As the meeting came to a close, the noble lords and ladies began to disperse, their conversations fading into the distance as they retreated to their chambers. The preparations for the war were extensive, and many nobles had brought their children along, some even bringing entire entourages of sons, daughters, and other relatives. The castle of the Golden Rose family was large, but it wasn't quite enough to accommodate the influx of people.
In light of this, Count Daniel had made a wise decision to house the lesser barons in the nearby city, where they could stay in the homes of wealthy merchants and minor nobles. These accommodations might not have been as luxurious as the castle itself, but for the barons, they were certainly comfortable enough. The Dragon Breath Knights, too, had to make do with what they had. The Golden Rose family's own members had their own rooms, but the rest of the knights had to make camp in the castle's training grounds.
Clobber, as usual, had no complaints. He walked with steady steps toward the room designated for him, his thoughts momentarily drifting. As a messenger and aide to the Duke, his role was to carry out orders. But when the time came to rest, he was still entitled to his own room and time to himself.
Given the nature of the upcoming conflict—primarily involving the Steel Dragon and the various magical beasts of the Moiy Forest—Clobber had taken the initiative to ensure he was prepared. He had ordered his servants to fetch a couple of books from the family library: The Complete Guide to Beastly Creatures and A Detailed Illustrated Guide to the World's Dragons.
The first book would help him understand the potential enemies they would face in the coming days, while the second would serve a different purpose. It wasn't just about preparing for battle—it was also about satisfying his own curiosity. After all, who wouldn't want to ride a dragon? The benefits of becoming a Dragon Knight were numerous, and the idea of such a life thrilled Clobber.
The allure of riding a dragon, of becoming one of the elite Dragon Knights, was irresistible. In fact, just the thought of becoming a Dragon Knight was enough to stir his ambition. The possibilities were endless, from immense personal power to the prospect of building one's own kingdom. No wonder the title held such appeal.
So, naturally, Clobber opened the book on dragons first. This was a compilation put together by the esteemed University Scholars of the Emerald Kingdom. It was said that most of the information in this tome came from direct observation of dragons, making it a highly authoritative resource. The first page was dedicated to the Emerald Dragon, the dragon ridden by the founding king of the Emerald Kingdom.
The Emerald Dragon was over eighty meters long and not only produced emeralds by exhaling magical breath, but it could also cast destructive spells with its own innate magical power. These dragons were considered "magic dragons" and were among the most formidable of their kind. Compared to regular dragons like the Steel Dragon or the Golden Dragon, the Emerald Dragon's size, strength, and magical abilities made it an even more powerful creature.
What was even more fascinating to Clobber was the fact that these magical dragons, unlike regular dragons, had the ability to influence their surroundings. The Emerald Dragon's breath could turn the very earth into emerald, and its magic could reshape the land and environment. It was said that their magical abilities were tied to the manipulation of natural elements, particularly gemstones.
Flipping through the pages, Clobber found other examples of magical dragons—The Precious Gold Dragon, The Mithril Dragon, and The Copper Mountain Dragon. These dragons were also known for their ability to transform their surroundings into valuable resources. The Precious Gold Dragon, for instance, had the ability to generate a unique form of gold that had remarkable magical properties, making it highly prized among magic users and alchemists.
The Mithril Dragon was another example. While the Emerald Dragon's ability to produce emeralds was unique, the Mithril Dragon could generate mithril, a rare and incredibly durable metal. Mithril was prized for its magical conductivity and strength, qualities that made it an essential resource for crafting weapons and armor capable of withstanding magical assaults.
As Clobber read on, he came across other types of magical dragons—The Elemental Dragons (such as Fire Dragons and Water Dragons), and The Gemstone Dragons, whose breath transformed the land around them into various precious stones.
Elemental dragons were particularly interesting. They were considered rarities, and the general theory was that they were the embodiments of the elements themselves. These dragons, unlike other dragons, were singular in nature—there was only one Fire Dragon or Water Dragon in the entire world. If one were to die, the world would simply regenerate another to replace it. However, this regeneration didn't mean there would be a second of the same kind. Each Elemental Dragon was a unique being, and scholars believed that the existence of such dragons was proof that the elements themselves were conscious beings.
