10 Intermission 1 - Part 1 (1/2)
”Huuuh.”
Hard breathing sounds accompanied by cold breath coming out from a man's mouth.
As he gazes at the majestic sight of the mighty mountain ranges illuminated by intense sunlight spreading hundreds of miles around his surroundings.
The man is standing on top of the peak with straight posture and both hands on his back.
He's wearing silverish white grand armor adorned with black cloak waving around because of the wind. while there is a fabulous sword hanging on his waist.
And a powerful aura radiating from his tall and incomparable body.
This man is a middle age human, with short gray hair and brown colored eyes, his face is full of wrinkles and small scars that showed his advanced age, although one can see this middle age man is definitely a handsome man during his youth as he aged well.
The man closes his eyes gently, ”Hahh.” before he takes another deep breath.
”The air is really fresh here...” the man murmured in a low voice.
Opening his eyes again ”..Saint Dragon Mountains.” As he spoke, the name of the huge mountains ranges on the horizon.
The mountain ranges in front of the man right now are exactly the famous Saint Dragons Mountains.
A mythical and legendary land, which is always mentioned in fantasy tales and stories across the realm.
It is also the domain of the mightiest races in all of Greysia, the Saint Dragons.
The Saint Dragons are an ancient non-humanoid bipedal sentient race that belongs to the Dragons Species, their strong body averages size is almost 25 meters with a large wing spanning 20 meters, they were born with the strength equivalent of Level 1 Super Warriors.
Also, they were blessed with ultimate strength and longevity, not only that, they were able to slowly accumulate power inside their bodies as they grow and aged naturally, that's why, the longer they live, the stronger they become.
In fact, all types of Dragons are able to do that too.
Every creature that belongs to the Dragon Species can change into a humanoid form identical to human, just like the Demon Beast. But the Dragon races can change form immediately after being born, unlike most Demon Beasts who need to reach certain ranks first before they are able to change shape.
Since ancient times the Saint Dragons acted as the protector and guardian of the realm, many tales, stories, and songs always illustrating them as the forces of good, who guides the hero and fights against evil in chaotic times.
The truth is not as far from the fantasy as the Saint Dragons always showing up during times of trouble in the past thousands of years. The last time they revealed themselves to the world was during the Devil Invasion, as hundreds of Saint Dragons marched to defend the realm from the Devil clutches and successfully banishing them back to the Underworld.
This is why the Saint Dragons have a massive reputation as the peoples of Greysia look up to them with admiration and respect, some even worship them as deities.
But in recent years they have kept hiding from the rest of the world, while still maintaining low-profile activities and minimal contact to the outside.
”Sigh...”
”It's really is a magnificent sight...” the man is sighing as he is amazed at the view.
'This is the first time for me being here... it's exactly like in the stories..unbelievable.' he was praising what he witnessed on the horizon in his mind.
The Saint Dragon Mountains itself is a large mountain range located near the southern coast of the Dawn Continent, which ranges sprawling almost several hundred miles of radius. Many of its peaks stood high into the skies.
Overall, it really fits the land where Dragons reside.
Roarrrrr.
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
Suddenly, a huge beastly roar was booming in the skies, along with heavy winds scattered everywhere in the air.
And a massive silhouette can be seen on the ground.
The man is still calm and seems unaffected by the sudden event as he gazes at someone who's causing the disturbance.
What the man saw was a large 30-meter dragon with shiny yellow colored scales and 2 sharp horns facing the back in its head, the dragon flapping its wings up and down several meters from the ground trying to land.
Durrrr.
The ground shakes because the dragon finally lands on the ground with its powerful legs.
Then the dragon and the man is facing each other before the dragon finally spoke.
”It has been years since the last time we saw each other, isn't it ?, Lord Visser.” the dragon speaks flawlessly with its strong and fearsome jaws.
From its deep and slightly growl voice, one can judge this dragon is, in fact, a male.
”Indeed Alderion...haha i was really startled back then when you suddenly came and congratulate me..haha.” the man laughed heartily.
The man who's talking with the dragon is actually the current Astoria Empire Heavenly Protector, Visser Gallard.
The only Saint Rank expert belongs to Astoria and Geralt Redia teachers.
The reason he's coming here is to answer urgent summoning from the Saint Dragons Mountains.
