Chapter 586: Strength Up
The enemy was getting closer and closer!
The captives grew anxious.
They stared in panic at the newly assembled teleportation array, just about to rush forward.
Tyrael hadn't even had time to speak when dozens of elves beside him charged ahead.
Clearly, some people only think about escaping quickly when danger strikes.
Then, they were all sent flying backward.
They fell to the ground, spitting blood and crying out in pain.
The gray elf modified Warrior who had struck without mercy slowly lowered his fist and swept his sharp gaze over the restless captives, declaring the established rules:
"If anyone else dares to act out, stay here and wait for death."
"Since you've chosen to join us, then follow orders obediently."
"Everyone lines up together. This is your first lesson in joining us. In the future, you'll be lining up often!"
"They will be the last group to leave. I hope none of you end up among them!"
Hearing the screams and cries of those people, all the captives immediately calmed down.
Under the command of the gray elf modified Warriors, they obediently formed two lines.
Watching their ruthless actions, Tyrael understood their style of doing things and silently pondered his next steps.
As long as there's order... it's fine...
"Kill...!"
"Capture them!"
"Charge!!"
At that moment, dozens of Minotaurs burst from the darkness!
Their eyes were blood-red and their bodies berserk, like crazed beasts—clearly under the influence of Mind Flayer psychic spells.
The captives were completely unprepared for their arrival.
"We're doomed..."
"Is this the end?"
"It's too late..."
"We're going to die!"
"Why did we delay earlier..."
"..."
Unexpectedly—
The gray elf modified Warriors, who had been so cold earlier, actually stepped forward.
The teleportation array lit up, and the first batch of captives rushed in without hesitation.
The others couldn't help but quicken their pace.
With his thoughts racing, Tyrael glanced back at the battle behind him.
He noticed that just a dozen or so gray elf modified Warriors had thoroughly suppressed dozens of Minotaurs.
And they were chopping off Minotaur heads one after another.
Strong!
Terrifying!
However, behind the Minotaurs were even more, even larger monsters charging toward the lowest level.
Tyrael did a quick calculation and realized that by the time those arrived, at least 1/5 of the captives wouldn't make it through the teleportation array in time.
It was too late!
He couldn't help turning to Sera beside the teleportation array and said:
"I still have combat ability. I can stay and help!"
Glancing at him blandly, Sera replied with calm confidence:
"You're too weak. There's no need."
"Only after you've received training will you qualify to fight alongside us."
As she spoke, Sera walked toward the charging monsters.
Ignored, Tyrael gritted his teeth and stepped into the teleportation array under the sharp gaze of the gray elf modified Warriors.
The cramped, twisted sense of compression slowly faded. Tyrael opened his eyes, and before he could react, he was pushed forward:
"Move ahead. Don't interfere with the teleportation array."
Tyrael couldn't help but walk forward.
He saw a pitch-black world and ruined walls lit by a single bonfire.
In the center of the bonfire, fully armored Yaya turned her head with a smile.
Her silver hair fluttered slightly, and a faint smile emerged on her perfect, resolute face.
She examined the disheveled, bewildered captives and raised both hands high.
Watching the captives kneel down involuntarily, she spoke with commanding authority:
"Welcome to my ranks!"
Tyrael, trembling under her tangible dragon aura, screamed madly in his heart:
"She's a true dragon!"
"What are they really planning?"
Tyrael didn't get the answer he wanted.
As the gray elf modified Warriors returned one by one, the teleportation array's glow gradually faded.
The threat of death seemed to vanish at that moment.
Sera shook her slightly numb wrist and reflected on the intense rebound force from her earlier clash with the half-giant elite Warrior.
She now had a deeper understanding of the strength of the Mind Flayer army.
The injured gray elf modified Warriors began bandaging their wounds.
Yet Tyrael keenly noticed that their life force hadn't weakened much despite their injuries.
What did that mean?
They might be faking it!
Or they might just be lightly injured!
Who were they guarding against?
Tyrael, who thought he could lift many doubts by gathering more intel, grew even more confused.
Too many secrets left him completely in the dark.
Seeing everyone had returned, Yaya gradually withdrew her intimidating aura. Noticing all the fearful eyes, she said clearly:
"This was once the capital of the Gray Dwarf Kingdom. Now it's a ruin—the carnage wrought by the Mind Flayer Empire."
"I am the lord of Bay Territory, a true dragon. You may call me Lord."
"You must be filled with questions, but that's fine. Soon you won't have time to think about anything else."
