In dragon culture, grand and elaborate celebrations aren't given much emphasis.
Thus, the coronation ceremony for the Lord of the Dragon Court didn't last long.
Had it not been for the Iron Dragon King's sudden appearance, the ceremony would have concluded even quicker. Now, due to the Iron Dragon King's performance, which completely disregarded his own reputation, more legendary true dragons around the Eternal Hall chose to join the Dragon Court, accepting the Time Dragon as the Lord of the Dragon Court.
They signed the Dragon Court Covenant, obligating them to respond as per the covenant's terms when summoned by the Dragon Court.
Moreover, through the Dragon Court Covenant, Garon could access information about each dragon's species, age, and their primary material world of origin, etc. He could also convey his will to the members via the covenant's link, even mobilizing the Dragon Court members' power from afar, enhancing his own strength.
Of course, as the Lord of the Dragon Court, Garon wouldn't arbitrarily mobilize other dragons' powers.
A few times would be fine.
But if done too frequently, without replenishment or clear benefits, even with Garon's status, it's highly probable that dissatisfaction would arise among the dragons due to their nature, possibly leading them to leave the Dragon Court within the next century.
As for why a covenant possesses such great power, the effects of the Dragon Court Covenant clearly exceed those of ordinary covenants.
Before establishing the Dragon Court Covenant, Garon was aware of its existence.
It was the ancient gold dragon, Lockweed, who informed Garon in advance, to prepare him mentally for the coronation ceremony.
The Dragon Court Covenant isn't an ordinary covenant.
This covenant almost encompasses the recognition of the entire dragon god pantheon, forged by transcendental divine power.
In time, as the Dragon Court grows and more dragons sign the covenant, the Dragon Court Covenant could evolve into a divine artifact level item, capable of not only binding the members of the Dragon Court but also providing them with various forms of assistance.
After establishing the covenant and witnessing the coronation of the Lord of the Dragon Court,
One by one, the legendary dragons began to leave the mini elemental plane of air.
Many dragons planned to settle in the dragon nation of Kala, mostly returning to Kala, while a portion, drawn by the reputation of the Dragon Court and the Time Dragon, came upon the invitation of Kala's dragon kind. After witnessing the events here, they hesitated but eventually joined the Dragon Court.
These dragons temporarily returned to their own primary material worlds.
The future of the Dragon Court isn't limited to Kala; thus, there are no restrictions forcing Dragon Court members to stay on Kala.
On the contrary, to continue expanding the Dragon Court's influence, in the coming period, under Garon's command, even the dragons of Kala will travel to their familiar and influential primary material worlds to spread the news of the Dragon Court.
"With this start, it won't be difficult for the Dragon Court to develop."
The silver dragon looked down at the Eternal Hall beneath its claws, thinking.
Garon also knew that the Dragon Court's smooth establishment was definitely facilitated by the silent support of various dragon gods.
Though dragon faith in dragon gods isn't widespread, the overall environment greatly respects them, as true dragons respect the powerful among their kind, and dragon gods are among the most powerful of all dragon deities.
As long as there's no forced faith, everything is negotiable.
With a word from the dragon gods, many dragons would willingly heed their call.
"However, this process will surely not be without resistance from other species and even deities."
"Being the Lord of the Dragon Court, coupled with my identity as a Time Dragon, will likely attract more attention."
Garon gently caressed the covenant dragon horns, thinking.
The dragons departed swiftly.
Apart from the plane guardian dragon, the Iron Dragon King, and Yuna, who hadn't left, the rest of the legendary dragons swiftly exited this newly formed demi-plane, acting with remarkable speed.
Honestly, this demi-plane, created less than a year ago, is somewhat narrow and fragile for legendary dragons.
If Garon and the Iron Dragon King were to fight here with full force, it would surely lead to the demi-plane's destruction. However, everything is just starting. Some legendary dragons skilled in space magic remained in the Dragon Court demi-plane, residing in the Eternal Hall. As plane guardians, they slowly expand and stabilize the space of the demi-plane with their power.
