56-60

Chapter 56: Resolving to Take Action

"You seem to know a lot!"

Seeing Rhaegar boasting, Rhaenyra pinched his cheek.

"Of course! I was forced to read thousands of books, and my head is stuffed with knowledge."

At the mention of this, Rhaegar shuddered, recalling the torment of rote learning.

Rhaenyra let out a soft hum and asked, "Since you're so smart, help me analyze a problem."

"Bring it on," Rhaegar said confidently.

"Father is considering a marriage match for me. The candidate is Laenor, the son of the Sea Snake."

Rhaenyra's tone was calm as she concealed the fact that another candidate was Rhaegar himself.

Rhaegar was briefly taken aback, not expecting her question to be about this topic.

He's just a child—how could he understand politics?

After hesitating for a moment, Rhaegar asked, "Do you like him?"

"No," Rhaenyra denied directly.

Rhaegar tried to process this with his young mind and asked, "Does Father want to ally with the Sea Snake?"

Rhaenyra pulled him closer and replied flatly, "The Sea Snake is a renowned naval commander. The Velaryon family is immensely wealthy and has three dragons to guard them. They're worth any price to win over."

"That’s a good idea—typical of Father’s approach," Rhaegar said. Sensing his sister’s silence, his tone grew less cheerful.

"So, tell me, should I agree and take on the responsibility of being the heir?" Rhaenyra’s eyes glinted playfully.

"If it were me, I’d probably agree," Rhaegar answered in a whisper, lowering his head and avoiding her gaze.

Rhaenyra snorted softly, pushed him away, and said, "I knew you were on Father’s side."

"No… I’m not!"

Rhaegar immediately protested, anxiously explaining, "But you’re the heir. Until a better solution comes along, you have to face the trouble."

"Who’s the trouble—me?" Rhaenyra asked, displeased.

"It’s the Sea Snake!" Rhaegar suddenly had a flash of inspiration and doubled down on his claim.

Rhaenyra was momentarily speechless at his response. Rubbing her temples, she said, "When Aunt Rhaenys was passed over for the throne, the Sea Snake never let it go. Everyone knows he’s trouble."

"If we can’t deal with the trouble, we can address the source of the trouble!" Rhaegar said seriously.

"Rhaegar, I forbid you from having such dangerous thoughts!" Rhaenyra was startled and sternly warned him.

Rhaegar shook his head. "I’m not thinking about getting rid of the Sea Snake. The Velaryon family has so many people. Even if Corlys, the Sea Snake, is gone, there will still be countless sea lions and seals."

"Everything he does stems from his thirst for power. We can use that to break down his defenses."

Rhaenyra was puzzled. "If you were me, what would you do?"

"The Velaryon family’s greatest strength lies in their naval fleet and their three dragons. The War for the Stepstones severely weakened the Sea Snake’s fleet, and it won’t recover anytime soon."

"Our focus should be on the dragons in their family."

Rhaegar paused, furrowing his brows deeply. "Rhaenys is a princess of House Targaryen. She wouldn’t oppose the family."

"But her two children are another matter. The eldest daughter, Laena, tamed Vhagar. I’ve heard she’s already engaged and will eventually marry into another family."

"Laenor’s mount is Seasmoke, a young dragon who participated in the War for the Stepstones. He has strong military potential."

"Go on—what’s your idea?" Rhaenyra’s eyes sparkled.

Rhaegar thought carefully. "To separate the three dragons, we first need to establish appropriate rules. We could try forming a royal dragonrider corps and summon dragonriders outside the Targaryen name for proper management."

"The only dragonriders outside the Targaryen name are the Sea Snake’s two children. That’s too targeted," Rhaenyra objected.

"Inviting him to join won’t work. It would require a combination of coercion and persuasion."

After pondering for a while, Rhaegar sighed helplessly. "If only Father had an adult dragon. We wouldn’t be in such a passive position."

"Don’t dream about that. Ever since Balerion passed, Father’s desire for dragons has diminished."

Rhaenyra smoothed out his furrowed brow and smiled. "You’re already very smart. When you grow up, you’ll definitely be a formidable politician."

"I want to help you," Rhaegar said, feeling dejected.

"When you grow up, you’ll be able to help me," Rhaenyra said softly, kissing his forehead.

"I’m afraid I won’t have time."

Rhaegar suddenly looked up, his expression serious. "I don’t want to tame a hatchling anymore. Since it won’t be one I hatched myself, I’d rather tame an adult dragon."

"Why the sudden change of heart?" Rhaenyra asked, puzzled.

"I can’t help you now, but if I can ride an adult dragon, I’ll definitely be able to help you."

Rhaegar climbed out of bed, putting on his shoes as he said, "I’m going to find Lord Robert. He knows the lairs of Vermithor and Silverwing."

"Don’t mess around! Haven’t you learned your lesson from Dreamfyre?"

