章節 259: Chapter 259: The Mechanical Titan
Garon flew eastward for a long time.
Due to the significantly reduced efficiency in drawing power from the River of Time, replenishing his peak state after using time power had become a laborious process requiring much of his time and energy. Additionally, he needed to charge the Time Gate, so he couldn't afford to waste time power on trivial matters.
In the main timeline, even without using time power, Garon could maintain a twofold acceleration effect from the River of Time, an ability that had become second nature. However, in this timeline, the local River of Time was less accommodating.
The acceleration effect Garon enjoyed in the main timeline was absent here, requiring the use of time power even for the most basic acceleration.
Therefore, Garon didn't use accelerated flight on his journey.
Instead, he applied various speed-boosting spells to himself. Although not as fast as accelerated movement, his speed remained impressive.
The silver dragon tore through the cloud-covered skies, creating gales with each flap of his wings, effortlessly shredding the surrounding clouds, while sunlight streaming through the broken clouds resembled crushed gold.
Garon looked down, his gaze piercing thousands of meters to the land below.
He was flying over a vast green forest.
The dense canopy swayed with the wind like green waves, with low roars of beasts mingling with the breeze and echoing in all directions.
Garon glanced briefly and then withdrew his gaze.
He did not stop here.
Leaving a trail in the high clouds, Garon crossed the green forest and reached a fjord-like bay with waves crashing against rocky shores.
The sea breeze hit him, carrying a faint fishy scent. Garon turned to look at the source of the bay.
His platinum eyes reflected the boundless azure sea.
The blue sea intermingled with golden sunlight, creating a dazzling spectacle.
"This must be the Starfall Sea," Garon thought, slowing down to gaze across the vast expanse of water.
His conversation with Iolem had not been limited to arcane knowledge. Garon had learned about the geography and culture of Faerun, including the immense Starfall Sea.
In reality, it was a large circular lake within Faerun, surrounded by land. Its vastness earned it the name Starfall Sea, born from a legend that a god's meteor shattered the land to create it.
"How many spell circles would it take to create a sea with a meteor?"
The sheer scale of the Starfall Sea was beyond Garon's sight.
However, at that moment, he heard a deep roar.
"The Dragon Bay is the territory of the Cecilia family. Who allowed you, a silver dragon, to appear in our airspace?"
Garon shook his head slightly.
Mistaken for a silver dragon again.
Turning, he saw several twenty-meter-long dragons approaching aggressively from the narrow fjord cliffs. These were adult dragons with clear blue scales like the sky – Storm Dragons, a subgroup of blue dragons. The bay below was a significant territory of a blue dragon family, with over twenty adult dragons.
Garon had sensed their presence upon arrival but didn't expect them to confront him after less than a minute, mistaking him for a lone silver dragon and seeing an opportunity for easy prey.
"You'd better have enough compensation for intruding into Dragon Bay, or else..."
The silver giant dragon spread his wings.
Whoosh!
The clouds tore apart under the fierce wind.
In an instant, Garon's full form was revealed to the blue dragons. The sight of his colossal size stunned them into silence, their aggression instantly doused.
The 47-meter-long silver dragon, a primeval dragon in the eyes of ordinary true dragons, didn't display his might, but his sheer size and presumed identity were enough to oppress the blue dragons, making their breaths heavy.
"Or else what?" Garon's gaze narrowed, falling on the blue dragons.
"Or else, we invite the primeval dragon to visit our territory. The Cecilia family welcomes strong kin," the blue dragons quickly changed their tone, smiling amicably.
Their attitude shifted drastically.
This blue dragon family's strongest was an ancient dragon, but even it, combined with all the adults, was no match for a primeval silver dragon. Moreover, their leader wasn't present.
"You think you can offend a legendary true dragon and act as if nothing happened?"
Garon did not tolerate disrespect, intentional or not.
The blue dragons exchanged glances, realizing they had to pay a price.
To offend a primeval dragon of their own kind, they could be beaten to near death, requiring a long slumber for recovery. Unless they appeased the offended party, the idea of being robbed themselves, just moments after planning a heist, pained them.
They hung their heads, "Primeval dragon, we offer our treasures as an apology for our unintended offense."
Garon smiled, "Depends on how much you offer."
It was common for dragons to compensate for offending a stronger kin.
"Please wait here, we'll retrieve the treasures from our lair."
Garon had no fear they'd escape.
Any sensible dragon knew what to do in such a situation.
Robbery turned to loss; the blue dragons flew dejectedly to a steep cliff on the bay's right side.
