Chapter 477 - 258: The Storm Approaches (Part 2)

Jessica smiled.

"Mr. Raine, you’re interested in Violet Castle too?"

"Yes, I hope to have the chance to see the floating city someday."

"Unfortunately, my mentor is obsessed with exploration and is hard to contact. Otherwise, I could have reached out and taken you to Violet Castle as a guest this time."

"It’s alright, there will always be an opportunity," Raine felt a stir in his heart and smiled.

"By the way, Earl York, what are your plans next?" At this moment, Raine asked Aaron’s father beside him.

"I will report the situation here as soon as possible, but..." Earl York frowned slightly.

"But, the effect might be limited," Jessica interjected.

"The infiltration they’ve done into various kingdoms has reached a severe level. I’m worried the royal family might even be..."

"Indeed, that’s the case."

Raine nodded and immediately introduced what he knew about the Soladin Kingdom’s condition.

"Hmm? Mr. Raine, the Soladin Kingdom’s eldest princess you mentioned earlier, is she called Leonore?" Jessica furrowed her brows in thought.

"If I remember correctly, that person seems familiar to me. She should have studied at Violet Castle before, a genius female mage of the Soladin Kingdom."

"Yes, that’s right, it must be her," Jessica asserted.

Hearing Jessica’s words, Raine couldn’t help but be slightly taken aback.

Leonore once studied at Violet Castle?

But soon, recalling her identity as an extraordinary tier mage, it made perfect sense.

"Mr. Raine, could you please convey our intention to seek alliance to Leonore on our behalf? Of course, I will also reach out through Violet Castle’s channels."

"Of course, I’ll convey your intentions."

At this moment, a knock on the door sounded, followed by a maid entering respectfully with a tray in hand.

On the tray were two black crystal cards.

"Mr. Raine, a little gold coins, is insufficient to repay you for your aid, but it’s a token of gratitude," Earl York said with a smile.

"Indeed! Mr. Raine, please accept it," Aaron echoed beside him.

"Well... Earl York, you’re too kind. Alright, thank you." Raine thanked him and accepted the two black crystal cards.

Raine was already familiar with the value of these cards. They were black crystal cards worth ten thousand gold each.

Seeing Raine accept the cards, Earl York’s smile grew even brighter.

"Mr. Raine, this necromancy crystal should be your spoils," Jessica said, "but could you lend it to me for a while? I’ll return it to you after displaying it to the kingdom’s high ranks."

"Certainly."

"Mr. Raine, there is a small banquet hall on the other side of the castle. I’ve arranged for food to be prepared. Shall we eat and chat together?"

"Thank you."

"Great! I can finally taste the delicacies of Warwick City!" Laisa exclaimed with a small burst of excitement.

A quarter of an hour later.

Inside the castle’s small banquet hall.

The hall’s size was seventy to eighty square meters, far smaller than the grand banquet hall, but it was exquisitely decorated, equally luxurious.

At this moment, the long table was filled with sumptuous food.

"Mr. Raine, I’ve been wondering, how did you determine Siegfried’s last teleportation location?" Aaron asked curiously.

Laisa and Earl York, hearing this, also looked at Raine with curiosity.

Back then, they couldn’t fathom the answer.

Raine smiled and said, "Actually, it’s not difficult to judge. The thin traces of death energy were gathering towards the position above the castle."

"I guessed that Siegfried was collecting this energy. Otherwise, why would he not appear while I was battling with Dragon Rider Yejiya?"

Upon hearing this, Laisa and Aaron showed expressions of realization.

Raine continued:

"Given this, even if Siegfried planned to retreat, he would likely head to the position of the array first, and the direction I faced was the side door. He certainly wouldn’t choose it. Therefore, the hole at the top of the banquet hall was likely his best option."

As Raine explained, even Jessica, who wasn’t present at the scene, couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

This level of meticulous observation of the environment and the ability to guide and judge enemy movements had evidently reached a very high standard.

"Mr. Raine, you’re truly amazing!" Aaron exclaimed excitedly after listening.

"Um... Mr. Raine, I’d like to apply to join your battalion. Not just myself, but representing the entire Radiant Blade squad."

Hmm?

Upon Aaron’s words, Raine’s knife and fork paused slightly.

He first glanced at the somewhat excited and nervous Aaron.

Then, his gaze passed over Earl York and Countess Jessica’s faces, capturing their complex expressions.

There was reluctance, but no surprise.

Obviously, Aaron should have sought his parents’ opinions.

"Aaron, are you sure? Although Dorne City is not too far from Warwick City, it’s also not close."

Raine naturally welcomed Aaron’s squad’s joining.

Aaron’s talent was exceptional; at eighteen, he had reached Classes Level 4—something Raine encountered for the first time. Moreover, other members of the Radiant Blade squad were excellent too.

This was a squad with great potential.

Very likely, the Bronze Level adventurer squad wouldn’t be their endpoint.

However, Raine needed to consider Aaron’s parents’ opinions.

"I’m certain!"

"Mr. Raine, although Aaron’s talent may not match yours, he is quite diligent—to avoid any qualms about his aptitude, how about letting him join your battalion?" Earl York said from the side.

Hearing this, Laisa couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

’Is being Level 4 in Classes at eighteen considered lacking in aptitude?’

’Then what am I?’

But with a mouthful of food, Laisa held back her words.

"Earl York, you’re too humble. Aaron’s aptitude is exceptional. Since that’s the case, Aaron, welcome to the Monster Slayer Battle Group," Raine said with a smile.

"That’s great! Mr. Raine, the other squad members will be thrilled to hear this news!" Aaron said excitedly.

...

An hour later.

Back in the luxurious guest room, Raine pondered.

"Wars, turmoil... it seems I need to enhance my strength quickly!"

Recalling a series of matters that could rapidly increase battle power, like ’slaying dragons’, ’demon slaying’, ’Classes level up’, ’seeking the second Emperor’s Dual Hammer’... Raine reviewed them in his mind.

Soon, ’seeking the Protector of Emperor’s Dual Hammers’ was prioritized.

"I need to advance my search for the protector swiftly."

"Once back in Dorne City, after arranging things, head to the Underdark with Meredith to acquire the Protector of Emperor’s Dual Hammers," Raine contemplated.

Judging from Special Effect Three, the set effect of the Emperor’s Dual Hammers, Special Effect Four, should be astounding.

"By then, with the dual hammers, I might have the strength to slay a mature giant dragon."

Raine was aware, though some time had passed since he last luckily slew a white dragon, his strength had significantly boosted.

However, after careful evaluation, if he wanted to solo kill a mature white dragon currently, the chance of success was quite low, maybe only thirty or forty percent.

Not being assured of slaying a colorless dragon, much less other giant dragons, unless other transcendent strong persons collaborated with him.

As for other items.

Slaying demons was not merely attainable.

Thinking this, Raine couldn’t help recalling Lilith.

"If only the Black Fist Army and Talin Association could send more extraordinary tier demon mages."

Regarding Classes level up, this could be pursued alongside seeking the warhammer.

In the Underdark, there should be no lack of training opportunities.

...