https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-153-Wagner-s-Dragon-Binding-Array/13676313/
Chapter 152: The Operation Begins
One month later, Stravburg.
Charlotte stepped forward, reporting: "Lord Slaud, my subordinates have memorized the seventeenth segment of the Rune Array. The foundational structure of Wagner's Dragon Binding Array is complete."
"Excellent. Simply excellent." Slaud's face lit up with a barely concealed gleam of triumph, already lost in visions of victory.
"Very soon, I’ll slay that Red Dragon and become a hero of the Northern Regions. Even the Duchy of Lakanman will fall under my control."
He had no idea how the Gold Dragon had managed to gather so many spellcasters. Though their individual spellcasting abilities were mediocre, their speed in learning and understanding was extraordinary—far beyond normal limits.
—He had no way of knowing that Players could spend Experience Points to learn spells, nor did he realize Charlotte had nearly wept at the cost. To him, it was simply the innate talent of the Gold Dragon’s followers.
Charlotte’s expression instantly shifted into a sycophantic smile. "Lord Slaud, regarding the promised spell scroll and gold coins…?"
Slaud’s face darkened instantly, but knowing these mages were still vital to his plan, he reluctantly waved a hand. "Of course. Go fetch them from Tema yourself."
Charlotte beamed. "Thank you, Lord Slaud!"
"Flying Witch," she called out, "go to Tema and collect two hundred gold coins and a scroll for a third-level spell."
"Got it, boss!" Flying Witch bounced off toward the secret storage chamber, eager to claim her reward.
Charlotte had expected this double-agent quest to be another grueling game of flattery and manipulation. But now that it had actually arrived, she realized they could steal spell scrolls and gold coins straight from the Northern Kingdom’s treasury.
They were no longer thinking of leaving. In fact, they were seriously considering turning this Revenge Vault into the new headquarters for their 【Magic Coin】 guild.
Suddenly, a Flame Portal ripped open.
From within stepped a noble youth—black hair, golden eyes—the unmistakable avatar of Kai Xiusu.
"Gray Hawk," he said, voice calm yet commanding, "the appointed day has come. Are you ready?"
Slaud hurried forward, bowing respectfully. "Your subordinates have learned at an astonishing pace. I believe our preparations are more than sufficient. But, Lord Ember, if I may… I’ve summoned additional spellcasters from across the realm—mages who burn with justice. They’ll join us in the operation."
"Rest assured, they are utterly loyal," he added. "They will be the core controllers of the Spell Array."
Slaud crushed the communication crystal in his hand.
Ripples spread through space, and twelve robed mages in gray robes stepped into the chamber one by one.
Kai Xiusu’s gaze swept over them. Four of them were seventh-level mages—no small feat in Anzeta, a land long starved of magic. Clearly, Slaud hadn’t fully trusted the "Gold Dragon" and had kept the most critical components of Wagner’s Dragon Binding Array in his own hands.
But that was precisely what Kai Xiusu wanted.
"Perfect," he thought, a flicker of amusement in his golden eyes. "Now I can wipe them all out in one stroke—no need to hunt each one down. Truly, fate has smiled upon me."
Kai Xiusu remained expressionless, merely giving a slight nod. "The Court Mages of the Northern Kingdoms? Now that looks promising."
"Respectfully, Lord Ember," the twelve gray-cloaked mages bowed in unison.
In Ailezegai, the Gold Dragon was a being of awe and reverence—treated as a guest of honor even in the southern realm of Faedran, let alone in the remote, magic-starved Anzeta.
Twenty members of the 【Magic Coin】 guild also gathered around.
Now, the cramped chamber teemed with over forty spellcasters—a force of staggering power. In all of Anzeta, such a concentration of mages had never before been seen. Even at the height of the Duchy of Lakanman, such a number of court spellcasters had never served a single lord.
Their purpose was singular: to slay the dragon.
And yet, the majority were undercover agents of the Kingdom of Ashen. Even Kai Xiusu himself had arrived in person—making it a case where the undercover agents outnumbered the real members of the organization.
Kai Xiusu scanned the crowd, his voice rising with fervor. "Friends, the situation is dire. The Northern Kingdoms hang by a thread. I’ll say no more."
"The fate of the Red Dragon rests on this moment."
"I believe the reign of the Evil Dragon is ending. Justice and order will be restored across the Northern Regions!"
Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.
The mages stood and applauded, as if victory were already theirs.
Charlotte stared at Kai Xiusu’s unflinching face, clapping along, and sent a message in the guild chat:
"Respect. The faction leader is a better actor than us—no joke."
"This mage is tragic."
"Haha, everyone except Slaud is an undercover agent."
When Kai Xiusu finished his short speech, Slaud stepped forward, unease creeping into his voice. "Lord Ember… can you truly guarantee a secure location near Northwind Keep? One where we can safely cast our spells?"
Doubt still gnawed at him. Northwind Keep was now the heart of the Kingdom of Ashen—heavily guarded. One misstep, and they’d be wiped out completely.
Kai Xiusu glanced at him, his golden eyes gleaming with cold disdain. "What? Human… are you questioning a Dragon’s power?"
An invisible aura of intimidation radiated from him. Slaud’s skin prickled. Cold sweat broke out across his brow.
"No, Lord Ember! I didn’t mean that at all. I only wished to confirm—if you can find a secure location near Northwind Keep, that would be ideal."
He pressed on: "To be honest, I’ve already contacted the Duchies of Bosk and Norton. The dukes have dispatched their finest—Lionheart Knights and Bicephalous Warriors—to guard the area. As soon as the Dragon falls, they’ll be on the scene to extract us and ensure our safe escape."
"After the Evil Dragon is dead, its remaining forces will be powerless. The neighboring duchies will send their elite forces to eradicate every last follower."
"Then peace and stability will return to the Northern Regions—just as it once was."
Kai Xiusu’s eyes sparkled. "Excellent. You’ve done well."
"Rest assured, with our united forces, we will destroy that Evil Dragon!"
Slaud, however, believed Kai Xiusu was thrilled by the addition of such powerful allies.
But Kai Xiusu? He was delighted at the thought of annihilating the enemy’s elite forces in one sweeping strike.
He had no idea that the "Gold Dragon" standing before him was not just a rival—but the very target of his plan. The one and only man he had sworn to destroy.
The infamous Red Dragon—King of the Burnt, the architect of the Purgatory Cataclysm.
"Begin your 'dragon-slaying' operation," Kai Xiusu said, his voice smooth, almost eager. "I’m… already impatient."
(End of Chapter)
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