Chapter 633: The Age of Dragons Has Never Ended
The long winds of Arotala carried the scent of ancient forests, sweeping westward from the eastern mountains, crossing the Whisper Plains, brushing past the silver reed marshes along Moon Song Lake, and finally dissipating along the coastline.
The origin of this continent could no longer be verified.
But one thing was certain: its name came from the Elven mother tongue, meaning "the Land of Favor."
For countless years, Arotala had witnessed the rise and fall of Elven civilization, bearing the glory and suffering of numerous dynasties. When the Nausil Empire was born, Elven civilization reached its peak in Bernardo.
The invasion of Kantum, the infection of the Star Curse, the shattering of the elves' moon.
These disasters had temporarily diminished Nausil’s glory.
But only temporarily.
The people of Nausil believed that no matter what happened, the empire would always weather the storm.
This was the conviction they had accumulated from their long history.
At the same time.
Nausil's Solar Grand Knight, Thalamond, stood before a rage beast lair that had just been cleared.
The blade of his greatsword still bore dark bloodstains.
It was the blood of rage beasts, with a smell like a mixture of rotting leaves and scorched leather, strong and pungent.
Golden flames blazed to life, clinging to the blade and sweeping across his body, evaporating the tainted blood completely.
He flipped the sword and sheathed it on his back.
Thalamond surveyed his surroundings.
The lair was deep within a forest corrupted by the curse.
The trees had long lost their original form. Their branches twisted and contorted, their bark covered in black veins, looking like clawing, groping living creatures. The grass on the ground had withered.
Behind Thalamond stood twelve elven knights.
Without exception, they were all at the legendary realm.
They were Thalamond's elite, personally led by him deep into this heavily contaminated zone to surround and annihilate a group of rage beasts that had been entrenched here for years.
The battle had been fierce.
Now, the fighting was temporarily over.
An elven knight stepped out from the formation, came before Thalamond, saluted, and reported: "Report. Full headcount complete. No casualties! Three have minor injuries."
Thalamond nodded. "Good. Everyone, take a preventative dose."
At his command, the elven knights behind him immediately took out the Purification Potions they carried, uncorked them, and drank them on the spot.
As the liquid went down, relaxed expressions appeared on their faces.
This had become a habit for Nausil's warriors.
The most terrifying thing about the Fury Curse was the direct infection that occurred upon contact with blood.
Although that kind of infection was violent, it was relatively easy to guard against and prevent through protective measures. What was truly frightening was the gradual mental infection that occurred unconsciously during prolonged battles with the infected.
The former was fierce but visible.
The latter, however, was insidious and silent. By the time one noticed something was wrong, they were often already trapped in a vortex of rage from which it was difficult to escape.
Therefore.
Ever since the Purification Potion had been developed, elven warriors responsible for exterminating rage beasts habitually used one dose after every battle, just in case.
This had become part of the standard procedure, written into the combat manual.
Thalamond himself also felt a faint, elusive sense of irritability.
This feeling was very familiar to him. It was a sign that after prolonged exposure to the cursed environment, the Fury Curse was trying to infiltrate his consciousness.
The more powerful a being, the more perfect their control over themselves, and the lower the probability of being eroded by infection.
But this was only a lower probability. It couldn't guarantee complete immunity.
Thalamond clearly remembered that in the past, several elven knights at the legendary realm had been corrupted by the Fury Curse. Over trivial matters, they had harmed those close to them and had to be imprisoned and isolated.
Although they had all recovered now, they were still unwilling to talk much about the pain of that time.
Just in case.
Thalamond also took out a Purification Potion, uncorked it, and drank it down.
As the liquid slid down his throat, he felt a wave of warmth spreading through his body, like a warm stream flowing from his throat to his stomach, then extending to his limbs and bones.
Then, the irritability seemed to be gently smoothed away by an invisible hand.
His consciousness instantly became clear and sharp.
The entire process was very gentle, without any discomfort, like drinking a warm cup of floral tea when tired.
Thalamond closed his eyes, feeling for a few seconds, and after confirming his physical condition was completely normal, he opened his eyes and put the empty bottle back into the leather pouch at his waist.
