Translator: AnubisTL
She had asked the pivotal question that would determine whether a partnership could even begin.
The muscles in Gordon's jaw twitched involuntarily.
The words "Of course they would! They're desperate for it!" almost burst from his throat.
But just as this impulsive reply was about to erupt, he recalled the red-iron dragon's warning: Keep your cool, Gordon. Never let the other side see our bottom line so easily. Let them be the ones to state their demands and show their hand.
He forced the eager affirmation back down his throat, his face swiftly shifting to an expression of deep deliberation, tinged with a hint of reluctant hesitation.
The iron dragon fell silent for a few seconds before speaking slowly, his tone deliberate. "They... well... are not those foolish evil dragons who follow their chaotic nature, knowing only destruction and plunder. They naturally possess basic intelligence and the ability to communicate rationally."
His tone then shifted.
"However, perhaps because they have long inhabited the wild, lawless fringes of civilization, their conduct is inevitably tinged with a fierce, untamed nature and an unyielding arrogance."
"Moreover, they have already built a formidable empire, commanding a vast host of powerful monster retainers. They are now mighty lords who dominate their own territories, striking fear into the hearts of all who dare to challenge them. Their pride... is likely far greater than even my own, the exceptional iron dragon Gordon."
"Ordinary gold and jewels, common magical ores... these have long since lost their allure for them. They have their own independent, grand visions and strategic plans for the future."
"They will likely not readily, or rashly, accept a request from a foreign power—especially one from the human kingdoms."
Not readily—meant there was still a possibility they would accept.
Eileen fell into deep thought.
The key to winning them over lay entirely in whether the price she offered was shocking enough—and compelling enough—to sway the proud lords of the wilderness, who had seen it all before.
"Gordon," Eileen's voice regained its usual elegant composure, yet now it carried an unquestionable royal authority. "On my behalf, and as the voice of the Lothurn Royal Court, convey a formal proposal to your blood kin."
"Tell them—"
"The Lothurn Royal Court, with the utmost sincerity, wishes to explore the establishment of a long-term strategic partnership with the mighty Ignis Dragon Clan, based on mutual trust and shared prosperity."
She deliberately invoked the name of the Lothurn Royal Court, fearing her status as a princess alone would not be enough to command their respect.
This was not only a gesture of the highest sincerity and regard, but also a silent declaration: the one they were about to negotiate with was not a princess seeking personal aid, but... a kingdom entity possessing supreme authority and vast resources! This would be enough to make even the proudest dragon lords... lower their guard slightly and seriously weigh the staggering value hidden behind this proposal.
Of course, they might still be skeptical.
But at the very least, it would win her a chance to speak with them.
"Excellent! Leave it to me!"
Hearing this, Gordon the Iron Dragon immediately raised his head, his voice ringing with a solemn vow.
"My kin hold my opinions and judgments in the highest regard. Since you, Eileen, are the one seeking this alliance, I, Gordon, will spare no effort to act as your intermediary and ensure its success."
"Then I entrust this matter entirely to you, Gordon."
The Crystal Princess nodded slightly.
With her words, she seemed to finally shed the heavy burden from her heart. Her body relaxed as she leaned back, resting gently against Gordon's hard, cool scales—scales that felt as if they were forged from fine steel.
She picked up a thick tome bound in moonstone and elegantly turned its pages, reading quietly. It was as if the conversation she had just concluded, one that could alter the very fate of the kingdom, had been nothing more than a casual afternoon interlude.
Yet, her gaze never truly focused on the words. Her thoughts had already flown far away, to the vast expanse of the Sierre Wilderness, and to the dragons that dwelt there.
Frontierlands, Dragon Valley, Burning Steel Citadel.
After a period of long-distance communication and internal deliberation, the core members of the Ignis Dragon Clan—guided primarily by the red-iron dragon's vision—had finally finalized the detailed next steps for the Ironforged Tribe's formal advance into the Sierre Wilderness.
The Tribe's massive war machine was about to roar to life.
First stop: Scaly Earth Rift Road!
Following Viscount Thorn's death, control of this trade route had been reclaimed by his family's superiors. They continued to operate it, leveraging the reputation the Ironforged Tribe had initially built up through its maintenance, and it had already become a relatively prosperous trade route.
