Chapter 483: Win-Win Means I Win Twice!

Kaelzorg.

After this legendary ancient dragon from the Helmod Dragonflight finished speaking, he quietly watched the red iron dragon across from him, waiting for his reply.

Across from him, Garoth was momentarily speechless.

Those damned outsiders, coming to Aola to beg!

That thought inexplicably popped into the red iron dragon’s mind.

Although the situation in their true forms differed somewhat, his thinking at this moment bore some resemblance to that crude impulse.

The Helmod Dragonflight’s strength was undeniable. Their continued activity despite repeated suppression by the Raging Tides Dragon Domain and numerous coastal city-states, and the terrifying reputation they’d forged around the Boiling Sea, all proved their might.

Moreover, they presented themselves as an order-aligned dragonflight, at least that was their claim.

But no amount of dressing up could change the fact that, at heart, they were a band of brigands and sea raiders.

Pillaging merchant vessels, looting ports, demanding ransoms... those acts of burning, killing, and plundering were already written into wanted notices across the coastal nations, passed among sailors as frightening tales.

“Allying with them might gain a powerful ally.”

“But the image my kingdom, Aola, has cultivated for years would collapse overnight. I would immediately be dragged down by the Helmod Dragonflight and become a target for the whole continent to denounce.”

Garoth weighed the matter silently.

The risk was enormous. Aola had only just finished the war with the Theo Kingdom; newly occupied lands needed consolidation, internal construction had to continue, and diplomacy with neighboring states required upkeep... now was certainly not the time to publicly ally with a notoriously infamous dragonflight.

Yet what if he outright refused?

Kaelzorg represented the entire Helmod Dragonflight. A dragonflight that had endured for centuries in the Boiling Sea must have a leader not to be trifled with.

Garoth was never one to make enemies lightly.

He needed a way to refuse their alliance without tearing everything apart. Ideally, he wanted to avoid formally binding Aola to Helmod while finding a way to use their strength for his own ends. That would be the best course.

The red iron dragon’s silence lengthened.

That silence gave Kaelzorg the wrong impression. He assumed Garoth was weighing the pros and cons seriously, hesitating rather than rejecting, so he decided to press his advantage and further outline the benefits of allying with the Helmod Dragonflight.

“Ignas His Majesty.”

“When we choose a landing site and establish a Helmod nation, if the Aola Kingdom grants formal recognition and support and publicly signs an alliance, we will reward you richly.”

He leaned forward slightly, giving his words more weight.

“The vast sea territories Helmod controls, the undersea mineral veins, rare marine produce, and magical materials—”

“All of those will be offered to Aola with priority, traded on the most favorable terms.”

“And more importantly, whatever threat Aola faces in the future, whether human coalitions or hostile dragons, a single summon will bring our roaring tides and thunder crashing down.”

“You will make any foe understand that attacking Aola is equivalent to making an enemy of Helmod.”

As he spoke, fine electric sparks crackled along the tips of his horns and wing edges, causing the air nearby to glow faintly.

“Sire, this is a win-win—no, a victory shared by all ambitious great dragons.”

“You have already torn a breach in the Dragonback Mountains of the Northern Lands, using iron and fire to prove dragons can establish a realm outside human rules. Now let Helmod drive a stake into the western shore.”

“We will create a pincer movement—north and west supporting each other.”

“The land kingdoms will be pressured by our clamp; in time, the continent’s coasts and interior will come under dragon wings.”

Evil dragons... Garoth’s brow scales twitched.

Kaelzorg spoke of “evil dragons” as if it were self-evident, as if Garoth belonged to them. But the red iron dragon had never publicly accepted belonging to the evil dragon camp—at least not in public. Aola’s founding involved war and conquest, but it was conducted within the established rules among nations. He had the witnesses of the Metal Dragon domains, legitimate causes for war, post-war treaties... all starkly different from Helmod’s naked plunder.

“Kaelzorg, I must correct your wording.”

Garoth spoke directly.

