Lauerveck, the Dark Dragon

Roaaaaaaaaaar!!! Rumble!

As Lauerveck's body pass through the forest, the landscape also gets terraformed.

Spitting dark energy everywhere, seemingly turning this certain forest as his territory.

Dragons are very territorial by nature; however, the party on the receiving end of its behavior will surely suffer destruction.

In this case, the forest and its inhabitants are helplessly running for their lives, animals migrate, tribal people have no choice but to abandon their land, even Elven families who live in magic-fortified treetops are not spared.

These victims do not even have the slightest bit of ideas for retaliation.

Just seeing the massive body of the Dark Dragon of over a hundred meters tall with its wings spanning over 400 meters is enough to send your hopes down to oblivion.

[...]

Meanwhile, the nearest city to this forest known as the new territory of Lauerveck is the water city of Marlov.

The adventure association is restlessly sending emergency signals to neighboring cities and also asking for subjugation assistance.

However, every neighboring city has no choice but to keep its own forces and fortify their own defenses.

They would not risk their Adventurers against a Dragon.

Not just the continent of Arnelia is in panic, even the neighboring countries are preparing for this newly awakened Dragon.

Arnelia is the home continent of Veil, the first to suffer from the invasions of the Middle Realm.

And now, not only do the citizens of Arnelia have to resist the Otherworld enemies, but now they have to face the wrath of the Dragon who has awoken after its centuries of slumber.

While all of this is occurring, the great elder of the Elves residing in the forest notifies his people that he will converse with the Dragon in hopes of getting information regarding its wrath.

"But great elder Doryarus, conversing with a Dragon is akin to throwing away your life! You shall not do this!" An Elf warns their elder.

"Even so, we cannot stand away and nothing!" Doryarus explained, he added, "I am not simply throwing my life away; I am just going to ask a few questions…"

The great elder then proceeded to cast a flying magic towards the center of the forest, where the Dragon is resting.

Skill: Elven Flight!

Wuooooom!

As the old Elf arrives in front of the Dragon, he respectfully said "Esteemed Lord Dragon, I wish to converse with you regarding a certain matter, I wish this does not come as a disrespect to you."

The snake-like golden eyes of the Dragon opened and looked at the old Elf.

["What do you want, out with it and do not waste my time."], Lauerveck said in draconic language.

"Esteemed Lord Dragon, we, the inhabitants of this forest, did not bend any rules. But why must we suffer from your wrath? May I perhaps hear the cause of this?"

["There is a concentrated evil energy that disturbed my slumber!"]

["One night, I am in my cave and suddenly, a huge amount of evil energy sent waves to the whole continent."]

["In which that awakened me of my slumber ahead of the supposed time."]

["A strong evil entity has entered this world of yours! My conquering of this forest is not something you inhabitants need to complain about. I am merely setting my own boundaries for when the time comes."]

Shudder.

"Very well, Esteemed Lord Dragon. I thank you for your time. I shall go back to my people."

The old Elf bowed before leaving.

Vuooosh!

He flew as fast as he can to notify his people to leave the forest as he pondered what time the Dragon is talking about.

[...]

All the inhabitants of the forest left, looking for their own new places to settle down.

Meanwhile, on the Adventurer association of Marlov, only Veil has signed up for the subjugation quest for the Dragon.

A burly man approached Veil and said "It is too dangerous for you young lady! It is a Dragon we are talking about!"

"Thank you for your worries mister, but I am an Adventurer of this city now, I do not want to see another city fall, just like what happened to Plevo in front of my own eyes." Veil unhurriedly explained.

The other spectating Adventurers who did not accept the quest could only pray for Veil's success.

Just when Veil is about to set off to scout the forest, Varun stepped up in the association staff to let her know that he is also joining the quest.

"!!!"

The Adventurers looked at him in shock.

"I shall accompany my friend, Veil, in this subjugation quest." Varun smirked inwardly as he scanned the dazed eyes of the Adventurers.

