Soul of Searing Steel

“It’s said that the Million Steel Dragon is currently engaged at Fort Pioneer. It had intended to visit you, but could only ask for someone else to relay his message now.”

Before he left, Nostradamus’s last words echoed in the guest hall. “To be frank, if not for the Dragon God heading out to the galaxy and Abyss to subjugate considerable ranks of Chaos, I would have thought that it had been maimed in its civil battle against the Pentashade Dragon God and had yet to recover.”

At that, the old mage’s words turned slightly jesting. “It’s quite rare for a god to be so discreet.”

“And that discreet Dragon God wants to see me—and mainly to meet the King of Searing Soul?”

Joshua could not blink a few times in return, but Nostradamus had already teleported away without hearing the warrior’s puzzled question.

Meanwhile, Ying, who was bringing hot tea poked her head in curiously from the doors to the guest hall. After an envious glance at Zero Three who was sitting on the warrior’s shoulder, she asked softly, “Master, has Master Nostradamus left?”

“Yes.”

Joshua’s brow tightened and rose from his chair, quietly saying, “And there is no telling if it was deliberate, but he left me a bombshell just before he left.”

The Metal Dragon God… and the King of Searing Soul?

What was the relationship between the two?

Truth be told, the identity of the King of Searing Soul was no secret—all who know about the Sage and his Heirs basically know.

The ‘Soul Searer’ itself was nothing of note as well since anyone who possesses the talent, ability, and object would advance into that domain. Regardless of the measures used, by collecting souls and searing that which was one’s own or another’s, thereby gaining certain power to earn certain advantages were the threshold of soul searers.

Joshua’s power of Glory ‘Soul Pool’ was a standard ‘Soul Searer’. It would enhance an owner’s physical attributes and strength by collecting the soul fragments of the defeated. Undead treasures such as ‘Million Souls Pearl’ have similar functions, being similar objects of ‘searing souls’-type.

However, the ‘King of Searing Soul’ was different. Although it had the same series of attributes, the power of the King’s Authority that stood above all the others symbolized a single thing: by burning Chaos and Souls—even another form of Order, creating an entirely new ‘Being of Order’!”

It is because he held and wielded it several times that Joshua knew that the power that could create new Order that exists to revive worlds, remold ecosystems and restore all things in the world is the grandest Authority that not even Steel Pythons had. It is the power all worlds hope to gain, a divine threshold amongst divine thresholds.

Joshua had inherited the power of that Authority through the Azurite, the Third Apostle and the Sage, though until now, he never did fully study its essence.

“Interesting. The Metal Dragon God knew early on that I held the power of King of Searing Souls, and yet only specified that he wanted to meet me now.”

Joshua picked up a cup of tea that glimmered in magical radiance from the saucer that Ying carried, downed it and put it back as the silver-haired girl looked on regretfully. Joshua had wanted to ponder, but his spirit deviation rate remained too high—not even Zero Three’s help would help, and he handily gave up on thinking.

“Who cares. I’ll just ask face-to-face when we meet in Fort Pioneer.”

Whatever the case may be, the Million Steel Dragon had always been aligned to all beings benevolent and of Order. It would probably be willing to answer his questions.

“Master, are you leaving again?”

Holding up the saucer and watching Joshua’s gaze at present, Ying could not help but sigh quietly. “You are clearly so hurt, but you’re working again barely after a few days of rest at home…”

“It’s not actually work, but more or less a stroll outside.”

Joshua smiled and reached out to pat the silver-haired girl’s small head, nonchalantly saying, “I have been developing the game in the last few days, playing with you lot and going on trips. It’s about time, or my body would rust if I still don’t move it.”

“Although my spirit deviation rate is still high, as long as Continental War keeps running, my spirit won’t deteriorate… Ying, remember to play it with Ling, Black, Light and everyone from the residence. Although there’s not much power to be gained and the skills are relics of fallen civilizations, but there would still be gains from studying things by analogy.”

“Joshua, your spirit deviation rate is increasing again!”

Just as Ying was left startled inside, unsure why her master was so affectionate, Zero Three’s eyes abruptly opened over Joshua’s shoulder, growling, “Steady!”

