The Grewind Swarm

Goth Ministry of Justice, Hall of Truth.

Here, the brilliance of magic and wisdom sparks.

Spellcasters and scholars from all walks of life in Danfeng Lucerne sat in their respective factions, each displaying their unique abilities to capture locusts from the air with their superb magical skills, observing, analyzing, and experimenting in their own ways.

Naturalists observe patterns, segments, and elemental characteristics; druids attempt to communicate with the principles of nature; alchemists ignite their Eye of Origin Tracing, deconstructing and analyzing; mages of the elemental school experiment with spell resistance; Kang De stands on a floating platform, his voice resounding throughout the hall, attracting the attention of the other half of the crowd.

"They conquer with sheer numbers; their sheer numbers can easily overwhelm a large city. They devour earth and wood structures, gnaw on metal, possess burrowing capabilities, and can intertwine and combine into larger forms to launch surprise attacks from underground. They are clearly controlled by a higher will, much like worker ants. The way they obtain energy is currently unknown, their origins are unknowable, and I do not know their origins."

But that's not important.

Kang De looked around at the wise men of this country. "I have come here today not seeking answers to the origins, but the wisdom of struggle; I seek your experience, history, and talents."

"That is, when billions of such locusts attack a city from the sky and underground, how should one defend against them, how should one intercept them, how should one repel them, how should one counterattack, how should one stop the swarm's invasion, how should one find the high-level individual controlling them, and how should one severely damage and kill him?"

"Methods don't matter—elemental spells, curses, magical artifacts, poisons, divine arts—anything that works is acceptable. I need a complete battle plan and a list of required materials."

The leaders of the various schools of thought sitting at the front exchanged their opinions in hushed tones.

Tina's second sister, Stella, was also present at the table. In the Saint Covelo University's lineup, she sat next to the principal. She spoke quietly with the academic leaders for a moment, and the elderly men responded with smiles.

Then she stood up, smiled at Kang De, but her demeanor and words were extremely formal.

"Kang De Highness, the Goth People will fully respond to your request. Let us break this grand issue down into several smaller parts and assign them to the professionals in their respective fields to develop solutions. Given that you still do not fully understand the arcane power of Danfeng Lucerne, please allow me to propose a division of labor for your and your colleagues' reference."

Kang De bowed slightly. "Thank you, Stella."

The second sister responded with a dignified and reserved smile, a smile that exuded wisdom and nobility.

She flew to the center of the hall, not to Kang De's side, but to the ground. Standing there, she had to look up at the spellcasters in the surrounding seats, but this did not diminish her temperament and pride, for it was the power of humility and confidence. Goth's second princess glanced around, calmly meeting the gazes coming from all directions.

Her clear, melodious voice echoed in the hall.

"The proposal regarding this strange locust is a matter of defense and counterattack. We will first break down the plan into two parts: defense and offense, with defense taking precedence."

The topic is "Emergency Ground Defense Measures for Towns Without Permanent Magical Fortifications," requiring the rapid establishment of temporary defenses from scratch, using methods such as soil hardening, controlled poisoning, and temporary alteration of magical fluid properties. The enemy is an insectoid beast with rapid burrowing and aggregation enhancement capabilities!

Stella's gaze swept across the assembly. "This issue will be addressed by the Danfeng Lucerne City Garrison Arcane Squad, the Goth Ministry of Justice Homeland Defense Department, and the National Civil Engineering Corps. Nora Academy possesses the best Goth Earth School heritage; we request that all faculty members provide technical support and advice!"

The leaders of several departments stood up and bowed.

Kang De, seated at the council, returned the courtesy.

"Since it is a defensive operation, there will inevitably be personnel threatened and even casualties. Regarding land defense, please have the priests of the Church of the Sun formulate Bulwark plan and emergency response measures."

The representative of the Church of the Sun stood up and bowed.

He was someone Kang De knew—the Bishop Peila who had examined the Divine Ring of Stellar Authority. Kang De was impressed by his bald head, his mace, and his well-developed muscles that stretched his bishop's robes into a tight-fitting garment.

