"My Lord, why aren't you speaking? Is there something I've done wrong? My Lord, My Lord?" Cocytus asked softly.
"It's nothing," Ainz really wanted to say, but he couldn't bring himself to lie.
"Stop bothering me, Cocytus."
He had never imagined he would parade through the streets riding a hamster, no matter how large its size or how famous its name, to him, it was still a Zakar hamster.
Not only was it difficult to ride, but with everyone else riding horses, it was truly embarrassing.
"What kind of monster is this?"
Adventurers who saw it cast curious glances, their voices filled with awe, "This monster feels incredibly powerful."
Ainz opened his mouth to explain, "He's called the Forest Wise King, not some powerful..."
"The Forest Wise King! The legendary monster, that's amazing!"
"Yes, yes!"
Everyone who heard him widened their eyes.
"It's indeed very suitable for riding." Sig stroked Cocytus's head beside him, a gesture that made everyone incredibly envious.
"Thank you for the compliment, I will continue to work hard." Cocytus's eyes once again showed a look of determination.
"Pfft!"
Ainz nearly fainted on the spot from sheer embarrassment.
Laugh if you want to! Don't pretend!
Sig cleared his throat, elegantly got on his horse, his white robe billowing in the wind, "Is everyone ready? Our mission is to lure away the Lesser Dragons so that Fei Fei can approach Slite."
Ainz interjected at the right moment, "Just leave the rest to me. Being caught in the crossfire could cost you your life, so please remember that."
The main force this time consisted of three Mithril teams and members of the Mage's Guild, which could be said to be E-Rantel's strongest power.
The original plan was for Fei Fei and Ilay to handle it alone, but under the Dragon's pressure, E-Rantel was already in a state of panic, and action had to be taken to stabilize the populace.
Warrior Captain Gazef even sent someone to inquire, and the mayor dared not be negligent at all.
This was entirely within Demiurge's plan; the original intention was to accomplish a great feat in front of everyone, and such a performance was arranged for a better effect.
When tasks were entrusted to Demiurge, he always managed to deploy the most perfect plans.
Einzack couldn't help but worry, "Mr. Ilay, are we really not going to discuss the plan further?"
His original intention was to gather everyone to discuss, but he didn't expect Ilay to be unexpectedly forceful, quickly gathering the personnel.
Even his good friend Lakshir brought people from the Mage's Guild to assist.
"Slite's race is a Shadow Dragon, its attribute is darkness, and it excels at operating in the dark. Attacking during the day is most appropriate."
Sig tried to make his voice sound more urgent, "Slite has likely already discovered my presence, and might slaughter the city at any moment. With Fei Fei's help this time, we must resolve this as quickly as possible."
Lakshir nodded in agreement. How fortunate it was to fight alongside a powerful mage, especially when it concerned everyone's safety.
"Mr. Ilay is right, E-Rantel is behind us."
Einzack was still somewhat hesitant. This didn't mean he found something amiss; as the Guild Master of the Adventurer's Guild, he had to consider the safety of the adventurers.
According to the reconnaissance report, there were nearly a hundred Dragons entrenched in the forest, and their group was clearly going to their deaths.
Sig was silent for a moment, then finally said, "Because of a curse, when facing a Dragon, I can reach the fifth tier."
"Is it really the fifth tier?" Einzack could hardly believe his ears.
Lakshir shrieked, "Lord Ilay is a fifth-tier magic caster?!"
After a brief shock, Einzack solemnly bowed and apologized, "I was overthinking it, I am very sorry. E-Rantel is in your hands, both of you."
Such a rapid change made one sigh, truly worthy of being the Guild Master of adventurers.
Sig merely waved his hand dismissively, his gaze fixed on the distance, "It's just a matter of convenience. If you want to thank someone, thank Fei Fei. I'm only interested in how to kill Dragons."
"Of course, if this matter is resolved successfully, Mr. Fei Fei will be a new Adamantite adventurer. If you wish to join the adventurers..."
Einzack's words were cut off by Sig before he could finish.
"Sorry, my goal is to kill the Demon Dragon. I am not interested in becoming an adventurer."
"You don't need to apologize, I was being presumptuous."
Clementine showed a devout smile, "Under the protection of the Saint Dragon God, I have also learned divine magic, and it seems it can also be put to good use."
"Saint Dragon God?"
Noticing Ilay's voice turn cold, everyone realized that this great mage's aversion to Dragons was not just talk.
Einzack immediately stopped Clementine from speaking further with a look, changing the subject, "Can you describe the characteristics of the Demon Dragon? Perhaps we can provide clues."
"Everyone who has seen the Demon Dragon, except for me, has died."
