“Shall we move to the Dragon Summit, Supreme Leader?” Astarot took the initiative to suggest the location.
“Alright,” Vaan casually agreed.
Shortly after Vaan and the dragon lords arrived at the Dragon Summit, Astarot and the others immediately used magic to alter the area’s design.
They didn’t dare sit on their nine thrones and tower over their new god. As such, they lowered their thrones and built a grander throne for Vaan.
At the same time, Vaan watched their handiwork and felt speechless by their extravagance.
While time was wasted on such luxuries, they could have been doing something more productive. After all, they were there to talk.
Nevertheless, Vaan didn’t spoil the mood and let the dragon lords continue their work since they seemed very invested.
A few minutes later, a small golden throne with crystal decorations was created on top of a huge earthen pillar, facing the other nine dragon thrones.
Only after Vaan took his seat on the new throne did the dragon lords also sit on theirs.
“Alright. I’m sure you are all dying for answers,” Vaan calmly mentioned before urging them, “Go ahead and ask your questions.”
“What do you plan to do with the Red Dragon Clan, Supreme Leader?” Astarot asked his question after exchanging glances with the other dragon lords and reaching a tacit understanding.
“This is what you all want to know first, huh?” Vaan repeated with a thoughtful look, not finding it all that surprising.
The dragon lords prioritized their dragon clan’s welfare over their own interests. Vaan had already realized this when he passed the fourth stage.
The nine dragon lords were not just leaders but also the strongest dragons within the Red Dragon Clan.
They were required to maintain order in the clan, guide the younger generations on the correct path, and safeguard the clan as a whole from outside threats.
Thus, staying alive was also their responsibility.
They couldn’t risk their lives for opportunities like other dragons. As such, they couldn’t proceed beyond the third stage in the Trial by Fire.
When Astarot and the other dragon lords heard Vaan’s vague reply, they immediately revealed concerned looks.
Vaan could guess what they were worried about.
The Red Dragon Clan possessed immense power; they could easily topple and reshuffle the world’s current power balance.
The dragon lords feared he would use the Red Dragon Clan to conquer the world.
However, their worries were unfounded.
“Don’t worry. Whatever it is you are all thinking, it’s not like that.” Vaan decided to stop teasing the dragon lords and clarify his words.
“When I said I have big plans for the Red Dragon Clan, I meant strengthening our power by raising more members to Rank 5 and, if we are lucky, perhaps even beyond that. And for that purpose, we will need to use many precious resources.”
Astarot and the other dragon lords appeared startled before they wore doubtful looks and came up with the same guess.
“Does that mean…?”
“Yes, it’s exactly what you are all thinking,” Vaan admitted before Astarot could finish. “Since the Fire Dragon God’s inheritance has already been acquired, the Trial by Fire serves no purpose other than a training ground.”
“There’s no need to conserve its resources if we want to be in our strongest state when an all-out war with Gehenna finally breaks out,” Vaan firmly stated.
“You’re right, Supreme Leader.” Astarot and several other dragon lords agreed with Vaan’s point before Pedyssin, the fourth dragon lord, asked, “But how will you divide the resources? I doubt there will be enough for everyone.”
“You’re right about that; there isn’t enough resource in the Trial by Fire to support the whole clan,” Vaan acknowledged with a nod before saying, “That’s why I need all your help.”
“Please command me, Supreme Leader. What shall you have me do? My claws are yours to use,” Kemun, the seventh dragon lord, volunteered with a proud and eager look.
Vaan glanced at Kemun’s claws with interest.
“Really?” Vaan uttered with a mischievous smile and said, “Well, they do look like excellent materials for crafting fine weapons.”
When Kemun heard Vaan’s words, he revealed a horrified look and froze on the spot, uncertain of how to respond.
“Hahaha, excuse me. It was a poor joke,” Vaan chuckled before shaking his head and moving on with the topic.
“I understand your eagerness, but this isn’t a one dragon’s job. I will require all of you to participate. I want you all to cooperate in picking out the top fifty talents among the younger generations to train them. Of course, the younger, the better.”
“They will become part of a young elite group and leave the mountains to search for more precious resources once they reach an adequate level of strength,” Vaan explained.
Once Vaan said up until that point, Tyvrin and a few other dragon lords became startled.
“I understand the dire need for precious resources, but I don’t believe that is a good idea, Supreme Leader,” Tyvrin raised his opinion.
“I believe you are already aware, but we isolated ourselves from the rest of the world to hide our strength from the seven Great Devils of Gehenna.”
“Sending our young elites out will expose them to the eyes and ears of Gehenna and may even cause the seven Great Devils to descend earlier,” Tyvrin added.
“I can understand the initial logic behind the clan’s isolation. However, I have a different opinion on this matter,” Vaan calmly argued.
“It’s fine to enter isolation to hide your strength from Gehenna for some time. However, isolating for too long would only draw Gehenna’s suspicions and make your clan seem weak.”
“Given three hundred years have passed, I’m almost certain that the seven Great Devils are already aware of the Fire Dragon God’s passing and your clan’s vulnerability,” Vaan stated.
“Assuming you are right about the seven Great Devils, Supreme Leader.” Astarot frowned deeply before asking, “But if that’s the case, why haven’t they made a move? And why must we send out our young elites?”
“That’s an excellent question, Lord Astarot.” Vaan praised with a smile before saying, “This is what I think; I believe it’s because…”
