Deep within Moon Song Forest, far from the shadows of Sendarra, the Dark Claw Camp's temporary camp was eerily silent.
Sindaiseth stepped into the camp's perimeter with heavy footsteps.
He carried a severely wounded and unconscious Dracthyr on his left arm, while his right shoulder supported another Dracthyr who was barely conscious and struggling to stand.
The scales on both of them were charred and badly damaged, but it was clear they had received initial treatment, as their wounds were no longer bleeding. Sindaiseth's own condition was worse; a large area of scales on his back was shattered, revealing deep, bone-exposing wounds.
Every breath he took pulled at the intense pain in his internal organs.
"Scale Leader!" A dark figure flashed out from behind a giant tree at the edge of the camp, his voice hoarse and clearly alarmed.
His 'Disguise' had been removed, and there was a clear burn mark on his left arm, though fortunately, his movements were unimpeded.
He quickly stepped forward and took the teammate from Sindaiseth's shoulder.
"Where are the others?" Sindaiseth's voice remained low, tinged with an undeniable cold hardness.
As he spoke, he helped the still-conscious Dracthyr sit down.
The lightly wounded Dracthyr, while tending to Sindaiseth's injuries, quickly replied, "Reporting, Scale Leader, I did not find any traces of the others."
"Following orders, I withdrew directly with the container. On the way, besides a patrol of rangers, I did not encounter any other stop."
Sindaiseth's cold, vertical pupils swept across the camp.
Besides the four of them, there was no one else.
One team member was missing, and also—
"Where is Rabisargos?" Sindaiseth continued to ask.
The Dracthyr shook his head, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes: "When I returned, the camp was empty."
"There were no signs of a struggle, and no blood. His residual aura was very faint, as if he was forcibly taken away, or... left on his own."
Once all wounds were properly bandaged, Sindaiseth bent down and meticulously examined the center of the camp, where Rabisargos had previously been resting.
His fingertips lightly touched the ground, and he concentrated on sensing the faint residual arcane energy traces.
Chaotic, intermittent... and another extremely powerful, ancient, and majestic arcane aura clearly remained!
This aura was surging and pure, carrying a heavy sense of oppression. Although it originated from the same source as Rabisargos's power, it appeared even more vast and profound, like an ocean compared to a stream.
There were no residual battle fluctuations, no signs of struggle.
The conclusion was simple: a more powerful Blue Dragon, with overwhelming force, instantly subdued or took Rabisargos away.
Rabisargos might not even have had a chance to resist.
Sindaiseth straightened up, his face ashen.
Although the mission was completed, the cost far exceeded expectations:
One team member missing; one team member severely wounded and critical; another team member severely wounded and incapacitated; even worse, the most important magic consultant was unaccounted for and had been targeted by a powerful, unknown Blue Dragon!
He did not believe Rabisargos had defected, as he had sworn a magical oath to serve the Dracthyr legion for the next five thousand years.
This was supposed to be the Dark Claw Camp's debut after thirteen thousand years of sealing, and he had managed to mess it up like this.
A strong sense of unwillingness surged within Sindaiseth.
He took out a long-range communication runestone, walked to a corner of the camp, and knelt on one knee before a relatively flat black stone slab.
He activated the runestone, and faint energy fluctuations began to condense.
"Dark Talon Scale Leader Sindaiseth, calling headquarters. Reporting mission status." His voice traveled through the runestone, reaching thousands of miles away.
After a brief silence, a low and cold voice directly sounded in his consciousness—it was the Dracthyrs' current commander, the Black Dragon Prince Nefarian:
"Report."
Sindaiseth had no intention of making excuses for himself, and reported concisely:
"Mission accomplished. Sendarra's energy reserves have fallen below the target line and will soon be depleted."
"However, this operation suffered heavy losses."
He reported the losses one by one, without any concealment.
"Additionally, there is a special situation: Magic Consultant Rabisargos was attacked by an unknown powerful Blue Dragon during the operation and is missing."
"There are no signs of a struggle in the camp. The enemy Blue Dragon's identity is unknown, and his power level is—extremely high."
He paused for a moment, then made his request, his voice resolute:
"Request to join the second phase of the'Saintess' operation. I will personally escort the target into the Sendarra civilian area."
"Objectives: One, ensure the'Saintess's' safety and effectiveness; Two, search for and confirm the status of the missing team member. I want him alive, or his body."
Nefarian on the other end of the communication was silent for a moment.
Sindaiseth waited quietly for his commander's decision.
A moment later, the order came:
"Request approved. Command of the second phase of the operation is transferred to you."
"The'Saintess' Liriel is ready. I will teleport her to you when you are prepared."
"You must prioritize the success of the'Saintess' plan. On this basis, regarding the specific details of searching for missing personnel,
You will make your own decisions and do your best."
When Nefarian mentioned the "Saintess," there was no emotional fluctuation in his voice, as if he was merely discussing an object.
"The matter of Rabisargos's disappearance will be taken over by my mentor for investigation."
"You need not be distracted. Focus on your mission, Scale Leader. Do not disappoint me again."
The communication was cut.
Sindaiseth slowly stood up, the runestone's light gradually dimming.
He turned to the Dracthyr who was still able to move, and said in a deep voice, "Help them with their wounds and prepare for transfer. You will take them directly back to the commander."
"What about you, Scale Leader?" the Dracthyr asked in return, "Aren't you withdrawing with us?"
Sindaiseth was about to rebuke his defiance, but seeing the concern in his eyes, his tone softened, "I still have a mission to complete, but I will ensure your safe withdrawal. Once you return to the commander, await my orders."
"Yes, Scale Leader!" The Dracthyr solemnly accepted the order and immediately began preparations.
Sindaiseth walked to the unconscious Dracthyr, checked his injuries, and then glanced at the one who was struggling to sit up.
Deep within his vertical pupils, a subtle, almost imperceptible fluctuation flashed.
He took out the potent healing potions he carried and gave them to both of them, ensuring they could last until they reached a safe location.
Afterward, he walked to the edge of the camp and gazed in the direction of Sendarra.
Although this place was far from the elven city, if they truly launched a search, it would not be difficult to discover this hiding place.
"Hurry, this place is not safe."
Sindaiseth moved his injured shoulder, re-tightened the bleeding bandages, and beneath his scale-covered face, an unyielding fighting spirit reignited in his vertical pupils.
Saintess Liriel, and that missing team member, wait for me—
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right nobut who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/TripleCrown
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"