As soon as Queen Kathi learned that Androcottus had arrived at the borders of her kingdom, she was delighted that he had come to offer his assistance. She quickly ordered her servants to prepare a royal feast to welcome their esteemed guest. Just as she made the announcement, Androcottus arrived at the castle, where he stopped Queen Kathi.

  The queen blinked in surprise, her hands clasped in front of her. “But, Lord Androcottus, you have graced us with your presence. It is only fitting that we honor you—”

  “There is no time for feasts,” Androcottus interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. “I did not come here for revelry. I came to address the dire threat your kingdom faces.”

  The queen hesitated, glancing at the servants who stood frozen in confusion. With a resigned nod, she raised a hand, signaling them to stop. The trays were set down, the candles extinguished, and the hall grew quiet.

  Androcottus approached, his expression unreadable as he spoke. “I have dealt with the monsters plaguing your borders. The immediate danger has been eradicated. However, the true threat—the wyvern—remains.”

  A flicker of hope crossed the queen’s face, only to be replaced by concern. “We have searched tirelessly,” she said, her voice tinged with frustration. “Our scouts have combed the forests and mountains, yet we’ve found no trace of it.”

  Androcottus folded his arms across his chest, his sharp features hardening in thought. “Then we must change our approach. A creature as intelligent as a wyvern does not leave itself exposed. It must have a lair, a sanctuary it considers safe.”

  The wyvern is strong enough to control low-level beasts and monsters, and it can even increase their power. One needs to be at least a Tier 3 Knight or a Stage 4 Awakener to deal with a wyvern. Magic does not work on a wyvern below 6th class.

  Your kingdom has only one Tier 4 Knight, and he is old now. You are the only class 6 Mage, but as a queen, you cannot participate in battles.

  Queen Kathi’s shoulders slumped slightly, that of her kingdom’s struggles evident in her posture. “I will do everything in my power to assist you, my lord. But my people are weary, and our resources are stretched thin.”

  Androcottus placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his gaze steady. “You have done well to hold your ground thus far. Leave the wyvern to me. I will find it and end this threat.”

  The queen nodded, her resolve strengthening under his unwavering confidence. “Then let us begin,” she said. “Whatever you require, it will be provided.”

  Androcottus inclined his head in acknowledgment. “Prepare your scouts to gather intelligence. In the meantime, I will survey the land myself. We will root out this menace together.”

  With that, he turned and strode toward the entrance, his cloak billowing behind him. Queen Kathi watched him go, a newfound determination settling in her heart. The wyvern may have eluded them so far, but with Androcottus at their side, hope flickered once more.

  The Kathi Nation and the Batili Kingdom are allied nations. The former is a small nation, whereas the latter is a medium-sized kingdom. There is a significant difference between the kingdoms. Their bond was forged in a crucible of loyalty and gratitude—a bond that began with a debt owed by the Androcottus.

  Years ago, when Androcottus led a rebellion against the corrupt king of Batili, his campaign teetered on the brink of failure. It was then that the late king of Kathi extended his hand in a pivotal moment of trust. Though his nation was small, his heart was unyielding, and he offered Androcottus the support that turned the tide of the rebellion. In return, the Kathi king sought only one promise: a favor to be repaid in the future.

  That future arrived sooner than either could have anticipated. As the Kathi king lay on his deathbed, his once-vibrant form frail and his breaths shallow, he called upon Androcottus, now the newly crowned king of Batili.

  “My old friend,” the Kathi king rasped, his voice a shadow of its former strength, “my time has come. But I cannot leave this world in peace without knowing my daughter will be safe.”

  Androcottus knelt by the bedside, his powerful frame a contrast to the weakened king. “Speak your will,” he said, his voice steady. “What would you have me do?”

  The Kathi king’s gaze softened as he spoke of his only child, a girl of six years, “Promise me you will protect her. Teach her to lead our people. Make her queen.”

  Androcottus placed a hand over his heart, his expression solemn. “I swear it, on my honor.”

