Lilith immediately presented her soul contract with the Nexus Overlord upon hearing his name. "The demon lord is here! Kneel down now!" The Lanya Wolf King had confirmed it multiple times and was certain there was no mistake.
Though the release of Nexus Overlord's aura was slow, it was still continuous and seemingly effortless. What control!
Realizing this, Lyra Nightfang promptly bowed and said, "Lyra Nightfang, leader of the Lanya Wolf Clan, pays respects to Your Majesty Nexus Overlord!"
The fearsome beast before them quickly transformed into a girl wearing a tube top and lantern trousers.
Her short blue hair slightly curled, symbolizing the Lanya Wolf Clan. Her dangerous unicorn horn used to gather natural magic elements was hidden away, only showing a slight bump on her forehead. Her fangs turned into cute little tiger-like teeth and her whirlwind eye mark turned into dimples when she smiled.
Wasn't she just the Forest King earlier? Why is she suddenly a wolf-eared girl?
Connor's memories slowly returned as he asked, "Oh? You're Lyra Nightfang, the Lanya Wolf King?"
"Before Your Majesty's presence, I dare not call myself king!"
...
The Lanya Wolf Clan had always been the rulers of the Thorn Forest. One day, while expanding their territory, they invaded Nexus Citadel's land and suffered a crushing defeat from the Shadow Legion led by Serence. Not only did they publicly execute the radical wolf king, who was leading the war effort, but also supported the daughter of a moderate faction leader from another clan to become the new leader.
Like most beasts, the Lanya Wolf Clan also followed the jungle law of survival of the fittest. Everything was based on strength.
To help the new leader establish her position as soon as possible, Nexus Overlord personally gave her a name - Lyra Nightfang. This caused her power to skyrocket and break through three levels in one go, from being stuck at level seven to becoming a named monster - Wind-Eye Unicorn Lanya Wolf King - at mid-level eight.
Under his influence and rewards for loyalty, Lyra Nightfang pledged allegiance to Nexus Overlord.
For hundreds of years while Nexus Overlord was in seclusion, Lyra Nightfang primarily led elite troops within her clan to search for magic crystals throughout Wind Country's outskirts to provide him with a steady source of energy for his cultivation. Now she was also one of the strong candidates for one of twelve dungeon keepers.
Serence had set specific requirements for monthly contributions of magic crystals. On every full moon day each month, Lyra Nightfang would promptly travel to Nexus Citadel and deliver this tribute herself.
This time was no different. Unexpectedly running into Nexus Overlord himself who just finished his training and patrols made it even worse. To make matters worse, she even got into an altercation with his personal attendant.
Thinking back on how it was precisely because of offending him that she got her chance to rise up after killing off old wolf king once upon a time; now she finds herself repeating history again. Sweating profusely and feeling like there's no way out, she thought to herself that this might be it!
Lilith asked: "What should we do with someone who disobeys authority?"
Lyra Nightfang hung her head low without daring to breathe heavily nor speak loudly; resembling an errant student writing their confession inside their teacher's office: "Nexus Citadel Rule 182 states that no one shall offend or attack Your Majesty Nexus Overlord; any violators will offer themselves as treasures seeking Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Offer themselves as treasures?
Transporting via Sky Dragon flying is very convenient but when delivering packages on land you need a transportation unit. Connor didn't think too long before reaching out asking coldly: "I need your blood."
Lilith added: "Have you heard? Nexus Overlord wants your first blood (virginity)."
Lyra Nightfang looked perplexed: "First blood? Forgive my ignorance but what is that?"
Lilith squinted slightly while smiling smugly: "It doesn't matter; you don't need to know now. You'll find out everything tonight when you come visit His Majesty's tent later. This reward is so great! Why don't you thank His Majesty properly?"
Although Lyra Nightfang was confused she still thanked them earnestly: "Thank you for His Majesty's grace and thank you Lady Lilith."
Lilith pulled her waist towards hers before blowing warm wind into Lyra Nightfang's ears causing them itching : "No need for thanks; I'll be behind pushing your butt."
...
At midnight, inside the army tent.
Lyra Nightfang lifted the curtain and knelt down: "As a guilty subject, Lyra Nightfang is willing to accept Your Majesty's judgment."
"Lie down here and raise your hands on the table," Lilith pointed to the middle table.
