NOVEL NEXT Chapter151-The Illogical Dragon Princess
"General Steadfast."
Empress Hathaway's cold voice echoed in the throne room.
"Awaiting your command, Your Majesty!"
The general, clad in the golden Sanctuary Radiance rank armor, stepped forward in response. The griffin crest engraved on his armor shimmered in the magical light.
This general, hailed as the Ironwing Commander, was the supreme commander of the upcoming Sigcon universe expedition, a formidable force who had reached the pinnacle of the Sanctuary Lord rank for thousands of years.
"Fiona will join your expedition force and be incorporated into your command structure."
"By your command!"
The Empress's voice was calm yet carried an unquestionable authority, and her staff lightly tapped the ground, producing a crisp sound.
"I swear by the blood of the dragon ancestors that I shall bring glory back to Zisen!" Fiona's face brightened with joy.
Steadfast, standing by, wore a stern expression. The gilded fingered gauntlets of his armor unconsciously dug into his palm.
Allowing a dragon to participate in such an important military war? In Steadfast's seasoned opinion, she was merely an extra trouble that needed to be handled carefully.
However, in the Zisen Holy Empire, no one dared question Empress Hathaway's command.
He bowed in acknowledgment, the heavy scraping sound of his armor accompanying the motion. Inwardly, he was already planning how to position this "burden" at a relatively safe flank.
If she fell on the battlefield due to bad luck, it wouldn't be his fault—she simply lacked the strength! If one didn't possess the necessary power, one had no business trying to gain glory on the battlefield!
To him, it was obvious that the Empress was giving this dragon a chance to accumulate some merit for her. Whether it was for a future position or military command, it would certainly look much better if she had some accomplishments under her belt.
It was also clear that, based on his current abilities, he couldn't gauge Fiona's true strength.
Naturally, he assumed she had hidden her aura with some special means.
Given his deeply ingrained knowledge of the dragon race, he didn't think she was any formidable being.
On the other side of the hall, Lucio, the chief court mage who stood beside the Empress, observed the scene with keen eyes.
This ancient figure, who had witnessed the passage of three epochs, shook his head slightly, his silver beard flowing gently with the magical currents.
He could see that Steadfast still hadn't realized that the young dragon within their ranks possessed a strength that even he, Lucio, found somewhat intimidating.
The power of Supreme Sanctuary rank was enough to alter the entire outcome of a battle in a crucial moment!
And yet, Steadfast seemed to view her as a mere addition to the mission—a mistake that showed just how self-assured he had become!
...
When the last of the ministers left the palace, Fiona hurriedly asked, "President Madam, when will we depart?"
In private, Fiona's address of the Empress was more familiar.
Hathaway's fingers lightly tapped the platinum throne.
"I originally planned to send Master Lucio along to oversee the battle."
Noticing the confusion flash in Fiona's eyes, she continued, "The Sigcon Federation is far more complex than you realize. Their star core fortresses can warp the laws of reality. Steadfast's army will likely suffer heavy losses without proper support."
Lucio's silver beard quivered slightly, and his ancient oak staff glowed faintly with a blue hue.
As one of the Empire's oldest guardians, his involvement indicated that the dangers of this expedition were far beyond what appeared on the surface.
"With me here, no fortress will pose a threat!"
Fiona lifted her head proudly, her dragon breath casting a blazing glow over the surroundings.
"Remember, you represent not only Zisen but the glory of Lilith!"
Hathaway's lips curved upward, a hint of unspoken tenderness flashing in her eyes.
"The Star God will bear witness to my triumph!"
After Fiona departed, Hathaway turned to the elderly mage.
"What troubles you?"
"Dragons need thousands of years to even touch the threshold of the Sanctuary realm, yet she, at such a young age, has already reached the high levels of this realm…"
Lucio nodded slightly. Indeed, everything he had suspected hadn't escaped the sharp eyes of the Empress.
His staff tapped the ground, and a complex magic circle appeared in the air, revealing Fiona's life force.
"This defies all known dragon laws and knowledge!"
Hathaway's smile deepened.
"Because the entity she follows has long since surpassed the laws and knowledge that govern this world."
Hathaway gazed at the rotating star chart on the ceiling, her eyes seemingly peering through endless voids, silently meeting the gaze of some distant existence.
Lucio lowered his head solemnly, his staff's gem flickering uncertainly.
When the Empress and Princess Lilith returned, the entire Empire would tremble with shock!
The Empress had such a daughter!?
Everyone speculated about the identity of the princess's father, but no one dared to ask directly. If the Empress did not volunteer this information, no one would dare to inquire.
To this day, all rumors about the Empress's partner were merely unsubstantiated guesses.
At this moment, Lucio was certain of one thing—the power of that mysterious being was likely enough to make even the starborn tremble!
As someone who had lived through countless ages, he understood all too well that beyond the stars, even stronger entities lurked!
Even the seemingly invincible Empire was but an ant crawling across the road in comparison to those beings!
Thus, he never placed himself too high nor underestimated any weaker existence. It was this humble nature that earned him the Empress's trust for such great responsibilities!
...
In the corridor adorned with massive stones engraved with the Empire's epic history, Steadfast was called to a stop by the old mage's deep voice.
"What is your assessment of this expedition, General?"
"Sigcon is nothing but a dying prey."
Steadfast's emblem glimmered faintly on his chest as he spoke, his resolute face illuminated by the light.
"My griffin fleet is more than enough to tear through their defenses."
Lucio did not respond immediately. Instead, he traced a complex arc in the air with his staff, causing a starfield hologram to slowly unfold between them.
"I don't need to explain the strategic importance of Sigcon. Once we seize it, no force in this direction will be able to withstand the Empire's march!"
"But don't forget, the Free Star Alliance and the Void Merchants will never sit idly by and allow us to easily control that starfield. If they unite to intervene…"
Upon hearing this, Steadfast's expression changed for a moment. He suddenly lowered his voice and leaned in closer to the old mage, whispering a few words into his ear.
When Lucio's eyes widened in surprise, Steadfast smiled confidently.
"Well? Are you still worried now?"
After a long silence, Lucio placed a glowing crystal into the general's hand.
"May the starborn guide your path. Also," he added meaningfully, "Show proper respect to that dragon companion. The princess's guardian is far from what you imagine."
Upon hearing this reminder, Steadfast furrowed his brows.
What did this mean?
He trusted Lucio's judgment and knew this meant he had misjudged Fiona previously.
With this realization, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought...