"Phew~~ As long as the guardian formation recovers, that’s all that matters. That Dreadwyrm? I truly doubt it can hold against my eight hundred thousand troops. Lieduo!" Juelian let out a slight sigh of relief upon hearing Elder Nie’s words. To him, the Aran Empire’s guardian formation was what truly mattered.

A black-clad man materialized before Juelian like a phantom, bowing respectfully.

"Tell General Lieduobaer to mobilize every able-bodied soldier and march immediately to the Aran Empire’s outer cities. Attack the Dreadwyrm. They must defeat it within minutes—or panic will spread."

"Understood." The man melted into his own shadow, which shot swiftly toward the palace gates.

After a moment of thought, Elder Nie turned to Juelian. "What if… we bring Lanyatie and use her to threaten the Dreadwyrm? Your thoughts, Your Highness?"

"Elder Nie, absolutely not," Juelian replied firmly. "If the Aran Empire stoops to such a despicable act, how would the world see us? They’d laugh us to death. Rest easy—hundreds of thousands against one. Our ranged magic alone can take down the Dreadwyrm."

"You’re right," Elder Nie conceded. "But for safety’s sake, I must see for myself." He unfurled his white light wings and soared toward the distant Dreadwyrm.

"Ah~~ Old age shrinks even courage," Juelian murmured as he watched him leave.

At the Aran Empire’s military training grounds, the black-clad man known as Lieduo addressed the middle-aged commander on the platform: "General Lieduobaer, lead all troops to hunt the Dreadwyrm. It was the Dreadwyrm itself that shattered the guardian formation."

"I see," General Lieduobaer replied, battle fervor blazing in his eyes. "Never thought our empire would face a direct invasion. Must be a formidable foe. Let’s see if I can bring him down." His bulging muscles twitched, as if radiating pure "delight."

"All units! Wake the sleepers! Grab your weapons and charge to the North Gate! Attention—this is not a drill! This is not a drill!" the general roared.

"Yes, sir!!" Soldiers snapped into action, relaxed expressions vanishing. They knew—this was their first real battle.

"Quite high," I noted.

Having just sabotaged the formation, I slowly approached the Aran Empire’s outer wall. Before me loomed a colossal barrier seventy to eighty meters tall, built mostly of Hongshi stone—a magic-dampening material.

"What a defense-obsessed nation," I mused, tapping the wall with a claw. "Wrapped so tightly… no wonder its people lost their sense of crisis."

During my infiltration, I’d spotted deep flaws. Many had lost something vital: the will to grow stronger to survive. They now leaned entirely on thick walls and grand shields.

Plainly put, this nation’s average magical prowess lagged behind the world. Though hailed as the top human kingdom, I knew—they praised only the Archmage and this defense. Nothing more.

"I’ll shatter your walls," I muttered. "Blame your so-called monarch." I spun sharply. My massive tail slammed into the stone.

BOOM!!!

A gaping hole tore through the wall. Cracks spiderwebbed outward as the structure began to collapse.

ROAR!!!

I spread my crimson wings and plunged straight through the breach.

"They’ve all gathered," I observed.

Ring after ring of white-armored soldiers stood ready. Gray iron helmets crowned with red feathers. An array of weapons gleamed. One standard-bearer held high a black banner bearing a white tiger—the Aran Empire’s flag.

Why didn’t I strike faster than their mobilization? First, hundreds of meters stretched between outer wall and inner shield. Second—I slowed on purpose. Let them taste despair.