While the Elven Guard stationed within the Silver Moon Kingdom operates in a regimented fashion, the elven race's primary mode of warfare is fragmented, conducted in small squads for targeted strikes. Elves excel in the forest terrain, but on the open plains, they are outmatched by humans and orcs in mass combat.
Despite their formidable individual strength and home-ground advantage, the elves' low birth rate makes offensive invasions difficult. Still, they have more than enough capacity to defend their own territory.
Poised on the fringes of the Forest of Nourishing Grace, the elven warriors had been ready to engage the humans. They operated in teams ranging from ten to a hundred, planning to exploit their superior individual strength and small-unit tactics to decimate the human invaders upon their intrusion into the forest.
This time, however, the conflict between humans and elves diverged entirely from centuries past.
With their exceptional vision, the elves, although distant, could discern the unfolding battles across the plains leading to the Forest of Nourishing Grace. Witnessing the horrific dragon decimating the human forces and the fall of a famed high-ranking legendary warrior, the Grand Marshal of the Holy Fleurs-de-lis Knights, instilled a deep, bone-chilling fear even in the elves who, technically, were being aided by the dragon. It elicited a mournful empathy for the slain humans—a natural fear of the mighty, regardless of allegiance.
"That dragon seems to be heading for the 'Central City.' What should we do?"
Atop a towering tree, two elven scouts concealed themselves among the dense foliage. As rangers, their keen sight allowed them to observe the battlefield's details.
True to their reputation for elegance and beauty, even the average elven woman was an unparalleled beauty in the eyes of other humanoid races. The idea of using such lovely elven femmes as scouts would be seen as wasteful by humans.
"The other scout teams have already reported back to the elders; we just wait for further orders... By the Silver Moon, that dragon is terrifying! I've seen dragons before, but never one this massive. Just seeing it filled me with dread; I don't want to face such a monster in battle."
One of the female elves patted her chest, still shaken by the fear clogging her throat.
"That's a demi-god dragon. We would be nothing more than a snack to it. It's my first time hearing of demi-god dragons within dragonkind. Perhaps some ancient dragon has reawakened?"
Her companion also appeared frightened, involuntarily shrinking back.
Just then, a metallic badge over her heart quivered. The elf composed herself, solemnly gripping the badge. As it glowed with emerald light, the message telepathically transferred to her mind.
"General Nimue orders us to ride the gryphons to the 'Central City'!"
Despite their reluctance to witness the terrifying dragon again, military orders were absolute. The two scouts exchanged nods and whistled melodiously.
The forest canopy rustled as magnificent raptors with resplendent feathers, resembling giant hawks, responded to the calls. The elves swiftly mounted their beasts. Thousands of these wondrous creatures took to the skies, their silhouettes darkening as they flew towards the dragon's path.
...
Despite his immense size, Drake's flight was swift. In no time, a city nestled between mountain valleys came into view.
From his lofty vantage point, Drake could see the city built within the cleft of a mountain range that seemingly cleaved the continent. The range stretched beyond sight, even from his semi-divine vision several thousand meters up—a geographical barrier daunting to traverse for any lifeform.
Within this formidable mountainous terrain lay a city bridging the two sides, a crucial strategic location, a treasure coveted by any military mind. Whoever held it could attack or defend at will.
The city wasn't large by modern Earth standards, but from Drake's aerial perspective, it was a complete medieval stronghold, fortified by magic and other supernatural forces beyond what was possible in Earth's Middle Ages.
"No wonder it's called the 'Central City.' Even if it's not at the continent's heart, it's definitely a hub."
Surveying from above, Drake could see the bustle within the city walls, likely stirred by the sight of the massive dragon soaring in the sky.
His three-hundred-meter frame was a behemoth, even from thousands of meters up.
"Well, not much time left; let's see if I can take down this city."
With no hesitation, Drake dove towards his target.
His initial plan had been to traverse this world quietly, to hunker down in some secluded wilderness and bide his time until he grew sufficiently strong—that was the correct approach for someone in his position. But due to the contract and the aggravating AI, his plans were foiled. To fulfill the contract and defeat the human army, he had to make an entrance.
Drake's thoughts raced. When his strategy of building walls, stockpiling food, and biding his time became unfeasible, he immediately adopted a new plan of action.
If the ultimate goal was safety, he decided to go all out, showcasing his unrivaled strength. Slaughtering the human forces, swatting down a legendary high-ranking warrior like a dog, and capturing an evidently crucial city would proclaim his presence as a demi-god dragon across the land.
To maintain the pretense of an ancient dragon of countless battles, Drake even found himself voicing arrogant proclamations, despite feeling deeply embarrassed. Nevertheless, he endured, for he was but a fledgling dragon, and this semi-god form was merely a temporary use of the divine power from the godly core.
Under these circumstances, the best tactic was a show of force, demonstrating invincible strength to instill fear and ensure others wouldn't dare attack, preventing the risk of retaliation. This way, even if he reverted to his fledgling form, others might assume it was a mere eccentricity, not his true appearance.
Drake aimed to spread terror, to command respect, to carve out a safe haven for his survival.
Who would dare provoke a demi-god dragon, and who could guess that such a fearsome being was truly just a fledgling in disguise?