were fully ard with elite gear, while most wore simple leather armor.
As for weapons…
They used whatever was available.
If push ca to shove, the lizardn's own claws and teeth were decent weapons.
Thus, Gabiru led his 30,000 lizardn through the mountain pass into the forest wetlands.
It was just before dawn, the sky dim, with thick fog shrouding the area, making it impossible to see far.
***
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