Chapter 50.1

"We can't afford to delay; we must hurry. The mirage's environment is changing rapidly. We can still see them now, but it won't be guaranteed for long," Oswald exclaimed urgently.

He then patted Kevin twice with his wings, signaling for him to climb onto his back.

The reason for the Sirius' name is because their wings are different from vultures. They are not just used for running or gliding, but they can actually fly, although not as fast as the giant eagle. They are purebred birds, but far from slow.

Once Kevin was securely seated on Oswald's back, he flapped his wings and swiftly descended from the sand dune with ruins and deep wells.

One of the greatest challenges in the mirage is determining the direction. The sun is constantly obscured by sand and dust, making it impossible to see clearly.

Vegetation that could serve as a guide is nonexistent. Everything here changes in the blink of an eye. Hills made of gravel can be leveled in an instant, and the seemingly endless sand plains can vanish in a heartbeat.

It's like witnessing the peak of a kung fu move rising from the ground.

Crossing the business road from here to the Old Rose Castle requires an experienced guide and essential pointing tools.

Nick, the deputy commander of Oswald's advance army, is skilled at navigating the desert. While he may have struggled to find the route to the Tomb of Phae, he is indispensable in the desert. Having him makes the journey safer.

Additionally, the army's commander-in-chief possesses a specially customized directional device from the Priest Academy.

In comparison, Kevin and Oswald are the ones facing the most danger. They were forced to change their route temporarily due to the circumstances. Neither of them is adept at recognizing the way, and they don't even have a guiding tool.

"I remember regular Sirius not flying this slowly..." Kevin pondered aloud. "Are you still getting used to this form?"

Oswald replied, "Slow? Don't regret it if you get thrown off later."

His wing flapping range was restricted because Kevin was on his back. This noble mount, unlike ordinary vultures, is a purebred royal with no reins around his neck. Although Kevin firmly grabbed a handful of animal hair on the back of Oswald's neck, the speed was still a concern.

Falling from this height would not only result in minor injuries, but it would also be nearly impossible to find each other in the sand.

However, Kevin patted Oswald's head determinedly and said, "Sorry, but go at full speed. If we don't catch up with the vanguard before they disappear, we might as well give up. Without any guiding tools, we might be stuck here for three to five years. The Golden Lion Kingdom would be replaced if it hasn't been destroyed."

Oswald remained silent.

"It's definitely not a good idea for you to be stuck here with me. After all, I'm not that picky when it comes to food. Even though I really like Sirius, I won't think twice about it when I'm really hungry. It's just not practical," Kevin added.

Oswald sneered, "I didn't expect your self-evaluation to be quite accurate... Now haste!"

With that, Oswald suddenly accelerated.

The lone giant beast that used to only appear in the presence of gods traced a long arc through the wind and dust. The distance between the man and beast and the marching team in the distance rapidly closed at a visible speed.

However, at the same time, the infamous black wind of the desert blew without warning, and black clouds rolled in from the sky.

"It's a sandstorm! Hurry!" Kevin grabbed onto the long, tough fur on Sirius' neck.

Oswald remained unfazed by Kevin's grip, but this wasn't the time for it!

The Emperor, transformed into a Sirius, flapped his wings repeatedly, then lowered his body and swooped down towards the army like a speeding arrow.

Just as the Sirius' front paws were about to reach the tail of the army, the black sandstorm had already reached within reach in an instant, rushing towards the army with the force to sweep away thousands of troops.

The soldiers in the army, each one strong and sturdy, were like tiny ants in this vast desert and raging wind, easily scattered with a single shake.

"Hold your positions! Get down!" Oswald shouted desperately in the gust of wind, his command blending with the roar of the advance army's commander.

The order echoed through the ranks, and the soldiers quickly gathered together. Oswald swooped down and spread his wings, sheltering most of the men behind him.

Kevin, who was lying on the ground, was surprised to see Oswald standing protectively in front of him. He whispered, "You are truly an emperor..."

His words were cut off by a sudden gust of wind, and Oswald could not make out the rest. He cursed under his breath. This was the first time Kevin had ever praised him, and now he would never know what he had said.

Oswald used his wings to deflect the wind and protect the soldiers behind him. The dust in the air swirled around them, obscuring their vision. For a moment, they were all enveloped in a thick gray fog.

The fine grains of sand stung the skin like needles, and the wind howled like a banshee. The gust of wind that tore through the caravan gradually weakened, and then dissipated into nothingness.

This was the Mirage Black Wind, a natural phenomenon that came and went quickly.

But what travelers feared most was not the wind itself, but the illusions that followed. After the wind passed, people would often see things that were not there. These illusions could be anything from a mirage of a lush oasis to a vision of a loved one who had passed away.

While most people knew that these illusions were not real, they could still be very convincing. In some cases, people would become so caught up in their illusions that they would lose touch with reality altogether.

This was why Wood, the captain of the caravan, had ordered his men to stay close together after the wind passed. He knew that if anyone started to hallucinate, they would need someone to help them snap out of it.

"Don't move!" Wood shouted over the wind. "Grab the nearest person and hold on tight. No matter what you see or hear, don't let go! Only when you're certain that the illusion is over should you let go and wake the person you're holding."

The men nodded in understanding, and they huddled together as the wind died down. They knew that the next few minutes would be critical. If they could just stay calm and focused, they would make it through this.

As Kevin's eyes fluttered open amidst the gusts of wind and sand, he struggled to discern the soldiers surrounding him. Before he could make out their features, his face was forcefully covered with animal hair.

Without a chance to resist, he was abruptly thrown to the ground by a colossal force, pinning him down in a suffocating manner.

Overwhelmed, Kevin felt his stomach churn as he grappled with the situation at hand. Nonetheless, he managed to snatch a handful of Sirius's long hair.

Oswald emitted a low hiss.