The crocodile leader’s roar tore through the swamp’s tranquility, a release of pure fury.

Its massive body shattered the last of the vines as its giant eyes swept over the ravaged slope.

However, the tiny creatures that had stolen its offspring had already vanished deep into the dense forest.

All that remained in the air was the faint whimper of its captured young and the lingering scent of that human commander.

This was a humiliation it had never experienced in its long life.

In its mind, these two-legged, upright creatures were fragile and timid—snacks to occasionally add variety to its diet.

They would offer up sacrifices out of fear or flee in a panic at the mere sight of it from afar.

They were nothing more than an insignificant link in the swamp’s food chain.

But today, this swarm of insects had not only stolen its child but had also hindered it with those ridiculous green vines.

The most unforgivable part was that commander who had remained calm from beginning to end.

His weak body was beneath notice, but it seemed to hide some strange ability.

The giant crocodile leader let out another low roar, ordering its guards to return to the nest.

It would remember this scent.

Next time, it would crush his bones.

...

「Newly Town, inside the council chamber of the Lord’s Mansion.」

The atmosphere was oppressive.

The little giant crocodile, trussed up like a dumpling in the corner, let out a mournful cry, fraying everyone’s nerves.

Ola Stonebeard sat at the very end of the table, the position farthest from Velin.

The irascible Baron sat bolt upright, like a neatly stacked powder keg—seemingly normal, but ready to explode at any moment.

He folded his thick arms across his chest and held his chin high, projecting an air of ’I don’t owe you anything anymore.’

Along the way, his actions had earned him a measure of Velin’s respect, but that didn’t mean he would now start wagging his tail and begging.

"This can’t be called a battle, Lord Velin. What I mean is, this isn’t an enemy we can fight at all," Ryo spoke first, his face drained of color as he tightly gripped his Magic Staff.

"That leader’s earthen-yellow halo practically immunized it against my delay spell."

Valerius stroked his grizzled beard and picked up the conversation.

"Yes, that was [Earth Barrier]. It’s an intermediate-level defensive Magic with extremely high resistance to both physical and magical attacks."

His words made the already grave atmosphere even colder.

"Not only that, but its terrifying burst of speed at the end was likely [Tidal Charge]. Frankly, Velin, the fact that you all managed to escape its pursuit is a miracle."

"Miracle, my ass!" Ola Stonebeard’s fist slammed onto the table with a BANG, making everyone’s teacup jump.

"That was just dumb luck!"

Like a caged bear, he paced back and forth across the room restlessly, his boots thudding against the floorboards.

"Velin, I admit you’ve got guts, but courage doesn’t make a sword sharper."

"You want me to go hunt that monster? Fine!" Ola thumped his chest, producing a dull thud. "I, Ola, have never feared a powerful enemy!"

"But!" He took a step forward. "You have to show some sincerity!"

"Get my men the best equipment! And payment! We’re your captives, not your slaves! To risk our lives in a battle with a one-in-ten chance of survival, we need a price that makes us willing!"

Ola’s words caused the tense atmosphere to loosen slightly.

"Baron Ola has a point, Lord Velin." Valerius, stroking his grizzled beard, spoke cautiously. "The power of that leader... We do indeed need a more thorough plan and better preparations."

"Yes," Ryo nodded as well, a hint of color returning to his pale face. "I need time to prepare more targeted Magic, and perhaps... some expensive casting materials."

The opinions in the council chamber gradually shifted from fear and opposition to a pragmatic discussion on how to solve the problem.

"Very good." Velin stood up and leisurely adjusted his sleeves.

"First, I want to thank you all for your candor. Your fear is reasonable, and the leader’s strength did indeed exceed our estimates."

He didn’t refute them directly, but instead began by acknowledging their point of view.

"Of course," Velin’s tone shifted, "we cannot only look at the immediate threat. The floods during this year’s Month of Howling, the Gray Swamp Giant Crocodiles’ abnormal flight, and the ’ether-rich zone’ slowly reawakening beneath our feet—all these signs point to a more terrifying possibility. Deep within the Gray Sea Marsh, there is a true Level 5 Magical Beast."

"As the fluctuations from the ether-rich zone grow stronger, that Magical Beast will inevitably be drawn here. It will drive out the Gray Swamp Giant Crocodiles and then turn this place into its new lair. When that happens, Newly Town will be the first to fall, ground into dust."

"As for the crocodile leader... its strength is predicated on a fair fight. It knows nothing about us, whereas we have already gathered data on them and even have a live specimen."

"In short, we will eradicate the giant crocodile nest after making full preparations, but the shorter the preparation time, the better. We must seize complete control of that area before the Level 5 Magical Beast can react."

"Control?"

Valerius’s white eyebrows furrowed.

"What a reawakening ether-rich zone means... I believe the two Casters here understand better than I do."

His gaze turned to Ryo and Valerius.

"It’s a natural breeding ground for Magic Potions, the perfect soil for cultivating Extraordinary plants and animals."

"More importantly, a continuous and abundant ether environment can accelerate the bloodline evolution of our Warriors, strengthen their bodies, and improve our armaments."

Ola stopped pacing. He couldn’t help but imagine his boys—if they could all activate their bloodlines, thirty Extraordinary Knights... that would be a decisive force capable of influencing a small battle!

A common goal, a tangible future, had temporarily united these people, each with their own agenda.

Velin was very pleased with this.

He said no more, simply letting his gaze drift slowly to the other end of the long table.

Caroline was sitting there.

She was the only one in this meeting who had not spoken.

Everyone’s gaze followed Velin’s, focusing on the wealthy benefactor.

Caroline’s back straightened subconsciously.

Under Velin’s somewhat searing gaze, a faint blush spread across her fair neck.

She felt the pressure of his expectation and understood the blueprint Velin had laid out. It wasn’t just about fighting a monster; it was about the future of Newly Town.

A territory with an ether-rich zone would be of inestimable value.

This was a high-stakes gamble. The wager was the future of Newly Town and everyone in it, and the return was unimaginable wealth and power.

She raised her head, meeting Velin’s wine-red eyes.

"The Golden Sail Commerce Association will provide you with everything needed for this war. Weapons, potions, manpower... you have only to ask."

Then her tone shifted. "But Velin, I don’t want a self-righteous suicide performance. I want to see a return. Don’t disappoint me."

Velin smiled. It was the smile of someone who had found a kindred spirit.

"A return? Caroline, the return is right here."

He walked to the corner of the council chamber, and everyone’s eyes followed him.

Seeing everyone looking at it, the captured crocodile began to struggle again.