Chapter 274: Chapter 247: Pulling Chestnuts from the Fire, Only in Turmoil Does the True Dragon Emerge

"By the way, there’s one more thing to add."

When Galos mentioned the situation in the Eternal Frost Tundra, Iron Dragon Solrog reported with a serious expression, "The remnant soldiers of the Dawn Tribe and Ironblood Tribe who fled north, I have dispatched ground troops and Dragon Riders to pursue them."

"These remnants split into several small units, and during the pursuit, we eliminated some of them."

"However, a small portion managed to escape into the depths of the Northern Icefield. Considering the terrain limitations, I ordered the ground troops to withdraw, leaving only the dragons to continue the pursuit towards the Eternal Frost Tundra."

At this point, Solrog’s voice paused slightly, then lowered as he continued, "The subsequent chase was not smooth. Originally, three dragons entered the icefield, but only one returned safely."

"According to the surviving dragon’s account, they did catch up with a larger scale group of fugitives."

"However, during the battle with those barbarians, a group of Northern Barbarians suddenly appeared and chose to support and cooperate with the fugitives in a surprise attack against us, resulting in two dragons falling on the spot, leaving only one to escape with injuries."

After hearing Solrog’s report, Red Iron Dragon Galos’s forehead, covered in scales, slightly furrowed, and a glint of thought flashed in his vertical pupils.

The Boundary Region lies between the Eternal Frost Tundra and Sel Wilderness. As a buffer zone between the two major regions, its geographical position is very unique, being an area that neither side governs.

The main threat from the Sel Wilderness comes from the stationed Federation troops, like a giant sword hanging over all the monsters’ heads.

On the other hand, the Eternal Frost Tundra is occupied by the two major dangerous races, Barbarians and Giants.

Barbarians are a unique race fundamentally different from humans and beastmen.

Although similar in appearance to humans, biologically, they belong to humanoid species rather than close kin or branches of humans.

Unlike humans and beastmen who require postnatal professions, Barbarians often awaken their frenzy talent naturally. This innate ability allows them to directly transform anger into combat power.

The "Barbarian" path in the professional system is said to originate from the Barbarian race’s traits.

In the early stages of tribal development, due to difficulties in maintaining sanity during frenzied states, Barbarian tribes often face many developmental challenges.

However, once the tribe expands to a certain size, with an increase in Mages and Shamans, particularly outstanding leaders who can balance anger and reason, Barbarian tribes transform into formidable entities strong enough to contend with Frost Giants in the Eternal Frost Tundra.

"The Battle Cry Tribe and the Frost Giants in the Eternal Frost Tundra..."

"They not only have large scales but also have profound foundations, with a comprehensive strength comparable to a large duchy in the human world."

"The war between these two forces has been going on for a long time, with no clear victor yet."

Red Iron Dragon silently analyzed the situation in his mind.

The reason he could stand firm in the Border Area and claim kingship was largely due to the special geopolitical environment: the Federation troops adopted a laissez-faire attitude toward this buffer zone, and the Northern races only regarded it as a strategic buffer zone. The tribes that previously occupied this place were of no concern to them.

It was under such a background.

The rise of the Molten Iron Tribe unified the Border Area, turning this buffer zone into a potential threat, which would ordinarily attract hostility and suppression from Northern forces.

The current peace.

Is because the Barbarians and Giants in the Eternal Frost Tundra are caught in a quagmire of war, restraining each other, and temporarily unable to attend to changes in the Border Area.

However.

Once these two major forces cease hostilities and negotiate peace,

when they find that the strategic buffer zone between them and the Federation is completely controlled by the Molten Iron Tribe, they will inevitably strike with thunderous force, and with the current strength of the Molten Iron Tribe, it’s utterly incapable of resisting the joint attack of the Barbarians and Giants.

The reason is simple — both these forces have Legendary Level leaders in command.

The title of Galos as the King of the Borderland isn’t inherently stable; the Molten Iron Tribe merely seized the opportunity to rise amidst the cracks of various forces and still has a considerable gap compared to those true behemoths.

"Ultimately, the Border Area is just a transitional phase. I must complete the strategic layout for returning to the Sel Wilderness as quickly as possible while the Northern war hasn’t ended yet."

A sense of urgency surged in Red Iron Dragon’s heart, but he felt no panic.

