To prevent the princess’s status from being neglected.

She deliberately invoked the name of the Lothern Royal Court.

This was both an exhibition of utmost sincerity and respect, as well as a silent declaration to the other party: the one about to converse with you is not a princess seeking private assistance, but rather... a kingdom entity with supreme authority and vast resources! This alone is enough to make even the proudest Dragon Lord... lower their posture slightly and seriously weigh the astonishing value behind the proposal.

Of course, they might harbor doubts.

But at the very least, it could earn her a chance for dialogue.

"Alright! Leave it to me!"

Upon hearing this, Iron Dragon Gordon immediately lifted his dragon head and promised boldly:

"My blood relatives value my opinions and views greatly, they have immense respect for my judgments. Since it’s you—Alina, wanting to forge a collaboration with them, I, Gordon, will surely spare no effort to act as a bridge between both parties and strive towards achieving this."

"Then, I’ll leave this matter entirely in your hands, Gordon."

The Crystal Princess nodded slightly.

Having said that, she seemed to finally set aside the burden in her heart, relaxed her body, leaned gently against the cold and hard, steel-like scales of Iron Dragon Gordon.

She casually picked up a heavy tome with a moonstone-embedded cover, elegantly flipped open its pages, and quietly began to read, as if the conversation that could change the kingdom’s fate earlier was just an ordinary afternoon interlude.

Yet, her gaze did not linger long on the pages, evidently, her thoughts had already flown to that vast land known as the Sel Wilderness, to those dragons.

Border Area, Dragon Valley, Burning Steel Castle.

After some remote communication and internal discussions, primarily aligning with the Red Iron Dragon’s thoughts, the core members of the Ignas Dragon Group... finally confirmed the next detailed action plan for the Molten Iron Tribe’s formal advance towards the Sel Wilderness.

The enormous war machine of the tribe is about to start roaring.

First stop: Scale Earth Rift!

With Viscount Thorn’s death, this trade route’s control had been reclaimed by his family’s higher echelons, and with the reputation initially maintained by the Molten Iron Tribe, it continued operating, turning into a relatively prosperous trade route.

The choice of this spot.

Is not only to wash away past humiliations and reclaim former ventures.

But also because this place is located at the border of the Sel Wilderness.

Suitable as a bridge to continue advancing into the Sel Wilderness.

As for the Raymond Duchy’s pursuit—unless those higher-level Federation presences intervene, their stationed troops in the Sel Wilderness are not necessarily stronger than the Molten Iron Tribe.

The warriors of the Molten Iron Tribe, and the dragon group commanding them, are already prepared for a fierce battle with the Federation Country.

However, on the specific strategy of "whether to establish cooperation with Crystal Princess Alina," Red Dragon Samantha expressed evident confusion and resistance.

In the invisible blood kin network, Samantha’s voice resounded, brimming with undisguised aversion.

"Why? Why must we cooperate with those humans? I feel it’s entirely unnecessary, from the bottom of my heart, I disdain those bald, scale-less little crawlers.

"Samantha, calm down."

He responded: "Because... she can bring us gemstones."

"And not just any gemstones, but a continuous stream of endless, top-quality gemstones, enough to fill our treasury."

"Not just gemstones... the channels she represents can provide us with other rarer, more precious resources, sometimes hard to buy on the market, like solidified black oil crystals, those top magical marvels only found in the kingdom’s secret vaults."

After a few seconds of silence.

"Hmph."

Samantha initially let out a habitual cold snort, followed by a subtle yet swift shift in tone: "But, that aside."

"Those hairless, scale-less human things... upon closer inspection sometimes... appear quite adorable? Round eyes, soft looks."

"Yes, appropriate contact can be made, as long as they respectfully offer enough gemstones."

At this moment, Iron Dragon Solrog said: "Gordon has responded!"

Gordon’s loud voice, carrying clear credit-claiming undertones, immediately resonated in every blood relative’s consciousness.

"Brothers! Alina is very interested in collaboration, her attitude is extremely positive, with a strong intention for cooperation."

Upon hearing Gordon’s report, Galos nodded slightly, showing neither excitement nor enthusiasm.

Towards Crystal Princess Alina’s positive response... he had long anticipated it.

From the very beginning, through Gordon’s line, deeply understanding this princess’s character and situation, Galos had constructed a portrait for her in his mind.

It was a magical firework trapped in a crystal-like magnificent cage, burning with a desire to spread, yet struggling to find a fuse to ignite.

And now.

He had handed out the fuse.

As long as the princess’s initial intent remains unchanged, the passionate fire of not willing to be a mere ornament, longing to serve the nation, remains unextinguished, she will surely choose to grasp it tightly.

"Alina is still waiting for my response. She wants to know our initial intentions. Should we... agree to her? Give her a definite answer now?"

"No rush."

Galos smiled slightly, saying: "Let her... wait a bit longer."

In any negotiation, trade, or cooperation... mastering initiative is crucial for the final distribution of benefits and a matter of utmost importance.

And in the competition of patience and endurance... often the side better able to remain calm and appear less anxious... ultimately seizes that decisive initiative.

As soon as Galos finished speaking.

"Gordon! Listen up, you idiot with your head full of fat!"

Red Dragon Samantha roared harshly: "Don’t let your romantic-mindedness ruin our good dealings!"

"If that foolish fascination with human little worms of yours causes us to lose gemstone veins or black oil crystals... watch out for me stripping your scales, pulling out your tendons, and roasting you like a pig on a volcano, I guarantee, the aroma will make the entire tribe of kobolds drool for three days."

Samantha’s form of concern is always so ’warm.’

"Tch——!"

Iron Dragon Gordon immediately let out a mocking scoff, as if hearing the most absurd joke in the world.

"Stupid red dragon! Muscle-headed Samantha, what do you take me for? Those ignorant crawlers lost in the romantic plots of knight novels, blinded by love?!"

"Yes, I am infatuated with Alina, but it’s like an obsession with gemstones, with wealth, not based on foolish emotions."

He declared with conviction: "I know what to do, so you can put a hundred hearts at ease."

ps: The surgery went smoothly, mother and child are safe.

During the recovery period, we’ll stay in the hospital for a few days and then recover at home, need to start earning money for milk powder, first requesting a monthly ticket, planning to update furiously after a few days.