He couldn't help but marvel again.
The Purification Potion was truly effective, whether in its instant purifying ability or its comfort of use, it was perfect.
The scholars of Nausil must have poured countless efforts into this potion.
"Cleanup complete. Prepare to return."
Thalamond issued the order.
The knights quickly formed up and began the return journey in their established formation.
Along the way back, Thalamond saw many signs of recovery.
Tender green shoots emerged from the withered meadow, in clumps and clusters, like a green velvet carpet laid over the earth. Goose-yellow leaf buds sprouted from the bare trunks.
A few forest elk galloped by in the distance, their graceful figures flickering in and out of sight among the shadows of the trees.
They stopped, warily watching this group of outsiders.
After confirming there was no threat, they continued along their familiar paths and soon disappeared into the depths of the forest.
All of this told Thalamond.
The war was receding, and peace was returning.
But he knew in his heart that true peace was still far away.
As long as the Cataclysm Storm still roamed the lands of Arotala, and the curse-infected rage beasts still raged through the mountains and forests, Nausil would never know true tranquility.
But fortunately, the Cataclysm Storm was being eliminated inch by inch.
When the elves arrived at the city gates, the setting sun was perfect.
The royal city sat on the shore of Moon Song Lake, a city of miracles that blended natural and man-made beauty.
The elves were not fond of building cities with boulders and steel.
They preferred to carve out space within ancient forests, allowing buildings to coexist with trees, and streets to run parallel with streams.
The core area of the royal city was a vast silver-leaf forest.
Those silver-leaf trees required dozens of people to encircle with their arms. Their canopies blocked out the sun, forming a natural dome. Sunlight filtered through the layers of leaves, casting dappled light and shadow on the ground, breathtakingly beautiful.
The elves' palaces, residences, council halls, and the like were built among the branches of these giant trees.
Some buildings were almost completely suspended.
They were supported only by a few wooden structures extending from the tree trunks, looking like bird nests floating in the air.
Using magic, the elves evenly distributed the weight of the buildings onto the tree trunks, without harming the trees, while creating astonishing spaces.
Thalamond ordered the knights to return to camp for rest, while he himself went straight to the palace.
Queen Issezeia was waiting for him in the council hall.
"Thalamond, you're back."
The queen looked up, her gaze falling on the Solar Grand Knight.
She said, "I heard from the front lines that you personally led another clearance of a rage beast lair. Your efficiency always reassures me."
"Your Majesty."
Thalamond knelt on one knee, pressing his right hand to his chest plate, performing the standard knight's salute.
"The rage beast lair in the eastern forest zone has been completely eliminated. None of our legendary knights were lost, only three sustained minor injuries. They will recover soon."
"Well done."
Issezeia nodded slightly, approval in her eyes.
She said, "Each clearance brings Arotala one step closer to rebirth. You must have seen on your way back that many purified areas are recovering their vitality."
"The withered trees are sprouting again, and the animals that disappeared have returned to their habitats."
"All of this is thanks to you."
After she finished speaking, the Elven Queen's expression turned serious. "But the Aola Empire has brought bad news."
Thalamond was slightly taken aback, then straightened his body, waiting for her to continue.
"The message said that our Purification Potion might have hidden dangers."
The Elven Queen's voice lowered. "The Aola Emperor himself said so. He suggested we immediately stop using the potion and quarantine all personnel who have used it for observation."
"His wording was quite serious and earnest, not a casual warning."
Thalamond's expression hardened.
He had just returned from Atlan and had a deep impression of the Red Emperor.
That man definitely wouldn't make jokes lightly, especially on such a major issue.
But the potion had problems?
Thalamond pondered for a moment. "When I was in Aola, I gave the Aola Emperor twelve doses of the Purification Potion. Perhaps he discovered something through those potions that we previously overlooked."
The Elven Queen asked, "Have you used the Purification Potion?"
Thalamond replied frankly, "Frequently. All the warriors responsible for exterminating rage beasts have used the Purification Potion, without exception. Some warriors even use it daily because they are stationed long-term in contaminated areas."
The Elven Queen fell silent.
A few seconds later, she asked again, "Have you noticed any problems with the potion? Any physical discomfort, or abnormalities in consciousness?"
