Chapter 569 - 350: We Treat You as the Dragon King, You Treat Us as Beasts of Burden

Chapter 569: Chapter 350: We Treat You as the Dragon King, You Treat Us as Beasts of Burden

Zog stressed again, his tone earnest, "Protect these skilled technicians. They are truly important, as important as battle-hardened veterans."

A good technical specialist is a rare talent, possessing both experience and aptitude. Some things simply can’t be done without them.

This is why modern militaries have two parallel systems—one for commissioned officers and one for non-commissioned officers—specifically for these technical specialists.

"Understood. I’ll protect them," Figxin replied.

After inspecting the weapons, the party from the Northern Domain couldn’t wait to return. They were in a great hurry. The very thought of being able to "greet" the Loman Army with anti-aircraft machine guns and howitzers made them feel as antsy as if they had goblin researchers crawling all over them.

They teleported back right from the testing grounds.

Zog waved a claw at the fading light of the teleportation beam.

’He hated war.’

’It got in the way of him making money.’

’And he had to spend money on it.’

’Loman and the Sutton Royal Family had better have enough to compensate him for his losses.’

’Speaking of spending money, I should probably order another batch of Los Beasts. The current number isn’t going to be enough.’

These creatures from underground were similar to cattle in their ecological niche, but far more useful.

They were stronger, ate less, and had stable temperaments, but their meat didn’t taste good.

Los Beasts had made a significant contribution to the rise of Deepwater City.

But in truth, the best logistics team in Zog’s mind would be his own kind.

’Dragons. They were absolutely the best choice.’

’So many advantages.’

Their carrying capacity and speed far surpassed those of Los Beasts. They almost never got sick, and as highly intelligent creatures, they could find their own way to complete tasks without a handler. They even had combat capabilities. If an enemy tried to cut the supply lines, the dragons could fight back on their own.

They also had more advanced tactical applications. A dragon could carry heavy weaponry and tear across the battlefield, allowing for rapid maneuvering.

’Dragon Catbuses!’

’They could perform tactical penetrations and provide covering fire at the same time.’

’The problem is, where am I going to find that many dragons before summer?’

Just then, his phone rang. It was a call from the Deepwater City Police Department.

’What could the police department want?’

Puzzled, Zog answered the call. "Yeah, what’s up?"

"Lord!" a slightly panicked voice said from the other end. "Dragons have arrived outside the city."

"So dragons have arrived. It’s not like we haven’t had any show up lately. What’s the issue? Just contact the Dragon Breeding Corps and get a headcount of the newcomers."

Zog had no idea what was wrong with the police chief. He should have been very familiar with this procedure by now.

"No, Lord, this time is different. There are too many of them."

"How many is ’too many’?"

There was a short silence on the other end. The chief must have gone to ask the person responsible for the count.

「Half a minute later.」

The chief’s voice came through, "Still counting."

"Huh?"

——————————

Zog really hadn’t expected to see such a scene.

Outside the city, the entire Deepwater City Police Department had been deployed, fully armed and on high alert.

Opposite them was a dense throng of dragons. Their age range was far more diverse than the flock of Green Dragons that had arrived before, and there were even a few individuals approaching the status of Ancient Dragons.

He was certain of one thing: the Adventurer Guild hadn’t found these dragons.

If the guild still had that kind of pull, they wouldn’t have been reduced to working as couriers.

"Finished counting?" Zog asked in a low voice.

"All counted. Four hundred twenty-six."

This number was even higher than Zog had estimated. In the months since the Green Dragons arrived, the total dragon population of Deepwater City was only a little over forty.

Now it had suddenly increased tenfold.

"How did they get here?"

"You’re asking me?" The police chief looked utterly baffled. "I assumed they were here for you."

’I haven’t done anything recently, have I?’ Zog decided to use the simplest method to get to the bottom of this.

’I’ll just go and ask.’

At that moment, the Brass Dragon Barossalis arrived on the scene.

"They are, in fact, here to see you, Your Majesty the Dragon King."

"What was that?" Zog glanced around. "This ’Your Majesty the Dragon King’ of yours... are you talking to me?"

"Of course I am."

Zog hadn’t been this confused in a long time.

As a dragon who had lived through the era of the former Dragon Race Realm, he knew the selection system for the Dragon King.

