With the appearance of the dragons, the people of Bulgaria have become increasingly interested in the new sect, AVALON.
Conversations fill the streets, centered around the mythical wyrm dragons seen with AVALON. Many wonder how such a newly formed sect could have acquired such rare and untamable creatures.
Rumors spread rapidly among the citizens.
Many have also expressed interest in joining the newly formed sect and are eagerly anticipating the start of recruitment.
This news soon reached the Eisien Clan. Goldoba personally reported to Vander Eisien, father of Lyrus, that his son had established a sect in Bulgaria and gathered powerful forces and seasoned experts to his side.
Vander: Hmm... this kid. (He was confused about how his son in Bulgaria had become so powerful and managed to acquire so many rare beasts—especially high-ranking ones. He wasn't just reviewing Goldoba's report, but also older and current reports from Norton, the watcher.)
Leticia: Don't worry about him. He's still just a kid. Even though he's playing with fire, all we can do is speculate. Most of your other sons are doing the same across the western region. But how did he acquire such peculiar abilities? (She glanced at Norton's report of Lyrus taming the Creatops.)
Avelino: The family gathering is approaching. You should start paying attention to your sons and daughters from your concubines as well. But this Lyrus... he's intriguing. How did he manage to acquire dragon beasts on his own? (He couldn't see the files Vander and Leticia were viewing, as he was only present via astral projection.)
Leticia: According to the reports from Goldoba and Bill, and from all members of AVALON, those other three dragons aren't their contracted beasts. And based on Teo's group's reactions, all the clues point to Lyrus. Norton's second report also mentioned the presence of these dragons during Lyrus's battle with the Margorio. Still, there isn't much detailed information available.
Avelino: A man without clan support, taming apex beasts on his own... and he's also a descendant of Ventouso. That Thomas fellow might be the reason those dragons were tamed. He has a terrifying beast of his own. Even though that creature is still recovering in his beast realm, it's formidable—among the strongest in the mythical rank and below. With Ventouso's methods, taming apex beasts is possible.
Leticia: I don't think so. Based on Bill's reply and reports, Thomas knew nothing about the dragons. He also never passed down the Ventouso knowledge to Veronica, let alone Lyrus. If he did, he would be struck by lightning for breaking the pact surrounding that forbidden technique. He was only accepted into Tevera under strict conditions, sealed by the Annihilation Oath. If he violates the pact, it will kill him.
Vander: I'm still puzzled. How did the mighty Ventouso Clan fall? And now, their remaining members have fled to neighboring continents...
Avelino: Their downfall is tied to old clan conflicts and the Magic Empire of Asteria. Those who survived and knew the clan's secrets erased their memories. But Thomas wanted to preserve the Ventouso techniques, so he held on to them. Still, those techniques are mostly useless in Tevera, which is a beast-dominant continent—unlike Asteria, where magic dominates. Let's not dwell on this further. Throughout history, many clans have risen and fallen. Ventouso is one of them. But if they return to Asteria, their legacy will still be strong—and terrifying.
Vander: The same could happen to us if we keep going down this path. Finding the source of that new continent is already extremely difficult—refining it would be nearly impossible.
Avelino: Tevera's resources are dwindling. The Tevera Empire is already considering wiping out smaller forces. That's why we agreed to give them 50% control of our mineral veins—to appease them and avoid open conflict. What we must do now is establish ourselves securely in the new land.
Vander: So this is why you gave me the patriarch's seat 20 years ago, and sent all my brothers and sisters to the new land to search for the source of that continent. And left me—the weakest of them—to lead the Eisien Clan.
Avelino: We needed to appear weak in the eyes of the Empire to survive in Tevera. We've already secured some territory in the new continent. When the family gathering takes place, send all offspring of mythical rank to the new lands. I will now return.
Vander: What about their studies?
Avelino: Just send teachers to the new land. We need to build a solid foundation—not just education, but also the economy.
Avelino's projection disappeared, and a stone fell to the ground. That had been a high-level communication technique using sheer power.
Leticia: Many of your unruly sons must be sent to the new lands. We also need to prepare for a mass migration soon. The Empire has become wary of Culvary. Someone must have leaked information about the hidden actions of the Council of Eighth. Be cautious.
Vander: I understand. Don't worry—the Council of Eighth has already taken steps to create chaos throughout Tevera. The Empire will be fully occupied with managing the fallout.
Leticia: Did you release those monsters?
Vander: It was the only solution we had.