"Mhm, let's go then~" Veil as she pointed in the direction of the forest.

"Do you have a flight skill under you?" Varun inquired.

"Mhm, should we just fly to the forest?" Veil replied.

"Time is of the essence, we cannot afford to wait any longer." Varun explained as he cast his flight ability.

Skill: Gaia Liberation!

Varun masked the energy of his Gaia ability because it is from their realm which is tainted with evil energy.

Veil did not notice anything as she cast her own ability.

Skill: Shadow's Wings!

The party of two then flew towards the forest.

While the two is travelling like gales of wind, Varun is secretly contacting the Sentinels via signals to start the operation.

He tasked the Sentinels to intercept other countries from supporting Marlov in case the Dragon escaped his plan to trap it and absorb its powers.

"Understood, my liege." One of the Sentinels flashed an evil grin.

The two then arrived near the center of the forest in a treetop.

"I do not have any magic traps on my skills, how about you?" Varun asked as he scanned the terrain.

"Same here. We should prioritize cutting off its mobility."

"Agreed."

Varun started the raid by lunching attacks towards the Dragon.

Skill: Stardust Rage!

Skill: Stardust Sweep!

Skill: Stardust Bind!

The triple skill combination locked the Dragon's wings as its limbs received the full brunt of slashes.

Vuakkkkkk!

The Dragon flapped its trapped wings and instantly broke free from the bindings.

'Tch, this lizard is annoyingly tough.' Varun is inwardly surprised from the Dragon's tough scales.

Veil then danced across the battlefield attacking the Dragon's blind spots.

Swipe! Swipe! Cling! Crack!

In this long stalemate, the Dragon finally spoke.

["You two can attack me all day and you will never slay me."] Lauerveck sneered.

"Hnggg, is that so?" Varun smirked as he channeled his energy.

Skill: Spatial Lock!

However, the target of the skill is not the Dragon, but Veil, who is currently busy attack the Dragon's wings.

Her body suddenly felt heavy as she cannot move anything.

"Wha- what is the meaning of this, Varun?!"

"Excuse me Veil, but you cannot interfere with my plans anymore! Now, if you'll stay aside and let me absorb this Dragon's power."

'Absorb? He can absorb other's powers as well?' Veil is surprised.

Skill: Spatial Transfer!

Varun snapped his fingers and proceeded to send Veil to another place to buy time.

"Come!" Varun signaled his army and snapped his fingers again to activate his marks.

Skill: Material Shift!

Material Shift: Turn marked creatures into Gaia soldiers!

Vuoooooom! Rumble!

As Varun is celebrating inwardly for his plans, he noticed unexpected arrivals behind him.

Lozzaro and his two other party members have arrived via a gate.

"Welcome to our world, Gaia Lord, Varun!" Lozzaro said to Varun while smirking.

Growlllll.

Varun flashed his evil eyes as he finds out that his marks are replaced.

Lozzaro's party members even showed that their necks are healed with wide grins.

"Do you really think that my plans are over even if you found out about my marks?" Varun spoke with cold tone.

"Oh, hardly. But you and your Gaia army can disappear. Scram!"

Skill: Aqua Binding!

Summon: Treant!

Treant Skill: Song of the Forest!

Treant Skill: Root Binding!

Skill: Blue Devour!

After being gripped by multiple locking skills, Varun struggled to move.

Meanwhile, the Dragon still hovering above finally spotted the gates opened by the Gaia Sentinels.

Draconic Skill: Devourer's Authority!

The whole forest is then locked down with an oppressing energy with an invisible barrier.

This is for Lauerveck to ensure that no other ants should enter his domain and similarly no intruders can escape his wrath!

Everyone's body becomes heavier and their movements turn sluggish.

["It is over for all of you ants who dare trespass my territory!"]

Lauerveck bellowed as dark flames appear on his mouth.