Golden Dragon: Six Thousand Years of Empire

"No more, how could I possibly have any extra scrolls."

Rand forced a faint smile, because he had no idea how to continue weaving his explanation.

Fortunately, the transcendent professionals who survived in this town didn't press too much. After knowing how the Golden Warriors descended, their attention shifted back to the Forbidden Army that hadn't left yet.

With the death of the Great Demon, the power of the Abyss that shrouded this place began to gradually dissipate, the blood-colored sky started to clear up, and the barriers isolating the area began to collapse.

"Why haven't they left yet?"

"Why should they leave?"

"Isn't this a summoning? There's no time limit?"

"It seems there isn't."

"What are they going to do?"

Even knowing that these Golden Giant Warriors were their own people, most couldn't help feeling terrified and retreated to a safe distance upon seeing this group, who fought side by side and successfully killed a Great Demon, approach them—highlighting once again the unassuming paladin, Rand.

"Our orders are to eliminate all threats, so we want to know who initiated this sacrifice?"

The Forbidden Army soldier, Shukarton, whose war armor bore only a few scratches and was largely intact, looked down at the paladin in front of him, striving to control himself, ignoring the nearly invisible presence of the boy beside him.

"It's the local nobles!"

Even someone as broad-minded as Rand had no good mood after narrowly escaping being part of a sacrificial ceremony.

"Can you guide us?"

Shukarton directly made the request.

"These nobles have intricate connections and a rather troublesome network locally."

Another paladin reminded, having once traveled to Elisium City on the Xilantia Continent and having a fair liking for that land.

Even though he hadn't seen these warriors in that Holy Land, the aura was unmistakable—it was akin to the Dragon Power of the Golden Dragon.

Because of this affection, he now pointed out potential risks.

"Then they are also threats that need to be eliminated."

Shukarton responded simply and directly.

"Yes, they are threats that need to be eliminated, I can guide you!"

Iliad stepped forward, having long been dissatisfied with the order of this land, though he could only endure until now.

After all, as an apprentice paladin who had just come into contact with the Holy Light Path, there was nothing he could do; even if he became a true paladin, he couldn't overthrow an entire nation or even a region's order on his own.

"Then come with us!"

Shukarton just took a glance, then turned around.

Their Forbidden Army descended to clear threats precisely for this young man. As for what happens when facing an unbeatable target, they had not considered because the gaze of the Holy Dragon Emperor was always upon them, making failure impossible.

"Illia!"

Seeing the boy step forward, Rand couldn't help but show concern because tracing back the deeply entrenched nobles of a nation would inevitably involve legends.

In any country or region exhibiting extremely abnormal situations and widespread decay, how could the rulers possibly be unaware?

"They are the Favored of the Holy Dragon. Their presence here means that the sun's radiance from the Other Shore Continent will also shine here—it's time to clear everything, teacher."

Iliad paused, looking at his teacher who called him, seriously stating.

What his teacher taught him most was actually to endure, maintain restraint and silence upon witnessing injustice or unfairness, as bursting forth with momentary courage would only worsen the situation, not improve it.

"I'll go with you!"

Rand looked at the Golden Warriors ready in the distance. Their giant-like presence offered immense security.

Although he had significant doubts about their ability to stand against legends, there was no doubt that if they unexpectedly turned their swords against the local nobles, many situations here would change because it could not possibly get worse.

The nobles here had decayed to an extent where they dared to sacrifice paladins along with tens of thousands of townsfolk—it's needless to spare any further considerations at this point.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The Forbidden Army lacked steeds not for lack of need but because they hadn't yet selectively bred suitable species. Though their running speed already surpassed most capable riding species in the Material Realm.

"There is Earl Vero's castle, he's undoubtedly one of the main participants in this sacrificial ceremony!"

Swayed to dizziness by a Forbidden Army member holding him by the waist, Rand adjusted his breathing laboriously, looking up towards a castle built at the town's edge in the distance.

"However, I haven't gathered enough evidence."

"Evidence? Only investigations require evidence!"

Upon confirming their target, the leading Forbidden Army rushed at the castle gates, capable of withstanding siege engines, like a furious beast, and the gates nearly as thick as a person couldn't withstand their crash. Amidst the roaring and vibrations, the castle fell in the blink of an eye before the nobles and their private army could react.

Moments later, with more bloodstains on their armor, the Forbidden Army withdrew from the now-silent castle, advancing towards their next target.

"Can you change my position?"

Bumped around endlessly, an enduring Rand cast a glance at his student, perched more comfortably on the broad shoulder armor of a Forbidden Army, as if riding on its neck.

"Alright."

The Forbidden Army carrying Rand uttered a muffled voice, lifting the poor paladin and shifting him to one side, held underarm.

"..."

This was a dreadful massacre. The commanded Forbidden Army executed, guided by the paladin, eighty-six noble individuals big and small together with their private armies, within a single day and night.

By the next day, the local ruler, the Legend upon which a nation was built, finally noticed something was amiss and started investigating the culprits behind the massacre of his subordinate nobles.

Just like the Forbidden Army found the culprit behind the sacrificial town, bringing down the demon without the need for evidence or inquiry—swinging swords and striking directly—the Legend sought retribution against those killing his nobles in the same way.

Buzz!

Before the Forbidden Army could even glimpse the Legend, a Forbidden Army soldier was cleaved into halves by a rainbow light descending from the sky.

The cutting edge continued after slicing through the soldier, leaving a gash nearly a thousand meters long on the ground.

"Am I really the first Forbidden Army soldier to die in battle? What bad luck!"

Shukarton lay on the ground, mind scattering, as he was cleaved diagonally by Legendary Power. In these last fleeting moments, such thoughts came to his mind—a strong sense of discontent echoed in his chest.

"Alas!"

As darkness was about to engulf and claim Shukarton's consciousness, this faithful Forbidden Army soldier heard a sigh, and then boundless radiance descended, dispelling the cold darkness.

He saw a brilliant, dazzling Golden Sun!

"Holy Dragon Emperor!"

The blazing sun reflected in his eyes, yet Shukarton felt no glare, only warmth and solace—an indescribable touch moved him, and he couldn't help but stretch out his palm.

"Are you willing to take up arms again and fight for me?"

Noah, descending with Word Spirit·Emperor, gazed into the Forbidden Army soldier's soul, asking thus.