Mystic Calling：Stone of Glory
Chapter 453: Fair and square

Chapter 453: Fair and square

"Thaldran, it’s a real pleasure to meet all of you," Ethan said with a warm smile. "I’m the lord of Emerald Castle. And if it’s alright with you, I’d prefer you call me ’Lord’ from now on."

He didn’t beat around the bush—just got straight to the point.

After all, this was part of his quest reward. As long as his own strength held up, there shouldn’t be any major issues.

Sure enough, the moment Ethan said that, Gold Dragon Thaldran fell silent for a beat. Then he glanced at Seraphina, then back at Ethan, before finally speaking.

"Honorable Lord, before we go any further, may I ask one more question?"

"Go ahead," Ethan nodded.

"I’d like to know—how many Crimson Ultimate heroes are there in Emerald Castle?" Thaldran’s golden eyes locked onto Ethan’s, burning with intensity. "Would you be willing to share that with us?"

Ethan couldn’t help but chuckle.

That question again, huh?

"Ugh, why are you dragging this out?" Seraphina cut in before Ethan could even open his mouth, clearly annoyed. "Listen up—Emerald Castle already has seven Crimson Ultimate heroes. And guess what? Ethan isn’t even the strongest among us. There’s someone even more powerful above him. Satisfied now?"

As one of Ethan’s Hero Units, it was her job to show off their strength. Letting the lord do the bragging himself? That would’ve been a failure on their part.

"W-What?!"

The moment those words left her mouth, Thaldran, along with the two Green Dragons—Saebryn and Syl’nakar—froze in place, eyes wide with disbelief. Their expressions said it all: they couldn’t wrap their heads around what they’d just heard.

"What? You think I’m lying to you?" Seraphina snapped, her voice like a whip crack.

A wave of terrifying power surged out from her, so overwhelming it made the scales on the dragons’ backs crawl. Thaldran, Saebryn, and Syl’nakar all felt it—like their very souls were trembling.

Whoosh!

Thaldran took a deep breath, opened his mouth like he wanted to say something... but the words caught in his throat. He hesitated, then gave a small shake of his head and let out a bitter laugh.

"Princess Seraphina, please forgive our rudeness," Syl’nakar quickly stepped in, recovering faster than the others. "It’s not that we doubted your words—it’s just... this is all a bit overwhelming. Hard to believe, honestly."

"Hmph." Seraphina gave a cold snort, but her expression softened slightly. That answer was... acceptable.

"Thaldran," Ethan said, stepping forward, "so what’s your decision? No pressure. I respect your choice, whatever it may be. I won’t force you into anything."

But before he could finish, Thaldran nodded without hesitation.

"Honored and mighty Lord," he said, lowering his head, "it is our privilege to be acknowledged by you. I, Gold Dragon Thaldran, hereby pledge myself and my kin to Emerald Castle!"

"May your divine light and greatness guide us always!"

With that, Thaldran bowed low in submission. And as if on cue, Saebryn, Syl’nakar, and the countless dragons behind them—Tier 14 Gold Dragons, Tier 13 Green Dragons—followed suit.

They all turned toward Ethan, their proud, noble heads bowing in unison.

They submitted.

The dragon race lived by the law of the strong. They revered power. Worshipped it.

And whether it was Ethan’s own might, or the overwhelming presence of Seraphina, they had no trouble accepting this outcome.

But just then, a golden streak tore across the sky in the distance, racing toward them at breakneck speed.

It was another Gold Dragon—Tier 14!

"Honored Lord!" the dragon roared as it landed, voice urgent. "The Inferno faction has launched an attack on us!"

"Their forces are powerful. Prince Cicero sent me to request reinforcements—immediately!"

The moment those words left the dragon’s mouth, Ethan’s expression darkened.

His eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing through them.

"Is that so...?"

"Then it’s time for war."

He turned his gaze toward Gold Dragon Thaldran, his voice calm but laced with steel. "Thaldran, this will be your first battle as part of Emerald Castle. I expect results—hell, maybe even a surprise or two. Think you can deliver?"

"As you command, my lord!" Thaldran raised his head high, his voice booming with pride and battlelust. "The proud and free Gold Dragons have never feared war! We will make those damned Inferno Devils pay dearly for this!"

"Good." Ethan nodded, then turned to Auremax. "You’ll split up and act independently. The outcome will decide who leads the entire Gold Dragon force under Emerald Castle. Winner takes command. Loser... becomes the second-in-command. Auremax, Thaldran—any objections?"

Though Auremax was part of Ethan’s inner circle—his most trusted elite—Thaldran was still a Tier 14 Mythic Ace Unit. And more importantly, he was the chieftain of his own kind. That alone earned him the right to prove himself.

So Ethan laid it out simply: this war against the Inferno Devils would be their proving ground.

No favoritism. No politics.

Just strength.

Whoever won would command all of Emerald Castle’s Gold Dragons. The loser would fall in line.

Fair and square.

Of course, Ethan wasn’t worried about Auremax losing.

He knew him better than anyone.

Sure, both Auremax and Thaldran were Tier 14 Mythic Ace Units—but Auremax’s evolution progress was already over 80%, nearly 90%. Thaldran? Barely at 51%.

That wasn’t just a gap—it was a canyon.

To put it bluntly, they weren’t even in the same league.

If Auremax somehow lost this, well... that’d be on him. No one else to blame.

"I’ve got no problem with that," Auremax said without hesitation, nodding firmly.

He didn’t even mention the dozens of Gold Dragon units under his command—didn’t ask for backup, didn’t try to negotiate terms.

That said everything.

He was confident. Dead sure of his strength.

No need to overthink it.

"I..."

Thaldran, on the other hand, hesitated.

Just for a second—but it was there.

A flicker of doubt. A crack in his confidence.

He knew. Deep down, he knew the gap between him and Auremax wasn’t small.

If it came down to a straight-up fight... his chances weren’t great.

Originally, he’d hoped they could lead separate forces—he’d command his own, Auremax his. No overlap, no conflict.

But clearly, Ethan wasn’t offering that option.

He wasn’t giving him that out.

And Ethan saw it all—every flicker of hesitation, every unspoken thought.

He didn’t push. Just smiled faintly.

He understood exactly what was going through Thaldran’s mind.

The guy had been a leader for too long. Now, being asked to step down, to play second fiddle? That was a hard pill to swallow.

...