The more equally matched powerful forces are, the longer the war usually lasts, making it difficult to determine a winner in the short term.

Currently, neither the Barbarians nor the Giants have resolved to gamble everything, and although small-scale conflicts continue, there’s a lack of decisive battles, and unless significant changes occur, this war may continue for a long time.

This buys Galos precious time for development.

"Come to think of it, it was precisely by taking advantage of the rekindled Northern war that I successfully seized control of the Border Area.

Now planning to return to the Sel Wilderness is similarly because of the impending internal chaos within the Federation, with war imminent."

"In times of chaos, the more tumultuous the situation, the more advantageous it is for an ’Evil Dragon’ like me to grow and thrive."

Red Iron Dragon lifted his head to gaze at the vast, endless sky.

A gust of breeze swirled dried leaves around him, a few leaves gently landing on his black-silver dragon scales. He took a deep breath and suddenly felt all the knots in his chest disappear.

In a time of peace.

A mixed-blood Red Iron Dragon like him, inherently bearing the label of evil and plagued by discrimination, would be hunted down as soon as he showed any prominence, forced to live a life of hiding and scraping by.

But now, times have changed.

Fight!

War!

Let the flames of war burn even more fiercely!

Let conflicts never cease!

Only in this way can he seize opportunities in a chaotic world and achieve a true rise.

At this point, Iron Dragon Solrog suggested, "I plan to set up more covert sentries and scouts near the Northern Border close to the icefield and equip them with advanced communication equipment. This way, should traces of Barbarians or Giants be discovered, we can receive early warnings immediately."

Red Iron Dragon spewed a scorching Dragon Breath, immersing in a mental exchange through the blood kin link.

After careful consideration, he responded, "Rather than passive defense, I prefer an active attack strategy."

"Solrog, the Northern Border does need an early warning system, but simultaneously we need to dispatch elites deeper into the Eternal Frost Tundra to gather intelligence."

"This way, should major changes occur in the tundra region, we can learn of it in advance and prepare early."

Currently, the war in the Border Area has ended.

The Molten Iron Tribe conveniently has suitable personnel capable of executing such infiltration missions.

As early as the Sel Wilderness period, the Molten Iron Clan began systematically cultivating members’ loyalty by promoting the greatness of the Master of Red Wings and the tribe’s benevolence to consolidate governance.

Never ask what the tribe can do for you; think more about what you can contribute to the tribe!

Loyalty! Absolute loyalty to the great Master of Red Wings!

The tribe’s benevolence is endless!

— Similar ideologies, subtly instilled over time, have now led to waves of new Clan generation fanatics pledging allegiance to the Molten Iron Tribe and worshiping the Master of Red Wings, with the Kobold population most prominent among them.

After careful consideration, Solrog decided to select and train elites from among these loyalists.

Then.

Secretly dispatch them to the icefield region, attempting to make contact with Barbarians and Frost Giants as spies or moles. Failing direct infiltration of these two major forces, they could alternately obtain intelligence from other Northern races.

He reported this plan to Galos, quickly gaining approval and endorsement.

Soon after, Galos unfurled his crimson wings and soared skyward.

As for the disposition of the Giant Deer Beast and its territory, it followed the same pattern as when subjugating the White Tiger: by dispatching guards from the Molten Iron Tribe to take control, while allowing the Wild Monster Lord to continue residing in its original place, but at any moment had to answer the tribe’s call to fight for it.

With the last Wild Monster Lord’s submission.

The final piece of the puzzle fell into place, and the Molten Iron Tribe finally completed its comprehensive control over the Border Area, with only one exception — that Abyssal Rift.

Days later.

A cold current from the icefield invaded the Border Area, large snowflakes fell thick and fast, soon draping the vast land in a silver coat.

On the Fertile Plain in the southwestern part of the Border Area,

White Dragon Trish and Mixed-blood Centaur Elvira led an elite force, constructing a tight defensive line centered around the Abyssal Rift, vigilantly guarding this perilous region day and night.

For a long time.

Due to the size limitation of the spatial passage, mostly Kuase Demons, Primordial Demons, Cowardice Demons, and other low-tier demons emerged from the rift. Occasionally, elite demons appeared, but they were no match for the combined strength of the White Dragon and Centaur leader, and were quickly eliminated, transforming into precious abyssal materials, bringing considerable revenue to the Molten Iron Tribe through the Gem Merchant Group’s trade network.