These members, who first contributed to the Dragon Court, will be the first to receive the technique of eternal life.
Additionally, dragons receiving eternal life in the future must vow not to spread it,
This can be used as a treasure to motivate other dragons.
"Wow, Garon, you've grown an additional pair of dragon horns."
"These three pairs of dragon horns look like a crown, so pretty."
Yuna glanced at the Iron Dragon King before ignoring it, then focused on Garon, staring intently at his dragon horns, her light purple pupils sparkling with fascination, saying.
Garon extended a dragon claw, gently exploring the covenant dragon horns.
Automatically adapting to his body, these dragon horns formed by the Dragon Court Covenant felt no different from the other two pairs of horns. As for their size, they perfectly fit between Garon's own two horns. In dragon society, dragon horns are an important symbol of aesthetics, and Garon's self-perception was quite positive at the moment.
"Is that so? Well, it's alright."
Although delighted by Yuna's praise internally, Garon responded with indifference on the surface, seemingly unmoved.
Meanwhile,
Yuna seemed to recall something.
She thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "That's right, I remember it was mentioned in my dragon heritage."
"Our Strength Dragon progenitor, the legendary first Strength Dragon, was said to be born with six dragon horns, standing out from the beginning."
The Progenitor of the Strength Dragons?
Garon was slightly startled.
"Is this Strength Dragon progenitor still alive?"
If still alive, who knows what level of strength it would have reached, possibly already a powerful demigod-like divine dragon.
After hearing Garon's question, Yuna shook her head.
"I don't know."
"There's only a bit of mention of the progenitor in our heritage, nothing else."
"And no dragon has actually seen the progenitor."
"The progenitor is essentially a legend for our Strength Dragon clan."
A legend within legendary dragon kinds. Garon was curious to know, if the Strength Dragon progenitor truly existed, how it would compare to dragon gods like the Platinum Dragon God.
Dragon gods who have lived through countless eras likely know information about this progenitor.
However, although curious, Garon wouldn't directly inquire from the dragon gods.
"I quite like this demi-plane where the Dragon Court is located; it reminds me of where I was born."
Yuna's gaze swept around, saying.
She was born in the true elemental plane of air.
As one of the four major elemental planes, the air elemental plane's boundless expanse is incomparable to the Dragon Court demi-plane, the difference akin to a puddle and the ocean.
"When the space here stabilizes a bit more, we can come here to build our nest and settle down."
Garon said.
Following that, without immediately leaving the Dragon Court demi-plane, Garon settled at the summit of the Eternal Hall, quietly chatting with the Strength Dragon girl beside him. Their view encompassed a vast sea of clouds, swirling and undulating in the gusts of wind, resembling endless frost and snow.
Time gradually passed.
After a while, Garon said to Yuna, "Yuna, you should head back to Kala first. I'll follow shortly."
The Eternal Hall contained a dragon's nest built for the Lord of the Dragon Court, but Garon didn't feel inclined to stay there just yet.
The demi-plane was too fragile.
Despite spanning hundreds of thousands of square kilometers, not being small by any means, residing here required careful control of one's power to avoid causing irreparable damage to the demi-plane. Garon found it somewhat restrictive and fragile for his liking, so he didn't plan to stay long in the Dragon Court demi-plane. He would wait until the space was further expanded and stabilized before moving his treasures to the dragon's nest here.
After hearing Garon's words, Yuna nodded.
"Then I'll head back first," she said.
Even in a demi-plane without gravity, supported by other special force fields, Yuna left the Dragon Court demi-plane ahead of Garon, returning to Kala through a portal facilitated by the plane's magic.
After watching Yuna depart,
Garon's gaze returned to the Iron Dragon King, who had remained.
"What's your real purpose for doing this?" Garon turned his head, looking at the dark metallic luster of the black iron dragon.
