Bang! Bang! Bang!

I slowly advanced toward the Aran Empire’s colossal protective barrier. Each step sent violent tremors through the earth, scattering resting birds into panicked flight.

Gulp. Gulp.

The guards instinctively swallowed hard. Though they believed their lives were safe, the Dreadwyrm’s immense, terrifying form still sent chills down their spines.

“Steady, men! It can’t get in. Soldiers of the Aran Empire must show backbone—how can we fear a harmless phantom?” the captain rallied his troops.

“Understood!!”

Heartened by his words, the soldiers forced themselves upright.

They would not flee. There was no need.

*So I’ve been underestimated.*

Watching their reaction, I thought coldly. To them, my power was in question.

*Do they truly believe this barrier is indestructible?*

*Fine. I hope you keep that confidence.*

I pressed my dragon claw against the barrier and dug all five claws deep into its surface.

Screech! Screech! Screech!

With a slight downward drag, a deafening grind echoed across the entire Aran Empire.

AAAAHHHH!!!

What a revolting sound~~

Citizens clamped hands over their ears, crouched low, and screamed in agony.

“Disaster! The magic array’s energy is being severed!”

Only one remained unaffected: Elder Nie, shielding his ears with a personal magic barrier. He knew—catastrophe was imminent.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The soldiers nearest the array suffered worst. Blood streamed from eyes, ears, nose, and mouth as they collapsed, curling silently in torment—too broken even to cry out.

*What a shoddy barrier. Must be riddled with impurities.*

I observed the fresh gashes my claws had carved.

My claws could sever magic threads—yet this felt unnaturally easy.

*Destroy it.*

A casual push.

The barrier enveloping the entire Aran Empire shattered into glittering dust.

“This… How?! The barrier actually—”

“No way… I must be dreaming! This was our nation’s cornerstone for a century!”

...

Staring at the dissipating magic particles, the crowd froze in shock and dread.

For a hundred years, this array had shielded generations of the Aran Empire. Even its sole breach came from Demonkin sabotage within—never a scratch in open battle.

Because of it, citizens lived carefree.

And now? Gone in an instant.

*This can’t be happening.*

“No… The great array our ancestors spent decades forging… vanished just like that?!”

No one felt the devastation more than Juelian. Slumped on the palace floor, eyes hollow with despair, he’d witnessed everything from the tower’s height.

*How can I face our ancestors after this?*

“Your Majesty, do not despair,” Elder Nie said gently, stepping beside him. “Our forefathers foresaw this. They embedded magical markers into the array’s core. Given two years, the array masters and I will forge a stronger barrier.”

“Really?” Juelian’s gaze flickered with a glimmer of hope.

“Absolutely. But our true concern isn’t the barrier—it’s the Dreadwyrm’s advance.” Elder Nie’s voice tightened with worry. He couldn’t sense a single trace of the beast’s magic.