Chapter 516: Ancient Sea Beast Glastris
Chapter 516: Ancient Sea Beast Glastris
The arrival of the Federation's powerful warriors became the final straw that broke Egil's resolve to continue occupying the island for further searches. Just as he was about to order his subordinates to retreat, a Flying Fish Knight suddenly flew in and bowed to report:
"Your Holiness, Deputy Pope Mek has returned."
"Lord Mek has successfully released the massive beast Glastris from the Sealing Gate. It is about five nautical miles away."
"Excellent! Ha-ha, my lord truly watches over us!" the Sea God Cult pontiff Egil couldn't help but laugh.
When they heard this news, the group of High Warlocks behind Egil also let out a collective sigh of relief.
Although the Federation's Sword Saints were formidable, the Sea God Cult's strength was far from negligible. If not for the two Epic-Level Warriors who were leading expeditions to various Sealing Gates and ruins and couldn't return in time, the empire's delegation might have been completely annihilated.
Of course, this was something entirely unforeseen.
After all, with the body of the ancient Mermaid Princess Nereida as the vessel for their goddess's descent, they hadn't even considered the possibility of anything going wrong.
"The terrifying ancient sea beast Glastris, known as the 'Smoldering Electric Eel,' has also been released? Ha-ha, perfect, we can use this Federation Sword Saint as a test."
"Yes, with Lord Mek here, we have no need to retreat."
"Exactly, it's a good opportunity to show the Federation the might of our cult."
The warlocks began to discuss the situation excitedly.
Glastris was an ancient electric eel of immense size, with purple stripes on its body that were actually natural patterns formed by high-energy currents. Once released, it didn't just stun its enemies; it would set them on fire and turn them into charred remains.
This is why Glastris earned the title 'Smoldering Electric Eel.'
Moreover, it had a penchant for devouring its enemies. According to ancient texts, even a gray whale several dozen meters long could be swallowed whole.
In the ancient oceans, the area where Glastris resided was devoid of any large marine life. Its ferocity was on par with the 'Leviathan Whale.'
However, after being sealed for so long, its power was naturally not at its peak. But to the warlocks, it was more than enough to slay a Sword Saint.
On Tyrion's side, the situation was quite different.
He first swiftly defeated a batch of Sea God Cult's Flying Fish and Manta Ray Knights who were trying to block his path. Then, he immediately flew towards the airborne Dragon Knight Reginald and the remaining dirigible fleet of the empire.
"Lord Reginald, where are Princess Menya and Lord Rayne?" Tyrion asked, his face filled with anxiety.
Coincidentally, two days ago, after bidding farewell to Rayne, Tyrion had left Zetaya and headed north. However, he received an urgent report en route, stating that the exploration of the Sky City Ruins led by the Military Department had suffered significant casualties.
This news surprised Tyrion, and he had no choice but to pause his northward journey.
Soon, he received a letter from Vice Speaker Bertrand, representing the Federation's parliament. After some consideration, Tyrion decided to turn back to Zetaya.
After all, whether he accepted or rejected the proposal, he needed to discuss it face-to-face with Vice Speaker Bertrand, who represented the Federation's parliament.
However, before he could meet Bertrand, he received news that the empire's delegation had been ambushed and heavily besieged by the Sea God Cult in the coastal waters. Tyrion immediately rushed to the scene, sparing no effort.
He and Rayne had a good rapport, despite the significant age difference. Rayne's strength and character earned Tyrion's deep admiration.
But when Tyrion arrived at the scene, he found that the intensity of the battle far exceeded his expectations.
"Princess Menya is most likely deceased, and as for Lord Rayne, his fate is currently unknown", Reginald said with difficulty.
Upon hearing this, even the stoic Sword Saint Tyrion felt a sharp pain in his heart.
"What?!"
"Princess Menya is dead? Are you sure?"
"Though I didn't witness it firsthand, the intense fire energy fluctuation from that powerful sorcery at the end was most likely released by Princess Menya when she was gravely injured. I can't think of any other possibility!" Reginald shook his head and said solemnly.
Reginald then explained his analysis, and Tyrion nodded, his face grim.
"Ah, this..." Tyrion couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.
The Federation and the empire had just signed a cooperative agreement, and the situation had been looking promising. But now, the empire's delegation had been ambushed at the edge of the Federation's maritime territory, and 'Red Queen' Menya was dead!
Although the Sea God Cult is behind this, how will the empire react?
Will they suspect that the federation is feigning cooperation while secretly colluding with the heretical cults causing chaos within the empire's territories, targeting the empire's strongest?
Furthermore, Menya was a woman of extraordinary beauty and unparalleled grace. Her fall here is truly a great loss, Tyrion felt.
However, considering that Menya and Rayne managed to hold their own against the Goddess of the Depths' avatar leading the Sea God Cult's main force, their strength is indeed astonishing!
"Where is Rayne? Is he alive or dead? Have you found him?" Tyrion asked urgently.
"We haven't found Rayne's body yet. I suspect he might have hidden somewhere after sustaining severe injuries, likely somewhere on this island."
"Hmm, based on your analysis, that's a strong possibility. We must secure control of this island!" the Sword Saint Tyrion pointed to the island ahead, which looked like it had been hit by a meteor, leaving a massive crater.
"Agreed! Lord Tyrion, this place is close to the federation. Could you please contact the federation's leadership to send more forces to support us?"
"Of course, no problem", Tyrion nodded emphatically.
Zetaya.
In the top floor of the city hall, the first luxurious office on the right side of the corridor had been temporarily converted into Vice Speaker Bertrand's office during his stay in Zetaya.
Bertrand, who was scheduled to return to the capital in a few hours to face the parliament's questioning, was currently briefing Senator Trina on some matters, such as the precautions for the subsequent exploration of the Sky City Ruins.
Suddenly, a servant knocked urgently at the door and reported:
"Urgent military news, Lord Vice Speaker! The empire's delegation was ambushed by the Sea God Cult on their way back. The Goddess of the Depths' incarnation has personally descended, and the situation for the empire's delegation is critical!"
"What!" Vice Speaker Bertrand was momentarily stunned, then he abruptly stood up, his face turning pale as he roared:
"Quick! Mobilize the nearest federation naval patrol fleet and dirigibles to provide support! Do whatever it takes to rescue the empire's delegation!"
"Yes, sir!" The servant immediately saluted and hurriedly ran out of the office.
"Bang!"
Bertrand, his face contorted with anger, slammed his fist on the heavy redwood desk, gritting his teeth, "Sea God Cult!!"
Beside him, the elegant Senator Trina, who had never seen Bertrand, the Vice Speaker, lose his composure like this, was not surprised.
As a federation senator, she instantly understood the gravity of the situation!
This could be disastrous!
A divine incarnation leading the ambush?
While she had great confidence in Rayne's combat abilities, the enemy was a god!
This realization cast a dark shadow over Trina's mind.
However, the situation was still unclear, and there might still be a chance for a turn of events.
But less than two minutes later, the next piece of intelligence almost made Bertrand faint!
"Report! Latest intelligence: The empire's Princess Menya is suspected to have fallen, Lord Rayne is missing, and only Lord Reginald of 'Earth Pulse' has survived. Additionally, the Imperial Airship Fleet has been almost completely destroyed", the servant reported hurriedly.
Trina, upon hearing this, was momentarily stunned, but she quickly noticed the ambiguity in the report and snapped:
"What do you mean 'suspected'? What do you mean 'missing'? Don't you have any concrete information?"
Trina's words seemed to reignite Bertrand's vigor, and he responded:
"What are the intelligence services for? I want concrete information! Understand?"
"Sir, this is information confirmed by Lord Tyrion the Sword Saint", the servant, momentarily flustered by Bertrand's outburst, quickly provided a crucial piece of information.
"Lord Tyrion has arrived?" Bertrand's expression relaxed slightly.
"Yes, sir. Lord Tyrion is currently fighting alongside Lord Reginald against the Sea God Cult to secure control of Reef Island."
"Reef Island?"
Bertrand had never heard of this island before today.
"Yes, sir. Reef Island is where Princess Menya and Lord Rayne last battled the Goddess of the Depths' incarnation. Lord Tyrion believes that to confirm the situation, we need to secure control of Reef Island."
