A Formidable Opponent to Fight On

You're a pipsqueak challenging a chad boss…

Do you think you stand a chance?

******

…

"What the hell is the S-Sacranopolis Empire d-doing here?" said the king in shivering. "That's like twice, no, probably thrice greater in numbers compared to the one that Fortis Kingdom launched at us!" he added.

In the Sea of Carba, lies the Imperial Fleet.

The entire fleet was under pressure by the ravaging psionic waves from the island. However one of them managed to stop the attacks by launching a high-leveled fire magic into the coastline.

A middle-aged man stands proudly aboard a ship, floating between the remaining psionic waves that missed their target.

He wears a full armor in silver, covered with red-colored metal reinforces on it. His back is covered with his long red cape. His head towers a twin spiky horn between his bangs, with his jet-black long hair all the way to his back.

"What an outrageous welcome from these humans," The man spoke in a heavy tone. "We came here to provide 'support'… I did not expect a welcome greater than a firewall!" the man commented.

A hundred meters east, one of the fleet's ships continuously is firing its mortars. Aboard the ship, Queaz asserted himself in.

"Stop the attack. Pull back now." Queaz ordered the ship's commander.

"You're one daredevil to speak like that to me, eh, Queaz?" The commander stated in a casual manner, his accent betrayed his look of a menacing leader.

The commander wore all around black attire with the exception of his helmet's horn, which is in golden color. He wore a mask that looked similar to the ones that Queaz had.

"The hell do I care? Now stop the attack," Queaz commanded.

"As usual, you always act cold like an ice. Very well, then! For once I thought you're a goner in that island," The commander said.

"Hoh... Well, here I am being all fine and healthy," Queaz carelessly said.

"Ahem! Ahem! Uh… this is commander 'A' speaking. We're pulling back now into the sea, stop firing, over and out."

"Huh… again with your 'anonym' thing..."

"Well! Do you think the 'readers' would like to know my name? Obviously, NO! So beat it!"

"Huh, what do you mean—oh, nevermind," Queaz dismisses his thoughts, despite the fact that he doesn't understand the commander's line of words.

"I wonder tho... why did you folks attack the island?" Queaz asked in a rather careless tone.

"Hm? About that, eh?" The commander meekly replied.

"Yes," Queaz shortly answered.

"Those contraptions attacked us first, what do you think I'm gonna do? Let my ass burn to charcoal bits? Besides, I thought that island has been captured, so I took the liberty to fire anyway." The commander offhandedly stated as he had his hands on the wooden wheel.

"Geez... you want to ignite a war with them...?" Queaz then asked again.

"Hey, I came here because you 'contacted' me. Now I'm here and you say I wanted to start a war?" The commander rolls the ship helm a bit, maintaining his sailing path.

"Literally." Queaz casually replied.

"What the JUG?! Seriously?" the commander exaggerated himself.

A few moments later, the entire naval forces evacuated themselves from the area.

The 'black-armored' commander seemed a bit pissed. After knowing that his presence into the island was of no use because the island inhabitants turned out to hold a great firepower to defend themselves without his help. Queaz don't felt any guilt for contacting 'him', though, which adds up to his anger even more.

"So? How's the situation at the mainland?" Queaz asked again.

"Hm? Oh... that? It's either in-between or losing." The commander simply answered.

"…so, you're losing?" Queaz replied.

"OOOMPF! No-no-no! Not like that. Don't conclude so quickly will ya?" The ship commander nagged as he pointed his index finger at Queaz.

Queaz glanced at the tall commander.

"Aside from that… ah, let's not talk about it now," The ship commander stopped explaining. Queaz simply nodded and went down to the lower deck, but before he did, he spew out information that he nearly forgot.

"Oh, yeah... I nearly forgot this..." Queaz stopped himself. The commander veered his eyes into him wondrously.

"That island… turned out to be the home of the 'Istinggar' clan," Queaz ended the conversation and headed down.

The ship commander who heard this only remained silent. He thought of what Queaz told him just now.

"The Istinggar clan… huh...? Dammit, Queaz… I already know that. I've been into that island for a couple times…"

…

..

.

Back at Areda Island…

The king finally informed about what truly happened on the surface. Everyone was scared. Many questioned in fear.

"Did the empire decided to make us their enemy? What the hell happened at the mainland until this incident took place?"

But even so, there is still a flicker of hope. It is as if the fate has given us hope by making the Imperial Fleet pulling back.

The party decided to return back to the tower's base floor. All they saw in there is nothing more than dreaded look in their faces. If there is anything that scares them, then it would be the empire. The empire is the home to Level 4 Elementalists... which is far beyond their power, whose level can only reach Level 3. Not to mention that there are less than twenty Level 3 Elementalists here at Areda compared to Level 4 Elementalists in the empire.

Shortly, Marco spotted Sir Barts going down the stairs. He rushed going after him to ask him some questions... but Sir Barts seemed reluctant to bluff a word to him. Seven of the Areda Cannons were destroyed under his command. Those cannons were made by Marco's ancestors, the Istinggars. Marco believed it must've been the reason Sir Barts refusal to talk to him.

"I don't know what to say anymore... Many incidents happened one after another…" said Marco a bit downed. "Do you fear something big going to happen, Marco…?" Scias softly asked.

"That could be it… you'll never know what's gonna happen in this wicked world we live in…"

"This 'world'… huh?" Scias stated emptily.

From the quakes that happened mostly sudden and too frequent here in the island… then followed by the rampage from the beast of the forest, Ordan… soon to be followed by an invasion by Fortis Kingdom… and lastly, the Empire's sudden approach to the island.

"This is possibly the worst time in my life... my homeland has been invaded, tattered with blood and scorches, even a few points in the forest were completely burned out," said Marco to himself.

"It will take some time to rebuild the island back to its full state. But knowing that even these grounds were not a safe haven anymore…" he added.

Originally, the Areda Island was known as neutral towards the empire. They've been visited multiple times by the empire on some occasion, and the result wasn't all too bright. However, the empire was heard to have done a lot of tyrannical actions toward many kingdoms in the mainland under unknown reason ever since the calamity had begun once again.

This, however… is the reason Areda Island completely severs ties with the empire and started to view them as hostiles.

The main problem is that the empire… is a true formidable opponent… that one does not simply can defeat with ease! The empire is home to both humans… and the legendary Dragonians.

There was a feeling within Marco's soul. He felt that the dragon which came to the island might be from the empire as well. Though, the reality is still… vague.