Chapter 197: The Power of an Example

A pillar of golden light enclosed the Domain and rose into the sky.

Swordheart residency allowed the Writ’s use for a chosen destination within the Region. Most Lords would never spend an Advanced Relocation Writ simply to shorten a journey.

Cassian had paid a million Aether for this one. He considered it well spent.

The light faded. Lush forest surrounded Forgotten Shrine.

"The Aether here is rich," Liora said admiringly.

Cassian took no chances against Legendary enemies more than twenty Levels above his troops. He drew on Folded Sanctuary, bringing its spatial power around the Domain as a ward.

"Liora. Find them."

"Yes, Lord."

The Mirage fleet had taught him the value of better detection. He opened the Exchange and bought several complete detection spellbooks, including Spatial Detection, then gave them to Liora. She used the books before rising into the air.

Patterns of spatial power spread from her hands into the empty sky.

With a Nine-Star Hero’s Spirit and the right spells, creatures hiding in phase space should be much easier to find.

The three scouting parties landed in the Domain one after another.

Harriet greeted Adela and the others who had been reconstructed. Then she faced Cassian, guilt plain on her face.

"Lord, my command failed you. Those losses were my responsibility."

"Several Legendary enemies at Level eighty and above. You did well to get your people out."

Only then did she relax. She stepped back.

Liora called from above.

"Lord! I’ve found it!"

She pointed her blue staff. Ten kilometers in front of the Domain, apparently empty air rippled like water.

A vast nest emerged.

"A Faerie Dragon nest. It really is one!"

Cassian clapped his hands.

Pink and white formed its main colors. Its translucent structure looked like an enormous work of art.

Enormous enough to give him a problem.

"A kilometer across, by the look of it. Dragon Buildings really do take up space. Even with the Deep Layer doubling my available area, fitting that in will be difficult."

The fighting had not even started. He was already considering where to put the prize.

A soft sigh came from the empty air.

"Powerful Angel Lord. I am Lethria, leader of these Faerie Dragons."

A pleasant voice continued.

"My people mistook you for an invader and attacked without thinking. I am deeply sorry. We are all Legendary beings. There is no need to fight. I would gladly offer some of our treasures in exchange for your forgiveness." ℴ

Space shifted above the nest. Eighteen slender, graceful Dragons appeared.

Phase Wander. The Faerie Dragons’ signature skill resembled a Greater Demon’s spatial travel, but its phase power could also form a barrier to absorb damage.

Most of the Dragons were only twenty-odd meters long. For Legendary creatures above Level 80, they were small.

Lethria studied the Domain.

"A powerful Lord indeed. I can feel the spatial energy surrounding your home."

"Two corrections."

Cassian considered the eighteen Dragons, then opened the Sanctuary. He rose into the sky with more than a thousand Heroes and troops behind him.

"First, your people understood perfectly. I am an invader."

"Second, this is a Human Domain."

Lethria froze.

A Domain guarded by hundreds of Angels belonged to a Human? Humans hardly ranked among the Realm’s powerful races.

Godslayer was active, and Cassian’s Heroes made no attempt to conceal their strength. As Lethria looked over them, disbelief filled her sapphire eyes.

The Angel corps she had thought so formidable was only the second rank of his fighting force.

Cassian pointed toward the nest.

"That is what I came for."

"I’m feeling generous. I’ll overlook the attack and let you join my Domain. You can keep living in your nest."

"Otherwise, when the nest falls, don’t expect its eggs to remain unharmed."

He had assessed the fight carefully.

Eighteen Faerie Dragons were far more than he had expected. Their leader was Level 89 and Legendary Four-Star. It would probably take two of his Heroes working together to match her.

He would win. He would also suffer losses, and that made fighting a poor bargain.

Persuasion was worth trying first.

One way or another, he intended to have that nest.

A slightly smaller Dragon behind Lethria spoke in a clear, young voice.

"A weak Human thinks he can be our master?"

"Suzette." Lethria turned sharply. "Be quiet."

"I’m a warrior! Faerie Dragons die fighting. We don’t surrender!"

Adela spoke immediately.

"Lord. She’s the one who killed us."

Cassian gave a slight nod. A young Dragon with more defiance than sense.

Suzette stared at Adela.

"Angel? How are you alive? I killed you!"

Adela gave a cold smile.

"Our Lord had the Fountain rebuild us. As long as it has the power and resources to do it, a death doesn’t have to be the end."

"You had the advantage of Level, nothing more. When I reach eighty-five, we can fight again—if you live that long."

Nine changed into her Crystal Dragon form and flew toward the Faerie Dragons.

"Don’t fight, sisters! I’m a Dragon too!"

"Listen to me. Our Lord treats us wonderfully. He can bring us back through the Fountain, and he makes sure we eat well. Believe me. A Dragon wouldn’t lie to another Dragon!"

As if to prove her point, Nine produced two grains of Legendary Moonrice and crunched them between her teeth, her expression blissful.

Saliva gathered at the corner of Suzette’s mouth.

"I don’t believe it’s that good! Let me try some!"

Even Lethria looked stunned.

"Moonrice with a trace of Divine Dragon aura. And Legendary Quality..."

Cassian praised Nine in the Domain Channel at once.

"Brave, clever, well-behaved, and loyal. Nine, you deserve a reward."

Her short, thick tail wagged furiously.

Cassian moved forward a step.

"Lethria. How long did it take you to reach Legendary Four-Star?"

She raised her head proudly.

"A hundred years. I did it in only a hundred years."

"A hundred years?" Cassian chuckled.

Nine was already Legendary Nine-Star. He selected the next Levels in her growth panel, up to the current limit of sixty-five, and paid the Battle Essence cost.

With a sweep of his hand, a stream of golden light entered her body.

"Today, I’ll show you the power of an example."