Arcane Journey

Chapter 142 The Dragon Worship

Enook Desert, Scimitar Peak Mountain Range.

There are neither low hills, nor valleys, nor any vegetation here, and the black jagged stone blades stand jaggedly on the sandy ground.

Peaks of black rock like crooked horns divide the 'Thirsty Sands' from the stony wasteland known as 'Eta's Realm'.

In a gloomy Skeleton Gap Canyon in the Scimitar Peak Mountains.

A tall and tall figure appeared, wearing a dark purple robe and a dark red mask shaped like a horned skull.

In this very eerie canyon, he walked leisurely like a stroll in a garden.

At this moment, a thick and deep voice came from behind his ears, and a cold, rancid smell came from his steady inhalation.

"Think of what you're going to say before you speak, human. My interest in you won't fill me up just yet."

The man in the skull mask was composed and calm, and he turned around slowly.

Through the gaps in the mask, he saw an ominous shadow enveloping him, a hazy exterior of translucent scales and black body.

This is a shadow dragon that has reached the ancient dragon stage.

With the power of the mask, he sees through the shadow's identity.

The shadow dragon is a giant dragon transformed from a real dragon. When they are born in the shadow plane or stay in this plane for several years, they can complete the transformation through the baptism ceremony of "reshaping in the shadow".

The process of transforming into a shadow dragon takes years, during which time the true dragon's scales gradually lose their luster until they finally take on a charcoal hue.

He saw the shadow dragon's smoky fist-sized eyeballs were like awls, staring straight at him. The lizard-like head with shiny scales was about the size of a chariot, and its teeth were as long and wide as it was. Broadsword, breathing out a large cloud of moisture again and again.

Under the shadow dragon's head is a cobra-like neck, stretching all the way into the stone forest.

Amongst the stone shadows standing everywhere, he could only make out the huge and sturdy body, the huge wings shielding one side of the open space, the powerful shoulders and forelimbs closed with dagger-sharp dragon claws, and the translucent dark gray scales The kite shield is that big.

"Mighty Shadow Dragon, I ask for your kindness and help. As a token of my gratitude, I would like to offer you a small gift." Facing Shadow Dragon, his tentative voice was very steady.

"I've seen those boring gems of yours a long time ago, little human beings. After you've been dealt with, I can take whatever I want."

The shadow dragon's head rushed in front of him, took a deep sniff, and the dragon's teeth were only an arm's length away from his body.

The masked figure remained motionless, but he had already begun to chant the magic incantation to find out the truth in his mind.

"Is this how your Ghost City treats guests, Hajhorna?" Then, he looked at the Shadow Dragon through the gap in the mask, and said unhurriedly.

The intention was seen through, and the shadow dragon glared at him, sprayed two black smoke-like shadows from its nostrils, and withdrew its bluffing posture.

"Crack!!"

There was a burst of applause, and Hajhorner, who was wearing an exquisite black robe, stood on the translucent dragon wings, looked down at the man in front of him, and said with a smile: "Dragon Whisperer Severin Silain is worthy of being a dragon worshiper." The new leader of the sect actually dares to come here alone to find me!"

Severin looked at Haj Horner indifferently, and said slowly: "I'll take what you promised me."

"No problem at all."

Hajhorner took out an old book with a black cover from the dark pocket of his robe, "This book records the mystical knowledge of the ancient elf empire Yerlan, and it's time for you to fulfill your promise."

"A dracolich, plus a mature black dragon and his lizardman army in the swamp of the far sea." Severin thought for a moment, and said to him, "This is enough to help you take down a small town of Mokou."

"You know what I really need." Hearing this, Hajhorner's enthusiastic smile suddenly turned cold.

"Of course I know, but it's not worth my shot at all."

Severin shook his head disdainfully. The long-horned skull mask swayed on the ground to form a ferocious phantom. The Shadow Dragon raised his head proudly, his eyes shrank in fright, and he quickly looked away from the mask.

"After all, I have more important things to do."

He finished speaking in a low voice, his eyes involuntarily looked to the east, and Searle's red-robed wizard society involuntarily appeared in his mind.

"A small place makes you so cautious." Severin looked at Haj Horner again, and said in a slightly mocking tone, "This makes me have to doubt whether our cooperation is a fair transaction."

"Actually, I'm very skeptical, too."

