Chapter 145: Chapter138:The Second Main quest(REVISED)
The convoy departed from Elarion and reached the vicinity of the royal capital five days after receiving the Royal Guardian’s message.
At the front of the convoy, five Warhounds moved steadily across the rough roads. Behind them marched Elarion’s soldiers, surrounding Lucien’s carriage in tight formation.
By evening, the gates of the royal capital finally came into view.
Just then, the system issued the second main quest.
[MYTHIC QUEST UNLOCKED]
[FORGE A LEGACY — THE AGE OF CIVILIZATION BEGINS]
[Note: The world has begun to notice your existence.]
[Forge a legacy worthy of remembrance.]
Then the objectives appeared one by one.
[Objective I]
[Establish the Five Pillars]
[Progress: 0/5]
[Required Cities:]
[Seastar]
[Skyforge]
[Iron Junction]
[Titanworks]
[Ironhold]
[Objective II]
[Industrial Ascension]
[Progress: Tier II / Tier IV]
[Objective III]
[International Recognition]
[Progress: 0/1]
[Hint: The Supreme Mage Council Summit may provide opportunities.]
[Objective IV]
[Major Alliances]
[Forge alliances with at least five major powers.]
[Progress: 0/5]
[Objective V]
[Population Expansion]
[Current Population: 147,382 / 1,000,000]
[Objective VI]
[Military Modernization]
[Progress: 12%]
[Requirements:]
[National Officer Corps]
[Military Industry]
[Strategic Logistics Network]
[Standardized Equipment]
Then another notification appeared.
[MILESTONE ACHIEVED]
[Reward: Partial Restriction Removed on Air and Naval Forces]
Lucien immediately noticed something different.
The Ground Branch remained exactly where it had always been.
But now, two enormous sections expanded outward from the technology tree.
Sections that had previously been locked.
[AVIATION TECHNOLOGY BRANCH]
[Restriction Status: Partially Removed]
[Available Technologies:]
[Aerodynamics Fundamentals]
[Aircraft Materials Research]
[Airfield Construction]
[Engine Development Theory]
[Aviation Infrastructure]
[Flight Theory]
[Observation Aircraft Framework]
[Advanced Technologies Locked]
[Requirements Not Met]
[Note: A civilization cannot dominate the sky without air forces.]
[NAVAL TECHNOLOGY BRANCH]
[Restriction Status: Partially Removed]
[Available Technologies:]
[Shipbuilding Fundamentals]
[Naval Logistics]
[Harbor Engineering]
[River Patrol Craft]
[Coastal Gunboats]
[Basic Naval Doctrine]
[Port Construction]
[Advanced Technologies Locked]
[Requirements Not Met]
[Note: A civilization cannot dominate the sea without naval forces.]
Lucien slowly closed the technology tree.
The notifications vanished.
A knock suddenly sounded against the carriage door.
"My lord."
"Enter."
Malen stepped inside.
One glance at Lucien was enough.
"You received another reward."
Lucien smirked.
"Am I that obvious?"
"Only when you are planning something expensive."
That earned a short laugh from Lucien.
Malen took a seat across from him.
"So?"
Lucien looked out the carriage window.
"The Air Branch and Naval Branch restrictions have been partially removed."
Malen’s eyes sharpened immediately.
"So Skyforge and Seastar are confirmed necessities."
Lucien nodded.
"More than necessities."
He leaned back slightly.
"The system practically built its requirements around them."
"What does the Air Branch contain?"
"Aerodynamics. Engine theory. Airfield construction. Aviation infrastructure."
Malen remained silent for several seconds after hearing those terms.
Then he slowly nodded.
"That sounds useful."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"Useful?"
Malen pointed outside.
"The sky is empty."
Lucien understood immediately.
Air power.
In this world, dragons, flying beasts, and rare magical mounts existed, but organized air forces did not. If Elarion could claim the sky before others even understood that the battlefield had changed, the advantage would be enormous.
"And the navy?" Malen asked.
This time, Lucien laughed softly.
"We do not even have a coastline yet."
Lucien answered calmly.
"We will."
Malen nodded without hesitation.
Neither of them doubted it.
Then Malen looked toward the approaching gates of the royal capital.
"The summit first, my lord."
He paused.
"Then we discuss civilization building."
Lucien nodded.
The knight was right.
For now, the future could wait.
The Supreme Mage Council could not.
Somewhere beyond those walls, the next stage of his journey was already beginning.
By the time Lucien’s convoy entered the Royal Palace, the sun had begun to set.
The long journey from Elarion had left dust covering soldiers and machines alike. Even the five Warhounds looked as if they had fought through a campaign.
Servants immediately rushed into motion.
Stable workers led the horses away.
Engineers inspected the Warhounds.
Soldiers were directed toward temporary barracks prepared in advance.
The palace had clearly been expecting them.
Lucien had barely stepped down from his carriage when a familiar voice called out.
"You look terrible."
Lucien turned.
The Royal Guardian stood several steps away.
The old mage looked far too amused.
Lucien glanced at the Royal Guardian, then down at his own dust-covered travel cloak.
He sighed.
Fair enough.
"And you look surprisingly cheerful," Lucien replied.
The old man laughed.
"That is because I was not sitting inside a carriage for five days."
Lucien could not argue with that.
The Guardian approached and briefly examined the convoy.
His gaze lingered on the five Warhounds.
Then on the LEFH.
Finally, he nodded.
"Good. Everything arrived intact."
Lucien looked at him.
"I assume you were worried?"
"I was hoping for that outcome."
The old mage ignored the sarcasm and motioned toward the main building.
