Chapter 638 - 460: New Intelligence and Scapegoat Hero Otto III
Chapter 638: Chapter 460: New Intelligence and Scapegoat Hero Otto III
"Thank you, Lord Flowing Wind."
The crisis was averted, and an alliance was forged.
The purpose of this trip to Storm Cape had been successfully achieved.
Raylo glanced at the sky and bid farewell to the Flowing Wind Giant Dragon.
"I should be getting back. There are many matters awaiting my attention in my territory."
"Go, my friend."
The Flowing Wind Giant Dragon nodded.
Raylo turned and walked back onto the Cloud Sea Giant Whale’s back.
Kado and the other Giants were already waiting there.
"We’re going home."
Raylo ordered.
The Cloud Sea Giant Whale let out a long, resonant cry. Its colossal body slowly ascended, turned around, and flew toward Black Stone Territory.
Raylo stood on the whale’s back, looking behind him.
Atop the mountain peak, the massive figure of the Flowing Wind Giant Dragon stood like an eternal statue against the afterglow of the setting sun.
He tightly clutched the turquoise Dragon Scale in his hand, but his mind was on another question.
’What exactly does Grand Elder Gu want me to do for him?’
「The journey home.」
The Cloud Sea Giant Whale flew steadily above the clouds, the mountains and land below flashing by in a blur.
Raylo stood at the front of the whale’s back. The sea breeze, carrying the scent of distant lands, brushed against his face.
His mood, however, was no longer as tense as it had been on the way here.
The crisis at Storm Cape was resolved. Not only had he successfully thwarted the Light Holy See’s plot, but he had also gained a powerful ally in the Flowing Wind Giant Dragon.
More importantly, the Catastrophe Level Demon Serpent Puppet promised by Grand Elder Gu was an enormous, pleasant surprise.
「Several hours later.」
The Cloud Sea Giant Whale’s massive body passed through the clouds, and the distinct outline of the Black Stone Mountain Range appeared before everyone.
Below, the fledgling Black Stone City looked like a fresh scar on the land, with crowds of people bustling about like ants.
"Lord, we’ve arrived."
Kado’s gruff voice sounded from behind him.
Raylo grunted in acknowledgment, his gaze returning from the distance to fall upon the land that belonged to him.
The last bit of tension in his heart finally dissipated.
The Cloud Sea Giant Whale landed smoothly in an open area outside the camp, the massive downdraft making it hard to keep one’s eyes open.
Raylo leaped down from the whale’s back and ordered Kado.
"Kado, have the Giants rest first. It’s been a long trip."
Kado thumped his chest and turned to make arrangements for his kinsmen.
Ed, having already received the news, hurried out to greet him.
"Lord, you’ve returned."
Ed greeted him.
"Ed, there’s something I need you to do right away."
Raylo skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point.
"Your orders, Lord."
"I want you to send people out, as fast as possible, to spread the news of what just happened at Storm Cape."
Raylo stopped walking and looked at Ed, giving him detailed instructions.
"Say that King Otto III of the Blazing Flame Kingdom, riding his Blazing Flame Giant Dragon, went with me to Storm Cape and helped the Flowing Wind Giant Dragon repel the Light Holy See’s fleet."
Ed froze for a moment, clearly not understanding Raylo’s intentions.
Raylo continued to elaborate.
"Remember, the focus of the propaganda should be on Otto III and his Blazing Flame Giant Dragon."
"You must emphasize that it was His Majesty Otto III, riding his giant dragon partner, the Blazing Flame Giant Dragon, who displayed Catastrophe Level power. It was he who single-handedly thwarted the Light Holy See’s evil plot."
Ed’s mind raced, and he instantly understood Raylo’s plan.
"Lord, you mean... to give all the credit to His Majesty Otto III?"
"Exactly."
Raylo said.
"Killing two Catastrophe Level figures from the Light Holy See is too big of a deal."
"Our Thunder Dragon Duchy is just a small sapling right now; we can’t withstand such a violent storm."
"The Blazing Flame Kingdom and Otto III are a towering tree. It’s most fitting for him to take the brunt of it."
Realization dawned on Ed, and a look of admiration appeared on his face.
"I understand, Lord."
"I’ll make the arrangements right away. I guarantee that the entire Continent will know of His Majesty Otto III’s ’glorious achievements’ in the shortest time possible."