With one hand, Rhaenyra pulled him back. Her gaze was both gratified and helpless. "Adult dragons are extremely dangerous. Vermithor is known as the Bronze Fury and has an even worse temper than Dreamfyre."

"Be good and tame a hatchling. If you train it slowly, you’ll definitely be able to help me."

"I almost tamed Dreamfyre before. I have what it takes to tame an adult dragon."

---

Rhaegar was confident in his pure bloodline and natural talent, unafraid of challenges.

"I absolutely won’t allow you to take risks for me, understand, Rhaegar!"

Rhaenyra placed her hand firmly on his shoulder, issuing an order that brooked no refusal.

Rhaegar's lips moved as if to protest, but under his sister's intense gaze, all he could muster was a sigh before nodding.

"Good. A good little brother doesn’t make me worry," Rhaenyra said, tucking him into bed.

Rhaegar remained silent, his eyes shifting with indecision.

Deep inside, however, he was already planning how to tame Vermithor or Silverwing.

Alicent bullied him and Rhaenyra because they had no mother.

The Sea Snake, emboldened by the Targaryens' three dragons, was ambitious beyond measure.

In the end, it all came down to one thing—they thought his father, Viserys, was easy to manipulate, and so they acted recklessly.

Rhaegar believed it was time for him to tame an adult dragon and change the dynamic where the weak king was overshadowed by his strong vassals.

"Father needs me... and so does Rhaenyra..."

The moment before the lights went out, Rhaegar lay on his side in bed, silently making up his mind.

---

*The next day.*

As soon as Rhaegar woke up, he heard a knock at the door.

Following that came Cole's voice, "Princess, the King has sent someone to summon you for a meeting."

"Got it, Ser Cole."

Rhaenyra hurriedly dressed and instructed Rhaegar, "Don't run off, got it?"

"Don't worry," Rhaegar said, patting his chest.

Rhaenyra opened the door and reminded Cole, "Keep an eye on him. Don’t let him wander!"

Rhaegar was a mischievous boy with a history of trouble, so she couldn’t leave him unsupervised.

Cole nodded. "Understood, Princess."

Only after confirming everything was in order did Rhaenyra leave with peace of mind.

Inside the bedroom, Rhaegar was already dressed.

A servant delivered breakfast.

Rhaegar grabbed a piece of bread and took a bite, glancing at Cole standing by the door. "Have you eaten yet? Want some?"

Cole politely declined. "Thank you for the offer, but there's no need."

Rhaegar didn’t insist and continued eating alone.

What a pity Ser Erryk wasn’t here. The Kingsguard only brought Captain Harrold and Cole along, or else Erryk could’ve joined him for a bite.

"Ser Cole, any news on the search for young dragons?"

Rhaegar suddenly asked.

---

*(End of Chapter)*

Chapter 57: Mutual Probing

“Not yet. I heard Queen Alicent has increased the manpower,” Cole answered honestly.

“Is Lord Robert also searching?” Rhaegar asked casually, as if making small talk.

“Yes, Lord Robert is leading the search himself. He even went to the seaside last night looking for you, Prince,” Cole replied.

Rhaegar's eyes shifted, and he stood up. “I’m full. I’ll take a stroll around the castle.”

Without waiting for Cole’s agreement, Rhaegar quickly headed out.

Cole hesitated for a moment, remembering the princess’s orders to keep an eye on the prince. Staying within the castle didn’t count as wandering off, he reasoned, and followed closely behind.

“What do you think my sister and father are talking about?” Rhaegar asked after walking a short distance.

“The king and the princess naturally discuss important matters. How could I possibly know?” Cole replied, keeping his tone humble.

“Take a guess. My sister trusts you a lot,” Rhaegar pressed.

After being asked multiple times, Cole hesitated and slowly said, “Their recent discussions have mostly been about the princess’s marriage. That’s all I know.”

“Do you know Laenor?”

“Lord Corlys Velaryon’s eldest son?”

“So, you do know him.”

“When Lord Corlys served as Master of Ships, the princess often met with his children. I was fortunate enough to see him then,” Cole answered.

Rhaegar turned his head, his expression suddenly serious. “What kind of person is Laenor? Be honest with me, Ser!”

Cole maintained a composed expression and gave an impartial assessment. “Ser Laenor is very handsome, has an easygoing personality, and is an excellent knight.”

“Does he... have any vices?” Rhaegar continued questioning.

Given what Rhaegar knew of Rhaenyra, if Laenor was indeed as perfect as Cole described, it would be a match made in heaven. Rhaenyra liked handsome, gentle men. There was no reason she would resist.

Cole kept silent, refusing to speak ill of anyone behind their back due to his knightly principles.

Rhaegar probed further. “Does he drink excessively? Gamble?”

“Ser Laenor enjoys drinking but never gambles,” Cole answered carefully.

