"Just moments ago, the sky was clear, but now this massive storm has appeared out of nowhere… Is such extreme weather normal?" Selene commented, as she enveloped Esdeath in her gravitational field, allowing her to float alongside.
Selene and Alyssa could fly effortlessly, but while Esdeath was powerful, flight wasn't among her abilities.
"Your Majesty... What do you mean?" Esdeath asked.
"In this storm, I can sense multiple life forces. Judging by their density, it's either an Imperial naval fleet or sea pirates. But the most important thing… There is one life force within the storm, the most vigorous I've encountered in this world."
In some ways, the intensity of a creature's life force could indicate its strength, making it a reliable measure of its combat power.
Selene had detected a massive entity at the storm's core, occupying a space that spanned several thousand square meters.
"That must be the Dragon of the Eastern Clouds…"
According to the World Chronicle, the Dragon of the Eastern Clouds had the power to control storms, and being dubbed the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea meant it had a strong territorial instinct. As long as they could pierce through the storm clouds the dragon used to mask its presence, it wasn't hard to locate.
"Hmm, it's inconvenient that you can't fly, Esdeath. I'll give you a new ability." Selene smiled. A purple glow coalesced in her hand and streamed into the diamond-shaped crystal embedded in Esdeath's collar.
"The crystal I gave you previously provided healing and defensive barriers. Now, I've added the ability to float."
"Next, I will create an environment for you to battle in. Although I don't think you can win against it as you are now, do your best."
Selene then glanced at Alyssa. "Alyssa, go check below. If it's the Imperial Navy, protect them. If it's pirates, let them be."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Alyssa responded promptly, her wings humming with energy as she descended.
Hum...
"Now…" Selene clapped her hands together, a boundless purple light enveloping her. In that instant, the light was so intense it outshone the sun.
Simulating: Repulsion... Range Expansion... Activate!
...
Meanwhile, within the storm-battered sea.
Violent winds howled, lifting waves as tall as ten meters high. The Imperial Fleet, which had been neatly aligned, now struggled to stay afloat amidst the sudden and ferocious storm.
The ships, once steady and orderly, were now tossed about as if mere toys in the might of nature.
Standing on the deck, soaked by the crashing waves, Admiral Wilson gripped the railing tightly. His eyes were locked on the ominous black clouds overhead, where white lightning flashed, illuminating his grim face.
"The Dragon King of the Eastern Sea... Damn it! Its lair is supposed to be over a thousand kilometers away, near Sea Wasteland Island! Why has it come here?"
Beside him, Wave, now donned in his deep-blue armor thanks to his Imperial Arm, Grand Chariot, said, "I always thought the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea was a myth… but to see it's real..."
With his augmented vision, Wave could faintly make out a massive blue-green dragon within the black clouds, its body so large it blocked out the sky. Silver fur lined its form, shining ominously as it slithered through the air.
"Wave, leave now!" Wilson shouted. "We need to ensure some of the fleet survives."
"No! I refuse to abandon everyone! I will—"
"You must leave!" Wilson barked, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Just as the two were arguing, BOOM—!
A blinding purple light tore through the clouds. For a brief moment, both Wilson and Wave felt a chilling silence. The oppressive pressure in the air was suffocating, as though the end of the world had arrived. An overwhelming sense of dread washed over them.
In the next second, that immense power erupted outward, sending a colossal shockwave surging across the sea, carrying with it a wall of water.
"This… This might be the end of the entire fleet…" Wilson thought, as the water came crashing down upon them.
Suddenly, "Huh? You're from the Imperial Navy? My name's Alyssa, and the Empress… uh, I mean, Her Majesty, sent me to protect you."
Hum—
With that soft, almost childlike voice, a petite figure with glowing blue-purple wings hovered before the fleet, extending a vast, sky-blue barrier around the ships.
The massive wave crashed against Alyssa's barrier with an earth-shattering roar.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The impact shook the heavens, the barrier holding firm as the wild seas and debris pounded against it. Inside, the Imperial sailors huddled together, their eyes wide with terror as they watched the chaotic spectacle.
Outside the protective barrier, fish, sea creatures, and even aquatic dangerous species were swept along with the torrent, many torn apart by the extreme force, their remains painting the waters red.
...
Time seemed to stretch, but eventually, the deafening roar of the waters ceased, and the sailors slowly opened their eyes. The storm had dissipated, the sunlight once again shining down upon the sea.
They were alive.
Before they could rejoice, they realized their ships were now floating in mid-air. The water beneath them had been completely drained away!
"Help! What's happening?!"
Amid the growing panic, a voice rang out.
"Silence!"
At the front, a radiant figure descended from the skies—Selene, dressed in her resplendent white, gold, and purple robes, gliding down gracefully. Her aura was commanding, ethereal, and awe-inspiring under the golden sunlight.
Using her gravitational powers, Selene had lifted the entire fleet into the sky to protect them from being swept away by the returning waters.
"You're from the Imperial Navy? Who's in charge here?" she asked.
"Are you... General Selene?" Admiral Wilson asked incredulously, wiping his wet face in disbelief. Recalling the news from the military, he instantly dropped to his knees.
"Your Majesty! I am Admiral Wilson, commander of the Eastern Fleet. Long live the Empress!"
Hearing their admiral, the other sailors, including Wave, quickly knelt, shouting in unison, "Long live the Empress!"
Selene raised an eyebrow. "You recognize me?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I saw you once, years ago, at a military conference…"
Suddenly, a deafening roar pierced the sky. The ground trembled as the furious bellow reverberated across the sea.
"ROARRR!! Human Empress!! You have broken the pact of your ancestors!!"
The roar took physical form, sending a shockwave of sound toward Selene.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven