NOVEL NEXT Chapter116-Frost and Flame Magical Beasts
At the foothill behind the Governor's residence,
Charles entered a hidden cave that slithered downward, leading into an ancient underground palace.
The massive stalactites reflected dazzling, ethereal light under the glow of red and blue magical crystals, resembling a descent into a dream.
At the deepest part of the palace, two pairs of massive, furnace-like eyes suddenly opened—
These were two legendary magical beasts resembling griffins, but far larger!
Towering like spires, their bodies were covered in scales like metal, and golden horns shimmered with light.
One was surrounded by a mist of deep blue water, while the other bathed in scorching flames, majestic and divine, intimidating to the point where one dared not look directly at them.
Their bloodlines, ancient and fierce like griffins, seemed to emanate from mythic times.
Even with their pressure contained, the overwhelming aura was enough to terrify anyone with weak hearts.
"You've come?"
"Surely you seek something."
Two low, thunderous voices echoed through the underground palace.
"Is this how you view me?"
Charles smiled.
These were two magical beasts that had survived since ancient times, embodiments of fire and water powers, top-tier existences within the Master Rank, with unfathomable potential.
It was with their support that Charles had risen to the position of Governor.
The power behind Truva was upheld by them in the shadows.
Charles knew well the risks of collaborating with such mighty forces, but with these magical beasts stationed here, he felt confident in negotiating with any enemy.
He took out the rare magical potions and elemental gemstones he had prepared earlier and respectfully presented them.
"Good."
The fire-based magical beast rumbled.
"I owe my current position entirely to your protection."
"Once Truva is fully independent, the resources here and the energy from the Earthvein Core... will belong to you both."
Charles' voice was humble yet tempting.
"Act according to your will, don't worry too much about Unicorn Guild."
The water-based magical beast responded slowly, its voice like a deep spring.
"Thanks to your words, I am at ease."
Charles felt great joy inside and bowed, retreating.
"Earthvein energy... if enough is harvested, it might awaken deeper powers in our bloodlines."
The fire-based magical beast's pupils shimmered with burning light.
"The time will come."
The other magical beast responded.
They craved not subjugation to any power but mastery over the source of their strength—this was the true path to invincibility.
Charles knew this very well, and he was confident he could continue to control this dangerous alliance.
As he exited the cave, he gazed at the horizon, the flames of ambition burning wildly in his eyes.
"Unicorn Guild, Sky-reaching Tower... they should respond soon."
"Once the Imperial Knights and those strange legions are eliminated... when the Firstfall Festival arrives, the crown will change hands."
...
The golden-armored figure stood motionless in the void, with Violet Thunder standing respectfully at his side.
"Not ready yet?"
Violet Thunder asked, his tone devoid of emotion.
"Unicorn Guild is not something the Manhattan Legion can compare to. This place is full of powerful individuals. To avoid oversight and retaliation, we need to mark each target precisely."
The golden-armored figure replied.
Based on previous experience, he adjusted the strategy.
A thousand Elemental Assassins had taken their positions.
Each one had locked onto a powerful figure in the guild—one thousand targets, one thousand death sentences.
They would execute at the exact same moment.
The goal was to incapacitate the entire guild in a single strike, avoiding protracted battles.
Time was the invisible assassin's greatest enemy.
Violet Thunder silently waited.
Aurek's orders were clear: utterly destroy Unicorn Guild.
As for the method? It didn't matter.
By the afternoon,
One of the Elemental Assassins finally materialized before the two.
...
Located outside Truva, this ancient city was a stronghold for knights and heavy swordmasters.
Not far from Stonehoof City,
It was ranked as a seventh-tier faction, with deep roots.
The guild's president, Quin,
Led four senior officers: Lorne, Lighton, Lars, and Sworn—each of them was a well-known Master Rank warrior.
Under them were eighteen Mad Swordsmen, each fiercely skilled in combat, fearless of death.
When Ian, the Truva City Lieutenant, entered the city, he felt countless auras piercing his skin like needles.
He had to proceed with the utmost caution.
These were madmen even Sky-reaching Tower and Chaos Apostle dared not provoke lightly.
The entire city felt like a drawn sword, oppressive to the point of suffocation.
He was unable to meet Quin, only to be received by one of the Mad Swordsmen, Juz.
Ian carefully explained the movements of Caterpillar and the other four provinces, especially the intelligence concerning the "Doomsday Warrior."
Upon hearing this, Juz's brow furrowed sharply.
"Please be sure to relay to Quin, the guild's president, that Governor Charles has reached an agreement with Sky-reaching Tower and others."
Ian respectfully cupped his hands.
In a stern hall,
Quin and the four senior officers sat.
Their powerful spiritual senses had already overheard everything outside the door.
"Since they've mixed with the Imperial Knights, they must be eradicated together."
"That power itself is not much to fear, but if it hinders us from eliminating the cavalry, it becomes an obstacle. We'll strike first and control the situation,"
Lorne said to Quin. "What is the guild president's view?"
Quin slowly spoke.
"The Oracles' Mountain has pushed us to act and promised corresponding rewards."
"If we refuse, these guarantees will naturally become void. Compared to the Empire's remaining forces, the will of Oracles' Mountain... is even harder to defy."
"Destroying the cavalry is not difficult, and annihilating that force is not hard either. But Unicorn Guild should not claim all the credit. Sky-reaching Tower, Chaos Apostle, Count Blackcrow... they must contribute too."
"Therefore, Charles's proposal has its merits."
The senior officers exchanged glances and nodded one by one.
Quin gathered his thoughts, and a sharp voice directly pierced Ian's mind.
"Go back and tell Charles—Unicorn Guild agrees to his plan."
Ian trembled all over.
The sharpness of the voice almost tore through his mind.
He hastily bowed to the void.
"I will relay the guild president's will!"
With that, he quickly turned and left, unwilling to stay a moment longer.
"This coward actually holds the position of Lieutenant in the city? It seems Governor Charles has no capable men left under him,"
Juz sneered, vanishing in an instant.
Ian fled Unicorn Guild, only letting out a long breath after he had distanced himself from the gates.
"Anyway... Governor's plan will proceed smoothly."
Thinking of the fall of the Imperial Knights and the independence of Truva, his heart lightened.
He adjusted his robes, straightened his chest, and prepared to return to the path to his rightful position of power.
But the moment he looked up,
He was met with five hundred soulless, destructive eyes!
Clang!
Ian stumbled backward.
His finely crafted silver cloak was trampled by his hasty steps, emitting a soft tearing sound.
His pupils contracted sharply.
The noble composure he had forced himself to maintain shattered completely, crushed by those five hundred destructive eyes.
His body trembled uncontrollably.
Before him stood five hundred warriors clad in dark, heavy armor!
The armor was etched with twisted, unnameable runes, their bodies wrapped in an aura that seemed to emanate from the very depths of hell, carrying the scent of annihilation!
Unlike Unicorn Guild's sharp and oppressive aura, this was far more primal, suffocating, and seemed to carry the hellfire that could burn all things to ash!
He forced a smile, stiffer than a gargoyle's, and awkwardly bowed to the silent black tide.
Then, he dragged his legs, as if laden with lead, to the side of the street, attempting to declare with this humble gesture: please, go ahead, I would never dare to block your way!