Chapter 328: Chapter 284: Bloodline (Mother and Child Safe; Thank You for Your Blessings) (2)

Gradually.

The image of a Giant Dragon, powerful beyond imagination, growing at an alarming pace, with a cautious and steady style... an absolute force that no power could underestimate, became vividly clear and real in her mind.

Alina’s gaze slowly lifted from the newspaper.

She looked again at the spherical figure before her, scrutinizing Gordon from top to bottom several times.

As if trying to unearth the bloodline evidence that could connect him to that Death Omen Star beneath his round exterior.

She hesitated a bit and said, "Gordon, are you sure... that the Dragon Race known as the Death Omen Star is really your own brother?"

She paused, the question in her tone intensifying.

"Are you two... truly close relatives flowing with the same source blood? No mistake?"

The implication was crystal clear: you two... isn’t the difference between you a bit too much?

One is decisive and ruthless in the wilderness, like a Demon King descending upon the world.

One is pampered in the Royal Court, grown fat like a ball.

"Of course! Absolutely!"

Iron Dragon Gordon’s response was firm and unyielding.

"There is no mistake whatsoever that similar blood flows within us."

Alina fell silent.

She repeatedly scrutinized Gordon’s eyes and expression, trying to catch any signs of falsehood, but all she saw was pure pride and undeniable certainty.

She recalled Gordon’s origin—indeed, he was discovered in the Sel Wilderness, a land full of primitive conflict and brutal laws far from civilized order, and brought back to the Royal Court.

After considering and querying the Iron Dragon for over ten minutes,

she gradually came to accept this seemingly absurd and bizarre fact.

"Sel Wilderness... Ignas Dragon Group... Abel Duchy..."

The Crystal Princess’s gaze turned deep and sharp, as if it penetrated the walls of the study and was cast upon the vast land full of variables at the edge of the Kingdom’s map.

All along.

A fierce unwillingness burnt night and day like a raging fire in her heart—she was unwilling to merely be an ornate vase adorning the Lothern Royal Court; she longed to prove her worth, to use her wisdom and power to do something useful for this Kingdom she deeply loved and that was now in a precarious state.

However.

She was in the very core of the Royal Court, and her noble status as Princess, while bringing a halo, also became a heavy shackle binding her hands and feet.

Her siblings, who were constantly eyeing the throne and considered her a potential threat or bargaining chip, set limits and blocked her at every turn using various rules and methods... At this moment, with the Federation’s undercurrents surging and the situation tense like a fully drawn bow, she found, with a sorrowful heart, that despite her lofty ambitions and the power of an Advanced Caster, she could do almost nothing substantial to touch the core or change the current situation.

But now.

Things seemed to be taking a turn.

"Gordon."

Alina’s gaze snapped back and refocused on the Iron Dragon, her voice becoming unprecedentedly solemn and clear:

"Regarding those blood relatives of yours, are they able to communicate and negotiate rationally and effectively? Would they be willing to consider accepting certain commissioned tasks from the Royal Court in exchange for specific resources valuable to them or sufficiently generous magic rewards?"

She asked the key question that would determine whether the collaboration could begin.

Gordon’s jaw muscles twitched subconsciously.

The words "Of course they are willing! They couldn’t ask for more!" were almost bursting out of his throat.

But just as those impulsive words were about to erupt,

he recalled the Red Iron Dragon’s advice: "Stay calm, Gordon, never let the other party easily see through our bottom line; let them propose their needs and show their bargaining chips first."

He swallowed that eager affirmation and swiftly put on a deliberative expression, even with a touch of difficulty and hesitation on his face.

The Iron Dragon was silent for a few seconds before speaking slowly: "They... well... are not the ignorant Evil Dragons driven by chaotic nature, only knowing destruction and plunder. They naturally possess basic intelligence and the ability to communicate rationally."

Then, abruptly changing his tone, he continued:

"However, perhaps due to their long-term residence on the fringes of civilization and in the Barbaric Land where order is breaking down, their behavior inevitably bears a strong wild and unruly air." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"Moreover, they have now developed an astounding enterprise, gathering many formidable monster followers under their command. They have already become a dominant force, a mighty Lord that surrounding forces dare not act against rashly. Their arrogance... I’m afraid is far beyond that of an excellent Iron Dragon like me, Gordon."

"Ordinary gold and jewels, common magic ores... have long lost their appeal to them. They have their independent grand vision and strategic plans for the future."

"They probably won’t easily or rashly accept commission requests from unknown forces—especially from the Human Kingdom."

Won’t accept rashly—which implies there’s a possibility of acceptance.

Alina was thoughtful.

The key to making them accept completely lies in... whether the offer is shocking enough, whether it is sufficient to move those proud leaders in the wilderness who have seen many ’big scenes’.

"Gordon." Alina’s voice regained its usual elegant composure, but with an added undeniable royal authority: "On my behalf, also representing the will of the Lothern Royal Court, convey a formal intention to your blood brothers."

"That is to say—"

"The Lothern Royal Court, with great sincerity, hopes to explore establishing a long-term strategic cooperative relationship based on mutual trust and mutual benefit with the powerful Ignas Dragon Group."