From the woods, a few rustles came with vague shadows bouncing off the thicket of the woods, until they landed rather quickly on the ground, bowing in front of Athan.


    Their features were rather pale, also a tinge of lavender coated on their skin— glowing like butter and so smooth to look at even from a distance. Their hairs were straight and platinum blond, and eyes gleamed crimson as soon as they arched their necks, greeting their master once more.


    These ghouls received vampire blood, an imperial one at that— Through Athan, they received supernatural abilities, and even enhanced with the tonic he got and pursued a long-term training among them.


    ''So, Mystique believed that we could win if we took these as vanguards and not an ambush team, huh?''


    Earlier, he thought that while it did make sense, for their senses of hearing were poor enough to catch sounds, and relied on their touch and sight, he wanted to show it for the latter battles— a card that he kept for so long.


    But then, Mystique was able to catch it quickly, not that he was surprised anymore, and agreed with her plan now that Ustreador had developed in a small amount of time.


    Perhaps taking another round of blinking his eyes, and so many lives in the Western Territory would''ve been lost and worse than it had become.


    Not that it would happen, and for that, he was grateful to have her by his side.


    "Your Highness," Veronica gave a curt bow as she stepped forward. "We shall now depart."


    Athan nodded, recalled Nero as well to get ready for the arduous flight.


    Right now, Athan and the rest had already packed and moved out to the arid lands, he mounted on Nero and went full speed ahead.


    On the ground found thousands of desert werewolves, with their tracks not leaving a dusty cloud and merging themselves among the drylands. They ran with swiftness but dead silent, compared to a hoard of animals, creating a thunderous stampede.


    However, they were not camouflaged with the ghouls taking a ride on their backs.


    Beside him was Arnold, who was on top of the wyvern, raising his hands with a grimoire on his hand, and inscribing a magic circle on the other.


    But then, it fizzled out right away. He couldn''t help but curse aloud, flicking his hand off as though he got burned somewhat.


    He had been going on for a while now, but it didn''t stop him as he was too committed.


    Veronica and Sylvester also noticed his grimace, albeit a glance, lest they''d fear of getting the icy fit of his rage.


    ''I''ve never seen him fail that much… Is it that difficult? Just what did she even give him?''


    Athan couldn''t help but ponder for so long, what spell he had to prepare, of which the grandmaster had a hard time getting it right. But then, he put his trust in him the same as she trusted her father.


    ''Anyway, we still have time…'' He scoured beneath with nothing but plain dunes around him. ''The rendezvous would be about several miles ahead, and in a few hours they would cross that boundary... ''


    ''Nero, I also have a task for you…''


    But then, without even looking at him, he groaned aloud before he spoke inside of his head. "Why you… I already enjoyed taking my rest the whole time—"


    ''Right, you''ve been slacking off, so I need to put you into good use…''


    Nero had been so relaxed the whole time and didn''t want to make him endanger for most of the time, like what he did in his past life, lest the same thing happened to him. While he thought that he shouldn''t put him in that position once again, now wasn''t the time to get too complacent.


    The crown prince needed all the help he could get, and he hoped Nero would understand it.


    "... I''m tired of traveling back and forth with all the rations— Who are we fighting anyway— Are they tasty?"


    ''No, but they do bring the tasty riches that you crave—''


    "Consider that done! Signed, sealed, and delivered!"


    ''Only if you do it right…''


    Nero then turned his head sideways, glaring at him. "You can''t possibly fool me on this day."


    A subtle scrunch on his forehead came as he scoffed, ''When have I ever lied to you?"


    "... Right." He then looked forward, beating his crystalline wings. "Always juicy prize aftermath."


    His familiar loves gems and prestigious minerals, and ever since he knew his hidden power, he was willing to let him gobble them. A win-win situation, as he would''ve thought.


    He assured himself that everything would go his way, with revised preparation, there was no way he could fail this one, for his father, Lawrence, expected great news from the Imperial Capital.


    Not long, the sweltering gust, buzzing his ears as they pushed through, dwindled as he tapped at Nero to slow down to the place they had to position.


    Traversing across the dunes, the warm colors now had lush greens that greeted his eyes.


    Alas, after a long-distance, they''ve arrived.


    To the left side found a myriad of vegetation, from shrubs to lone trees, sprouting in front of them. Further than that were the cliffs of the canyon.


    "Over there would be the chains of ravines that lie ahead..." Athan looked up, propping his hand on top of his eyebrows from the blazing sun. "We shall go."


    Not a second got wasted after they moved past the rustling leaves and critters nearby. The werewolves began to climb through the craggy surface. Not that it was a problem to them, but it did take some time with ghouls perched atop them.


    Soon enough, they reached the top, now overlooking the chasm, deep and dry; if not from the bright sun beaming down, then it might be a bottomless abyss.


    While at it, Sylvester gathered around his men, and so did Athan; but after which, he couldn''t help but wonder where the other important guest went.


    Only when Veronica tugged him to the side, pointing as she said, "Over there..."


    Meanwhile, Arnold was also in a cloak, like the rest of them, but he turned his back at him. Somehow, he fidgeted and was giddy in his stead.


    "Your Grace!"


    Upon calling, Arnold flinched out and turned around with a smile. His pearly white teeth bore deep contrast with his burnt face and frizzy hair.


    Like he got struck out of thunderbolt.


    The Grand Duke of Blackwell beckoned, "All is well!"