The blue dragon’s pupils narrowed as his gaze focused on the red iron dragon.

“Aola rose from the wilderness and secured a foothold in the north. That does not mean ‘evil dragons can easily found nations.’ Those are two separate matters.”

“My success was built on timing, strategy, and a certain degree of external recognition.”

“If the Helmod Dragonflight intends to land and found a nation with the fearsome reputation and well-known evil deeds you parade, the resistance you face will far exceed what Aola encountered. You won’t merely be fighting the garrison at the landing site; you may provoke united intervention from multiple major powers nearby, and even a formal punitive campaign from the Metal Dragon domains.”

He stared into the blue dragon’s eyes and added, “I do not belittle Helmod’s strength; I am simply stating a fact.”

“You are ambitious, which I admire. But you must recognize the harshness of the path you’ve chosen.”

Hearing Garoth’s blunt, even sharp words, Kaelzorg showed no anger. In traditional evil-dragon values, a fearsome reputation and wicked deeds often carried a perverse admiration, signifying power and threat. He only grinned, baring a mouthful of teeth fit for tearing prey.

“Sire, we are well aware of what you mentioned.”

Kaelzorg said, “We have tangled with the Boiling Sea and the Raging Tides Dragon Domain for centuries. Conflicts with other coastal city-states are countless. We know exactly how many bounties hang over our heads and how many eyes burn with hatred.”

He raised his massive head slightly.

“But since the Helmod great dragons have decided to land and found a nation, we are prepared to face every challenge.”

“We do not fight battles without confidence; we do not undertake plans without prospects of victory.”

His words carried fierce confidence—not blind arrogance, but the assurance tempered by storms and bloody conflicts.

Does this dragonflight have some special backer to dare such a decision? Garoth thought.

Considered carefully, a dragonflight that could remain active and even grow under the continual assault of the Raging Tides Domain would not be led by fools. Their decision to plan landing and nation-building at this moment must have been carefully weighed, with risks and rewards assessed—and perhaps key intelligence or leverage in hand.

As Garoth pondered, Kaelzorg’s voice dropped a notch.

“Sire, I have heard many interesting rumors about you. I do not know which are true.”

“What rumors?” Garoth asked.

The blue dragon’s slit pupils narrowed; electric light flowed at their edges.

“They say you have close ties with some Metal Dragons or even certain Metal Dragon domains,” Kaelzorg said slowly. “You once won the championship at a contest in the Everbright Dragon Domain; you were ambushed by a legendary Bronze Dragon on one journey, yet escaped safely under the guarantee of the Vophal Dragon Domain, by order of that Gold Dragon King... these stories circulate in various versions, but what I tell you should be closest to the truth.”

Garoth’s brow scales tightened. The Metal Dragons witnessing Aola’s founding was already widely known; that did not surprise him. But the championship in Everbright, the Bronze Dragon ambush, and the Vophal Domain’s intervention were not public knowledge.

“Where did you hear these things?” he asked.

Kaelzorg smiled faintly.

“It seems these stories are true.”

“As for the source... our dragonflight has long prowled the Boiling Sea; the Raging Tides Domain is our enemy, and learning about our foes is routine. We collect every possible piece of intelligence.”

“And while combing through that intelligence, we happened upon tales about you.”

“A rogue dragon with both Five-colored Dragon and Iron Hybrid Dragon blood who maintains ambiguous ties with multiple Metal Dragon domains—such a figure naturally draws attention. Pull at those threads and more details emerge.”

Garoth stared at the blue dragon, thinking for a few seconds before asking, “If you already know I have dealings with the Metal Dragon domains, even some degree of friendship, why come here to propose an alliance?”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll disclose your plans to the Metal Dragon domains or distance myself from you?”

Kaelzorg laughed, a sound like muted thunder.

“Forgive my frankness, sire.”

He suppressed his grin and spoke more seriously.

“Your mixed bloodline—part Five-colored, part Iron Hybrid—is fundamentally at odds with the nature of the Metal Dragons, like water trying to quench fire.”