“Does he frequent brothels? Lead a promiscuous lifestyle?”

Cole hesitated, then said, “Ser Laenor has never visited brothels.”

“What about his private life?” Rhaegar pressed, sensing a key detail.

“I’ve heard rumors. Ser Laenor does not seem to be interested in women, and there’s no scandal involving him in that regard,” Cole replied, choosing his words meticulously.

Rhaegar frowned. “You’re not denying that his private life is chaotic, but you say he’s not interested in women. That’s contradictory.”

Cole turned away, his expression solemn.

Getting no answer, Rhaegar continued walking, mulling over Cole’s implications.

Suddenly, Rhaegar stopped in his tracks as a possibility struck him.

“Does he like men?” Rhaegar asked in shock, looking at Cole.

Cole lowered his gaze, neither confirming nor denying it.

That reaction was all Rhaegar needed to understand.

“Father plans to marry Rhaenyra to a man with... unconventional preferences. Isn’t he worried this will lead to discord and problems after the marriage?” Rhaegar thought to himself.

The members of House Targaryen were not to be trifled with. Each one was a predator.

“Ridiculous. Father’s decision is utterly foolish,” Rhaegar muttered, his resolve for what to do next growing stronger.

“Take me to Lord Robert’s room. He should have a map of Dragonstone,” Rhaegar ordered Cole.

Cole asked, “May I ask, what do you need the map of Dragonstone for?”

“To find a dragon! With a map, it’ll be easier to act,” Rhaegar stated firmly.

“The queen has already sent people to look for the hatchling. All you need to do is wait,” Cole replied.

“If the queen’s people find the dragon, Aegon will tame it first. I can’t just sit here and wait,” Rhaegar reasoned convincingly.

Cole agreed and suggested, “If you want a map of Dragonstone, there’s no need to go to Lord Robert’s room. The princess has one in her bedroom.”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Rhaegar said, exasperated.

“You just asked,” Cole replied plainly.

Rhaegar slapped his forehead and turned back toward the bedroom.

Once there, he found a map of Dragonstone, nearly two meters wide, tucked under the bed.

Spreading the map out, Rhaegar studied it closely, searching for the volcano’s location.

Vermithor and Silverwing lived in a lair beneath the volcano. To find them, he had to start near the volcano.

“There, the strange rocky mountains on the eastern side of Dragonstone,” Rhaegar murmured.

Besides dragons, Dragonstone was famous for its rocks.

The jagged mountain range stretched from east to west, and the active volcano was nestled within it.

Memorizing the approximate location, Rhaegar felt confident and resolved to search for the dragon.

He had already thought of an excuse.

“I’m looking for the hatchling!”

---

Cole intended to refuse, but Rhaegar's face turned stern as he said unhappily, "Taming dragons is every Targaryen's duty. I must join the dragon search party and contribute."

"If I let you go out, I won't be able to answer to the princess," Cole replied, shaking his head.

"Then accompany me. We'll be back before dinner," Rhaegar said as he began walking out, giving Cole no chance to refuse.

Cole let out a deep sigh and followed reluctantly. This prince's status was far too special. Both the king and the princess valued him greatly, so Cole could only do his best to ensure his safety.

The castle was located on the northern side of Dragonstone.

Rhaegar left the Red Keep and avoided the long stone corridors, heading instead toward the farming area behind the castle.

There were many commoners on Dragonstone.

Some were even descendants of the Targaryen family's bastards and their offspring.

Having lived on Dragonstone for generations, their conditions were relatively good.

...

After the conversation ended, Rhaenyra left her father's room, a faint worry lingering in her expression.

Viserys had spent half the night poring over the prophecy etched into the stone wall and returned at dawn.

Without resting, he immediately sought out Rhaenyra to speak with her about the prophecy of "The Song of Ice and Fire" and to show her the inscriptions on the Valyrian steel dagger.

This left her deeply concerned about the potential future appearance of the Long Night and the White Walkers.

She asked herself, honestly, when the day comes, will she have the confidence to lead the Seven Kingdoms to victory against the Long Night and overcome such a calamity?

The answer she arrived at was: no.

"Fortunately, the Long Night hasn’t appeared for thousands of years, and the prince mentioned in the prophecy is named Aegon. It certainly won't be that crybaby coward."

Thinking of Alicent's son, Aegon, Rhaenyra regained her confidence.

As she walked back, she heard Alicent's voice behind her.

"Rhaenyra, can we have a chat?"

Rhaenyra turned and brushed her off, saying, "What is there to talk about? It’s not even afternoon tea time."

"Please, I feel deeply sorry for my previous doubts about you and want to have a heartfelt talk," Alicent said sincerely, her expression hopeful. "Just like the old days, when you and I could talk about anything."

Looking at Alicent’s expression, Rhaenyra felt disgust rising from the depths of her heart.