  Years passed, and the girl grew under Androcottus’s watchful eye. He taught her the art of diplomacy, the complexities of governance, and the delicate balance of power that a ruler must master. His son, Amitrochates, shared in her education,

  It became evident early on that Queen Kathi, as she would come to be known, possessed a spark of magic. Her abilities revealed themselves in small, wondrous ways—glimmers of light at her fingertips, a gust of wind summoned by her emotions. Androcottus, recognizing her potential, arranged for her to study at the revered magic tower. There, she honed her craft with an intensity that matched her passion for ruling.

  Years passed, she was no longer the child Androcottus had taken under his wing; she had become a formidable leader in her own right. A sixth-class magician and a queen with a keen mind, she ruled Kathi with wisdom and strength.

  Now, as the specter of the wyvern loomed over her kingdom, Queen Kathi found herself once again relying on Androcottus.

  Androcottus studied Queen Kathi as they talked, his sharp eyes catching the flicker of sadness hidden behind her composed expression. To him, she wasn’t just a queen—she was like a daughter. He has raised her, guided her, he is proud of her and how she is ruling her kingdom.

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  “You know,” he began, his tone softer than usual, “it’s not easy to carry the responsibility of a kingdom by yourself. Have you thought about…marrying someone? A strong partner could share your burden.”

  Queen Kathi smiled at him, a smile both warm and resolute. “I don’t need to marry anyone, Androcottus. I can manage just fine.”

  Before he could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps interrupted their conversation. A servant appeared, bowing deeply before addressing them. “Your Majesty, Duke Nicolas has arrived.”

  At the mention of the duke’s name, both Androcottus and Queen Kathi exchanged a look of displeasure. The duke was an ambitious man, one who had long coveted the throne of Kathi. His scheming had been thwarted only by Androcottus’s vigilance, but his presence was rarely a good omen.

  When Duke Nicolas entered the hall, he moved with calculated grace, his steps echoing on the polished floor. As he approached the throne, he knelt before Queen Kathi, his expression a mask of deference. “I pay my respects to Your Majesty,” he said, his voice smooth as silk.

  But he did not extend the same courtesy to Androcottus. Instead, he offered a faint smile and said, “It is an honor to have you here, Sir Androcottus.”

  Androcottus’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing. His years as a king had taught him the value of silence when facing a man like Nicolas.

  Straightening up, the duke turned back to Queen Kathi. “Your Majesty, my men have uncovered the whereabouts of the wyvern.”

  At his words, both Queen Kathi and Androcottus looked at him sharply. The news was unexpected—Androcottus’s own network of spies, skilled and resourceful, had yet to locate the elusive beast. For Nicolas to succeed where they had failed seemed…unlikely. Androcottus’s instincts bristled with suspicion, but he held his tongue for now.

  Queen Kathi leaned forward, her expression unreadable. “Is that so?” she said, her voice calm but curious. Then she turned to Androcottus. “If this is true, could I ask you to eliminate the wyvern?”

  Androcottus hesitated for a moment, his mind still turning over the implications of Nicolas’s claim. But when he looked at Kathi and saw the trust in her eyes, his resolve solidified. “Of course,” he said, his voice firm. “If the wyvern truly has been found, I will take care of it.”

  As he spoke, he cast a sidelong glance at Nicolas. The duke’s face was carefully neutral, but Androcottus knew better than to trust it. Whatever game Nicolas was playing, Androcottus can handle it later . For now, though, his focus would remain on the task at hand: protecting Queen Kathi and her kingdom.

  A wyvern is not a weak monster at all. It is a direct kin of dragons. Its body and heart are made of pure RES, making it far stronger than ordinary beasts.

  Androcottus turned to Queen Kathi and said, “Halt your soldiers at the border. I will go with the duke and end the matter of the wyvern.”

  The queen nodded, trusting his judgment.

  Then Androcottus looked at Duke Nicolas and said calmly, “Shall we march to where the wyvern is?”

  For a brief moment, the duke’s face tightened, an ugly expression flashing across it. But he quickly hid it, showing no open hostility. Bowing slightly, he replied, “As you wish, sir.”

  Without another word, Duke Nicolas began to lead the way, guiding Androcottus toward the place where the wyvern awaited.

  When Androcottus reached the border with Duke Nicolas, he stopped and looked at him calmly.

