Beneath the Red Dragon

Chapter 465 - 20: Value (Part 2)

The intricate design of the gold coin’s rim was adorned with variously colored scales of agile and exquisite dragons, with their mouths and tails interlocking, encircling a majestic and elegant dragon’s head at the center.

On the reverse side of the coin, the twisted lettering in common script read—"May this world shine like gold, may civilization be passed down like a burning flame!"

The mature Brass Dragon Holister sighed and couldn’t help but praise, "This isn’t a gold coin, it’s a perfect piece of art and the best collectible, transcending the value of the coin itself."

In any world, different countries and organizations, based on credibility, influence, and comprehensive strength, issue currency, which, even for gold coins of the same standard, holds varied measured values.

Generally, the currency issued by stronger countries and organizations is more valuable than that of others.

Although the Golden Empire was just stepping onto the stage of the Aikania Great World for the first time, the strength of the Giant Dragon Empire was something the Beastman Kingdom knew all too well.

The declaration made by the Golden Empire against the Beastman Kingdom was still causing uproar in the Elder Council within the Beastman Kingdom.

In terms of comprehensive strength alone, the gold coins issued by the Golden Empire were equivalent to the currency standards of other countries.

Besides, the Dragon Group Territory was always known for its rich mineral resources, making the purity and quality of the coins they minted far superior to those of other countries and city-states.

Most importantly, it was Karon’s statement.

"This is the Golden Empire’s establishment, the first and final commemorative version of the prototype coins issued," Karon smiled, revealing his long tusks, and he deliberately lowered his tone as he said, "Within the Imperial, no, the entire world, it’s a limited edition, also issued to commemorate the founding of the empire."

The mature Brass Dragon Holister’s dull pupils instantly brightened, and he grinned as he said, "Then I should put these masterpieces into my treasure vault for collection; they are a testament to civilization, and time passing will only grant them more value and meaning."

"Oh, my goodness, thank the Goddess of Wealth, I feel like I want to show them off to others, but at the same time, I don’t want those vulgar hands and eyes to see my collection,"

The Brass Dragon Holister joked contentedly, but the Goddess of Wealth mentioned by Holister was not that unlucky one said to be trapped in the abyssal swamps and forced into the sea in desperation.

Among the Giant Dragons, there is their own Goddess of Wealth, and that is the Dragon God Estelabo housed in the Ten Thousand Dragons Temple by Karon.

This Dragon God is a weak divine power Dragon Race Goddess of Wealth, appearing as a giant dragon shimmering with many colors, just like the shining scales of the King of Golden Karon Gogomola.

Although the Goddess of Wealth Estelabo represents the Dragon’s innate desire for wealth and power, unlike Tiamat, she is not tainted with a reputation for greed.

Dragon God Estelabo advocates that dragons should have an intrinsic need to collect and protect treasure vaults, and this Dragon God cannot tolerate her followers and worshippers engaging in any form of theft.

However, if these thefts are carried out in the name of building treasure vaults, she would often deliberately turn a blind eye.

It can only be said that this Dragon God’s principles and standards are like the Evil Dragon Blood domesticated by Karon, only taking effect when they need them.

Therefore, this Dragon God is quite welcomed by the neutral dragons, even some Colorful Dragons like to steal in her name, and even if caught by other Giant Dragons, they merely receive a thorough beating.

The Brass Dragon Holister seldom counted the coins in the box, and this box, somewhat small for a Giant Dragon, only held two hundred coins in total, but even ordinary gold coins would be enough to satisfy a Giant Dragon.

Once, the Silver Dragon Valkyrie Chris Tianna sold her freedom for Two Thousand Gold Coins. Some Giant Dragons, even those growing into the elder dragon or ancient dragon stages, pride themselves inlaying hundreds to thousands of gold coins and gemstones among their scales.

Especially with collectibles whose value has long surpassed that of the coins themselves.

However, Karon, despite his wealth, could have readily given out much more gold coins and riches, five hundred, eight hundred, even one thousand or two thousand, these were just a negligible part of his vast treasure vault.

But like humans, dragons possess nearly insatiable greed and desire, and with increasing acquisition, their appetites grow larger, their hunger unfillable.

Hence, Karon needs to maintain a balance, showcasing his generosity while preventing the other party from developing further greed, because, to Karon’s mind, possibly in the future, further meetings or collaborations may occur with this mature dragon.

The pleased mature dragon gladly accepted the gift, storing it in his Dimensional Magic Bag, then secretly rubbing his slightly uncontrollable claws and said, "Your distinguished Karon Gogomola,"

"Your generosity shows me your generous and noble character, Ancestral Golden Dragon Oblash proposed the Ancient Dragon Lord-specific challenge at your state founding ceremony—the Skhite battle,"

"From my perspective, your mercy has already sufficiently showcased your benevolent character. It’s noteworthy that challenges among Ancient Dragon Lords rarely end in success or failure, but rather result in victory or death."

Karon listened quietly to the words of this mature dragon. In the eyes of the Red Dragon, anything that could be achieved with gold coins was trivial; to Karon, greed was indeed a beautiful driving force as long as it was useful.

"But some folks in the Southern Good Dragon Alliance aren’t as keenly aware of your virtues as I am; they are trapped in their obstinacy and do not understand the Northern Dragon Group enough."

With a solemn tone, the mature Brass Dragon Holister reminded, "’Golden Flash’ Mogusa Rabil, this powerful Golden Dragon Earl, is not only a de facto Count of the Human Kingdom, the Fadeli Kingdom, but also one of the leaders in the Southern Good Dragon Alliance."

"Yet, this wealthy, powerful, and charming adult Golden Dragon, while we have deep respect for him, Mogusa Rabil is not the most powerful within the Good Dragon Alliance, even within the ’Dragon Crowned Council’, there are more powerful mature Golden Dragons and Silver Dragons."

"Still, these outward leaders yet defer to the opinions of the strongest elders during critical decisions; some of these elders have ages that can trace back to the distant ancient times when various races began to rise on earth."

"Though they do not participate in the day-to-day management of the Good Dragon Alliance, they hold the most crucial discourse power," Holister said softly, looking at the serene face of the Ancestral Red Dragon.

"Most importantly, Ancestral Golden Dragon Oblash’s grandfather, ’Golden Flash’ Mogusa Rabil’s father, is one of these exceedingly powerful elders, occupying a particularly significant discourse position even within the entire ’Dragon Crowned Council’, Scorlita—that is the name of that powerful entity."

Karon nodded, his expression unchanged, having foreseen these circumstances; the ties among the Metal Dragons were no less intricate than he previously imagined.

"Nonetheless, any organization will have their respective factions," the dull eyes of the Brass Dragon Holister brightened slightly.

"Just like the hawks and doves factions within those Human Kingdoms, I belong to a more conciliatory faction,"

"After returning to fulfill my duties, I can say some good words for you, but Ancestral Golden Dragon Oblash, even if using the excuse of healing in the empire, cannot delay too long; you must make a careful decision."

The Ancestral Red Dragon laughed, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, I enjoyed our conversation, and I think we can get along well and become friends."

Karon offered another box from his claws, regarding the mature dragon, who took the money and acted accordingly, as reliable and a potential cooperative friend.

"What I sent earlier was the empire’s goodwill and welcoming etiquette to the emissary, and this is a gift from myself to a friend. Though not expensive, it nonetheless expresses my intentions," Karon said, smiling.

Holister paused, then accepted the gift, nodding slightly and saying, "To have a friend like your esteemed self is also my honor."