“Those self-righteous, noble types—do you truly think they understand your ambition and empire? Do you think they’ll wholeheartedly back Aola’s expansion?”

The blue dragon leaned forward, cutting the distance between them.

“The Metal Dragons’ friendship rests on your current surface-level adherence to order and your restraint of ambition.”

“If you show stronger conquest lust or violate their tenets, do you think those Metal Dragons will still stand with you without hesitation?”

“Perhaps a few Metal Dragons are personally friendly and won’t oppose you. But most will treat you as an enemy that must be eradicated.”

Garoth did not respond immediately; he listened quietly. The blue dragon was not entirely wrong. Garoth never fully trusted the Dragon Domains; he always kept a degree of caution and distance. But it was undeniable that the Dragon Domain ties had been extremely important to him, shielding him from many troubles and buying time for development. The future, however, was not something to fully scheme over right now.

“Look at history, sire.” Kaelzorg’s voice resumed. “How many times have Metal Dragons allied with human mages and paladins to strangle our ambitions in the cradle?”

“They see us as incarnations of evil and disaster, and will not hesitate to join with other races to slaughter their own kind.”

His words grew more impassioned; the electric arcing across his scales leapt and flashed.

“Sire, the blood in your veins is still the blood of an evil dragon.”

“Evil dragons should consort with evil dragons.”

“Instead of pinning your hopes on Metal Dragons who will eventually abandon you over ideological clashes, join with the Helmod Dragonflight—those who truly understand and share your nature and ambitions.”

“Those Metal Dragons? Never fully trustworthy.”

“Don’t even mention the Raging Tides Domain. There changes are fierce; the number of dragons intent on eradicating evil dragons is growing. Their treatment of you could mirror their treatment of us.”

“But we, the Helmod Dragonflight, are the allies you should choose.”

“We will not constrain you with hypocritical creeds; we only believe in bonds forged by strength and interest.”

When he finished, the giant blue dragon reclined slightly, giving Garoth space to decide.

Garoth remained silent as his mind worked through every point. Kaelzorg, as Helmod’s envoy, had indeed shown excellent oratory and insight. His words were not entirely baseless. The Metal Dragon domains’ friendship was uncertain; as Aola developed, ideological conflict could arise. A powerful evil-dragon ally could indeed offer substantial assistance.

Still, Garoth was sober-minded. Publicly allying with Helmod would likely do more harm than good. Whether Helmod intended to use Aola as a shield or truly meant well, that “friendship” carried too many risks and uncertainties. As for the Metal Dragons, the Vophal Domain under the Bronze Dragon King might cause trouble—yet both the Everbright and Vophal domains had clearly friendly attitudes toward Garoth now. That relationship had been hard-won; he would not abandon it for a pirate dragonflight.

“I need to find another way...” Garoth told himself.

“I must avoid being immediately yoked to Helmod’s carriage while converting as much of their strength to my benefit, perhaps even turning them to my advantage.”

A viable plan slowly formed in his mind.

“I understand Helmod’s ambition and your praise,” Garoth said at last.

“The vision you painted is indeed alluring; the dangers you pointed out are not unfounded.”

Kaelzorg’s expression did not brighten; rather, it grew more serious. His long life had taught him countless negotiations end with a “but” after such conciliatory openings—a “but” that usually meant refusal or heavy conditions. Noticing the ancient dragon’s gaze shift, Garoth paused briefly. Then he changed tack without evasion.

“But I cannot grant the formal recognition or sign the alliance you request.”

Kaelzorg’s neck muscles tensed visibly, but he suppressed further reaction and asked in a low voice, “Sire Ignas, I represent the Helmod Dragonflight and have come over the mountains with the greatest sincerity. If you intend to refuse our alliance outright, at least give me a convincing reason.”

“So I can truthfully report back to the other leaders and let them understand your considerations.”

His tone remained polite, but a trace of displeasure showed beneath it.