"Begin the arrangements. We have much to do and little time."
Just as Yaya finished speaking, a terrifyingly huge figure slowly emerged from the dark ruins in the distance.
An unspeakable fear surged into everyone's hearts—even Tyrael trembled.
As the shadow approached, Yaya turned around. With a flash of golden light, she transformed into a 20-meter-long true dragon and flew straight toward the darkness.
That terrifying shadow was carried into the distance by Yaya.
Yet the expected deafening roars and shockwaves never came.
Only silence remained.
All the captives felt their wildly pounding hearts unable to calm.
They never expected it.
Their savior was actually a true dragon.
And these powerful, extraordinary Warriors were her subordinates.
Many captives showed gleeful expressions.
They hadn't expected, in their lifetime, to see a true dragon and be fortunate enough to join her ranks.
Some more knowledgeable captives even muttered excitedly:
"The great Lord is a silver dragon, at least of legendary rank. We're definitely saved."
These words came from a drow spellcaster.
"Five years of work, and we regain our freedom?"
"Why regain freedom? We want to keep serving under our great master's wings forever..."
This was the heartfelt sentiment of several high-rank gnoll Warriors.
"Is this the Holy Capital? How did it end up like this?"
Asked by a now-conscious gray dwarf.
"There's nothing here. Will we go hungry?"
"The great true dragon is so powerful, she definitely won't let us starve..."
Said the ogre, sitting weakly on the ground, soon ruled by his stomach.
"Bay Territory? True dragon? Where is this land? I've never heard of it."
"No point talking. Five years will fly by. Surviving is all that matters."
"The great true dragon is so beautiful... too bad I don't have pen and paper to draw her majestic form..."
"I want to sculpt a statue for her. Maybe she'll like it and send me back..."
"What's our mission? To fight the Mind Flayer army?"
"Are you joking? We can't even fill the Mind Flayer army's teeth gaps. Even the Gray Dwarf Kingdom lost to them..."
"..."
The noisy discussion from fellow captives quickly sobered Tyrael up.
Unlike most clueless elven civilians, Tyrael had heard of Bay Territory and realized Yaya's identity.
He just hadn't expected that this territory, established only two years ago, would already have such a powerful force.
From what Tyrael observed, these soldiers all had peak high-rank combat ability.
The ratio of extraordinary rank was astonishing—at least 4:1.
Judging by their performance just now—
They might not yet match the half-giant legions, but they were stronger than many elite squads of the Elven Kingdom of Cole.
The terrifying power Yaya displayed rivaled that of legendary figures.
She would undoubtedly grow even stronger and might become the top-tier force of a kingdom or faction.
Bay Territory, with such strength, was not on good terms with the elves in Tyrael's memory.
There were even subtle rumors suggesting Bay Territory was the mastermind behind the underground forces' invasion of the Elven Kingdom of Cole.
The Ail Elves currently battling the Elven Kingdom of Cole had also received battle supplies from Bay Territory.
He recalled the combat capability and style of Bay Territory's special forces.
They were more ruthless and professional than Cole's own special forces.
After all, even Cole's elite squads didn't have the coordination of several spellcasters.
Just as the chatter buzzed around, Sera, now fully composed, stepped forward and pointed to the varied crowd:
"Alright, we were lucky today. With the Lord's protection, everyone survived. But next time, we may not be so lucky..."
With those words, everyone immediately caught the implied message.
Yaya would not always protect them—they might soon face terrifying dangers themselves.
The momentary calm they felt vanished.
Without giving them a chance to speak, Sera signaled Famir, who had already prepared, and said sternly:
"To help you survive, we will now collect your personal information."
"Don't try to lie to us!"
"Those with lucky thoughts will be sent on the most dangerous tasks first."
"Exploring deadly ruin sites..."
Sera's imposing presence easily crushed the spirits of these captives who had just experienced massive upheaval.
Under the curious gazes of all, Famir pulled out two silver-white metal blocks from his storage space.
Clack! Clack! Clack!
The silver-white metal blocks transformed into two massive steel golems after Famir activated them with a touch, accompanied by clashing metallic sounds.
Blazing red light shot from the golems' heads, scanning everyone present.
Famir, licking his lips slightly, looked at the confused and varied faces, stiffened his expression, and imitated Sera's tone with a cold voice:
"Everyone line up and register your information."
The moment they heard the words "line up"—
They immediately remembered those unlucky guys from earlier.
Pale-faced and sitting on the ground, they weren't dead, but they weren't doing well either.
