Black Oilfield

The Ser Wilderness was as scorching and hot as ever.

The sunset still resembled molten iron pouring through gaps in the clouds, dyeing the entire wilderness rust-red. The distant horizon seemed to be burning, giving off warped heat haze in the twilight.

Carmel Black Oil Field.

The roar of Alchemy Engines was unceasing.

Oil pumps with steel frames stood across the horizon at regular intervals, densely packed like countless devout pilgrims. They hammered the earth in a fixed rhythm, pumping vast amounts of Black Oil to the surface.

An army armed with fine alchemical equipment was stationed nearby to guard it.

Combat-type Alchemy Golems over ten meters tall—[Steel Guardians]—strode with heavy steps, accompanied by fully armed human soldiers. They remained constantly vigilant of every movement in the surrounding ground.

Within dozens of kilometers of the oil field, there were no powerful beasts or monsters.

—They had all been purged in advance.

Alchemy Golems such as Steel Guardians and human soldiers patrolled the ground. Beyond that, Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbows were fixed around the oil field, each loaded with thick bolts several meters long and covered in Alchemy Runes, specifically meant to deter and deal with flying monsters and beasts.

"What tight security."

Garos hid among the high clouds, gazing into the distance.

While hunting, he had passed by this oil field. After some thought, he had decided to observe it from afar, hoping to spot a weakness.

The Red Iron Dragonet hovered on beating wings, narrowing his eyes as he looked into the distance.

Because he was so far away, the alchemical constructs looked tiny in Garos's eyes, while the humans moving around them looked like ants.

But he felt no contempt.

As his gaze swept over the Steel Guardians and the Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbows stationed around the field—which instinctively made him feel great danger—Garos silently climbed higher.

"The ground and sky are both heavily guarded. There's no chance of getting close."

"Still, maybe I can pick up some scraps underground."

Garos studied the layout of the oil field thoughtfully.

The defenses of Carmel Black Oil Field were mainly concentrated on the surface. Its vigilance against threats from the ground and sky was intense, but on the surface at least, its underground defenses seemed somewhat weak.

"Forget it. The wilderness is full of creatures like Rock-Crushing Worms that move underground. Just because I can't see them doesn't mean they aren't here."

Garos calculated silently, planning to wait until he had subdued some creatures like Rock-Crushing Worms that could burrow through the earth before sending them to probe the area.

As for launching a frontal assault—

Even Iron Dragon Mother would have to take a detour around a place like this. Garos only dared to watch from afar now; even approaching required careful consideration, and he had stayed very far away.

Even so—

Garos, hidden in the lofty clouds, was still discovered.

Click, click, click!

To the northeast, a Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow slowly raised itself and adjusted its angle.

The bolt mounted on it was more like a spear than an arrow. Its tip was sharp, its shaft thick and long, and its entire surface was engraved with dense Alchemy Runes.

One rune after another lit up.

Then came a soft, almost imperceptible whoosh.

The Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow fired a bolt that tore through the clouds and sky toward Garos.

It was incredibly fast, yet it made no sound as it flew. There was no shriek of torn air, making it difficult to detect. It was silent, lightning-fast, dangerous, and lethal.

However—

While observing the layout of the Black Oilfield, Garos had maintained the highest level of vigilance.

He had noticed the Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow the moment it began adjusting its angle.

"Such a long attack range."

Garos smacked his lips and promptly twisted his body aside, avoiding the heavy crossbow bolt.

When he looked back—

A huge hole had been blasted through the cloud layer where Garos had just been.

The power of the heavy crossbow was self-evident.

If Samantha had come here for the first time and encountered an attack from one of these—

She would likely have died without question.

The alchemical arrows fired by the Goblin Wolf Cavalry back then were not even on the same level. Even with Garos's physique, taking one of these head-on would not feel good.

Since he had already been discovered, he used his guillotine-like wings to tear through the thick clouds and decisively flew away, avoiding further attacks.

The Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow, having loaded a new bolt, fell silent.

It did not continue attacking the Hatchling Dragon after he left its range.

"Looked like a dragon."

"What quick reflexes. Too bad we didn't bring it down."

The human soldiers guarding the Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow blinked, thinking regretfully.

The Black Oil reserves here were still abundant. Besides the natural accumulation over a long period, large numbers of monsters and beasts killed by the garrison had also been thrown into it.

"Places with Lothern Federation troops stationed nearby are still too dangerous. I shouldn't have approached somewhere like this. I was too rash this time."

"Even if I wanted to investigate, I should have sent my followers. I can't put myself in danger."

Having suffered an unexpected attack, Garos reflected on the lesson from this encounter.

He had thought he was far enough away, but he had still underestimated the power of alchemical constructs. Fortunately, he had never lowered his guard.

For the current Garos, obtaining Black Oil directly from the oil field was basically impossible.

Having tasted the potent flavor of Black Oil—especially after seeing how greatly it improved his adaptation efficiency—Garos could not stop thinking about it.

Unfortunately, he was still too weak.

A vast supply of Black Oil lay right there, but apart from staring at it helplessly, he had no good solution. There was only a slight chance of stealing oil from underground, but he had no followers capable of traveling through earth, so he could not put the plan into action.

Not long afterward, Garos returned to the Iron Fir Hills.

"My dear brother!"

The moment he landed in the Iron Fir Forest, Garos heard Samantha calling out.

"What is it?"

He looked toward the fiery red Hatchling Dragon and asked.

Samantha skipped over, lifting her chin slightly as she declared proudly, "I have grasped the true essence of Alchemy! The great Alchemy Dragon King has taken her first step toward conquering the world."

About three months had passed since Garos had first made Samantha study Alchemy.

What she called grasping the true essence of Alchemy was actually only getting started.

But that was already quite good.

For an ordinary person, even years of accumulation and day-and-night study might not be enough to get started. Dragonkin, as top-tier monsters, possessed outstanding talent in every respect.

The Red Dragonet stared unblinkingly at Garos, as though waiting for something.

Her desire for praise had practically solidified in her eyes. Garos saw it and smiled slightly. "Oh, that really is good news. Congratulations."

Ever since Garos had rescued this Red Dragon Sister—

And shown her a direction to follow—

The Red Dragon Sister's arrogance and conceit had rarely surfaced in front of Garos. In their place, she had come to respect Garos much more.

"Can you refine Black Oil now?"

Garos asked.

Samantha's expression froze. She shook her head, and her voice weakened a little.

"Not yet."

Garos asked again, "What about making alchemical items?"

"I—I can't do that either."