Six months later.
The summer sun blazed brightly, marking the most perfect weather of the year in the Sea of Frost.
The Jade Wing, the great Green Dragon Xia'er, lay sprawled upon the throne within the palace built on White Pearl Island, her tail swaying gently.
The palace connected with several natural caves, making it quite concealed. However, it didn't look like a Green Dragon's royal court; it more closely resembled a Black Dragon's palace.
Over the past six months, Xia'er had rested and recuperated, taking no further actions.
She merely had the kobolds cultivate the land on White Pearl Island and instructed the Bullywugs to catch more fish and dry them into jerky, preparing for unforeseen circumstances.
As for what those circumstances might be, Xia'er wasn't sure either.
In any case, stockpiling more food was definitely not a mistake.
During these six months, the fishmen to the east of the Star Mist Archipelago made no moves, and the lizardmen to the north were also quiet. They held no particular wariness towards the unified Bullywugs, maintaining a policy of non-interference, which was excellent.
The White Dragon Disos had also successfully awakened from his slumber over these six months, progressing from the wyrmling stage to the Young Dragon stage. He seemed to have grown a tiny bit smarter, and his body length had reached about four and a half to five meters. The White Dragon's innate talent was still lacking; compared to the other four types of Chromatic Dragons, he remained somewhat smaller.
However, after awakening, Disos's primary duty was to travel back and forth between White Pearl Island and Starlight Dew Island, delivering Xia'er's decrees and messages from Saga.
Saga was stationed on Starlight Dew Island, the largest of the currently conquered islands, overseeing the Bullywug tribes and coordinating command from the center. He did not stay on White Pearl Island with Xia'er.
The reason Xia'er chose not to move to the largest island, Starlight Dew Island, despite conquering so many islands, was exceptionally simple.
It was far too conspicuous.
Starlight Dew Island was one of the four largest islands in the Star Mist Archipelago and served as the southern gateway, extending deep into the Sea of Frost. If any war broke out, the enemy's primary target for a surprise attack would undoubtedly be Starlight Dew Island.
If she were on Starlight Dew Island, retreat would be inconvenient should any incident occur.
White Pearl Island was different; it was extremely close to the mainland.
If faced with any crisis, she could calmly retreat into the Karugu Highlands and seek Valentina's protection.
As for resources...
For Xia'er, it made no difference. Living anywhere was the same, no distinction at all.
They were all barren lands with no special resources. If one had to name something, there were only fish resources and pearl resources. These resources didn't require her personal presence; once the Bullywugs caught fish or harvested pearls, they just needed to transport them over. There was absolutely no need for her to command anything personally.
As for why Saga was on Starlight Dew Island, it was purely because there was a vast swamp there. Black Dragons naturally favored swamps. Although Saga had expressed his desire to stay on White Pearl Island, after careful consideration, Xia'er decided to let Saga inhabit Starlight Dew Island to guard against the Bullywug tribes secretly plotting mischief.
And precisely because of this, Saga would only inhabit the swamp and would not build a castle on Starlight Dew Island, making it relatively concealed.
After all, Xia'er did not want the outside world to know that the Southern Star Mist Archipelago was under the control of three young dragons.
Because...
Dragons were walking treasure troves, especially Chromatic Dragons.
Materials from Chromatic Dragons were more precious than those from lesser dragonkin, more common than those from Gem Dragons, and they were easier to provoke than Metallic Dragons.
There was really no helping it; that's just how evil dragons were. Those good-aligned dragons laid two eggs per clutch, coddling their offspring like precious jewels. If you provoked a Metallic Dragon's child, you would face endless attacks from that Metallic Dragon family.
As for Gem Dragons, they were meddlesome, their numbers were fewer than Chromatic or Metallic Dragons, and most intelligent creatures wouldn't set their sights on them.
Only Chromatic Dragons remained.
After reaching the Young Dragon stage, they would be driven from their mother's nest to wander alone, making them the easiest targets.
Even those 'dragon overlords' entrenched in their territories often committed heinous acts, giving adventurers ample justification to launch crusades against them.
Faced with this predicament, what could Xia'er do?
Truly nothing. She was just a Young Dragon.
So, it was best to conceal their traces, pretending this unified Bullywug tribe had achieved it on their own. That Frog King Benedict was the 'First Frog Emperor' of the Star Mist Archipelago, who, building upon the efforts of six generations, unified the Bullywugs, becoming a renowned hero among their kind...
"Haa~"
After pondering for a moment, Xia'er stretched her wings and rose from the massive throne.
Hunting time.
Although she had taken the Bullywugs under her wing and no longer lacked blood sacrifices, able to freely enjoy the offerings presented to the great true dragon, Xia'er still maintained the habit of hunting. She also strictly enforced that the White Dragon Disos keep up the hunting habit.
If one became too comfortable, they would lose their edge.
If Xia'er and Disos were young dragons, mature adult dragons, or even young adult dragons, with combat experience etched into their bones, they naturally wouldn't need daily killing to remind themselves.
But now, they were merely Young Dragons.
They still needed to hunt self-sufficiently, to increase their killing, to avoid slackening.
As Xia'er stretched her nearly jade-green wings, preparing to embark on a hunt targeting fish in the sea, a hurried and obsequious voice came from the palace entrance.
"Great, most exalted Jade Wing! Your most humble, most loyal servant, Valentine, requests an audience!"
Accompanying the voice, a kobold chieftain with a hunched back practically crawled on all fours into the hall where Xia'er resided.
It was none other than Valentine, the kobold chieftain responsible for castle construction and daily chores on White Pearl Island.
Valentine's scales were smeared with dirt, his face full of awe and trepidation. The moment he entered the hall, he immediately prostrated himself, his forehead pressed tightly against the cold ground, his long tail trembling uneasily.
Xia'er halted her steps, her massive head lowering to gaze down at this tiny creature.
Her draconic pupils showed no displeasure at being disturbed, only a calm look towards Valentine. "What is it?"
Kobolds revered dragons the most. For him to come report to her, it must be something significant.
"Great master!"
Valentine's voice carried a distinct tremor. "Just now, a 'Pearl Scion' Bullywug from Starlight Dew Island arrived! It swam desperately to get here! It brings an urgent verbal message from Lord Saga!"
"That frogman says that in the waters at the southernmost tip of the archipelago, near Coral Island, traces of humans have been discovered! A merchant fleet flying strange flags has already reached the periphery of Coral Island and is attempting to dock! Lord Saga has already ordered the frogman warriors on the island to heighten their vigilance. Lord Saga requests your instructions, great master. Please bestow your decree."
"A human merchant fleet?"
A flicker of delight, mixed with wariness, flashed in Xia'er's draconic eyes. She then said, "Order it to immediately return to Saga at the fastest speed possible. Tell him to hold his position and maintain strict surveillance! Have Benedict step forward, using his identity as the leader of the Starlight Dew Island Bullywugs, to 'receive' those humans and purchase the supplies we need. I will provide him with a list. Simultaneously, ascertain the scale, equipment, and backing of this merchant fleet. Absolutely forbid revealing any information about my existence, or the existence of Saga and Disos!"
"Yes! Yes! Great master! Absolutely forbid revealing!"
Valentine replied reverently. "Your wisdom shines like the stars! Valentine will see to it at once!"
With that, Valentine respectfully left the palace to notify the frogman.
Xia'er's enthusiasm for hunting had long since vanished, replaced by a sense of vigilance.
A human merchant convoy could bring a wealth of goods.
But it was also a threat.
Let's observe for now.