Under the Red Dragon

"You know, it must be wonderful to be a dragon, don't you think?"

A middle-aged man, adorned in a magnificent robe, holding ceremonial instruments, a neatly trimmed beard on his face, and a crown of pearls and jewels atop his head, gazed at the dragon knight soaring across the sky, patrolling the territory. He spoke with a sigh to his companion.

"Indeed, to be a dragon is to possess power and freedom. Dragons can do whatever they please, go wherever they desire."

His companion, similarly dressed in priestly robes, holding a tambourine, with a circlet of small bells instead of a crown, replied.

Both men continued to look up at the dragon in the sky, their human pupils occasionally shifting into vertical slits, and beneath their robes, faint mixed-color scales, akin to those of dragonkin, were subtly visible.

On their exquisite robes, both wore an identical bronze badge: a dragon's head looking down upon all creation. This was the emblem of the Dragon Worship Cult.

"Do you think we'll succeed, choosing today, such an important festival within this dragon territory?"

The middle-aged man with the crown sighed, seeming uncertain about their upcoming actions, needing reassurance from his companion.

"We will certainly succeed, after all, they are evil dragons," the man with the bell circlet replied.

"As long as they are evil dragons, they inevitably cannot suppress the influence from their bloodline and heritage. They will reveal the true face of evil dragons to the people of this territory."

"They want to follow order, and we shall grant them order, but an order controlled and led by us!"

"Yes, as long as they are trapped and controlled by the chaotic evil dragon blood, the territory's order will inevitably be affected. When that happens, the noble dragon priests can proactively pay respects to those high-ranking true dragons, offering them methods to control the evil dragon blood, and the territory's order will be restored."

The middle-aged man with the crown smiled, instantly regaining his confidence.

"When the noble true dragons control the evil dragon blood, and our Dragon Worship Cult controls the noble true dragons, then this future, destined to be a vast dragon kingdom, will naturally belong to us."

"Hehe, most importantly, we will also be granted dragon blood and become true dragonkin!" The companion with the bell circlet also laughed.

He then hushed, saying, "They're coming. Let's begin according to the plan. We shall offer the dragons the most precious treasures; surely these noble true dragons will not refuse."

The two men stood on a wooden platform built by the riverbank, a row of large cowhide drums lined up along the river. The morning mist had not yet dissipated from the riverlands, but shadowy figures of villagers were already appearing in the thin white fog.

In the riverland village built on the plains, almost all the villagers began to leave their homes, heading towards the river.

Elderly grandmothers and women, wearing gray-brown linen headscarves, led children holding rattles, ascending the wooden platform by the riverbank with anticipation.

The strong men of the village, under the village chief's command, stood before the large drums, their heavy drumsticks hanging down.

Other men, holding wooden staffs tied with bells and ribbons, also came onto the wooden platform, surrounding the riverbank.

The village chief of the riverland village, leaning on his cane, walked up to the two priest-like men, saying respectfully, "Two esteemed dragon envoys, noble worshippers of the dragon, we are ready. Our village's purest and most beautiful maiden will offer our loyalty and joy to the dragon."

"The pure maiden will present our village's brightest gemstone to the dragon, to pray for the dragon's blessing and to thank the dragon for its protection and generosity!"

The middle-aged man with the crown nodded and smiled. "The dragon will be pleased, the noble true dragon will be gratified, and will grant you the blessings you desire! Begin, village chief."

The village chief nodded, his aged voice becoming invigorated as he shouted, "Begin! Let our village's purest and most beautiful maiden offer her highest respect to the dragon!"

Hah!

The men standing by the large drums raised their drumsticks and shouted in unison.

The women released the children's hands and lit torches, the sudden flames dispelling the thin white fog, gradually heating up the atmosphere along the riverbank.

Jingle,

The man with the bell circlet and the bell staff made a dancing gesture, the bells on his head jingling, and the bells on his staff also starting to ring rhythmically.

Bang, bang, bang,

The men began to beat the large drums, accompanying the jingling bells.

A small boat drifted slowly down from the upper reaches of the river that ran through the village. A pure and beautiful maiden lay in a garland woven with flowers, like a holy angel, a devout believer, a serene saintess.

She wore a flower crown inlaid with various fine gold grains, pearls, and gemstones, draped in a white robe resembling a wedding dress, her bare white feet exposed, her eyes slightly closed, her hands clasped together at her chest and abdomen, holding a crystal river pearl, in a posture of prayer.