The two of them were practically at the point of outright hostility.

And here she was, playing the "deep sisterly bond" card.

"Fine, let's chat," Rhaenyra agreed, curious to see what Alicent was up to.

Alicent stepped forward, took her hand, and with a cheerful smile, led her toward the castle garden.

As they walked, Alicent asked, "Why don’t I see Rhaegar?"

"He's resting. He sneaked out yesterday, so I’ve forbidden him from leaving," Rhaenyra replied honestly.

"I heard he found some ancient prophetic murals," Alicent said.

"Yes, the Song of Ice and Fire," Rhaenyra confirmed.

"Heh, I always thought that was just a scary story wet nurses told to get children to sleep."

"It does have a mythical quality," Rhaenyra replied, offering no further explanation.

The Song of Ice and Fire was a prophecy meant for the heir to understand. Alicent had no business knowing its significance.

---

---

(The chapter ends here.)

Chapter 58: The White Robe

Dusk.

Rhaegar’s steps halted at the edge of a farmland.

In the distance, a vast expanse of barren, rocky mountains stretched endlessly.

“Prince, we should return to the castle,” urged Cole, who was acting as his escort.

Rhaegar gazed at the distant mountains and murmured, “The active volcano on the island is over there.”

“Prince, if we don’t go back soon, the princess will be upset,” Cole said with a resigned sigh.

“I know, we’ll return before nightfall,” Rhaegar replied indifferently.

During his walk around the small town on the island, Rhaegar had gathered quite a bit of information.

For instance, he had pinpointed the general location of Vermithor and Silverwing’s long-term nesting grounds.

“Let’s go, Ser Cole,” he said.

Taking one last look at a few silver-haired children chasing each other near the town’s entrance, Rhaegar turned and began walking back.

Cole followed closely behind, curious. “Prince, do you lack playmates?”

“No, I was just curious about their hair color.”

At the sight of those silver-haired children, Rhaegar couldn’t help but wonder if any of them might be his father’s illegitimate siblings.

He chuckled to himself. His father had been quite the vigorous young man in his youth.

---

That evening, after the family had dinner, everyone retired to their rooms.

As usual, Rhaegar was dragged into Rhaenyra’s chamber, where the siblings exchanged whispers.

Rhaenyra spoke first. “Cole said you went to the town?”

“I want to find a young dragon and tame one as soon as possible,” Rhaegar replied calmly.

“That’s a good plan. Young dragons are better suited for young Targaryens. Syrax and I have been together since she was a hatchling.”

Rhaenyra understood a child’s longing for a dragon.

After some thought, she added, “Alicent came to talk to me. We had a long conversation.”

“What could you two possibly have to talk about?” Rhaegar asked, puzzled.

“I asked her the same question,” Rhaenyra said thoughtfully. “She brought up the topic of marriage alliances and offered some suggestions, which I rejected.”

“What else?”

“I wasn’t particularly polite, but Alicent didn’t get angry. Instead, she mentioned the whereabouts of two young dragons.”

“And what do you think that means?”

“It’s suspicious!”

The siblings spoke in unison, then exchanged knowing smiles.

Rhaegar chuckled. “Alicent is a petty woman. If she’s lowering herself to speak with you, she must have ulterior motives.”

“I think so too. Alicent has always outshone me in every way since we were children and looks down on me deep inside. There’s no way she’d suddenly show kindness without a reason,” Rhaenyra said with a self-aware smirk.

Rhaegar asked, “Did she tell you where the two young dragons were spotted?”

“They appeared on the east coast and even fought each other,” Rhaenyra replied.

“That area is near the active volcano. It’s probably true,” Rhaegar said, analyzing the geography.

Dragons were creatures that thrived in high-temperature environments.

The caves beneath a volcano made for the perfect dwelling.

Rhaenyra twirled a strand of hair around her finger, her gaze firm. “We need to find those two young dragons before she does.”

“The two dragons are likely together; there’s no need to rush,” Rhaegar said, unconcerned.

“What do you know? Dragons come in varying levels of quality. A highly gifted young dragon will grow much faster in the future,” Rhaenyra snapped, lightly smacking him.

“I don’t even know what the two young dragons look like. How am I supposed to tell which one’s better?” Rhaegar complained, looking aggrieved.

Sitting up straight, Rhaenyra said seriously, “Choose Sunfyre! The golden dragon with shimmering scales and pale pink wing membranes.”

“Is it a hatchling from the same clutch as your Syrax?” Rhaegar asked curiously.

“Yes, Sunfyre hatched a few years after Syrax. It’s a magnificent dragon, and you must do everything to claim it,” Rhaenyra emphasized.

“Targaryen siblings riding golden dragon siblings—sounds impressive,” Rhaegar said, amused by the image.

“Rhaegar, I’m not joking. Sunfyre is truly perfect for you. Do you want to let Aegon take it instead?” Rhaenyra was clearly invested in her brother’s dragon choice.