Iron dragons, which initially have scales with a black hue intermixed with a hint of silver luster, lose that faint silver gleam with age and the consumption of metallic substances, turning to pure black. The darker the scales, the stronger their defense.
Considering this individual's scales as dark as the deepest night, its defensive capabilities were likely formidable.
Upon hearing Garon's inquiry, the Iron Dragon King smiled, its massive body climbing to the top of the Eternal Hall and consciously positioning itself lower than Garon.
"Lord, you must have guessed."
The Iron Dragon King looked up at the silver dragon, speaking softly.
Garon shook his head.
"I want to hear it from you," he said.
The Iron Dragon King sighed.
"I had no choice but to do this."
"Think about it, if there were any other option, why would I sacrifice the honor and reputation I've worked thousands of years to build, to benefit another dragon?"
This nearly demigod-like creature showed a reflective expression on its hard, black dragon face.
"Thousands of years ago, heavy metal dragons were on par with metal dragons, chromatic dragons, and gem dragons as the true dragon races."
"But due to the offense of the first Iron Dragon King, our entire heavy metal dragon race was shunned by the dragon gods."
"Without the protection of dragon gods and lacking a strong leader like the first Iron Dragon King, the situation of our heavy metal dragons has worsened."
"As the Iron Dragon King, it's my duty to consider the future of the heavy metal dragon race."
After a pause, the Iron Dragon King's voice deepened, continuing, "I know the Dragon Court has the support of dragon gods. Coming here, perhaps the dragon gods might see my attitude and, with a god's mercy, forgive the mistake made by the first generation Iron Dragon King."
"Moreover, your status is no less than that of the dragon gods, and your future will not be limited to ordinary divine power."
"When you become stronger, I hope you can lend a helping hand to the Iron Dragon race, to regain the protection of dragon gods, or perhaps your protection."
The Iron Dragon King wasn't a rash or young dragon.
Despite being far older than Garon and the king of the Iron Dragon race, it didn't rely on its status, speaking to Garon in a pleading tone.
Garon looked at the Iron Dragon King, who bowed its head to him, his expression calm and without words.
This creature was clever.
Coming to him while he wasn't yet very powerful, it expressed its goodwill, willing to be commanded by a powerful being to invest in the Time Dragon, a legendary dragon kind with limitless potential, capable of standing equal with dragon gods. Direct allegiance to the dragon gods wouldn't have been possible for countless ancient dragons over time, especially given the disdain for the Iron Dragon race, which wouldn't have accepted the Iron Dragon King.
"Since you and a group of legendary Iron Dragons have signed the Dragon Court Covenant, you are now part of the Dragon Court."
"As the Lord of the Dragon Court, I will grant you appropriate status."
"As for the dragon gods... I can't make any promises to you."
Garon didn't mind that the Iron Dragon King had motives for coming.
Each legendary dragon that chose to join the Dragon Court had their reasons, and he, willing to be the Lord of the Dragon Court, was also for tangible benefits.
With the Iron Dragon King joining, more Iron Dragons would likely join the Dragon Court, strengthening the power of the Dragon Court Covenant.
This was what Garon wished to see.
Even for Garon, for a long time to come, legendary dragons could still play a significant role, including ancient dragons and even near-demigod dragons like the Iron Dragon King, representing a massive force not to be ignored.
On the other hand, after receiving Garon's response,
The Iron Dragon King showed a somewhat fierce smile due to its appearance.
"That's enough for me."
"Should the Dragon Court need the Iron Dragon race for anything, just command me, Lord."
The silver dragon's eyes flickered, saying, "There is indeed a task suited for you."
The Iron Dragon King's expression became solemn, "Please, speak."
After pondering for a moment, Garon slowly said, "The Dragon Court has just been established, and there's an essential organization within that has yet to find a legendary dragon willing to take charge."
Pausing, Garon's gaze narrowed as he continued, "The Enforcer Dragons of the Dragon Court."