"Defense and counterattack are twins. Now that the enemy's underground tactics have been thwarted, the battlefield will inevitably shift to the ground. The sky is the spellcaster's domain. To counter a large-scale swarm of insects, large-scale spells are needed. Their individual strength is extremely weak, and they are flying insects, so the power of frost, gales, and lightning is perfect! Moreover, the required spell power is not high; tactical support spells that alter the weather and battlefield environment can be extremely effective."

"Therefore, Druid Masters, please adjust your plans based on the Ministry of Agriculture's emergency plan for controlling large-scale locust plagues, taking into account the elemental resistance and biological characteristics of these locusts. The Dares Skyfury Corps, the Strategic Magic Department, and the instructors of the Saint Covelo Atmosphere and Frost School should provide technical and equipment support!"

One by one, the masters rose to pay their respects.

As for the final victory.

At this point, Stella was no longer as confident as before, because of the unknown.

"Your Highness Kang De, we cannot immediately devise a plan on how to locate and control the higher consciousness controlling the locust swarm, as we do not yet understand the details of this type of locust, nor do we know the form in which it establishes mental connections. Goth's best psionic scholars, alchemists, naturalists, and royal advisors will find the answer as soon as possible. If not, we will list all the contingency plans; one of them will surely work."

She took two steps back and looked at the floating council seats above.

Kang De peered out from the Yuri X-like floating platform and looked down. "Please come up and talk, Mage Stella, because I don't know how to bring this thing down."

A burst of good-natured laughter rang out from around them.

Stella smiled, leaped into the air, her graceful figure tracing beautiful lines in the air, her robes fluttering gently. She floated in front of Kang De, facing Kang De, and gently blinked her left eye.

"How about it?"

She asked in a low voice, a hint of smugness in her tone.

Kang De smiled, "Professional."

Stella frowned slightly, glanced at Kang De, seemed about to say something, but ultimately only sighed.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

"What?"

Kang De said, "I have some ideas on how to kill the person controlling the swarm. I've found his lair, but he's captured many innocent civilians. A hasty attack might result in casualties. His spies are everywhere underground; if we surface, we'll definitely be discovered. I need to assess the situation inside first..."

Without hesitation, Stella whispered, "It seems you need to brush up on your alchemy knowledge. The Legal Department is considering applying for the title of Alchemist Master for you from the Arcane Council. You can't be completely ignorant—this kind of thing can be done with a tiny golden beetle engraved with a link to the spectral realm..."

It's very realistic; all you need to apply for is the title of alchemist.

The title of Forbidden Spell Mage is not required.

But that doesn't matter, Kang De shook his head. "It's not that simple."

While rushing to the aid of Danfeng Lucerne, he killed an elven alchemist, Extraction his knowledge, and seized his achievements, which were numerous alchemical weapons.

He explained, "Metals and building materials—the locusts will devour them on their own. Alchemical creations will be eaten. I have another idea, which is why I'm telling you privately. I don't know if this is a taboo in the arcane world—the insects will directly eat metals and earth, but they will bring the food back to their nests. So I need a spy disguised as food to be transported down there by the locusts."

Stella's expression changed slightly. "This requires some taboo knowledge... it certainly can't be mentioned publicly."

Kang De asked, "So it exists?"

Stella gently pointed to the old man waiting at the entrance of the corridor, the one who led Kang De into the Hall of Truth and called his name: "My father's chief arcane advisor, Agrell, as a monarch, must guard against assassinations from all sides. His arcane advisors must be uninhibited and possess knowledge of many forbidden things..."

He knows where you can find the people and the knowledge you're looking for.

The princess urged, "Go ahead, I know you're in a hurry... Tina has already instructed me on some matters. I will help you coordinate and manage these wise men. After all, getting them to work efficiently and without arguing or looking down on each other is no easy task, Your Highness Kang De."

"Thanks."

Stella raised an eyebrow. "Just that one sentence?"

Kang De looked at the other person and said seriously, "Yes, just that one sentence."

The second princess was slightly taken aback. She had wanted to see what kind of answer this man, who wasn't very good with words, would come up with under such strong support, but she hadn't expected such a reply.

But seeing the other person's calm yet firm gaze was enough to send a sudden tremor through her heart.