A slightly mocking laugh came from under the mask, "However, he is a very pretentious fellow. If by chance someone sees him, they might even worship him as a Saint Dragon."
Those who didn't understand the situation might have thought Sig was mocking Clementine or her faith, but they should know that the Saint Dragon God was himself.
Ainz couldn't help but marvel, Sig was truly amazing. When something was amiss, he would even scold himself, mocking himself was something he did with ease.
However, he remembered that the other party's Dragon form indeed resembled a Saint Dragon. If he appeared before the world in that form, surely some people would prostrate themselves in worship.
In contrast, his skeleton body, it would be good if he didn't scare people. This world really had a prejudice against Undead.
If there were three factions, and even one of them was Undead, they would definitely be besieged; that's how hated they were.
Einzack was on the verge of tears; he shouldn't have brought up this topic, knowing that most magic casters had eccentric personalities.
Fortunately, Clementine didn't say much out of respect for Fei Fei, otherwise, it would have certainly caused conflict.
Attacking someone's faith was indeed inappropriate, but Ilay certainly had the right to say so, so it wouldn't affect everyone's evaluation.
Sig's thoughts were quickly confirmed. When facing the Shadow Dragon's attack, everyone looked at him with trust, and even the unlucky ones who initially had objections voluntarily stood on the periphery.
[Control the number of deaths to within three, and half of the injured]
After giving such an order, Sig cut off communication with his Lesser Dragons and turned to cast protective magic on the people around him.
Although he said that, he actually only used simple healing magic. The divine class would double the magic's effect, so it felt a bit different.
Upon entering the forest, an eerie sensation washed over them, and many people shivered involuntarily.
Although this area was densely vegetated, there were no extremely tall trees, and warm sunlight could usually be seen.
But today the forest was especially gloomy, with no trace of light. Only rustling sounds and strange screams could be heard, and the sounds seemed to be gradually approaching.
Suddenly, a dark shadow struck, quickly pouncing on a mage, its sharp claws gripping his arm, almost breaking it.
As the monster's gaping maw descended, a dark figure cleaved it in half with a single sword, none other than Fei Fei, wielding twin swords.
"Move quickly, the Shadow Dragon is very fast."
In a flash, another warrior was attacked, but the quick-witted crowd swiftly drove it away.
Sig's raised hand emitted light, and a golden magical array appeared in the sky, chains emitting magical radiance. That seemed to be his staff.
[Mass Healing]
A divine-based mass recovery spell that could restore stamina and eliminate fatigue for three to four people. It was the only fourth-tier spell he had mastered, considered one of the more practical low-tier spells.
"Leave this to us, go quickly and kill Slite!"
Before they knew it, pairs of red eyes appeared before them, and Ilay hurriedly told Fei Fei to go first.
"Okay, be careful." Fei Fei flew onto Cocytus and charged into the depths of the forest.
Sig turned his head. Under the activation of his permanent skill, Dragon Slayer, everyone's attributes around him would increase, imbued with the characteristic of encouragement, so morale did not seem to suffer due to Fei Fei's departure.
But he didn't expect this group of people, averaging around level ten, to kill a level forty Shadow Dragon. His task was to dismiss the summons once the signal arrived.
"Retreat."
Seeing everyone swaying under the attack, Sig quickly threw a flash spell.
The Shadow Dragon, which had been attacking diligently, retreated a few meters, looking timid and wronged.
"It's Lord Ilay's magic! We must hold them back!"
Everyone seemed to have been injected with adrenaline, instantly regaining their vigor.
And in the depths of the forest, intense sounds of battle occasionally echoed. After about half an hour, a dazzling white light and a thunderous roar reverberated across the land.
Everyone witnessed the power of the Demon Sealing Crystal, which was the power of eighth-tier magic, a legendary power unattainable by humans, and even Dragons could only let out impotent roars.
Even without seeing the battle scene, no one doubted the authenticity of this battle. Compared to the past, they would undoubtedly have died; this was everyone's consensus.
And Ilay, who had protected them here, was undoubtedly an extremely powerful magic caster. Two silhouettes against the light were deeply imprinted in the minds of everyone present.
Aside from the Klargra Adventurer Team losing their captain, it seemed to be a happy ending for everyone.
Sig said in a deep voice, "Igg Falgi was an excellent adventurer; he died for everyone."
What sorrowful emotions were contained in those brief words. The members of the Klargra Adventurer Team quickly said, "You don't need to blame yourself, perhaps it was all fate."
"Let's go back, the mission was a success."
Ilay draped the robe that had fallen off at some point and left. In everyone's eyes, an emotion called reverence inexplicably appeared.
If Fei Fei was the dark hero, then Ilay was like the sacred savior, mysterious and powerful.