Chapter 460 Military Formation Magic, Oath of Commanding All Armies
High Mountain Dragon Court, Royal Palace.
The Red Iron Dragon Emperor sat atop the central high platform, his majestic and imposing body resembling a mountain range built of iron rocks, each scale gleaming with a dark red light.
His breathing was long and heavy, like bellows in a furnace, stirring up gusts of warm, pungent wind in the spacious hall.
He slightly raised his head and gazed ahead.
A continuous, low magical hum filled the air, and countless points of light converged and trembled in the air above the throne room, weaving together into a clear and enormous curtain of light and shadow.
The scene of the distant royal palace gradually emerged from the curtain, and was also reflected in the deep eyes of the Red Iron Dragon Emperor.
Opposite the image is a wide, tall window inlaid with star and moon patterns, through which the cool sunlight shines in.
King O'Brien of Lorthorn sat upon a simple silver throne, an exquisite silver crown binding his long, pale golden hair. His eyes were serene, like the tranquil surface of a lake covered with the first snow.
O'Brien carefully examined the majestic beast in the projection.
His gaze lingered for a moment on the armor-like scales and powerful limbs, but his eyes remained unmoved.
After a few seconds of silence, O'Brien withdrew his hands from the armrests, gently interlaced his fingers in front of him, and then nodded slightly.
"Greetings to you, Emperor Ignas, may your wings forever bask in the sun, and your wisdom be as enduring as the ancient mountains."
He began with polite compliments, then went straight to the point and asked, "What is the purpose of sending a message over such a long distance?"
With the establishment of close diplomatic relations between the two countries, exchanges are naturally not limited to Elena.
The two kings of different races already had ways to communicate with each other.
Red Iron Dragon nodded slowly.
"Greetings to you, King of Lorthorn, may your crown be secure and your kingdom long-lasting."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he cut straight to the point without beating around the bush: "I can smell the gunpowder."
"The flames of war have been ignited on the plains of Romania. Following Ryan and Sac, I am determined to wage war against the Kingdom of Theo and make the war burn even brighter and more fiercely."
Galos had no habit of concealing his intentions and stated this momentous decision directly.
However, his voice was calm and his pace was steady, as if he were simply stating a trivial matter.
A slight, approving smile appeared on O'Brien's lips.
Having spent many years in the military in his youth, he was tired of the roundabout rhetoric among the nobility and instead appreciated this straightforward style, preferring efficient dialogue that got straight to the point.
Moreover, Galos's attitude is exactly what Lorthorn needs.
Over the years, Lorthern has provided the Kingdom of Aura with a great deal of resources and technical support. One of his purposes is to plant a powerful piece on the chessboard of the Romanian plains to counterbalance the Kingdom of Theo, thereby severing an important arm of the Kingdom of Rebos that extends into the region.
The fact that the Kingdom of Aura was willing to initiate a war was something Lorthen was more than happy to see.
At the same time, in the projection, the Red Iron Dragon Emperor's massive body leaned forward slightly, his jet-black vertical pupils seemingly piercing through the magic curtain, locking directly onto the human monarch opposite him.
“Aura’s legion needs a more efficient way to condense power, a means to turn scattered power into a solid block at critical moments. I have heard that Lorthern is an expert in military formation magic, and his skills are unparalleled. He can connect the will and power of the entire legion, enhance his own legends, and even fight against legends on his own.”
He paused, then continued, "I hope to pay a suitable price to obtain this military formation magic from Lorthorn."
This requirement is clear and crucial.
Once they acquire military formation magic, Aura's well-trained legions will be able to influence or even intervene in legendary-level battles on the battlefield, which is undoubtedly a qualitative leap.
O'Brien leaned back slightly against the back of the throne, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
"It is the duty of allies to combat common troubles and maintain regional balance."
Without wasting any words, he readily agreed, "The knowledge and construction methods related to the [Oath of All Armies] will be shared with the Kingdom of Aura free of charge. Lorthen's spell advisor will bring the necessary spell scrolls and demonstration crystals and arrive in the wilderness at a time you deem appropriate."
Then, he subtly changed the subject and put forward the preconditions.
To obtain the "Oath of Command over All Armies," Garros will need to sign a powerful magical agreement drafted by the Archmages of Lorthen.
The core terms of the agreement are very simple.
Without the explicit consent of the Kingdom of Lorthen, the Kingdom of Aura shall not disseminate the "Oath of Commanding All Armies" in any form, nor shall it use the magic of this military formation against the Kingdom of Lorthen or its allies.