Garoth nodded slightly.

“I also want to see another dragon-led nation rise. That would mean we are no longer alone and perhaps herald the return of the dragons’ era.”

“I also desire a powerful ally who can support us in key moments.”

“But timing and cost prevent me from making the choice you expect.”

“Aola has not yet stabilized. We just ended the war with the Theo Kingdom; treaties were signed and newly occupied lands must be consolidated. If we openly form an alliance with a notorious blue-dragon pirate flight now, Aola would immediately become the continent’s target.”

Kaelzorg seemed about to retort. “Sire, risks and rewards always coexist. The Helmod Dragonflight has other evil-dragon allies—if preparations are meticulous and actions swift...”

Garoth raised one foreclaw in a gesture of pause and interrupted:

“Listen to me, envoy.”

Kaelzorg took a deep breath, swallowed his rebuttal, and fell silent.

“I am not rejecting Helmod’s friendship, nor denying your strength.”

Garoth spoke slowly. “On the contrary, I think the Helmod Dragonflight is worth courting. Maintaining contact and cooperating at certain levels is greatly beneficial to Aola’s future.”

“But the form of cooperation needs to change.”

Kaelzorg’s vertical pupils blinked with curiosity. “Sire, you mean?”

Garoth said, “Aola and the Helmod Dragonflight will not have any formal alliance.”

“We must keep distance and even maintain a façade of hostility before other races.”

Hearing this, the blue dragon’s eyes flickered with realization.

“You mean...”

“We publicly act like enemies or at least behave like strangers, but privately exchange intelligence, provide material support, and conduct covert cooperation.”

“This way we can combine strengths without becoming an immediate continental risk that prompts united action.”

Garoth nodded in satisfaction at Kaelzorg’s quick grasp.

“Exactly. Such a relationship is more flexible than an exposed alliance and harder to target.”

“We can adjust cooperation depth according to circumstances without being bound by public treaty obligations.”

Kaelzorg lowered his huge head and fell into lengthy silence. Garoth’s proposal clearly exceeded Helmod’s expectations; he needed time to digest and weigh the pros and cons. After a few seconds, he raised his head, eyes sharp on Garoth.

“But this means the Helmod Dragonflight must bear the full pressure of the landing alone, which contradicts our intent to seek allies and share risk.”

This old dragon was not to be fooled... Garoth thought inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged.

“Kaelzorg, you are correct.”

Garoth did not refute him and admitted candidly.

“In this arrangement, Helmod will indeed face great pressure alone.”

He paused slightly, narrowing his eyes. “But if Helmod dares to plot a landing and shows such confidence, they must have prepared thoroughly for the hardships ahead.”

“Aola’s covert support will reduce the difficulty of your success and minimize unnecessary losses.”

“If under those conditions the Helmod Dragonflight still lacks confidence of survival... then perhaps there is no need for a formal alliance.”

The purpose of allies is to increase the odds of victory, not shoulder a certain defeat. Garoth’s meaning was clear: if Helmod had no guarantee of success, any alliance would be an empty promise.

Kaelzorg fell silent. His massive head inclined, electric light racing through his pupils like brewing storm clouds. He was weighing the proposal rapidly. Garoth’s plan differed from Helmod’s original design, but upon reflection, it was not unworkable. Covert cooperation could not immediately relieve public pressure but could provide substantive aid while preventing premature exposure and mass retaliation. After a few seconds, Kaelzorg lifted his head.

“Sire’s proposal... I need time to deliberate and confer with the dragonflight’s leaders.”

Kaelzorg said, “This matter is weighty and beyond my sole authority.”

“I will bring today’s conversation and your specific proposal back to the Boiling Sea and present them exactly as they are to the leaders. The final decision will be made collectively.”

“As it should be.”

Garoth nodded. “Whatever your final decision, I hope we maintain channels of communication.”

“More friends are better than more enemies.”

“Win-win is what I desire.”