Thalamond shook his head, his tone resolute.
"None at all. My physical condition is completely normal, and all test indicators are without anomalies."
"None of my knights have reported any issues either."
"If the Purification Potion truly had any serious hidden dangers, we long-term users should be the first to notice."
He paused briefly here, then continued.
"Perhaps Aola doesn't understand the Purification Potion very well."
"They just established their empire and have only been exposed to the Fury Curse for a short time. They might be overly cautious about this curse-purifying potion. After all, the Red Emperor himself seems to have some special connection to the Fury Curse. His attitude toward this matter is bound to be extremely prudent, even sensitive."
Thalamond believed in his heart that the Red Emperor wouldn't speak without cause.
If he said the Purification Potion had a problem, he must have his reasons.
But Nausil was the nation on this planet that had faced the Fury Curse the longest and had accumulated the most experience in dealing with it.
The Purification Potion had undergone rigorous testing before being put into use, personally overseen by the most senior alchemical scholars and the most powerful immortals.
There was no reason they couldn't find the problem, only for the Red Emperor to spot it after getting his hands on twelve doses.
"I think so too."
The Elven Queen said, "After receiving the message, I immediately consulted the opinions of two immortals."
Thalamond listened attentively.
"They personally inspected the Purification Potion again and also examined the elves who had used it."
"Their conclusion was that the potion is normal. It can effectively dispel the Fury Curse and restore the infected to health. They found no problems."
Hearing this, the last shred of doubt in Thalamond's mind vanished.
The judgment of immortals was authority.
If there were truly any hidden dangers, they couldn't have failed to find them. If even immortals couldn't detect a hidden flaw, then no other legendary powerhouse could possibly notice anything.
The Elven Queen wasn't finished.
Her gaze was deep. Looking at Thalamond, she said slowly, "Even if the potion really has some potential problems, we can no longer turn back."
Thalamond was silent.
"From front-line soldiers to rear-area civilians, all our people who have come into contact with contaminated areas, including pillars of the empire like you, have almost all used the Purification Potion."
"If we need to quarantine..."
"That means quarantining more than half of Nausil's population. This doesn't even include those who have had indirect contact with users. If we truly wanted a complete quarantine, the entire Nausil might have to be locked down."
"That is practically impossible to execute."
Thalamond's eyes showed deep thought. He considered for a moment, then said, "Any powerful potion can have side effects. Perhaps the Red Emperor's judgment is correct. Our Purification Potion isn't perfect, and it has some flaws we haven't yet discovered."
He lifted his head, looking seriously at the Elven Queen, his gaze firm.
"But the current problem is that the Cataclysm Storm is still here."
"If we stop using the Purification Potion right now, what will happen to those who are infected?"
"As long as we can eradicate the Cataclysm Storm and bring peace back to Arotala, even if the potion really has some aftereffects, that is an acceptable price to pay."
"The most important thing for us now is to win this war first."
"Other issues can be solved slowly after the victory."
Issezeia was also thinking.
After a long while, she looked at Thalamond and said, "You're right."
"The most urgent matter right now is the Cataclysm Storm. This disaster has lasted far too long, and we have paid too high a price. Now is the most critical moment."
She stood up, walked to the window, and looked out toward the city.
"Everything else must be set aside for now."
"Once the Cataclysm Storm is completely eliminated and Arotala regains its vitality, we will have plenty of time to research, improve, and make amends. But right now, our enemy has not yet fallen."
"We cannot give up the hope before us because of a potential danger that hasn't been confirmed."
The Elven Queen shifted her tone slightly. "However, we cannot ignore the Aola Emperor's warning either. Although he doesn't know our specific situation, his insight and judgment are beyond doubt."
Thalamond nodded in agreement.
The Elven Queen continued, "I will have the scholars continue researching the Purification Potion's mechanism of action, exploring as deeply as possible any potential hidden effects it may have. At the same time, we will conduct long-term observation of personnel who have used the potion and regularly check their physical condition."
"We can prepare for all possibilities without stopping the use of the potion."
Thalamond bowed. "Your Majesty is wise."
"Go now, and rest well."
