Chapter 112: New Dragon Home

The suffocating, atmospheric density radiating off Chaosbringer was unlike anything the two knights had ever endured.

Even for seasoned Rankers, standing in the direct presence of a 5th-Tier apex dragon was an ordeal that strained the soul.

A primal, involuntary tremor ran through the bodies of both Ser Hughway and Ser Damian, their instincts screaming at them to fall back from the living disaster standing before them.

Chaosbringer lazily swiped his heavy, spiked tail across the basalt floor, creating a deep gouge in the rock and sending fresh clouds of fine dust swirling into the air as his slitted, golden-crimson eyes surveyed every corner of the valley.

Suddenly, Soul Dreamer took an aggressive step forward.

Her vast, violet-scaled body glided low to the ground as she snaked her long, elegant neck toward the two steel-clad knights.

Her pupils narrowed into sharp vertical slits, her translucent fangs gleaming as she let out a low, vibrating rumble, testing the intent of the two strangers standing near her master.

Before her terrifying jaw could draw any closer, Craig’s firm, clear voice cut through the tense atmosphere, echoing with ancient authority.

"Vael’is, Soul Dreamer! Kael-tor moran xaris!"

(Step back, Soul Dreamer! Do not harm them, they are my friends!)

The moment the ancient dialect struck her ears, Soul Dreamer halted instantly.

The aggressive flare in her lilac eyes vanished, replaced by complete obedience.

She let out a soft, huffing sigh that blew a cloud of warm ozone over the knights, then smoothly retreated three paces to stand beside Dark Sister.

At the same time, Chaosbringer gently shifted his massive weight, lowering his front shoulder and neck to the earth to allow his rider a seamless descent.

Craig adjusted his grip on the leather bag slung across his chest, ensuring the four unhatched dragon eggs remained secure and cushioned against his ribs.

He stepped off Chaosbringer’s neck and dropped gracefully onto the stone, his boots landing with a crisp thud as a light, amused smile touched his lips.

He looked at the two sweating, rigid knights and chuckled softly. "Tell me... were the Indestructible Sword and the First Dragon Knight actually frightened by a little warm welcome?"

Ser Damian exhaled a ragged breath, wiping a thin bead of sweat from his temple as he offered a candid, self-deprecating nod.

"I will not lie to you, My Lord... my experience with dragons is practically non-existent compared to yours. Looking into the eyes of a 5th-Tier beast that could incinerate this entire valley in a single breath... how could I not be terrified?"

Beside him, Ser Hughway simply let out a long, heavy sigh of relief, his tense shoulders finally dropping as the immediate threat subsided.

Without another word, Craig turned and began walking up the wide, grand stone staircase leading up to the main iron-reinforced gates of the gigantic Dragon’s Pit.

The massive structure loomed over the valley like an ancient fortress, built specifically to harbor the greatest power in the West.

As Craig reached the top of the landing, Ser Hughway and Ser Damian immediately marched up behind him, dropping down onto one knee in perfect unison, their gauntleted hands resting against the cold stone.

"Welcome back to the Myrain Viscounty, Lord Viscount!" they greeted in precise, harmonious reverence.

Craig turned around at the threshold, looking down at his two most dependable commanders with a warm, approving nod.

"Rise, both of you."

As the knights stood, Craig gestured toward the colossal double doors behind him. "Before my companions settle into their new sanctuary, brief me on the final adjustments made in my absence."

Ser Hughway stepped forward as the primary spokesperson, his voice steady and professional.

"Everything has been executed according to your exact directives, My Lord. The entire interior of the Dragon’s Pit has been thoroughly sanitized, ventilated, and structurally reinforced with dwarf-forged ironwood.

A total of fifty dragon keepers have gone through rigorous screening, background checks, and bloodline confidentiality oaths before being officially hired."

Hughway gestured toward the high stone towers framing the valley ridge. "Additionally, our regional guard contingent here has been tripled.

As of this very hour, the Old Valley is officially designated as a Grade-S Restricted Military Zone within the Myrain Viscounty. No unauthorized person enters or leaves this perimeter under penalty of immediate execution."

Ser Damian then stepped up to deliver the logistical report regarding the beasts’ feed.

"Regarding the feeding reserves, My Lord... we have successfully secured and penned sixty living 1st-Tier Abominations captured from the hunt, currently held in the subterranean iron cages.

Furthermore, we have stockpiled over one hundred and fifty preserved carcasses of 1st-Tier Abominations in the primary feeding trench."

Damian offered a sharp, calculating smile.

"Following your instructions, the dragon keepers will feed the preserved carcasses to the dragons first to satisfy their initial hunger before releasing the living Abominations into the inner arena for active hunting."

Craig listened intently, a look of profound satisfaction settling across his features.

The infrastructure he had envisioned was no longer just a blueprint—it was a fully operational, formidable stronghold capable of sustaining a draconic legion.

"You have both performed magnificently," Craig said smoothly, offering them his genuine gratitude.

"Your loyalty and efficiency continue to prove your weight to my cause."

He turned back to face the monumental ironwood doors, his golden-crimson eyes glinting with anticipation.

"Open the gates," Craig commanded softly. "It is time for my kin to claim their new home."

Ser Hughway and Ser Damian immediately turned toward the guard posts above, raising their gauntleted fists.

"Open the main gates! Clear the primary holding bay!"

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Heavy iron gears groaned, and massive chains rattled against the stone pulleys as the colossal double doors of the Dragon’s Pit began to part, revealing the vast, cavernous, geothermal-heated sanctuary within.

Craig stepped to the edge of the landing, turning back toward his three massive beasts resting on the valley floor.

He raised his hand, his voice carrying the resonant, melodic cadence of the high tongue across the vast canyon:

"Kael-tor, maeyra drak! Vael’is ves drakon-mkar!"

(Come, my precious dragon! Step forward into your new dragon home!)

Chaosbringer let out a deep, satisfied rumble that shook the ground.

With Soul Dreamer and Dark Sister falling into majestic line behind him, the three apex predators rose to their feet and began their slow, triumphant march up the valley toward the open gates of their new home.