Chapter 62: Chapter 63: Awakening (III)
The bounty for the Red Dragon had been raised to ten thousand gold coins. In the Northern Countries, that amount of money was considerable, but it also represented a fortune in the prosperous Empire of Fadlan to the south and the affluent Victoria Port near Moon Bay—even more so for these impoverished adventurers.
This amount was enough to allow a fledgling Mage to construct his own Mage Tower. It could also enable a warrior to purchase a set of magic equipment that could be passed down through generations.
Perhaps due to deliberate publicity by the Rackman Family, the Ashen Nest had been depicted as a perilous yet affluent realm.
Rumor had it that within that Dragon Valley lay the treasure of a greedy Red Dragon, with endless gold coins flowing from the valley. Despite no one taking the Bard’s exaggerated tales seriously, it indeed left adventurers with the illusion that the Ashen Nest was a “symbol of wealth.”
This enticed countless adventurers who set out from various cities in the North, filled with heroic ambitions, flocking to Stormy Ridge, though most never returned.
Of course, not all of these adventurers were foolhardy and reckless. Some, like the twenty-member adventure group currently hiding behind a rock, were properly prepared.
However, ordinary people could no longer see them now.
“Have you all finished drinking the invisibility potion?”
“Yes.”
“And also apply the breath-blocking potion.
“These giant dragons can taste the air with their forked tongues. Their sense of smell is unbelievably keen, so do not lower your guard.”
The one speaking was a Mage in his twenties. He wore a purple robe and held a hollow wooden Magic Wand, looking somewhat tense.
His name was Bennett, a young noble from Victoria Port. He had hired an elite mercenary group from various places and had come here after months of preparation.
According to the information from Northwind Castle, that giant dragon had been asleep for a long time.
“Bennett, you might be overly nervous. It’s just a young dragon, maybe even smaller. So what if it’s a Red Dragon?”
“We’ve interviewed those survivors.”
“Moreover, your divination spells confirmed that the information was correct.”
“Even though they trembled all over in fear, hahaha, look at those cowardly wretches, scared stiff by an immature dragon.”
A scar-faced warrior, with bulging muscles, laughed.
His name was Ivan, a seasoned warrior from the Empire of Fadlan. Having followed a thirty-member adventure group to slay an adult Green Dragon, he always enjoyed the topic of dragon slaying.
Nearby, a Wanderer in a black cloak, whose face was indistinguishable, spoke:
“Approximately seven or eight meters long, with a special breath that can target enemies. Aside from those exaggerated tales, there seems to be nothing special.”
His name was Vincent, from a certain Thieves’ Guild.
Ivan laughed heartily: “After so long, the only reason this dragon hasn’t been defeated is that the people of the North are too weak. They can’t even handle those white beasts, let alone a Red Dragon.”
“But we’re different—I’m a Dragon Slayer.”
Bennett admonished: “Damn it, Ivan, put away your boastfulness. Even a young Red Dragon isn’t something to be trifled with.
Moreover, he has a vast force.”
“This time, we’re to sneak in, kill the sleeping Red Dragon, and take everything valuable from his treasury. Got it? If there’s no good opportunity, forget about the dragon and head straight for the treasury.”
Ivan sneered at this:
“Heh, sneaking in like a thief in the shadows; I didn’t slay dragons in such a cowardly way.”
Vincent, usually silent, couldn’t help but retort:
“Shut your mouth, which stinks worse than a goblin’s.”
Ivan, puffing with indignation, wanted to retort but was suddenly interrupted by Bennett.
“Shh—quiet.”
He pointed into the distance, where a patrol of Great Goblins was heading back.
Bennett whispered, “Follow them, and we should be able to reach Dragon Valley.
“Damn, these Great Goblins are so tall, almost dragon-like, and even wear armor. They must be those ‘Evil Dragon Minions’ the Northerners spoke of.”
“Everyone stay hidden and follow them without engaging.”
The adventure group followed the Great Goblin patrol deeper until they saw the Rock Fortress in the valley.
They hid behind a protruding rock on the hillside, observing the fortified walls: many Great Goblins were on guard, with catapults, great crossbows, and other siege weapons, numerous towering watchtowers, and wyverns patrolling the skies.
“By Kanas… this is a fortress.”
Ivan couldn’t help but exclaim.
Though he had seen grander walls in the Empire, he never expected to find such defenses in a monster’s lair.
“No, this is indeed a fortress.”
“There must be humans collaborating with them; otherwise, these monsters couldn’t have such things.”
Tristan, the usually taciturn Paladin, observed the armored Great Goblins, speaking thoughtful words, his brows furrowed.
Bennett, looking at the fortress, felt conflicted.
On one hand, this indicated wealth was indeed here, and the treasure must be abundant. On the other hand, escaping safely was another issue.
After contemplating for a moment, he spoke:
“Everyone has seen it. The dragon’s retainers are not mere goblins; engaging them head-on would be difficult, so we must sneak in, avoiding any direct conflict.”
“Roar—”
A distant roar interrupted him.
“Dragon’s roar?”
“Could that dragon be awake?”
Upon hearing this, Bennett’s heart beat faster. Months of preparation and thousands of gold coins… This was a high-stakes gamble, and he couldn’t afford to fail here.
Though intimidated by the fortress, Ivan moved forward, saying:
“What should we fear? It’s merely a young dragon. We just need to lure it out of the lair…”
“Crack.”
He stepped on the ground ahead, triggering intricate runes that suddenly glowed and sprayed flames.
“Not good, it’s a guardian inscription!”
“Move away!”
Bennett quickly raised his Magic Wand and cast a pre-prepared spell.
“Protective Energy Damage!”
A thin, translucent light film surrounded them, barely holding back the surging flames, but Ivan’s extended foot had been charred black, causing him to groan in pain.
Facing this sudden turn of events, Bennett couldn’t help wiping the sweat off his forehead:
“Damn, how could there be such a spell here.”