Choosing this location was not only to avenge their past humiliation and reclaim their original foundation.
It was also because this place was located on the border of the Sierre Wilderness.
It was suitable as a bridge for their continued advance into the Sierre Wilderness.
As for the Duchy of Raymond's pursuit—unless higher-level Federation entities intervened, their garrisoned forces in the Sierre Wilderness were not necessarily stronger than the Ironforged Tribe.
The warriors of the Ironforged Tribe, and the dragon pack that commanded them, were all prepared for a fierce battle against the Federation State.
However, when it came to the specific strategy of whether to establish a partnership with Crystal Princess Eileen, Red Dragon Samantha showed obvious doubt and resistance.
Within the invisible bloodline network, Samantha's voice rang out, filled with undisguised disgust.
"Why? Why must we cooperate with those humans? I don't think it's necessary at all. I despise those featherless, scaleless little crawlers from the bottom of my heart."
"Samantha, calm down," he replied. "Because... she can bring us gems."
"And not just any gems—a continuous, inexhaustible supply of top-quality, high-grade gemstones, enough to fill our vaults."
"Not just gems... The channels she represents can also provide us with other even rarer and more precious resources that are difficult to buy on the market even with money, such as solidified black oil crystals, those top-tier magical oddities that exist only in the royal treasuries."
After a few seconds of silence.
"Hmph."
Samantha first snorted habitually, then her tone underwent a subtle yet rapid shift: "But, then again..."
"Humans, those hairless, scaleless little things... sometimes, if you look closely... they're actually kind of cute? With their round eyes and soft, squishy bodies."
"Hmm, we could even interact with them a bit, as long as they know how to show their respect by offering enough gemstones."
Just then, the Iron Dragon Solgorn announced, "Gordon has replied!"
Gordon's booming voice, laced with obvious credit-seeking, immediately echoed in the minds of every blood kin.
"Brothers! Eileen is very interested in a partnership. Her attitude is extremely positive, and she has a strong intention to cooperate."
Hearing Gordon's report, Garos nodded, showing little excitement or thrill.
He had already anticipated Crystal Princess Eileen's positive response.
Ever since he first used Gordon as a channel to delve deeper into the princess's personality and circumstances, Garos had already constructed a portrait of her in his mind.
She was a magical flame imprisoned in a magnificent cage-like crystal dome, her heart burning with a desire to ignite a prairie fire, yet she suffered from not being able to find the fuse to light it.
And now.
He offered the fuse.
As long as the princess's original aspiration remained unchanged—as long as the fire of her passion, her refusal to be a mere ornament and her desire to serve her country, had not been extinguished—she would surely seize it with all her might.
"Eileen is still waiting for my reply. She wants to know our preliminary intentions. Should we... accept her offer? Give her a definite answer now?"
"No rush," Garos said with a slight smile. "Let her... wait a little longer."
In any negotiation, trade, or partnership... seizing the initiative is a crucial matter that directly affects the final distribution of interests.
And in a contest of patience and composure... the party that can remain calm and appear less desperate is often the one who ultimately secures that decisive advantage.
Just as Garos finished speaking—
"Gordon! You fat-brained idiot, listen up!"
The Red Dragon Samantha roared viciously, "Don't let your lovestruck brain ruin this for us!"
"If your pathetic, foolish infatuation with that little human worm causes us to lose the gem vein or the black oil crystals... just you wait. I'll strip you of your scales, pull out your tendons, and roast you over a volcanic vent like a pig. I guarantee the aroma will keep the entire kobold tribe drooling for three whole days."
Samantha's form of "concern" was always so warm.
"Pfft—!"
Iron Dragon Gordon immediately let out a scoff of derision, as if he'd just heard the most absurd joke in the world.
"You foolish Red Dragon! Samantha, you muscle-brained lout, what do you take me for? One of those ignorant crawlers who gets swept away by the romantic tropes of knightly novels, blinded by love?!"
"Yes, I am obsessed with Eileen, but it is an obsession akin to that for gems or wealth, not one rooted in foolish sentiment."
He spoke with unwavering conviction. "I know what I'm doing. You can rest easy."
(End of the Chapter)
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