Awakening The Only SSS-Rank Class! Now Even Dragons Obey Me Chapter 785: Bring More Meals

Serius stood a few meters distant, his gaze fixed upon the spot where Goram’s head had disintegrated mere moments prior.

There was no sound of impact, no surge of mana, not even a flicker of movement from Daniel. Merely... death. It was so swift and absolute that even his analytical mind took several seconds to comprehend it.

"So if his father appears..." Daniel’s quiet voice pierced the silence.

His eyes briefly scanned the fruit on the tree; a tranquil, living light that had noticeably increased in size.

"He might become the tree’s next meal."

His tone lacked any hint of threat or boastfulness, as though he were stating a self-evident fact. It was this very nonchalance that caused Serius’s facial muscles to twitch.

Throughout his life, Serius had encountered numerous arrogant individuals: warriors deluded into believing themselves invincible, madmen intoxicated by their own power. Yet, this man... he belonged to a different category altogether.

This was akin to a being who genuinely believed that nothing in existence posed a threat to him.

From whence did this anomaly originate?

He was certain that this anomaly, whatever its nature, was not native to this continent. It was inconceivable for such an entity to have remained concealed until now, with no mention in any historical record.

He had perused countless volumes detailing the histories of all three continents, and not a single one contained the slightest reference to a human-like anomaly with golden eyes.

Could it be that this anomaly hailed from a realm beyond this world, much like the corrupted beasts?

"And you?" Daniel’s gaze returned to Serius.

A silence, stretching for several seconds, hung between them.

"Are you not going to step forward?"

The atmosphere grew heavy for a moment. Even the wind stilled, as though the forest itself awaited a response.

Serius met Daniel's gaze for a few seconds before, unexpectedly, emitting a short, dry laugh. It was a genuine laugh, yet entirely devoid of mirth.

"Am I foolish?"

His eyes shifted to Goram’s headless form, which was now gradually dissolving into particles of light and blood.

"He served his purpose."

For the first time since their arrival, a spark of interest flickered in Daniel’s eyes.

Serius began to retreat. Not in panic or haste, but with slow, deliberate steps, clearly indicating no intention of engaging in combat.

"For now." He paused briefly, casting a final look at the tree.

"I shall return." With that, he turned and vanished into the forest's shadows.

"Perhaps bring more sustenance next time." Daniel’s gaze remained fixed on the spot for a few moments before he quietly narrowed his eyes.

"He did not engage..." This struck him as peculiar.

Nearly all adversaries he had encountered thus far were either excessively proud or consumed by rage and emotion. Even the preceding five, despite their formidable skills and discipline, had ultimately entered the fray.

However, Serius had engaged his intellect, subsequently choosing self-preservation.

"Prudent individuals... are indeed more troublesome." A subtle smile graced Daniel’s lips.

He held no regard for simpletons who relied on brute strength over intellect. Conversely, he perceived them as posing no significant threat.

Because he was confident that in terms of raw power, no being in this world could rival him. But when it came to acute intelligence and cunning?

Such individuals were invariably a handful. Perhaps it would have been wiser to eliminate that wretch before he departed, yet for the present, he allowed him to leave.

His intuition suggested that the man would soon provide more offerings for the tree.

His attention reverted to the fruit.

It had indeed grown. Its luminescence had deepened, and golden veins now traced patterns across its surface, yet it remained incomplete. A crucial element was still wanting.

Daniel observed it silently for a few moments before murmuring softly:

"This is taking too long."

He had been pleased by the tree’s accelerated growth subsequent to absorbing life force, but this particular process remained sluggish.

In truth, it was far slower than he had anticipated.

If he were to await individuals trickling in from across the continent, the completion of the fruit might extend into years.

His eyelids lowered slightly.

"Is there a method to expedite this?" he pondered inwardly.

At that precise moment, and hundreds of kilometers away, the capital city of the Holy Empire remained abuzz with activity.

The colossal white ramparts of the city gleamed like polished marble beneath the moonlit sky, while the towering spires of the temples cast profound shadows across the deserted thoroughfares.

The Holy Knights maintained their vigil in silent duty, and the empire’s golden banners fluttered gently in the nocturnal breeze.

The inner palace gates swung open for Serius without a single inquiry.

Servants scattered at his approach. Knights lowered their heads. This was not an act of fear, but one of deference.

