"It’s just ahead in the depths of the forest."

Ying, who had come earlier, reminded them aloud.

The forest in front of them was lush, likely due to the species of trees growing there. Even though the season had already turned to late autumn, the growth was still extremely vigorous. This was also the reason Aaliyah chose this place as a retreat.

"Boom!"

Gauss faintly heard several rumblings coming from deep within the forest.

Something seemed to be happening there.

Gauss turned back to look in the direction of Flute Castle; he had just infused his magic power into the gold bracelet in his hand, which served as a "Pleos Summoning Device."

If its function was indeed as the Tiefling Paladin had said, Pleos should have already received his message from this side.

However, this was just a safety measure.

His gaze returned to the forest.

He couldn’t just wait here idly for the others to arrive; by then, everything would be too late.

Never place your hopes on others; he could only rely on themselves.

He took a deep breath.

Gauss jumped off the chocobo; the forest in front of him would be inconvenient for a mount to enter.

"Be ready for battle at any time!"

"Set off!"

Everyone readied their gear, tied their mounts to trees at the forest’s edge, and then strode into the woods.

...

"Boom!!!"

The waterfall cascaded down the slope, with the cool mist saturating the air.

The surface of the lake reflected the afternoon sunlight.

But at this moment, the originally picturesque natural scenery was disturbed by the arrival of some uninvited guests.

"Hehe!"

"It’s indeed a Dragon Beast, and a Red Dragon descendant at that."

A man stood not far away, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses with delight, and said.

A trace of obsession and admiration flashed in his eyes.

Although it was a Dragon Beast and not a true Giant Dragon, its majestic form still captivated them.

Especially since this Dragon Beast bore the Red Dragon lineage, theoretically the strongest among the Five-Colored Dragons, and for some reason, it emanated an aura that made their hearts race.

"Capture it!"

Even though the Dragon Worship Sect now revered the god of the Five-Colored Dragons, Tiamat, and maintained friendly relations with many powerful Giant Dragons, it didn’t mean they’d be entirely obedient to a wild Red Dragon Beast.

If they could capture this Red Dragon Beast, his rank within the Dragon Worship Sect could surely ascend a few levels.

Perhaps, in the future, there might be a chance to glimpse the position of Dragon Priestess, although the rank of Purple Robe Dragon Priestess was beyond even his wildest dreams.

"Everyone, attack!"

The passionate scholar waved his magic staff, issuing the command.

With his order, the surrounding driven monster minions charged crazily at the Dragon Beast trapped in the center.

"Cecilia is on her way, we must capture this Dragon Beast before she arrives." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Though trapping the Dragon Beast was already a huge achievement, ending the fight before the priest arrived would bring even more merit, which was why he kept urging the pawns to intensify the pressure on the enemy.

Auxiliary members, ordinary members, core members, regional steward, locality priest, Purple Robe Dragon Priestess...

The path to advancement in the Dragon Worship Sect was so clear, so everyone was eager to move further up this promotional path.

Though scholar Nolan’s strength was up to par, his lack of achievements currently kept him stuck at the core member level, and his multiple requests for promotion had been rejected.

He believed that after capturing this Dragon Beast, he would smoothly rise to the level of regional steward, and might even, within his lifetime, participate in a special Dragon Priestess transformation ritual and break through to a new realm.

Other Dragon Worship Sect members also looked towards the center with fervent expressions.

Continuously casting spells, crossbow arrows...

"Roar!!!!"

Red Dragon Dragon Beast Hephaestus raised its head and let out a furious roar.

The dark magic circle beneath it had completely formed, with black smoke billowing up like countless tentacles, firmly gripping its dragon wings, preventing it from taking flight and leaving the spot.

It could only shield Aaliyah, using its body to block the spells and arrows coming from all directions.

At the same time, it tore into the relentlessly charging monsters with its sharp teeth and claws.

The monsters seemed insane, rushing to replace any of their kind trampled underfoot without fear.

"Bang!!"

A giant crossbow arrow distorting the air suddenly flew from behind it.

"Screech!!"

The giant crossbow arrow pierced through the thin membrane on the relatively vulnerable side of its wing as it spread its wings and increased its size to intimidate the monsters.

The pain from the punctured wound coursed through its body, and more fatal was the deep purple poison spreading rapidly from the wound.

"Roar! Roar!"

Hephaestus thrashed its head wildly, emitting a hoarse roaring sound.

Not far behind it, Aaliyah’s situation wasn’t much better.

Several members of the Dragon Worship Sect, cloaked in black robes, had appeared God knows when, taking advantage of Dragon Beast Hephaestus’s suffering to encircle Aaliyah.

"Put down your weapons and surrender obediently, and we may spare your life."

"Moonlight!"

Aaliyah did not respond to their offers of clemency; she only resolutely raised her magic staff.

The tip of the staff emitted a dazzling silvery-white light, which then extended into a splendid beam of light in front of Aaliyah.

Meanwhile, the snarling Ulfen seized the opportunity to charge.

Its gaping maw clamped viciously onto a sect member busy evading the Moonlight.