Chapter 83 Refusal and Suggestion
Inside the Dragon's Lair, Luna smiled up at Brian, holding a ruby-like stone in her white palm.
The stone resembled a coiled dragon, its fine scales and sharp horns clearly visible, radiating a rich True Dragon essence.
It was the Dragon Soul Stone.
Brian felt an overwhelming attraction to the stone, a compelling pull from his draconic instincts. Even without knowing its functions, he was certain it was precious.
Staring intently at the Dragon Soul Stone, he had the urge to snatch and devour it immediately.
Noticing Brian's captivated gaze, Luna waved the Dragon Soul Stone and looked up at him, her voice melodious. "Have you considered my offer?"
"Hand over Morton's notes, and this Dragon Soul Stone will be yours."
She seemed entirely unguarded, unconcerned about any attempt Brian might make to seize it.
This was the confidence of an adult silver dragon.
Brian tore his gaze away from the Dragon Soul Stone and brought out the sixteen notebooks, stacking them in his dragon claw.
However, he did not immediately hand them over.
After pondering for a moment, he said, "Luna, besides the Dragon Soul Stone, you mentioned offering to help me once. Does this still hold?"
Luna nodded without hesitation. "Of course, I keep my promises."
She added, "But as I said before, I won't do things like bullying the weak. I'll only accept what I consider just and righteous."
Brian handed the sixteen notebooks to Luna, who, in turn, offered the Dragon Soul Stone.
Holding the Dragon Soul Stone, Brian was filled with a desire to devour it. Every cell in his body expressed a longing.
But now was not the time.
Evolutionary sleep took considerable time, and using the Dragon Soul Stone would extend it even further. With the human army approaching, he needed to resolve this immediate threat first.
"So, you need my help now?" Luna asked, her mood lifted by receiving Morton's notes, a hint of joy in her voice.
Brian did not deny it. "Yes."
With an adult silver dragon's assistance, he would be at ease. The double dragon attack was enough to easily crush the human army of two thousand.
"What is it? I'll decide after hearing you out," Luna said curiously.
Brian said cautiously, "A human army has crossed the Dragon Ridge Mountains and entered the Northern Ice Field."
"A human army?" Luna was slightly taken aback.
Brian's voice deepened. "They belong to the Mocha Principality. You should be able to guess their purpose."
Luna frowned, silent in thought.
Brian continued, "The Mocha Principality annihilated Morton's country and now won't rest until they destroy every remnant, even pursuing two children to the Northern Ice Field. Facing such an evil nation is not against your principles."
Brian watched Luna's reaction.
The just and kind-hearted silver dragon looked conflicted. After a few seconds of hesitation, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, Brian, but I can't agree."
She added, "Humans are very complex, and their wars even more so. I never interfere in human wars, as aiding any side is never the right thing to do."
Unlike chromatic dragons, who enjoyed exploiting human wars for profit, silver dragons, as powerful beings, believed that siding with any faction was a gross injustice to the other.
Though Luna refused him, Brian, having anticipated this, was not disappointed.
Metallic dragons adhered strictly to their principles, rarely changing their minds once decided.
Without pressing further, Brian asked, "I understand, but if this army finds you and demands Morton's heirs, what would you do?"
Luna smiled gently. "If anyone dares challenge my dragon dignity, I won't hesitate to make them pay dearly."
Her voice brimmed with confidence.
No human would willingly provoke a metallic dragon. If they discovered Morton's ally was an adult silver dragon, they'd avoid a confrontation unless they were fools courting death.
Leaving aside whether they could challenge an adult silver dragon and her retinue, the subsequent retaliation from metallic dragons could easily obliterate a nation.
"Don't underestimate human fighting prowess. Many young dragons have perished at their hands due to arrogance."
"If you've decided to combat the human army, seek other dragons' help. It's not shameful," Luna advised before departing.
Left alone in the Ice Cliff Dragon's Lair, Brian pondered.
Other dragons?
Even one more adult True Dragon, regardless of species, could ensure the annihilation of the human army without much effort.
He seriously considered Luna's suggestion.
Crystal dragons, white dragons... While unenthusiastic about involving crystal dragons, white dragons...
Brian understood regular white dragon nature well. They would do anything for profit and had no principles.
"I know of three white dragons, Salia and two unknown others..."
Brian had an idea.
He preferred negotiating with White Dragon Mother, who, despite the enmity from being robbed, would likely agree to cooperate if promised a share of the spoils.
Moreover, with the presence of the temporal imprint, he could easily locate the position of Salia.
Brian knew White Dragon Mother too well.
She was lazy, greedy for treasure, and vain. Learning of a human army, she would temporarily set aside her grievances to cooperate with Brian.
Closing his eyes, Brian sensed the time mark's location.
Northeast of the Ice Cliff Dragon's Lair, about four hundred miles away.
Given his speed, the distance was not far, allowing him to make the trip before the human army reached the chosen ambush spot, with plenty of time to spare.
'Has Salia accumulated another small treasure trove?' Brian mused, dismissing the thought of exploiting her further.
His resentment toward White Dragon Mother had mostly dissipated.
If not for being coldly and threateningly driven out, he would never have resorted to violent robbery for her treasure.