”Hahaha..., it can't be help my lord, as i have to welcome you as the Saint Dragons representative after you break through to the Saint rank, per tradition.” the dragon named Alderion replies joyfully.
In the past, Visser was visited by Alderion who is acting as The Saint Dragon Mountains envoy to congratulate him for breaking through to Saint Rank, but it was not the only reason why Alderion came visiting.
Another reason is to offer Visser in signing the Covenant Treaty.
The Covenant Treaty is a non-commitment defensive agreement created by the Saint Dragon Mountains during the aftermath of the Devil Invasion, the Treaty main agreements are to gather signatories to defend the Greysia Realm from any catastrophic event.
But only a Saint Ranked individual or above was invited to sign the Treaty, as another Treaty agreement is to limit a Saint or Arch Mages Ranked individual causing havoc and unnecessary meddling in the realm.
That's why the Saint Dragon Mountains will be sending an envoy to visit newly Saint Ranked experts from any race, in order to congratulate them and inviting them to sign the Treaty.
But currently, this tradition is somewhat already transformed into an event that was greatly anticipated by many experts around the realm, because becoming a Saint Ranked is something they've always greatly desired, they've dreamed about the moment they succeeded breaking through to the Saint Rank and finally visited by the envoy.
For these experts, the envoy's arrival signifies that the Saint Dragons Mountains are recognizing their achievement and also welcoming them to the peak status which only a few people in the entire realm can achieve.
”Haha i know,...but i see you're already a Saint Rank too huh.” Visser saw Alderion strength was at Level 1 Saint Rank.
Alderion smile ”yes Lord, i finally able to break through almost 8 years ago, now i'm no longer just a trivial envoy but I've already become the 13th and newest Prefect haha.” and he proudly replies.
Visser was dumbfounded after he heard that, because, although the Saint Dragons Mountains internal structure is almost completely hidden from outsiders, he still knew a little bit about it.
From his knowledge, Prefect is an upper echelon position that only a Saint Ranked dragon can attain, but what makes Visser shocked is, Alderion said he's the 13th and the newest Prefect to be promoted, which means the Saint Dragons Mountains have at least 13 Saint Ranked dragons in their ranks.
This is truly huge and unbelievable news, because Astoria itself is one of the most powerful nations in the realm but they only possess 1 Saint Rank expert, while some other important countries didn't even have a single Saint expert.
'As expected, the strongest entities in the world...' Visser thought it is useless comparing other countries to the Saint Dragons Mountains.
'This damn bloke why would he blurted it out..sigh...' he sighed while also thought Alderion is really careless by speaking that sensitive information.
Seeing Visser sighing, Alderion was confused and tilted his head.
”What's wrong Lord Visser? Why did you sighing ?.”
Visser looking at Alderion helplessly and letting out another sigh.
”Nevermind its nothing..., anyway, why are you here ?.”
”Oh..., i'm volunteering myself to be your guide after i've heard you arrived, that's why i'm here,” Alderion replies while grinning.
”Heh having someone at your position guiding me, thank you then.”
”no problem my lord, we're an old acquaintance after all.”
”alright..then what are we waiting for, let's go.”
”Then just hop on my back lord, i will take you to Saint Peak's where everyone is gathered immediately.” Alderion beckoning Visser to climb to his huge back.
”huh?? is it fine if i ride on your back ??.” Visser is flabbergasted as he knew the dragon would not allow anyone who wasn't close to them riding in their back.
”hehehe,...it's fine, just climb already.”
After thinking that the dragon himself didn't mind, Visser then sits in Alderion neck, as Alderion is preparing to fly.
Whoosh
Whoosh
Flappings sound can be heard as Alderion flies to the sky with Visser on his back.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alderion is flying at low altitude through the mountains gap, while Visser sitting calmly on his back.
But their view distance is severely decreased as they moving inside the mist that blanket the ranges.
They already fly for a few minutes.
”So the gathering is at Saint Peak's correct ?.” Visser asking with a serious face.
”Yes, it will be hosted inside the Unity Hall,..Almost every important guest has arrived there too.”
”Hmmm, i see...” Visser only replies shortly.
Not long, he decided to ask Alderion again.
”..did His Majesty Avarion will be attending too ?.” but this time, Visser's tone is rather cautious.