Chapter 490: Chapter 482: Game of Cowards

The mountain fortress appears limited in size from the outside, but its internal space is nearly infinite. The lower levels consist of rarely-trodden, winding corridors and treasure caverns. The upper levels house a magnificent castle adorned in luxury, with ample space to accommodate even the largest of dragon activities.

Leon followed the Ancient Green Dragon into the palatial palace, and as he lifted his gaze, he saw Tiamat.

The nightmare-like amalgamation lay coiled in the darkness, its monstrous body billowing and twisting with five necks and five heads, each head corresponding to a different Colorful Dragon. Each head’s color spanned its entire neck, like magnificent ribbons perfectly embedded into the front of its dragon form, exuding a chilling aura.

“From the moment you slew the Prison Fire Villain, I have been watching you. I’ve waited for you for decades, and now, finally, you’ve chosen to come before me.”

Tiamat originally lay on the ground; she slowly stirred to life, bringing the red dragon head closest to Leon, and continued, “Although you made me wait for so long, I do not blame you, so long as a lost child knows to return home.”

Leon looked at Tiamat, pondering secretly, though he had already undergone Bone Shedding and Rebirth, possessing a form considered oversized even among Ancient Red Dragons, yet before such a formidable presence, he seemed inadequate. The Primordial Dragon, Queen of the Colorful Dragons, was indeed worthy of her reputation.

Of course, he knew he wasn’t belittling himself; mainly, it’s because his growth time was too short, not having reached adulthood yet. Given an accumulation of five hundred years, the situation would certainly be different.

Leon looked upward at Tiamat, feeling his neck tired, stood up decisively, rising taller than a ten-story building, and the oppressive feeling from Tiamat diminished significantly.

Tiamat noticed Leon’s movement, a flash of displeasure crossing her eyes, her tone carrying unquestionable authority as she said, “You ought to crawl on the ground, submit to me, rather than brazenly standing up.”

In this Divine Country, Leon recognized he was not Tiamat’s match, but employing Fatian Xiangdi, Tiamat couldn’t touch him. Firmly meeting Tiamat’s gaze, he said indifferently, “I did not come to submit to you.”

Tiamat was prepared for this, thus did not become angry, her five heads slightly lowered.

“Throughout millennia, I’ve encountered many like you among the Red Dragons, such as Josonta’s Father, Invincible Warrior, or Sealing God Dragon Casas,” the middle red dragon head of Tiamat began speaking, its voice low.

“It’s really interesting; you and he do bear some resemblance…” Her green dragon head gently swayed, eerie light flashing in her eyes, “Casas differs from typical Ancient Red Dragons; his scales are the unique glimmering crimson of baby dragons, much like yours. His closest ally was an Ancient Blue Dragon and an Old Green Dragon, quite similar to you.”

Tiamat controlled the Blue Dragon’s head to draw near Leon, a hint of ridicule curling at her mouth, “He was more self-assured than you, esteeming himself as god-like, believing he was inherently superior to all living things, fearless… And now, what has become of him?”

“Do you really think you defeated the Ocean Goddess and became invincible?” Tiamat suddenly raised her voice, all five heads simultaneously roaring at Leon, the sound exploding like thunder within the palace, “Now kneel!”

The palace, already steeped in tension, became even more charged under Tiamat’s roar, as many giant dragons standing around tightened their postures.

Yet Leon showed no fear, standing with pride, he conjured the Divine Sword and thrust it into the ground. The sword, sensing its master’s intent, emitted a buzzing sound and lifted into the air by itself.

Next, Leon shook his body, activating the Three-headed Six-armed Dharma Body. In an instant, two more heads grew from his shoulders, and four arms extended from beneath his wings, each arm gripping a sword tightly. The six swords radiated cold, twined with lightning, and flowed with purple light… Finally, as a light coursed over him, the custom-made Dragon Armor he ordered slowly appeared, enveloping his entire body.

Instead of retreating, Leon stepped forward, unleashing Fierce Gods and Evil Spirits, staring directly at Tiamat, shouting boldly, “I refuse.”

The mighty and cold Evil Dragon Queen seldom acts, unless her victory is certain.

When El Toriel fell to Aphnas, she even dared not challenge Zarriel, not out of fear of Zarriel, but concerned about the devil standing behind Zarriel—Master of Nisus, the supreme ruler of the Nine Layers of Hell, Asmodis.

At this moment, seeing Leon not yielding to her majesty, Tiamat didn’t press further, shifted the topic, “A Three-headed Six-armed Red Dragon… quite an interesting spell.”

“Are swords genuinely stronger than sharp teeth and claws and Breath Weapons?” Tiamat’s blue dragon head gleamed with curiosity and scrutiny.

Leon didn’t provoke Tiamat; he slowly turned his head, his gaze sweeping across the dragons elsewhere in the palace—the various Ancient Dragons, wondering which were Tiamat’s paramours, perhaps all of them—It certainly wasn’t smaller than his own harem; he said, “Your Highness can have them all attack together.”

Leon’s formidable reputation had long spread among the Dragon Clan—what Leon aimed for was to advance further, ensuring all dragons remember his name by heart, passing it on as basic knowledge to future generations—at this time, no dragon dared to stand out to challenge him; after all, the more done, the more mistakes, and no mistakes from doing nothing.

“Then it seems unnecessary,” Tiamat still trusted Leon’s abilities.

“You do not wish to become my vassal and serve me—” Tiamat’s tone no longer as aggressive as before, softened, behaving like a wise elder, “I am quite glad to see my children venture out from under my protection, spreading my renown to every corner of the world.”

Tiamat is clever and rational enough, and she knows well the nature of the Colorful Dragons she created, especially the arrogant flamboyance of Red Dragons unmatched by any other dragon type, as long as the Red Dragons do not drift far from her… truth be told, the arrival of the Red Dragon is a form of closeness to her?

Forcing a Red Dragon into full submission is not an overnight task, it must be taken slowly, and she has no shortage of time.

Thinking of this, the red dragon head in the center of Tiamat slowly lifted, her mouth curling into a subtle smile, saying, “My beloved child, what brings you to Aphnas after all?”

“Is there anything you need my help with?” Tiamat’s blue dragon head moved closer, its eyes gleaming with a ray of care, “I can give your children blessings, I can help activate their bloodlines, just like I did for your spouse.”

Leon was initially uncertain what to say upon visiting Tiamat, aiming to meet under the guise of cooperation, given Tiamat’s greed for wealth, while Leon himself had little interest in money—but now, there was indeed a topic that sparked great interest from Tiamat.

“Bahamut recently approached me.” Leon’s expression remained calm, “He offered to help me become the Red Dragon God, or the God of Colorful Dragons.”

Bahamut did not request Leon’s secrecy, Leon was happy to stir Tiamat with Bahamut’s words.