Meanwhile, the commotion drew more blue dragons' attention.
Dozens of blue dragons of various ages peeked out, looking at the legendary dragon in the sky with awe and envy. Upon seeing their unlucky kin departing with their hoard, they gloated.
"Filin, your hundred years of savings are gone, haha."
"Shut your mouth!"
The mocked blue dragon growled in anger, then tried to calm himself, turning to Garon, "Forgive our thoughtlessness, primeval dragon."
The blue dragons lowered their heads, reluctantly offering their wealth to Garon: magical gems, gold and silver coins, and some magical materials and artifacts. Nothing overly valuable, as they were only adult dragons.
Garon didn't mind, taking the gold and gems.
Under the pained gaze of the blue dragons, he stored the treasures in his dimensional space.
"Leave," Garon said indifferently, remembering the location of Dragon Bay.
As he spoke, his draconic might erupted, sending a shockwave that hit the blue dragons, rendering them unable to think. They were flung into the bay, splashing huge waves.
The mere presence of his might overpowered the adults. Seeing this, other blue dragons initially feared, then mocked their fallen kin, revealing their malicious nature.
However, Garon didn't leave immediately.
The bay's blue dragons felt a sense of foreboding.
Garon looked around, smiling calmly at the onlookers, "Do you think I'm a monkey to be gawked at?"
The mocking blue dragons fell silent.
Meanwhile, those dragged out of the water by
the draconic might earlier shared smug smiles.
"Well done, primeval dragon."
"They were mocking us just now, and now we're all in the same boat, haha."
Having been robbed themselves, the blue dragons found it less painful to see their kin share the same fate. The joy of an evil dragon often lies in the misery of others.
Faced with Garon's direct extortion, the other blue dragons had no choice but to comply, swearing internally to avoid primeval dragons in the future.
Soon, the satisfied silver giant left Dragon Bay, leaving a group of disheveled and distressed blue dragons in his wake.
"An unexpected gain," Garon mused cheerfully, continuing his journey eastward, weaving through clouds.
Under the deep night sky, rapid footsteps echoed in a dark forest near the eastern part of the Dragon Jaw Mountains and the western gate of Maple Leaf City.
A group of over forty humans was running non-stop under the cover of darkness, most of them clad in exoskeleton-like armor typical of Imasca warriors. These warriors formed a protective circle around a mechanical carriage made of metal and machinery, adorned with arcane symbols and emitting a gentle glow.
This carriage, reserved for Imasca nobility, glided over the rough terrain, carrying several lavishly dressed humans inside.
A middle-aged man with a calm expression but tired eyes, a beautiful woman showing fear and anxiety, and several deeply sleeping children.
"Once we cross the Dragon Jaw Mountains and reach the tip of Dragon's Tooth, then take a boat to the depths of the Starfall Sea, we'll be safe from Imasca's reach."
"The new Duke of Maple Leaf won't chase us there."
"I promise you, Lina, we'll be okay."
The middle-aged man, Earl Rod of Maple Leaf City, was not a major noble, but he had considerable status, owning his land and extensive businesses.
However, he had left Maple Leaf City, which he had managed for a long time, out of necessity.
The former lord of Maple Leaf City, a duke and Earl Rod's father, had passed away, leaving the title to his third son, thus birthing the new Duke of Maple Leaf.
Unfortunately, the duke's offspring did not get along well.
After decades of intrigue and backstabbing, most of the duke's twenty-odd children had perished. Among the survivors, Earl Rod, who expertly managed the city's wine and silk industries, was the most capable, overshadowed only by his younger brother Solin, the new duke.
Now that Solin had become the duke, Earl Rod had lost his clout and had to flee Imasca for survival. His planned retreat to the Starfall Sea, filled with various factions and powers, offered a chance to rebuild his strength.
Soon, the group entered the Dragon Jaw Mountains, continuing their hurried journey. Though outside Imasca's territory, Earl Rod remained vigilant, maintaining their pace.
As dawn approached, bringing light to dispel the darkness, Earl Rod's tense mood slightly eased.
However, a series of rumbling noises grew louder and closer.
Earl Rod's face paled.
He recognized the hellish rumble.
It was a fearsome weapon of the Imasca Empire, the Titan Engine, powering a towering figure armed with various powerful mechanical weapons. Its steel-clad armor offered impenetrable defense. Typically dormant in cities, only a duke's badge could activate it.
This weapon was the Mechanical Titan, one of Imasca's proudest creations. Its fearsome firepower could easily defeat ordinary legendary beings. It could operate independently without a legendary mechamancer.
