"This is a war that doesn’t concern me, but since I’ve stepped onto the battlefield, you must pay a sufficient reward for it."
Noah stated matter-of-factly.
Not every Dragon Clan can form such a contractual hiring relationship. If one lacks strength and flaunts wealth in front of the Colorful Dragon Clan, the probability of being plundered is higher than them accepting the hire and agreeing to fight.
However, even the Metallic Dragon Race willing to accept hire will do so only for humanoid species they acknowledge, and it must come at a great price.
Noah never accepts hires, and this time it was indirectly due to his parents, but he couldn’t possibly ask his parents for money, so naturally, he went to those hiring them.
However, this human marshal had already admitted he couldn’t afford Noah’s fee for appearing, so Noah had to make up for it in other ways.
"Offer up my country!"
Erwin was shocked by the demand made by the magnificent giant dragon before him. It was too greedy,
"Why not take a moment to think carefully before making a final decision? Your country, under the guidance of the king you serve, is heading towards destruction.
If you take no action, the country you’re proud of will vanish into history. What can you do to change that on your own? With just yourself?"
Noah interrupted the human, putting himself in his shoes and considering things from his perspective,
"You have no choice but to start a rebellion. Can you achieve ultimate victory? Can you reclaim your family and protect your wife and children?
If you refuse me, your country, your family, everything you hold dear will be swept away by the beastmen’s iron cavalry, leaving nothing behind.
But if you agree, your country can survive, everything you want can be preserved, and all you have to do is become my vassal and regularly pay tribute to me. That’s all."
Noah’s words lingered in Marshal Erwin’s ears like the whisper of a demon. It wasn’t a choice but a mandatory exam, leaving him with no other options.
Anyone with reason, who longs for the mundane world, their subordinates, their family, or their country, would make the only choice.
"I don’t understand."
Calming down and after some thought, Erwin looked up confusedly at the golden dragon before him, no longer concealing his form with the Transformation Technique,
"You ask me to offer up my country as compensation for your intervention, but in reality, if you don’t help me, I can’t seize the country."
From the perspective of the process, it seemed the dragon was doing this for nothing, and could easily conquer Grutia on his own.
"Because I am a Golden Dragon upholding principle and justice, not a Red Dragon driven by greed and violence."
Noah provided the reasoning.
Unrestrained invasions driven by one’s whims are simple, but such behavior will inevitably draw the ire and disdain of many good creatures and forces of justice, and even invite hostility and attacks.
Therefore, Noah, bearing the name of the Holy Dragon, must ensure all his actions align with ethics.
A human commander defending his country against beastmen invasions, betrayed by the backhand compromises of the monarch, is forced into rebellion, seizing royal authority, and establishing his kingship.
Such a story is beloved by most of the populace and widely supported by many forces, and this human commander sought the help of a powerful golden dragon and became an ally post-victory.
This is acceptable as it leads to a happy ending, but if a dragon ignores civilization, exploiting a weakened human kingdom under beastmen invasion, and uses brute force to seize control, subjugating the nation under its Dragon Wings,
such a deed is undoubtedly that of an Evil Dragon, gaining neither support nor respect and facing scorn and reproach instead.
Principle, law, legitimacy—intangibles acknowledged by the heart—are nothing without ample strength but become an invincible Divine Sword once supported by enough power.
"So I’m just a puppet you’ve set up!"
Marshal Erwin had understood. He knew why the dragon was so forthright with him, even directly discussing the matter, because the dragon had control over everything and absolute confidence in its power.
"Why? Unwilling? Besides, I never said you’d become a puppet, just a human monarch loyal to me. Surely, I’m better than the majesty you currently serve."
"I am willing; it is my honor to serve you."
Without overthinking or weighing pros and cons, having already witnessed Noah’s power firsthand, and with his retreat cut off, Marshal Erwin finally bowed his head to the giant dragon.
"Go gather your army, it’s time to clean up the capital of the traitorous ministers by the king."
"Noah, are you really going to take Erwin as a vassal?"
Having observed the entire process, Angelis couldn’t help but inquire of his progeny after his human friend departed.
Though his friend frequently cast pleading looks at him, Angelis made no move to intervene.