Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

Chapter 1428: Chapter 488: Abnormal Fire Dragon (Part 2)

The barrage of reprimands left all the advanced generals present as silent as cicadas in late autumn, none daring to provoke Bertrand’s temper at this moment.

Especially the officer from the intelligence department, who was blushing with shame.

It’s critical to realize that aside from the powerful individuals like the Red Queen Menia, Earth Pulse Reginald, and Rein, most of the Imperial Delegation were just ordinary people. If the airship were to be destroyed by this sudden and abnormal fire dragon, there would be no chance of survival.

Moreover, if a significant portion of the Imperial Delegation were to suffer casualties within the Federation’s borders, the repercussions would be disastrous.

“Please calm down, Vice Chairman. I believe it’s not the time to assign blame right now; we need to engage immediately in battle deployment.” The only one who dared to speak was the elegant female parliamentarian, Trena.

Hearing Trena’s mature feminine voice, Bertrand’s expression eased slightly.

He took a deep breath to calm his impatience and said in a deep voice:

“Admiral Ries, you are tasked with commanding the next battle.”

“Ensure the safety of the Imperial Delegation’s airship and decisively take out the incoming threat!”

“Understood! Vice Chairman,” Admiral Ries immediately saluted.

Though he was unfamiliar with the strange and abnormal fire dragon that had appeared, he would do his utmost.

“First and second airship formations, accelerate and form a lateral bombardment barrier!”

“Additionally, request Sword Saint Terrio and Lord Hernandez to provide support immediately.”

“…”

Orders were swiftly relayed from Admiral Ries as he issued them.

Two lines of medium-sized airships, five in each line, totaling ten, adjusted their courses slightly and quickly positioned themselves at the fore of the hybrid formation’s flank, facing the incoming abnormal fire dragon head-on.

Upon command from their respective officers, the side-mounted Fire Snakes telescoped out, and dense artillery fire pelted forth like a downpour!

But, to everyone’s surprise, despite the massive size of the fire dragon, its flight path was incredibly agile.

With a quick adjustment of its flight posture, it effortlessly evaded the majority of the artillery fire, and the few shots that did hit couldn’t even penetrate the Protective Fire Ring on its surface.

Suddenly, the abnormal fire dragon accelerated sharply, crossing over a hundred meters in a flash to confront a medium-sized airship at the front.

The enormous and sharp Dragon Claw struck hard against the airship’s blimp, with just a single “screech!” sound, tearing several large gashes on the surface of the giant blimp.

Hot air gushed out immediately, causing the airship to tilt rapidly, plummeting toward the ground.

And the abnormal fire dragon’s attack wasn’t over yet. It then forcefully twisted around, flapped its wings, and launched a searing Dragon Breath at another adjacent medium-sized airship!

“Whoosh!!!”

The entirety of that airship’s blimp ignited, falling at an even faster rate than the previous airship.

In just a brief seven to eight seconds, the enemy had destroyed two fully armed medium-sized airships, revealing a fierce edge!

…

Meanwhile, at the base of the volcanic peak,

a group of individuals was making a desperate escape.

“Pah!”

One man spat out volcanic ash from his mouth, running frantically while turning his head to ask the bearded burly man at the front.

“General Richmond, this so-called ’Anguskin’ ancient fire dragon is even fiercer than we imagined! If we had run a bit slower just now, we’d have been buried by the lava.”

“Indeed, now the Imperial’s esteemed Delegation will have quite a handful to deal with,” another chimed in.

“Hmm.” Richmond glanced at the two airships blazing fiercely in the sky and descending rapidly, a smile on his face.

Though he maintained composure before his subordinates, inside, he was exceptionally pleased.

The stronger this so-called ’Anguskin’ ancient fire dragon was, the easier it would be for the Zaral Rebellion to achieve their plans.

As the united airship formation passed through this region, they awakened the slumbering ancient fire dragon, having long planted an insider within the airship formation. Once the dragon’s awakening was successful, they would immediately unlock the box containing the Heart of Flame.

The Heart of Flame is a treasure with special benefits to Fire Element creatures, including fire dragons.

