Black Oilfield

The Ser Wilderness was as scorching hot as ever.

The setting sun still resembled molten iron pouring through gaps in the clouds, dyeing the entire wilderness rust-red. The distant horizon seemed to be burning, sending warped heatwaves billowing through the dusk.

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 knocked against the earth in a fixed rhythm, pumping vast quantities of Black Oil to the surface.

An army equipped with sophisticated alchemical gear was stationed nearby to guard it.

Combat Alchemy Golems over ten meters tall, [Steel Guardians], marched with heavy steps. Fully armed human soldiers moved alongside them, remaining constantly alert to every disturbance on the surrounding ground.

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

—They had all been cleared out beforehand.

Steel Guardians and other Alchemy Golems, along with human soldiers, stood guard and patrolled on the ground. Beyond that, Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbows had been fixed around the oil field. Their thick bolts, several meters long and covered in Alchemy Runes, were specifically meant to deter and deal with flying monsters and beasts.

"What tight security."

Garos hid among the high clouds, watching from afar.

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

The Red Iron Dragonet hovered in the air with beating wings, narrowing his eyes as he gazed into the distance.

Because he was so far away, the alchemical constructs looked tiny to Garos, while the humans moving around them were even more ant-like.

Yet he felt no contempt.

As his gaze swept over the Steel Guardians and the Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbows set around the area, 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 from underground."

Garos studied the oil field's layout thoughtfully.

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

"Forget it. The Wilderness has no shortage of underground creatures like Rock-Crushing Worms. Just because I can't see them doesn't mean there aren't any here."

Garos considered waiting until he had subdued some creatures like Rock-Crushing Worms that could tunnel through the earth, then sending them to test the waters.

As for launching a frontal assault.

Even the Iron Dragon Mother would have had 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 discovered.

Clack, clack, clack!

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

The bolt mounted upon it was less like an arrow than a spear. Its tip was sharp, its shaft thick and long, and its entire body was inscribed 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 shot toward Garos.

It was incredibly fast, yet it made no sound as it flew. There was no shriek of air being torn apart, making it difficult to notice. Silent and lightning-fast, it was dangerous and deadly.

However.

While observing the Black Oilfield's layout, Garos had maintained the highest degree of Vigilance.

He had noticed when the Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow adjusted its angle.

"That attack range is enormous."

Garos clicked his tongue and twisted aside in time, evading the heavy crossbow bolt.

When he looked back.

A huge hole had been blasted through the clouds where Garos had been moments ago.

The crossbow's power was obvious.

If Samantha had come here for the first time and suffered such a crossbow attack.

She would likely have died without question.

It was on an entirely different level from the alchemical arrows fired by the Goblin Wolf Cavalry. Even with Garos's physique, taking one head-on would not have felt good.

Since he had already been discovered, he tore through the thick clouds with wings like guillotine blades and decisively flew away, avoiding further attacks.

The Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow, reloaded with a new bolt, fell silent.

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

"That seemed to be a dragon."

"What fast reflexes. Too bad we couldn't bring it down."

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

The Black Oilfield's reserves here remained abundant. Besides their natural accumulation over a long time, vast numbers of monsters and beasts slain by the garrison had also been thrown into it.

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

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

After suffering the unexpected attack, Garos reflected on the lesson and thought to himself.

He had believed he was far enough away, but he had still underestimated the power of alchemical constructs. Fortunately, he had never let down his Vigilance.

For Garos as he was now, obtaining Black Oil directly from the oil field was basically impossible.

After tasting Black Oil's potent flavor, especially its tremendous boost to his adaptation efficiency, Garos could not stop thinking about it.

Unfortunately, he was still too weak.

A huge amount of Black Oil lay right there, but aside from staring at it helplessly, he had no good options. There was only a slight chance of stealing oil from underground, yet he had no earth-burrowing vassals under his command, so he could not carry it out.

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

"My dear brother!"

The moment he landed amid the Iron Fir Forest, Garos heard Samantha's call.

"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 its first step toward conquering the world."

About three months had passed since Samantha had first begun learning Alchemy.

Her so-called grasp of Alchemy's true essence was really just an introduction to the craft.

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. As top-tier monsters, dragons possessed excellent talent in every respect.

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

Her desire for praise was practically tangible in her eyes. Garos saw it and smiled faintly. "Oh, that really is good news. Congratulations."

Ever since Garos had saved this Red Dragon Sister.

And shown her a path forward.

The Red Dragon Sister's arrogance and conceit rarely surfaced before Garos. In their place, she had come to respect him far more.

"Can you refine Black Oil now?"

Garos asked.

Samantha's expression froze. She shook her head, her tone weakening somewhat.

"Not yet."

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

"Th-that doesn't work either."