A Dragon against the Whole World

Galos stood silently atop the heights, taking in the full operation of the Land of Dragon Forging.

He saw the Dragon Forging Essence slowly circulating in the pool, the energy conduits rhythmically pulsing. The warriors undergoing transformation endured their pain yet remained orderly, while the Corpse Demon Mages controlled every aspect... all of this formed a painting of meticulous order.

Galos nodded slowly, revealing a hint of approval.

He turned to the solemn Seraphina and Ludwig beside him and said, "The operations of the Land of Dragon Forging are performing quite well. You two have not disappointed me."

Upon hearing the approval and praise from the King of Molten Iron himself, the Black Dragon and the Green Dragon both showed signs of joy.

Immediately, they almost simultaneously lowered their heads, responding, "All of this relies on your guidance and support! We merely carry out your will and execute your plans, acting as the extended claws and arms of your will."

They showed no arrogance, attributing their achievements entirely to Galos, their attitude extremely earnest.

Galos’s gaze swept over them, speaking in a calm tone, "There’s no need to be overly modest."

"Though you are still in your youth, the contributions you have made to the Dragon Group are by no means negligible, even surpassing many adult dragons."

Several of the young dragons whom he saved personally in the past are now doing quite well.

The Black Dragon and the Green Dragon are in charge of important Dragon Forged Transformation matters; the Blue Dragon and the Red Dragon are expanding territories for the tribe in the Eternal Frost Tundra.

These four, although not directly participating in the war on the wild front, play significant roles within the overall structure of the Dragon Group.

"To earn your recognition is our greatest honor."

The two young dragons responded in unison, their voices mixed with reverence and undisguised delight.

Galos’s gaze moved away from the area of Dragon Forged Transformation to Seraphina, "Where is the soul casket placed? Take me there."

His visit to the Dragon Forging base this time had another purpose aside from inspection.

A few days ago, he received news from Black Dragon Seraphina.

After a long period of nurturing by the soul casket, the soul of the Flower Knight Shire Haines, who died in battle for him, had gradually awakened from chaos and regained a clear consciousness.

A few minutes later, under the guidance of the two young dragons, the Red Iron Dragon stepped into a heavily guarded chamber.

In the center of the room, that familiar soul casket was quietly placed there.

The Red Iron Dragon stepped forward, extended a claw, and slowly opened the lid of the casket.

As a wave of cold, negative energy surged out, a solid-looking spectral image of a soul emerged from the casket, the face strikingly that of the fallen Flower Knight in the battle with Gorsas — Shire Haines.

At first, he looked at the Red Iron Dragon somewhat blankly, then his eyes gradually focused, becoming bright.

"Lord Galos..."

The ethereal voice of the soul echoed softly within the chamber, "Meeting you again in such... intangible form must indeed amuse you."

The Flower Knight’s spectral image showed a bitter and helpless smile.

Galos looked at him, a semblance of a smile spreading across his draconic face, and said, "At least in this form, you have escaped the bondage of that frail flesh. A human’s transient and fragile body holds little worth in nostalgia."

Have you ever been human? How can you be so sure it’s not worth reminiscing?

Shire’s soul wanted to ask this question, but in the end, countless words boiled down to a long, complex sigh.

"I had envisioned countless endings for myself..."

Shire’s voice carried recollection and emotion, "Perhaps it would have been the exhaustion of my lifespan, closing my eyes peacefully amid the cries of my grandchildren; or a fierce battle with an equally matched foe, where after a brutal struggle, I would fall honorably at the last critical moment."

"But I never could have predicted that my end would come with a single fatal blow, shattered into pieces."

He shrugged helplessly, though this gesture seemed a bit odd for a soul body, "You’re right, a human body does have its limits, it is indeed too fragile."

Reflecting on that battle, Shire’s swordsmanship and attacks had indeed struck the frenzied Red Dragon Gorsas, even leaving several injuries. Yet for the thick-skinned Giant Dragon, they were merely superficial wounds.

Whereas he himself, hit squarely by just one full-force attack from the other, was instantly shattered.

At this moment, the Red Iron Dragon slowly spoke, posing the crucial question: "Do you now wish to return to the earth for rest and reincarnation, or do you prefer to continue living in your current state?"

If he chose death, given Shire’s resilient soul, there was a high probability he would be drawn to some higher plane, possibly reincarnating as a naturally powerful celestial being.

But the cost would be that all his memories from life would be completely erased, severing all ties with his past.

As for continuing to exist in a soul state, besides a few extremely special secret techniques, the most common way is to become an undead, which also comes with a steep price.

Shire’s spectral soul visibly wavered, falling into silence and hesitation.

After a few seconds, he raised his head and asked with a hint of hope, "My wife, Beverly... is she well? Is she still in this world?"

Galos nodded gently.

Before coming here, he had specifically looked into the status of the related followers.

"Your wife Beverly has undergone Dragon Forged transformation." Galos stated calmly, "She still retains her youth and vitality. In addition, she has given birth to two children for you, one a human boy, and the other has inherited her mother’s bloodline as a snakefolk girl. They now live in Ximu Town, serving as local security leaders, contributing to the maintenance of the tribe’s order."