Chapter 498 - 394: Astra Advances to Catastrophe Level
Chapter 498: Chapter 394: Astra Advances to Catastrophe Level
With the Catastrophe Level Astra standing guard, the Thunder Dragon Duchy finally possessed the fundamental strength to secure its place on this treacherous and perilous continent.
The knights who witnessed this ascension erupted in a deafening roar that shook the entire plain.
Now that Astra had successfully ascended, Aiden Duke and the dragon prepared to depart for Thunder Dragon City.
Before leaving, Astra, whose body now stretched over eight hundred meters, took heavy strides and came to stand before Raylo.
Its draconic eyes, as deep and vast as a starry sky, gazed silently at Raylo.
A grand and majestic voice echoed directly in Raylo’s mind.
"Raylo."
This was the first time Astra had communicated with Raylo via mental transmission.
After ascending to Catastrophe Level, a Giant Dragon gains the ability to communicate with other beings using its Spiritual Power.
"You have given me a new life. I will remember this favor."
Raylo said.
"Lord Astra, you overstate things."
"It is the truth,"
Astra said.
"Astra never leaves a debt unpaid."
As it spoke, it slowly raised one of its foreclaws.
To everyone’s astonishment, it used the sharp tip of its claw to carefully pry a Dragon Scale from the spot over its heart.
It was a deep blue Dragon Scale, larger than a tabletop.
The scale was covered in arcane thunderbolt runes. Billions of tiny golden electric serpents seemed to slither across its surface, emitting a terrifying energy fluctuation that made one’s heart pound.
Astra held the Dragon Scale in its claw and presented it to Raylo.
"This is my Original Dragon Scale. It contains the Power of a single, full-force strike from me."
"In your moment of peril, activate it with Magic Power. It can save your life."
’A full-power strike from a Catastrophe Level being!’
’This isn’t just a simple thank-you gift. It’s a strategic-level protective talisman!’
’Having this is like having a Catastrophe Level powerhouse ready to strike on your behalf at a moment’s notice.’
’Across the entire Continent, anyone who wanted to make a move against me would first have to consider whether they could withstand the wrath of a Catastrophe Level Giant Dragon.’
Raylo was profoundly shaken.
He knew the sheer weight of this gift.
He did not refuse. Solemnly, he extended both hands and accepted the heavy Dragon Scale.
"Thank you, Lord Astra."
Astra retracted its claw and gave Raylo a long, deep look.
"I look forward to your future growth."
"If you need my help in the future, have Lightning come find me. I will act."
With that, it lingered no more. A single beat of its wings stirred a gale. Carrying Aiden Duke, it soared into the heavens, transforming into a streak of lightning that vanished over the horizon.
Raylo stood rooted to the spot, cradling the deep blue Dragon Scale in his hands. It continued to flash with arcs of electricity, and he remained silent for a long time.
During the month they had waited for Astra’s breakthrough, the Duke had already distributed the spoils of war and rewarded those who had performed meritorious service.
Now that the Duke was gone, Gaius led the Thunder Dragon Knight Order on their return journey.
The lords of the Northern Territory who had answered the call also led their armies back to their own lands. The once-bustling, massive encampment suddenly felt desolate and empty.
The biting wind howled across the vast plains of the Black Stone Territory.
Raylo also led his army back to Black Stone Castle.
It was dusk by the time they returned to Black Stone Castle.
The castle stood as it always had, Solid and dependable.
Everything was in good order.
After instructing his Scribe, Evan, to prepare a victory banquet, Raylo went into his study alone.
The Flame in the fireplace blazed merrily, chasing away the chill that had settled deep in his bones.
On his desk, a mountain of paperwork served as a silent accusation of its master’s long absence.
Raylo rubbed the bridge of his nose, shed his heavy Armor, and changed into comfortable clothes before sinking into his familiar Lord’s chair.
’War, the Demon Serpent, a Giant Dragon, a Catastrophe...’
’Those epic scenes still seemed so vivid, but this... this was the truest, most mundane reality of being a Lord.’
He casually picked up the topmost document. It was a report on the territory’s grain yield.
