The task completers received artifact rewards, further boosting the adventurers' enthusiasm.
This is a good thing; I believe that for a long time, Kaldorei will be willing to venture to the west side of Stormheim. They will gain experience and grow stronger through their adventures, better serving the Empire.
This is also a bad thing; adventuring means there will be casualties.
The Kaldorei Empire's healing professions are already abundant. Besides Priestesses of the Moon, Druids, and Paladins, there are also military medics who possess Regeneration Potions. Salador's massacre on Redridge Mountain has resulted in an endless supply of Regeneration Potions.
The injured can be saved, but there is nothing that can be done for the dead.
Many adventurers do not recognize their own strength and blindly go on adventures; even if they gain something, they will end up dead.
As the number of adventurer deaths rose, even Aeon was alarmed. Aeon, who never left Shaladrassil, appeared in Stormheim for the first time. Wherever a Kaldorei died, his figure would appear.
The reason he was so active was that he feared Mejia would poach his people.
Mejia had no interest in adventurers; Nathalass had enough mage souls. His Lich army was still expanding, and once all the mage souls in Nathalass were freed, there would be nearly two thousand Archmage-level and above Liches.
This was an extremely powerful force; even if Gale did not have the eternal spear and the pillars of creation, he would fear this power.
With the Storm Drakes, Gale's Dragon Knight plan was officially put on the agenda.
As soon as the plan began, problems arose. These Storm Drakes were very wild, and even with delicious food, they continuously attacked their keepers.
It seems Smaug truly was an anomaly among dragons.
Or perhaps, Proto-Dragons are more like beasts, which is why they are easier to tame.
Guardian Dragons are the most intelligent among dragons; the intelligence of Storm Dragons is between Guardian Dragons and Proto-Dragons, already qualifying them as intelligent beings. To tame them, one must do so like taming Troll slaves.
With this idea, Gale decided to conduct an experiment. The subject of the experiment was a Storm Dragon; he was more intelligent than a Storm Drake, and if he could be tamed, then the Storm Drakes could certainly be tamed.
The method was the carrot and stick approach: a slap and then a sweet date.
Gale approached the cage with a bridle. Seeing the bridle, the Storm Dragon immediately spewed a torrent of lightning.
Unfortunately, the lightning dissipated into the air before reaching Gale, turning into its original lightning particles.
Gale smiled and wiggled his fingers, and countless Arcane particles surrounded the Storm Dragon. The immense energy rendered the Storm Dragon immobile, unable even to breathe. The Storm Dragon looked at Gale in terror, wanting to struggle, but found he couldn't even move his eyelids.
After a long while, Gale finally released the Arcane Energy.
The Storm Dragon lay on the ground, panting heavily. He looked at Gale with fear; this elf possessed such powerful strength, capable of killing him with just a flick of his fingers.
Gale again held up the bridle. Though the Storm Dragon wanted to refuse, he dared not resist.
One of the characteristics of intelligent life is the fear of death.
Gale put the bridle around his neck, then opened the cage and jumped onto his back. With a gentle tug of the bridle, the Storm Dragon soared into the sky.
Although he had lost his freedom, he could finally fly freely.
Flying into the clouds, Gale said, "As long as you are obedient, you will have endless benefits to enjoy."
Saying this, Gale took out the tide stone and held it high.
Immediately, dark clouds gathered, and thunder rolled. The clouds encircled them, and lightning continuously struck the Storm Dragon.
The Storm Dragon let out a comfortable roar; his body surged in size, and the powerful lightning energy increased his strength severalfold.
"In the name of the King of the Kaldorei Empire, Gale, I bestow upon you the power of lightning. From today onwards, you shall be Nodradis, the Dragon of the Firmament, Guardian of the skies of Nordrassil."
Gale infused the divine power from the tide stone into the Storm Dragon's body. The Storm Dragon's body expanded again, becoming roughly equivalent to a Guardian Dragon.
The increase in power also increased the Storm Dragon's intelligence.
At this point, he understood his situation; he was the example Gale was setting. As long as the Storm Dragons pledged allegiance to Gale, they could not only improve their lives but also become powerful.
Of course, the price paid was also quite heavy: freedom.
Thinking of his carefree free life before, the Storm Dragon submitted.
"Nodradis will forever be loyal to you, my King!"
Gale's power was too strong; if he could bestow power upon him, he could naturally bestow power upon other Storm Dragons. If he refused, Gale would find another example, and his fate would be self-evident.
The power Gale bestowed was also too strong, so strong that he became addicted to it. He had never imagined he would have such a powerful day, gaining such immense ability, and he did not want to lose it again.
So, what is a free life? Can it be eaten?
Gale was very satisfied with Nodradis's sensibility; otherwise, he would have been preparing to eat roasted dragon meat tonight.
With a gentle tug of the bridle, Nodradis understandingly returned to Nordrassil.
His massive body attracted the attention of all of Nordrassil, and the guards immediately prepared for battle. Fortunately, they quickly discovered Gale on Nodradis's back; otherwise, they would have definitely treated this newly ascended Dragon of the Firmament to dozens of Sea Monster Killers.
After landing, the Kaldorei gathered around. They were very curious as to how the Storm Dragon had grown so much in such a short time.
Gale announced to everyone, "From now on, Nodradis will be the Guardian of the skies of Nordrassil and the leader of all Storm Dragons. He will reside on North Mountain, vigilant against all enemies from the sky."
The Kaldorei looked at the Storm Dragon; had His Majesty tamed him?
Nodradis opened his mouth and said, "I will forever be loyal to the Kaldorei Empire and cooperate with the Empire's Dragon Knight plan."
Gale said to the keepers, "Give all the Drakes to him; he will train them well."
His achievement with Nodradis was not just about setting an example. He also wanted Nodradis to tame other Storm Dragons; he was not satisfied with just capturing Storm Drakes, as it would take at least several hundred years for Drakes to grow.
If a large number of Storm Dragons could be captured, a Dragon Knight legion could be formed now.
Nodradis lived up to Gale's expectations, making the Storm Drakes docile within a few days. Then he set off for Stormheim to tame other Storm Dragons.
In less than half a month, he defeated Nithogg, the strongest among the Storm Dragons, becoming the new King.
Within half a year, all the Storm Dragons in Stormheim had become Nodradis's subjects.
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