She had been keeping an eye on that golden dragon.

Initially, her plan was to bring Rhaegar to tame Sunfyre if he failed to hatch his dragon egg by the age of ten.

Now that both Rhaegar and Aegon were setting out to tame dragons, she had arranged for Rhaegar to get a head start with Sunfyre.

Unfortunately, the volcano’s eruption had frightened the two young dragons into abandoning their nest.

If Alicent found Sunfyre first and gave it to Aegon, Rhaenyra would be furious.

Seeing his sister on the verge of an outburst, Rhaegar dropped his playful demeanor and promised earnestly, “I’ll do my best to tame Sunfyre and leave Aegon with no chance.”

“Hmph, that’s more like it,” Rhaenyra said with a satisfied huff as she lay back down.

In her mind, it was only natural for the siblings to each tame a golden dragon—destiny’s design.

---

The next morning.

Rhaegar climbed out of bed and was dressed by the maids in a black dragon-rider’s outfit.

He touched the dragon-scale pattern on his shoulder guards and sighed. “Do I really have to dress like this?”

Rhaenyra lay lazily on her side on the bed, speaking weakly, "The dragon-riding outfit is made of excellent material—durable, breathable, and perfect for long activities."

"As long as you agree to let me go dragon-hunting, I’ll wear anything," replied Rhaegar.

Last night, Rhaegar had pestered her for hours, pleading to join the dragon-hunting team. After much difficulty, he finally received her reluctant approval.

Before he left, Rhaenyra stopped him and reminded him, "I’m feeling unwell, so Cole will accompany you. I’ve also dispatched a squad of dragon guards to follow."

"Don’t worry. No matter how cunning Alicent is, she wouldn’t dare make a move against me," Rhaegar said confidently, patting his chest as he left with an eager heart.

...

Once out of the castle, Rhaegar headed straight for the active volcano.

His goal was never the hatchlings, so there was no need to travel to the eastern coast.

"Your Highness, our itinerary should start with the eastern coast," Cole said with a frown, noticing their path was veering off-course.

"The eastern coast was Alicent's suggestion. How much of her intelligence do you think is true, and how much false?" Rhaegar retorted.

"Uh…" Cole was momentarily at a loss for words.

He had heard about the conflict between the queen and the prince while aboard the ship and was well aware of their strained relationship.

"So, follow me. No objections, right?" Rhaegar asked.

"You make a good point, Your Highness," Cole said, pressing his lips together and wisely keeping quiet.

Rhaegar glanced at the ever-dutiful Cole, his peripheral vision catching sight of the pristine white cloak draped over his back.

Pausing briefly, Rhaegar spoke almost instinctively, "That white cloak represents the honor of the Kingsguard, doesn’t it?"

"Yes, Your Highness," Cole replied.

He gently touched the cloak, a flash of pride gleaming in his eyes, and said, "I come from humble beginnings. As a boy, I served as a squire for a noble lord. Later, I risked my life in a battle against the Dornish invaders and earned merit, which brought me this honor."

"You must treasure the life you have now," Rhaegar remarked with a faint smile.

Cole nodded earnestly. "Because of this white cloak, I’ve gained unprecedented honor and dignity."

It was clear how seriously he regarded his duty and mission.

For some reason, Rhaegar felt a strange unease about Cole’s white cloak.

It was immaculately white, pure and spotless.

Rhaegar suddenly remembered a dream he once had and asked curiously, "If it got dusty, wouldn’t it just become a dirty rag?"

Turning to glance at the upright and dutiful Cole, Rhaegar’s expression shifted unpredictably.

"Cole, cherish it and make sure it never becomes tarnished," Rhaegar said flatly.

"I will, Your Highness," Cole replied.

Although he didn’t fully understand why the prince was reminding him to protect the cloak, Cole smiled and promised, his eyes filled with hope for the future.

To change Cole’s fate and grant him a good ending—

Loyalty and duty are the lifelong honors of a White Knight.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 59: The Gray Shadow*

After a brief interruption, the group resumed their journey in silence.

They arrived at a canyon within the Craggy Mountain Range before the sun’s heat became unbearable.

A Dragon Guard traveling with them explained, “Active volcanoes carry the risk of lava eruptions. To avoid disasters, the adult dragons on the island usually build their nests deep underground nearby.”

“This canyon before us was once home to Warmisore and Silverwing. However, it was abandoned for unknown reasons,” he added.

Rega asked, “Shall we go in and take a look?”

“There’s no need for you to take the risk, Your Highness. We’ll send the Dragon Guards to investigate,” Cole replied, selecting a few guards to move into the canyon.

Rega didn’t object. Since it was a deserted nest, the chances of finding a dragon were slim. It wasn’t worth his personal involvement.

After some time, the dispatched guards hadn’t returned, but two soldiers approached from the rear.

