Chapter 274.5: Whispers of White Flame and Dragon Spear
The events of the battle that had taken place spread within and beyond Brawlmanica like wildfire. It was inevitable given the circumstances and how they unfolded. In truth, even with the Dragon Spear Hero's appearance, it was said that the tides should not have changed so drastically.
But such is the nature of unexpected outcomes in life, whether in war, athletics, politics, talent, training, or anything else. It only takes one major variable to send the tides tilting in a certain direction, creating a result that could not have been imagined. Naturally, because of such unexpected results, news would spread. When you add on top of that certain individuals capable of spreading information at a much faster and wider rate than normal, often driven by their own agendas, how could public opinion and actions not be skewed toward a particular direction?
Whispers of such details rapidly made waves the very next day. People would come to remember that jarring battlefield, naming it the Battle of White Flames and Dragon Spear.
…
In a certain large town in Brawlmanica.
Word had spread about a certain war front related to the exploits of White Star Radiance. Everywhere one went, individuals were gossiping about the news they had heard. This place itself was not anything special per se…
A man in a hood silently ran toward a group of slightly fidgety individuals gathered in a square.
"You guys! Have you heard about the rumors that have been buzzing lately? About what took place near the massive border town, Brawlhama?"
"Shhh! Why are you so loud?! Who hasn't heard about it by now? With everything happening in this world, including the battle for the crown, nothing surprises me anymore." nervously replied a middle-aged man balding at the top of his head, wearing a dusty trench coat.
"Haha… It's like the world is in turmoil, and suddenly a savior has presented himself once more in Brawlmanica's time of need… I heard from my big brother, who is a soldier with enough status, that the sect called White Star Radiance is heavily involved, and that two of its highest-ranking leaders were the ones who took part." A woman in a western-styled dress said with a sigh.
"I've heard of that sect. It's recently become famous. They say two of their powerful forces joined hands and completely brought all of their enemies to their knees… How inspiring." the hooded man said with glittering eyes.
"Shhh! Please don't speak so loudly! There are those listening, and if certain people hear you say the wrong thing, things can easily go bad in such troubled times." The balding man fearfully looked around as he hastily replied.
"I think this is probably one of the last things anyone should be fearful of right now, given the circumstances. A world of white flames and the howling of a wyvern demonic beast resembling a dragon, ridden by a hero wielding a mighty spear. Truly a dream-like scenario." the woman muttered with a clouded gaze.
…
In a square in a certain town in another district.
Protests had erupted as major supporters of Prince Hunter gathered. Such scenes had recently become extremely common, especially after the events of the prior day. In this particular town, the people were extremely fervent in their desires.
"The time for internal fighting should be coming to an end! We, the people, do not want to be subjected to the poor management of careless and crude nobles any longer! Those who go against our future King Hunter Helmsley do not represent us, the people! By the will of the Dragon Spear Hero of Leon, we believe that justice will be served!" a man roared passionately through a loudspeaker enhanced by magic, sending his voice across a great distance.
"YEEEEAAAAAHH!!!! ALL HAIL KING HUNTER! ALL HAIL THE DRAGON SPEAR HERO!" Passionate roars of thousands echoed the speaker's sentiments. Among them were soldiers and experts of various levels of strength. The rulers of this town had completely lost control of the situation, with some fleeing overnight as rebellions broke out.
"Looks like those idiots lost their bet and are now left in such a pathetic state. All because of the White Corrosive Flame Empress and the Dragon Spear Hero of Leon. Why exactly do these people have so much influence, though? Times have really changed…" An elderly man with a strong gait and a powerful gleam in his eyes shook his head as he pondered the situation.
…
In another bustling city within Brawlmanica, a group of civilians sat inside a tavern.
"They're saying that the Dragon Spear Hero of Leon has come back. They also say that he came flying on a dragon with an army of his subordinates, even commanding a small group of wyverian demonic beasts."
"He truly has come back?! Where had he disappeared to?"
"Does it truly matter?"
"…Fair enough, I guess."
"And the White Corrosive Flame Empress fought alongside him. To be more precise, there was a strange rumor I heard from someone I know who said that his cousin was on the frontlines of that battlefield, and that it was her who somehow made the Dragon Spear Hero and his army appear using some sort of magic."
"Whaaat?! Such powerful magic actually exists? Ah, could it be that she was the terrifying White Fire Mage riding that special Skycleaving Roc essence beast?"
A pause followed as everyone in their small corner of the tavern fell silent.
"I really wish I had been there to witness such an incredible scene. Heh. Such a dangerous thought, considering there's also a good chance I would have taken my dying breath on that battlefield, but it would certainly have been worth it!"
Such were the thoughts of a few of the extremely passionate individuals present.
…
In another place within Brawlmanica, in a certain small town.
"I thought demonic beasts couldn't talk?"
