Beneath the Red Dragon

Chapter 481 - 26: Punishment (2)

Another theory, put forward by the scholars of the Academic City, suggests that the Demon Dragon was created by Valerian Blood Witches through the combination of Long-winged Dragons and a magical creature found within Valerian’s Fourteen Fire Peaks—a Fire Dragon Worm, all intertwined with Blood Magic.

Although these theories seem contradictory, as one of the descendants of the Dawn Upper Country, the head of the Hightower Clan has some general knowledge through certain information.

The Demon Dragon was born from Blood Magic, since the destruction of the second moon, descending from countless meteor showers, bringing Magic to this world.

Due to the meteorites, dragons once proliferated all over the world.

Latter, an ancient tribe from the Shadow Lands tamed the Giant Dragons and built the Five Fortresses standing in the Dawn Upper Country, bringing dragons to Valerian thousands of years ago.

This tribe also taught the Valerians knowledge about dragons and relevant Blood Magic, allowing the Valerians to utilize Blood Magic to manipulate the Giant Dragons.

Although this is only the Hightower Clan’s head’s speculation based on his gathered information, regardless of the theory, they all align with their objectives.

The Hightower Clan, although not bestowed with the knowledge about dragons or the Magic to tame them, has its own inherited wisdom from the ancient Imperial, the wisdom of the Dawn Upper Country.

The head of the Hightower Clan looked at the thirteen scholars at the long table; Old Town Academy admits everyone regardless of identity.

Whether you are a Lord, farmer, or bastard, origin is not questioned, only achievements are assessed, seemingly equal, at least before the regulations and systems of the Academic City.

When an apprentice proves his expertise in a domain, he can forge a chain link to display his specialty.

Black Iron represents Raven Studies, gold represents economics and finance, Silver represents medicine, Iron Ring represents military strategy, and Valyrian Steel represents High Tier Secret Techniques.

All scholars present have their forged chain links, enough to form a complete necklace chain, and further, representing a doctorate.

The rings, scepters, and masks forged from metals corresponding to specialty fields, undoubtedly, the scholars present have their proofs.

The most distinguished of these doctors are considered guests of honor by the major kingdoms on the Westeros Continent, becoming extensions of Old Town Academy, helping gather information and form networks.

However, in the Academic City, no scholar likes to mention the words Magic and Demon Dragon.

They dislike exploring the power of the Demon Dragon and the mysteries of the dead.

Though the library of the Academic City holds scrolls from all corners of the world, detailing everything.

From trivial matters to everything under the sun, along with some knowledge prohibited from spreading.

This merely represents the Academic City’s belief—mastering the mysteries of all things.

Yet, the ultimate goal of the scholars in the Academic City is something no one can imagine.

Finally, the head of the Hightower Clan fixed his gaze on the long table, on the glass candle brewing small flames, symbolizing some existence of Magic.

A scholar stretched out his hand to cover the burning glass candle, extinguishing its flame.

Indeed, their goal is to build a world without Magic.

These scholars wish that glass candles in the world cannot be ignited again, for the Warlocks who play with divine tricks to no longer predict the course of events.

They want the witches who believe in Divine Spirits to be unable to foresee the future from the Flame.

Without the Demon Dragons, the Academic City could use knowledge to govern, control, transform, and construct the entire world, bringing about their ideal world.

With the existence of Giant Dragons interlinked with Magic, dragons pose an obstacle to the Academic City’s world transformation.

"According to messages delivered by Raven, changes are already happening in the mines of Valerian, and this can indeed help us,"

The head of the Hightower Clan pondered aloud, "but the deities of those beliefs have shown some miracles, and our Seven Gods have yet to truly be born into this world,"

"Therefore, we need some sacrifices," another doctor spoke, "with the extinction of the Demon Dragons, the retreat of Magic, even the Divine Spirits would cease their banners, and then, our Seven Gods will rule the world."

Thud, thud, thud

The head of the Hightower Clan suddenly felt his steps grow heavier, and after a small tapping of his heel, he surveyed the scholars behind the long table and finally made a firm decision, "In that case, how about we vote?"

"I agree," one scholar raised his hand, the ring made of Valyrian Steel flickering the reflection of candlelight on his plump finger.

"I agree too,"

"I concur!"

...

Silky silver hair lay like the finest silk in the world upon the broad cushion, the Beauty sleeping with closed eyes breathed softly amid the dim candlelight, peacefully asleep.

Her lovely face, like a Goddess beneath a gauzy veil, was shrouded in a mysterious aura under the dim light.

But at this moment, the breathing of the sleeping Sleeping Beauty suddenly quickened, her fine eyebrows knitted tightly, and fear and shock welled up on her serene and peaceful cheeks.

Danielle Targaryen, as she fell asleep, again had that dream about the Dragon.

The scales of that Dragon gleamed like the sun, as radiant as a rainbow, but the scales were slick with blood—that was her own blood.

Danielle Targaryen found that its eyes were two enormous lava fire pits, hiding a golden sun within.

It opened its mouth, and a surge of furious Flame shot out, destroying, bringing death, and behind her, her family, the Demon Dragon, the world—all swallowed in one bite by this terrifying Giant Dragon.

Boundless visions unfolded, swarms of Demon Dragons fell from the sky, Samurais on the ground toppled en masse, cities turned to ruins, mountains crumbled.

She also heard a voice like that of a god, warning the world, but the sound was distant, unclear.

Ultimately, she only saw the unique Giant Dragon’s appearance, six Dragon Horns soaring, a head more dignified than any Demon Dragon in the world, and those vertical pupils that scorned all, like Flames consuming all world order.

"Ah,"

Danielle Targaryen sat up from the bed, her beautiful curves drenched in sweat, the moisture soaking her forehead and between her ears.

She tried to steady her breathing, but the rapid heartbeat made it difficult to calm down.

Danielle Targaryen suppressed her trembling, quickly leaping from the bed, heading to her desk, trying to recall the contents of her dream, beginning to write line after line of warnings from the visions.

She was Danielle Targaryen, a member of House Targaryen, one of the Forty Dragon King Clans in the Fortress of Freedom.

Although House Targaryen ranked low among the Forty Dragon King Clans, it had a highly unique member who could foretell glimpses of the future through dream visions—the Dreamwalker.

And Danielle Targaryen was a rare Dreamwalker within this clan.

Her trembling hand held the pen as she wrote lines of alarming characters on the paper.

"They embraced tightly, their backs to the impending doom, mountains crumbled and the earth changed color; boiling Flame shot toward the sky, the Demon Dragon with wings couldn’t escape."

"This surely wasn’t the final scene in their eyes. Over the wall, but saw the sea breeze chasing the waves, tumultuous; the millennial city-state, all learned through ages, all inked in the catastrophe, they never looked back."

"This is the punishment of rebellion, the destruction of an Evil God, and also the consent of the gods."

"Oh heavens,"

Danielle Targaryen came to her senses, looking at the prophecy she had written, the voice echoing in her mind became exceedingly clear at this moment.

"The gods once said, if we cannot rebel, then punishment shall descend!" she screamed, running out of her room.