Chapter 506 - Taming Diamond Rank - 2

The sense of urgency from his fungus grew. Ren felt tension accumulating in his shoulders.

’Did something change?’

’So far there haven’t been any sudden movements in Yino, at least not among their people. But I can definitely sense a great amount of enemy activity. Something is changing.’

Ren turned toward the King, who had been patiently observing his silent communion with his beast.

"If you’re ready, it’s time," Ren declared and his tone became serious. "But I insist this is an enormous power. I warn you again that carrying it for too long is a bad idea."

The warning wasn’t casual concern but genuine fear. The power of seven crystallized dragons wasn’t meant for mortal bodies, no matter how enhanced. Even Dragarion’s legendary constitution had limits.

Dragarion smiled with that absolute confidence that radiated even in the most dangerous moments.

"Son," he said, placing a hand on his shoulder with firmness, "I’ve carried the weight of power for decades."

His voice borne the authority of someone who had faced impossible odds and emerged victorious. Every scar on his body, every line on his face, testified to battles won through sheer determination.

He straightened completely, and for a moment Ren could see exactly why this man had been capable of getting 3 elemental rings.

"A little more power isn’t going to be what brings me down," he continued with that smile that mixed justified arrogance with iron determination. "Especially not when it means protecting my family and my people."

The King stroked Larissa’s head and she hugged his legs, and Ren noticed the genuine concern she was trying to hide behind her usual mask of expert diplomat and politician.

"Papa," she murmured, her voice losing all ’adult pretension’, "be careful."

The plea was raw, vulnerable. All her political sophistication couldn’t mask the fact that she was still a young girl who might lose the father she’d only recently gotten back.

Dragarion immediately knelt to be at his daughter’s height and hugged her back tightly.

"I’m always careful, little sun," he whispered in her ear. "And I have even more reasons now to make sure I return in one piece."

His voice carried promises that went beyond mere reassurance. These were vows spoken by a king to his heirs, by a father to his daughter, by a man who understood exactly what he was risking.

He separated enough to look her in the eyes.

"Besides, I trust our young genius here. If he says he can transfer this power safely, I believe him."

The faith was both flattering and terrifying. Dragarion was betting not just his own life but the kingdom’s future on Ren’s abilities.

Larissa nodded, but Ren could see she wasn’t completely convinced. Still, she stepped aside to give them space.

Dragarion straightened and nodded toward Ren.

"I’m ready."

The words carried finality. Whatever doubts or fears he might have were buried beneath layers of necessity and determination.

Ren approached the column, feeling how the energy concentrated in the seven crystals responded to the presence of the rings in his beast.

His fungus began to glow, expanding its mana and jade roots until they formed a visible network of blue-green filaments that would connect the two systems.

"Remember," he warned once more, "only use it for the necessary time. Don’t delay in returning after destroying the crystal."

The advice came from worry at what they were about to attempt. No human had ever channeled this much power.

Dragarion laughed with genuine humor.

"Son, after years handling power, I think I can manage a little self-control."

His casual confidence was both reassuring and concerning. Confidence was necessary for what lay ahead, but overconfidence could be fatal when dealing with forces like these.

Ren touched the column.

Immediately, his fungus began to glow intensely, condensing multiple roots and creating a thick energy transfer passage.

The filaments thickened until they became cables of pure light connecting the column directly to Ren’s new mana system.

The sensation was immediately overwhelming. The distilled essence of creatures that had existed on scales that defied human comprehension.

Ren felt that power flowing through him, but his fungus acted as a filter and regulator, processing the raw energy into something a human could theoretically handle.

’Ready,’

his beast whispered.

Ren extended his other hand toward Dragarion’s interlaced cores.

"Now!"

The King let himself be touched on the chest without hesitation, and a portion of the power of seven ancient dragons began flowing toward the body of a single mortal man.

The air itself seemed to vibrate with the magnitude of what was happening.

Outside, on the surface, the King’s children were organizing the attack group. All the new doubles were there, preparing for what could be the most important battle of their lives.

The assembled force was unprecedented in scope and power. Veterans of countless conflicts stood alongside newly enhanced nobles, unified by the understanding that everything they had ever known hung in the balance.

And in the depths of the earth, beneath the enemy castle, a purple crystal pulsed with renewed urgency, sending orders through a network of crystallized veins that extended for thousands of kilometers.

If the enemy was preparing for final confrontation, then it too would mobilize every resource.

♢♢♢♢

Above, on the surface, all the powerful of the kingdom were gathered. The armies were ready.

Selphira commanded the left vanguard with her imposing presence, her black turtle promising both defense and devastating attack.

At her side, Sirius had taken charge of coordinating the right forces.

The situation with the Goldcrest forces was more complex.

The house Zhao had taken temporary control of the nobles on that side. But without Chilong, who had been destituted, Tyto Zhao himself was leading, supported by Victor, who had joined the vanguard on that separate front.

Julius and Arturo had stayed behind to guard the rear in case of any unexpected situation, a responsibility they accepted without protest but clearly didn’t prefer.

Both princes understood that someone had to ensure the kingdom’s safety.

"I know you’d prefer to be in the vanguard,"

Dragarion had observed when finalizing the positions.

"Of course,"

Julius had responded with a tense smile.

"But someone has to ensure you have something to return to if the enemy decides to hit from the back."

The logic was sound but bitter. Glory lay with the attackers; survival depended on those who stayed behind.

Selphira had caused more controversy. Dragarion had initially assigned her to the rear guard, a decision she had categorically rejected.

"I need to monitor the attack groups of our ’last-minute allies’,"

she had declared with that authority that made even the King consider her objections seriously.

But Dragarion knew that wasn’t completely true. Leonel had strangely asked to join the attack, and Selphira wouldn’t let him go alone.

The real reason was emotional rather than tactical, but it served equally well.

When Dragarion began ascending from the chamber at great speed after Ren supercharged him... It was like a mountain was moving toward them from the depths of the earth.

The sensation was indescribable.

And when Dragarion came flying out of the castle...

The air itself became dense, charged with energy so intense it made hair stand on end and made every breath feel like inhaling pure electricity.

The King straightened and everyone present instinctively took a step back.