She pinched his cheeks harder, forcing his mouth shut.
The boy squirmed in frustration, but Zera’s grip refused to budge. Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire
Her mischievous smile only grew as he tried to escape.
Kane ignored the duo and addressed Neo and the others.
“The Weapon Dragon Clan changes their Clan Leader every hundred years through a tournament.”
He gestured at the struggling boy.
“The one who wins the tournament becomes the Clan Leader.
“He must be the new tournament winner.
“Though, if I have to be honest, I never thought a hatchling who isn’t even 100 years old would become the Weapon Dragon Clan Leader.”
Kane continued.
“As for the three others, you can see they aren’t present here. We can skip their introductions.
“They have sent their forces for Grand Expedition, but their Clan Leaders won’t be participating themselves.”
He pointed at the three blurry holograms flickering over the remaining seats.
“Don’t talk like it’s not your damned fault, Great Disaster.”
The boy, finally breaking free from Zera’s grasp, spat the words through clenched teeth.
His sharp fangs bared slightly as he glared at Kane.
“It’s because of you and the other Great Disasters that the Dragon Clans can’t divert all their manpower toward the Abyss.
“We have to keep some forces here in case you and the others go berserk.”
The tension in the room thickened.
Even the air felt heavier.
Kane laughed.
He raised his hands in surrender.
“Well, don’t worry. My hands are tied, literally.”
Neo remained silent as he analyzed the Dragon Clan Leaders one by one.
Each carried an overwhelming presence.
‘Blood Dragon Clan, the Clan Leader has the ability that would be one of the main culprits in the Blood Sea War.’
‘Void Dragon Clan, the Clan Leader is an Outer God.’
‘Hope Dragon Clan. Judging from the name, their entire Clan has Hope affinity. I can’t fathom how they managed to create a Clan when everyone is born with a Forbidden Element.’
Forbidden Elements could cause great harm to their users if not wielded properly.
Hence, Hope was classified as a Forbidden Element.
A Hope element user would always have hope.
If their crush rejected them, they would always have hope that their crush would return.
This could easily grow into an unhealthy mental condition that could force them to make wrong decisions.
The most famous tale of a Hope user was a man punching a wall.
He wanted to break a iron wall, but he was too weak.
Everyone told him to give up.
However, the man remained steadfast in his effots.
He had hope and thus kept punching the wall.
In the end, his hands became mangled, and he died of blood loss.
The Hope element would almost always turn its users into obsessive freaks.
They would single-mindedly chase their goals once they set their minds to something.
‘These three Dragon Clans were enough as is, but a Weapon Dragon Clan was beyond my expectation.’
Neo’s gaze moved to the young boy, the so-called Clan Leader of the Weapon Dragon Clan.
His youthful face didn’t match the overwhelming aura he gave off.
‘Weapon affinity is widely accepted to be the strongest affinity.’
‘If trained properly, its users become unmatched in the same rank.’
‘Having a Clan full of freaks like that is as surprising as finding a Clan of Hope element users.’
Weapon affinity didn’t affect only sword users, spear users, and the likes.
A Weapon was anything that could be used to attack.
Words.
Prayers.
Spells.
Inventions like dolls or trucks.
If it could harm, it was a Weapon.
“Why have you brought those humans here?” Vlad spoke.
“They want to participate in the Grand Expedition,” Kane replied
Vlad frowned, seemingly wondering what the goal was for mere Awakeners who were only at the Exalted level to participate in Grand Expedition.
A long silence stretched.
“Very well. They can come with us.”
With that, Vlad stood up.
His long red hair swayed slightly as he turned towards the exit.
“It’s time we depart.”
The four Dragon Clan Leaders became serious.
The boy—Tyr—stood up, and walked out first, followed by the others.
Neo and the rest trailed behind as the Dragon Clan Leaders stepped onto the grand stage just outside the tent.
A vast plain stretched beyond them, filled with warriors preparing for war. For Grand Expedition.
Instantly, the soldiers of the Grand Expedition became quiet.
The boy stood upon the stage, and sweept his gaze over the countless warriors before him.
Then, he spoke.
His voice wasn’t just loud—it shook the world itself. The very air trembled, as if the weight of his words carried an undeniable force.
“Brothers and sisters, hear me now! Look around you. This is Tartarus—it thinks it can break us.
“It has taken our freedom, our bodies, even our deaths.
“But it will never take our spirit.
“We are not defined by these chains or this darkness.
“We are defined by our refusal to yield.
“Stand with me.
“Fight with me.
“For the light beyond this prison! For the future we will reclaim! We are unbreakable! And we will rise!
“Who stands with me?” he questioned.
“We do!” A roar erupted from the soldiers.
“Who fights with me?”
“We do!”
“Who dares to hope, to dream, to live?”
“We do!!!”
The ground trembled beneath their unified cry.
Dust rose from the force of their voices.
The air became charged with electrifying enthusiasm.
Some warriors gripped their weapons tighter, their eyes burning with newfound determination.
Others slammed their fists to their chests in salute, their armor clanking in response.
The boy raised his hand high.
“Today, we move! Today, we fight! Hold your weapon, and walk along with me. Today, we live!”
A deafening cheer erupted.
The sound of millions of warriors shouting in unison sent shockwaves through the land.
Even the sky above seemed to tremble.
The boy turned around and left the stage.
Kane, watching from a short distance, raised an eyebrow.
He hadn’t expected the other Clan Leaders to let the youngest one initiate the Grand Expedition.
But after listening to him, he understood why.
“His Weapon is his [Words],” Kane muttered, arms crossed as he observed the lingering energy in the air. “He boosted morale, enthusiasm, and gave several buffs with a single speech.”
“You are right,” Zera’s voice suddenly sounded beside him.
Kane glanced to the side—she had appeared next to him without a sound.
“Tyr is known as [Truth] amongst his clan members,” Zera explained, her voice carrying a hint of pride. “It’s said his Word Weapon Concept is the strongest Word Weapon Concept in the Weapon Dragon Clan’s history.
“Everyone believes he can surpass the Primogenitor of the Weapon Dragon Clan.”
Kane noticed the subtle smile on her lips.
He narrowed his eyes.
“You look quite happy talking about him.”
“Of course I am.” Zera folded her arms, below her bosoms. Her expression one of satisfaction. “He is going to marry my younger sister. I’m happy she found such a good man.”
Kane rolled his eyes.
Found?
Are you sure she did not bewitch him?
“Come on. We need to go,” Zera said.
The space around the group warped.
They appeared in another area.