Beneath the Red Dragon

When Karon finally stepped out of his quarters after a long, lazy sleep, the Squinting Mage and the other mages had already set up a Teleportation Magic Array in the camp.

This magic array was to be used for teleports within this world. Should the mages and Karon encounter irresistible or unexpected danger, they would use this array to return to the camp and then go back to Aikania through the Plane Teleportation Gate.

Karon also received a Teleportation Seal engraved with complex runes. In times of danger, breaking the seal would trigger the power of the Teleportation Gate, sending him back to the camp.

Although Karon had his methods in place, he couldn’t guarantee that no accidents would occur, and having one more method was a good thing, so he accepted the Teleportation Seal.

However, this privilege was limited to Karon and a few mages. The Jackal Wolfman Soldiers and the Jackal Wolfman Leader, Yougu, who were to accompany them on the exploration, did not receive a Teleportation Seal.

Differences in the world inevitably manifest, though Karon hoped his forces wouldn’t suffer losses, he was prepared for the possibility.

It must be said, given ample time, these mages came up with a variety of strategies. Just like a certain batman Karon remembered.

The famous line about that man might well apply to the mages—never pick a fight with a mage.

Aside from the Teleportation Gate, the mages gathered around a peculiar magic instrument, muttering among themselves. This strange instrument resembled a combination of a globe and a compass, with a long needle bouncing up and down on the small sphere, constantly changing directions.

”Karon, you finally woke up,” the Squinting Mage noticed Karon’s figure and separated from the group of mages to approach him.

”How’s it going, Hughes? Have you figured out the target of your exploration?” Karon asked as he stretched.

In this plane, imbued with rich life force and dampness, the Red Dragon felt his fiery temperament had significantly subsided. The blood that usually boiled each morning now felt quite calm.

The Squinting Mage nodded, ”We’ve identified two targets, but they lie in completely opposite directions. The nearest target is behind us, about a thousand miles away,”

The mage pointed to the back of the camp, gesturing toward the thinning forest leading to a barren sand area.

Then his finger pointed southeast from the camp: ”The other target is in that direction. Although it’s farther, the magical instrument reacts more intensely, so we’re somewhat hesitant.”

Karon nodded. While he would lead in certain matters, he wouldn’t interfere with the mages’ choice of exploration direction, as he didn’t know which choice was right or wrong.

As long as the mages didn’t suggest the shockingly wise choice of splitting up to explore, he wouldn’t stop them.

Ultimately, the mages decided to first explore the closer location, without suggesting any division of forces.

Karon nodded, instructing Yougu to gather the Jackal Wolfman Warriors, leaving fifty warriors and the other Dogman Soldiers to guard the camp.

The remaining Jackal Wolfman Warriors dressed in their heavy armor with each other’s help. In this damp plane, the armor became moist just overnight, making it prone to rust.

Many who cherished their armor smeared some grease on it, making it shine black. Worn by the large Jackal Wolfman Barbarian Soldiers, the armor appeared formidable and fierce.

Once all the warriors were ready, the Jackal Wolfman Mages released their ravens and vultures, which flew in the direction of exploration.

Then, the group stepped out of the camp, following the scouting birds at a slow pace, while hundreds of kobolds pushed wheelbarrows carrying the provisions and supplies of the Jackal Wolfman Soldiers.

The path chosen by the mages initially passed through sparse woods with some active animals and beasts. But as the exploration continued, the environment became increasingly desolate.

After advancing twenty miles, the surroundings transformed from sparse forest to a gobi desert where only wild grass grew. The desiccated desert absorbed much of the moisture in the area.

There was little sign of beast activity, and even the birds in the sky disappeared. Only a few burrowing insects and minute life forms lurked beneath the arid sand.

However, Karon liked this environment—dry, not as chilly as the forest, a place where the Red Dragon’s abilities wouldn’t be hindered.

As they ventured deeper, temperatures began to rise, causing the armored Jackal Wolfmen to lift their face armor for easier breathing.

Amidst the sand, scattered bones began to appear. Eroded by the wind and sand, the bones had become fragmented. Many bone fragments rose with the wind and sand, revealing more complete bones beneath.

By the time the group advanced fifty miles, the bone density increased, with more complete skeletons buried under the desert sand. Many broken, weathered, and rusted weapons littered the area, looking like they might break with a little force.

The bones displayed various fatal wounds—some were decapitated, beheaded by enemies; others had holes where their chests once were, with many fractured ribs; others were bisected at the waist, showcasing numerous signs of death.

Walking at the center of the group with the Squinting Mage and others, Karon’s senses continuously scanned the surroundings. Though devoid of negative energy, it was clear these bones had existed in the region for ages.

Even if they had been buried in coffins, they should have decayed to dust long ago. To persist in a location prone to erosion was indeed unusual.

This discovery urged caution among the party, yet no one felt compelled to retreat in fear.

Not to mention the High Tier Mage’s prowess, even Karon felt confident that, should these bones become undead creatures, the Red Dragon’s flames would reduce them to ash like dry firewood.

Even the Jackal Wolfmen, with their iron armor, would remain unscathed by these bones, leaving only the less powerful Dogman Soldiers as potential prey. However, these kobolds, under Karon’s leadership, possessed courage surpassing any Dragon’s Beloved.

By nightfall, the exploration team hadn’t encountered any unexpected situations.

In the desert’s harsh terrain, Karon chose a wind-sheltered dune as the campsite for the night. He ordered the kobolds to arrange the wheelbarrows carrying provisions and supplies around the camp’s perimeter as a primary defense.

He then utilized his abilities to unearth all the bones beneath the selected campsite and incinerated them into ashes with a Dragon Breath.

Using the Power of Earth, he compacted the ground of the campsite firmly, ensuring no bones could rise from beneath before stopping.

Seeing Karon’s prudence, the mages also placed magical alarms and withdrew Magic Gemstones from their Magic Rings, setting up a Defense Array around the campsite, fortifying it like an iron barrel.

Karon nodded in approval. The affluent mages’ disregard for such expenditure also showcased their attitude—they did not wish for Karon’s forces to suffer unnecessary losses.

After arranging for duty watches during the night, everyone settled in to rest, with the heavily armored Jackal Wolfman Soldiers falling asleep immediately.

Karon leaned against the solidified dune, closing his eyes to quietly recuperate.

On a high watchtower formed by a dune, vigilant Dogman Soldiers kept watch over the surroundings. The bright moonlight enabled kobolds, with their nocturnal vision, to see further and clearer.

Fortunately, nothing happened during the first half of the night.

As the night deepened, the sky darkened, the bright moon gradually covered by drifting clouds, and the cold of midnight enveloped the land.

Suddenly, with a rustle, skeletal claw-like hands broke through the earth across the vast, sandy wasteland.