Fatigue often comes after overexertion.
Valentina felt somewhat bewildered as she gripped two cows in her claws, gliding through the clouds toward the dragon lair.
Over these past five years, Valentina had been diligent and dedicated. Originally needing to catch only one prey for her own consumption, she now often had to hunt three or even four creatures daily to feed the hungry young dragons and wyrmlings in the lair.
And it was quite obvious that as these young dragons and wyrmlings in the lair gradually grew, their appetites would also increase.
At that point, the required food would only become more and more.
At this very moment, Valentina felt something was not quite right.
I came here to become the Dragon Empress, so how did things end up like this?
In the northeastern corner of the Karugu Highlands, the available prey she could hunt was truly scarce, and now Valentina was beginning to feel somewhat overwhelmed.
Not overwhelmed by the difficulty of catching prey, but overwhelmed by the difficulty of finding prey.
After all, the magical creatures in the Karugu Highlands that Valentina could hunt were extremely few. The prime areas of the Karugu Highlands were either occupied by Griffons, or by Giant Eagles, or by Dwarves. The remaining locations were indeed remote backwaters, hardly worth mentioning.
Now, day and night, Valentina had only one thought.
So tired.
Valentina felt her muscles sore and swollen, her body increasingly weary. Her sharp claws dug deep into the spines of the two prey animals, and finally, dragging her heavy body, she landed, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Boom."
The thirteen-meter-long Valentina abruptly touched down, tossing one of the bovine-type magical creatures before the little dragons.
Valentina had already realized.
She couldn't afford to raise this many dragons.
Therefore, Valentina planned to expel a few of them, letting them fend for themselves.
Naturally, she couldn't expel the clan dragons of Underwood. Valentina decided to focus her decision on the Black Dragon Saga and the White Dragon Disos.
The Red Dragon had space, the Green Dragon had wisdom.
The Blue Dragons all bore the surname Underwood.
That left only the little black one and the little white one.
Moreover, both Xia'er and Tyrone had already entered the young dragon stage. It was time for them to hunt alone!
The bovine-type magical creature covered in thick fur was thrown onto the cold stone platform. The scent of blood, metallic like rust, instantly spread, intensely stimulating the senses of all the wyrmlings and young dragons present.
"Gulp…"
Several barely suppressed swallowing sounds were especially clear in the silence.
The Black Dragon Saga's throat moved, his dark vertical pupils fixed intently on the fresh red flesh.
Though the Blue Dragon Karta tried hard to maintain the composure befitting the Underwood imperial family, his constantly shifting body and restless front claws betrayed his desire.
Even the wyrmlings in the corner couldn't help but stretch their necks, their small nostrils flaring rapidly.
However, surprisingly, not a single dragon rushed forward to fight over the food as they usually did.
Although the Red Dragon Tyrone's gaze swept over the prey with burning intensity, his massive claws unconsciously scraping the ground, he only flicked his tail restlessly, forcefully restraining himself from being the first to act.
All the dragons' eyes involuntarily glanced toward Xia'er, who stood slightly ahead, and then cautiously observed Valentina's expression.
Looking at these hatchlings who were acting contrary to their nature, actually able to restrain their instinctual impulses, a flicker of astonishment passed through Valentina's weary draconic eyes, followed by a surge of indescribable satisfaction.
She raised her head high, her voice carrying a deliberately maintained dignity as she prepared to announce the difficult decision that had been brewing in her heart for a long time: "Eat. However, after this bloody feast, some…"
But before Valentina could finish, she saw Xia'er already opening her mouth with utmost sincerity and shouting loudly: "Princess Valentina! The radiant pearl of the Underwood Dynasty! Heir to the storm and thunder! The sheltering wing of the Karugu Highlands! Savior of the dragon eggs and founder of the empire!"
With that, Xia'er boldly took two steps forward, yet her posture was humble as she lowered her head, her wings slightly folded, as if using the most solemn etiquette to express the highest reverence.
