Dragon Genesis: I Can Create Dragons

Chapter 508: The Velmourn Name.

“I am not strong enough to go against Drakthar…”

Kael tried to explain, but—

“Outsiders strong but still using tricks,”

Gruumak interrupted, his deep voice echoing off the stone walls.

“Something stopping outsiders.

That something… Flying Man.

So Stonefang follow Flying Man.”

And as the Stonefang Chief’s words echoed through the space, silence followed afterward.

The only sound that could be heard was of the wind howling faintly through the frozen vale, carrying specks of snow that drifted between them.

The weight of Gruumak’s words pressed down on all four men like a mountain.

Even Zakaar, who stood tall and steady behind his chief, felt the air grow heavy. He had followed Gruumak for years, seen him lead warriors through wars, through hunger and death—and never once did he doubt his chief’s words.

Even today was no exception. Even today, he was prepared to follow his chief’s words as always, even if that meant that he needed to follow… another man… a man who wasn’t of their tribe…

Yes, he was ready, but… that did not mean he did not have his reservations and doubts regarding the situation.

Zakaar’s eyes flicked toward the Flying Man.

He looked calm—too calm.

But if what he had said earlier was true, if this “Drakthar” truly was as powerful as he claimed, then siding with him… might mean the end of the Stonefangs.

After all, if all tribes combined couldn’t stand against this Drakthar, then how could they alone be enough…?

And those outsiders weren’t the only danger either.

Even if the outsiders didn’t strike them directly, if they went against the Stormcallers and followed the Flying Man, then if the Stormcallers succeeded in recruiting all other tribes in the Heights, this… this would spell their end as well.

After all, even if they and the Velmourns combined their might, they couldn’t possibly go against nine other tribes, all well-fed and strong, with just the two of them.

The tribes wouldn’t even need the outsiders’ help to crush them.

Zakaar clenched his fists at those thoughts as his gaze fell on his chief. He trusted his chief’s instincts, but deep down, even he couldn’t silence the voice whispering that this time… his chief might be wrong.

That following the Flying Man might lead them all to death.

And while Zakaar wrestled with doubts, Kael stood silent—thinking.

His gaze was distant, focused somewhere beyond the cold mists. His thoughts were moving faster than the snow falling around them.

He was no different than Zakaar; he, too, had too many things regarding the situation that troubled him.

In his mind, he could already see a troubling picture forming.

He could see what Zakaar was seeing as well—even if the Stonefangs joined them, it wouldn’t be enough to face the rest of the tribes. Drakthar wouldn’t need to get involved in this mess on their own; their target would be achieved without that.

And the worst part?

This wasn’t even the main problem.

All of this was considering the Stonefangs joined them, but that itself was a problem. Sure, the Stonefang Chief wanted it—he was the one who demanded it—but…

The Velmourns and Stonefangs hated each other too deeply. That hatred wouldn’t vanish just because they were now facing a common enemy.

These two forces had fought every single winter for… centuries. The blood spilled between their people wouldn’t wash away overnight.

If he forced an alliance, there would be mistrust, and the mistrust would only make things worse.

Soldiers would argue, spies would whisper, and unity—the only thing the Velmourns had going for them—would crumble the moment real danger appeared.

Then there was also the issue of food.

Heights was already starving. The Velmourns thought of resources as something precious, as something that couldn’t be wasted. These were the people who counted every single grain they ate and saved anything that was possible.

If such people were to know that they were now supposed to share their resources with… a force that was once their enemy, it would be a mess.

Even if they subdued their hatred for each other, many would worry that the combined numbers would burn through the last of their resources in weeks.

Of course, Kael could solve that problem—he knew he could. As long as he stood with them, they would not go hungry, since his ants could produce more than enough ’Divine Rations’ for them all.

But that wasn’t something many would believe easily.

They would need evidence; they would need to see it happen with their own eyes—both sides would.

And even if he handled the issue of food and trust…

Kael could see a hundred more problems he would potentially face.

