Chapter 7: Dragons and Heroes
At the highest point of the Mornhart Kingdom, the Scarod Peak.
The golden dragon flaps its wings, gently descending from the sky.
Suddenly, a brilliant light flashes from the dragon, and its massive form, resembling a mountain, visibly shrinks, soon transforming into a humanoid figure.
Before them stood a breathtaking woman, with long golden hair like the sun. Her purple slit pupils brimmed with endless majesty, and her stunning face combined with an impressive figure could drive most males in the world into madness.
Only the pair of fierce dragon horns atop her head and her long tail covered in sharp golden scales hinted at her noble identity as a dragonkin, evoking fear in those who gazed upon her.
Divine Dragon, Calandia.
As the most noble race in this world, the Golden Dragonkin, Calandia actually did not prefer to take on a human form. Humans were, after all, a weak race; transforming into a human was no different than turning a human into an ant.
Except for that one person.
If it were that person, not only would she be willing to transform into a human form, she would gladly become a little kitten or a puppy.
Calandia adjusted her attire slightly, calming her excited heart, and slowly approached someone, kneeling before them on one knee.
“My Lord Hero, it’s been a long time.”
The person clad in golden armor turned slowly, looking at Calandia with a gentle voice: “Indeed, it has been quite some time, Tia. I apologize for suddenly waking you from your long slumber, but the situation this time is quite urgent.”
“No, no, no, My Lord Hero, you jest,” Calandia replied respectfully, placing one hand over her chest. “You are my master; whenever you need help, I will be there.”
“Then, is the target this one?” Calandia slightly lifted her head, gazing at the enormous silver meteor in the sky.
“Yes, that’s it.” The Hero nodded. “That meteor is called the Star of Ruin.”
“The Star of Ruin…” Upon hearing the name, Calandia swallowed nervously and hesitantly asked, “Did you see this name with the Eye of Truth?”
“Yes.” The Hero nodded and then handed a piece of paper to Calandia. “This is specific data on that meteor I obtained with the Eye of Truth, take a look.”
Calandia slowly stood, took the paper, glanced at it, and instantly was drenched in cold sweat.
“Four thousand meters in diameter, ten billion tons in weight.” Calandia trembled, saying, “If it impacts the ground, its force will likely exceed that of a fifteenth-tier super-tier magic.”
“That’s correct.” The Hero affirmed. “If it falls to the ground, the Mornhart Kingdom and its five million citizens will instantly be turned to dust. Moreover, massive dust will enter the sky, blocking out the sun for the next two years, leading to darkness, withering life, and triggering a series of severe secondary disasters that could set human civilization back by two hundred years.”
“This…” Calandia said. “Then do you have any good strategies, My Lord Hero?”
“Unfortunately, no.” The Hero shook his head helplessly. “I thought of several methods before, but all were unfeasible.”
“What?” Calandia said incredulously. “Surely you jest, My Lord Hero.”
“I’m serious.” The Hero sighed in resignation. “I considered three methods: the first, use a Teleportation Gate to send it elsewhere, but its diameter extends to thousands of meters. It’s impossible for me alone; even if we gathered all space mages from the human realm, we couldn’t create such a large gate.”
“The second idea I had was to create a Solid Defensive Barrier to intercept it in mid-air, but that thought was quickly dismissed. The momentum of the meteor exceeds the limits of all known defensive magics available today. Even the twelfth-tier Absolute Defensive Barrier protecting the Sacred Domain wouldn’t last a second against the Star of Ruin.”
“The third thought was to fly to the meteor, make a large hole in it, and drop a World-Ender Bomb developed by the Sacred Domain inside to destroy it. But in reality, the surface temperature of that meteor has surpassed five million degrees; that temperature is equivalent to the Flame Demon King’s strongest attack. Not to mention flying up, even getting close, my Holy Armor is almost melting.”
“This…” Calandia’s heart sank to the bottom. “What should we do then?”
The Hero clenched his fists, resolutely stating: “After much thought, the only way to stop the Star of Ruin is to use the most powerful force to shatter it head-on!”
“Shatter the meteor.” Calandia’s mouth slightly curled up, gradually revealing a wild smile. “Truly worthy of you, My Lord Hero; only you could dare to say such domineering words.”
“Please, don’t mock me.” The Hero replied. “Time is tight; it’s the only idea I could come up with.”
“Got it, got it.” Calandia nodded with a smile. “So, what do you need me to do for you, My Lord Hero?”
“I need you to take me as close as possible to the Star of Ruin.” The Hero said. “You know, when I unleash the powers of the Holy Sword and release my ultimate move, all my other abilities will automatically be locked, and that includes flying skills.”
“But to maximize my output, I need to get as close as possible to the Star of Ruin, which is why I need your help.” The Hero stated slowly.
“I understand.” Calandia smiled slightly. “In other words, you just need a flying platform.”
“Uh… it’s not exactly that.” The Hero replied.
“Hehe, I’m just joking.” Calandia laughed brightly. “So when do we set off, My Lord Hero?”
“Now.” The Hero said, his gaze determined.
“Your command is my wish.” Calandia responded brightly, stepping back two paces, and with a glow of golden light, transformed back into her dragon form.
The Hero wasted no time, leaping onto Calandia’s head.
Calandia proudly raised her dragon head and said excitedly, “Let’s go, My Lord Hero! The adventure is about to begin!”
The Hero smiled knowingly and said, “So, Tia really enjoys adventures, huh?”
“No, I just like going on adventures with you, My Lord Hero.”
As she said this, Calandia spread her golden wings, her massive membranes beating against the air, instantly carrying the Hero soaring into the sky.
At that moment, a cold voice suddenly echoed in the Hero’s mind.
Strongly advise against execution; the host should not linger and should immediately leave Mornhart to seek shelter in a safe zone.
“Shut up, system.” The Hero growled in his mind. “I am the Hero, the protector of all living beings. If I escape, then who will save the five million citizens of Mornhart?”
Those five million people are destined to perish; this is the arrangement of the gods and is unchangeable.
“To hell with the gods.” The Hero retorted. “I say again, I will be the Hero for the sake of justice in my heart, not due to some nonsense decree from the gods.”
“And you are merely a tool to assist my growth; do not attempt to distort my will.”
