A Dragon against the Whole World

A few days later, the Red Iron Dragon took a short rest and regained his energy.

When he awoke, Deborah, who had reverted to her giant dragon form, was still curled up, breathing evenly, deeply asleep, with her scale armor shimmering softly in the light.

"It’s time to train."

The Red Iron Dragon stretched his body, the joints emitting a low, metal-like grinding sound.

He could clearly feel that, after the battle with the Legendary Sword Saint, his body had become more resilient, with some attributes improving.

"Engaging in a few more battles like this might become a strong catalyst for me to break through to the Legendary Domain."

He mused silently to himself.

Meanwhile, even before he could head to his usual training ground, a familiar and steady mental wave touched his consciousness.

It was Iron Dragon Solrog, who had sensed the Red Iron Dragon’s reawakening spirit and immediately initiated a mind communication.

"Galos, there is an important matter that needs to be discussed with you."

Solrog’s voice resonated directly in Galos’s mind.

Galos’s thoughts slightly stirred, and he responded, "Just in time, I also have some ideas. Let’s set up a mental network and take this opportunity to discuss the future development direction of the tribe."

He felt his mind was clear and agile at this moment, suitable for strategic planning.

"Gordon, you go ahead."

In the mental network, Solrog handed over the conversation to another blood relative brother.

Iron Dragon Gordon’s voice connected to the link, saying, "Galos, Alina asked me to convey a proposal to you—would you be willing to become the ’King of the Wilderness’ in the true sense, ruling over the entire Sel Wilderness?"

This was not just a question; it carried profound significance.

"King of the Wilderness..."

Galos repeated the phrase softly, falling into a brief contemplation.

Soon, Red Dragon Samantha’s sneer broke the silence first.

"Hmph! What nonsense is that little human woman talking about?"

"Galos just killed a Legendary! Who in the current Sel Wilderness would dare not fear our power, who would dare to openly challenge us?! If Galos wishes, he can declare himself king at any time without needing a ’proposal’ from a human princess, nor the recognition of their so-called kingdom!"

Her tone was filled with arrogance and a natural aversion to human interference in the wilderness affairs.

Iron Dragon Solrog said, "Samantha, calm down."

"The proposal from the Crystal Princess is not entirely without value and is worth our serious consideration."

"We must understand that ’King of the Wilderness’ is not merely a fanciful title or a pleasant-sounding name; it represents an accepted and legitimate rule and status recognized by the major kingdoms of intelligent species around us."

"Gaining this recognition can greatly reduce hostility and harassment against us."

"If we want the tribe to achieve long-term stable development, legitimizing ourselves and shedding the inherent image of a ’monster group lingering in the wilderness’ is a crucial step."

"Otherwise, no matter how strong we become, as long as we are always perceived by the outside world as a threat needing cleansing, there will continually be waves of crusaders posing various banners, leaving us no peace."

"A widely recognized ’king,’ a regime with legitimate status, can make our exchanges, at least trade, with other nations much more justifiable and smoother."

At this moment, the Red Iron Dragon spoke as the decision-maker.

"Compared to a nominal title, I am more concerned about the actual value it can bring."

He said to the Iron Dragon, "Tell Alina, I need a specific conversation to understand what exactly her so-called assistance entails."

"Understood."

Gordon responded concisely.

Shortly after, through some kind of magic, Crystal Princess Alina’s spiritual consciousness connected to the mental network.

"Lord Galos, esteemed giant dragons."

Alina’s voice was clear and calm, directly getting to the point, she continued, "I hope to establish a more stable and lasting alliance relationship with you and the Molten Iron Tribe you represent."

Galos: "In what specific way?"

An alliance is not empty words; he needs to know what Alina and the Lotheren Kingdom behind her can offer to the Molten Iron Tribe and what they hope to gain.

Galos was accustomed to laying both parties’ interests on the table.

After fully weighing the pros and cons, he would then decide whether to cooperate or seek negotiation space.

"Rest assured, the Lotheren Kingdom has no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of the Molten Iron Tribe, nor will they send a single soldier to the Sel Wilderness in an attempt to exert military control."

Alina seemed to have anticipated this question.

Her voice remained steady and sincere as she began to elaborate on four types of support she could offer.

First, formal diplomatic recognition.

The Lotheren Kingdom will be the first to publicly recognize and congratulate Galos as the only legitimate ruler of the Sel Wilderness, naming him King of the Wilderness, while using its influence to actively lobby and promote more countries to provide similar diplomatic recognition.

This will significantly enhance the status of the Molten Iron Tribe at the level of various nations, deterring certain kingdoms from using ’cleaning up unlawful lands’ as an excuse for harassment.

Second, free technical assistance.

The Lotheren Kingdom is willing to send its advanced alchemists, seasoned engineers, and learned scholar teams to be stationed in the wilderness for the long term to help the Molten Iron Tribe establish and perfect a complete alchemy industrial system.