"What a beautiful day, praise Noah!"
Barbos stood at the highest point of the half-collapsed, dilapidated castle, his gaze sweeping over the city walls stained with mottled purple-black blood and the chaotic mountainside, before looking towards the quiet little town at the foot of the mountain.
The morning breeze brushing past his nose carried a scent of blood, mixed with a faint stench of human and animal waste, yet none of this affected Barbos’s joyful mood at the moment.
Because everything he could see, including this castle beneath his feet that looked like ruins, belonged to him; it was his domain.
This was the reward he gained by crossing mountains and oceans, following Lord Iliad in his conquest, transforming from an ordinary Dragon-man citizen into a Dragon-man nobleman.
Although he only gained recognition as a noble from Lord Iliad and not a feudal noble officially knighted by Noah, it didn’t matter. That’s the difference between father and son; his identity had already made the most crucial transformation.
"Now is the time for me to showcase my talents."
The Dragon-man with wings on his back was filled with ambition, gazing eagerly into the future.
Having grown up in Elisium City, the only identity Barbos could boast about before was being a formal member of the Palu family.
But the Palu family had no noble background, merely a wealthy family adept at commerce. Due to the ancestral house rules established years ago, the Palu family appeared expansive yet extremely fragmented. As a formal member, Barbos’s living conditions were only slightly better than the ordinary citizen class.
Of course, that’s only in comparison; if the living conditions he enjoyed were placed outside the Holy Dragon Land, it would be considered a full noble treatment.
For example, the former owner of the castle beneath him, although holding a viscount title, seemed to Barbos to be living a primitive lifestyle, not even as good as the villagers and townspeople in the Holy Dragon Land.
Yet even though the environment here was so primitive and living conditions unbearable, Barbos was willing to endure it all.
Because it’s all temporary; he can transform this land. The development potential here is great, with considerable room for improvement; he just lacks a tiny bit of funding.
But it doesn’t matter; he is the first of the Palu family to sail abroad, and now having gained noble status, he believes many of his kin will be willing to come to him.
Thinking of this, Barbos turned and descended the lookout, entering the temporary camp beside the castle, and began preparing letters. He wanted to share all he gained from this war and his current joy with his kinsfolk.
At this moment, just like Barbos Palu, there were many Dragon-men with similar actions. In this war, countless Dragon-men obtained everything they desired—fame, military achievements, and territories.
As the Supreme Commander of this war, the Holy Dragon’s firstborn, Iliad, though willing to maintain peace before the war, adhered to what he believed to be the most fundamental rules of war once the war machine started.
Rewards must be given for merit, and punishments for faults. All Dragon-men who made military achievements were awarded accordingly, and fulfilling these military achievements was the most important factor in maintaining army discipline and morale, without exception.
At this moment, Iliad, who had been away from his homeland for decades, returned again. Although not entirely by his own will, he returned laden with the glory of a conqueror.
This glory was not only shared by Iliad who was about to meet the Holy Dragon Noah but also by the entire Elisium City. With the return of the Holy Dragon’s Son, the joyous news of the end of the war and numerous rewards also rushed in, reaching thousands of households.
Even though today was not a holiday, it didn’t affect Elisium falling into an ocean of joy. The streets and alleys were filled with a joyful atmosphere, and the prelude to the carnival had already arrived.
"Lord Iliad has won a great victory! The lands to the East have been conquered, and the new territories will come under the rule of the Holy Dragon Emperor!"
News of victory from the East spread to every corner of the city, and merchants running taverns, tea houses, and music venues, upon learning of the victory, immediately announced that for the next three days, drinks would be half price. Some even generously declared the entire venue was on the house, inviting all comers to drink their fill.
Even though the Holy Dragon Emperor hasn’t yet commented on this victory, Elisium City and the surrounding citadels have already begun preparations to celebrate this great victory.
To the stirring yet melodious tunes of the minstrels, many Dragon-men who received good news about their family members couldn’t help but dance in the streets, loudly praising the name of Holy Dragon Noah and singing of the bravery of the Holy Dragon’s Son.
Amidst this noise and joyful atmosphere, in the eastern district of Elisium, deep within a narrow alley on the Five Rings, the old Dragon-man Calvin led his wife, filled with hopeful expressions mixed with fear and anxiety, looking up with a hint of expectation at the little elves flying by overhead.
Their child, six years ago, responded to the call to arms by the Holy Dragon’s second son, joining the mighty Expeditionary Army, boarding ocean vessels to the Other Shore Continent as part of the corps.