Hajhorner snorted coldly, fell from the shadow dragon's back, waved his hand to signal the dragon to leave, then threw the book to the leader of Dragon Worship Cult, and said in a suspicious tone, "I hope they don't let me disappointment."

Occupying Mokou Town was just a matter of convenience for him, and his real target was the duchess of Araby City.

He had known for a long time that there were three Nether scrolls stored in the Mage Tower in Araby City, and he also learned from the information held by the Zhentarim that this Mage Tower, which had been passed down for thousands of years, came from the Luoyan Desert.

The Fallen Desert was once the core area of ​​the Machine Empire Imaskar in history.

Although the empire was destroyed in the battle with the gods of Unther and Mulhorand, causing all survivors to migrate westward, there are rumors that a large number of Imaskar empires are buried deep in the desert. ruins.

He believes that there is a high possibility that there is some history about Imasca hidden in this mage tower.

Now, the old bastard Prince Desude, his partner in charge of attacking the Kingdom of Cormyr, chose to stay on the sidelines, which made him not fully confident in breaking into the Wizard Tower in Araby City.

Therefore, when he discovered the importance attached to Mokou Town by the Church of the God of Knowledge and the Church of the Mother of the Earth, as well as the stationed Battle Mage and Purple Dragon Knight, he immediately realized that he might be able to invade Mokou Town by forcefully , to draw out the duchess who lives deep in the tower.

Although it was a pity that he didn't have the help of the leader of the Dragon Worship Cult, but after receiving the support of a dracolich and a mature black dragon, he realized that even if he didn't have to take action, he could take Mokou Town with full confidence.

In this way, he could preserve his strength and wait for the duchess of Arabe City to leave the tower to support Mokou Town, take it down, and take advantage of the trend to move south to occupy Arabe City.

At this point, all the northern borders of the Kingdom of Cormyr fell into his hands.

After taking the books thrown by Haj Horner, the leader of the Dragon Cult suppressed his inner excitement and calmed down.

He had known for a long time that the Arcanists of the Netheril descendants in the City of Shades possessed some mystical knowledge about the ancient elven empire.

After all, before the Netheril Empire had discovered the Netheril scrolls, it was the elves of the Yeerlan Empire who opened up the way of learning Austrian arts for Netheril students.

As long as he has the information about the mythos of the ancient elf empire, the research progress of the stagnant Dragon Madness mythos will be improved rapidly.

The predecessor of the Dragon Worship Cult was the Dragon Witch Cult. For a long time, it has been focusing on making undead dragons to fulfill the prophecy.

But it is different now. As the leader, Severin believes that the real dragon consciousness and power should belong to living dragons, not undead aliens.

It was his ambition that aroused the interest of Tiamat, the queen of five-color dragons living in Baator, who gave him great power and guided him to rule the world.

Therefore, the study of Dragon Madness is only the first step in the Dragon Queen's return plan.

"I won't disappoint you. I hope this war is the beginning of our good cooperation and friendship." Severin put away the books contentedly, smiled at Hajhorner, and turned to leave.

Hajhorner watched the leaving figure of the leader of the Dragon Cult, and sneered. Just as he was about to leave, a cold magic dagger appeared out of thin air and stabbed him in the heart.

He seemed to have expected this situation a long time ago, he didn't even look up, just waved his hand, and the enchanted dagger stagnated in midair.

At the same time, the dark shadow twisted, and the immobile figure of the assassin emerged.

"A ghost man? Are you too young to be an assassin?" Hajhorner stared at the assassin dressed in black with light red eyes, and joked with a sneer: "It doesn't matter, age is not a problem, what matters Yes, you want to kill me, right?"

He looked directly into the assassin's eyes, "How do you think I should resolve this?"

The assassin glared at him viciously, and wanted to spit at him to show his insult and contempt, but he couldn't open his mouth and his tongue didn't move.

"What do you say, did the eldest prince or the third prince send you here?" Hajhorner asked, "It seems that you don't want to answer me?"

He waved his hand, took off the magic dagger hanging in the air, checked it carefully, and commented secretly:
"This is really a good dagger that can kill, but I don't like to use this kind of toy. For the assassins who can impress me, I keep their weapons as souvenirs, but I usually don't use them. Because the use of weapons It splatters blood and other nasties, but magic is much cleaner."