---
Breaking News:
Armenia Nation is experiencing a massive monster tide of unknown origin. Millions of casualties have already been reported.
Breaking News:
Felophia Nation—a Titan beast has awoken beneath a volcano, undetected for thousands of years. Now, it brings massive destruction. The advent of an Ancestral Lord rank beast.
Breaking News. Breaking News. Breaking News.
Multiple calamities have erupted across various Tevera nations.
These disasters were orchestrated by Culvary Nation—specifically, the Council of Eighth. A secret technique was used to imprison all beasts within a mile radius into stones. Originally developed to clear entire areas of beasts in the new lands, these stones are now breaking—unleashing hordes of beasts across Tevera.
The Council has been using teleportation devices to transport these sealed stones from the new land into Culvary, and from there into forests across different nations to spread chaos.
It's a ruthless but strategic move—meant to distract the Empire and keep them too occupied to investigate Culvary. With their Saint Realm powerhouses and Saint Beasts, the Empire can manage these threats quickly. However, the sheer number of simultaneous events makes it difficult for them to take any solid action against Culvary without conclusive proof.
By releasing sealed beasts in Tevera while using the same sealing technique to cleanse the new lands, the Council of Eighth is effectively borrowing the Empire's strength to handle their own problems.
Vander: With this maneuver, the search for the new continent's source will move forward more effectively. But refining it... that's another story.
Leticia: If this continues, Tevera will turn into a continent of wild beasts again. The Empire is no fool—but this is still a bold move. Just don't take it too far. If that Divine Realm powerhouse awakens, we're doomed.
Vander: I know, Mother.
Leticia vanished—teleporting away.
---
Breaking News
Reporter: Another new city has been eradicated and massacred by this unknown horde of beasts that appeared out of nowhere. What is the Empire doing? Why are they not helping the other nations in these apocalyptic times—
(The reporter's head is eaten by a giant dinosaur beast. The screen blurs out.)
Ring. Ring.
Someone's calling. Vander picks up.
Vander: After three more stone teleportations, stop this catastrophe for today.
Caller: Yes, Patriarch.
Vander: If you pry any further into Culvary, this event will become even more catastrophic. (He says while watching the massacre unfold on the screen.)
---
Tevera Empire – Imperial Palace – Throne Room of the Emperor
All high officials are gathered, summoned by the decree of the Emperor.
A gallant and majestic throne made of fine gold. A very handsome emperor with golden hair, wearing a regal red-and-gold gown. Edicius Tevera, currently the Emperor of the Tevera Empire, a Saint Realm powerhouse, over 500 years old.
Edicius: Speak.
Minister of Defense: Your Majesty, this peculiar event has unfolded across all nations surrounding the Empire simultaneously. Millions of unknown beasts have appeared out of nowhere, creating massive beast tides and wiping out major cities. Some incidents have even occurred in our ruling territories. All Saints have been deployed to quell the catastrophe, but multiple beast hordes are still ongoing. However, the eastern, western, and southern parts of the continent seem to be unaffected—only the northern nations and the Empire are currently under siege.
Edicius: Hahaha. Interesting. They counterattacked just as we were preparing to move. It seems these clans were ready to plunge the continent into chaos the moment we made our move.
Marshal Areous, lead a special unit and conduct undercover investigations in all Tevera nations involved in this chaos. Also, follow up on the intelligence we received from this man. (He gestures to a head in a box—once an official of Ursemia Nation who had overheard details about Culvary discovering a new continent and planning to refine the source.)
He was killed while traveling to the Empire. The Empire's convoys traveling with him were also annihilated due to a sudden beast horde. We managed to recover part of his body—only the head—but that was enough to extract some information.
However, the information extracted is still vague. It seems more like gossip than concrete evidence.
In this world, there are countless continents yet to be conquered. But reaching them is nearly impossible due to the expense and the deadly oceans, where colossal beasts roam. This man's claim suggests they discovered a secret realm in Tevera rather than a new continent. Only the Empire has the means to traverse oceans, and even then, refining the source without a Divine Realm powerhouse is impossible.
---
Council of Eighth – Culvary Nation
The eight ruling heads of Culvary gather at the Council Chamber—a circular room with a majestic round table displaying a map of Culvary. Eight grand chairs encircle the table.
Rebecca (Trinity Tower Sect Master): So, who was it?
Ulysses (Everlast Clan Patriarch): A minister from Ursemia Nation. But he has already been disposed of. However, a bigger problem remains—they recovered his body, and some information might have been extracted.