Kaelzorg peered at the red iron dragon, searching the dark red scales for deeper meaning. After a moment, he extended a foreclaw, palm up. Electric arcs gathered between his claws and formed a fist-sized deep-blue sphere, within which lightning and whirlpools churned, emanating a faint stable magical pulse.

“This is a token. Please accept it, sire.”

The blue dragon handed over the sphere. “When we reach a decision, we will contact you through it.”

Garoth extended a sharp claw and lightly took the sphere, turning it over in his claws to inspect it. Seeing this, Kaelzorg unfurled his wings, the patterns on the wing membranes lighting one by one.

“Sire Ignas, the deep sea and volcanoes may be separated by thousands of miles, but burning ambition knows no region.”

With a gust, his massive wings beat, whipping a wind that formed a whirlwind. He soared straight up, drawing a thick black cloud to cloak his form and aura, and soon vanished into the sky above the Dragonback Mountains.

Only after that dark cloud left the visible sky did Garoth slowly withdraw his gaze.

Beskarl, the long-silent white dragon, now approached, his tone openly admiring.

“Sire, that was brilliant.”

“Feigning friendliness with Helmod and using them as a shield.”

“In this way, we can strengthen our influence on the Romanian Plains while gaining more attention and support from the Metal Dragon domains, making them think Aola is resolute.”

“Ha! Win-win means we win twice!”

Garoth turned to the white dragon.

“Feign friendliness?” he repeated the phrase slowly, then shook his head. “No, Beskarl, I did not lie to Kaelzorg.”

The white dragon blinked. Garoth’s gaze returned to the horizon where the blue dragon had vanished.

He said, “Cooperating with Helmod is precisely what I want.”

“A powerful dragonflight attempting to land will distract more kingdoms and the Raging Tides Domain, which benefits Aola greatly.”

He paused, a depth of thought flashing across his eyes.

“However, if Helmod runs into trouble later, we can easily sever ties. As long as there is no formal, overt alliance, everything else is manageable.”

Beskarl’s face lit with understanding. The relationship between Aola and Helmod should remain ambiguous—advantagous if Helmod succeeds, safe to abandon if they fail. Aola could quietly benefit; if Helmod collapsed, Garoth could disavow them without hesitation, even strike when they were down.

“You’d make a fine Mind Sorcerer,” the amethyst dragon murmured softly.

“I once thought you handled such matters mainly through that iron-dragon kin, making Aola orderly while you focused on personal strength, but I underestimated you.”

“I simply dislike tedious negotiations, not that I’m bad at them.” Garoth’s eyes stayed forward as he answered inwardly.

Several days later.

In a place the sun never reaches, deep and secret in the abyssal trench.

Here water pressure could crush steel, and the darkness was thick as substance, pierced only occasionally by the cold blue glow of bioluminescent creatures that traced the shapes of massive struggling silhouettes. Heavy, slow breaths stirred dark currents.

Three ancient dragon leaders of the Helmod Dragonflight had already learned Kaelzorg’s report in full and understood Garoth’s intent and proposal.

“No public recognition, even outward hostility, but secretly allied?” The first voice rumbled like a blunted thunder from the seabed, tinged with amusement.

“Heh, that Red Emperor... founding a dragon nation on land—he truly has exceptional wisdom, not a foolish dragon.” The second voice responded with calm, analytical tone.

“He wants to use us, not genuinely ally in the way we expect.” The third voice said bluntly.

“Indeed. But haven’t we always wanted to use the Aola Kingdom?” the first voice replied with a cold edge, “All alliances are mutual use; he and we both know this.”

A brief silence. Only currents and giant beasts’ breaths braided in the dark.

“In any case, his proposal does have merits.” The second voice finally said. “Agree for now.”

“Cooperating in secret is better than being completely isolated. Let us see who truly laughs last and who becomes the ultimate victor.”

“Seconded.”

“Agreed.”

The whispering voices faded. Currents surged on. In the lightless trench, the dragons’ will had been decided.