CHAPTER 404: CHAPTER 249: NO MAGIC TO SUCCEED

Of course, the latter two were not easy to come by.

Acquiring Dragon Eggs was already challenging, and it was even harder to find Hatchlings that had just emerged from their shells or were yet to hatch. The incubation conditions for Hatchlings were also very specific. Moreover, suitable Hatchlings grew incredibly fast; they could outgrow the ideal size in the time it took to eat a meal or take a nap.

When Abaidra first became Governor, he had set his sights on Hatchlings—or more precisely, young Drow Dragonkin.

Unfortunately, before he could turn his ideas into action and organize a plan to figuratively ’import a batch of goods’ from Spider Nest City, the breeding Dragon kept there led its kin in a massive rebellion and vanished without a trace.

It was said that over thirty years later, he returned with his kin. By then, however, he had become a legend, a fact that filled Abaidra with regret.

After all, dealing with a legendary Red Dragon was like handling a porcupine; only someone out of their mind would provoke one without good reason.

Even if he himself could withstand it, the main brain, extremely sensitive to its surroundings, might not.

Abaidra was maintaining a ’peaceful, development-focused’ mindset. Just as he was retrieving a Spirit Sucker tadpole from the brain pool to assess its development,

BOOM! A sound like an underground volcano erupting suddenly rocked the entire Meltsteel Fortress as if an earthquake had struck.

Abaidra nearly smashed the fragile Spirit Sucker tadpole against the wall. When he turned, he saw the vast main brain pool rippling from the tremendous shock.

Simultaneously, perhaps due to the sudden loss of contact with too many ’tentacles’, the main brain began to writhe frantically as if in panic. Countless tadpoles were instinctively captured and devoured by the main brain, becoming vital nourishment.

Among them, naturally, were several mature individuals Abaidra had particularly favored, for whom he had already prepared host bodies.

"NO!!!" If David, who was rushing over, could have captured Abaidra’s expression at that moment, it would have been strikingly reminiscent of ’The Scream.’

Had these been normal losses, Abaidra wouldn’t have batted an eye; it would simply be the natural process of survival of the fittest among the Spirit Suckers. But this was purely a case of being caught in the crossfire—an utter catastrophe.

"What on earth is going on!? Report to me!" Abaidra’s powerful Mind-Piercing Screech instantly spread through most of Meltsteel Fortress’s urban area via the main brain.

Even the Spirit Suckers’ brains trembled from the frustration-filled screech. The psychic thralls toiling in the urban area instantly collapsed. Most fainted, but a few closer to the main city’s core died on the spot, bleeding from all seven orifices, their faces frozen in expressions of horror.

"...Governor, two legendary Red Dragons—no! Three Red Dragons are in a chaotic battle! Judging by their trajectory, it seems inevitable our main city will be affected. Just now, a ’Dragon Breath Bomb’ from one of the Red Dragons landed in our main urban district. Although we intercepted it immediately, the explosion’s shockwave still destroyed half a city block."

"..." Abaidra was momentarily speechless.

Conflicts among Chromatic Dragons were commonplace, especially over the ownership of a lair. When such disasters struck, one could only accept their misfortune. After all, dragons, particularly Red Dragons, showed no concern for innocent bystanders caught in their battles.

He could understand Red Dragons fighting. But three of them in a melee? What was this madness?

As if sensing the Governor’s confusion on a psychic level, the eyewitness added their observation:

"From their roars, they seem to be closely related by blood. The battle appears to be a one-sided family challenge. As for the third Red Dragon, it seems to be trying to mediate the fight—that last ’Dragon Breath Bomb’ was its."

"..." Hearing this absurd method of mediation, Abaidra’s expression twisted with disgust, as if he had seen some fool contaminate the sacred brain pool with his own filth while tending to the spawning grounds. It was utterly revolting.

Is this how Red Dragons mediate?

"All Governors and Spirit Sucker Elders, follow me! We must keep this swarm of Red Dragons out of the fortress’s urban area."

He had to repel this mobile disaster from his territory immediately. Otherwise, the persistently unstable environment would cause the main brain to convulse and instinctively devour more Spirit Sucker tadpoles for sustenance.

However, he decided against appointing anyone to guard the main brain in his absence.

When he wasn’t present, the other Spirit Suckers posed the greatest threat. They might attempt to seize control of the main brain or eliminate rival tadpoles to improve their own offspring’s chances of survival.

Yet, the thought of those two formidable, headache-inducing legends made him add:

"Exercise restraint. Avoid direct confrontation if possible."

"Yes, Governor." The assent of his kin came instantly through the telepathic web.

The next moment, Abaidra took a step and vanished from the main brain pool chamber, reappearing outside Meltsteel Fortress.

Advanced Teleportation Spell

Simultaneously, two other Governors and seven Spirit Sucker Elders teleported in beside him.

Watching the three Red Dragons approach, their passage causing the very earth to shake, Abaidra felt all six of his tentacles tremble. He immediately raised a hand to halt them, declaring,

"Honored sirs, ahead lies the sanctum of our ancient Heart Snatcher clan. We implore you to halt."