Hearing the rumble, Earl Rod knew escape was impossible.
Zzzt.
The carriage stopped, affected by external energy.
"My dear brother, where are you off to?"
"Not telling me, your little brother, seems a bit inconsiderate, doesn't it? Father always taught us to love each other."
Solin's voice echoed in Earl Rod's ears.
His expression grave, Earl Rod drew a dagger and held it to his throat, struggling internally.
Falling into Solin's hands meant a fate worse than death.
"Rod! Don't do this."
"Beg Solin for mercy. He won't harm us; you're still brothers."
Tears streaming down her face, Countess Lina clutched Earl Rod's arm holding the dagger.
Earl Rod looked at Lina, his beloved wife, then at his children, falling silent.
He slowly lowered the dagger and stepped out of the carriage.
His guards were powerless before the Mechanical Titan.
Earl Rod's own mechamancer skills were insufficient against the titan; even fleeing was impossible.
He looked up.
Before him stood a 20-meter-tall mechanical giant, its body forged from cold metal, fierce and adorned with arcane runes converging into Imasca's emblem—a delicate gear—at its chest.
The roaring of the Titan Engine sounded like thunder.
Strong wind pressure bent the surrounding trees.
The armor on the titan's forehead opened, revealing Solin looking down victoriously.
"Solin, spare my wife and children. Do with me as you will," Earl Rod implored.
Unexpectedly, Solin nodded, accepting his request.
"I only want you dead."
In the next moment, the titan's crystal eyes fired beams, levitating Lina and Earl Rod's children to Solin. He embraced the countess, who only struggled symbolically.
Seeing this, Earl Rod's expression faltered.
Something felt wrong.
"Solin, think about how I was found despite covering my tracks."
"And why you always outmaneuvered me."
"Is it really just because of Father's favoritism?"
Earl Rod's heart sank.
He didn't respond to Solin's words, instead gazing at his wife, "Lina, is it true?"
Hesitating, Countess Lina looked at the handsome Solin with adoration.
"I'm sorry, Rod. You're a good man."
"But I fell for Solin at first sight. Our meeting and marriage were all part of
his plan."
"Our children..."
Earl Rod couldn't finish his sentence as Lina turned away, "They are Solin's and mine, I'm sorry."
Hearing his wife's words and recalling their past, Earl Rod's face turned ashen.
Solin held the countess close, his expression turning cold, "You thought you were smarter and better than me, Rod, that I was nothing but a pretty face?"
"Today, you see who is truly fit to be the Duke!"
The Mechanical Titan extended a menacing finger towards Earl Rod.
Destructive energy concentrated at its tip.
"Goodbye, my foolish brother."
A searing beam shot out, engulfing Earl Rod, who had already given up hope, and pierced the ground, leaving a huge crater amid thunderous explosions.
The smoke cleared, and Solin looked at the charred and broken ground briefly before turning away.
Having eliminated Earl Rod, the biggest threat to his position, Solin's seat as Duke was now secure.
The titan turned, ready to leave the Dragon Jaw Mountains and return to Imasca's territory.
Just then, an admiring deep voice reached Solin's ears.
"What a splendid drama."
"Who's there?" Solin's gaze was sharp as lightning.
The titan's sensors activated, searching for the source of the voice.
Simultaneously, clouds in the sky dispersed, revealing a colossal silver dragon.
Garon looked at the Mechanical Titan with interest, seeing the unique beauty of the fusion between machinery and magic. He was curious about dismantling such a legendary mechanical creation to advance his understanding of mechamancy.
After a long flight east, crossing many mountains and forests, Garon had arrived here. He had learned from nearby sentient beings that the territory of Imasca was not far to the east. Thus, he concealed his presence, planning to scout Imasca before inadvertently witnessing this dramatic event.
"Whoever can control such a contraption must hold a high position in Imasca," Garon thought, not knowing the identities of Rod and Solin, but that didn't stop him from recognizing Solin's importance.
He needed to understand the ancient Imasca Empire to plot against its imperial relic and to deal more easily with the Second Imasca Empire, whose heritage stemmed from the same root.
"Target is a legendary dragon of unknown classification and strength. Analysis of power level is impossible. It is advised not to engage in hostility."
The titan scanned Garon and relayed a warning to Solin's intelligence.
But Solin wasn't deterred by the warning.
"I am Solin, Duke of Maple Leaf of the Imasca Empire."
"If you do not wish to face the wrath of Imasca, leave my sight immediately!"
As a powerful duke, Solin spoke with confidence.
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