While no Dragon Knight had ever been able to tame an Elemental Dragon, there were persistent rumors that someone would one day succeed. However, it was widely acknowledged that these dragons were fiercely independent and would never willingly submit to a human rider. Their innate hatred of humans was also part of the reason why they were so elusive and difficult to study.
Clobber found himself absorbed in these fascinating details. As much as he was preparing for the impending war, part of him couldn't help but dream of a time when he might be the one riding a dragon like the Golden Dragon, Vivian. It wasn't a secret that the Golden Rose family's Dragon Knights were among the most revered in the world, and the thought of joining their ranks gave him a sense of purpose.
The third section of the book was dedicated to the Gemstone Dragons. These were dragons that, like the Golden Dragon and Steel Dragon, had the unique ability to produce precious stones from their breath. However, their abilities differed significantly from those of the mining dragons, like the Emerald Dragon. The Gemstone Dragons were considered valuable not for their resource production alone, but also for their beauty and rarity.
One of the most famous Gemstone Dragons was the Forest Green Gemstone Dragon that resided in the Emerald Kingdom. This dragon had the ability to generate rare and highly valuable gemstones—emeralds, sapphires, and even diamonds—by channeling its magical breath into the surrounding environment. These dragons were highly sought after by collectors and mages, but their temperaments were as rare and precious as the gems they produced. They were known to be aloof and elusive, often remaining hidden in the deepest parts of forests or mountains where they could continue to produce their treasures in peace.
Clobber closed the book with a thoughtful frown. He had learned a great deal about the different types of dragons, and while his immediate concerns were centered around the Moiy Forest and the Steel Dragon, his mind couldn't help but wander to the possibilities that lay in the future. If the opportunity ever arose, he would do whatever it took to become a Dragon Knight—someone who could one day ride a dragon like Vivian.
But for now, he had a war to focus on. And the more he learned about the Steel Dragon, the more prepared he felt. The creature had already caused significant damage, and it had proven itself cunning enough to evade capture. But with the Duke's resources and the strength of the Dragon Breath Knights, Clobber was confident they would succeed in eradicating the menace once and for all.
Still, it was crucial to understand the enemy. And as the saying went, "Know thyself, know thy enemy, and in a hundred battles, you will never be in peril." With this knowledge in hand, Clobber knew that their victory was only a matter of time.
The various types of gemstone dragons were categorized by the colors of the gems they produced. For example, the Forest Green Gemstone Dragon could produce Forest Green gems—jewel-like stones that contained vast amounts of magical energy. These gems had practical uses: wearing a Forest Green gem could enhance the wearer's vitality, and crafting magical gear with them could accelerate the healing of wounds. The best part was that Forest Green gems didn't lose their magic after a single use; they could absorb magic from their surroundings to restore themselves over time.
But, there was a trade-off. Gemstone dragons produced far fewer resources compared to mineral dragons. While a mineral dragon could saturate an entire mountain with its magical breath, a gemstone dragon could only affect the land directly beneath its body, and at most, the radius of its influence stretched no deeper than five meters.
The resources created by mineral dragons, like iron and other metals, were often used by the military. Iron, for instance, could be used to forge weapons and armor, while gold, silver, and copper were used to mint coins. And these coins, while often overlooked, weren't just ordinary currency—they contained small amounts of magic. Since all the metals were produced by dragons, they were considered magical in nature.
In contrast, gemstone dragons primarily served the needs of the nobility. Owning a piece of magical gem gear was a mark of pride for the noble classes. As for why gold, silver, and copper were chosen as the primary currencies, it all had to do with the dragons in the Emerald Kingdom. There was a bronze dragon and three silver dragons kept within the kingdom, which were responsible for producing these metals. As for gold—well, it was no secret that the Duke of the Golden Rose family, a powerful Dragon Knight, had access to an abundant supply of gold. The region around the Saint Golden Fortress was particularly rich in gold mines.
The concept was simple: just a single shovel of earth could reveal a vein of gold. However, there was a downside—if the dragon riders patrolled the area, anyone caught mining gold would be risking their life. No one wanted to cross paths with the Dragon Breath Knights.
The fourth category of dragons was the mineral dragons, also called ore dragons. These dragons were mentioned in the largest section of the book. The first type discussed was the Golden Dragon. Golden dragons were generally around thirty to forty meters long. Vivian, however, was a mutant among her kind—she reached over forty meters long even while still in her youth. Normally, a Golden Dragon would grow to about thirty meters in length.