As one of Goth's most beautiful jewels, she had heard countless sweet words and self-indulgent pronouncements from childhood to adulthood, but none of those words combined could match the power of that one statement.

Yes, that's enough.

She slowly smiled and said, "Then I'll remember that."

She raised her delicate hand and pressed the railing in front of Kang De. Guided by Magic Power, the Levitation Stone seat slowly descended.

Kang De glanced at Stella, then bowed to the surrounding crowd, and announced loudly, "Then I'll leave it to you all."

People nodded to him. These seekers of Truth were mostly not good with words and did not pay attention to etiquette. There was no unanimous response, and no one even spoke. Some people ignored Kang De's departure and words, but their attention was focused on the locusts.

This already demonstrates their attitude and stance.

In a corner of the Nora Academy, a naturalist held an insect suspended in mid-air, put on a monocle engraved with vision magic, and his astonishment grew deeper.

The old man, who was waiting at the entrance, saw Kang De approach and said, "Your Highness, is this thoughtful enough?"

"Thank you, Mr. Agrell, and thank you to everyone," Kang De said. "I am honored and grateful for the efforts of Goth's leading intellectuals in my cause."

They walked side by side toward the gate, and the old man said slowly, "If Danfeng Lucerne falls, all the Civilization, history, memories, wisdom, and power that Goth has accumulated to this day will be reduced to ashes. You have preserved these, and you have preserved everyone. Today's aid comes from past acts of kindness; this is the justice of the world."

He stopped at the door and bowed slightly to Kang De: "You already know my name, and I've also noticed Princess Stella's gaze. Your Highness, would you like to use my knowledge and power? Please speak freely. I believe that you, like the Grand Duke, will use this dangerous and uncontrollable taboo with restraint and caution."

"So, please speak, Your Highness."

Kang De looked at him and smiled, "I believe you must possess a power that is nothing short of dangerous, yet you have made it available to me without hesitation. I am truly flattered by your trust."

"This isn't trust, it's self-awareness." The old man blinked. "This power is forbidden, but not dangerous, and there's no need to prevent its misuse. After all, what spellcaster would dare discuss the dangers of power and the necessity of self-restraint in front of a Grand Forbidden Spell Master?"

Kang De chuckled, "You're a witty person."

"Your assessment is a great honor, Your Highness. Many people think I'm a pervert who hides in a room filled with acrid odors and covered in biological skeletons, stirring green slime and laughing maniacally."

Agrell sighed. "Is there anything old Agrell can do for you?"

Kang De said, "A piece of pork. I need something that looks like a piece of pork, but is actually an alchemical golem that allows me to share the view, because those insects eat everything, but carry the food back to their nest where the people they've abducted are. I want to see what's inside."

The old man pondered for a moment, then said, "Let me try... It will take a little time."

Please.

Agrell pushed open the door, and Tina and A Xing were already waiting there. The old man tactfully withdrew; he was the Grand Duke's Arcane Advisor, so there was no need to worry about not being able to find Kang De.

Tina's features were exquisite, and her smile was gentle. Just looking at her beautiful face could bring peace to one's heart and calm one's anger. Her smile was full of tolerance, soothing a turbulent soul.

She said softly, "I told you, Goth would be your strength."

Kang De nodded and said, "I have never doubted it."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Not to be outdone, A Xing shouted, "Me too! Whoever you say we'll fight, we'll fight!"

Kang De smiled and pinched her cheek.

Indeed, the A Xing is incredibly fierce. If only we could bring it to Earth... unfortunately, that's impossible.

Just then, Tina naturally took his arm and naturally steered the conversation.

"By the way, I've already told my second sister that this matter is very urgent. We need to find more spellcasters to help, so some secrets will inevitably be leaked. For example, where these strange locusts came from, or that no one can participate in this operation, and that we need to use spell scrolls and magical artifacts instead of chanting spells... Everyone is definitely curious, and we need an explanation."

Kang De's attention was indeed drawn to it.

The difference between A Xing and Tina is almost like the difference between a Husky and a Border Collie.