"But the Sea God Cult showed no intention of retreating. Instead, they gathered more and more powerful and elite forces, and thus, a fierce battle immediately erupted between the two sides."
"Pass on my orders. Immediately coordinate with the nearest federation strongholds around Zetaya. I need them to provide support as quickly as possible."
"Reef Island", the attendant whispered as a reminder.
"Right, Reef Island! Additionally, immediately contact the second fleet and the seventh dirigible squadron stationed in Zetaya to support Lord Tyrion."
"Yes, my lord." The attendant hurried out again.
As orders rapidly spread through Zetaya, one warship after another sounded their horns and set sail from the ports. In the sky, several battle dirigible squadrons flew by, and the massive machinery of the federation began to operate at full speed.
Meanwhile.
In a cave hundreds of meters beneath Reef Island.
Rayne was unaware of what was happening on the surface.
At the moment, he was studying the lifelike ancient mermaid maiden before him. Her beauty was unparalleled, and her seemingly eternal, uncorrupted body was something he had never heard of before.
After a long while, Rayne shook his head and gave up.
His knowledge in this area was relatively limited, and he knew nothing about the history or secrets of ancient mermaids. Perhaps, when Princess Menya wakes up, she might have some useful suggestions.
After some thought, Rayne cast the Metal Deformation spell, transforming the enchanted Serensilver on his wrist into a ribbon and wrapping it around the maiden's body.
Of course, the primary purpose was not to bind her but to serve as an alarm.
Although she was unconscious, if any unexpected changes occurred, this arrangement would give him enough time to react.
At that moment, Rayne suddenly turned to look at Menya, who was in deep meditation. He sensed that the fire energy particles around them were being absorbed by Menya.
"Hmm, does recovering from injuries require absorbing a large amount of fire energy particles?"
Rayne immediately noticed that the free-floating fire energy particles in the surroundings had been almost completely absorbed by Menya.
The slight frown on Menya's brow seemed to indicate that she needed even more fire energy particles.
Rayne knew that this was different from the conscious process of extracting arcane particles from the subspace using psi energy during spellcasting. In this case, it was simply an unconscious action during her deep meditation, and she could not access the fire energy particles in the subspace.
After a moment's thought, Rayne cast a fire spell, 'Heat Field.'
Sure enough, as the fire energy particles gathered, Menya's frown relaxed.
What Rayne didn't expect was that Menya's deep meditation, or healing process, would take an unexpectedly long time. Half a day passed, and there was no sign of her waking up.
Rayne continued to cast 'Heat Field' beside her, helping to channel the fire energy particles.
"This won't work; I can't do anything else like this."
"Ah, right. This island seems to have been formed by an underwater volcanic eruption. Whether it's an extinct or active volcano, there is likely a Lava Lake below."
"Princess Menya's current state would benefit from being near the lava, much like the ancient fire dragon 'Angusin.'"
"In special environments, the concentration of fire energy particles is much higher than in ordinary environments, which is why fire dragons enjoy soaking in lava."
Rayne's eyes brightened, and he decided to give it a try.
For someone who had already mastered the Metal Dawnbreak Killing Move 'Blade Disk,' his digging ability was dozens of times more efficient than modern tunnel excavators. Digging a tunnel would be a piece of cake for him.
Rayne moved a short distance away, then bent down and slapped the ground with one hand. As a dense wave of Dark Silver metal rippled through, a rapidly spinning disk appeared on the ground and quickly began to bore into the earth.
The speed was so fast, it was like a blade slicing through tofu!
"Swish!"
Several minutes later.
Rayne sensed that he had reached an underground cavity, and a wave of heat quickly rose from the opening.
"Indeed, it must be a lava zone below!"
After some thought, Rayne returned to Menya's side and set up a simple shielding spell array. Then, he quickly jumped into the newly dug tunnel.
For safety, he couldn't bring Menya down immediately. He needed to check the area first.
In the sky above the Summer Sea.
A dirigible adorned with the empire's Dragon Head Emblem was speeding towards the empire's territory.
This was the Storm, the only dirigible in the empire's delegation fleet that had not turned back but was instead responsible for urgently reporting to the empire.
In the cabin, the scene was tense and busy.
"Quick! Jettison unnecessary supplies and proceed at full speed!"
(End of Chapter)
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