Raylo nodded.
"Go. This needs to be done quickly and well. Make everyone believe it’s the truth."
"Yes, sir!"
Ed accepted the order and hurried away.
Raylo watched his retreating figure before finally walking into the Lord’s Mansion.
’This blame is big and shiny—perfect for a ’tall guy’ like Otto III to carry.’
...
「A little over a week later.」
The morning sun bathed Black Stone Territory in light.
Raylo stood on the balcony of the Lord’s Mansion, gazing out over his territory.
After this period of intense construction, Black Stone City was no longer the simple construction site it once was.
The ten-meter-high black city walls had been completed, enclosing the entire urban area like a crouching giant beast.
Inside the city, wide streets crisscrossed, and the basic structures of the Lord’s Mansion, the Knight Order’s garrison, the Alchemy Workshop, and residential buildings were also complete.
Countless workers bustled about within, and the entire city radiated a vibrant, upwardly mobile energy.
Raylo was very pleased with the sight before him.
In just another month or two, a truly magnificent city would rise from these desolate mountains.
[Daily Intelligence Refresh]
[1: Several large bandit groups funded by the Light Holy See have become active in the Northern Territory. One of them, a bandit group named ’Blood Hand,’ along with several smaller groups under its control, has entered the Thunder Dragon Duchy. They will harass and plunder the Duchy’s various trade routes.]
[2: In one day, the Light Holy See will issue a "War Mobilization Order" to all Divine Kingdoms that believe in the Light Deity, demanding that the fifty-six Divine Kingdoms of the Continent, large and small, immediately declare war on the Dragon Realm. A full-scale war affecting the entire Continent is imminent.]
[3: The Legendary Mages, Delin "Star" and Wendel "Melting Furnace," have discovered the corpse of a dead "Celestial Claw" deep within the Black Stone Mountain Range. They have taken the Celestial Claw’s body back to their Magic Tower for research.]
[4: Your Contracted Giant Dragon, "Coal Ball," will complete the restoration of its origin in seven days and return to your side.]
[5: In the Dragon Realm, 1,300 kilometers east of Giant Valley, there is a ’Wailing Forest.’ The Wailing Forest was originally the territory of a Catastrophe Level Wailing Beldam. In ten days, a wandering Catastrophe Level Silver Dragon will arrive, fight a fierce battle with the Wailing Beldam, drive it out, and occupy the area.]
[6: In three days, the Eternal Giant Turtle of the Black Water River will launch a war of conquest against the Water Elemental Lord upstream.]
[7: In the central part of the Continent, on an ancient trade route called the "Golden Trade Route," a mysterious "Gold-devouring Giant Dragon" that comes and goes like the wind has appeared. It specifically attacks caravans transporting precious metals, devouring all the Gold, Mithril, and other metals.]
[8: North of the Jade Swamp, a war has broken out between a Stone Giant Tribe and a Storm Giant Eagle Species.]
[9: After completing the "Life Potion," Master Barnaby will continue refining the unfinished "Flying Dragon Bloodline Potion." The first batch of "Flying Dragon Bloodline Potions" is expected to be freshly brewed in one month.]
[10: In one month, a spatial disturbance affecting the entire region will occur in the Black Stone Mountain Range. The Mobile Alchemy Workshop of the Legendary Alchemy Master "Phillips," who disappeared in the Black Stone Mountain Range a hundred years ago, will be revealed from its hiding place during this disturbance. The workshop not only contains his lifetime of research notes and rare materials but also houses the semi-finished Divine Artifact, the "Furnace of All Things," which is said to be able to perform Decomposition and Reorganization on any substance.]
The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated. It carried a hint of early winter’s chill as it drifted from the depths of the Black Stone Mountain Range, gently blanketing the newly risen Black Stone City.
"Moonlight."
He called out softly.
Moonlight’s ears twitched on the carpet. It reluctantly opened its eyes a crack, its pale gold irises filled with sleepy languor.
It yawned, revealing a pink tongue and two small, sharp fangs.
Raylo smiled and stood up.
"Let’s go. We’re going to see Sister Avril."
Only then did Moonlight slowly get up, stretching out in a very long arch.
It then padded over to Raylo’s feet with an elegant, cat-like gait and rubbed its head against his trouser leg.