With those words, silver data flow flickered around Joshua’s body as the warrior’s condition stabilized. He blinked and smiled, and turned around without a word, morphing into endless luminous particles and vanished from the Liege’s Residence.

Ying, left in the guest hall, stared worriedly at where Joshua departed.

“Could he really communicate normally with his condition…” The silver-haired girl shook her head, pushed open the doors to the guest hall and left. “Come to think of it, he ate even the basket while eating fruits…”

***

Setting aside the matter of the doubtful silver-haired girl, Joshua, now maintaining a link between Zero Three and the main Mana Net server, appeared in the Void.

Silver mist gathered around a Steel crystal that resembled a snowflake, before finally materializing into the form of a man out of thin air. Joshua hence strolled forward in the Void, flying towards the Multiverse Sacrificial Grounds.

“Joshua, what is the Metal Dragon God like?”

Zero Three asked Joshua interestedly. It was clearly the Artificial Intelligence girl did not manage to gather much significant information despite having all the world’s data, while Joshua himself appeared more familiar with the mysterious Dragon God.

“As its name suggests, the Metal Dragon God is the patron deity of the Metal Dragons. Million Steel Dragon is its name, just as it holds the meaning of ‘kind parent’ in the language of the dragons.”

Joshua did not mind explaining to Zero Three about the Dragon God since they were about to meet. Incidentally, his critical spirit deviation rate requires focusing his mind to remember so that he remains stable.

Be it in the preexistence or this life, compared to the active antagonist that was the Pentashade Dragons, the Metal Dragons were quiet in reputation. Apart from the far south and the West Mountains where some dragon rulers resided, there were not many Metal Dragons around the world—most lived in seclusion at Dragon Island or hid at the world’s edge, and were so subdued that they were a complete opposite of the Pentshade.

Indeed, not only were the personalities of both races which shared the common ancestry of Astral Dragons different, their policies, world views, ideologies and path for the future. Both went on separate ways, with the Pentashade always aiming to replace humans as Mycroft’s dominant race, while the Metal Dragons did not care for that at all. They simply wished to live quietly like metals, disturbing no one and not be disturbed in turn.

In the preexistence, it was said that the Pentashade waged a civil war against the Metal Dragons before the Draconic Plague. Though the latter’s elite forces were not lacking, without the support of a force like the Abyss and being less populous than the Pentashade, the Metal Dragons were beaten on every turn, even subjugated and prevented from warning the humans about the Pentashade’s conspiracy. Then, after the Plague, all of Mycroft turned against the dragons as if they were mortal enemies, with even humans with some dragon blood in them being killed in venting. The Metal Dragons naturally stayed far away, playing transparent dragons.

Though they were unlucky in the preexistence and were even used as scapegoats, their luck holds in this life. The Draconic Plague was handled relatively swiftly without much losses, with the enmity against all dragons diminishing in a few years aside from the far southern regions. Those who were rational could also discern the difference between the Metal Dragons and the Pentashade, which was why there were many Metal Dragons still allowed to roam over the Mycroft Continent—in fact, there a silver dragon lady lived in Moldavia. A hidden funder of one of the magic factories that specialized in producing top-quality enchanted clothing, her brand is famous in the north… in fact, the black coat Joshua now wore was made by her.

Furthermore, the Diamond Family—the royal house of the Northern Empire had seen marriage with golden dragons over generations, with the present Empress being an obvious mixed-blood golden dragon herself.

“But those are details about the Metal Dragons… data is especially lacking when it comes to the Million Steel Dragon.”

Even Joshua found things unusual when he thought about that. “Isn’t that god being a little too discreet?”

Be it the golden dragons, the silver dragons, the yellow-coppers, the scarlet-steel or the blue-tin, the Metal Dragons did not gather like the Pentashade Dragons in a clan or tribal region. Most lived solitarily, solitary creatures that were prudent in act, something of which their patron deity refined to an ultimate level—there was no news about that Dragon God apart from the Abyssal Invasion.

And when Joshua thought about it, that world had millions of players moving around its every corner, and yet it was never once seen… that level of anonymity could only be of True God-class.

