Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"We aren't competing, so there is no point in worrying about that," Rain shrugged. "I will make other rings that will enhance our basic abilities potentially."

"What if we focus only on increasing your abilities since you will be the focus of the enemies?" Terra asked.

"My knowledge about this and my skills aren't high enough to create the things that I want, but I am gaining it while I make this, so it is the most efficient option that we have at the moment," Rain explained and then he began to drink another potion. "I still have three hundred of those that we got from the magic people, so I should be able to make rings for everyone… a couple of them."

Rain made some more Meditation Rings for Terra, rings that would decrease the cost exponentially to summon water for Seara. Rain didn't have many skills related to swords and spears, so he didn't know what he should make for Jori and Reca.

The best option seemed to be to try to put the effects of Power Nap on a ring, but Rain wasn't skilled enough for that… since Terra would focus totally on healing everyone, they needed something that would help them cause damage faster without consuming too much extra stamina.

In the end, since they had the ice dragon bone weapons, Rain decided to give them rings that would make them cause more damage with freezing effects and also would make their enemies slower.

Eventually, they reached the capital of the human kingdom, and they found the last group of humans leaving the place. Still, Rain frowned when he saw Orcis and Lorene with their daughter and Rein as well…

"I will leave it to you to convince them…" Lorene said. "They are dead set on staying."

"They sure like to give me more work," Rain said while rubbing his eyes. "Well, they will eventually arrive there, so don't worry."

Orcis and Lorene nodded, and then they left. Rain glanced around and witnessed an impressive sight: individuals from every corner of the kingdom were arriving on the capital. These people were determined, their faces etched with resolve—they were determined to stay and defend their homes.

Though their efforts seemed futile against the looming threat of the dragons, they were setting up an array of weapons and tools along the walls. Even if these items might not be particularly effective against the dragons, their collective spirit and unwavering determination were admirable and praiseworthy.

"Where are Asche and Liss?" Rain asked.

"They should be on the walls, moving the dragon killers crossbows…" Terra said. "Another too grand of a name… we are going to help them, go and put some sense in Branden and Esmeralda's head."

Rain went to the castle and found those two in the garden, giving orders to the warriors of the raging phoenix alongside Karla and Cor. None of them looked like they were going to leave the capital before the fight starts.

"Please, don't start a lecture," Branden said. "We don't have time for that."

"It is fine. I am not going to," Rain said. "I already finished my countermeasures. Anyway, what are the pieces of information that we have about the enemies?"

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While combat might not be possible for everyone, Rain recognized the importance of individuals like Branden, Esmeralda, and Karla in managing affairs behind the scenes and between battles. Their knowledge and influence were invaluable in navigating the numerous workings of the kingdom during these difficult times.

This would allow Rain to concentrate on the imminent fight, knowing that these trusted individuals were adept at handling the logistical and administrative aspects necessary for the kingdom's survival. They were also his friends, and there were no better people for the job.

"... Tremors near the border are getting more intense on the western side, so it seems that the magic people are losing terrain," Branden said while blinking a few times since Rain's words confused him a bit. "Things are the same as usual on the beast people's side."

"After thinking for a while, I understand now that the brands make them more propensity to the effects of the sins," Rain said. "If the beast people have the brand of wrath, their physical abilities should have increased exponentially, and that is the best option against the dragons as long as they have their magic barriers.

The first war that we have agaisnt them was probably a test to confirm that."

"So… the magic people still don't know what kind of sin suits their abilities better?" Branden asked.

"I would say that pride that enhances their most important parameters would fit them well, like intelligence and wisdom, but gluttony to make them able to recover mana faster would work as well," Rain explained. "Still, even if they can seal the dragons' magic, they are still very resistant against magic attacks. They can't seal that…"

Rain didn't know if the demi-humans could do that, but that would be a very valuable secret. Maybe that was why demi-humans didn't want Rain to continue his research. Regardless, eventually, Rain saw some equipment arriving for the people who were entering the capital… it seemed that Lotto was around as well… he was taking his chances during the war because he wanted to help as well.

The inhabitants of the capital were making use of the hides and leathers obtained from the dragons they had previously defeated. This return of utilizing the remains of past battles brought back a sense of barbarism, as every side of the walls became covered with these materials.

It signified a return to the harsh realities of war, emphasizing the grim necessity of using all available resources to fortify their defenses and prepare for the impending conflict.

Rain checked the walls to see what he could do to improve the defenses, but soon he forgot about that when another massive tremor took place… after several minutes, all the dust in the western side of the country was sent flying toward the capital, and while the wind barriers protected them, people didn't feel safe… it was finally starting.