Chapter 549: The Wing of Madness

Chapter 549: The Wing of Madness

"Esteemed Speaker, colleagues, I would like to ask everyone to consider a question: if the divine descent that occurred in the Empire of Tamriel were to happen again in our Federation, could we withstand it?"

"This time, the Empire paid the price of the fall of Emperor Carlos II to defeat the eldritch deities." Vice Speaker Bertrand did not directly agree or disagree but posed a question instead.

"This..." Many of the councilors looked thoughtful.

At this moment, a middle-aged man wearing a golden monocle spoke in a deep voice:

"Vice Speaker, this is precisely why we must accelerate the exploration of the Floating City Ruins. I believe that with the legendary ancient Floating City, which can counter true gods, we will naturally have the ability to resist."

"However, this does not mean we need to cooperate with the Empire." He seemed to have sensed Bertrand's intentions and emphasized this point.

Bertrand glanced at him. This councilor was Bode Black, whose family were exiled nobles from the Empire. Naturally, he wished nothing more than to see the Dragon Empire fall.

The descendants of these exiled nobles, their derived factions, or their representatives, occupy a significant portion of the seats in the Federation Council. This is why, during the low ebb of the Energetic Tide, the Federation and the Empire have constant friction and a heavy atmosphere of tension.

The man in the golden monocle, looking indignant, continued:

"Moreover, look at the sentence in the report: 'We hope the Council will agree to invite Lord Rayne of the Empire to join the exploration of the Floating City location, with a reasonable cost.' Does this safeguard the Federation's interests?"

"Of course, I personally admire and respect these few strong Federation members, but it is clear that they do not understand politics."

Bertrand, who had anticipated this, remained calm and sipped his tea. "If it were a regular ruin, Bode might be right. But perhaps you are unaware that it has been confirmed that the Black Mist controlling the ancient goblin corpses within the Floating City is a Shamor!"

"What! A Shamor?" An elderly councilor's eyes widened in shock.

Some of the councilors who did not understand the implications of a Shamor quickly flipped through another document under the report.

"In short, if the Federation were to explore the Floating City Ruins alone, the cost would be enormous, and we might even fail."

"Furthermore, time is not on our side. More accurately, it is not on the side of humanity. I believe it is time for us to work together." Bertrand said solemnly.

For a moment, the meeting room was silent.

"Vice Speaker, if the Shamor is truly as terrifying and powerful as you say, then even with the Dragon Empire, we might not succeed. Since the Vice Speaker insists, I can agree to limited cooperation."

The councilor in the golden monocle still did not fully agree with full cooperation and interjected.

"I also agree to limited cooperation. As for how much benefit we can gain within the Floating City, that will depend on the strength of the team the Empire sends."

"I agree."

"I concur."

After a moment's thought, Federation Speaker Lawson Powell tapped his pipe and made the decision:

"Then it is settled. Limited cooperation."

Beside him, the beautiful woman Trina looked at her colleagues with a mix of exasperation and resignation.

'Sigh, if the Empire sends a team led by Lord Rayne, the Federation might not even get a taste of the spoils. What a bunch of clueless people.'

But this was the prevailing trend within the Federation, and even if she spoke up, it wouldn't change anything.

Vice Speaker Bertrand's speech had been quite clear, but it was difficult to change the deep-seated hatred and prejudice some people had toward the Empire, which had been passed down through generations.

Imperial Capital Temeril.

Standing at the entrance to the lair of the black dragon Otrox, Menya and Rayne continued their conversation without entering.

"The black dragon has the worst temper among the Chromatic Dragons. Compared to Otrox, Methys has an even worse temper. It has been almost two hundred years since anyone chose it", Menya said with a wry smile.

"Two hundred years?" Rayne was taken aback.

Although Methys was of the Jiulao Dragon tier, it was unusual for no one to choose it for two centuries.

"Is there something wrong with it?"

"Yes, Methys is known among dragons as the 'Wing of Madness.' It was known for its aggression even as a young dragon. Later, during a battle, it suffered a severe head injury, and it goes berserk once it gets into a fierce fight."

" Its previous Dragon Knight died from severe injuries after a battle where Methys went berserk, although they did defeat the Flame Demon."

"I see." Rayne nodded.

The relationship between a dragon and its knight is like that between a person and their horse. Even if a knight and horse can work together, if the dragon cannot be controlled by the Dragon Knight or follow commands, it becomes extremely dangerous in battle.

However, this was not a problem for Rayne.

On one hand, he had confidence in his own strength, and on the other, he had the Battle Pet Contract from the system.

"Menya, in terms of combat power, is the one known as the 'Wing of Madness' stronger?"

"Indeed, even if we include the other four-colored dragons, the combat prowess of the 'Winged Madness' Methys is second only to the Dragon King." Menya nodded and said.

"Rayne, could it be that you...?"

Hearing Rayne's question, Menya's beautiful eyes widened slightly, as if she had thought of something. She then looked at Rayne with a puzzled expression.