He took out an ebony staff, walked up to the assassin, and added: "Also, magic punishment is far more effective and interesting. Imagine if I simply used your little dagger on you If you poke a few holes, of course you will be hurt, but in the blink of an eye you will die, and the pain you feel will stop. And with magic"

He shook his staff, "I can trap you in this crystal, and you will slowly die inside, being sucked dry by the shadow inside, and tearing apart your flesh."

He smiled kindly at the assassin, who still couldn't move an inch.

"The most interesting part is that even if you die, your punishment will not end. Your will will survive as a shadow, and you will suffer eternally as an etheric creature. You will never touch again Not to the physical world around you. Sounds scary, right?"

There was a look of fear in the assassin's scarlet eyes, his throat rumbled, and with all his strength, he still couldn't move even a single finger.

"Yes, I'm sure you think so. Imprisonment is much worse than death."

Hajhorner paced back and forth beside the assassin.

"Although I said it lightly, I advise you not to take the matter of imprisoning you in the staff as a small trick."

The assassin continued to struggle, and now that he could move his toes and clench his teeth, it gave him some hope.

"It took me years to make this staff perfect." Hajhorner said, "That's right, the effect of the imprisonment technique is very simple, you will be the same as now, staring blankly, but can't do anything .”

He continued to pace around the Assassin.

"No, the difference is that you have transformed from a human body into an incorporeal form. This sounds a bit ridiculous at first, but it is not impossible."

The assassin could feel the warmth spread along his arms and chest, and he could move a little.

Hajhorna looked reverently at the staff.

"This little thing is the product of half my life's research, you know." He said to himself rather than to the assassin, "I've lived a long time. For me, as we grow older, things little by little."

He giggled. "I guess that's what people call diligence."

The assassin was nearly regaining control of his body, and if Hajhorner's self-indulgence lasted just a few minutes longer, he'd be free of the spell.

That way he'd die on the run instead of poking around like an imbecile.

"Don't gossip, let's get down to business."

Hajhorner turned his mind back to the Assassin, holding his staff flat against him, rubbing his thumb back and forth on the handle.

"I think, before I get rid of you, I should ask who the person who ordered you to assassinate me is. I don't think you came here by yourself. After all, you are still a little too early to do this."

The young assassin fixed his eyes on Hajhorner's staff, looking at the traces of black energy leaking from the indentation formed by friction.

His face was pale and he was sweating profusely, as if he had seen the most terrifying scene in his life.

Suddenly, a terrible scene appeared.

The assassin's mouth opened like the mouth of an abyss, full of fangs, hissing and roaring:

"The Ennook Desert used to be ours. Hiss. Listen! Humans, the real masters of the desert have returned, and the shadows, the shadow people, the dark wizards, the arcanists, and the city of ghosts must all die!"

With a hissing sound, the assassin transformed into a gigantic trumpet-shaped object with an absurd appearance, a spike-covered body flanked by claws and arms.

It kept wagging its stinging tail and hissed at Haj Horna: "In the desert where we are, hiss. We are back, hiss even if you cowards who hid are back, Can't stop us either. Hiss"

Felin Mokui!

The chief culprit who once destroyed the Arcane Empire.

Facing this monster, Hajhorna suppressed the shock in his heart, grasped the staff tightly without hesitation, pointed the crystal end at it, and immediately shouted: "Shadomi Niarupa Lekits!"

The staff shot a dark gray ray straight at the strange monster in front of it.

Just when the ray was about to touch the strange monster's body, the ray diverged and formed an arc, forming a dark whirlwind around the strange monster.

The gray area isolated it, caged into a human shape.

Shadows present tapering heads and misshapen bodies that spin around the aberration at ever-increasing speed.

The strange creature struggled frantically, helpless in fear.

The shadow launched an offensive, penetrated into the strange monster's body, and violently tore its flesh with sharp claws that turned out of thin air.

"Everyone... hiss... die!... hiss, the desert is ours!... hiss... hiss..."

The strange creature cried out in extreme pain, but not a single drop of blood flowed from its surface.

Instead, it fell slowly to the ground with a muffled thud like a bag of horse manure.

The dark picture disappeared in an instant, Hajhorner put away his staff with a gloomy expression, activated the teleportation spell and left.

Felin Mokui appeared, and he must take down the Kingdom of Cormyr as soon as possible to leave a way out for himself.

(End of this chapter)