Chapter 165: The Fortress Bastion

Minutes later, amidst the moaning and howling cold winds, the winter wolves of the Wolfheart Clan ascended the snow mountain, lying low under the silver dragon's wings, looking up with admiration.

"Master, the Wolfheart Clan is still not strong enough to deal with filthy and evil creatures like the frost giants without troubling you for assistance. Please punish me, Wolf Evil will bear it without complaint."

Wolf Evil bowed its head, its ears drooping, not daring to look at Garon.

This encounter with the frost giant hunting party, thanks to Garon's timely arrival, although there was a Dark Frost Giant among the opponents, the Wolfheart Clan did not suffer many casualties among the winter wolves.

However, the wolf pack commanded by Wolf Evil suffered significant losses, with wolf corpses scattered throughout the canyon, the land stained red with blood.

Only two winter wolves died, four were lightly injured, and one was severely injured.

This wasn't considered a significant loss.

However, such an outcome was based on Garon's arrival.

Had Garon not come, just one Dark Frost Giant, much stronger than the winter wolves, could have dealt a heavy blow to the Wolfheart Clan. Relying on numbers, they could annihilate this hunting party, but at the cost of losing at least one-third of the winter wolves and the pack.

The most likely outcome would have been the Wolfheart Clan retreating after reaching a certain level of casualties, with some frost giants dying but not being annihilated.

"Lift your head."

A deep voice sounded.

Wolf Evil's body trembled slightly as it slowly raised its head, looking at the silver dragon with eyes filled with reverence and guilt.

"During my absence from the northern ice plains, you've led the Wolfheart Clan well, bringing the creatures around the ore vein under the rule of the true dragon."

"This is something worthy of reward."

Garon spoke calmly.

After a pause, his voice became slightly heavier.

"However, your growing power and repeated victories have made you arrogant, losing your keen judgment."

"Even your subordinates, the winter wolves, can see that the current Wolfheart Clan still lacks the ability to fight the united frost giant tribes. Yet, your arrogance blinded you, thinking you could handle the frost giants with your capabilities."

"The result is that you've put your clan, my kin, my wealth, into danger."

Garon's calm gaze put immense pressure on Wolf Evil.

The surrounding winter wolves, all carrying injuries, remained silent.

"I've failed your trust, master."

"Any punishment you deem fit, I'm willing to bear."

Wolf Evil said, his expression grave.

"Great master, Wolf Evil wished to eliminate potential threats for you, getting carried away in the process. We hope you won't punish him too harshly."

A draconic winter wolf hesitated before speaking.

After a short while, other draconic winter wolves also spoke up, pleading for Wolf Evil, while the later-joined ordinary winter wolves remained silent.

Garon's expression was calm, and finally, he spoke in a deep voice: "I am not a cruel lord; I will not punish you harshly."

"I had intended to reward you for your previous merits, but given your mistake this time, let's consider them offset."

"Additionally, I will appoint two more leaders for the Wolfheart Clan, Wolf Li and Wolf Xing."

Wolf Evil's abilities and character were all noted by Garon.

It was an excellent kin, with leadership and command skills not found in other kin, and the initiative to expand Garon's territory and power.

This ambush, if not for the presence of a Dark Guardian, would have allowed the Wolfheart Clan to easily tear those frost giants to pieces.

Overall, its actions were not wrong.

Dark Frost Giants are rare variants of frost giants, and even Garon did not anticipate the existence of Dark Frost Giants in the northern ice plains before this.

"Thank you for your forgiveness, master. I will remember this lesson well and will not make the same mistake again."

Wolf Evil bowed deeply, its tail wagging and ears no longer drooping, saying solemnly after regaining its spirits.

Garon nodded slightly.

He thought for a moment, planning to ask Wolf Evil about the specific locations of the frost giant tribes.

However, suddenly, a familiar aura emanated from afar, gradually approaching.

Garon paused for a moment, then turned his gaze toward the northwest direction.

The two red dragons also sensed this aura, looking in the same direction.

It was a massive true dragon with translucent scales that refracted brilliant light, shining splendidly.