The soldiers came before the group and bowed respectfully.

“What news do you bring?” Rega asked.

One of the soldiers quickly answered, “Lord Robert has located two young dragons. One is currently being held, and the other was found at Dragon Mountain.”

“Dragon Mountain is located on the west side of the active volcano. It’s a region of towering, perilous peaks. Silverwing recently laid eggs there,” the Dragon Guard explained.

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

Hearing that Silverwing might be at Dragon Mountain, Rega immediately perked up.

Cole bent down and whispered, “Your Highness, adult dragons roam Dragon Mountain. It’s too dangerous for us to venture there.”

“We’ll only search near the mountain. Lord Robert will also send people to assist. There’s no issue,” Rega reassured him.

Rega was specifically looking for an adult dragon and had been waiting for an opportunity like this.

He assigned one soldier to stay behind and wait for the guards in the canyon while instructing the other to lead the way.

The two locations weren’t far apart, and the group soon reached Dragon Mountain.

Due to its proximity to the active volcano, the area appeared desolate, with charred black rocks scattered across the ground and no signs of life.

The temperature was noticeably higher, reminiscent of a hot summer day.

As they entered a cave within Dragon Mountain, Cole asked, “When will Lord Robert arrive? We don’t have enough people to subdue a fiercely resistant young dragon.”

“He should be on his way, Sir,” the soldier replied, sounding unsure but continuing to lead the way.

The deeper they ventured into the cave, the hotter it became, and a foul stench filled the air.

Rega looked around and pointed at the soldier, questioning, “Who gave you the message? Did you see Lord Robert yourself?”

The soldier turned pale and replied uneasily, “Lord Robert is on his way, Your Highness. Please don’t worry.”

Seeing his unease, Rega snapped, “Cole, seize him!”

Cole immediately drew his sword and held it to the soldier’s neck as the remaining guards pinned him to the ground.

The soldier begged for mercy. “Your Highness, I’m not lying! The young dragons are really in Dragon Mountain, and Lord Robert will come, I swear!”

“Gag him.”

Rega had no patience for excuses. The soldier’s words were clearly unreliable.

Frowning, Rega crouched and began arranging two small rocks on the ground.

“This is the East Coast. This one represents the volcano, and this one is Dragon Mountain…”

In Dragon Mountain, he cautiously analyzed the limited information available.

The East Coast mentioned by Alison, the soldier’s claim about young dragons in Dragon Mountain…

It was all deliberately misleading.

Rega murmured to himself, “The East Coast is a mix of truths and lies. The soldier lured me into Dragon Mountain—what’s their purpose?”

“It’s certainly not to kindly guide me to the young dragons.”

Recalling the information about Silverwing laying eggs in Dragon Mountain, a realization struck him.

“There’s a high chance that Silverwing, who recently laid eggs, is in Dragon Mountain. They want to lure me here to face an enraged Silverwing!”

The thought clicked in Rega’s mind.

Despite the potential danger, his fear of a plot gave way to an intense desire to tame an adult dragon.

“If Silverwing is here, I can try to tame her!”

He knew that a dragon who had recently laid eggs would be extremely aggressive, hostile toward any living being in her sight.

Even so, he couldn’t resist trying his luck.

“Just a quick look—if it’s too dangerous, we’ll retreat!”

With this cautious optimism, Rega approached the bound soldier and looked down at him. “The message said the young dragons are in Dragon Mountain?”

“Yes! That’s the intelligence from Lord Robert—I’m not lying!” the soldier pleaded in panic.

“Who delivered the intelligence?” Rega pressed.

“It came from a dragon handler under Lord Robert, someone he trusts greatly,” the soldier explained.

“Looks like someone bribed that handler,” Cole interjected.

Rega nodded. “I see. Someone has set a trap for us.”

“We should return and confront Lord Robert to uncover the traitor,” Cole said grimly.

---

*"No, we've already entered Dragon Mountain; there's no reason to leave empty-handed."*

Reigar steadied his emotions, determined to continue exploring.

Cole stepped in front of him, speaking sternly. "Prince, Dragon Mountain is extremely dangerous. I cannot allow you to put yourself at risk."

"Screeech~~"  

As Reigar was trying to come up with an excuse to slip away, a painful roar echoed from deep within the cave.

"Everyone, protect the prince and retreat!"

Cole immediately reacted, sword in hand, shielding Reigar.

"Screeech~~"  

The dragon guards formed a protective circle around Reigar as the roar sounded again.

Reigar tugged at Cole's white robe, excitement lighting up his face. "Listen, that's not the sound of an adult dragon."

Cole's gaze sharpened, and he tilted his head to listen carefully.

Indeed, the roars continued to echo, but they lacked the deep resonance of an adult dragon. Instead, they were sharper, more immature.

Reigar smiled. "That's exactly what we're after. Let’s go check it out."