The Tin Dragon was also recorded in the book. A typical Tin Dragon in its youth would measure around thirty meters long, and as an adult, it would grow to forty meters. The tin it produced was particularly valuable for its use in pharmaceuticals and the creation of alloys.
In this world, minerals were extremely precious, and people had long found ways to use these dragons for various purposes beyond just military or economic gain. For example, the tin from a Tin Dragon could be fused with bronze from a Bronze Dragon to create an alloy that was just as strong as steel. This unique metal, known as Tin-Bronze Alloy, was highly sought after.
Steel itself was also created through a particular process involving the forging of iron. But when it came to Tin Dragons, their slender, elongated limbs were one of their most distinct features. Unlike other dragons whose bodies were bulkier and more muscular, Tin Dragons had long, graceful limbs, making them appear somewhat lean and wiry. This build contributed to their agility, and despite their smaller size compared to other dragons, their exceptional speed made them formidable in battle. Even if they were outmatched, their ability to quickly escape made them a tricky enemy.
Clobber, after reading through the sections on gemstone and mineral dragons, turned to the second book: The Complete Guide to the Behavioral Habits of Beastly Creatures. This was the book he intended to focus on now. He wanted to gain a better understanding of the magical beasts in Moiy Forest, as the war ahead would involve many of them. The rest of the creatures mentioned in the book could be left for another time.
As he flipped through the pages, he discovered that Moiy Forest was home to a staggering number of magical beasts—around forty different species, most of which were pack creatures. There were only a handful of solitary beasts or the mutated forms of regular wild animals.
The pack creatures were easy to understand. Take, for example, the Windrunner, a type of Sawtooth Antelope. These creatures were considered mid-tier magical beasts and were known for their speed and agility, traits that made them highly dangerous when hunting in packs.
On the other hand, solitary magical beasts were typically hunting creatures. These were often lone predators that lived and hunted alone, as opposed to their pack-hunting counterparts. These solitary beasts could be dangerous, but they weren't quite as deadly as the more coordinated pack creatures.
The term "mutated creatures" was a phrase coined by the Scholar's Council to describe regular animals that had undergone transformations. For example, Windrunners were originally wild beasts, but if they happened to undergo certain circumstances—whether through a magical anomaly or due to human intervention—these beasts would evolve into low-tier magical creatures, and this is what scholars referred to as a mutated creature.
However, the general public didn't use the term mutated creature. Instead, they would refer to the creature by its original name, with the prefix "low-tier magical beast" added. So, for example, the Sharma horse that had evolved into a low-tier magical beast would simply be called a "low-tier magical Sharma". It was a more comfortable way of referring to these creatures, especially among the nobility, who often kept them as prized animals. No one wanted to think of their beloved steeds as "mutated" in any way.
In fact, there was a famous incident that had occurred years ago when the Scholar's Council had classified the mighty Golden Giant Dragon, Vivian, as a mutated dragon. This caused an uproar, especially when Princess Veronica, who at the time was the princess of the Emerald Kingdom, rode Vivian to the Scholar's Council and taught the scholars a lesson they would never forget. She had stormed into their chambers, dragging the great dragon with her, and gave them a thorough scolding before leaving with Vivian.
Ever since then, the term mutated creature had disappeared from common use, and it was said that the scholars had learned their lesson. The word was only used in books and official documents—never in public discourse.
Clobber closed the book with a deep breath. His mind was racing with the information he had just consumed. While he had already learned about the dragons and beasts in the Moiy Forest, he knew that simply knowing their names and abilities wasn't enough. He needed to develop a deeper understanding of how these creatures behaved, especially if he was to face them in battle. The upcoming war against the Steel Dragon and the creatures of Moiy Forest would be no small matter.
As Clobber pondered over his readings, he couldn't help but feel a growing sense of responsibility. He was part of something much larger than himself—a campaign that would shape the future of the Golden Rose family, and possibly the entire kingdom. He had a lot to prove, not just to his family, but to himself as well. He had studied the dragons, the magical beasts, and the strategies of war, but the true test would be when he was finally standing on the battlefield, facing the creatures he had only read about.