It was none other than a Crystal Dragon.

Because dragons are fond of shiny gems, the appearance and luster of Crystal Dragon scales are considered attractive by draconic aesthetics.

"Nicole Nina? What brings her here?"

Crystal Dragons are not common in the northern ice plains, and the one in Garon's sight was Nicole Nina, whom he had met before.

On the other side, Nicole Nina also saw Garon, her eyes brightening as she sped up, flapping her wings and quickly approaching.

"Garon, wow, you've gotten so big, I almost didn't recognize you."

"It's only been a few months, and you've become a giant dragon. You truly live up to being an outstanding true dragon I've set my sights on!"

Even before getting too close, Nicole Nina's clear dragon voice echoed, reaching them.

Nicole Nina's words carried excitement, her body trailing radiant light in the air, quickly flying over and landing near Garon.

Since the snow-capped peak was already occupied by Garon's massive body, it couldn't accommodate another true dragon.

Nicole Nina's body shimmered, transforming into a petite figure less than one and a half meters tall, even shorter than Garon's dragon claws.

In her human form, Nicole Nina had short, white hair reaching her ears, and her skirt hem revealed a section of her plump legs as she hopped towards Garon, her mouth wide enough to fit an egg, looking up in awe at Garon's gigantic dragon body.

"May I touch it? I've never seen a giant dragon before."

She pointed at Garon's finely scaled claws, asking.

Garon pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly, also asking, "What brings you here?"

Nicole Nina extended her delicate hand, gently touching the cool silver scales on Garon's claws, her face filled with wonder, her gaze drifting, lost in thought.

After hearing Garon's question, she uttered an "Ah," coming back to her senses.

"It's like this; I smelled the scent of frost giants, so I followed the smell to check."

All true dragons, whether they are chromatic, noble metallic, or neutral gem dragons, inherently despise and loathe giants.

Nicole Nina, too, couldn't stand frost giants, so she came to investigate upon detecting their scent.

"Hmm, I see your kin are injured, and there's still the filthy scent of frost giants below in the canyon. Have you already dealt with them?"

Nicole Nina stopped her caress, taking a step back to look up, her gaze wandering over Garon.

Garon nodded, looking down at the small figure of Nicole Nina, stating calmly, "The frost giants of the northern ice plains have become too numerous, and some tribes have united, posing a significant threat. But this makes things easier for me."

Hearing Garon's words, Nicole Nina was initially shocked.

Crystal dragons also tend to roam alone, wary of the numerous giants.

After the initial shock, Nicole Nina was puzzled, asking, "Easier for you? What do you mean? These ugly creatures uniting is a problem we need to address."

Garon smiled, his voice deep and strong, "Gathered together, there's no need to spend time and effort breaking them down one by one."

"I can bury them all at once under the snow and wind of the northern ice plains!"

Nicole Nina's eyes widened, looking at Garon in amazement, "You're so confident. It seems you truly possess legendary strength."

"It looks like those ugly giants will finally disappear from the northern ice plains."

The complete disappearance of giants is something Crystal Dragons would love to see.

In the northern ice plains, very few creatures and tribes can threaten true dragons, and the various frost giant tribes are among them, with not a few dragons being hunted by frost giants.

Of course, frost giant tribes are often destroyed by dragons leading their kin.

The red dragons nodded vigorously, sparing no praise, "With Lord Garon here, no matter how numerous or strong those giants are, they're nothing but chickens and dogs, doomed to be annihilated under the wings of a true dragon!"

At this point, Nicole Nina finally turned her gaze to the nearby red dragons.

Crystal dragons are also cold-affiliated dragons, naturally preferring cold environments.

The faint sulfur smell and higher temperature from the red dragons clashed with the environment of the northern ice plains, causing Nicole Nina to subconsciously dislike them.

Red dragons look so ugly, she thought, their brains must be all muscle.

"These two red dragons are?"

Nicole Nina, detecting the respect for Garon in their words, asked.

"My followers from the south."

"These two high-ranking spellcasters as well."