"Hah? It's true that the weaker ones, with lesser ability to really use their brains, aren't able to talk. But demonic beasts can most certainly talk. From what I'd gather, it usually happens once they reach Gold tier at least."
"Really? Are you just pulling our leg? I spotted a Gold tier demonic beast in the distance before, and it never spoke."
"Ahh, seriously, you all are a bunch of backwater idiots after all…"
They paused for a moment with sighs until someone else spoke again.
"Still, it would truly be a great honor to meet the Dragon Spear Hero of Leon and the White Corrosive Flame Empress. I've even heard that beneath her mask she is an incredible beauty."
"To be able to stand beside a powerful person like that, regardless of her beauty, is truly a man's dream… Heh. Naturally, with her constitution as a cultivator, she is likely beautiful even if she isn't at a city-toppling level."
…
Brawlmanica's royal capital, within the Hoover townhouse.
Bronson sat in his seat with wide eyes filled with shock as he read the news laid out on his desk. His wife, a beautiful woman with a noble aura, sat nearby as her gaze also lingered on the report. Before them stood a handsome young man dressed in noble attire. An air of danger lingered around him. A rifle rested neatly on his back, engraved with various inscriptions.
"So that young monster of the Leon clan has returned and he's running amok. He really captured a Wyverian demonic beast after appearing like thunder with his subordinates. Then he forcefully made it break through into becoming a Mortal Lord while also transforming its appearance to be more dragon-like. Instantly, he went on a rampage as other Wyverian demonic beasts took his side and wreaked havoc all over the battlefield. But most of all…" Bronson paused after voicing his thoughts aloud.
Before he could finish, a feminine yet cold voice chimed in.
"And then our Soloman clan's young Lady trailed behind him as she performed a deadly display of raining destruction with her white corrosive flame magic, with power great enough to make Middle Stage Mortal Lords extremely wary. My uncle is certainly pleased to see his granddaughter bringing fame and prestige to our main family line in Brawlmanica's Soloman branch." His wife spoke with a smile filled with pride.
If one were to look closely, she faintly resembled Erica. Her father was the younger brother of the previous family head of the Soloman clan's Brawlmanica main family branch, making her Erica's second cousin.
"In the end, the tides have greatly turned in Prince Hunter's favor. It is very likely that the Michaels family and various others will lash out because of these developments. This rebellion might turn into an outright coup if things worsen." The young man said, shaking his head with feigned helplessness.
"Such actions are not allowed. If we must, then we will stoke the flames as we help rally the people against the 'traitors'." Bronson said with a stern expression.
"The 'traitors', huh. Then let's make preparations for that possibility." His wife replied with a sharp gaze.
The young man simply shrugged as he licked his lips, killing intent flickering briefly.
…
A large town at the edge of the Helmsley Dukedom's territories.
Jacob wore a strained expression filled with exhaustion, yet immense joy constantly emanated from his body. His newly elevated aura at Gold tier 2 fluctuated greatly as many faint strands of energy seemed to pour from his body, connecting into a void. One of those strands trembled at this moment.
A small bird radiating a pure and graceful aura suddenly shot through an opening into the room Jacob was in. He instinctively raised his hand as the bird landed upon it, then looked at it with a proud expression.
"So how did it go? Were you able to deliver all of the scrolls of information to the places I asked you to?" Jacob asked excitedly.
The bird chirped loudly, nodding with pride at having accomplished its task.
"Hehehe, good job! I have a few more places I need you to take some new ones I've written out. As always, be careful on your journey. Oh yeah, and here is your reward!" Jacob said happily as he pulled out what looked like a pill heavily laced with his energy.
The bird jumped with extreme joy as it took the pill and gulped it down. It wore a satisfied expression as its aura visibly strengthened.
After flying to Jacob's shoulder and affectionately rubbing its head on his cheek, the bird grabbed a small bag beside him and flew out through the window. Jacob watched with a smile, his eyes twinkling.
"Hehehe… what I'm doing right now is enough to put a massive bounty on my head and have me executed by powerful enemies should they discover that it's me spreading this news about the White Corrosive Flame Empress and the Dragon Spear Hero of Leon. Especially with my portrayal of them as almighty heroes saving our kingdom from demonic beasts and rebellious tyrants." Jacob thought aloud before his expression twisted into strange derangement.
"Hahahaha!!! Big Brother Jerome said that I should do as I please while he keeps me safe, so much of my fear is gone! I never thought I was actually this capable, especially acting alone. This is exhausting, but I can't complain since it's rapidly pushing my otherwise unimpressive cultivation speed to another level."
Jacob paused before determination once again filled his gaze.
"…my current biggest collaborator has given me some incredible information that will be spread soon. Prince Hunter and a woman from the fanged elf royal family have become engaged, and she will marry him as his queen, huh. Princess Ivorileaf Crimsonroot… how unprecedented."