The next was a request to clear the trade routes. It detailed several changes, including the emergence of new bandit groups in a few locations.
The one after that was a plea for aid from a village that had been attacked by wild beasts, requesting support from Black Stone Castle...
These seemingly insignificant matters were the very foundation of a territory’s prosperity and stability.
Just then, Raylo picked up an intelligence report from Thunder Dragon City.
He unrolled the parchment.
"The Red Dragon Empire’s Seventh Prince, Aive Lorand, led the Empire’s Red Flame Knight Order out of the Imperial Capital three days ago to begin a new expedition."
’The Red Dragon Empire!’
’This, the most powerful Dragon Realm occupying the northern Continent, has always been known for its might and arrogance. They rarely involve themselves in the squabbles of Kingdoms and Duchies, but every one of their military campaigns is inevitably accompanied by blood and fire, and a drastic shift in the continental power balance.’
He continued reading.
"Prince Aive is accompanied by his knightly partner, the Catastrophe Level Red Flame Giant Dragon, Ignis. The Knight Order numbers around ten thousand, all elite Knights of Tier Two or higher. Their target is..."
Raylo’s breath caught for an instant.
"Target: The Holy Radiance Knight Order and its commander, the Holy Knight Gust."
’Gust!’
’The very culprit who, "in the name of God," had brazenly slain Duke Delisen of the Storm Duchy and its Guardian Giant Dragon!’
A storm raged in Raylo’s mind.
The Holy Radiance Knight Order was backed by the Light Holy See, which had always acted with impunity.
Their decapitation strike against the Storm Duchy had shocked the entire Continent.
Even so, it was only natural that the Red Dragon Empire, as the most powerful Dragon Realm on this Continent, would intervene.
Regardless of the outcome of this war between Prince Aive and Gust, this wouldn’t be the end of the conflict between the Light Holy See and the Dragon Realm. Rather, it would be the beginning of a much larger war.
’It seems a storm that will engulf the entire Continent is about to arrive.’
Raylo set the parchment down.
The Flame in the fireplace flickered, casting his shadow upon the back wall, stretching and shrinking it so that it resembled a silent Giant Beast.
The Red Dragon Empire and the Light Holy See, two behemoths standing at the apex of the Continent, were finally beginning to clash head-on.
The fury ignited by Holy Knight Gust’s slaying of a Giant Dragon would burn with an intensity far beyond anyone’s imagination.
Raylo could even foresee countless Kingdoms and Duchies being forced to take sides in the coming torrent. The weak would be ground to dust, while the survivors would barely cling to life in the crevices between the titans.
The study door was pushed open gently, and a familiar, faint, sweet fragrance drifted in.
"Still worrying about matters of the territory?"
Avril walked in, carrying a cup of steaming hot tea. Her silky long hair was draped casually over her shoulders, lending her an even gentler air.
"Not just the territory."
Raylo took the cup. The warmth spread from his fingertips, chasing away a sliver of the gloom in his heart.
He handed the parchment to Avril.
Avril’s gaze swept over the parchment, and her lovely brow furrowed in response.
"The Red Dragon Empire..."
She looked up at Raylo, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"The Continent is about to fall into chaos."
"Yes, it is."
Raylo sighed softly and took a sip of the hot tea. Its minty fragrance filled his mouth.
"We’ve just ended one war. I’m afraid we won’t even have a moment to breathe."
"At least the Duchy now has Lord Astra’s protection."
Avril moved behind him, her slender fingers gently massaging his temples.
"The Thunder Dragon Duchy finally has what it takes to find its footing in this storm."
Raylo closed his eyes, savoring the momentary peace.
"What it takes to find our footing..."
He murmured to himself.
"It’s nowhere near enough."
A Catastrophe Level powerhouse was indeed a top-tier deterrent.
But both the Red Dragon Empire and the Light Holy See were behemoths possessing multiple Catastrophe Level powerhouses.
In a war that engulfed the entire Continent, a single Catastrophe Level being might not be enough to ensure the safety of a single territory.
What was an Empire?
Possessing the Power of a Tier Seven World Destruction Level entity was the most fundamental requirement for establishing an Empire.