Splurt,

The village chief slit the throat of a bound lamb with a knife, the blood splashing into the raging brazier.

A song that could not be suppressed by the drum sounds rose from the throat of the dancing, crowned priest. His high-pitched voice seemed to carry a strange magic and resonance, drawing everyone by the riverbank into it.

The rhythm of the children's rattles also echoed the strange song, and the women by the riverbank sprinkled the newly harvested wheat, rice, melons, and fruits of this year onto the small boat, singing loudly in unison.

The men also struck the ground with their bell staffs, echoing the strange rhythm, their deep and resonant voices also beginning to sound loudly, all the voices singing loudly, carried by the morning breeze, drifting towards the distant places.

"From before,"

"No time, no sight of earth, all things in chaos, memories veiled;"

"Past events like smoke, fleeting in an instant, mountains and seas changing, nothingness unrecoverable;"

Although the two leading priests used the dragon language that none of the villagers understood, under the influence of this strange atmosphere, these villagers seemed to be able to completely use the dragon language to follow the two priests in prayer and chanting.

The gradually rising prayer, under the harmony of the crowd, produced a resonance, the sound heavy, and under some mysterious power, seemed to penetrate the obstacles of space, drifting towards a designated distance.

The song after the prayer amplified this characteristic, like devout believers, in a sacred church, singing to the gods who listen to the voices of their believers, floating and ethereal.

"Time rushes like flowing water,"

"No one can escape from it,"

"The maiden waiting to be married waits for her husband, like waiting for the moment of death;"

"She is pure white all over, as if wearing a white burial garment,"

"She is destined to die, the wedding bells echo praises,"

"Take her away, take her away,"

"Fly here, descend here,"

"Forever offering you the young maiden."

This is a sacrificial song, also a dragon-summoning song.

Not a song like the Dragon Song that the two priests spoke of, seeking the blessing of the dragon and honoring their lord.

This is in the distant era, the era when dragons ruled the sky, the earth, and the sea, the song of the many races who were regarded as slaves and food by the dragons, sacrificing the purest and most beautiful maidens that the dragons loved most to the dragons.

Many evil dragons still retain the custom of treating pure and beautiful maidens as food, which is also a legacy from ancient times.

This ritual has long been lost among the dragons, and is even regarded as an unspeakable taboo among the other races that were once ruled by the dragons, and has long been destroyed and buried in the long years.

However, the will of the dragon blood that the ritual can evoke is still deeply engraved in the bloodline of every dragon. This is a dragon-summoning song that can truly attract dragons.

The call from the ritual will awaken the ancient memories inherited by those dragons in the dragon group, revive their evil dragon blood, and seek satisfaction.

This is an instinctive memory engraved in the dragon's bloodline, which cannot be suppressed or avoided. This is the purpose of the Dragon Worship Cult.

Moreover, not only in this village in the riverlands, but also in the villages where human residents occupy the majority, except for those cities with strict defenses and direct control over the territory, the same scene is being staged at the same time at this moment.

And a small number of dragon kin, because they were sacrificing to the dragon, also took the initiative to echo loudly in the dragon language they knew, calling for the arrival of the dragon.

For a time, the dragon-summoning song, which was illusory and overlapping and could only be perceived by the dragons, floated everywhere in the territory.

...

The newest novels are first released on Liu Jiu Shu Ba!

Today is the last day of the year, also the day of annual rest set by Calon.

The atmosphere in the territory is obviously different. Many shops and taverns have welcomed more guests. Even in the early morning, during the rest day stipulated by the dragons, the city is as lively as in the afternoon and evening.

Even Calon, on the summit of the mountains, clearly felt the change in the atmosphere.

When Calon, for the first time, did not get enough sleep and climbed out of his magma lair, flying to the Dragon King's Fortress, this castle that belonged to all dragons and also belonged exclusively to him.

He found that the lively and cheerful maids were hanging lanterns and streamers bought from the market at the foot of the mountain on the doors and windows of the castle, decorating the originally towering, tall, solemn, and majestic castle very festively.

Calon did not blame the maids for their presumptuousness. He liked this feeling. He did not enter the castle directly, lest the maids have to spare manpower to serve him.

He paced behind the castle, waiting for the arrival of other dragons in the dragon group.

At today's event celebration, all the dragon lords will appear, celebrating with the people. On the one hand, it is from the needs of ruling the territory, and on the other hand, dragons actually like to be lively, especially the young dragons.