The strongest one becomes the leader.

Under this system, if the Dragon Race Realm still existed, his chances of becoming king were indeed quite high.

’But that realm is gone. With no realm, what’s the point of having a king?’

Besides, he had never had any desire to become the leader of all dragons.

Of course, Barossalis knew why Zog was confused. He explained, "I contacted every dragon I know and told them about the possibility of you rebuilding the Dragon Race Realm. I believe they came here because they are inspired by the great work you’re doing."

"Me, rebuilding the Dragon Race Realm?"

Zog was about to refute him when he suddenly realized that he actually could rebuild the realm of the Dragon Race.

’But not a realm just for dragons.’

’Instead, it would be about integrating dragons into New Sutton.’

’I’m sure that with my relationship with Figxin, getting New Sutton to accept the Dragon Race won’t be a problem.’

For long ages past, the Dragon Race had always been hostile toward other races. This was partly because the dragons had indeed been enemies with other races during the era of the divine wars. Any dragon who lived through that period still held onto that mentality.

The other reason was that most dragons never learned to create their own wealth, choosing instead to steal it.

It was no wonder the other races couldn’t stand dragons.

’But I should be able to solve both of those problems.’

He had always considered the divine wars a complete mess. There was no need to hold a grudge a thousand years later. The only reason it was still an issue was because dragons lived so long and had such good memories.

Besides, if they wanted revenge, they should be seeking it from the Magic Goddess, not the other races who had already gone through dozens of generations.

’And as for dragons not knowing how to create wealth? I can teach them.’

’This is a super-workforce right here.’

’The grand unification of Feilin’s intelligent races wouldn’t be complete without the dragons.’

Now Zog needed to confirm a few things.

"Are these all the dragons you know?"

"No," Barossalis replied. "This should only be a small portion of those who live nearby. There are still many who haven’t come."

Zog was astonished.

’This dragon’s a real social butterfly.’

"Then do you also think that the Dragon Race should integrate into the new society?"

"The Metal Dragons have always thought so, and have been working toward it for years. It’s the Five-Color Dragons who like to stay in the wild," Barossalis replied naturally.

In his view, that was a question he should have been asking Zog.

Zog scratched his chin.

’Since the Metal Dragons feel this way too, then it’s about time the Dragon Race learned what it means to get rich through the honest labor of their own two claws.’

’And judging by the dragons already working as couriers, they’re not bad learners.’

After making his decision, Zog went before the crowd of dragons.

"Yes. Just as you’ve imagined, I am going to establish a realm for the Dragon Race."

’The key to a Lord’s speech is to start on a high note.’

The four hundred-plus dragons all turned to look at Zog.

"However, it will not be a realm that belongs only to the Dragon Race, but a tolerant, progressive, and advanced realm, just as Tiamat once envisioned."

’In reality, Tiamat probably never envisioned anything of the sort.’

’Anyway, I’ve never heard of this Dragon God envisioning anything like that. But She’s dead, so... ’

’So now’s the time to fly the Dragon God’s banner.’

’Her name still commands immense prestige among the Dragon Race.’

Besides, the ones who had seen the Dragon God were all Ancient Dragons, and these "youngsters" present had never seen Tiamat.

’I can say whatever I want.’

"In this realm, the Dragon Race will no longer be threatened by other races."

’How pathetic. To think that a sense of security has become a primary need for dragons these days.’

’Although I bear no small amount of responsibility for that...’

’...without me, someone would have invented firearms sooner or later anyway.’

"In this realm, the Dragon Race must rely on its own labor to create its own wealth! Now, all of you, follow the staff’s instructions. You will state your circumstances and particular talents. Afterward, I will arrange housing and work for you."

’Guaranteed job placement.’

’Such great benefits.’

’As for what kind of work... ’

’First, I’ll assign half of them to be couriers. The online shopping platform has been wanting to expand to other cities for a while now.’

’Then I’ll send another group to the Northern Domain to become "Longlong-mobiles," and while they’re at it, have the Deep Research Institute study Dragon Armor.’

’What about the rest of them?’

’Dragons can’t just have two career paths. But most of the jobs available now require specialized skills.’

’They can’t just eat for free if they don’t work.’

’Sigh... food?’

’Is it possible that dragons could farm?’