129: Departure from Glory Castle

January 20th, early morning.

On the flight training ground outside Star Sea City, ten Griffins stood with heads held high. Their wings shimmered with a metallic luster in the morning light, and their sharp beaks and talons foretold the majesty of the Sky's overlords. Wind Wing, the leader, was exceptionally robust, with a wingspan exceeding twelve meters. A faint shimmer of wind-attribute magic flowed along the edges of its pale cyan feathers; it was only a hair's breadth away from a Breakthrough to a Level Six Sky Demonic Beast.

Ten knights stood beside the Griffins, all wearing the newly forged "Sea Abyss" series armor. This armor was primarily made of Deep Sea Cold Iron, infused with a small number of Mithril runes. The entire suit was a deep sea blue, with faint ripples like flowing water under the light. The helmet's visor could be opened or closed, the breastplate was engraved with the Griffin emblem of the Star Sea Territory, and the joints were exquisitely designed to balance flexibility and protection.

Clay and Ocean Jack stood side by side in front of Wind Wing. Both were Earth Knights, one Elementary and one Advanced, yet both were equally stirred with emotion at this moment. Clay gently stroked the feathers on the side of Wind Wing's neck and whispered, "Old partner, we must bring honor to our Star Sea Territory this time."

Wind Wing made a low sound in its throat, "Rest assured, my partner!"

“Everyone, mount up!” Clay's booming voice echoed through the training ground.

The nine knights moved in unison, flipping themselves onto the backs of the Griffins, reins in hand. Clay and Ocean Jack rode Wind Wing together.

“Depart!”

Wind Wing was the first to flap its wings, the powerful airflow kicking up dust from the ground. The nine Griffins followed closely behind, soaring into the Sky and forming a neat triangular formation, flying northwest toward Brussels Province. The sea-blue armor shone brilliantly in the sunlight as the eleven birds of prey cut through the air, their Aura like a rainbow.

On the ground, Morton, Angus, and the others looked up to see them off.

---

Seven days later, the evening of January 27th.

Linn stood on the terrace of the top floor of the Lords Mansion, watching the last trace of the sunset glow sink below the horizon. Elise stood quietly behind him.

“Is everything ready?” Linn did not look back.

“Yes,” Elise replied softly, “General Clay and the others are expected to arrive at the designated location on the outskirts of Glory Fortress before noon on February 1st to stand by. On our side... we can depart at any time.”

“Let's go. It's all thanks to you, my partner.”

A halo appeared in the night Sky, and a dragon's roar rang out, echoing through the Star Sea Territory.

Destiny's true dragon form emerged from the halo. Although she had restrained herself, her slender body of over twenty meters, covered in silver-white scales like moonlight, and the faint Dragon Aura she naturally emitted still made the surrounding air feel heavy. She elegantly lowered her slender neck, her azure dragon eyes looking at Linn, conveying a gentle thought.

Linn patted the cold scales on the side of her neck and leaped onto the dragon's back with Elise.

“Hold tight,” Linn said to Elise, and then with a thought...

Elise was incredibly excited; she had never dreamed she would ride a dragon in her lifetime.

Destiny slightly bent her four legs and spread her wings—those dragon wings, when fully extended, reached over thirty meters, blotting out the Sky and the moon. There was no deafening sound of breaking the air, only slight ripples in space as the silver dragon took flight, instantly turning into an almost invisible silver line on the horizon, disappearing into the northern night Sky.

“Linn, is this beautiful elf your second wife?” Destiny teased. “If you deny it, I'll throw her off immediately. No outsider is allowed to step on my back except for you.”

Elise turned pale with fright and hugged Linn's waist.

Linn signaled her not to be afraid: “Destiny, she is not my second wife.”

A trace of disappointment flashed in Elise's eyes.

“Strictly speaking, she is the first wife. I knew her before I knew Aivi. But in my eyes, there is no ranking between them.”

Elise's face turned from white to red, and her eyes grew moist as she pressed herself tightly against his back.

“Wow! Not bad, kid. Doesn't that mean you have four milky-white breasts at night?” Destiny teased with vulgar language.

Elise only felt her face heat up and said nothing. No one spoke further as Destiny flapped her wings, turning into a meteor streaking across the sea... February 1st, Brussels Province, Glory Fortress.