She had already explained it clearly, so there was no way Rayne could have misunderstood.

But if Rayne had understood...

"Menya, let's go see the 'Winged Madness' Methys first." Rayne smiled, nodding to confirm Menya's suspicion.

"You're serious."

"Of course."

"Alright." Menya hesitated for a moment but then nodded in agreement.

She trusted that Rayne had a plan. She had initially wanted to persuade him, but after a moment's thought, she held back.

Following Menya's graceful and noble figure, they continued down the dark passage of the demi-plane for several minutes. Soon, they arrived at another dragon lair entrance.

"Rayne, this is the lair of the 'Winged Madness' Methys."

"Except for the daily food deliveries, no one has been here for a long time."

"Yes, it is indeed a very powerful dragon." Rayne looked around and sensed the area, feeling an invisible pressure spreading around.

The other party was indeed very strong, even surpassing the earlier Otrox.

Additionally, the deep, thunderous snoring indicated that the other party was in a deep slumber.

As they stepped into the scorching lair, they saw a massive, glossy black mountain lying in the center of the steaming dragon nest, fast asleep.

"Hmm, I smell the blood of a Dragun."

"Are you a descendant of Dragun?"

At that moment, it seemed that Rayne and Menya's presence had triggered some sort of alarm in Methys's body. The giant black dragon, which had been sleeping, suddenly opened its massive, window-sized eyes and spoke in a deep voice.

The thunderous voice shook the lair, causing fine dust to fall from the ceiling.

"Your Majesty Methys, good day. I am Menya Dragun, currently serving as the regent of the Dragon Empire." Menya bowed slightly and said.

"Alright, it seems many things have happened in the Dragon Empire during my slumber." Methys looked at Menya curiously and said.

"By the way, could it be that a Dragon Knight wants to choose me this time?"

"The young man before me? Not bad."

"But it still won't work. I don't want another incident like Ignaz to happen again."

Soon, Methys extended its head and looked at Rayne. Although it sensed the 'Late Dawn' psi energy fluctuations that Rayne had deliberately revealed, it still shook its head.

Rayne knew that Ignaz, the previous Dragon Knight of Methys, had died from severe injuries due to Methys's madness, as Menya had already explained on the way.

—

Although Methys had refused outright, from the coherent way it spoke, it seemed that it only went berserk in battle, much like a bull seeing red during a fight.

This made Rayne nod inwardly. If they could communicate normally at other times, there wouldn't be a problem.

"Sir Methys, I would like to know, what are your requirements for a Dragon Knight?" Rayne asked with a smile, not at all bothered by Methys's words.

Hearing this, Methys's large dragon eyes widened in surprise as it looked at Rayne.

Seeing Rayne's calm demeanor, it seemed slightly astonished and straightened its neck to look more closely.

After all, only the wisest and strongest of the Dragon Empire's extraordinary beings could pass the rigorous Dragon Knight trials and reach this place. Those who had the courage to stand before it and choose it were even more exceptional, one in a thousand, if not one in ten thousand.

"I need a Dragon Knight who can control me when I go berserk. Young man, although your strength is impressive, it is still impossible for you to do this."

"A wizard's relatively frail body cannot avoid my accidental injuries when I go berserk. If you were a high-ranking swordsaint, you might be able to dodge."

"Afraid of accidental injuries?" Rayne couldn't help but laugh.

"This requirement is not high. I believe I can meet it." Rayne smiled and said.

"Hmm?"

Both the giant dragon eyes of Methys and the beautiful eyes of Menya focused on Rayne.

Rayne's expression remained calm as he took a step forward. In the next moment, his body transformed dramatically!

His muscles bulged, dragon scales appeared, and his form changed drastically...

Rayne had transformed into the seventh form of the Jiulao Dragon transformation!

Instantly, a Dark Silver Dragon, approximately the same length as the black dragon Methys, appeared in the lair.

Methys, known as the 'Winged Madness,' widened its eyes in shock, as if it had seen something unbelievable, and involuntarily took two steps back.

"You... You..."

"Even as a descendant of Dragun, it is almost impossible for you to have such a pure and concentrated dragon bloodline?"

Methys was dumbfounded, frozen for several seconds before regaining its senses and muttering.

Rayne didn't answer Methys's question but instead waved his massive Dark Silver Dragon claw, which was the same size as Methys's, and said:

"Do you want to spar?"

"I think if I were your Dragon Knight, I wouldn't be injured by your madness. Perhaps, I could even calm you down immediately."

Hearing Rayne's words, Methys didn't get angry but shook its head and said:

"No need. I agree to become your dragon companion."

"Descendant of Dragun, let's sign the contract." Methys turned its head slightly to Menya.

"Alright." Menya's smile grew even wider.

The strength of Methyl, the 'Winged Madness,' was unquestionable. By signing a contract with it, Rayne not only boosted his own power but also added a significant combat asset to the empire.

She took out an amulet shaped like an eye from her pale neck, gripped it tightly in her hand, and quickly began chanting a spell.

