Golden Dragon: Six Thousand Years of Empire

Terramus was also surprised by his brother's overly merciful ideas. He couldn't understand what kind of ideals and education his brother had accepted to be so afraid of war.

"This is exactly what father taught me. He once sealed my power, allowing me to experience ten years of mortal life.

I have witnessed the struggles and poverty of mortal life. Each mortal strives hard to survive. As for the civilians of enemy countries you just mentioned, I think you are wrong.

The only ones who harbor malice towards me are the rulers of these countries. They fear my existence, but the citizens are innocent and unaware of me. They hold no enmity or evil thoughts towards me and should not be harmed or impacted by the war driven by their rulers."

Iliad recounted his past experiences. It was precisely those ten mortal years that shaped his worldview and moral outlook. He knew how many innocent mortals a war driven by the rulers' desires would affect.

"If that's the case, we should control the scale and intensity of the war. We'll swiftly destroy the upper echelons of those countries and then take over all the citizens.

Since you pity them, you should replace those foolish rulers, bring them under your reign, and let them lead better lives."

Terramus was not swayed by his brother. Though he had never experienced mortal life, he, who was born into high status, had endured very dark experiences.

He believed that true mercy and compassion meant eliminating those foolish and incompetent rulers, replacing them with hope and bringing a radiant order to the oppressed and tormented people.

As for the bloodshed and sacrifice born from this process, they were necessary. One couldn't do nothing just because they feared bloodshed and sacrifice.

What sense is there in maintaining a deplorable status quo? Isn't it just another form of bloodless cruelty? What kind of mercy is that?

"Terra, we can use a better way."

The older Iliad also had his own views, and he didn't waver because of his younger brother's more radical remarks.

"There's no better way; war is the best means. Brother, you can't even persuade me; how do you intend to persuade the Dragon Lords and the Dragon people who followed me here?"

"Persuade them?"

Iliad was momentarily stunned.

"Brother, what do you think they came for? Just to support your cause, to uphold the peace and justice you believe in? Do you think it's possible that they do nothing and starve along with your people in this impoverished place?"

Terramus's face bore a smile, not of mockery, for he had no intention of ridiculing his brother.

He merely thought that his brother lacked the cruelty and dominance that belonged to the ruling class. He was too focused on the lives of the lower people, making his decisions conservative and thus appear too weak.

The reason he foresaw the future was that coming alone, he would have no power to launch a war capable of toppling the Six Countries against his brother's strong opposition. However, this time, he brought a Dragon Army thirsty for war and glory.

Empty rhetoric and false morality couldn't persuade the dissatisfied Dragon Lords and the eager Dragon people; only land and real interests could appease them.

Under the collective will of the Dragon Army, his brother's own opinion didn't really matter because his brother didn't have the power to dominate everyone.

Thus, this firstborn Holy Dragon son, who nominally held supreme power, could only be swept along, even if his opinions were entirely opposite.

"..."

Iliad remained silent because he had to admit that what his brother said was correct. It was exactly his travels among the common folk that made him realize how terrifyingly powerful a unified opinion of the masses could be.

Unless he could be as strong as his father, to subdue all creatures by himself, changing everything in sight according to his will. Unfortunately, he couldn't do it.

"I will give it a try."

Of course, Iliad was unwilling to simply give up. Unfortunately, statements and principles lacking substantial support couldn't earn any support.

Not even the Dragon Lords would listen, and even the Dragon people, who cared for the elder Holy Dragon, were unwilling to listen.

"Grandfather, Grandmother, what exactly should I do to stop this war?"

Eventually, tasting the bitterness of failure, Iliad had no choice but to seek help from his elders.

However, faced with this question from their eldest grandson, even the experienced, mature Golden Dragons couldn't provide him a satisfying answer. Instead, they turned to advise him,

"My child, your brother has done so much for you already; why do you resist instead of trying to accept it?"

"Since you can't find a way to change, why not go with the flow and become a wise king?"

"Since it can't be stopped, join it. Everyone will support you as Supreme Commander, and under your leadership, this war will be controllable, protecting more people."

When no dragon acknowledged his peace plan, Iliad couldn't help but seek his teacher's help. Although his teacher advocated for peace, they didn't have the power to change anything.

Thus, Iliad chose to yield. He embraced his brother and the Dragon Army he brought and began restructuring and preparing for war.

As for his father, Iliad didn't inquire because he understood him well. He knew what the response would be. Although his experience was arranged by his father, his current character was not to his father's liking.

The conquest led by the firstborn Holy Dragon thus commenced, and war erupted.

The alliance formed to restrain the rise of the Holy Dragon Son surfaced in the early stages of the war. However, as the Dragon Army's offensive targeted only one country, the alliance's fragility immediately manifested.

The targeted country felt it took the full brunt, demanding substantial military assistance and material compensation from other countries.

Other countries believed it was merely their bad luck; why were they selected? Providing military support and elite force aid should suffice; expecting us to cover all losses—what are they thinking?

As the discord within the Six Countries' alliance deepened, cracks formed and subsequently led to its collapse. In the third year of Iliad's war declaration, the first country's capital fell in early spring.

By the end of the third year, the second country fell, followed by a domino effect as the disintegrating alliance turned into scattered entities, each defeated by the unified Dragon Army.

In just five years, all Six Countries were destroyed, among its rulers, one legend died in battle, four fled, with only one choosing to surrender.

The battlefield results in the southwestern region of the Alviss Continent shocked all the central and western countries, prompting those touching the expanding Holy Dragon Descendant territories to heighten their vigilance.

Because the Dragon Army, crossing the sea and demonstrating aggressive behavior and exaggerated military prowess, left every nation observing the war aghast.

However, for the brothers who had just ended the war, only one thing was paramount now,

"Brother, with the territory you now command, you are eligible to don the crown of the King!"

"It's not appropriate; I'm not a Legend yet."

"That doesn't matter. As long as you visit father after your coronation, it'll be fine."