  “Duke, I want only you and two knights to come with me. I don’t need your army to kill the wyvern. Just guide me to the place where you found it.”

  Nicolas felt anger rise inside him at those words, but he could not show it. He forced a polite smile onto his face. “As you wish, sir,” he replied. Taking two of the men who had scouted the wyvern earlier, he began leading Androcottus deeper into the forest.

  As they moved forward, a loud rumbling echoed through the trees. A horde of orcs was approaching.

  Androcottus raised a hand slightly. “Step back,” he told Nicolas.

  Without another word, he drew his sword and walked forward alone.

  The orcs spotted him and began shouting wildly, “Food! Food! Food!” Two of them charged at him at full speed. Androcottus did not even change his expression. He did not swing wildly or take a battle stance. In a single clean motion, he cut off both their heads.

  The other orcs froze in fear. Some turned to run. But Androcottus moved faster.

  With one horizontal slash of his blade, a sharp wave of power swept across the battlefield. In an instant, the entire horde was cut in half. Bodies fell to the ground, blood staining the earth.

  Silence followed.

  Androcottus calmly placed it back into its sheath.

  Nicolas stared at the scene and said, “As expected from you, sir.”

  Androcottus glanced at him coldly. “Quit the bootlicking.”

  Then he turned to one of the knights. “Fire a flare. Let the soldiers know they can come and rescue any survivors from the orc camp.”

  The knight immediately shot a flare into the sky, its bright light signaling the nearby troops.

  Without wasting time, Nicolas continued leading Androcottus toward the wyvern’s location.

  As they walked, Androcottus spoke in a low voice. “Don’t try anything funny.”

  Nicolas stiffened but quickly replied, “No, sir. I am doing my best for my country.”

  Androcottus looked ahead and said, “Good. Keep it that way.”

  Soon, the group arrived before a massive mountain blocking their path.

  Androcottus stopped and looked at it carefully. “It’s a dead end,” he said to Nicolas.

  A faint smile appeared on Nicolas’s face. “You are a great warrior, Sir Androcottus,” he said smoothly, “but what you are seeing is an illusion created by the wyvern.”

  No matter how powerful Androcottus was, he was not a mage. High-tier magic could deceive even someone like him.

  Androcottus stepped forward and touched the mountain’s surface. It felt real. Solid. “We don’t have a mage with us,” he said calmly. “How do you plan to break this illusion?”

  Nicolas reached into his pocket and pulled out a shining gem. “This gem can nullify any magic below Tier 7,” he explained.

  Androcottus narrowed his eyes slightly. How can a duke of a small nation possess such a treasure? Even the royal palace of Kathi did not have an artifact of this level.

  He looked at Nicolas and asked, “How did you obtain such a high-tier artifact? Even your kingdom’s royal palace does not have something like this.”

  Nicolas kept his composure. “I found it in the RES gemstone mine while mining. You may ask the queen. She knows about it.”

  Androcottus remained silent for a moment. He still had doubts, but this was not the time to argue.

  “Then clear the illusion,” he said.

  Nicolas stepped forward and pressed the gem against the mountain. The moment the gem touched the surface, a ripple spread through the air. The mountain flickered like a mirage—and then disappeared completely.

  The path ahead was revealed.

  They moved deeper into the forest. The air grew heavy, and an unnatural silence surrounded them. Then, at last, they saw it.

  The wyvern.

  It rested among broken trees and scorched earth, its massive body coiled like a sleeping storm. The moment Androcottus laid eyes on it, he spoke firmly. “Fall back.”

  Nicolas and the two knights quickly retreated.

  Androcottus walked forward alone.

  The wyvern slowly opened its eyes, glowing with a fierce light. It noticed Androcottus approaching. With a sudden movement, it spread its enormous wings and released a deafening scream.

  The roar shook the forest. A violent wind burst forward, so strong it felt like a tornado tearing through the land.

  But Androcottus stood firm,

  With a simple flick of his hand, he controlled the wind. The raging air calmed instantly, returning to normal as if the tornado had never existed.

  Then, without hesitation, Androcottus unsheathed his sword.