A mature and powerful military formation magic, its strategic value even surpasses that of many legendary equipment, making it a true treasure of the kingdom.
If it weren't for the turbulent times and the fact that Lorthern truly needed Aura as an ally, Lorthern would have preferred Aura's direct conflict with its neighbor, and he would never have so easily imparted this knowledge to them.
Therefore, Lortherne's request was reasonable, and even generous.
Apart from the two restrictions mentioned above, no additional costs such as gold coins, resources, or political commitments were demanded.
A glimmer of satisfaction flashed in Galos's pupils.
"Aura will remember your generosity."
He responded in a deep voice.
O'Brien waved his hand gently: "This is something that Lortherne should do based on long-term considerations."
Red Iron Dragon nodded slowly: "Then let our cooperation be as close and intense as that of a dragon and fire."
"I look forward to your victory." O'Brien nodded slightly again. "May this cooperation bring lasting stability and prosperity to both countries."
A brief silence flowed amidst the magical hum.
Garros pondered for a moment, tilting his massive head slightly, and then said thoughtfully, "Furthermore, I have heard that Lorthorn's 'Eyes of the Stars'—those magical satellites—are technologically advanced and highly effective."
Upon hearing this, O'Brien was taken aback at first, then shook his head helplessly.
He gained a new understanding of the pragmatism of this Red Iron Dragon Emperor, or rather, the thickness of the scales on the dragon's face.
“We cannot give away the magic satellite.” His tone was gentle, but his attitude was clear. “It is Lortheron’s core strategic asset, involving many secrets. However,” he changed the subject and offered an alternative, “if Aura can obtain a complete, or even damaged, enemy magic satellite on the battlefield, Lortheron can send experts to help repair and adjust it so that it can eventually be used by you.”
Galos did not insist and accepted the offer.
He hadn't held out much hope; it was just a casual remark. Getting subsequent technical support was already a pleasant surprise.
After a few more minutes of discussion about the details of the transmission, the signing time of the agreement, and other specific matters, the projected light began to sway and dim slightly, with ripples appearing at the edges.
Just before the interrogation was about to end, Galos added, "There's no time to lose."
"Time is of the essence, and Theo's side will not sit idly by. Send your magic advisors as soon as possible."
He intends to strike first.
The Kingdom of Theo must also be making preparations in full swing. The horns of war could sound suddenly at any time, and the setup, training, and familiarization with military formation magic will take time, so the sooner it starts, the better.
"The spell advisor will arrive outside Crimson Flame Royal City within an hour."
O'Brien gave a definite promise.
As soon as those words were spoken, the projection flickered violently a few times before disappearing completely. The magical hum that echoed in the throne room gradually subsided, leaving only the long, drawn-out breathing of the red iron dragon.
Garros did not linger in the throne room and returned to the training grounds located in the Dragonspine Mountains.
He continued to train, his massive body performing powerful movements under the sunlight, producing a deep, resonant sound. However, not long after, he suddenly stopped and looked up at the sky.
It was daytime, and the sun above the Serbian wilderness was scorching and dazzling, radiating relentless light and heat.
But in that azure sky, besides the sun, another point of light appeared without warning.
It was faint at first, but in an instant it became clear and stable, like a star that dared to shine in the daytime.
Under Galos's unwavering, solemn gaze, the star grew brighter and brighter, its light coalescing.
Whoosh!
A pure, solid beam of light, like a silver thread falling from the sky, descended straight down from the point of light and landed on a designated open space several miles outside the walls of the Crimson Flame Royal City.
The beam of light flashed and disappeared in an instant.
A figure draped in a dark blue robe with star patterns had appeared in the spot, along with several sealed boxes and cabinets floating in mid-air.
Lorthene's spell advisor arrived via a long-distance teleportation made through the Eye of the Stars.
For such top-tier magical technology, traversing thousands of miles is but a fleeting moment.
The hour O'Brien mentioned was mostly spent on the consultants' preparations, checking supplies, and activating the Eye of the Stars process.
"Eye of the Stars, Magic Satellite..."
Galos narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself.
The Kingdom of Theo possesses an Eye of the Stars.
Once war breaks out, this eye hanging high in the sky will become a major problem. It will be difficult for the Aura army to completely avoid its surveillance when it moves and deploys its troops. Moreover, surveillance is only its most insignificant function.
We must find a way to deal with it.