"Behold! This bountiful bloody feast, filled with your supreme benevolence and power! It is you, the great Princess Valentina! It is you who opened a sanctuary for displaced true dragons in this desolate and barren land! It is you, with unparalleled courage and wisdom, guarding the last embers of the Underwood Dynasty! The true hope and leader of the Chromatic Dragons! Our supreme princess! The future Dragon Empress who will reign over all realms!"
Xia'er spoke extremely fast, her tone rising and falling rhythmically, like chanting an impassioned hymn.
She skillfully wove together the words Valentina loved to hear most, each term precisely hitting the most inflated bubble of dreams in the young Blue Dragon's heart.
"Your mighty name shall resound through the Karugu like thunder! Your radiance shall illuminate the entire northern frontier! Long live Princess Valentina! Long live the Underwood Dynasty!"
This sudden, overwhelming torrent of fervent praise and declaration surged like a warm current, instantly washing away the bit of serious resolve Valentina had just mustered.
She froze.
Those beautiful draconic eyes, like sapphires, widened slightly, then were replaced by an indescribable sense of satisfaction and giddiness.
The glorious image painted by Xia'er's words perfectly matched the deepest desires in Valentina's heart.
The fatigue seemed to vanish instantly, replaced by a dizzying feeling of being extremely recognized.
She even felt her scales were glowing!
"Uh, hmm."
The expulsion words that had reached Valentina's lips were forcefully swallowed back down.
She even subconsciously straightened her spine, the tip of her tail lifting slightly with a touch of smugness.
Looking at Xia'er's 'extremely reverent' posture, and then at the surrounding young dragons who, under Xia'er's meaningful glances, also lowered their heads one after another, imitating Xia'er's example and emitting submissive rumbling sounds, an unprecedented sense of fulfillment filled Valentina's chest.
Yes, this was the dignity a Dragon Empress should have!
Valentina cleared her throat, trying hard to suppress the smile that was almost uncontrollable at the corner of her mouth, and put on her dignified air again. In a tone gentler than before, carrying a hint of lazy pleasure from being flattered, she said: "Ahem! Well said! The glory of the Underwood Dynasty shall naturally be guarded by us all together! Alright, enjoy your food now!"
She waved her claw, her posture much more graceful than before.
Xia'er immediately shouted again: "We thank Your Highness the Princess for your bounty!"
Then, Xia'er was the first to step forward, calmly beginning to tear at the prey.
The other young dragons and wyrmlings then came forward, distributing the food according to proportion.
Xia'er and Tyrone, naturally, received the largest share.
Saga and Karta came next.
The smallest portions went to the three wyrmlings.
And Xia'er, while eating, was also very clear about the predicament Valentina currently faced.
Too many dragons.
Four young dragons, three wyrmlings.
That made a total of seven dragons.
Far more than a single young adult dragon like Valentina could support.
It's just that directly expelling them felt a bit too blunt.
Although Blue Dragons lived in groups as a way of life, the other dragon races among the Chromatic Dragons would expel their young offspring, making them self-reliant.
Although this place was barren, its advantage was safety. Xia'er did not want to leave this area before reaching the young dragon stage, which was why she used those mother-dragon-like titles to forcefully interrupt this indecisive little Blue Dragon, Valentina.
If Valentina ordered an expulsion, the expelled dragon would have to leave this region, at least two hundred kilometers away. If the expelled dragon remained within the foraging territory, it would be seen as a provocation.
However, the objective problem still existed: Valentina couldn't afford to raise this many dragons.
It was time for a change.
It was also time to leave this place that was somewhat barren for her.
Xia'er let out a sigh. After completely devouring the flesh belonging to her, Xia'er immediately stepped forward and addressed Valentina respectfully: "Princess, I have a suggestion!"
"The empire's territory is far too small. Your subordinate wishes to go to the coastal area in the northeast direction to establish an outpost, to guard the northeastern flank for you and prevent attacks from enemies coming from the sea!"