Chapter 555: A Lone Team
Chapter 555: A Lone Team
An hour later.
Imperial Capital Temeriel.
In the Imperial Garden, Rayne and Menya were walking side by side.
"Rayne, I plan to form a team of multiple guardians."
"The old model, where one empire guardian is stationed locally to oversee a province or region, has become outdated in the face of the eldritch deity's resurgence and the rapid growth of cult power."
"If a cult launches a full-scale attack, it could be very dangerous for a single empire guardian to handle."
"My idea is to form teams of at least three guardians to cover larger areas. For example, we could form a Western Guardians Squad to oversee multiple provinces in the western territories of the empire."
Rayne nodded frequently, understanding the need for this change as the energy tides intensified, and the empire began to strengthen its response.
As soon as he arrived at the palace, Menya mentioned this issue to him.
"Sigh, the number of empire guardians is still too few", Menya sighed, then handed a document to Rayne.
"This is a cooperation proposal from the Federation. They hope we can dispatch seven to ten empire guardians to explore the Floating City Ruins."
"Seven to ten?" Rayne's eyebrows shot up.
If it were during a peaceful period, sending that many empire guardians to explore the ruins would be fine and even demonstrate the empire's strength. However, the current situation is different. Maintaining the empire's stability is already a stretch with the current number of guardians, and it's impossible to spare so many.
"Right, I've calculated that the empire can send a maximum of four guardians. Rayne, do you think that's enough?" Menya's beautiful eyes looked at Rayne as she asked.
In reality, even dispatching three guardians is a stretch for the empire. However, because Rayne is going, Menya wants to send as many as possible.
Others might not understand, but Menya is well aware that the ancient Floating City, with its Vile Demon, is just as dangerous as the previous battle in the Imperial Capital.
Hearing Menya's words, Rayne frowned slightly and didn't answer immediately.
After a moment of contemplation, Rayne said, "No need. I'll go alone."
"Alone?" Menya's eyes widened in surprise.
"Rayne, are you serious?"
"Yes."
"But even with the ‘Wings of Madness’ Metheus, going alone is too—"
"Menya, my strength is perhaps even greater than you imagine. So, you don't need to worry about my safety", Rayne smiled, then released a bit of his previously concealed psi energy.
A powerful, deep psi energy wave immediately emanated from Rayne, but it vanished just as quickly.
Rayne concealed it again.
But that brief moment was enough for Menya to perceive Rayne's true strength.
Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened slightly, creating a rare contrast between her regal demeanor and her shocked expression.
"Rayne, you... you've reached the Dawn Apex?" If she hadn't merged with Rayne's consciousness, Menya would have suspected that Rayne was possessed by an eldritch deity.
This speed of power growth is too fast, no, it's terrifying!
"Yes, so, Menya, don't worry."
Rayne quickly realized that at his current level, even ‘Earth Pulse’ Reginald or the elder Ivan of the imperial royal family couldn't provide much help. The only ones who could truly assist him would be the ‘Red Dragon King’ Strasz or the empire guardian Vokmar, who are also at the Dawn Apex.
However, these two are the empire's top combatants, and leaving the empire's territory could have severe consequences.
Rayne neither wants nor will consider it.
Additionally, Rayne thought that if he were to advance in the Floating City Ruins, it would be better to go alone than with unfamiliar teammates.
"Alright, if that's the case, we'll follow your suggestion", Menya nodded after a moment of thought.
"When do you plan to leave?"
"I'll return to my residence and then leave. I'll head directly to the Federation's Ressero Canyon."
"Alright, I'll contact the Federation."
The next morning.
Federation Antuhor.
A high-level emergency meeting was being held in the grand Parliament Building.
A dozen dignified federation generals sat in the back half of the long table, while the front positions were occupied by powerful federation senators. Vice Speaker Bertrand sat to the right, and the Pipe Elder, Federation Speaker Lawson Powell, presided at the head of the table.
At this moment, a middle-aged man with a beard and the rank of major general was reporting loudly:
"On the afternoon of September 28th in the Federation calendar, a revived behemoth appeared on the Federation's west coast. It was over eighty meters tall, with saw-like horns on its head, resembling a swordfish. The Military Department named it the 'Serrated Head Beast.' It attacked Westing City, causing over a thousand casualties."