How to coordinate armies that didn’t speak the same language.

How to prevent Velmourn soldiers from killing Stonefang scouts out of reflex.

How to protect both sides when the Stormcallers attacked in force.

How to prepare if Drakthar made its move.

The more Kael thought, the heavier the silence grew.

He had to admit it—Gruumak’s loyalty was unexpected, but it also came with… chaos.

But…

Even then, even with so many questions and uncertainties in his mind, he… he still could not turn away.

After all, they too needed the Stonefangs.

If the tribes did unite under the Stormcallers, and Drakthar was indeed behind them, then this was it—the final war for the Heights.

The Velmourns versus everyone else.

And this battle, if the Velmourns fought it alone, they wouldn’t be able to win, even if he was with them. After all, even the Ascendant of the Ancient had its limitations.

Kael was strong, yes, but he wasn’t actually a god; he wouldn’t be able to win against an entire army on his own.

They would need allies, and the Stonefangs… if they joined them, they would be crucial allies.

In the end, Kael heaved a high, loud sigh of relief and—

“Let’s return,”

He spoke in a calm, firm tone.

Gruumak lifted his eyes, staring at the man in front of him.

“I want others to participate in this conversation,”

Kael continued, and as he spoke, Freyal, who was still shocked by how the flow of things was suddenly changing, continued to translate his words.

“If the Velmourns and Stonefangs are going to join forces—”

But before Freyal could even finish his translation, Gruumak raised his hand and stopped him, his eyes staring at Kael with a piercing look.

“Stonefang only follow Flying Man,”

He said flatly.

“Not allying with Velmourns.”

Zakaar quickly repeated those words, making everything clear. The certainty and resistance in his tone made Freyal take a step back unconsciously, but Kael—

He just stared at the two Stonefangs with a calm look on his face.

He wasn’t surprised; in fact, he had somewhat expected this.

Of course, the hatred wouldn’t vanish so easily. Gruumak might trust him, but that trust didn’t extend to the Velmourns.

He met the Stonefang Chief’s eyes and nodded slightly.

“I understand.”

He spoke before he paused, thinking carefully about what to say next.

Then, he decided to reveal a small part of the truth—something that might make Gruumak at least listen.

“I stand with the Velmourns,”

He said, and once again, Freyal began translating his words.

“Not because I couldn’t go somewhere else. I chose the Velmourns because I have strong reasons to.”

Freyal translated, while at the same time listening to Kael’s words carefully. This was something he had no idea about.

And Kael continued—

“The Velmourn name isn’t simple.

It holds power.

Power that allows me to stand against Drakthar. Power that stops Drakthar, despite being as strong as it is, from getting directly involved with Heights.

So if you wish to go against the Stormcallers, the tribes, and Drakthar behind them, then you too need the Velmourn name or…

Drakthar will annihilate you and your tribe without giving you any time to react.”

Kael spoke with a solemn look on his face, and Gruumak frowned deeply at those words.

“What does that mean? Why Velmourn name?”

The Stonefang Chief questioned.

And Kael… he didn’t answer immediately.

The explanation was too long and too important to discuss in this frozen cave. Instead, he looked toward the way they had come—the mist-covered path leading back to the others.

“I will explain,”

Kael said.

“But not here. We’ll return first. Then everyone should hear this—your people and mine.”

Gruumak stared at him, his eyes narrowed, clearly unwilling. He didn’t trust the Velmourns enough to meet them again.

But after a few long seconds, the chief sighed. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly, and he gave a short, slow nod.

“Fine,”

He said at last.

“We go.”

And with that, the discussion ended.

Gruumak turned first, his heavy boots crunching the frozen ground. Zakaar followed him silently, his face tight with unease.

Kael glanced at Freyal, who looked as though his soul had just returned to his body after being lost for hours. The poor translator still hadn’t recovered from everything he had just witnessed.

“Come,”

Kael said softly, and the group finally began walking back.

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