Chapter 58: Slumber

  Cassius instructed Langpu to cast several "Guardian Inscription" spells at the cave entrance.

  Any creature attempting to intrude without permission would be met with rune explosions, suffering damage from fmes, lightning, and strong acid.

  He alsed for his followers to guard the entran shifts. Soon, hobgoblins, bear goblins, and lizardfolk would guard the entrance around the clock, ensuring absolute prote for the cave’s interior.

  With all affairs settled, Cassius made his way aloo the depths of Giant’s Maw Cave, his wings folded loosely at his sides.

  He was now he va zone, where white-hot steam rose everywhere, filling the air with intense fire elements and molten rock seeping from the ground.

  To most, this enviro was a death trap, but to Cassius, it was extremely fortable.

  The st of sulfur and pumice ging to him grew more intense, signaling that his body was eager to slumber aer the age stage. This magma-filled cave would be the perfect pce for him to absorb and store elemental energy while asleep.

  All true dragons are homeothermic. Due to their elemental nature, it’s practically impossible for them to be otherwise. Dragons of fire, like Cassius, only grow warmer with age.

  Unlike most warm-blooded creatures, dragons ck obvious means to dissipate excess heat. They do not sweat, and they rarely pant. Instead, a dragon’s primary blood vessels draw heat from the bloodstream and store this energy.

  In a way, dragons be sidered ectothermic as they utilize external heat sources.

  However, when deprived of external heat, a dragon’s metabolism and activity level remain unged; it does not slow down o dormant due to exposure to cold.

  "It’s time for slumber."

  Cassius murmured, inhaling the sts in the air.

  Since arriving in Erezaghe, he had been ceaselessly strengthening himself, with few opportunities for extended rest.

  A true red dragon, besides the occasional rampage and plunder, spends the majority of its time eating and sleeping.

  Dragons possess a long lifespan and innate power. Simply by sleeping, a dragon amass strength beyond what ordinary beings could ever imagine.

  This leads them to be incredibly proud and equally zy.

  Though they crave power, they rarely waste time seeking it like ordinary creatures, as this is born from both their fidend disdain for mortal s.

  "How could anyone imagine anything grahan a dragon—the epitome of creation?"

  —Bheilorveilthion, an a red dragon.

  Yet, it’s thanks tons' ziness and arrogahat they be defeated by adventurers.

  A "diligent" dragon like Cassius was a rarity among his kind, and such a dragon, in some ways, was the most terrifying—a diligent evil dragon could bring about a global catastrophe.

  "I wonder how long this sleep will st."

  "Hopefully, Ember will still be intact when I wake."

  "But I have yet to find the demon among the mountains."

  "And my aay have drawn the kingdom’s attention. If they send troops..."

  Cassius mused to himself.

  Slowly, he lowered his massive body, lying down on the warm ground and feeling the steady influx of underground energy.

  "Enough. Sleep."

  "Without power, everything else is empty talk."

  "Like a true dragon, I will grow stronger in slumber."

  Deep within the va-filled cave, the red dragon curled up, closing his eyes and drifting into sleep like a true red dragon.

  Violent fire-elemental energy tinued flowing into his body, filling every inch of his flesh as it circuted through the primary vessels to his beati.

  Cassius’s massive frame rose and fell slowly with each breath.

  Northwind Fortress.

  In the underground chamber of La Castle.

  The space was dark and quiet, with flickering dle fmes casting shadows on the walls.

  A man in his fifties y in a cold stone coffin.

  His face was unnaturally pale, with a pair of meticulously groomed mustaches and silver-framed gsses on his nose.

  His hair was jet bck, and he wore a bd red robe trimmed with luxurious gold.

  He was Brad La.

  The current duke of the La family and ruler of Northwind Fortress.

  He rarely appeared before the public, except for that spee the dim hall and during feeding times.

  A faint sound filled the basement.

  It was the murmuring and wis of bats.

  A pale, slender woman in a dress with heavy ruffles stepped in, sloroag the stone coffin.

  "Father."

  The man in the coffin slowly opened his eyes, a deep red glint fshing in his pupils.

  "What is it, Alexia?"

  The woman lifted her skirt and bowed, her voice cold as ice.

  "The Eagle Guards have returned with news. They’ve found traces of Tieflings oorm Highnds. Those filthy creatures have established a camp there."

  Brad’s expression remained unged as he replied:

  "Then send someoo sughter them all."

  "But..."

  Alexia hesitated, her voicertain.

  "It appears they are under Ember ’s prote. Our scouts were killed by wyverns; only a few mao escape."

  Duke Brad’s pale face creased slightly, a hint of anger fshing across it.

  "Again?"

  "That damn red dragon."

  The duke harbored a deep rese for his lost Eagle Guards. Each of these elite riders cost the La family thousands of gold to train, and Alger, in particur, rized asset Brad had hoped to make his eternal servant.

  "Do you think we should seek out..."

  "That person?"

  Watg the duke’s expression closely, Alexia tentatively asked.

  "No, do not engage Ember directly."

  "And do not summon that mage."

  "We have no trol over his power; it would only bring us disaster."

  The duke’s response was firm, thhly dismissing her suggestion.

  He gazed at her with a fatherly tone and said:

  "Patience, Alexia."

  "I’ve granted you eternal life. As noble immortals, not base humaures, we must learn to wait."

  "Once I plete my assion..."

  "All problems will be solved."

  "Yes, Father."

  Alexia promptly responded, bowing respectfully.

  Duke Brad involuntarily licked his lips, revealing sharp fangs, with a deep crimson gleam in his eyes.

  "Alexia, whehe feast begin?"

  "I am rather hungry."

  FAL