"On the evening of September 28th, another revived behemoth appeared in central Federation, resembling a giant frog with a venom sac under its chin and a tongue shaped like a flower. It spewed large amounts of poison, attacking Auberdine and causing over two thousand casualties."
"..."
"Generals, the situation is now very serious, because of the—"
The Federation Speaker, Lawson Powell, who was smoking a pipe, suddenly faltered in his speech.
"Energy Tide", Vice Speaker Bertrand immediately whispered from the side.
"Right, the Energy Tide. As the fluctuations of the Energy Tide increase, we predict that the number and frequency of behemoth revivals within the Federation will intensify."
As soon as Speaker Lawson finished speaking, over a dozen high-ranking Federation generals exchanged glances and began whispering to each other.
"Is the frequency going to increase even more?"
"The military is already operating at full capacity."
"Even the most advanced dirigibles and cannons can hardly inflict fatal wounds on these behemoths. The one in Westing City was only driven back with the help of Federation Elites, and the last time, several Federation Elites were reassigned."
"Indeed, I heard that an important site needs to be explored, but the current situation is already so volatile. Shouldn't we stabilize things first?"
"Gentlemen, I called this meeting to hear your opinions, not to rely entirely on Federation Elites", Speaker Lawson said, tapping the table in displeasure.
The room fell silent at his words, but this only made Lawson's expression more grim. "So many people, and not a single solution?"
"It's not that. If we have enough Ajax Automatons, it could work. The giant frog in Auberdine was driven back by three Ajax Automatons and a fleet of armed dirigibles", one of the generals said.
"Those are the super-giant automatons based on ancient goblin technology, right?" Speaker Lawson pondered.
"Yes, Your Excellency. I believe that creating and controlling simpler automatons might be our best chance for the future."
"However, I heard that Director Hylar of the Federation Mechanism Institute has also been reassigned to investigate that site, slowing down the production of the Ajax Automatons", a logistics coordinator said.
"I suggest we slow down the exploration of that site and stabilize the situation first."
"The question is, can we stabilize it? A long-term pain is better than a short-term one. If we can gain technological advancements from that site, I believe the short-term pain is worth it."
"Who can guarantee that exploring the site will yield results?"
For a moment, the 'long-term' and 'short-term' factions argued, with the majority still favoring the reassignment of Federation Elites for defense.
At this moment, a male attendant quickly entered and approached Speaker Lawson, whispering a few words to him.
This scene brought the room to a sudden silence.
The male attendant was Speaker Lawson's secretary, and his mid-meeting appearance indicated important news.
"What! Only one person?" Speaker Lawson whispered in disbelief after listening.
One person?
What one person?
The Federation's high-ranking officials were equally puzzled.
"The Dragon Empire agreed to the joint exploration, but they are only sending one Empire Guardian", Speaker Lawson, with a stern expression, announced to the room.
This statement immediately caused an uproar in the meeting room, like cold water poured on boiling oil.
"This is too disrespectful! No, this is an insult!"
"Is this the attitude for cooperation?"
"I suggest we contact the Dragon Empire again and urge them to seriously consider the friendship between our two nations!" a heavyweight senator at the front said angrily.
"Wait, may I ask which Guardian the Empire is sending?" Senator Tirana, a beautiful woman, suddenly thought of something and turned to the secretary.
"Senator Tirana, the Empire is sending Guardian Rayne", the male attendant bowed slightly and replied.
"Is it Guardian Rayne? If it's him, perhaps we don't need to worry so much", Tirana said, briefly explaining Rayne's background.
"Senator Tirana, regardless of who it is, one person is still too disrespectful for this cooperation!"
"We requested seven to ten Dragon Knights from the Empire. Even if reduced, five is the minimum. Now, just one person is simply—"
"Indeed! One person, no matter how strong, has its limits. For this site exploration, we have gathered seven Federation Elites, and the Empire sends just one? Is the Empire suggesting one of theirs is stronger than all seven of ours?"
"Quiet down, everyone. According to the cooperation agreement, the spoils will be distributed based on each party's contribution to the exploration. Moreover, the Empire has at least dispatched a powerful figure. I don't think we've suffered any losses in this matter."