Although the ancient fire dragon might attack upon seeing the airship formation without needing the Heart of Flame, they considered that two Dragon Knights came with the Empire delegation, and sensing another dragon might deter the abnormal fire dragon from its attack.

Thus, to be safe, they specially arranged for the valuable Heart of Flame.

Moreover, it took immense effort and expense to determine the specific location and slumber point of this ancient fire dragon.

It is said to be a notoriously cruel and abnormal fire dragon named ’Anguskin,’ notorious in ancient times before disappearing mysteriously.

….

At this moment, at the center of the aerial battlefield,

a light blue water column over a dozen meters in diameter suddenly shot forth from a medium-sized airship like a waterfall, targeting the abnormal fire dragon. The one who acted was none other than Federation powerhouse Hernandez, who arrived at the end of the Battle of Gazrian.

“Sizzle! Sizzle!”

The intense collision of the water column against the high temperature of the abnormal fire dragon’s body instantly enveloped a hundred-meter radius in steam.

The abnormal fire dragon, hit directly by the jet of water and flying dozens of meters askew in midair, let out a furious roar!

It adjusted its wings to regain posture, preparing to retaliate.

Suddenly, a cross-shaped sword light dozens of meters long, hidden by the steam’s cover, slashed in like lightning!

This light blue water column was a feint, and the true killing move was this cross sword light.

The one who acted was, naturally, Federation Sword Saint Terrio.

“Roar!!!”

The abnormal fire dragon immediately bellowed in agony!

The Super Divine Cross Slash of Sword Saint Terrio cut a cross-shaped gash on its lower abdomen, yet bizarrely, not a drop of blood flowed out from the wound.

“What!” Terrio looked astonished.

He knew all too well the power of his finishing move.

He and Hernandez had discussed this simple but practical tactic just now, which should have directly dealt heavy damage to this abnormal fire dragon.

Unexpectedly, the opponent’s defense was far beyond their estimation.

Hernandez, a middle-aged man wearing a blue Wizard Robe with a boxed mustache, also exclaimed, “Damn, the opponent’s defensive power is too strong.”

“Additionally, now that the opponent is on alert, there might not be another such opportunity for a surprise attack.”

“We must contact the Empire immediately to seek assistance from the Dragon Knights.”

…

Aboard the Imperial Airship’s deck,

Rein, eyes slightly squinting, closely examined the cross cut on the abnormal fire dragon’s skin and soon discovered the secret.

This ancient fire dragon’s bizarre appearance was likely due to the year-round immersion in magma, which had merged with its Dragon Scales, transforming them into a special kind of ’Molten Armor.’

Coupled with the Protective Fire Ring on its body surface,

it was no wonder that even a Sword Saint known for attack power couldn’t land a fully effective strike.

At that moment, the enraged abnormal fire dragon, after circling once in the air, locked its prophetic eyes onto the medium-sized airship where Terrio was, maintaining its distance while flapping its wings from afar.

Immediately, a towering fire whirlwind over fifty meters high surged rapidly towards the airship where Terrio stood!

Facing such a powerful strike, Terrio had no choice but to dodge awkwardly, jumping onto another airship behind.

“Boom!”

The medium-sized airship where Terrio had been was naturally destroyed in a single strike by the abnormal fire dragon!

Thus, the combined tactics of Terrio and Hernandez were completely declared a failure.

Meanwhile, the abnormal fire dragon, enraged by the Federation’s series of attacks, began charging head-on through the densely packed shells of multiple airships.

It occasionally dove down to sheer an airship in half, while swiftly tearing apart the metal chains of airship gondolas with its sharp claws.

In just half a minute, the Federation airship formation lost six medium-sized airships.

Aboard the Federation Giant Airship,

Vice Chairman Bertrand’s face was as dark as could be, almost dripping with moisture.

“Vice Chairman Sir, Lords Hernandez and Terrio have both sent urgent messages that this abnormal fire dragon’s combat power far exceeds expectations, and they cannot withstand it.”

“Both lords expressed a hope that you could immediately contact the Imperial Dragon Knights for support.” a Messenger quickly reported.

…