Strider had come to settle this once and for all.Crystal took a deep breath. "Jerome exceeded my expectations. I can't believe a nineteen-year-old had so much foresight to plan this far ahead. He wanted to gain recognition from Novemtoners through this battle. That is why he faced it alone despite his severe injuries. This battle is a tribute to his master's battle at Azure Creek."I thought Jerome’s fall would mean the end of all our lives. I wasn't expecting him to arrange for Strider to be his backup plan."It was hard to imagine that such a masterful plan had come from a nineteen-year-old.An elder said, "War Legate Dominus displayed courage in this battle that not even War Legate Draco possessed back in the day. War Legate Dominus has earned his right to be known as a legend."He killed six of the seven immortals he faced, and a single immortal is worth a hundred thousand men. War Legate Dominus has effectively single-handedly annihilated six hundred thousand men. Such a fea
“Ooooohhhhh!!!" As the news anchor excitedly reported this latest information, screams of joy erupted from every city and corner of Novemton. The people went wild with excitement. No one had expected Remy to take control of Dragon Peak's stronghold at such a crucial moment.The news anchor continued, "After the Eight Hollows departed from their headquarters, War Legate Dominus ordered Battle Warrior Remy to sneak into Dragon Peak's vicinity with five hundred men. And while War Legate Dominus was battling the Eight Hollows, Battle Warrior Remy conquered Dragon Peak with his men, a stronghold that was defended by thousands of men!"The people were ecstatic."Well done, Battle Warrior Remy!""Well done!""Three cheers for Battle Warrior Remy!”"Hip, hip, hooray!"Cheers swept through the cities.A few children were sitting on a bench on a city street, watching the live broadcast of the battle through the large screen on the city’s central building."Debra, are they talking abou
Strider nodded resolutely. "You've done your part. It's time for me to do mine." At this moment, several men from Wyvern Peak rushed up the mountain. Strider went up to them."Retreat immediately and get the legate to the hospital. Nobody is allowed near Ganon Mountain unless I say so.""Yes, sir!"As Strider handed Jerome over, Javi suddenly yelled in anger, "None of you are going anywhere!"Javi charged at Strider and Jerome. In return, Strider simply shrugged his shoulders and shot out a beam of green light that smashed into Javi."Argh!"Javi screamed in agony as he was sent flying and crashed heavily into the ground. After the men took Jerome away, Strider turned to look at Javi and slowly walked toward the man."The Eight Hollows are supposed to be Wyvern Peak's reserve forces. Novemtoners are your ancestors, yet you refuse to work for Novemton. To make matters worse, you tried to invade Novemton. Thus, on my name as Strider Hicks, I will stop your traitorous act for the
Javi was dead. The man who was promoted to the head of the Eight Hollow thanks to Wyvern Peak, who later on went to plunder Dragon Peak, died outside the gates of his homeland.Javi was a Novemtoner through and through, and his family originated from Locksmourne. Twenty years ago, he was chosen to join the Eight Hollows and became one of the strongest men alive. Yet, he refused to live out the rest of his life under Wyvern Peak's rule and started a coup.Dragon Peak, a place founded by Achelous, brought Javi tremendous strength. He then allied himself with other outland organizations in an attempt to rebel. But after conspiring for decades, Javi, much to his surprise, died at the hands of a young man.More importantly, he died kneeling before the gates of his homeland.And thus ended the Eight Hollows' existence. Novemtoners celebrated throughout the streets. They shouted out of the thrill of their victory.Strider stood with his back to Novemton's gates, gazing toward a distant d
"Any news on War Legate Draco?" Jerome asked when Lewis entered the room.Lewis shook his head. "The rain in the Uduma Desert hasn't stopped. Nearly the entire desert is flooded, but we still have yet to hear from War Legate Draco. We can’t send our men to Enigma City since there's just too much about the place we don't know. Right now, our only option is to leave his fate to the gods."Jerome took a deep breath. Although he was concerned about Adrian, life had to go on. He instructed, "Help me write a letter to Novemton headquarters. I want to inform Monarch Crystal about my intentions to build a railway connecting Wyvern Peak and Dragon Peak. To do so, we have to tunnel through mountains and lay down the necessary tracks.""But sir, this will be a tremendous project. We don't know how long it'll take to complete. I'm worried it might cause a significant impact on Novemton's finances." "We can save costs wherever necessary, but the railway must be done as soon as possible. The ea
Crystal looked at Oliver in amusement. "I get the feeling that you were already expecting War Legate Dominus to build a railway through Mount Gremont."Oliver took a deep breath. "Mount Gremont is situated north of Wyvern Peak. It's a strategically advantageous position that's easy to defend and hard to attack. Beyond the snowy mountains lies War Legate Achelous' Dragon Peak."In the past, War Legate Achelous chose that place as Dragon Peak’s base as he wanted to form a stronghold with both peaks and Novemton through an alliance. It would’ve been an indomitable force against the outlanders. However, War Legate Achelous never anticipated that the Eight Hollows would rebel against him for control over Dragon Peak."Crystal thought it was rather laughable how War Legate Achelous' good intentions ended up becoming a smudge in his honor and dignity. "Go on," she prompted."After the Battle at Azure Creek, War Legate Draco stood on the rooftop of Wyvern Peak and looked out toward Mount
"It was with my mentor whom War Legate Draco inquired about the railway years ago, about whether it was a possible task at the time. After that, my master left Wyvern Peak and returned to the campus to refine his skills. After four years of hard work, he completed this blueprint.“Before he passed on, he gave this to me and told me to complete it for him because it was only a matter of time before Novemton needed it. And I believe that time has come," Oliver said.He suddenly got on one knee and said, "Your Majesty, as the genius of the engineering institute, I request that you allow me to be the chief designer and engineer for this project. I will lead the workers and complete the railway through Mount Gremont. I shall offer up my life should I fail.”Complicated feelings arose in Crystal when she saw Oliver kneeling before her."Oliver, the construction of this railway may exhaust all of our finances, so it has to be completed. Otherwise, we'd be irreversibly ruined.""I underst
Novemton looked tranquil and charming under the night sky, and sparkling lights illuminated the city. Crystal sat on the rooftop and slowly drifted off to sleep. She had a dream…She dreamt of Adrian falling deep into the darkness of Enigma City, surrounded by an endless horde of zombies. Despite how exhausted he was, he fought on.Crystal then saw him looking at her, saying, "The future is now yours to build now. Push forward."Push forward…"Forward…"Adrian’s voice echoed in Crystal's ears, and she jolted awake. The figures of Jerome, Remy, Sylvia, Sage, Zack, Polaris, and Strider flickered through her mind. Oliver's promise to complete the railway echoed in her mind as well.She took a deep breath and decided the railway had to be built. "I want everyone to gather at headquarters right now," she ordered.***That day, Novemton convened a general assembly to discuss the construction of the Mount Gremont Railway. During the discussion, there were those who were for the idea