With the removal of [Earth Prison] and [Greater Dimensional Seal], the operation finally came to an end.
It had been a battle that could hardly be called a battle, and it concluded in a strangely anticlimactic way.
Nazarick had successfully obtained a World-Class Item and planted a hidden piece within the Slane Theocracy.
While searching for an opportunity to steal the Theocracy's True Divine-class Item, they would also be able to receive a steady stream of intelligence from within.
"Well then, I'll be heading back to E-Rantel to continue my life as an adventurer."
Naohara yawned as he looked toward the faint light rising on the horizon. After scheming against the Black Scripture for so long, dawn had arrived before anyone noticed.
"Momonga, I'll leave the preparations for founding the nation and deciding our next steps to you."
Naohara glanced at Momonga, who was deep in thought.
"I understand. Now that we know there were other Players besides the three of us who came to this world, we have to prepare for the worst."
Momonga nodded gravely. Whether it was the Slane Theocracy's five remaining World-Class Items or the existence of other transmigrated Players, neither was something they could take lightly.
"And since we came here along with our entire guild, we have to consider the possibility that other Players did the same."
"According to the memories we saw, the Eight Greed Kings once had a floating castle recorded in history."
Herohero added from the side. The Eight Greed Kings were dead, but that did not necessarily mean their suspected guild base, that skyborne castle, had been destroyed.
If the NPCs inside were still alive, especially long-lived heteromorphic races, that would be a serious hidden danger.
"I know. Herohero, Naohara, be extra careful when you're acting outside."
"Don't worry ×2."
The three continued discussing their future plans. Based on the new intelligence, many strategies would need to be adjusted.
The founding of Nazarick's nation had to be put on the agenda as soon as possible. And if other Players might appear in the future, they needed to prepare for that in advance.
"Hm?"
All three suddenly stopped mid-conversation and looked up at the sky at the same time.
The Floor Guardians nearby also froze. They had sensed a powerful presence rapidly approaching.
"Father-sama, Momonga-sama, Herohero-sama! Something is heading this way at incredible speed!"
Aura leapt to the top of a tree and peered into the distance.
Within the forest, Aura and Mare possessed the sharpest senses among everyone present. Every blade of grass and tree branch served as their eyes and ears.
"Looks like we're getting a little bonus. What a great day."
Herohero said in a strange tone as he looked at his companions.
"Aura, what is it exactly?"
Momonga ignored the joke and asked seriously.
They had only just defeated the Black Scripture, and now an unknown powerful being was already approaching.
That was not a good sign.
"Uh… it looks like a suit of platinum-colored armor. The pressure it gives off is really strong."
Sensing the images carried through the plants, Aura answered, not entirely sure.
"Armor?"
"Does it look like this?"
Herohero thought for a moment, then used magic to project a phantom image of a platinum-colored suit of armor.
"Yes, that's it," Aura replied immediately.
"Then that settles it. Naohara, Momonga, that armor should be one of the Thirteen Heroes mentioned in the intel."
"The Thirteen Heroes… If the records are right, that was about two hundred years ago."
"Humans can't live that long. So whoever it is, they probably aren't human."
Momonga rubbed his chin, weighing possibilities. A transmigrated Player? Or a native of this world?
Naohara stayed silent. He still remembered that platinum armor. It was supposedly being controlled by a True Dragon Lord, and not just any True Dragon Lord, but one of the strongest.
"Everyone, stay on guard!"
Faced with an unknown enemy, Momonga issued the order at once.
"Understood."
At Momonga's command, the Guardians moved. Ready to activate their World-Class Items at any moment, they advanced to the front in a tight formation, placing themselves between the trio and any threat.
Aura and Mare positioned themselves in front of Naohara. Albedo stepped in front of Momonga. Cocytus and Sebas took the center.
Herohero glanced at Solution beside him, then at Shalltear edging a little closer. A faint, eerie glimmer passed across his pitch-black face.
A moment later, under everyone's watchful gaze, the platinum armor finally came into view.
It didn't seem to notice Naohara and the others lying in wait. It simply hovered quietly above the forest.
"This material… mithril?"
"And it doesn't seem to have any life presence."
Momonga cast a detection spell and looked up, puzzled.
The armor really was made of mithril, yet he could not sense the slightest trace of life. It felt like an empty shell.
"And most importantly, there's a draconic aura on it."
Naohara narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing within them.
As someone with the class [Dragonslayer], that aura jabbed straight at his instincts.
His body craved dragon blood.
His soul craved a dragon's spirit.
"The one controlling that armor is a dragon, and a strong one. Judging by the aura, it's at least level 90."
"And since Players can't choose dragons as a race, it's likely a native of this world. A True Dragon Lord who can use Wild Magic."
Herohero quietly shifted, placing Solution behind him as he added that in a low voice.
In Yggdrasil, there were plenty of dragon-related jobs: Dragonoids, Dragon Blood Sorcerers, Dragon Riders, Dragon Summoners, and more.
But Players could not choose a pure-blooded dragon as their race. Their stats were simply too powerful, so the developers had forbidden it.
Of course, there were exceptions. Naohara was one of them. Although he was a Dragonoid, the passive skill [Dragon Blood Sacrifice] from the [Dragonslayer] class had pushed his bloodline purity beyond most dragons.
You could see that clearly from [Dragon Lord Transformation].
"So, what do we do? Do we make a move?"
Momonga asked. Now that they had a reasonable guess at what they were facing, the question was whether to strike first or wait.
"Do you even need to ask?"
Naohara smiled. A flash of light bloomed, and a massive blade appeared in his hand.
Divine-class Item: [Dragon Destruction Sword]!
...
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