Chapter 275 - The Shadow: Attack I (1/2)

Meld felt Gronn's scaly back shift and rock under her with an undulating chaos far more intense than the wildest of horsebacks. Winds buffeted her, making her figure length black cape flutter wildly. She kept a hand atop her head, holding down her broad brimmed hat so that it did not go flying off.

This was the first time Meld had ever traveled on a dragon, and though it was not the first time she had ridden on a flying mount, she had to admit this was far different. There was something about the scale of it.

Standing atop a creature that stood at the pinnacle of the food chain whose every grunt shook her like an earthquake, whose every wing beat sounded like explosions, gave her a sense of security.

Meld filed the experience into her memory, taking note of Gronn's physical dimensions. The hardness of his scales. The speed of his flight. All details she could reference other dragons with later if they became enemies to her. Or to use against Gronn in the case that he became her enemy, for there was never such a thing as being too careful.

Which made her mind wander to Li.

Meld narrowed her eyes. Or the equivalent of the motion, considering her eyes were perpetually shrouded under her blindfold. She sensed the darkness of night around her in a way that could only be described as supernatural, feeling how the shadows covered and gave shape to everything around her.

How long ago was it that she had given up her eyes? Of a world with colors bright and beautiful instead of outlines of muted black? Was she ten? Fifteen?

She did not remember too clearly. Nor did she care much. It was just one of many, many things she had sacrificed for the good of the realm.

”It is a wonder you are able to stay so balanced,” came Cicero's voice. It was magically projected or otherwise the speeding winds would have completely drowned it out. The aged elf was hanging on for dear life on one of Gronn's scales, his eyes squinting as they struggled against the buffeting wind.

It was a miracle that the elf had not fallen off, but that was not due to his own physical strength. A mound of hardened earth covered the lower half of his body, anchoring him to a few of Gronn's scales.

Meld noted Cicero's capabilities. The old elf was surprisingly quick on his feet in terms of magic. Not too surprising, considering he was a scholar who also learned of the magical arts. Specifically, Cicero was an elementalist, being a graduate of Novus, the top academic institution among the elves.

If Meld recalled the history of the academy correctly, then Cicero would have gotten his elementalist degree during a time when Novus was more focused on magic than technology, making him not too shabby with the arcane arts.

Right now, he was using [Rock Tomb], normally a movement suppressing spell, to bind himself down to Gronn.

But nothing that would pose a significant threat should he become one.

”The shadows anchor me,” said Meld as she nodded down to her feet. Her voice, too, projected with Cicero's magic. Her legs were halfway sunk into one of Gronn's black scales, twin ripples of shadowy space circling around them, like she was sinking into portals.

”Curious how the powers you heroes possess work,” said Cicero. ”Not a single bit of mana do I sense, and yet, it would seem that whatever you are doing is magical in nature.”

”Not everything revolves around magic,” said Meld. ”As you must be much familiar with. The elven defense strategy for this invasion utilizes little of the old magic, no?”

”Correct. Fortified artillery lines and mine fields across the western edges of the Republic should easily scatter any charging mass of demons. Then there are the seventy-five wings holding twenty aircraft each. A rail system with steam-trains equipped with heavy cannons that will help in supplies and bombardment. All of this too equipped with ATD shells and explosives.”

Meld could sense a slight hint of pride when Cicero listed out his country's military capabilities. A little surprising, considering that the elf was one who seemed more in favor of the Republic when the elves were more known for their magic and wisdom. But she knew that national pride could run deep in the veins.

”Quite formidable,” said Meld. She was one of the very few individuals from the south who would have known about anything Cicero said. Isolated as the north was from the south, the average Soleilan knew of elven machinery only in outdated terms such as 'golems' or 'flying vessels'.

It had only been a month since Meld had contacted Cicero, but in that time, she had learned a massive amount about the elves and their military capability. In fact, she had probably learned more than what she had gleaned in her past five years working espionage across the northern border.