Chapter 385: Chapter 345: A Punch to Break Through

"It’s not just that one."

Raylo’s finger tapped on the mountain range north of Black Stone Territory.

"In the eastern region of the Black Stone Mountain Range, adjacent to Black Stone Territory, resides a Black Dragon known as the ’Black King.’ He’s very ambitious and has been trying to unite all the Demons in the mountains, eyeing Black Stone Territory like a tiger stalking its prey."

Aiden Duke fell silent for a moment.

A Nine-headed Demon Serpent and an ambitious Black Dragon—either one would be enough to give an ordinary noble Lord a massive headache.

And now, both were his son’s neighbors.

He looked at Raylo’s calm profile and suddenly realized that, without him noticing, the son who once needed his protection had grown into a true powerhouse, one qualified to contend with these terrifying creatures.

"Do you need me to mobilize forces from the Royal Capital for support?"

"Not for now."

Raylo shook his head.

"The Black King is very cautious. It won’t make a move rashly without absolute certainty. As for the Nine-headed Demon Serpent... if it truly awakens, it won’t be just a problem for my Black Stone Territory."

The implication was that it would be a disaster for the entire Thunder Dragon Duchy, and even the surrounding Human Capitals and Magical Beasts Territories.

Aiden Duke understood.

He clapped Raylo on the shoulder, his tone filled with a hint of gratification.

"You’ve grown up."

The conversation between father and son came to a temporary close.

Raylo walked out of the conference room and saw Lillian and Arthur standing on the castle’s terrace, watching the scene below with great interest.

Not far away, the Hill Giants were conducting javelin training. This time, the instructor leading the training had changed from Golden Dragon Sun to Giant Kado.

After joining Black Stone Territory, Kado, a Domain Level Giant, had taken the lead in assimilating into human society.

「That afternoon」

Aiden Duke summoned him to the conference room again.

This time, only the father and son were in the room.

The doors and windows were shut tight, and the light from the Magic Lamps illuminated the room as if it were day.

Aiden Duke’s expression was much more solemn than it had been that morning.

"News just arrived from the Royal Capital."

He pushed a secret scroll sealed with a Fire Wax Seal across the table to Raylo.

"Gaius is leading the main force of the Thunder Dragon Knight Order and the Southern Lords’ Alliance Army into battle against the Lion Duchy on the southern border. As soon as your wedding is over, I will head there immediately."

Aiden Duke’s voice was low.

"To the east, the Fiery Sun Kingdom has also recently begun reinforcing its troops along the border, making frequent moves. Their new King clearly wants to reclaim the face he lost in their last defeat."

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.

Raylo put down the secret scroll and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

He knew the Duchy was in a bad position, but he hadn’t expected it to have deteriorated to this extent.

To say the Thunder Dragon Duchy was now surrounded by enemies on all sides would be no exaggeration.

"These are all just the obvious threats."

"What truly worries me is something else."

Aiden Duke looked at Raylo and said, word by word,

"The Light Holy See?"

Raylo’s pupils contracted slightly as he ventured a guess.

Aiden Duke’s expression was one of approval. He said,

"In recent years, the conflict between the Light Holy See and the various Dragon Realms has grown increasingly sharp, reaching a point where it’s almost irreconcilable."

A deep worry flickered in Aiden Duke’s eyes.

"The Light Holy See believes that Giant Dragons are powerful ’Magical Beasts’ that should be imprisoned and enslaved. In their eyes, nations like ours, which form Companion Contracts with Giant Dragons, are heretics consorting with ’evil’."

"War is on the verge of breaking out."

This conclusion made Raylo’s heart sink.

Both the Lion Duchy and the Fiery Sun Kingdom were backed by the Light Holy See. For both nations to bare their fangs at the Thunder Dragon Duchy simultaneously, it was certain the Light Holy See had given its blessing from behind the scenes.

"My greatest concern is..."

A deep weariness laced Aiden Duke’s voice.

"Once the Holy See decides to make a move, their first target will very likely be us."

Raylo looked at his father.

"Why?"

"Because among all the Dragon Realms, our Thunder Dragon Duchy is the youngest and has the shallowest foundation."

Aiden Duke’s answer confirmed Raylo’s worst fears.

"To put it bluntly, we’re the softest target. The Holy See needs a resounding victory to display their ’divine might’ to the entire Continent, and we are the perfect candidate."

These words stirred up a tempest in Raylo’s heart.

He had originally thought that all he had to face was the harsh environment of the Northern Territory and his treacherous neighbors.

Only now did he truly realize that a storm capable of overturning the entire political landscape of the Continent was quietly brewing.

And his family, and the Duchy upon which he stood, were likely at the very center of this storm.

The air in the conference room seemed to stagnate, and even the light from the Magic Lamps felt heavy.

"Raylo, in your opinion, how should we break this impasse?"

This question was both a test and a father’s plea for support from the son who could now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him in the face of a monstrous wave.

Raylo did not answer immediately.

In his mind, countless thoughts intertwined and clashed until finally, a phrase from a distant memory emerged with clarity.

He raised his head, his gaze calm and resolute as it met his father’s.

"Land one decisive blow to avoid a hundred more."

The abrupt, seemingly random phrase struck Aiden Duke like a clap of thunder.

He froze for a second, mulling over the meaning behind the words. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

’Land one decisive blow to avoid a hundred more...’

’That’s it.’

The Thunder Dragon Duchy was now like a Giant Beast surrounded by a pack of wolves.