Rayne knew this was the royal high-tier arcane artifact, the 'Dragon's Eye.'

Soon, a peculiar and immense magical fluctuation rose within the dragon's nest.

In front of Rayne and the black dragon Methyl, ancient and elegant runes appeared out of nowhere, detailing the terms of the contract, which essentially stated that they would become companions, supporting and fighting alongside each other.

After reading through the contract terms, Rayne quickly raised a finger and tapped.

A wave of psi energy flashed, and the name 'Rayne Caran' appeared under the contract signatory section in the air.

Then, Methyl, the 'Winged Madness,' raised its massive dragon claw and tapped the air, and a much longer true dragon name appeared below the runes.

In an instant, the contract was sealed!

At the same time, a system prompt sounded:

[Ding! Host has signed a contract with a dragon for the first time. Current number of contracted pets (3/4)]

[Ding! Detected that the host has triggered the core event for advancing to an Epic Dragon Knight—signing a contract with a dragon!]

[Requirements for advancing to an Epic Dragon Knight: 1. Sign a contract with any dragon; 2. Be a Giant Beast Knight or related profession at level 5 or higher; 3. Have 50 points or more in Strength, Agility, Constitution, and Spirit. Current conditions met! Advance to Epic Dragon Knight? Yes/No]

[Note: Advancing to Epic Dragon Knight will overwrite the Legendary Beast Priest class panel.]

Seeing the expected advancement information, Rayne couldn't help but feel elated and immediately chose "Yes!"

[Ding! Advancement successful!]

[Advancement to Epic Dragon Knight! Strength +5, Agility +5, Constitution +5, Spirit +5! Gained Epic Dragon Knight core skill: Dragon Companion (Passive).]

Dragon Companion (Passive): As an Epic Dragon Knight, when you and your dragon companion fight together, you will gain a hidden battle aura, providing an all-attribute boost effect.

(Note: Fighting together means both parties must be within the range of your mental perception.)

Hmm?

Methyl suddenly felt something was off, as if there was something more to the contract beyond the bond between dragon and offspring.

However, after a thorough check, it found nothing and shook its head, dismissing the thought.

"Rayne, congratulations." Menya, who had been watching, stepped forward with a smile and offered her congratulations.

"Thank you."

A few minutes later, a massive black dragon appeared above the palace, rising high into the sky. As a concealment spell flashed, the dragon vanished.

"Roar~~~"

At that moment, the black dragon let out a loud roar.

On the broad back of Methyl, the black dragon with its shiny black scales, Rayne stood with a smile.

"Finally, I've become an Epic Dragon Knight!"

A few minutes later.

Rayne arrived at the Bladesworn headquarters office.

Although he had been promoted to imperial guardian, due to the recent upheaval in the empire, he had not yet stepped down from his position in the Bladesworn.

Olena, who had received word of Rayne's arrival, quickly appeared at the door and respectfully said, "My lord, this is a top-secret letter from the palace attendant, and there is also an urgent message from Moria, the Head of the School."

"The urgent message from Moria, the Head of the School, should have arrived two days ago, but due to the battle in the Imperial Capital, it was delayed."

"Really?" Rayne frowned slightly, took the letters, and immediately began reading them.

As for the letter from the palace attendant, Rayne was not in a hurry to read it, as Menya had already told him that it contained a map of the suspected steel dragon's lair.

"Have they discovered the hidden base of Tuttesh Academy? They are surrounding it but not attacking. Moria, the Head of the School, is quite cautious", Rayne thought, feeling relieved.

Although he had left 'Destroyer' behind and severely injured Graham, and eliminated two avatars of the eldritch deity Nayubrekkan, there was no guarantee that the enemy wouldn't take desperate measures during the battle.

Moria, however, was quite prudent, only sending people to surround the area.

"My lord, is the situation serious?"

"Not too bad, there are some casualties."

"It seems I need to head to the Cyrodiil Highlands first to completely eradicate Tuttesh Academy, which has some secret connection to the eldritch deity Nayubrekkan."

"Otherwise, with the increasing energy tides, the strength of the avatars that can be summoned will only grow stronger."

Rayne quickly made up his mind.

"My lord, I'll arrange a high-speed dirigible for you."

"Wait, don't arrange it for me unless I specifically ask."

"Huh?" Olena blinked, looking puzzled.

As she followed Rayne out of the gate, a special pressure suddenly descended. Although she saw nothing, Olena felt a deep-seated fear.

When Rayne flashed onto Methyl's back, the 'Winged Madness' appeared through the concealment spell, briefly revealing its majestic form to Olena.

"Wow, so big!" Olena couldn't help but cover her mouth and exclaim.

"My lord, you've contracted a dragon?"

"Congratulations, Lord Rayne."

"Thank you, Olena. I’ll be off then." Rayne nodded slightly and smiled.

With that, Rayne patted Methys’s back, and with a surge of powerful air currents, the man and dragon quickly vanished from the Bladesworn Headquarters.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end