Three Months Later – Near the Ruined City of Jura
Whoosh Whoosh
The air crackled with energy as several dark figures streaked across the sky, moving at incredible speed toward the towering mountain in the distance. Their presence stirred the winds, sending dust and loose rocks tumbling down the slopes. Just as they were about to close in, a thunderous voice shattered the air: "Stop!"
A dozen figures in heavy black-and-gold battle armor materialized in midair, their presence exuding authority and strength. They stood as an immovable barrier, forming a defensive line that blocked the newcors' advance. These were all martial emperors.
Swish—
The approaching figures halted imdiately, their movents precise and calculated. Leading the group was none other than Aru, his imposing figure at the forefront. Behind him, four young won stood at attention, their expressions unreadable. Three of them bore an unusual burden—Nihari giants, their colossal fras bound in shimring chains. Black hoods concealed their faces, making it clear that these captives were not here by choice.
Aru's piercing gaze swept across the scene, taking in every detail with sharp precision. His tone was calm but firm as he spoke, "Is there a problem, gentlen? Do you have a reason to stop ?"
The lead guard, a broad-shouldered warrior with a scar running down his cheek, recognized Aru imdiately. His expression tightened for a brief mont, but after a short pause, he stepped aside, "Third Supre General Aru, you may proceed."
A wide grin spread across the horned young man's face."I appreciate it."
Without further delay, the group resud their journey, moving past the guards and pressing onward.
As they advanced, Sandria, one of the won in the group, shot a curious glance toward the sentries before addressing Aru, "…Is it really necessary to station guards around this particular mountain? I would think the people need protection from its resident, not the other way around."
Aru let out a hearty laugh, his deep voice echoing across the rocky terrain, "That's exactly why the guards are here—to make sure no idiots disturb him."
Sandria raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk forming on her lips, "But… isn't that exactly what we're about to do?"
Aru's only response was another booming laugh as they continued their ascent.
—––
At the Mountain's Peak––
"Hmm?"
At the mountain's flat summit, an enormous wyvern stirred from its rest. One of its golden eyes cracked open, lazily scanning the distance before shutting again, "We have visitors."
Beside the great beast, Holak reclined against a massive rock, his hands tucked behind his head in a posture of complete ease. He didn't even bother opening his eyes as he responded.
"Oh?" His tone was indifferent, though a hint of curiosity lingered, "Maybe they ca to dismantle the field hospital arrays."
"Maybe…"
Since Holak's last conversation with Robin in that dark cavern, he had remained there for another month, regaining his strength until he was finally able to leave. When he departed, his destination was unsurprising—he had returned to his friend on Planet Jura.
That had been about a year and a half ago.
During that ti, Holak's body had completely healed, and even Crixus, whose life vein and energy core had suffered severe damage, had recovered. Yet, despite their restored bodies, they had made no effort to leave the mountain.
Because, well… they no longer had a place to go.
The Northern Edge Mountain had always been their sanctuary. But now?
Holak had been banished and Robin had taken it for himself.
Technically, Crixus could pretend ignorance and return—after all, he had never been explicitly ordered to stay away. But without Holak as a companion, without his shared ambition of conquering the Northern Region, what was left for him there?
Besides… after the Essence Energy Rain, Planet Jura's atmosphere wasn't all that bad anymore.
Whoosh
Step Step
A steady, rhythmic sound echoed through the air as the visitors finally arrived.
A confident voice rang out, laced with amusent.
"Hahaha! Greetings to the great wyvern, Crixus the Purifier. I have heard countless legends about you, but now that I see you with my own eyes, I realize that none of those tales have done you justice. eting you in person is a true honor."
Aru stepped forward, a wide, friendly grin stretching across his face.
"...."
Silence.
Clearing his throat, Aru continued, placing a hand over his chest in a half-bow—a gesture of respect that was neither too humble nor too arrogant, "Ahem. Allow to introduce myself. I am the Supre General of the Third Army, Aru."
His bright eyes glead as he spoke. "I have co bearing instructions from His Excellency, Robin Burton."
"Hmm?"The mont those two words—Robin Burton—were uttered, the wyvern finally opened his massive eye once more, this ti with genuine interest.
The air seed to grow heavier, charged with an invisible energy. "What does he want?"
Aru swiftly opened his mouth, "In truth, O Great Wyvern, I have been entrusted with the monuntal task of establishing an entire third army—one that will stand alongside the Human Army and the Demon Army, forming a force unlike anything seen before. As you can surely imagine, this is no simple feat. It requires imnse effort, countless resources, and—"
"What do you want?!" Crixus interrupted impatiently, his deep and thunderous voice reverberating through the air like an earthquake.
Aru was montarily taken aback by the wyvern's sheer presence, but he quickly composed himself. Swallowing his pride, he forced a pleasant smile onto his face, doing his best to maintain a respectful and diplomatic tone.
"…Blood." He paused briefly, choosing his next words carefully. "A significant quantity of it. If possible, a few small pools would suffice."
Crixus's golden eyes narrowed as he raised his head from where it had been resting on his massive, coiled tail. "Is this so kind of joke?!" he demanded, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "What possible reason could His Excellency have for requesting my blood?!"
