Chapter 455: Compulsory Mission
Ting!
>Compulsory Mission Issued!
>Demonic Spyâs Investigation.
>Description:
Many academies across the Empire have witnessed demonic spies infiltrating their lands. Many of these spies have been apprehended, and many more are about to be apprehended. After a quick search, it has been concluded that all the demons disguised as humans came from a select few human cities. It is suspected that those citiesâ ruling authorities have been corrupted by demons. In that regard, students with appropriate strength levels are assigned to investigate the cities and gather concrete evidence of corruption so that the city can be effectively purged.
>A mandatory class has been organised for further briefing, and this is to be attended by all the students receiving this message on the 10th May, 501 AA. Not doing so would incur harsh punishments, fines, and rank demotion. Regularly missing mandatory classes will result in expulsion.
After seeing the notification, Leoâs eyes narrowed slightly.
"This... is quite dangerous," he muttered.
He had personally seen a powerful 5-star Demon and the level of destruction it could cause to the surroundings. So, a city corrupted by demons should at least have something of that level.
"But the academy wonât send us into a death trap... maybe things will get clear after that mandatory class," Leo said before calling Andrew.
Within half an hour, Andrew stood in front of Leo with the same old appearanceâperpetually constricted eyes, a tri-cornered hat, and a bow slung over his back.
Leo didnât waste a single word and spoke directly.
"I need all the information about the Ember Family and their Secret Realm Exploration event."
Ting!
>Invoice from Sophomore, Andrew.
>100,000 AC
Leo raised a brow. This was quite a substantial amount. But it also confirmed the fact that whatever information was given in the information hall was severely lacking compared to what Andrew would provide. After all, Andrew would never charge more than necessary if the information was readily available.
Leo promptly paid the price, and Andrew began.
"The Ember Family rules Ember City in the far east. Not so far that they coincide with the Sunborn EmâKuhm. Territory of Sunborn." Andrew nearly slipped a piece of information for free right there, but managed to hold it back. Even then, Leo caught onto it.
"From what I know, it was a bordering tier 4 city, with the Count being of 5-star rank last year during the time I participated in their Secret Realm Exploration event."
"But my guess says it should already be a tier 5 city and mightâve even become an inner city of the Empire by now, as the Count is a very ambitious man. And that same ambition pushed him to tame a Flame Wyvern. His wish almost came true when a realm gate opened right in the middle of the city a century ago."
Leo listened intently to Andrewâs words as if he were hearing an epic fantasy unfold before him.
"Then came the Flame Wyvern, a mid-5-star monstrosity with a wingspan of nearly 40 meters. But thankfully, Ember City is famous for housing both Earth and Fire type beast masters. And since Earth is a great counter to fire, the Wyvern, which came out of the realm gate to cause havoc, was forced to retreat back into the same gate. Ever since then, it has remained inside."
Andrew paused for a moment before continuing.
"It is said that it was a male Wyvern that came to assess the outside environment so it could safely escort its mate into the open, so they wouldnât remain trapped in the limited space... though that âlimited spaceâ is said to be almost 160,000 KM square."
"The Count immediately sought to enter the realm and tame the injured Wyvern, but he quickly realised he couldnât harm a single living organism inside. Seeing the opportunity, this time it was the Wyvern that forced the Count to run out of the realm. Apparently, only beings aged 30 or below were allowed to damage the beings inside and could thus potentially drag the Wyvern out so that the Count could tame it."
"Just like that, the Count started inviting freshers from all academies every 5 years so they could try their luck in finding the Wyvern."
Seeing Leoâs confused expression, Andrew clarified further.
"Yes, no fresher could actually âdragâ the Wyvern out, but they could reveal the Wyvernâs position to the Count so he could enter and negotiate with the beast. Yes, negotiate. Because at some point, the Count realised that if the Wyvern wanted, it could live inside the realm for millennia. The realm was large enough to support a fully functioning ecosystem. So in the end, he had to change tactics."
"He would offer a deal: in exchange for being tamed by the Count, the Wyvern could roam the outside world and have its mate... or mates... live and lay eggs in a safe environment. But for that to happen, the Wyvern first needed to be located. And for centuries, no one has been able to do that, as if they had hidden themselves deep within the realm, afraid that coming out would get them killed."
"The Count only needs one chance to speak with the Wyvern, and for that, he is ready to part with a surprise Yellow-Tier Treasure that would be given to the person who locates the Wyvernâs hideout."
"And no, the other students donât work for nothing. Everybody is allowed to keep all the fruitful encounters they come across inside the realm. And there are a whole lot of fruitful encounters waiting to be discovered because not only do the previous undiscovered encounters remain, but new ones continuously form as well. Even I myself came across a few that allowed me to become who I am today, or else I wouldâve been a sanitation worker in some unknown territory."
Leo thought for a while before speaking again.
"Do fruitful encounters form every 5 years? And if they do, wouldnât their level be pretty low?"
Andrew shook his head.
"Thatâs not the case."
"The entire realm itself is above a massive magma cavity, making the environment extremely rich in the fire element. Not only that, but according to the Count, there is even a huge naturally forming mana crystal vein and fire elemental crystal vein beneath that magma, making fire-related natural treasures grow extremely fast. Within just 5 years, a Purple Grade treasure can fully form with ease."