The Elven Queen said, "Nausil still needs you."
"The clearance mission in the Emerald Forest is just the beginning. The next phase of the elimination plan is already being prepared and will be delivered to you soon."
"Understood."
Thalamond stepped back a few paces, then turned and strode out of the council hall.
By now, night had fallen.
Nausil had no curfew.
Even at night, many elves still walked along the lush streets. Some were heading home, others simply out for a stroll, enjoying the cool night air.
On the shore of Moon Song Lake.
Thalamond arrived here and saw a young elven couple walking side by side.
The wife was holding her partner's arm, her head gently leaning on their shoulder. Their steps were slow and synchronized, as if dancing to the same song, each step hitting the same rhythm.
Both had smiles on their faces.
The wife occasionally looked up and said something to her partner, who would turn to listen, and then they would laugh together.
The laughter was very soft, but in the quiet night, Thalamond still heard it.
At the same time, Thalamond noticed that the female elf's face was somewhat haggard, with faint red lines still visible under her eyes.
These were traces left by the erosion of the Fury Curse. Although the curse had been purified, the marks still needed more time to completely fade.
But her smile masked that haggard look, appearing very bright under the moonlight.
And such smiles, Thalamond had seen many on his way back to the city.
The Purification Potion had pulled countless elves back from the clutches of rage, allowing them to return to normal life and to their families.
This was Nausil now.
Rising from the ruins of war, stepping out from the shadow of the curse, slowly regaining its vitality.
The silver-leaf reeds by the lake rustled in the night breeze.
Watching all this, a faint smile involuntarily tugged at the corner of Thalamond's mouth.
Just as dawn will eventually break through the night.
He believed that Arotala would definitely become better.
..........
The gathering place of the metal dragons, the Everbright Dragon Domain.
A gentle breeze blew, stirring ripples across the surface of the Tranquil Sea. Layer upon layer of fine ripples pushed each other, spreading far into the distance, finally disappearing at the edge of the horizon.
On the surrounding shoals, waves rolled in and receded.
Back and forth, neither hurried nor slow, like the dragon domain itself, ancient and serene.
The gold dragon, Karus, coiled in the middle of the shoal, his eyes half-closed, as if in feigned sleep.
Not far away.
Two small figures were lying on the beach.
One was a little gold dragon, his scales like freshly minted gold coins. The other was a little silver dragon, slightly smaller in build than his companion.
Both were descendants of Karus.
More precisely, they were his second-generation descendants.
The two little ones were engaged in a heated argument.
"Is there even any need for discussion?"
The little gold dragon's voice was high-pitched. "The strongest great dragon in Bernardo is, of course, our Gold Dragon King of the Everbright Dragon Domain, and our ancestor!"
"This is beyond doubt! No discussion needed!"
The little silver dragon listened quietly, then shook his head.
"I revere the Gold Dragon King. The King's protection of us, his guardianship of the metal dragon race, none of the metal dragons will ever forget."
He paused, then continued.
"But if you ask me who is the strongest great dragon in Bernardo, my answer is the Red Emperor of the Aola Empire."
Mentioning this emperor, the little silver dragon's eyes lit up, his admiration written plainly on his face.
His speech quickened. "In just a few hundred years, he rose like a comet, establishing a vast and magnificent Dragon Empire on Atlan... His legends are too numerous to count."
Upon hearing this, the little gold dragon shook his head seriously.
He stubbornly said, "No, no. You're wrong."
"The Red Emperor has already ascended to godhood. He's not in our comparison. But if he hadn't ascended, he definitely couldn't match our Dragon King."
The waves gently pushed the fine sand on the shoal, making a soft rustling sound.
Karus quietly listened to the two little ones' argument, thinking about some things.
When he was younger, he had fought the Red Emperor.
It was during a certain Dragon Domain Championship, many, many years ago.
Back then, he was not yet in his prime. He was full of youthful vigor and fighting spirit.
His scales were a dazzling gold, each one shimmering with invincible light under the sun, as if the entire world's focus should be on him.
He thought he was strong, and indeed he was.
Karus fought his way through countless competitors, reaching the finals. Every match he won was clean and decisive.
