Warm Dragon

Chapter 2: Glowing Fortress

Meanwhile, Russel, with hope resting on his shoulders, had already arrived at the gates of Glowing Fortress.

It was a traditional stone castle, with walls built from enormous blocks of stone mixed with various magical materials. Even if one used fighting qi to strike it, it would be hard to make a mark, as it was nearly indestructible.

High atop the towering spires, the banner of the Glowing Fungus family flew proudly. The flag displayed a cluster of green mushrooms, subtly forming the shape of a skull.

That was the Glowing Fungus, also known as the Glowing Little Mushroom—the family’s most important source of magical potions.

The flag fluttered in the wind, and the green skull seemed to sway left and right.

“Whew.” Russel exhaled deeply and urged his horse through the gate.

The guards at the gate, clad in heavy leather armor, immediately saluted as he passed.

The stone archway, long corridors, and the towering walls of the Glowing Fortress were ahead.

To highlight the family’s glory, the entire pathway was paved with ceramic tiles, and even the outer walls of the castle were adorned with a layer of sparkling silver-gray tiles.

The gray towers and walls were heavy and dark, but the main fortress, made of silver-gray stone, shone brightly.

This castle had never been touched by the ravages of war. The Snow Demons from the frozen lands had never breached the Glowing River Valley, and the frequent noble marriages within the Shadowflame Duchy ensured that infighting among the nobility was rare. Any traces of damage were likely from Lord Ross’s claws.

“Caw, caw…”

Russel looked up to see a black figure swooping overhead, emitting a sharp cry that didn’t match its size.

It was the Clay Dragon Ross returning.

“Snort, snort.”

Though the black horse he rode was majestic, it began to tremble at the presence of the dragon. Its nostrils flared as it exhaled rapidly.

“Don’t be nervous,” Russel comforted the horse, stroking its neck.

The black figure landed on a tower on the other side of the castle, its massive bat-like wings folding in. Its claws, shaped like curved hooks, clung to the edge of the tower, its powerful hind legs tucked underneath it.

Perched atop the tower like a gargoyle, the dragon surveyed the castle below and the entire Glowing River Valley in the distance.

Its body was covered in dark red scales that were tightly stacked together, almost appearing black. Its fierce dragon head had vertically slit pupils that turned as it scanned Russel, who was still riding below.

Seeing him, the dragon bared its teeth slightly, snorted two small puffs of dark red dragon breath, and then shifted its gaze elsewhere.

Russel gently reassured his black horse, but instead of looking at the dragon, he glanced down at his left palm. The warmth from the dragon’s presence had caused a faint red mark to appear on his palm. The mark resembled an “M” shape, and upon closer inspection, one could see the image of a slender dragon with wings spread wide, flying through the air.