Chapter 5: The Wisdom of the Dragon
Shatima had actually been with Komer for some time now. Having slipped away from the Caucasus unchallenged, she had no constraints. As she traveled along the coast of the Northern Mid-Sea, savoring the joy of freedom, she almost lost track of time. The pristine landscapes of the lowlands between the Baden Golden Mountains and the Northern Mid-Sea captivated her. She had always lived on the western slopes of the Baden Golden Mountains and rarely crossed them to the eastern coast, where the evil dragons roamed. She knew there was a significant gap between her strength and that of the evil dragons, and provoking them would surely lead to fierce retaliation.
But this time was different. With her mind completely at ease and no intention of staying long, Shatima was simply traveling. Even if she encountered an evil dragon, she, who no longer wanted to return to her old life, had no intention of challenging it for the sake of the ice dragons’ dignity and honor. As Komer often mocked her, “There is a fundamental difference between pride, confidence, and self-respect. Confidence and self-respect don’t need proof, while pride is a variant of inferiority. Only those who are utterly insecure try to cover up their weakness with such pretenses. To insist on proving oneself despite knowing one is inferior is foolish.”
Shatima realized that living among mortals for some time had made her increasingly human-like. The confidence and pride once characteristic of dragons had faded significantly, replaced by habits and customs similar to those of humans. This made her feel both frightened and somewhat indulgently hopeful. No wonder there was an old proverb among dragons: “Even a pile of lifeless sand, if placed among humans, will eventually be assimilated into human form.”
Shatima didn’t reject these changes inwardly. Long periods of solitude had made her crave interaction, but the inherent pride of dragons kept each one locked in their isolated towers. Yet she seemed to have broken free from this constraint and found herself unwilling to return to her old life. Living with Komer was so fascinating, and mortal life was so rich and varied that Shatima felt her previous two hundred years had been like a deep slumber.
The dragons might truly be falling behind this world. Though they possess the same intelligence as mortals and even exceed them in individual strength, we are gradually being erased from world history. This was Shatima’s heartfelt words, but she soon realized that someone had said the same thing long ago; she had simply been too angry to believe it at the time. Now, everything seems to prove those words true. Whether it’s war or slaughter, love or intrigue, commercial civilization or architectural art, Shatima tirelessly absorbs the nutrients of this mortal civilization. She is like a baby who has just opened its eyes to the world—unwilling to admit that the dragons are behind, yet secretly envying them, unconsciously imitating and learning from them.
Shatima chose the lowlands between the Baden Golden Mountains and the Northern Mid-Sea because she harbored a deep desire to meet that evil dragon. She wanted to share what she had seen and heard with a fellow dragon, so that they could view everything she had experienced from the dragons’ perspective. But to her disappointment, she did not encounter the evil dragon. It was said that the dragon had gone to the Northern Mid-Sea to play in the water, leaving her wish to talk to it unfulfilled.
After her wish to meet the evil dragon was dashed, Shatima became somewhat depressed, and her pace slowed down. It was a month later when she crossed the Cordillera Wasteland that the prosperity of the Southern Mid-Sea region lifted her spirits again. The ocean civilization, so different from that of the north, reminded her of the diversity of mortal civilization, like a warm sea breeze.
Finding Komer also took some effort from Shatima. After all, she was a dragon with little experience traveling outside. Moreover, she knew full well that Komer’s whereabouts were under the attention of the Inquisition, so secrecy was essential. Fortunately, Shatima was also aware of the connection between those members of the Great Secret Cult and Komer. After tracking down those dark preachers, she used her exceptional exploration skills to quickly locate Komer.
The two-masted sailboat glided downstream along the Catalonia River. The river breeze carried a slight salty scent. As the water changed from green to blue, the mouth of the Catalonia River expanded like a trumpet. Red-billed gulls darted across the sea surface, while albatrosses lazily glided in the sky. Ahead lay the Abyssal Sea.
Komer did not stay in Matdan. Aside from stopping there to replenish some water and food, Komer didn’t even leave his cabin. Although the spies of the Light Church didn’t yet possess such capabilities, Komer still hoped to complete this journey safely. During this journey, Komer made a surprising discovery: the beautiful dragon by his side seemed to have changed drastically compared to before. Her once unruly and violent temperament had softened considerably, replaced by an unprecedented silence, even gentleness. It was somewhat strange to apply the word “gentle” to Shatima. Shatima’s ladylike grace and elegance exuded an astonishing charm. Her fuller figure was accentuated by her bell-shaped dress, while her black velvet cloak only hinted at her form, adding to her mystery. Her prolonged contemplation made Komer very curious about what had happened to this beautiful dragon. Komer realized he had somewhat neglected the changes in Shatima since she arrived in the Southern Mid-Sea. Fortunately, it wasn’t too late to notice his oversight. Shatima wasn’t aware that her changes had caught Komer’s attention. She was simply happy that Komer allowed her to accompany him to Jazair, and the fact that she was the only one to receive this honor made her feel somewhat honored. Komer had his own reasons for letting Shatima accompany him to Jazair. Most of the powerful fighters around him had ties to dark energies. Jazair was an important stronghold of the Light Church, highly sensitive to dark energies. But traveling there alone would make him weak in terms of strength. Shatima was undoubtedly the perfect choice—not only was she powerful, but her dragon powers could also be easily concealed. In certain critical moments, if she could help delay the enemy’s attack, it would give him a chance. “Shatima, you seem preoccupied. Can you tell me what’s bothering you? I rarely see you with this expression,” Komer said after observing her carefully. “Oh, nothing. I’m just a bit reflective,” Shatima replied, as if waking from her thoughts. “Reflective? What has made you so reflective?” Komer was even more surprised.
“Many. Ever since I arrived in the Caucasus, it’s been like being in a world full of endless diversity, overwhelming to the point where, well, everything I see floods into my heart, leaving me feeling overwhelmed. In contrast, the lives of our dragons are so dull and monotonous. Seeing you mortals constantly striving to improve your martial skills and magic, innovating and upgrading your weapons, fighting for the ideals you hold dear—although your despicable tactics are disgusting—I must admit your lives are more exciting and challenging. Perhaps it is this kind of life that allows mortals, who are otherwise weak, to become dominant in this world. I suddenly feel that we dragons are too indulged in a peaceful life. Compared to yours, our lives are like stagnant water. Can such a life continue indefinitely?”
Shatima didn’t know why she suddenly said such things. She simply vented her feelings instinctively. Whether in the Caucasus or the Southern Central Seas, those mortals, dwarves, and barbarians were all fighting hard for the survival of their races. Though they paid a heavy price, they remained unyielding, advancing stubbornly toward their goals. And what about the dragons? Lonely and arrogant, they refused to interact with other races. Their sheer strength only made them complacent, turning them into an exotic species in this world. Shatima wondered whether this preserved the dragons’ supreme dignity or was a sign of impending extinction.
Shatima’s words nearly made Komer’s eyes roll out of their sockets. Were these really words coming from Shatima? Unable to control himself, Komer stepped forward and sized her up from head to toe, until Shatima, annoyed and furious, clenched her fists, ready to explode. Only then did Komer take a deep breath. “Shatima, today I truly understand you. Was everything you showed us before just an illusion?”
“Komer, how could mortals like you possibly fathom the wisdom of dragons?!” With pride, Shatima puffed out her red lips. “We dragons simply don’t want to interfere with our peaceful lives, but that doesn’t mean we know nothing about the world! I admit we’ve been away from the world for too long, but once we return, the world will tremble before us!”