Everyone quickly behaved, having witnessed the strength of Bay Territory's soldiers and the terrifying power of Yaya.
No one wanted to bring bad luck upon themselves!
"Name?"
"Wolf-Fang."
"Age?"
"17 years old."
"Are you a Professional?"
"Level 12 Warrior."
"Where are you from? Why were you captured by the Gray Dwarves?"
"Dark Mine. They caught me as a slave."
"Do you have any practical life skills?"
"Uh... does skinning count?"
"It counts, but you'll need specialized training. Go to the back and queue up for clothing."
The tall and burly high-rank gnoll Wolf-Fang was very cooperative during Famir's questioning.
This gnoll, with keen perception, faintly sensed the immense danger emanating from the steel golems.
And because of his reverence for Yaya, he naturally had no other thoughts.
The second to step forward was the drow mage, Trist.
As he answered, he felt a very subtle magical fluctuation.
He immediately suppressed his urge to lie and honestly reported his information.
"Usol City, Drow, Level 13 High Mage!"
Famir showed no interest in his identity and instructed him to queue in the back.
Slightly relieved, Trist cautiously examined the burly comrade two heads taller than him.
He could clearly sense something "off" about the other's body, yet saw no signs of physical modification.
This discovery thrilled him.
The thirst for knowledge sometimes transcends racial instincts.
The third person up was a lavishly dressed elf.
When asked about his identity, he hesitated for a moment before claiming to be an elven soldier.
The moment he spoke, the still steel golem grabbed him.
Under his terrified gaze, it spoke in a stern, terrifying voice:
"You lied!"
Panic swept across the elf's face, terrified the golem would crush him.
Just as he was about to tell the truth, he realized his hands and feet were already bound.
He was hung from a vertical pole.
Famir glanced at the elf calmly, suppressing internal discomfort, and said coldly:
"Let me repeat: do not lie in front of me. Lying will carry a heavy price."
"After training, he will join the most dangerous exploratory squad this season. Mortality is high."
"Based on assessments, the challenge level there reaches Level 11. With his strength, the odds of survival are slim..."
Everyone in the back gulped.
They quickly realized that the two steel golems weren't just bodyguards. They very likely employed detection magic.
Many who had considered hiding information immediately gave up on that thought.
Their former identities meant little now.
Being honest was their best chance at survival!
Even the drow spellcaster had confessed and received no different treatment.
Then they shouldn't have any problems either!
When it was Tyrael's turn, Famir didn't immediately speak. Instead, she gave him a deep look, as if urging honesty, before asking the usual question:
"Name."
"Tyrael Moonlight."
"Age?"
"43 years old."
"Are you a Professional?"
"Level 18 Ranger... and I think I just awakened psionics..."
As he spoke, Tyrael considered withholding the truth.
But in the end, he chose not to make an irrational decision and told the truth.
Tyrael clearly saw a flash of surprise and relief in Famir's eyes.
Her expression remained composed.
Clearly, he had made the right choice.
After recording the information, Famir asked Tyrael:
"Identity? Origin?"
"Elven Kingdom of Cole, Moonlight Family. Sixteenth heir."
"Commander of the 48th Unit, 32nd Legion."
"Defeated and captured by elite Gray Dwarf troops..."
Hearing his lengthy background, a trace of shock flashed in Famir's eyes.
She had never imagined—
This seemingly ordinary elf was actually royalty from the Elven Kingdom of Cole!
And heir of the Moonlight Family.
The Elven Kingdom of Cole had only princesses, no princes.
However, the patriarch of the Moonlight Family had an 80% chance of becoming the king of the Elven Kingdom of Cole.
Even if not crowned king, he would surely become Speaker of the Elven Council.
In short, the Moonlight Family was the most powerful and noble family in the Elven Kingdom of Cole—Tyrael's family...
Famir, who had hoped to find a helper, felt a mix of joy, complexity, and helplessness.
She thought she'd found a helper but ended up with a ticking bomb!
Nervous, Famir thought Sera would treat Tyrael differently or even imprison him.
But that didn't happen!
Sera reacted as if she had heard the background of an ordinary Professional. Instead, she showed great interest in the psionic power awakening in him and directly asked:
"When did you awaken psionics?"
Feeling the faint pain in his head, Tyrael met Sera's calm, profound, and oppressive gaze and answered without hesitation:
"Right when the Mind Flayer nearly ate my brain... and you interrupted it, saving me... that's when I awakened."