Joshua was unsure whether it was recuperating from mortal wounds or born with such behavior, but he would soon meet it, and thought no more on the matter.

***

It was then that Joshua entered the Multiverse Sacrificial Grounds, which now had a very different sight from one or two years ago.

There were not too many of them, but there was certainly a steady stream of people entering or leaving the various facilities in the central zone of the demiplane. There were some small cities and towns built around the heart of the Multiverse Sacrificial Grounds, with many Gold and Supreme champions walking around, resting, even sparring and dueling at the nearby desert.

Such was the ensuing development brought forth by everyone from the Mycroft civilization after slaying the Evil God of Death, purging the Chaos in the galaxy.

After reaching out to many otherworld civilizations through the Multiverse Sacrificial Grounds, the horizons of many Gold and Supreme champions were hence broadened. They realized that the Mycroft continent which they lived in was but a speck in the Multiverse, and that there were many otherworlds that were equally beautiful and resource-rich realms beyond that seemingly horrifying Void.

Without plundering, invasion or colonization, these champions of another world just needed to aid the natives in certain missions to gain fine rewards and earnest gratitude. Along with the constant supervision of Legendary champions and the Multiverse Sacrificial Grounds’ Commanding Will, no sinister ideas could be brought to fruition.

It was naturally the reason why present-day Mycroft population did not carry out much colonizing. They do not have the decades to slowly assimilate the colonies, and compared to the long time needed for annexation and adjusting, they were happier with the quickly rewarded deals.

Either way, as the havoc that the Evil God of Death wreaked slowly diminished after Joshua and the Seven Gods destroyed its main body, some of the champions who had conducted quests in worlds beyond had shown clear reluctance of returning to their small home, and would rather show off their might in the new quiet corner they found.

There were certainly cowards who hid in their own homes after witnessing the greater world, afraid to ever come out again.

However, most who could ascend into Gold and Supreme had courage.

Even if they held ominous intent and were reckless, they were not without bravery—if they stepped out of fishing ponds to face the oceans, pirates could be historical founders too.

Moreover, those hundreds of Gold and dozens of Supreme champions were simply the first batch of pioneers. As time passed, more Extraordinary individuals would join after they had made proper arrangements for their home and property.

“After seeing such a cast world, I don’t have the patience to stay in some little mountain ditch.”

Even the noblest of hermits living in seclusion were moved by the idea of otherworld exploration. After all, was not living in unpopulated otherworlds with beautiful scenery their best option since they were living ascetically? Why stay in Mycroft, when they would still be disturbed occasionally?

Either way, such was the prosperous sights of the Multiverse Sacrificial Grounds now. With many champions of high purchasing power coming to stay here, small satellite cities, auction shops and appraisal facilities were built here, one after another.

Joshua quietly flew past those little towns and arrived at the center of the Multiverse Sacrificial Grounds, with the snoozing Commanding Will waking up upon sensing his arrival, sending out a gentle signal.

“Greetings, Joshua. Where do you wish to head for this time?”

“Fort Pioneer. Oh, by the way, help maintain a link with Mana Net.”

“Glad to be of service.”

It had been a long time since Joshua spoke to the Glorious Era Artificial Intelligence. However, now was not the time for nostalgia—with faint dimensional ripples, his figure hence vanished from the skies.

***

At the edge of the galaxy, around Fort Pioneer.

Joshua and Zero Three’s projection appeared by the silver chain of fortresses.

Once built around Joshua true form, Fort Pioneer was now an independent floating city. Many small Void vessels were moving in and out from it, just as there was the occasional sight of Supreme champions flying here and there through the Void.

“It’s time I set up a small server there too.”

Zero Three flapped her little wings and watched the fortresses, murmured in slight awe. She seemed to have something to add, but quickly realized that the warrior beside her was making an unusual face.

“What is it, Joshua?” She asked, puzzled.”

“Nothing.”

The warrior’s expression returned to normal, and he calmly said, “Just felt a familiar presence.”

In truth, Joshua was still very puzzled inwardly.

What is happening? He thought. It’s scarce and thin, but…

It’s clearly the presence of a Steel Python!