This hastily built but grand castle today welcomed the most glorious moment since its birth. The open square in front of the castle had been leveled and compacted, and over fifty thousand soldiers were currently lined up there. On the left were the private armies and personal guards of various nobles, with a forest of flags and different styles of armor; on the right was the Royal Guard Army, all in silver armor and red capes, their formation neat and solemn.

At the very front of the square, a three-meter-high stone platform rose from the ground. In the center of the platform sat a throne carved from a single piece of Obsidian, its back high and engraved with the Roaring Lion of the Aolai royalty. On either side of the throne crouched a mighty Flying Tiger! These were Level Six Sky Demonic Beasts, their size comparable to a giant elephant, with wings on their backs. Muscles were knotted under their mottled fur, and their amber beast eyes were half-open and half-closed, occasionally scanning the crowd below with natural predator arrogance.

Below the platform, nearly a hundred chairs covered in deep red velvet were arranged in a fan shape. By now, most were occupied by nobles of viscount rank or higher, as well as important ministers and generals. Viscount Nocturne sat in a forward position because of his grandfather. He had already received a secret letter from his grandfather, Duke Aivor, knowing that today's meeting had surging undercurrents.

Near noon, the horns sounded long and loud.

The royal honor guard led the way, holding high the gold and red royal flags. Then, the King of the Aolai Kingdom—Alaric Olei, slowly ascended the high platform.

This monarch, who had ruled the kingdom for over three hundred years, still stood tall despite his silver hair. He wore a deep purple royal robe embroidered with gold thread and a crown set with the "Lionheart Gem," holding a scepter symbolizing power in his hand. Most striking was the majestic Aura naturally emitted from his body—the unique pressure of a Legendary powerhouse. Although deliberately restrained, it still made many Sky, Earth, and Gold Rank nobles and generals below feel their breathing slightly stifled.

Following the King onto the platform were two elders. The one on the left wore a simple gray robe, with white hair and beard, and eyes as gentle as an ancient well. He held a seemingly ordinary wooden staff, but those who knew him knew he was the Royal Chief Mage, the Legendary Grand Archmage "The Silent One" Gordon. The one on the right wore dark gold armor with a two-handed greatsword at his waist. His face was as resolute as a stone carving, and his gaze was full of the scrutiny of a veteran as it swept over the army below. He was the Kingdom Marshal, "iron wall" Raymond, also a Legendary Warrior.

Three Legends stood upon the high platform.

At the same time, the two Flying Tigers that had been crouching stood up and let out a roar that shook the mountains and forests, the rolling waves of sound spreading throughout Glory Fortress. The power of the Sky-rank Demonic Beasts intertwined with the Aura of the three Legends, instantly silencing the entire square. Tens of thousands of soldiers involuntarily straightened their backs, their gazes burning as they looked toward the platform.

“Greetings, Your Majesty! May the Kingdom prosper forever!”

Led by the master of ceremonies, everyone on and off the platform, including the marquises and dukes, all rose and bowed toward the throne, their voices like a mountain roar or a tsunami.

King Alaric walked slowly to the throne, turned, and sat down. The two Legendary powerhouses stood slightly behind him to the left and right of the throne. The Flying Tigers crouched beside the throne once again, like the most loyal guards.

“You may rise.” The aged but deep voice was clearly transmitted to everyone's ears through magic amplification.

The crowd sat down.

King Alaric's gaze slowly swept across the many faces below, lingering briefly on several dukes and marquises, before finally looking at the soldiers lined up further away.

“Today, we gather here, on new land, with the future of the Kingdom before us.” The King spoke, his voice steady and full of power. “After a year and a half of bloody battles, hundreds of thousands of soldiers have been buried in the wilderness, and countless families have suffered the pain of separation. But their sacrifices were not in vain! Today, the territory of the Aolai Kingdom has expanded eastward by 200,000 square kilometers! This is the largest expansion of the territory in two hundred years!”

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from below, and the soldiers struck their shields with their weapons, creating a rhythmic roar.

“None of this would be possible without the brave fighting of the nobles present, the sacrifices of the frontline soldiers, and the full support of the people in the rear.” The King continued, “Therefore, today's meeting is both to commend merits and to map out the future. All those who have performed meritorious service in this war shall not be denied rewards by the Kingdom! All those who contribute to the construction of the new province shall receive their deserved benefits!”

There was another wave of enthusiastic response.