"Daddy, Daddy, what's the good day today? Is there anything delicious?" This was the cry of the greedy snake, Grenick. It dropped its body from the more than four-meter-high branches of the World Tree, staring at Calon with a pair of round eyes blinking.

"Daddy, Daddy, it's so lively today!" This was the good baby, the kind and restrained snake, Hani Nick. Although this chubby snake cub was also gluttonous, it was much more obedient than Grenick.

"Daddy, these magic powers are not as delicious as the heart energy. Look, I've been growing very slowly recently!" The World Tree, which had grown taller and thicker again, shook its gradually lush green branches, like a child shaking its head.

Calon, who was wandering outside to the back garden of the castle, heard the calls of the three annoying little cubs and quickly flew back to the front of the castle. It wouldn't be easy to get away if he was entangled by these three little guys.

The sun had already risen, but it was still early for the dragons. Calon gazed at the city at the foot of the mountain, which was gradually becoming lively. Although the city built by the white dragon, Gremot, had not yet been completed, it had already begun to show the demeanor of a large city.

There were also many merchants from other places, even from the most distant Southern Continent, who had excellent vision, and had settled in this newly built city in advance, buying many shops and residences.

Now this city at the foot of the mountain is much more lively than the distant Bay Stream City.

Calon watched for a while and shook his head. Originally, today's celebration event was most suitable to be held in this city. This vast city has enough space and wide squares, and it is also the city that Calon has decided to focus on developing in the future.

However, because the arena and some activity venues have not been built perfectly, Calon had to give up this idea of diversion and set the celebration event in the Golden City.

Calon watched for a while, and when the maids had completed the decoration of the castle and the door of the Dragon King's Fortress was also covered with a layer of exquisite carpets by these maids, he leisurely stepped into his castle.

The female officer, Charlize, had already led all the maids in a line, standing on both sides of the hall, waiting respectfully for the arrival of the Red Dragon.

These maids were still wearing the costumes customized by Calon. The difference was that today, they were all changed into bright red suits.

This kind of suit, which especially contrasted with the snow-white skin, made these maids look even more beautiful and fair-skinned, especially the black thin bands inlaid with small golden bells around their necks, which made these maids have a different kind of charm.

"Master," the female officer, Charlize, led two rows of maids to bow and bend over. The small movements made the already short skirts lift up, revealing petals of full moon.

Calon nodded and said, "Charlize, you have done a good job. I like this feeling very much."

The female officer, Charlize, and the maids all showed sweet smiles. Their efforts had been satisfied after receiving the Red Dragon's praise.

Under the service of the maids, Calon, as always, lay prone in the center of the hall, resting with his eyes closed, enjoying the extravagant life of the Dragon Lord, while waiting for the arrival of the dragons.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh,

The sound of wings flapping came from afar. It should be that other dragons have left their nests and are coming towards the King's Fortress.

But at this moment, a series of illusory and overlapping songs and prayers came from the distant void, echoing in Calon's ears.

In this series of overlapping but increasingly clear and loud songs, Calon saw the holy and beautiful maidens in the distance, the songs that stirred the dragon blood in his body gradually boiling seemed to rise and scatter from around these maidens.

There was also the smell of blood and food, the temptation from the treasures of wealth, summoning Calon's arrival.

The desire that originated from Calon's bloodline, which was engraved at the beginning of creation, was now boiling as fiercely as the dragon fire surging in Calon's bloodline, burning the will of the Red Dragon.

"Oh, it's been a long time since I felt this kind of feeling, this feeling of resisting my will," Calon opened his eyes, and the leaping flames burst out in his vertical pupils.

"Try harder, try harder, and you'll be able to touch the edge of my will," Kalon sneered, revealing his fangs. His body was experiencing a strong surge of agitation that he hadn't felt in a long time.

This agitation gave him a strong desire, urging him to fly far away.

He withdrew his gaze from the distant, illusory scene, but found it difficult to tear himself away from the scantily clad maids beside him.

His desire made him want to press these maids fiercely beneath him, his erect and fiery dragon spear seeking the secrets hidden between those full, round moons.

"Heh," Kalon's will gently suppressed his struggling desires, he sneered, "Some more ignorant little mice have appeared. Let's see what flaws these little mice can find in the territory this time."

His massive body stood up, stepped out of the royal fortress, and, watching the dragons flying into the distance, he let out a sigh.

"This is the fate and challenge you must face. There will always be various challenges on the path to growth. I only hope that you can always stand by my side!"

The Dragon Song comes from the Russian film 'He's a Dragon,' not my original work!