Lyra Nightfang obeyed and lay motionless with her hands outstretched on the table.
"Okay."
Lilith quickly revealed her dragon claw and tore open a small wound on Lyra Nightfang's backside. Connor also pricked his finger with a needle, letting his blood mix with hers.
With chanting sounds, the contract was signed. This time it was a subordinate contract: once Connor activated it, Lyra Nightfang would immediately sense it and had to execute his commands as soon as possible. The remaining blood from signing the contract was stored by Connor in his space ring.
"Well done. I acknowledge your past efforts in transporting magic crystals for me. Since you were unaware of what happened today, I will let this matter pass without punishment. You shall become my most trusted ally."
Nexus Overlord not only refrained from punishing her but rewarded her instead for being such an effective transporter of magic crystals over time. After signing the contract, she had also risen up one more level in power.
Lyra Nightfang felt grateful deep down inside.
He waved his hand: "Now go take all your subordinates away. Be careful when retreating; try to make it look like fighting while retreating instead of merely running away or surrendering so that they believe they are escaping while you pursue them. Take these soldiers out of Sentry Mountain unnoticed and lead them towards Briar Forest - which is your territory - no need to say more about that. If anything goes wrong again, you're going to be punished severely."
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
Connor had a detailed plan. Although Lyra Nightfang didn't know what it was for, as a subordinate, she had no doubt about Nexus Overlord's strategic abilities.
"Wait, before we land on the ground from the clouds, you and Lilith should have a quick fight," Connor said.
"Huh?" Lilith didn't understand. "What do you mean by 'quick fight'?"
He explained, "It means to demonstrate your most expressive skills without causing any harm and create an intense battle scene. Do you understand?"
The two nodded in agreement and fought several moves.
Every move hit nothing but air, but as per Connor's request, there was excellent sound, light and visual effects that made it look like they were truly fighting.
When the time came to stop, the director behind the scenes - Connor - shouted out and landed on the ground with Lilith sitting on top of him.
As soon as they landed, Cole Garrison rushed over after battling hard for some time.
"I received secret intelligence last night and planned to take a safe route. But unexpectedly fell victim to a traitor's scheme which led to your perilous situation. Mr. Connor, I am really sorry!"
"Cough...it's not...a big deal."
Connor looked very pale and used his left hand wearing a space ring to cover his mouth while coughing up some blood after suffering internal injuries during the previous fight.
Cole Garrison said anxiously: "You rest first. Even if I die today, I must send you out alive."
"Don't give up," said Connor in a weak yet resolute voice. "We just fought fiercely against their wolf king at great personal risk earlier on. With no leader now among them wolves will become disorganized giving us some breathing room so we can quickly retreat towards safety."
"We can't go down towards Sentry Mountain in the east."
"It might be too dangerous," Garrison added quickly trying to make sense of what he heard earlier that was wrong intelligence from their informant who could have been bought off by bandits inhabiting Sentry Mountain ahead making it appear safe when it is likely full of ambushes instead."
"Fine then," Lyra Nightfang agreed with Connor's plan again.
...
Sentry Mountain.
The bandit leader, Nicholas Gates, was keeping watch from the mountaintop while a large number of people were already ambushing by the roadside, waiting for Cole Garrison's convoy to pass.
A big battle was about to begin.
He firmly believed that before a war began, its outcome had already been decided. For example, in today's battle, he would definitely win.
Firstly, he had bought off people who infiltrated his organization on behalf of the kingdom and made them double agents. They deliberately released false information claiming that they weren't on the mountain. Then they used the power of their wolf allies to eliminate a large portion of elite enemy forces. Lastly, they lay in ambush along the escape route with plenty of personnel; once attacked it would be an overwhelming strike and snatch away their military equipment.
It was a perfect plan; winning seemed like an inevitable outcome. He couldn't even imagine losing this battle.
After waiting for half an hour, Nicholas Gates became anxious: "Why haven't they arrived yet?"
"Calm down and wait patiently," someone replied.
Another half-hour passed without any sign of them. Nicholas Gates himself started getting impatient wondering why they hadn't come yet? Could it be possible that both men and goods had been devoured by wolves?
"Report--"
A scout rode over from afar: "What's happening?"
"They...they..."
The scout was gasping for breath as he tried to speak: "They fought against the Raging Fang Wolf Pack and are now heading towards Briar Forest!"