Cole hesitated several times, but Reigar moved forward without waiting.

Frustrated, Cole clenched his fist and issued an order to the dragon guards. "Bring that traitor along. If we run into danger, throw him to the dragon first."

The guards hesitated, shaking their heads in panic, but their mouths were gagged, leaving them no chance to object as they were dragged along in despair.

The cave was deep and winding, and Reigar navigated through the dim light, the young dragon's cries growing louder with each step.

He didn’t care if a young dragon truly existed.

The mere possibility of its presence was enough to justify delving deeper into Dragon Mountain.

Soon, the cave opened up into a massive cavern.

Reigar pressed against the warm stone wall as he advanced, his eyes locking onto a restless beast ahead.

It was a dragon.

Reigar examined it carefully. The dragon’s entire body was covered in pale gray scales, its wing membranes a translucent, light white. Its gray-blue slit pupils were filled with panic.

"That's Shadowflame, Your Highness," one of the dragon guards who had caught up whispered, identifying the gray dragon.

Sunfire and Shadowflame had both hatched from dragon eggs during the same period. Their sizes were similar, placing them in the category of juvenile dragons.

Reigar gave no response, continuing to observe.

Shadowflame’s body, larger than a horse, sprawled on the ground, appearing massive.

Yet at this moment, the dragon let out fearful cries.

"He's injured," Reigar murmured softly.

He noticed Shadowflame’s painful, writhing movements. The pale gray scales, which blended seamlessly into the dim environment, were riddled with wounds, blood streaming freely.

The most severe injury was to one of its wings.

It had been almost entirely torn from its base under the ribcage, hanging limply on the ground and rendering it unable to fly.

"He’s gravely injured!"

Reigar recalled the intelligence provided by Alisen, who had mentioned a fight between two young dragons on the eastern coast.

It seemed she hadn’t lied about that.

Shadowflame’s injuries were likely caused by Sunfire.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 60: The Gluttonous One

A Dragon Guard whispered, "Your Highness, should we capture the Gray Shadow?"

"Shut your filthy mouth!"

Cole snapped angrily, warning, "An injured young dragon can attack at any moment. Do you want to be burned to ashes?"

The guard reluctantly closed his mouth and retreated to guard the soldiers relaying messages.

"Your Highness, we must return immediately and request Lord Robert to send reinforcements to rescue this dragon."

Amid the dim surroundings and the young dragon's roars, Cole felt a lingering sense of danger and urged Rhaegar to prioritize safety.

Rhaegar shook his head, muttering to himself, "This is a trap. There shouldn’t just be a single injured Gray Shadow."

"Precisely because it's a trap, we need to retreat quickly," Cole insisted, struggling to keep his voice steady.

*BOOM—*

Suddenly, a rumble echoed from above the cavern, like the howl of a fierce storm before the rain.

The group looked up to see a colossal figure with wings large enough to blot out the sky, circling above Dragon Mountain.

"Seven hells!"

Cole’s eyes widened, unable to look away as he muttered in shock.

*Thud—*

The massive creature completed a circle before gliding down. Its claws dug deep into the rocky cliffs above the cavern, stabilizing its enormous frame atop the mountain.

*Screech!*

The behemoth stretched its long neck, unfurled its gigantic wings, and let out a deafening roar.

Through the obstacles, Rhaegar glimpsed the full appearance of the beast.

Charcoal-black scales, a body as large as a small mountain, and vivid green slit pupils…

The features were overwhelming, impossible to fully describe. In his young life, Rhaegar had never seen anything so awe-inspiring.

The dragon was enormous beyond comprehension.

Even the first dragon he’d seen, Korakshyu, or Dreamfire, who was nearly a century old, couldn’t compare.

It was like comparing a raven to a sparrow.

"Quick! Get the prince out of here!"

Cole was the first to recover, shoving several Dragon Guards to shield Rhaegar behind them.

"Th-the Gluttonous One…"

One of the Dragon Guards stammered, dumbfounded, mumbling the name of the gigantic black dragon.

"Snap out of it and move!" Cole slapped the guard hard across the face.

Another guard trembled uncontrollably and whispered in terror, "It’s the Gluttonous One, the largest wild dragon on the island."

Cole didn’t care what "Gluttonous One" meant.

He only knew that if they didn’t run now, they’d soon become dragon dung.

*Roar—*

The Gluttonous One let out a low growl. Its serpentine neck curved downward, nostrils flaring as it sniffed the air, seemingly searching for something.

"Your Highness, I’ll take you away!"

Cole gripped his sword in one hand and grabbed Rhaegar’s arm, ready to flee.

Rhaegar jerked free, standing frozen and staring ahead.

Cole shot him a puzzled glance.

Rhaegar’s body was trembling, his pupils dilated, and his breathing grew heavier.