The lineage of this man’s family was well-regarded across the continent.

A family that had consistently contributed formidable individuals during the corruption wars for generations, each era producing prodigies capable of altering the tide of conflict.

And Serius stood as the current prodigy of that lineage.

Moments later, deep within the hallowed halls of the Holy Palace, a secluded chamber held four individuals seated around an immense table.

A comprehensive map of the entire continent lay unfurled upon its surface. Dozens of crimson markers dotted the expanse, denoting devastated cities, blighted regions, and ever-receding frontiers.

The Holy Emperor occupied the seat of honor, his expression austere and imperious.

To his right sat the Grand Minister, and beside him, the Grand Knight, clad in gleaming silver armor, possessed a presence as imposing as a mountain range.

Upon Serius's arrival, no one addressed him as a subordinate.

It was already understood by all that this young man had accompanied Goram on a quest to vanquish the formidable beast guarding the accursed tree.

At that time, they had even pledged the deployment of hundreds of Holy Knights to aid their endeavor.

However, Goram, in his arrogance, had rebuffed the offer. In his eyes, a true warrior never sought assistance.

He disdained the notion of the world believing his triumph over the monster was merely due to the support of the Holy Knights, an outcome he deemed worse than death.

Perhaps, though, if he were still breathing, his perspective might have shifted.

"The outcome?" the Emperor inquired, cutting directly to the chase.

"Goram is deceased," Serius replied without hesitation.

A profound silence descended upon the chamber. The Emperor's frown deepened noticeably.

"...His father will be beside himself with grief."

The standing of one of the top ten Eternal Warriors was not a matter the Emperor could lightly dismiss, particularly when referencing that particular individual.

A man renowned amongst all Eternal Warriors as exceptionally ferocious, virtually an apex predator forged solely for the pursuit and vanquishing of foes.

"That is not the primary concern," Serius interjected swiftly.

All eyes immediately shifted to him.

"The monster's capabilities are of greater consequence."

The atmosphere in the room grew palpably tense. It was undeniable that they still lacked a complete understanding of the creature's formidable power, its true depths remaining unquantifiable.

From their strategic standpoint, this represented a critical intelligence and planning deficit.

"Do you harbor concerns... that even an Eternal Warrior might prove insufficient against it?" the Grand Minister inquired softly.

For several long seconds, Serius offered no reply, his silence speaking volumes, more potent than any uttered word.

The Grand Knight knitted his brows and forcefully brought his hand down upon the table's surface.

"Impossible," his voice resonated, firm and commanding.

"No entity can possibly contend with an Eternal Warrior."

"Is that not correct?" he then directed his gaze squarely at Serius.

"...I am uncertain." Serius exhaled slowly. For the very first time, even he found himself lacking in certainty.

That particular beast... defied all conventional understanding, a conclusion drawn from every fragment of data and analysis gathered during their brief confrontation.

For the first time, even the Emperor's unwavering gaze became fixed upon Serius.

"However, my intuition suggests it is a possibility."

The chamber lapsed into an expectant hush.

The Grand Knight remained silent, yet the visible tension in his jaw muscles betrayed his disbelief.

Serius's gaze drifted back to the map, focusing on a minute point situated in the heart of the verdant expanse, the epicenter of the unfolding turmoil.

"We remain ignorant of the extent of its power." His finger traced a slow path across the map's surface.

"And that... complicates any form of strategic planning."

"Then what course of action do you recommend?" the Grand Minister inquired, his tone subdued.

A subtle smile graced Serius's lips. It was a smile of cold, sharp calculation.

"Disseminate the news of Goram's demise."

The Grand Knight's brow furrowed in displeasure.

"Such a proclamation will incite more individuals to pursue it." But Serius continued, his voice steady.

He allowed a brief pause to hang in the air.

"And this includes even an Eternal Warrior."

"Your intention is to utilize them as test subjects," the Grand Minister grasped his meaning implicitly.

"Should they prevail, that would be most advantageous," Serius stated, his eyes never leaving the map.

"And should they falter, at the very least, we shall gain a clearer understanding of the true depth of that monster's capabilities."

The Holy Emperor remained silent for a considerable duration, his gaze fixed upon the small marker on the map that represented the forest.

A location that had now transcended its status as a mere blighted region.

It had become the vortex of a tempest, gradually drawing the entirety of the continent into its insatiable embrace.