Awakening The Only SSS-Rank Class! Now Even Dragons Obey Me Chapter 801: A Continent Against One Man

The continent was cloaked in night, yet sleep eluded everyone. A chilling wind swept across plains, mountains, forests, and consecrated cities—a wind that seemed sentient, sensing the imminent collapse of a thousand-year equilibrium.

In the northern reaches, within an aged tavern near the edge of the frozen lands, the convivial sounds of laughter and music had long since faded. The flickering yellow glow of candles illuminated the rugged visages of adventurers, all fixated on the communication crystal in the hall's center. The crystal displayed a hazy image of desolate ruins beneath a crimson sky.

"They say the entire Sky Knights Guard has been dispatched..." a young man's voice stammered.

"Just to eliminate one individual..."

Silence answered, as uttering such words felt profoundly surreal. The Sky Knights Guard was a mere legend to common folk, a legend whose very existence was often doubted. How long had it been since this elite force was last mobilized? An era, so long that few survivors from that time remained. And now, whispers claimed this legendary Sky Knights Guard was deployed to hunt down a single person!

How could anyone possibly credit such a tale?

In a dim alcove of the tavern, an elder clad in dilapidated armor, his sight lost in one eye, slowly lowered his tankard. Ancient scars marred his face, starkly visible in the wavering candlelight.

"I witnessed the Northern War..." his voice rasped, heavy with the weight of memory.

"I saw the Demon Uprising... I witnessed the collapse of three kingdoms..." he murmured.

He paused, his gaze fixed upon the depicted forest. "But never have I seen dragons, elves, and the Holy Empire unite to vanquish a single entity."

A profound quiet descended upon the tavern, making even breathing feel strained. For every soul present understood that if any being could orchestrate such an impossible coalition, it transcended the designation of a mere monster.

Even when the blighted beasts encroached upon the border kingdoms, and when three great realms succumbed to their corruption at the continent's frontiers, such a unified front had never materialized.

Deep within the western woodlands, where elven metropolises were intricately woven into the colossal branches of ancient trees, the typically tranquil ambiance of nature was shattered. Leaves rustled restlessly, and primordial roots quivered beneath the earth. The sacred trees, silent for millennia, now emanated agitated mana.

Elderly elves gazed heavenward with palpable concern. The trees wept and lamented, a phenomenon utterly unprecedented in their recorded history. It had occurred only twice before, and each instance heralded the fall of a continent and the demise of billions. Now, nature trembled once more.

Was another cataclysm imminent?

"Mother... why are the trees crying?" a young elf maiden softly took her mother's hand. The woman had no reply. She simply clasped her daughter tighter, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon, in the direction of the desolate ruins.

Within the dragon realm, the heavens had darkened beneath the oppressive shadow of hundreds of soaring dragons. The immense mountain caverns stood empty, save for the young drakes—beings not yet permitted to join the fray. Yet, even they were unsettled. Perched on a crag, three juvenile dragons observed ethereal blue flames.

"Perhaps he is truly a harbinger of ruin," one mused quietly.

"Or potentially just a formidable survivor from one of the eradicated continents?" another scoffed, though a note of uncertainty colored his scorn.

Several seconds of silence followed, for even among the proud dragonkin, the name 'Daniel' had ceased to be merely that of an adversary. It had evolved into a dark legend, spreading with alarming rapidity across the continent. Walterk, one of the rare humans held in repute by dragons due to his peerless physical prowess, rivaling even the mightiest among them, was a testament to this growing notoriety.

And from the world's shadowed underbelly, cults began to stir. In the subterranean depths of a forgotten temple, scores of figures in black robes knelt around an uncanny sigil, one resembling the gnarled roots of a colossal tree. Dim candles flickered, casting long shadows, and hushed whispers permeated the chamber.

"He vanquished an Eternal Warrior..."

"He consumed death..."

"He transcends mortal law..."

Some among them harbored fear, while others had embraced fervent belief. For in a world where might dictates validity, an individual capable of defeating an Eternal Warrior was, to some, no longer merely a monster. Instead, they perceived him as a sign of something greater emerging. Daniel was rapidly transforming from a military threat into an abstract concept, and for many, he was becoming an idol, a living saint.

A concept that the continent itself had yet to determine whether to dread or revere. High within the Celestial Palace, far above the clouds, an oppressive silence prevailed. A vast chamber, adorned with pristine white walls and gilded columns, held at its nexus a colossal celestial array, suspended in mid-air.

A multitude of magic circles whirled in the sky, projecting a live feed of the desolate ruins.

Beneath a lone tree, Daniel stood, the golden fruit behind him emitting a quiet, rhythmic pulse.

With each pulse of its light, a sense of unease permeated the hearts of everyone present, even within the sacred confines of the Holy Palace.