"So, just as we discussed, Second Sister will gradually reveal the cause of this matter to several school leaders, who will then explain it to the others. We'll say that the locusts came from the fallen territory of Cathay, and that Kang De was able to travel between the continent and the East. While supporting Goth in his fight against the Twilight Moon, he was also fighting against the evil minions of Chaos in the fallen lands of Cathay... That will make sense."

"We cannot transport living creatures, so we do not need Goth's manpower support, only material support."

"Even the elves and the Cathay court are unaware of the fall of Cathay's territory, let alone us."

The girl spoke eloquently, her eyes gleaming with wisdom and the cunning of someone who had successfully lied.

But she still doesn't know the truth.

Yet she still cooperated with Kang De in lying, including this idea, which she had thought about for several days.

Kang De was moved and sighed, "Actually..."

Before she could finish speaking, Tina pointed a finger at Kang De's lips. "Shh... I don't want to know your secret because of this. Think it over before you tell me."

As for A Xing watching from the sidelines—although she was looking up to the high-level players, she miraculously wasn't jealous this time. If you ask why, well, of course I, A Xing, know everything! Big Goldie, can you do that?!

The secret of Kang De's origins on Earth, and even the things that happened there, were all revealed by the extremely lonely Kang De in his ramblings on the Holy Seal Archipelago, when the A Xing was still in its ape-like state.

Looking into Tina's bright eyes and at her affection, Kang De nodded gently. "I understand."

"Do you want to take a break?" Tina asked. "We still need to prepare for a while."

The show of bravado put on by the France president was actually known to the Russia and their homeland, and United Kingdom and the United States should have received the news as well. So this show of bravado was put on in front of the five permanent members of the Security Council. Besides the thrill and satisfaction, it also had strategic significance.

This is called feigning weakness, making several countries suspicious and wondering what big move he's up to. This pressure will put pressure on Big Bob, thus buying Comora and Kang De some time.

The potential for expansion through time difference is considerable.

Therefore, there is relatively ample time.

He thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Let's wait a bit longer, there's also the Alchemy Corps..."

Before she could finish speaking, the side door was suddenly pushed open, Stella rushed out, shouting, "Kang De! This professor said that these locusts seem to have appeared in the history of the continent; he's seen them in ancient books!"

Kang De changed drastically.

Following Stella hesitantly out was a handsome scholar with refined features, wearing a monocle, and looking somewhat timid, especially when facing Kang De, the "Great Forbidden Spell Spellcaster," he felt immense pressure.

After all, he was just a quiet scholar.

Kang De strode forward and asked, "Professor, are you sure?"

Although the spirits of the dead in Tacitus recognized the Fire Thief's power, which had somewhat prepared him, the fact that these locusts had appeared on the continent before... what did that mean?

"I... I'm not actually sure."

The professor stammered, "That ancient book is a translation from ancient times. Due to the changes in Civilization and the chaos of war on the continent, much knowledge and culture was lost. There is no corroborating evidence, so it is almost mythical. I cannot be sure whether it is a story or fact, but many of the characteristics recorded in it are very similar to these locusts. They are called 'Grewind Swarm,' the meaning of which is unclear. It only says that they once caused great chaos..."

Kang De looked at Stella and Tina.

Both princesses shook their heads; even someone as learned as Tina had never heard of it.

Stella added, "None of the school leaders have heard of it either."

The implication is that they don't quite believe it.

Kang De said, "Could you please fetch that book?"

The professor stammered, "Yes, but... it's not very useful, Your Highness. That book is an encyclopedia, more like a collection of stories; it doesn't contain any useful content. I could even memorize it..."

Perhaps it was Kang De's disappointed gaze and his gratitude towards Goth that emboldened the professor. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Goth's great library wouldn't have any records of this insect, but if it truly existed and caused disaster, there would certainly be accounts and records in several places, even specimens and details of this insect, as well as methods to defeat them."

Kang De pressed further, asking, "Which places?"

"It includes places with long histories that have not been destroyed by war, such as the Tower of All-Seeing where the Arcane Council located, the Imperial Library of the Empire, and certain races and nations with long Civilization, stable civilizations, and clear historical threads, that is..."

At this point, the professor glanced discreetly at Kang De —in a way, scholars and mages are the most gossipy—and then muttered under his breath, "Dragons and elves."

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