When will I be able to possess my own 'Eye of the Stars'?
Red Iron Dragon gazed at the sky where the pillar of light had disappeared, "Perhaps... it will happen after this war."
We had no guns, no cannons; the enemy made them for us.
Theo's magical satellite might very well become Aura's in the future.
He looked away.
Shortly thereafter, Garros formally summoned Lorthorn's magical advisor.
The advisor is a legendary spellcaster specializing in fortification and large-scale military magic, and holds a high position in Lorthene.
The meeting was very brief.
Garros reviewed the scroll of the agreement, which emanated powerful magical energy, and after confirming that the terms were correct, he left his mark on it.
After the signing was completed, Garros summoned the Iron Dragon Sorog and put him in charge of liaising with the array advisors and coordinating the specific implementation of the military array magic.
He then returned to the back mountain and refocused his energy on his own training and thinking about the overall situation of the war.
In the days that followed, the alchemy industry of the Kingdom of Aura was fully operational.
They work day and night, the roar of the furnaces never ceasing.
On the assembly line, badges about the size of a palm, made of refined magical metal and etched with dense magical runes, were quickly produced. After final calibration by enchanters, they were packed into boxes and urgently delivered to garrisons in various locations by flying units or alchemical vehicles.
This is the core medium for activating the Oath of Commanding All Armies.
—The emblem of rule.
Soldiers are required to carry it with them at all times and establish an initial connection with it through a specific ceremony during training.
However, the distribution of the command insignia was only the first step in building the military formation.
The true core of a military formation lies in uniting the will, fighting spirit, and trust of thousands of soldiers into an invisible yet unified torrent of power.
This requires a long period of adjustment, training, and refinement. It requires soldiers to truly understand why they are fighting and to be willing to integrate themselves into the group for the same goal.
Thanks to the loyalty education that the Kingdom of Aura has long promoted, the basic foundation of collective will required for the formation of the army has been met.
The next challenge lies in familiarizing officers and non-commissioned officers at all levels—key nodes in the military formation—with the steps of formation changes, energy guidance, and resonance, so as to ensure they are not at a loss in actual combat.
Time slipped away quietly amidst the intensive preparations.
A sense of impending doom permeated the entire Aura army. Daily training intensity increased sharply, patrol frequency rose, and reconnaissance activities in the border areas became more frequent.
About half a month later, the initial formation of the military units had begun to take shape.
The atmosphere of war was so intense that it was almost suffocating.
On this day, three majestic dragon shadows emerged from the clouds in the south and slowly descended onto the platform behind the royal court.
The visitors were Deborah, along with her parents, the silver dragon Adrian and the bronze dragon Serena.
Previously, after experiencing the upheavals in the Raging Dragon Domain, Adrian and his wife migrated to the more peaceful Fubo Dragon Domain.
Golden Dragon Orvis personally received them and expressed his welcome. Under the guidance of the old Golden Dragon, they quickly chose a cliff overlooking the sea on the main island of Fubo Dragon Domain and temporarily set up their nest there.
Meanwhile, as a legendary silver dragon, Adrian also plans to apply to the management of the Fubo Dragon Domain to build his own permanent island on the outskirts of the Dragon Domain.
But just before the application process began, he received an invitation from Galos.
So the couple put aside their affairs in the Fubo Dragon Domain and set off for the Sel Wilderness, both to visit their daughter and to see for themselves the legendary Red Iron Dragon Emperor who had built a magnificent kingdom.
They had arrived in the Kingdom of Aura several days ago.
When Adrian and Serena first learned from Deborah that she was pregnant, they were overjoyed, and the gloom that had been hanging over them for so long because of the Raging Dragon Realm incident was temporarily lifted.
Accompanied by Deborah, they toured the Crimson Flame Kingdom, visited some of the workshops and training grounds open to allies, and witnessed the various sights of this dragon kingdom, so different from traditional kingdoms, filling them with curiosity and amazement.
However, as their stay lengthened, the two experienced dragons also keenly sensed the increasingly strong pre-war atmosphere in the air.
The coldness of metal, the restlessness of magical energy, the clamor of frequent personnel transfers
They were deeply troubled by this, especially after discovering that Deborah was pregnant.
Red Iron Dragon noticed their arrival.
He gestured for Ciel, who had been assisting him in combat training, to return to Valhalla to rest. He himself stopped swinging his claws, slowly straightened up, and faced the visitor.
(End of this chapter)
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