Then, he met the red iron dragon from the wilderness.
He lost.
He lost decisively, and very reluctantly.
But now, years later, looking back on that battle, his feelings were completely different.
Time was the most wondrous alchemist.
It slowly distilled the bitterness and irritation of youth, leaving behind something often entirely different.
When an opponent from one's youth soars across the sky, so high that one must crane their neck to see the trail of their wingtips across the heavens, then defeat is no longer a disgrace.
Quite the opposite.
It was called a glorious defeat.
Karus lowered his massive head, looking at the two hatchlings. "Have you two argued enough?"
Hearing this, the little gold dragon and the little silver dragon immediately shut their mouths, turning in unison to look at him.
Karus said, "The Red Emperor and the Gold Dragon King are both pillars of the dragon race. Arguing here about who is stronger is meaningless."
His gaze swept over the two hatchlings as he continued. "Without the Red Emperor, the world would have long forgotten how dazzling the glory of the dragon race could be."
"They thought the age of dragons was over. Some even thought great dragons were just beasts dozing on hoards of gold coins in their caves."
"At that moment, the Red Emperor used his claws, fangs, and flames to declare to this world, making the races who had almost forgotten the dragon race's glory remember one thing again—the great dragons have never left the center of this world!"
"We have never truly stepped down from the stage!"
Karus's voice was calm and unhurried, but it stirred the hatchlings' hearts.
"Our Dragon King, he chose another path."
"He chose to stay, to guard the Everbright Dragon Domain year after year, day after day, protecting the metal dragon race, holding up a sky for us that is undisturbed by the outside world."
"The outside world is in turmoil, with wars and conflicts never ceasing, but we don't need to worry about them."
"Because the Dragon King stands in front of us, shielding us."
The sea water washed over Karus's hind claws, then slowly receded. He said earnestly, "Different paths can lead to the same great summit. Remember, the Red Emperor and the Gold Dragon King are both role models for our kind and the pride of our dragon race."
After hearing this, the little gold dragon looked up.
A spark of curiosity flashed in his eyes. He couldn't help asking, "Grandpa Karus, I've heard some dragons say that you once fought the Red Emperor?"
"Is it true?"
Karus slightly raised his jaw.
He didn't usually bring up this topic, but since the conversation had come to this today, he didn't intend to avoid it.
"Yes."
"Really?"
The little silver dragon also leaned in, asking curiously, "What was that battle like? Was it very intense?"
Karus slowly exhaled, his expression solemn. "Of course. The battle was extremely intense."
"In that battle, we fought for tens of thousands of rounds."
"From sunrise to sunset, and from sunset to sunrise. The arena's barriers were shattered three times by us. The dragon elders in charge of maintaining order had to continuously reinforce them, gasping for breath."
"In the end, I lost by a single move."
This was a lie.
But Karus certainly couldn't say he was beaten without any ability to fight back, could he?
That would be too embarrassing.
Hearing their grandfather's words, both little dragons' eyes went wide.
These words pieced together a grand and spectacular picture in their minds.
They could almost see two powerful great dragons fiercely clashing above the arena, their dragon breaths intertwining, dyeing the sky gold and red.
But soon, a look of doubt appeared in their eyes.
The little gold dragon tilted his head, looking at Karus with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Grandpa..."
He dragged out his voice. "You're not exaggerating, are you? Would the Red Emperor really need that much effort to beat you?"
The little silver dragon nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "My father said that when dragons get old, they tend to exaggerate stories from their youth. You can't believe everything."
"Especially battle stories. Just believe half of them."
Karus's eyes bulged.
"You two little things..."
He was about to let loose, but the momentum just as he was rising suddenly stopped.
Because the sky split open.
A massive spatial rift was torn open out of thin air, as if an invisible giant hand had ripped a hole in the sky's fabric.
In the next instant, many dragon roars sounded from all directions.
The legendary great dragons coiled in the Everbright Dragon Domain noticed the change and let out warning growls.
But when they saw the figure emerging from the spatial rift, they stopped their low growls.
Red-iron scales like red-hot branding irons. A majestic figure whose shadow swept across the sea surface, enveloping the pebbles and reefs on the shoal in a swath of darkness. Eyes deep and bright, like two blazing stars of fire.
