Demon Traces

The Awarding Ceremony has now concluded.

Keosius did not hide the news; on the contrary, he made a big fuss about it, as if he wanted people to know.

Paper leaflets fluttered like snowflakes, and the grand event was spread throughout Anzeta by the Wyvern.

People reacted differently. The nobles of the the North were terrified, fearing that the newly awakened Red Dragon would unleash a calamity that could shake their rule, and also worried that this incomprehensible system would create a terrible War Machine.

But many commoners harbored other thoughts. They fled to the Embers of the Burned Kingdom, hoping to seize power and seek the legendary lifespan and power of the dragon.

But in any case, Keosius achieved his goal.

He didn't care that such actions would prompt the the North countries to prepare in advance; what he cared about was sowing the Kindling in people's hearts so that the construction of a new order after the war could be accelerated.

Keosius lay sprawled on the Iron Throne, his wings slightly outstretched. Two rows of white smoke billowed from the pores on his neck, and the still scorching dragon crystal on his chest rapidly cooled down and gradually dimmed.

"Three years, three years have already passed."

"There is only one year left before the Great Collapse of the Holy Fadlan occurs, and 50,000 open beta players will descend upon Anzeta."

"At that time, I will establish a new order in the Anzeta Great Wasteland and unify the entire the North."

Keosius gazed into the distance, muttering to himself.

In the Anstica Mountains.

Alger rode the Dragon Vein Giant Eagle and flew rapidly out of the portal.

It was another routine patrol mission. He had patrolled this area many times over the past three years and knew the landscape around the portal like the back of his hand.

But the Ansdica Mountains were far more vast than he had imagined, and even after such a long time, there were still many areas he had not yet explored.

Alger pulled a parchment scroll from the backpack beside the giant eagle. The scroll was inlaid with Embers of the Burned Emblem at both ends. When unfolded, it displayed a map image composed of magical particles, with various mountains and rivers clearly visible, and it also shimmered with tiny specks of light. The special point of light was Alger's location.

This is a map that the kingdom specially prepared for Alger to record the areas he has already explored, and the map is already mostly filled in.

This map is actually just a trial version. The official Kingdom will mass-produce a more complete version in the future, and there may even be a collector's edition with gems, which will be sold to players at an extremely high price. But that's another story.

"No trace of demons was found in District 327."

Alger tapped the area, and a horizontal line automatically appeared on it, signifying the completion of the exploration. He had explored hundreds of areas in the past three years.

"Next is District 328."

"Iger".

Alger patted the giant eagle's neck, and the eagle immediately understood, folding its wings and flying through the mountains at an incredible speed.

After experiencing the second Bloodline Gift, Alger felt that both his own and the giant eagle's power had increased significantly. Sharp teeth and claws grew on the giant eagle's beak, and it gradually lost its bird-like appearance, growing a head like Dragonkin. He himself could even breathe scorching Fire Breath.

In just a short while, the giant eagle passed through several mountain peaks and arrived at the 328th district marked on the map.

The distant mountains resemble the jagged teeth of a giant dragon, rising and falling in undulations.

Barren and desolate.

This is Alger's only opinion of the Anstica Mountains.

The highest point of these mountains can reach an altitude of over 5,000 meters, separating the Anzeta Great Wasteland from the south and blocking the cold air currents from the north. Those mountain ranges, stretching for hundreds of miles, are covered with thick snow all year round, with only occasionally revealing black rocks in the summer.

No one would attempt to cross these mountains; even migrating birds would not choose to pass through here. Even the strongest and most resilient Fighter would often enter through the narrow mountain passes.

If the giant eagle had not received the blessing of the dragon vein, Alger would never have dared to venture into this forbidden zone of life.

"Call--"

The north wind howled, and the biting wind made Alger sneeze with Sulfur Scent smell.

But his sharp, reddish-horny ears trembled slightly.

Alger leaned slightly forward and said in a low voice:

"Iger, did you hear that?"

"It's not just the sound of the wind, there's something else."

Yes, it wasn't just the sound of the wind; it was also mixed with mournful howls and heavy whispers.

He finally found the devil's call.

However, this might be something else entirely. During his exploration, Alger had already killed many monsters hidden deep in the mountains, including Gnoll deep in the mountains, Giant Evil Snowman sleeping in ice caves, and even polar dragons hiding in the snow.

Alger said nothing more. He used his keen hearing to find the source of the sound and simply used his body to control the direction of the giant eagle's flight.

He noticed that the scroll on his body that read "Demon Seeking" was glowing faintly, emitting a blood-red light.

Perhaps, he really did find it.

Alger squeezed his legs together and steered the giant eagle down.

Sure enough, several dark figures appeared in the distance, Alger immediately gave chase.

Only when you fly dozens of meters away can you see clearly that the monsters have features that are a mixture of vultures and humanoid creatures, with twisted beast bodies and a pair of wide wings that constantly emit a foul stench, and they make shrieks that sound like a woman's wail.

Alger's expression was solemn, his brows slightly furrowed.

"It's Vrock."

Through the kingdom's internal records, he had learned about some basic races of demons. For example, these vulture-like creatures liked to devour humanoid beings and often used deafening screams to intimidate their targets.

The giant eagle was higher up, and the seemingly hurried Vrock had not yet noticed him.

"Stay close to them."

Alger gave the instructions silently.

The giant eagle maintained a steady speed, flying high above and following from a distance.

Finally, the few Vrock entered a huge cave.

As snowflakes fell like dust, the Dragon Vein Giant Eagle landed before the deep cave. Even with the howling wind, Alger could still clearly hear the whispers and mournful howls coming from the depths of the cave.

"This is it."

Alger drew the Eternally Burning Greatsword from his back and gripped it tightly in his hand.

The blade immediately burst into flames, illuminating the surrounding area and allowing him to barely see the path ahead.

The demons carried the corrupting and contagious power of the Abyss itself. Their mere existence was enough to make the world worse; the cave was riddled with pits of all sizes, filled with filthy pus and permeated with an ever-present stench.

The scroll beside him flickered with an increasingly intense light, like blood dancing wildly, but Alger felt little joy at finding his mission objective. He knew very well what a terrifying creature a demon was, and that a slight misstep could mean his demise.

Even the Dragon Vein Giant Eagle's body trembled slightly, showing a hint of resistance.