Aru shook his head slightly, his deanor unwavering. "I assure you, I have no intention of making light of this matter, especially not when speaking to an ancient being such as yourself." His tone remained asured, though a glint of determination flickered in his eyes. "His Excellency has issued orders to create a new, superior hybrid race—one that will surpass all others. And the key ingredient in this grand design… is your pure, unparalleled blood."
He clasped his hands together, tilting his head slightly in a gesture of persuasion, his lips curving into a well-rehearsed yet seemingly sincere smile.
"Nonsense!" Crixus let out a guttural snarl, his massive fra shifting slightly as his enormous wings twitched. "Such a thing is impossible!"
"Oh, but it is entirely possible," Aru countered, his voice calm and confident. "Surely, you have heard of Pythor and his followers? They are not purebreds. Rather, they are a hybrid race, created from the blood of a mighty beast known as 'Durgar the Devourer.' The process has already been tested, and it has yielded remarkable results."
He gestured toward the air, as if presenting an undeniable fact.
"In any case, these are His Excellency's direct orders. If you doubt my words, you are more than welco to confirm them yourself."
With a swift motion, Aru unfurled a scroll, allowing it to hover in front of the wyvern. The parchnt glead faintly under the light, inscribed with intricate markings and official seals.
Krexus barely spared it a glance before letting out a scoff.
"I do not read human words," he growled, his voice laced with disdain. "Get that out of my sight!"
Then, with a sharp movent, he slamd his claws against the ground, sending tremors through the rocky terrain. Deep cracks ford beneath his talons, a testant to his raw, overwhelming strength. "And you—leave while you still have the chance!" For a brief mont, a tense silence filled the air.
Then, rather than showing fear, Aru rely took a step back, his expression unreadable. With a deliberate motion, he pulled two massive jugs from his spatial ring. Each was nearly as tall as he was, their surfaces reinforced with complex runic inscriptions.
He gestured toward them casually, as if presenting re trinkets.
"Look here," he said, his voice laced with subtle amusent. "This one contains the blood of Durgar the Devourer, and the other holds the blood of Deivos the Transcendent. Both of them have already complied with His Excellency's command."
He tilted his head, his eyes gleaming with sothing unreadable. "Now, tell —what do you think will happen when His Excellency learns that you, Crixus the Purifier, have chosen to refuse his direct order?"
The wyvern's gaze darkened. His nostrils flared, releasing a thin wisp of azure fla. His claws flexed slightly, scraping against the rock beneath him. Yet, despite his growing anger, sothing in Aru's words gave him pause. "…They are not his orders unless he speaks them to himself," Crixus finally muttered, his voice lower, but firm.
Aru simply shrugged, as if unbothered by the resistance.
"Oh, that's fine. In that case, I will simply go and retrieve His Excellency from his seclusion. I'm sure he will be most interested to hear your response." With a graceful turn, he began to walk away.
"Wait!" A voice rang out from the side.
Aru paused mid-step, then turned his head slightly, his expression neutral.
It wasn't Crixus who had spoken.
It was Holak.
The massive warrior, who had been lounging lazily to the side, had now shifted slightly, his keen gaze locked onto Crixus rather than Aru.
Holak did not speak imdiately. Instead, he let the silence stretch for a few seconds before finally breaking it, "Hey, partner," he said in a casual yet firm tone. "Why not just give him the sa amount that's in that jug? It's a small amount. Just a scratch. It won't hurt you."
Aru's eyes flickered with amusent as he watched the exchange unfold.
Holak let out a small sigh, as if brushing off the weight of the situation, "Besides, if His Excellency truly needs more, he can tell you himself when he cos out of his retreat."
Aru chuckled lightly, stepping back into place. "Although this may slightly delay our objectives, I suppose I can make use of a single jug for now."
With a smooth motion, he pulled out an empty container.
Crixus let out a slow, deliberate breath. A flicker of blue fla danced between his fangs before he finally spoke, "If I find out that you were lying…" His voice was a low growl, filled with lethal intent. "I will incinerate you slowly, very.. slowly."
"....."
Behind them, Sandria could feel sweat forming on her forehead. Her breathing was uneven, her body tense.
She watched in silence as Krexus slowly, deliberately, moved his tail. With a single, careful motion, he allowed a few drops of his blood to trickle into the waiting jug.
The rich, golden-red liquid shimred as it swirled inside.
As the scene unfolded, a realization struck Sandria.
During their journey here, Aru had brought two filled jugs—along with one empty one. He had claid that he was rely here to retrieve a small sample to begin preliminary experints on converting the giants, as per His Excellency's orders.
But that brief exchange…
Had he predicted everything from the very beginning?!
Step Step
The sound of footsteps retreating snapped Sandria out of her daze.
Aru was already walking forward, his pace steady and confident.
He ca to a stop a short distance away from the lounging warrior.
Then, with a wide, charismatic smile, he spoke, "Pardon , but If my guess is correct, you are the famous, Ancestor Holak, correct?" His voice was smooth, his tone warm. "I have heard countless stories about your contributions on the battlefield. It is truly a tragedy to see a warrior of your caliber sitting idly like this."
Then, he extended his hand slightly, his eyes gleaming with opportunity, "Would you be interested in joining my Third Army?"
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