The human mages introduced themselves warmly, "Eighth Circle Arcane School Krichens, Seventh Circle Transmutation School Fred, pleased to meet you, beautiful Crystal Dragon lady."

Nicole Nina glanced at the elderly-looking Krichens, her gaze shifting slightly, murmuring softly, "Such high attainment in eighth-circle arcane spells."

Without relying on their innate spell-like abilities, normal adult dragons' casting capabilities generally don't match those of mid-level spellcasters.

This is mainly because adult dragons don't focus on spellcasting studies, typically only delving into magic in their elder years.

Nicole Nina shifted her gaze back to Garon, pondering for a moment before saying, "Lilith, that kid, has a natural talent for curses and enchantment. I and Luna sister estimated we couldn't teach her for long, this..."

She hesitated, somewhat embarrassed.

Garon understood her intention, "Krichens will accompany me to the Magma Plane, and his free time will be limited."

Pausing, he added, "If the two human children can endure hardship and aren't afraid of danger, they can come along. Fred can also teach Amos transmutation spells."

"However, I have my own matters to attend to on the Magma Plane and won't act as their nanny, unable to guarantee their safety."

After Garon finished, Nicole Nina looked thoughtful, then gently shook her head, "Then I'll discuss it with them and Luna sister."

"Luna sister hasn't returned yet, so I won't make decisions on my own, especially since she adopted those humans."

Changing the subject, she said, "Do you want a palace now? I've been quite free recently and can help you build one."

Garon thought for a moment, nodding, "Sure, head towards the ice cliffs, build a palace on the highest peak for me. My kin can be directed by you, assisting in the construction."

Mentioning her forte, Nicole Nina's spirits lifted, clenching her fists excitedly, "Then, do you have any requirements? I'll do my best to meet them."

Garon pondered briefly, "It's best to make it as large as possible, as large as possible. My size is growing quickly, and a small palace might soon need expansion."

"As large as possible..." Nicole Nina frowned, thinking, then her eyes lit up, "How about this? I've been building palaces for a while and want to try a different style."

"How about a fortress bastion? That thousand-foot-high ice cliff is perfect for a fortress."

"Palace structures are relatively fragile. I remember you dislike using polymorph spells, preferring to maintain your true form, which can easily damage residential palaces. If it's a large enough fortress, you can still use it even if you become a super giant."

Pausing, Nicole Nina sounded somewhat sheepish, "However, I haven't actually built a fortress before, so my skills might be a bit rusty. Of course, I wouldn't give you an unsatisfactory fortress. If you're not satisfied, I'll continue to improve it."

Although it seemed like she might be practicing on her own ice cliff lair, she offered after-sales service, not abandoning the project once completed.

Garon thought it over, finding a sturdy and majestic fortress more useful than a merely ornate palace.

"Alright, I trust your abilities."

"My gnolls and the nature worshippers enslaved who worship the spirit of the earth can assist you."

Garon nodded.

"Yay!"

"Having those nature worshippers, I'm much more confident about realizing my concept."

"Garon, rest assured, although it's my first time, I'll definitely build you a fortress bastion as solid as gold!"

Nicole Nina stomped her foot, leaping from the snow-capped peak, then transforming into a sleek, brilliantly scaled beautiful Crystal Dragon in a swirl of light.

Boom! With a flap of her wings, the Crystal Dragon soared into the sky.

Nicole Nina circled and soared in the air, freely stretching her body.

Minutes later, she landed again, hovering in front of Garon.

And Garon learned from Wolf Evil about the distribution of the frost giant tribes.

"Are you going to fight the frost giants?"

Nicole Nina, catching some of Garon and Wolf Evil's conversation, asked.

Garon nodded, his gaze turning cold and determined, "They have lived long enough on the northern ice plains. It's time for them to disappear."

"The northern ice plains don't need giants."

Hearing Garon's firm and decisive words, Nicole Nina's breath quickened, then her eyes shone brightly, quickly saying, "Take me with you."

"I've long disliked those giants. Don't leave me out of such a good opportunity."

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