Dawn arrived quietly over the southern wilderness.
Cold silver mist drifted between the ancient trees while pale sunlight slowly descended across the endless mountain ranges of the South. The jungle still breathed beneath shadows and distant monster cries, yet near the cavern entrance, the Exploration Unit had already gathered.
The second batch was leaving.
The atmosphere felt different this time.
Heavier.
More solemn.
Because unlike the first batch—
This return group carried far more than resources.
They carried drake eggs.
Ancient knowledge.
The body of a fallen explorer.
And perhaps most importantly—
Proof.
Proof that humanity had stepped deeper into the wilderness…
And survived.
The two restrained drakes rested near the cave entrance beneath heavy enchanted chains. Morning light reflected across their dark scales while glowing suppression runes pulsed continuously against their massive bodies.
The female drake remained calmer now.
Still wary.
Still proud.
But no longer thrashing violently against the restraints.
The male drake remained hostile.
Golden predatory eyes constantly watched the humans surrounding him while smoke occasionally escaped his nostrils.
Yet even he had gradually stopped resisting fully during the night.
Not because of submission.
Understanding.
The creatures had realized escape was currently impossible.
Meanwhile—
The explorers assigned to return prepared carefully.
Supplies were secured against reinforced saddles.
Ancient records wrapped within waterproof mana cloth.
Monster materials packed tightly.
The five eggs protected beneath layered enchantments and stabilizing cushions.
Every movement carried tension.
Because one mistake during transport could destroy everything.
Kel stood near the front of the cavern watching silently while cold dawn wind moved softly through his black coat.
The black-haired man's expression remained calm as always, yet his dark eyes carefully observed every preparation detail personally.
Nothing escaped his attention.
One scholar nervously adjusted the stabilizing ropes around the drake eggs again.
A scout checked the transport route maps repeatedly.
Several mages refreshed reinforcement enchantments one final time before departure.
The atmosphere resembled preparation for war more than simple travel.
And perhaps—
That comparison was not entirely wrong.
Because what they carried back to the Southern Council could reshape the future of the South itself.
Teren finished securing the final supply pack before slowly approaching Kel.
The young explorer looked exhausted.
Yet different now.
More mature.
More grounded.
The wilderness had changed him already.
"We're ready."
Kel nodded slightly.
Then calmly spoke.
"Use the same route as the first batch."
Several returners immediately nodded.
That route had already been tested.
Secured.
Proven relatively safe.
No one wanted unnecessary risks while transporting drake eggs.
Kel's gaze shifted briefly toward the covered corpse secured respectfully near the rear transport bindings.
"Do not delay unnecessarily."
His voice remained steady.
"Prioritize safety over speed."
Several mercenaries exchanged quiet glances hearing that.
Because despite the terrifying things Kel had done recently—
He still valued survival first.
Always.
One older combatant quietly bowed his head.
"We understand."
Then finally—
The departure began.
The restrained drakes were guided carefully toward the mountain paths outside the cavern while the returning explorers mounted reinforced transport positions along their backs.
Five riders per drake.
Supplies secured.
Eggs stabilized.
Weapons ready.
The scene looked surreal beneath the pale dawn sky.
Humans riding chained drakes through the wilderness.
Even the remaining expedition members silently watched them leave.
Because instinctively—
Everyone understood they were witnessing the beginning of something historic.
The male drake growled lowly while descending the mountain path beneath heavy restraints. The female moved more quietly beside him while armored explorers maintained constant vigilance around both creatures.
And slowly—
The second batch disappeared into the ancient wilderness.
The remaining expedition stood silently for several moments afterward.
Watching until the figures vanished completely between mountains and jungle mist.
Then finally—
Kel turned away first.
"We continue deeper tomorrow."
Simple.
Calm.
As if sending captured drakes and ancient relics toward civilization meant nothing unusual.
Several explorers exchanged tired laughs hearing that.
Because somehow—
Only Heral could make madness sound routine.
Meanwhile—
Far away from the wilderness—
The Southern Council Headquarters remained restless beneath growing political pressure.
The first batch's return had already shaken the South completely.
Ancient knowledge.
Forgotten civilizations.
Profitable resources.
The council had barely finished reorganizing storage vaults and research divisions before rumors began spreading throughout noble circles.
And now—
Three days later—
Something even greater approached.
The second batch traveled quickly.
Much faster than expected.
Because unlike ordinary transport units—
They rode drakes.
The same secure route used by the first batch allowed them to avoid major monster territories while aerial mobility drastically shortened travel time across mountain regions.
Even restrained—
The drakes moved with terrifying speed.
By the third day—
The Southern Council's outer watchtowers spotted them.
At first—
The guards thought monsters were attacking.
Alarm bells rang across the outer districts instantly.
Archers rushed onto defensive walls.
Combat mages activated emergency formations.
Civilians panicked.
Because enormous flying reptilian silhouettes descending from the southern skies resembled nightmares more than transport units.
Then finally—
Someone recognized the council banners attached to the transport harnesses.
Silence spread.
Confused silence.
And moments later—
The Southern Council Headquarters erupted into absolute chaos.
"DRAKES?!"
"THEY BROUGHT BACK DRAKES?!"
"IS THIS REAL?!"
Nobles rushed toward observation towers.
Scholars abandoned research halls.
Even military commanders hurried outside personally.
The restrained drakes landed heavily within the secured council grounds while terrified workers scattered instinctively from the overwhelming pressure radiating from the creatures.
The gigantic beasts growled deeply beneath their enchanted restraints while smoke escaped their nostrils into the cold southern air.
And behind them—
The drake eggs arrived.
The moment the council members saw them—
The atmosphere changed completely.
Because now—
Everything became real.
Not rumors.
Not theories.
Reality.
The South possessed drake eggs.
Captured drakes.
Ancient knowledge.
And an active expedition still exploring deeper wilderness regions.
The balance of power had begun shifting already.
Meanwhile—
Teren immediately dismounted after arrival and contacted the wilderness expedition through the mana communication device prepared earlier by the council mages.
The crystal communicator flickered softly beneath blue mana light.
Static echoed briefly.
Then—
Connection stabilized.
Inside the wilderness cavern—
Kel quietly opened his eyes from meditation near the campfire.
The mana communication crystal resting beside him began glowing softly.
Several nearby explorers immediately looked toward him.
Kel calmly activated the device.
Teren's tired voice echoed through the crystal.
"…We safely reached the Southern Council."
Silence filled the cavern briefly afterward.
Then Kel quietly asked—
"Casualties?"
"None."
The remaining explorers visibly relaxed slightly hearing that.
Teren continued.
"The drakes arrived successfully."
"The eggs remain stable."
"The council…"
A faint pause followed.
"…is losing its mind right now."
Several nearby explorers burst into exhausted laughter hearing that.
Even Landon quietly smiled slightly from near the cavern wall.
Meanwhile—
Kel simply closed his eyes briefly.
Not smiling.
Not celebrating.
Just silently confirming another step of his plans had succeeded.