"Their task is to apprehend and bring back to the Dragon Court demi-plane any members who cause conflicts within the Dragon Court or violate the Dragon Court Covenant, to administer the appropriate punishment."
"Think it over before agreeing; this is no easy task."
In the Dragon Court, punishment for violating the covenant, unless it involves unforgivable acts like colluding with giants to destroy dragonkind, does not lead to the execution of Dragon Court dragons.
This means that after serving punishment for some mistakes, the apprehended dragons will eventually regain their freedom.
Dragons are often vengeful. Even if the mistake was theirs, being humiliated and captured might not lead to vocal complaints, but those with petty natures would likely harbor resentment against the Enforcer Dragons, putting them in opposition to regular Dragon Court members over time.
The standards of the Dragon Court are actually quite high.
Its members are all legendary-level dragons, each a ruler in their own primary material world.
Being an Enforcer Dragon in the Dragon Court requires immense strength and is a demanding role.
Therefore, many dragons are reluctant to take on the role of Enforcer Dragon.
However, Iron Dragons, seen by other dragon kinds as more brutal and vicious than even chromatic dragons, with a bit of ostracization from other dragon species, are perfectly suited for the role of Enforcer Dragons. As Enforcer Dragons, they least need the friendship of other dragon kinds.
Thus, Garon proposed this task to the Iron Dragon King.
The
Iron Dragon King listened carefully to Garon's words.
After Garon finished speaking, the Iron Dragon King thought it over carefully, not taking too long to make a decision.
"I am willing to lead the Iron Dragon race as the Enforcers of the Dragon Court," the Iron Dragon King declared solemnly.
Garon patted the Iron Dragon King's shoulder, feeling the texture of its scales like the coldest, hardest steel.
"Good."
"You are the Iron Dragon King, and you will serve as the chief of the Enforcer Dragons."
"In the future, if any member violates the Dragon Court Covenant, I believe you have sufficient power to ensure they receive the punishment they deserve."
The Iron Dragon King nodded, understanding.
By joining the Dragon Court and finding an organization, the Iron Dragon King had achieved its goal.
The Dragon Court enjoys the protection of dragon gods.
And during the process of the Iron Dragon race swearing the Dragon Court Covenant, no dragon god intervened or made any objections.
Joining the Dragon Court, the heavy metal dragons, who had been without the protection of dragon gods for tens of thousands of years, could now somewhat be considered under the protection of dragon gods again. This was a joyous development, and contributing to this, compared to Garon outright ignoring the heavy metal dragons as if they did not exist, brought more peace of mind to the Iron Dragon King.
"That's enough, you may leave now."
"Get familiar with the duties of the Enforcer Dragons. I will announce through the Dragon Court Covenant that you have become the Enforcer Dragons soon," Garon instructed.
The Iron Dragon King nodded and prepared to depart.
However, just as a portal large enough to accommodate the fifty-meter-long dragon's body opened, the Iron Dragon King turned back, looking towards the silver dragon.
"Would you like to visit my Black Iron Castle?"
"The treasury of Black Iron Fortress has been sealed for hundreds of years. If you visit Black Iron Castle, I will open the treasury for you to choose some treasures or equipment you like."
The Iron Dragon King invited warmly, placing great value on this opportunity to alleviate the plight of the Iron Dragon race. The amount of goodwill expressed towards Garon was almost to the point of flattery.
Yet, for someone of the Iron Dragon King's status to set aside its nature, Garon's estimation of it increased further.
Worthy of a dragon nearing five thousand years old, it was almost entirely unaffected by dragon instincts, willing to do anything to achieve its goals.
"No need."
"Perhaps another time," Garon declined the Iron Dragon King's invitation.
Taking too much from the other party might appear as if accepting bribes, which would not reflect well on his reputation as the Lord of the Dragon Court.
The Iron Dragon King didn't insist further.
After being declined, it left the Dragon Court demi-plane.
Afterward, Garon admired the unique scenery of the Dragon Court demi-plane a while longer, then returned to Kala about half an hour later.
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