Communication

"You mean—it's a Red Dragon that's young in age but has the physique of an extremely old Red Dragon, and possesses the spellcasting ability to cast Ninth Circle Spell?"

Although his face was not visible, Dex's voice was full of skepticism.

It's no wonder that Desk was so suspicious. This experienced Dragon Slayer had hunted more than a dozen Five-Colored Dragon, including three Red Dragon. His footprints had covered the entire Feanso Continent, but he had never encountered such an exaggerated dragon.

"Kid, are you kidding us?"

Lano, standing beside him, glared at Trischka, who had just finished reading the intelligence report. He gripped his giant axe tightly and spoke in a rather unfriendly tone.

Even the gentle-looking Cleric Ingrid Garcés tapped her scepter lightly, producing a clear sound.

"If the information you provide does not match the facts for some reason, then we will not complete the commission."

Their words were aggressive, clearly indicating they didn't want to waste time in this remote place.

Under the watchful eyes of several people, Trischka looked nervous, sweat beading on his forehead and his hands trembling slightly as he held the paper. However, he managed to maintain his composure and said with difficulty, "The intelligence provided by the Bosque Duchy is absolutely correct."

"I would swear on my honor, even before the statue of Amanata."

Grand Duke Leo spoke with a solemn expression and a firm, resounding tone.

"We also have evidence."

As if remembering something, Trischka took out a Magic Crystal from his pocket and carefully held it in his hand—it was a relic of "Gray Eagle" Schroeder and the only precious footage of the "Trill Massacre".

With a flicker of light, a somewhat indistinct Magic Image appeared in mid-air.

Everyone looked over.

Thick smoke billowed across the sky, and flames blazed fiercely.

The Red Dragon slowly flapped its wings in front of the hundred-meter-high Fire Dragon Tornado. With each flap, the Fire Dragon Tornado grew stronger and larger, trapping tens of thousands of soldiers in the Trill Valley.

"God, how could we be enemies of such a being?"

"Fire! Fire everywhere!"

"It's so hot."

"I... I can't breathe."

"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!"

The video showed the soldiers' painful cries, rapid breathing, desperate pleas for help, and Schroeder's seemingly insane words.

When the video ended, the Crimson Edge members no longer wore their arrogant and disdainful expressions; their expressions became serious, and even the hot-tempered Barbarian Lano seemed thoughtful.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became stagnant.

Finally, the mage who had been silent all along, dressed in a blue-black robe, spoke, breaking the tense atmosphere.

"If I'm not mistaken, that should be the Eighth Circle Spell [Control Weather], and it's more powerful than ordinary spells. Under normal circumstances, only Silver Dragon at the Ancient Dragon stage can awaken this kind of innate spell, but this 'young' Red Dragon can cast it."

"We usually consider such beings to be Aberrant Dragon."

"I once heard my mentor say that their greed is endless. They are no longer satisfied with the dragon's own talents and will use all sorts of means to pursue even greater power. The most terrifying Aberrant Dragon can even create multiverse-level disasters."

Desk looked into the distance and said in a deep voice, "Klein, if this is really the kind of thing we're after, then we need to make more preparations."

He turned back, glanced at Grand Duke Leo behind him, and said, word by word:

"Also, this commission will cost extra."

The voice seemed irresistible under the legendary Paladin's extraordinary charisma.

Immediately, a heavy gloom settled over Grand Duke Leo's face, but he gritted his teeth and ultimately said nothing more.

After all, his life and fortune depended on others, so he had no choice but to lower his stance, even if it meant facing unprecedented humiliation.

Patience is essential.

This is for the foundation of the Bosque Duchy, which has been passed down for thousands of years.

The Embers of the Burned Kingdom, outside North Wind Fortress, the Iron Dragon Wing Palace.

The Ogre Mage knelt before the steps like a mountain of flesh.

"Master, I truly admire your foresight."

"The hidden agent you casually laid out, that Half-elf Ranger from the Harpers, actually had such a great effect."

Lang Pu's flattery skills have become increasingly adept, even subtly grasping the right moments, so natural that Keosius doesn't feel embarrassed by it.

"Oh?"

"What important intelligence is it?"

Given that even Lang Pu valued this intelligence so highly, Keosius was naturally curious.

The Ogre Archmage's fawning smile instantly turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "According to the information provided by Li Cha, the Harpers is acting as a go-between. They have contacted the Silver Dragon Clan of Mellward, wanting to use the power of those Silver Dragon to Contend Against the Embers of the Burned Kingdom. The elder of the Melvord Clan —that Ancient Silver Dragon Oszedro— seems to be about to awaken as well. He has been asleep for more than thirty years."

"Oszedro"

Keosius repeated the name; he had heard it from Olivia before, apparently from her grandfather.

"Have they already noticed Olivia's disappearance?"

"However, this was bound to happen sooner or later."

Silver Dragon typically form loosely organized family units or clans, presided over by an older dragon known as an "elder." The elder provides advice, resolves disputes, and coordinates any activities the clan may undertake as a collective. A Silver Dragon Clan may be spread across an entire continent, but individual Silver Dragon may not have direct contact with other members of the clan for decades.

However, even if the ancient Silver Dragon came in person, Keosius was not afraid at all.

"Continue, anything else?"

"The Harpers also contacted Duke Fabric Navarro, who guards the northern part of the Fadlan Empire; Trafalano, the legendary mage of the Arcane Hermit Order; Sherzod Saba, the Druid elder of the Rangers' Guild; and even some special beings in Mount Paradise."

"Although they don't attach much importance to it, they may still send some resources to aid the the North countries."

Lang Pu rattled off the names of these forces as if reciting a menu.

Keosius couldn't help but sigh, "Tsk, the Harpers truly lives up to its reputation as a troublemaker in Erezege; they've managed to find so many powerful backers."

"From this perspective, it really does feel like we're surrounded by enemies."

"But now, no one can stop me from unifying the entire Anzeta, not even the gods."

"Keosius said in a low voice, looking into the distance, his pale golden pupils seeming to burn with flames," he said.