Rebecca: That old hag. (Referring to the Queen of Ursemia) Send a horde to that bitch, too.
Escobar (Black Hammer Sect Master): We can't do that. It would make it too obvious that Culvary is behind the catastrophe. The Empire will certainly be sending spies to investigate now.
Sebastian (Redilla Clan Patriarch): We have another issue. This new land is much larger than we expected. We've explored territory twice the size of Tevera, yet the land seems endless. Finding the source is proving to be a massive challenge.
Wilson (Archedus Clan Patriarch): That's not a problem. We've already secured land far larger than our territories in Culvary and acquired plenty of natural resources. We just need to clear more beasts and begin rebuilding our nations and economies over there.
Demeter (Sky Cloud Palace Sect Master): Most of our forces are already stationed in the new lands. Our silence over the past few years is raising suspicions. The Muzo Clan and Azarez Clan—both with Ancestral Lord powerhouses—visited my sect recently. With most of our Ancestral Lords and Mythical Rank experts gone, neighboring nations are becoming suspicious.
Belerick (Nebelius Clan Patriarch): I suggest we increase the use of sealing stones and teleport beasts not only to the northern regions but also to the Empire's central territory and the eastern and western regions. That way, suspicion won't focus solely on the north.
Escobar: We can also spread rumors that the Empire is behind these events—that they're trying to weaken major nations to annex their territories. It's partly true, after all. This could turn the nations against the Empire.
Rebecca: And we must let the public know. Let the chaos spread to the citizens. A major revolution is brewing. With so much happening, the Empire will be too distracted.
Vander: Hmm. I just received a message from our spies in the Empire. The Emperor has ordered Marshal Areous to form a massive spy network to investigate every nation. If they enter Culvary, we'll be caught red-handed, especially with our powerhouses gone. I agree—we need more chaos.
Belerick: Increase stone sealing production. Create more beast hordes.
Ulysses: What rank are the Empire's spies?
Vander: Mostly Mythical Rank. The Saints and Ancestral Lords are already too busy dealing with the current outbreaks.
Ulysses: Then let's create a special force to assassinate these spies. Intercept them in other nations.
Rebecca: Good. Use other nations' insignia and blame it on them.
Escobar: Let's also spread rumors that these spies are actually assassins sent by the Empire to eliminate major forces. Use borrowed forces from other nations.
Demeter: Brilliant as always. I have a hidden organization perfect for this—the Black Hall.
Vander: Black Hall? Haha. So the righteous Cloud Sky Palace runs that infamous assassination group?
Demeter: Don't mess with me. Each of us has our own shadow organization. And what we're doing now is far worse—massacring millions.
Belerick: That's cold war for you. I support using the Black Hall.
Vander: I agree.
Everyone agrees to use the Black Hall for assassinating spies and spreading misinformation throughout other nations.
Belerick: Let's also send our younger generation to the Wildlands to lead expansions or form their own factions. Let them compete. That will shift the attention of other nations onto our descendants. If we're caught, we'll claim our top forces went into seclusion. And with the threat of beast hordes, no one will question it.
---
Back in the Wildlands – Crater Area (Now a Massive Lake)
Teo and the others have begun constructing the AVALON Sect. Lyrus isn't there—he's still deep in the mining area within his white domain.
Bill: It's been a week since construction started, but that kid hasn't shown up once. What could he be doing?
Teo: Don't worry about him. Just look at his beasts. Do you think he'd be in any danger?
ROAR!
Agarez, the mountainous dragon, returns again, carrying a massive cube of refined metal from the mine. He drops it and flies back into the Wildlands.
Logan: With that beast by his side, there's no way he's in danger.
Bill: Something strange is happening across Tevera—sudden beast hordes that even include Ancestral Lord and Mythical Rank beasts are wreaking havoc. (He scrolls through his phone.) How did millions of new beast species get added to the International Beast Registry? Tevera's beast races were already fully cataloged thousands of years ago.
Teo: We don't need to worry about that. It's happening in the north. We're in the south. Unless a hidden realm collapsed—an entire continent's worth—that chaos won't reach us. And it seems like the Empire is handling it.
They all check the news on their phones.
Thomas is leading the construction of the sect. When they arrived, Agarez was instructed by Lyrus to make the sect buildings so solid and durable that they could be relocated if needed. Hence, constant deliveries of refined metal minerals. The special metal Agarez refines is also non-conductive to electricity.
Mineral stones, harder than steel, are mined and transported to the lake area. These are tempered and compressed into pillars, bricks, or whatever is required for construction.