Drake's dragon head lowered to scrutinize the earth around him, seeking clues in the soil.
"Judging by the condition of the ground here, not much time has passed on Earth, right?" Drake mused, unsure.
As a seasoned transmigrator and reborn consumer of countless anime and novels, Drake was highly observant of such details. He could make no assumptions about time ratios between Earth and the other world; they might not even measure time the same way.
[The world of Saint Soren operates on a different temporal axis than Earth, and the time ratio can vary randomly. Generally, ten days to a fortnight in Saint Soren might equate to just one or two days on Earth.]
AI provided the answer without Drake having to figure it out himself.
"So that's how it is..." Drake realized, but then grew anxious. "Hold on—if that's the case, spending just a day or two on Earth means a fortnight could pass in the other world?!"
The implications were staggering. If the time ratio worked against him, failing to secure enough food for Dragon City within a couple of days could lead to widespread starvation by the time he returned. Despite his faith in the elven queen's wisdom to provide some ration, if the elves themselves struggled with food self-sufficiency in winter, the best they could offer Dragon City would be a few days' sustenance.
Drake knew he couldn't rely on the elves; he had only himself.
Faced with feeding a population of a hundred thousand, the challenge seemed insurmountable for just a couple of days' effort. Whether as a tycoon or a dragon, gathering such resources would take time.
[Do not fret, Host. The time conversion ratio is relative and centered on you as an individual. If you were to spend a fortnight on Earth, only a day or two would pass in Saint Soren's world. Regardless of your location, time in the other world slows down.]
"Is it that powerful?"
AI's explanation left Drake blinking in astonishment—he could scarcely believe it. Although his godhood contained temporal abilities, the essence of time remained a mystery to him.
[This is one of Tyren's greatest achievements in spatial-temporal travel.]
AI responded nonchalantly.
"Then wouldn't Tyren civilization be invincible? If the invaded world lacks such technology, they'd be defenseless against annihilation, right?"
Drake pondered the tactical implications. Manipulating time ratios could be terrifying in warfare. An invading army could be repeatedly reinforced within days, while from the invaded civilization's perspective, it would seem relentless and unending.
[Adjusting time ratios requires significant energy. It's manageable for an individual like you but not feasible for large-scale troop movements. When Tyren invades a third civilization, the temporal flow synchronizes once the space-time passage opens. This technology is typically used for initial reconnaissance.]
"I see, so scouts gather detailed data over years, or even decades, to prepare for an invasion."
Drake nodded in understanding. As long as his personal time was not impacted, that was all he needed to know.
With newfound peace of mind, Drake began to roam the tropical jungle.
His ten-meter body, now a juvenile dragon in strength, was invincible in this world—as long as he avoided human weaponry. Even apex predators like tigers and lions would break their teeth against his dragon scales.
Empowered by his natural draconic majesty, Drake no longer had to hide like his old lizard self. He could boldly traverse the rainforest.
The humidity and heat of the rainforest were trivial nuisances to Drake. His scaled runes were not merely decorative—they regulated his temperature, allowing him to thrive in any natural environment. Some dragons even basked in lava, a testament to their adaptability.
"So this is what the rainforest is like. Honestly, back when I was human, I envied the researchers who could study in the wild. Survival in the wilderness was a dream of mine."
Drake's voice was tinged with wonder.
Like a heavy tank, he blazed a trail through the jungle, forging rivers and splintering trees in his path. Animals scattered at his approach, overwhelmed by his draconic aura. Even the rainforest's pesky insects would perish upon nearing him.
"Wow, is that a jaguar? Look at the beauty of that female's fur, those lithe muscles—truly breathtaking! And there, a female crocodile with sharp teeth and rugged, sturdy skin—such a sight stirs the heart!"
On his journey, Drake encountered numerous animals, some familiar, others strange. Each beautiful female creature he saw quickened his pulse.
But soon enough, Drake caught himself, trying to shake off the disturbing thoughts.
Is this what it means to be single for too long, finding even female beasts and crocodiles bewitching?
The animals under Drake's gaze trembled in fear, cowering in submission and crying pitifully, utterly at his mercy.
While internally chanting mantras of his normalcy and disinterest in female fauna, Drake's keen ears picked up a disturbance nearby.