The Holy Emperor observed the unfolding scene silently. Beside a table laden with unfurled scrolls stood the Grand Minister.

Arms crossed, the Grand Knight's brow was deeply furrowed in thought.

Serius, meanwhile, watched with a placid expression.

The Grand Minister eventually broke the heavy silence.

"Securing the cooperation of the elves proved a difficult task," he stated, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

"Their leader only consented to dispatching forces upon hearing our offer of not one, but two Life Crystals."

"Those elves constantly posture as being above worldly concerns with their hypocrisy, yet in the end, they're nothing but greedy wretches," the Grand Knight scoffed derisively.

Two Life Crystals represented a significant portion of the imperial treasury, an invaluable treasure they had been compelled to relinquish to the elves.

"And the dragons... they were motivated solely by honor," the Grand Minister acknowledged with a slight nod.

The live feed displayed Varkas, an immense being positioned between the heavens and flames.

"Naturally, certain dragon clans harbor the belief that by slaying that entity, they can usurp his power." While these specific clans were not named, the assembled individuals undoubtedly knew which ones were implied.

These were dragons ostracized even by their own kind, yet they had nonetheless agreed to commit forces to this monumental battle.

Their underlying motivations were apparent to all.

Yet, no one voiced these observations. More reinforcements inevitably translated to a greater probability of success.

A brief hush fell over the room, for the unspoken truth resonated with everyone: not all participants were driven by a desire to safeguard the world.

Some were propelled by apprehension, others by a pursuit of glory, some by an intense loathing for the monstrous entity, and still others by sheer avarice.

"How did your meeting with the Divine Prophet conclude?" Serius inquired, directing his gaze toward the Holy Emperor.

"The Divine Prophet raised no objections," the Holy Emperor responded softly, his voice barely a whisper.

The atmosphere within the chamber grew palpably heavier. Even the Grand Knight shifted his gaze upwards.

The implication of the Emperor's statement was profoundly unsettling, suggesting that the Divine Prophet also perceived the entity as a grave threat.

"She did not issue a direct decree for an assault," the Emperor continued, his eyes remaining fixed on the image.

"Her words were simply: should you fail to halt him now, a later attempt will prove futile."

The hum of the magical arrays in the room intensified. That solitary pronouncement was sufficient cause for the Sky Knights Guard to be mobilized.

However, what persistently occupied the Emperor's thoughts was the Divine Prophet's silence when questioned about the tree. Her complete lack of response was particularly disquieting.

And that silence was far more unnerving than any explicit warning.

"He has not yet initiated an attack," the Grand Minister interjected, noticing the Emperor's preoccupied expression.

Having served the Emperor for an considerable duration, he recognized the signs of his sovereign's inner turmoil.

"It appears that creature is hesitant, haha," the Grand Knight chimed in with a mocking tone.

"I detect no hesitation. He is merely contemplating," Serius countered, adding his own observation.

The Grand Knight suppressed a chuckle, lowering his head in a gesture of mild chagrin.

A being possessing such immense power, yet retaining the capacity for rational thought, analysis, and patience, was undeniably more perilous than any rampaging beast.

They were confronted by a formidable entity who, in addition to his overwhelming power, demonstrated remarkable intelligence.

This realization cast a pall of apprehension over them all. What manner of calamity had befallen their world at this critical juncture?

Their hopes were pinned on the success of the impending assault.

The Holy Emperor's gaze remained fixed upon the fruit, its golden luminescence pulsing like a vital heart within the encroaching darkness.

And for the first time, a flicker of genuine dread manifested in his eyes.

"What if that fruit reaches its full potential?"

No one offered a response.

"With this formidable assembled force... we should not falter," the Grand Knight declared, his voice heavy with conviction.

Yet, even he did not sound entirely assured.

"We contend against an entity who has transcended the very definition of power," the Grand Minister replied softly.

"The very necessity of gathering such an army is testament to our underlying fear," he elaborated in a hushed tone.

No one disputed his words, for the stark reality was undeniable: even before the first blow was struck, apprehension had deeply permeated the heart of the continent.

Abruptly, the projected image wavered. The winds of mana within the ruins surged with increased intensity.

The sky above seemed to fracture.

Then, the four commanders unleashed their mana in unison, momentarily engulfing the entire projection in a blinding white light.

Even within the Holy Palace, the sheer force of that power was palpable. The Holy Emperor silently rose from his throne.

The Grand Minister held his breath. The Grand Knight's hand gripped the edge of the table.

Serius, composed, continued to observe the image of Daniel.

"At last... their confrontation has commenced," he murmured quietly, his eyes narrowed in concentration.

A battle destined to be etched into the annals of history, irrespective of its ultimate outcome.