Chapter 230: Golden Behemoths

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Cassian protested. "A City can’t go on an expedition?"

He knew why Darian had asked. Some attacks struck directly at the Domain and were difficult for troops alone to stop. A Barrier was the surest defense against them—unless he kept the enemy from getting close enough to attack in the first place.

The remaining guests emerged from the transit circle.

Platters of Epic and Legendary food covered the table. Those attending one of Cassian’s gatherings for the first time could hardly take their eyes off them.

With Corin Alder, Lydia Venn, Dain Torren, and Colonel Mercer included, Divine Province’s management group had grown to twenty-one members.

Mercer’s presence mattered especially.

Not long after the Governorship battle, the colonel had declared that all fourteen thousand military Lords in Divine Province would remain under Cassian’s command permanently.

Cassian did not know exactly what the King’s Frontier Legion’s headquarters intended. He could hardly ignore a force that size.

Military Lords rarely had the resources of great-family heirs. Many had entered the Realm with nothing more than a Common Lord’s Heart. Their will to fight, however, far surpassed that of most ordinary civilian Lords.

The decision left Cassian with a suspicion of his own.

"It’s been days since you became a Homeworld Champion," Darian said, enjoying a grain of Moonrice. "Bharan is empty now. Coldridge is almost empty too."

He shared the latest intelligence from House Frost.

"The Black Banner Lords aren’t leaving. They’re planning to finish this before the next stage of the contest opens, regardless of what the rest of the world says. War is unavoidable, and it’s coming soon. Be ready."

Darian took another bite.

"They’re serious this time. At least a thousand veterans, all from Sector 632. That’s a war sector. They’re far stronger than the Lords from 663."

Despite the threat, the others looked eager.

Over the past days, the seven Valcrests and Dain had received Life Essence from Cassian’s accumulated Fountain supply. All eight Warbound Lords had grown much stronger. Seraphine, in particular, was approaching Grade-A Aptitude.

With an Elf Queen among his Heroes, Cassian finally had a plausible explanation for his Life Essence and Life Water.

"If they want war, they’ll have it," Seraphine said confidently. "Last time, their veterans penned us inside our Regions. This time, I’m going to repay them."

Even the usually cautious Elara was full of confidence.

"Since Riftward passed a thousand Fortune, the Dwarven Royal Hall’s recruitment has accelerated enormously. A Hill King every two days. Three Storm Guardians a day."

Dain scratched his head.

"I just came out of the Swordheart instance. The final Boss dropped this."

He set a Hero Sigil before them.

[Epic Hero Sigil — Sword Spirit]

[Use to recruit an Epic Sword Spirit Hero.]

For a moment, everyone stared. Then delight spread around the table.

"The instance changed too! Epic Hero Sigils—and a fixed Hero type!"

"A Sword Spirit Hero commanding Sword Dancers... that will make our Lords much stronger."

The Swordheart instance had been producing Rare Sword Dancer Sigils for a long time. By now, every War Lord in Riftward Marches had at least ten squads of Sword Dancers. A Hero suited to them would be invaluable.

Nessa was not about to be left out.

"The women in my family can reinforce Divine Province whenever you need us."

She turned toward Cassian and noticed his knitted brows. Reaching over, she gently smoothed the furrow with her fingers.

"Don’t worry. We’ll protect you."

Cassian smiled.

"You’ve grown up, Nessa."

Then he shook his head.

"I just don’t want the trouble."

The last war in Riftward Marches had taken more than half a month, even with the Black Banner gathering in groups to be killed. If the enemy Lords refused to leave Divine Province, clearing out more than a dozen Marches one by one might take six months or a year.

He did not have that kind of time to waste.

As for the descending veterans, he was not worried. Defeat was hardly likely. The question was how many of his cards he would have to show.

Nessa’s eyes curved with pleasure at the praise. She straightened proudly.

"Of course I have."

"Hmm?"

Darian suddenly set his Moonrice on the table. His brow furrowed.

"This could be troublesome."

Everyone turned toward him. He looked directly at Cassian.

"New report. Your thirty-floor clear may have provoked them. One of General Hale’s personal guards is among the descending Lords. Hadrian Noll. He has a squad of Extreme troops."

The others were shocked. Cassian looked interested.

This would be his first time facing another Lord who commanded an Extreme troop line.

"What kind?" Elara asked quickly.

"Golden Behemoths. Physical combat specialists." Darian’s expression remained serious. "Sector 632 has had more than thirty years longer to develop than we have. His troops certainly won’t be mere Legendary One-Stars."

He studied Cassian.

"You’ve brought even Nine well beyond Five-Star. I doubt your other Crystal Maidens are all One-Star either."

He shook his head.

"The Mythic Ancient Road in 632 has been acting up constantly, and they’re still willing to send Extreme troops down here. They really do think highly of us."

Cassian did not answer the question about his Maidens. He only smiled.

"Good. We’ll take some pressure off the Crown’s veterans in the war sector."

Seeing his expression, the others felt their confidence return.

After several rounds of drinks, the gathering broke up. As the guests rose to leave, Cassian called out.

"Mara. Stay a moment."

Mara Thorne paused. Then delight appeared on her face. Past experience had taught her what happened when Cassian kept someone behind: an extraordinary benefit was usually waiting.

The others looked envious, but continued toward the Gate.

"I’ve thought it over. You’re the best choice."

Cassian took out the Dragon Tomb Blueprint and handed it to her.

"The military should have a powerful Lord of its own."

Mara began to tremble.

"A Legendary... a Legendary troop Building?"

He nodded.

"Legendary resource sites have started appearing in the Region. Whether you can gather what you need and finish it will depend on your luck."

Mara had worked diligently for him. Her ties to the military had still made him cautious about investing too much in her.

Now that more than ten thousand military Lords answered to him, he needed someone strong to lead them on his behalf.

The Dragon Tomb also held less appeal for him personally. In his view, Nessa and Darian deserved something better.

Mara understood. She made an effort to steady herself.

"Count on me, boss. I’ll lead our people well for you."

Cassian nodded in satisfaction.

She had addressed him as her boss, not by a military rank. Her loyalty in that promise was to Cassian Vale himself.

——

Several more days passed.

Outside Ashvale, a thick golden column formed hundreds of meters above the ground, then slammed down to earth.

A middle-aged Lord in standard Black Banner armor stepped out of the light.

Dorian’s eyes brightened. He went forward to greet him.

"Uncle Hadrian! I’m sorry we’ve put you to the trouble of descending into the newcomer sector."

Hadrian Noll was of average build, with a stern face and an occasional dark glint in his eyes.

"No need to apologize, young master. We all serve the same cause."

Without military orders, he would not have agreed to this descent for a hundred million Aether.

His troops had long since reached Level 200. Suppressed to Level 70, they would need years to recover.

As the two exchanged courtesies, heavy, rhythmic impacts shook the ground.

Everyone looked up.

An enormous figure, dozens of meters tall, was taking shape inside the golden column. Its eyes were blood-red, its body a pale gold. Thick muscles swelled along its arms, which ended in claws several meters long, gleaming coldly in the light.

Among Level-70 Legendary creatures, its size was only somewhat above average.

Yet its savage presence drove everyone a step backward.

Dorian’s eyes shone.

"An Extreme troop. A Golden Behemoth..."

Hadrian smiled proudly, then urged him on.

"The other warriors will be here soon. Please finish the preparations as quickly as possible, young master. Once we’ve killed Cassian, we still have to return to the war sector and report to General Hale."