"Regarding the exploration deadline, Councilor Trina, please contact His Majesty Tyrion. I hope to see the initial results of the joint exploration within half a month." Councilor Lawson concluded.
"Very well, Your Excellency." The beautiful woman Trina nodded.
Dragon Empire.
Dragon Scale Brotherhood Sanctuary.
"Your Highness? Why have you come?" The ugly Renfilier looked at Prince Everdon with a mix of surprise and unease. He sensed something was off, but couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Do you have any more of the potion?" Everton, slightly stiff, lifted the bottle that should have contained the Super Evolution Elixir.
"Ah, Your Highness, you drank it? It hasn't been—"
Suddenly, Renfilier's words faltered as he saw Everton's red-black eyes. A chill ran through his body, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him.
What kind of eyes were these?
Even a frost wolf, starved for three days in winter, wouldn't have such a violent gaze.
"There is, there is! But only the last batch."
"Give it to me."
"As you command, Your Highness." Renfilier walked quickly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He noticed Prince Everdon's abnormal state but couldn't resist the order.
"Here, five bottles in total, but you should know the side effects of these potions—"
Before he could finish, Everton suddenly reached out, grabbed a bottle, uncorked it, and drank it in large gulps.
"Your Highness! This—"
Renfilier trembled, watching in horror as Everton drank the powerful potion as if it were water.
The second bottle!
The third bottle!
Everton's body began to undergo a dramatic transformation. His normal skin swelled with various dragon scales, cysts, and even threads of blood, as if about to burst. But then, black gas emerged from his body, and the cysts and cracks disappeared.
"Incredible, truly incredible—"
"To actually prevent the body from disintegrating, this black gas—"
Renfilier's eyes bulged as he muttered. As the potion master who created the mixture, he knew better than anyone the power and side effects of the Super Evolution Elixir.
When Everton finished the fifth bottle, the black gas seemed to reach a strange equilibrium with the potion's effects.
Meanwhile.
Rayne, riding the black dragon Metheus, arrived at Retheron Canyon after more than ten hours of flight.
"Your Majesty Rayne, we just received word of your arrival, and here you are." Helm greeted him warmly at the Cave Camp.
"Long time no see, Your Majesty Helm. Congratulations on reaching the Dawn stage." Rayne smiled, immediately sensing that Helm had advanced to Dawn Wizard.
"Haha, Your Majesty Rayne, I must thank you. Without you, I might never have found the opportunity to advance." Helm laughed heartily at Rayne's congratulations.
"Hisss—This is your contracted dragon, isn't it? It's truly awe-inspiring." Helm then noticed the unusually large black dragon.
"Tsk, a Jiulao Dragon-tier black dragon?"
"Yes, but where is His Majesty Tyrion?" Rayne looked around, puzzled.
"They didn't expect you to arrive so quickly. His Majesty Tyrion and a few others just went to the ruins for a routine inspection. Two others have gone to Zetaya to assist the army in fortifying the area."
"Please wait, I'll contact them to return!"
In the Federation's western coast city of Zetaya, a massive shadow quickly swept over the city streets.
"Monster! It's a monster!"
"Run!"
The crowd on the ground immediately fell into chaos. Even the well-dressed gentlemen and ladies now panicked like the common folk.
After all, in the face of such a monstrous threat, preserving one's life was the priority.
"Hmm? Seems I've startled the humans below." The steel dragon Doric, flying in the sky, lowered his head slightly, looked down, and snorted to himself.
"Forget it, my master is ahead. I'll just go directly there. I've already caused a disturbance anyway."
"It wouldn't be good to keep my master waiting."
Doric's flight speed was considerably slower than that of the Chromatic Dragon, but he was still a bit faster than Rayne. He had already sensed that his master was in a canyon not far ahead, which is why he chose to fly directly over Zetaya.
"Attention all departments, the monster is heading towards Retheron Canyon. That area is a military restricted zone. Please immediately contact the dirigible fleet for interception!"
"Also, contact the two Highnesses immediately."
On a Federation dirigible trailing behind Doric, orders were rapidly issued.
(End of Chapter)
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