Only one dragon in all of Bernardo possessed such posture and aura.
The King of the Sacred Aola Empire.
The Godslayer, the Blasphemer, the Undying Dragon, the Scarlet Emperor Cangxing...
The dragons' hostility dissipated. Some even slightly lowered their heads in respect.
Karus looked at that figure, his pupils slightly contracting.
The two little ones beside him were completely dumbfounded. The very subject they had just been arguing about had now appeared before them without any warning.
The red iron dragon's gaze pierced through the surrounding ranks and finally landed on the shoal.
He noticed Karus.
Folding his wings, he descended from the sky. His massive, imposing body landed on the shoal, splashing up a spray of water, mere hundreds of meters from Karus.
One was gold, the other crimson red.
The former was like a warm, ancient golden artifact; the latter was like steel tempered in countless bloodbaths.
The two little dragons pressed tightly against Karus's side, not daring to breathe.
The red iron dragon's gaze moved from Karus to the two hatchlings, then back.
He said, "Long time no see, Karus."
"I really miss that battle back then. It was one of the few bouts that truly satisfied me."
"Come visit Aola sometime when you're free."
"We can have another match. A spar between old friends. It's not about winning or losing, just about having a good time."
Garoth remembered him, his challenger.
More importantly.
When Aola was founded, Karus, in the name of the Gold Dragon King's descendant, had personally attended to congratulate Aola on its establishment.
Back then, in the era of strife among the Romania nations.
Aola had used the banner of the Dragon Domain, surviving in the cracks, walking on thin ice, before gradually growing strong amidst the Romania nations.
This goodwill was especially precious.
And great dragons mostly cared about dignity.
So, in front of these hatchlings, to give Karus some face, Garoth didn't mind at all. In fact, one could say he was happy to do so.
Karus gazed at the red iron dragon before him.
The Lord of Molten Iron of those days was now the Emperor of an Empire. All of Atlan existed under his shadow.
His power, status, and reputation were at their zenith.
But at this moment, in front of his own descendants, and in front of Karus himself, he didn't use any condescending posture to speak to this former loser. He even gave him full respect and preserved his dignity...
The gold dragon straightened his chest and said solemnly, "I will go."
The red iron dragon smiled slightly. "Aola will welcome your arrival. You can come alone, or you can bring other dragons with you. The metal dragons of the Everbright Dragon Domain will be welcome in Aola."
The gold dragon said, "It would be my honor."
His voice paused for a moment, then he asked seriously, "But you didn't come to the Everbright Dragon Domain today just to catch up, did you?"
"Our Dragon King rarely shows himself."
"I am now one of the elders of the Everbright Dragon Domain. If you have something to discuss, you can tell me."
Garoth's gaze passed over the gold dragon, sweeping across the entire domain.
He said, "It's nothing."
"I just remembered that I haven't been here for many years. The last time I came, I was too hasty. My mind was only on winning and losing. I didn't get to appreciate the scenery here properly."
"But recently, for some reason, I keep thinking about old times."
"So I thought I'd come and have a look around the Everbright Dragon Domain."
Garoth looked at the gold dragon before him. "Karus, would you be willing to show me around the domain?"
Karus turned his head and glanced at the other metal dragon elders.
They gave him a slight nod.
Karus turned back. "Of course."
With that, he turned and looked at the two descendants hiding behind him.
The little gold dragon and the little silver dragon were still trembling, not daring to lift their heads.
The Red Emperor's might was too overwhelming. Even without deliberately emitting his dragon might, his awe-inspiring, powerful physique and the reputation he had accumulated over the years made these young dragons dare not look directly at him.
"You two, stop being a nuisance here."
"Go find somewhere cool to stay. Go do whatever you need to do."
The two little dragons felt as if they had received a pardon. They scurried away in a flash.
Karus spread his wings. "Please follow me."
"The Everbright Dragon Domain has many places worth seeing. You won't be disappointed."
Garoth followed by his side.
Two great dragons, one gold and one red, took flight together, soaring toward the depths of the Everbright Dragon Domain. The shoal behind them returned to tranquility.