"Walk with me."
They eventually reached a private sitting room.
The Guardian poured himself a cup of tea before taking a seat. Then he pointed toward another chair.
Lucien sat down.
For several moments, neither of them spoke.
Then the Royal Guardian finally broke the silence.
"You have done well governing your territory these past years."
He leaned back slightly.
"But all of that can wait."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
The Guardian pointed at him.
"You look exhausted."
"I have felt worse."
Lucien sighed.
The Guardian smirked.
"Good. Then listen carefully."
His expression became serious.
"The summit is important. Very important."
Lucien watched him quietly.
"But there is absolutely nothing you need to do tonight," the Guardian continued.
"You arrived. That is enough."
He set down his tea.
"Today, you will rest, eat, and sleep."
A pause.
"Tomorrow morning, we depart."
The following morning arrived sooner than expected.
Before dawn had fully broken, the Royal Palace was already awake.
Servants hurried through the courtyards.
Stable workers prepared horses.
Soldiers checked their equipment one final time.
Royal banners were raised.
The summit convoy would depart today.
Its destination was the gathering place of the Supreme Mage Council.
A place where kings, archmages, dragons, and powers older than kingdoms met as equals.
Lucien stood on a balcony overlooking the palace grounds.
Below him, Elarion’s soldiers were already assembling.
Five Warhounds stood in formation, their steel hulls reflecting the early morning sunlight.
Behind them waited supply wagons and escort forces.
Everything was prepared.
A knock sounded behind him.
"My lord."
Lucien turned.
A servant bowed respectfully.
"The Royal Guardian requests your presence."
Lucien nodded.
"It is time, then."
The Royal Guardian’s study was much busier than during Lucien’s previous visits.
Maps covered several tables.
Messengers moved in and out.
Military officers exchanged reports.
Yet despite all the activity, the old mage himself appeared completely relaxed.
As if organizing a summit attended by some of the most powerful beings in the world was an ordinary morning task.
The moment Lucien entered, the Guardian looked up.
"Good."
He smiled faintly.
"You are awake."
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"I assumed that was required."
The old man snorted.
"You would be surprised."
Several nearby officers tried not to laugh.
The Guardian waved them away.
Within moments, the room emptied.
Only Lucien and the old mage remained.
Then the Guardian walked toward one of the large maps.
His finger tapped a location far beyond the kingdom’s borders.
"The summit is here."
Lucien studied the map.
Mountain ranges.
Forests.
Rivers.
The marked location sat almost perfectly between several major powers.
Neutral territory, as expected.
The Guardian continued.
"Travel will take approximately twelve days."
Then he pointed toward the sky.
"Longer if the dragons start arguing."
Lucien immediately thought of Aurethar.
The old man noticed.
"Exactly."
The Guardian looked far too pleased with himself.
Then his expression grew serious.
"This summit matters."
"I know."
"No."
The old mage interrupted him.
"You know it matters. You do not yet know why."
That caught Lucien’s attention.
The Guardian folded his arms.
"The Supreme Mage Council is not merely a gathering of mages. That is a common misconception."
He looked at the map again.
"It influences trade, diplomacy, magical research, wars, and most importantly, the future."
His gaze returned to Lucien.
"You are no longer merely representing Elarion."
A pause followed.
"You are representing a rising power. And the world will be watching."
Lucien understood.
The tension lasted only a moment.
Then the Guardian pointed at him.
"Try not to insult any dragons."
Lucien replied calmly, "No promises."
The old man laughed.
By sunrise, the convoy was ready.
The palace gates opened.
Trumpets sounded.
Orders echoed across the grounds.
The summit expedition began moving.
At the center rode the Royal Guardian.
Nearby traveled Crown Prince Cassian, while Princess Elena rode in a carriage behind him.
Several royal representatives followed as well.
Elarion’s contingent occupied one section of the convoy.
The five Warhounds immediately attracted attention.
The machines moved steadily through the streets, their heavy forms unlike anything most citizens had ever seen.
The convoy eventually reached the northern gate.
Then a massive shadow crossed overhead.
Aurethar descended from the sky.
The golden dragon landed outside the walls with enough force to shake the ground. Dust rose everywhere as his wings folded against his enormous body.
He looked around proudly at the scene he had created.
No matter how often people saw dragons, the experience never became ordinary.
Aurethar eventually noticed Lucien.
"Good."
The dragon nodded.
"Your confidence in me is inspiring. You actually came with such a small force."
"It was not confidence," Lucien replied. "It was optimism."
Several soldiers tried not to laugh.
Their shoulders gave them away.
Aurethar ignored them.
Then his golden eyes moved across the assembled convoy.
For the first time, his expression became thoughtful.
"Interesting."
Lucien followed his gaze.
"What is?"
"How small everyone looks."
The answer somehow sounded perfectly reasonable coming from a dragon.
The final preparations concluded shortly afterward.
Convoy commanders exchanged reports.
Scouts departed.
Routes were confirmed.
Supplies were inspected.
Everything proceeded with practiced efficiency.
Eventually, the Royal Guardian moved to the front.
When he spoke, his voice carried across the assembled convoy.
"Our destination lies beyond borders."
A pause.
"Beyond kingdoms."
Another pause.
"Beyond politics."
His gaze swept across the gathered soldiers, nobles, mages, machines, and dragon.
"The summit awaits."
Then came the order.
"Move out."
The command echoed across the road.
Immediately, the massive convoy began to move.
Slowly, it left the kingdom’s capital behind.
Lucien glanced backward one final time.
The city gradually faded into the distance.
Ahead lay mountains.
And perhaps answers.
