Under the Red Dragon.

Chapter 44 The Optimist

After a tortuous transfer, the young dragons gained temporary, long-awaited freedom.

The red dragon and the young dragons were released from their cages and allowed to roam freely in a garden that was full of flowers and plants but not guarded by anyone.

Even the people who came in to feed the baby dragons were just some weak-looking humans who didn't even wear armor or weapons.

If it were in the past, the impulsive Clenaya would have already encouraged Karon and the other dragonets to rush out, and the other dragonets would have happily responded.

But these young dragons just gathered together quietly like Charon, quietly watching everyone who came and went.

Experience makes one wiser, and experience makes one maturer.

So what is the price? Their freedom.

This is the palace of the Emperor of the Carthaginian Empire. It may be safer than most places in the world, but for the young dragons, it is more dangerous than most places in the world.

From the occasional conversations outside the garden, Kalon roughly understood that the Carthaginian Empire's National Day was coming. Unlike the decision of the merchant Orsu, their group of young dragons were presented to the emperor by the shrewd Will Clarence as a celebration, and would be used as exhibits to promote the empire's military power and martial spirit on the National Day.

Kalon lay in the middle of the dragons, his warm body seemed to give the young dragons the strength to no longer be afraid. Sometimes the red dragon would glance at the gradually calming faces of the young dragons, and could feel the dragon fire hidden deep in the hearts of the dragons. The deeper it was suppressed, the more intense it would be when it erupted.

Sometimes the red dragon would wonder what would happen if he prayed to Tiamat, the god of evil dragons, or Bahamut, the god of good dragons, but when he thought of the evil dragons that died under the swords of dragon slayers, he suddenly felt that it was meaningless. In this era when there are no true gods, dragons have to rely on themselves.

No wonder we have never seen Kalit and Akzi praying or showing reverence to the evil dragon god Tiamat before. Kalon's disrespect for God and fear of God are innate, and these evil dragons don't believe in God either, which explains some problems.

"Uncle Carlyle, are those scary dragons in there?" The excited voice of a child came from the high wall, childish and lively.

"That's right, but these dragons are still young dragons, they just look scary. You don't have to worry, I'm here with you, Your Highness Liya!"

A deep and rough voice came as the heavy courtyard door opened, and a tall middle-aged man walked in holding a blonde girl's hand.

The girl's round eyes were full of curiosity and a little fear. Her long golden hair was tied into two braids that swung back and forth. She tilted her head to look at the baby dragons lying lazily on the ground.

The tall man was wearing black iron armor, about two meters tall, and his angular face was full of doting on the child, but he had no extra curiosity about the young dragon. He just glanced at him and turned his gaze to the child.

"Wow, these dragons look so beautiful and they are so well-behaved." The lively and lovely Leah seemed eager to try. She stood on tiptoe with a smile on her round face and her chubby legs.

A pair of chubby little hands reached out to the quiet baby dragon with some trembling hands. The relatively gorgeous scales of the red dragon and the green dragon were deeply loved by the little girl. They were much more beautiful than the gems her father gave her.

"Don't be afraid, Princess Leah. No matter how noble these dragons were in the past, they are now just like those orcs and elves. They are our spoils of war. No matter what you do, they will not dare to resist." Kai Lei looked at the young dragons indifferently, the threat and warning in his eyes were clear.

"Well! The dragon is not scary, it's just Leah who is afraid." The girl plucked up her courage and stretched out her hand to touch the scales on the red dragon.

Caron turned his body so that only his buttocks were facing the girl.

"Uncle Kailei, this dragon doesn't want me to touch it. It seems they don't like me. Let's go!" There were sparkling tears in Leah's eyes and she was about to cry.

Kai Lei nodded, picked up the noble prince, and walked out of the garden.

In this peaceful and boring day, the Carthaginian Empire's National Day arrived. The hustle and bustle outside had nothing to do with the young dragons until they were brought to the palace hall by fully armed warriors with iron chains on their wings.

Many nobles in gorgeous clothes were drinking and having fun. Among them were envoys from the major principalities and kingdoms neighboring the Carthaginian Empire. Even the human kingdom in the southernmost part had sent envoys here to celebrate the birthday of the Carthaginian Empire.

No matter what these noble envoys thought in their hearts, they all had smiles on their faces.

After all, the supreme ruler of this empire, Emperor Chalnar Caesar II, sat on his imperial throne, overlooking the subjects under his rule.

Charal Caesar is a legend of the empire and also a legend. At least in the land he rules, he is equivalent to a legend.

Since he came to power, he has expanded the original Principality of Carthage into the vast Carthaginian Empire with 26 provinces. He has great external ambitions and a strong military.

He suppressed all the noble lords under his command, making some of the originally powerful noble lords breathless. The entire empire was in his hands, and he had the supreme right to speak. Even those noble wizards had to submit to his rule, and every wizard had to obey his supreme power.

Those low-level wizards who want to accept a real apprentice must also apply for registration with the empire's government departments.

As the territory he ruled expanded, his strength also rose from a mid-level transcendent to the top of the holy realm, and in his empire, his strength was enough to fight against legends.

Such a powerful emperor sat high on the throne, looking at the giant dragons being led in. Although there was no joy in his eyes, a smile appeared on his face.

He raised his spirits and gestured with his right hand, "Look, this is the noble dragon, now it has become my trophy. This is the best gift given to me by my loyal Viscount Will Clarence, the current leader of the Knights!"

Will Clarence stood up from the banquet, gracefully accepted the congratulations of the nobles around him, and saluted the emperor of the empire.

Karon looked at him coldly. In his perception, the gaze of the sitting emperor looking at him was like his own subconscious vision overlooking everything in the sea of ​​spirituality. It seemed that it was everywhere, but the powerful spirit seemed to be fluctuating.

"Kneel down, dragon, and salute the emperor of the empire." The soldiers holding the young dragons kicked the dragon's forelimbs, causing the chains to pull continuously.

Kalon took a step forward, spread his broad wings, and imitated the nobles' chest-touching salute. Then he said loudly: "Powerful human emperor, dragons are also noble and intelligent species. How can you treat dragons like those stupid and barbaric species? I demand the right to communicate equally and freely."

Karon knew that human nobles would always pay attention to maintaining their so-called posture and demeanor when they were in an advantageous position, so he tried to use aristocratic communication to make a test.

"Interesting," the emperor said with a hint of interest. No matter how perfect, noble and powerful the dragons were in the eyes of mortals, in the eyes of these high-ranking humans with power and authority, they were just powerful savage beasts. Although in the eyes of the dragons, they were far more noble than any other race in the world.

Without hesitation, Charal Caesar II smiled and said, "You want the right to communicate freely and equally? Fine. Then let's follow the rules of the empire. Defeated captives can enter the empire's arena. As long as you and these young dragons can win a hundred battles, I will grant you the right to freedom and equality."

The emperor smiled and said to a nobleman at the bottom, "Sir Lei Bushi, I'll leave this matter to you. I hope you can bring me satisfactory results."

The emperor not only maintained his demeanor, but also threw the dragon into the arena and fought it like a wild beast, which also demonstrated his majesty.

In the gladiatorial arena of the empire, there have never been any fights of equal strength. As long as there is a gimmick, they can arrange a fight between a kobold and an ogre. To win a hundred games requires not only strength but also luck.

Moreover, Caron knew very well the human behavior. If it were him, no one else would ever be able to win the 100th fight.

But even so, Caron felt that this attempt was a success. Pessimists are invincible, and only optimists have the possibility of success. His attempt was a prelude to success.

As for those humiliations, the dragon will never forget them!
(End of this chapter)