"Your Highness, what’s wrong?" Cole thought Rhaegar was frightened and waved a hand in front of his face.

Rhaegar ignored him, his eyes fixed on the colossal black dragon above.

There was an uncontainable excitement in his gaze. He whispered in a shaky voice, "The Gluttonous One… What a massive dragon… I’ve seen it before."

The moment Rhaegar laid eyes on the Gluttonous One, he was consumed by an intense focus.

He had seen this colossal black dragon—in his dreams.

It had appeared three times.

The most recent dream was the night before they landed on the island, revealing some of its features.

He had thought it was merely a premonition of taming a dragon.

Never did he expect that this dragon actually existed in reality.

His eyes gleamed as he stared at the Gluttonous One. His heart felt like it would burst out of his chest, and his excitement was indescribable.

Cole shook Rhaegar’s shoulders, trying to snap him out of his trance.

Meanwhile, the Gluttonous One stopped sniffing and lowered its head toward the cavern.

It had found its prey.

A delicious little morsel.

The Gluttonous One flapped its massive wings, its jaws opening wide enough to swallow several warhorses. A searing heat began to build in its throat.

*BOOM—*

In the next moment, green dragonfire, the same color as its eyes, erupted like a flood, cascading into the cavern.

*Crackle…*

A wave of heat swept through, igniting the air. The surrounding rock walls melted like wax, dripping molten lava onto the ground.

"Run… Run!"

Scalding magma splattered, erupting into fiery blossoms. One of the Dragon Guards screamed in terror, driven to flee.

*Swish—*

But Cole was faster. With a swift slash, he cleanly severed the guard’s head.

He roared, "Deserters die!"

The remaining Dragon Guards were both shocked and afraid, urging in unison, "Sir, the Greedy One is the most dangerous wild dragon. To it, even its own kind is just food. We must escape now!"

"I know we need to escape, but first, protect the prince's safety."

Cole reprimanded, then turned to look at Rhaegar, speaking softly, "I’m sorry, Prince. I have to take you away."

With that, he tried to lift Rhaegar onto his shoulder.

But Rhaegar suddenly dodged his arm, his face filled with determination. "You go. The Seven Gods have guided me here to ensure that I meet it!"

"This is not the time to hold onto your faith. The Greedy One is clearly here to hunt young dragons, we can't save it."

Cole believed Rhaegar harbored goodwill for the severely injured Gray Shadow.

"No! What I want is not Gray Shadow!"

Rhaegar shook his head with a smile, running swiftly and bypassing Cole’s blocking position.

In disbelief, Cole watched as Rhaegar charged toward the vast cave, his body enduring the rain-like lava droplets falling from above.

Rhaegar raised his head, cupping his hands to form a trumpet shape near his mouth, and shouted loudly in High Valyrian, "Greedy One, look at me!"

His young voice echoed throughout the cave, reaching the ears of the massive black dragon.

The Greedy One stopped spewing flames, swinging its head from side to side, measuring whether the cave could accommodate its enormous body.

Confirming that it could, the Greedy One folded its wings, loosened its claws from the shattered rocks, and slowly crawled into the cave.

Gray Shadow, lying on the ground, trembled in fear as it watched the Greedy One approach from above, letting out a threatening roar.

Even when Rhaegar approached it, the creature didn’t notice.

Rhaegar placed his hands on Gray Shadow’s tail, shouting in High Valyrian, "Get up, change position!"

With repeated calls, Gray Shadow snapped out of its shock and struggled to crawl around, its slit pupils suspiciously scanning Rhaegar.

"Hide, go deeper into the cave!" Rhaegar continued to give instructions in High Valyrian.

"Hiss…"

Gray Shadow made a cautious growl, its head sweeping around as it searched for a place to hide.

Rhaegar too was scanning, and he spotted a slope that could be climbed.

He waved at Gray Shadow and, avoiding the lava flowing around, quickly ran toward the slope.

At that moment, the Greedy One had already entered the cave, its claws gripping the cliffside as it slowly descended.

It seemed like a beast toying with its prey.

Cole, still inside the cave, stood frozen, staring at Rhaegar as he entered and began communicating with the young dragon.

He took a step forward.

Clang—

A huge chunk of lava fell from above, crashing right in front of him.

As the red-hot lava soared past, the hair on Cole's forehead instantly burned, and the searing heat hit him.

In that critical moment, his survival instincts kicked in.

Cole exerted force in his legs and jumped backward, narrowly avoiding the splashing lava that hit the ground.

He crashed to the ground, and the Dragon Guards quickly rushed to help him up.

"Sir, we should leave now!"

"Yes, the prince is risking his life. We should go back and get help."

"…"

Several Dragon Guards were speaking in a hurry, eager to flee.

Cole swung his sword violently, his eyes glowing red as he growled, "If you're scared, go ahead and leave. If something happens to the prince, none of you will escape!"

---

end