NOVEL NEXT Chapter 553: My child, do you want to meet your father?
On the other side, Orion—who had just arrived on the continent—received a message and a delayed trade from Deputy Commander Edward.
"Well done. This piece of equipment is yours! By the way, speed up the cleanup of the fungal creatures. Hopefully, by next spring, the Valkorath Realm will be back to a normal state."
After thanking Deputy Commander Edward, Orion accepted the delayed trade.
[Lightning Cloak]
Quality: Legendary
Additional Skill 1: Heart of Lightning
Skill Description: When wearing the cloak, you gain the power to manipulate lightning. Your Constitution will be influenced by the lightning, and your lightning elemental affinity will gradually increase.
Additional Skill 2: Chain Lightning
Skill Description: When wearing the cloak, activating the magical formation on it allows you to cast the forbidden spell [Chain Lightning].
Skill Note: After releasing [Chain Lightning], the cloak must once again accumulate a massive amount of lightning energy before it can cast the forbidden spell again.
Item Evaluation: This is the life's work of a certain great mage.
[Lightning Cloak] truly stands out. It even comes with a built-in forbidden spell.
Orion took out the Lightning Cloak and donned it at once. The black cloak, supported by his muscular frame, appeared both luxurious and imposing. Orion flipped its hood backward, and the cloak instantly resembled a flowing cape.
He really liked this piece of equipment. Put on the hood, it's a cloak; take off the hood, it's a cape.
Compared to the [Titan Emblem], the [Lightning Cloak] was slightly inferior—or so was Orion's initial impression, because the destructive power of its forbidden spell seemed fixed.
Meanwhile, the augmentation from the Titan Emblem could keep growing stronger. Still, the Lightning Cloak's ability to steadily boost one's lightning element affinity was something Orion hadn't anticipated; it could enhance his control over lightning-element transcendent power and increase his spell force.
Orion glanced at the Champions Alliance public channel but did not speak. Having obtained legendary equipment, he had no habit of parading it before the others. Deputy Commander Edward's earlier reminder to speed up the cleanup of fungal creatures, however, sparked a new notion in Orion.
Now that Orion's combat ability had climbed dramatically, no fungal creature posed a true threat to him any longer.
He ought to head to the other two battlefronts without delay, to eliminate the remaining Legendary-level fungal creatures. If they escaped into the deep sea, they would be extremely difficult to track down.
A few days later, Orion returned to the front lines of the southern battlefront. After a quick word with Rumbold and Lupin, he promptly set off for the other war zones.
...
Titanion Realm, City of Lysinthia.
The ground beneath the city walls was clean—utterly spotless. The blood had been washed away by the ocean waters.
For the moment, the war had ended.
This Merfolk force from the Tidefang Clan retreated in disarray to hide in Mist Bay after losing tens of thousands of Merfolk.
"That Alpha-level Merfolk said they'll be back again!"
"Lord of the City, we need reinforcements!"
The speaker was Clawpincher. Back when Orion first hatched the Tidecrab Shield Warriors, there had been around a hundred thousand of them. After the purge of Mist Bay, eighty thousand remained.
Now, after the recent battle at the bay's entrance and this defensive fight—the number of Tidecrab Shield Warriors had dipped below sixty thousand.
Furthermore, the resident swamp crocodiles and marsh water pythons who defended Lysinthia had also been significantly reduced in number. The situation in Lysinthia was far from optimistic.
"I've already sent word back to Blackstone City," Lysinthia said. "Prophet has dispatched reinforcements. The lizardmen living in Thunderwood Forest are already on their way. They should arrive soon."
Her voice was cool and distant. In this defensive battle, the black serpent she summoned was critical. But the repercussions were serious—Lysinthia had exhausted every last drop of her bloodline power. She looked deathly pale and was forcing herself to remain upright only by leaning on her sword. She might well have collapsed otherwise.
"What about the task Orion assigned us? If things continue like this, the construction of the port will definitely be delayed!"
Lysinthia didn't speak right away; she was focused on regaining her strength. After a long silence, she spoke quietly:
"First fortify the city of Lysinthia—reinforce our defenses. That Sea Race army that attacked us was only a small fraction of their force. Once their reinforcements arrive, the battles here might drag on until winter."
With that, Lysinthia turned away, sword in hand, heading toward the fortress at the center of the city with several Gorgons in attendance.
Clawpincher let out a sigh and began directing his subordinates to repair the damaged walls.
...
Down south, in the human kingdom.
Rose Manor. Bathed in a crimson hue, with rose blossoms in full bloom, it was breathtakingly beautiful.
Princess Ava's determination was like the manor's rose garden—overflowing with vitality. Even after storms, it remained bright with blossoms and lush greenery.
Ava caressed her belly. She could clearly sense the pulse of the life in her womb—there was a powerful being growing inside her.
It had been over half a year since she left Stoneheart City, and her belly had expanded significantly.
According to a certain nun's examination, her due date would be two months later than that of an average human mother, because she was carrying an exceptionally sturdy child with an outstanding bloodline.
Sometimes, as Ava stroked her stomach, she envisioned what her future child might look like—envisioned the giant king who had raped her.
"My child, do you want to meet your father?"
Just as Ava's thoughts began drifting, one of her personal maidservants approached, handing her a letter.
"Your Highness, Sir Garrett, who is in charge of guarding the estate, received this letter. It's said to have come from Soaring Bird City in the north. Sir Garrett has already inspected it, and there's no poison or anything suspicious."
It wasn't until the maidservant finished that Ava turned around, took the envelope, and opened it. After she finished reading, she remained silent for a long time before speaking quietly to the maidservant who stood by:
"Tell the messenger that I understand. Have them leave now."
Pausing briefly, she continued:
"Please have Sir Garrett and Sir Lambert come see me. Tell them there is something I wish to discuss."
The maidservant left. Ava turned, gazing at a far-off rose.
"They think I'm the kingdom's laughingstock, do they? I'll make them realize that roses have thorns—and they carry venom, too."
"Soaring Bird City…giant territory…the first wave of benefits…"
"Time sure flies. They're already nearly finished building Soaring Bird City!"