"Roar!"
A deafening roar echoed through the air, and a massive blue-violet beast leaped toward the screen, its gaping mouth seemingly ready to devour anything in its path. The members of the council involuntarily leaned back, feeling the ferocious energy emanating from the image on the screen.
"Crack!" The sound of something shattering followed, and the screen went dark. Clearly, the recording device had been destroyed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, as you just witnessed, a common beast of the New World leaped nearly 300 meters off the ground and destroyed our probe. Compared to these beasts from the New World, the ones we keep in zoos in our world are nothing but cute little pets," Weston remarked with a smile.
"I admit, the power of that beast is impressive and could pose a threat to our soldiers, but that's all it is—a threat. Under the firepower of our army, it's destined to become cannon fodder," one council member retorted.
"If all you're going to show us are recordings of various beasts destroying probes, then you can stop now. One was enough," another council member waved dismissively.
"No, seven of the eight successfully landed probes were destroyed by different beasts. But one of them was destroyed by an intelligent native species of the New World. I think you'll want to see this."
As he spoke, a new hologram appeared on the white conference table, displaying a vast green forest. The probe could be seen aimlessly floating above the canopy.
"What's this probe doing? Did its control system malfunction? Why is it just wandering around?" a dark-skinned woman with thick lips frowned as she watched.
"Ms. Doha, it's mapping the area."
"This kind of boring footage can be skipped. Move straight to the point," a man sitting at the head of the table knocked on it to express his impatience.
"Very well. I just wanted to inform you that this mapping probe was in optical camouflage mode. Under normal circumstances, no sunlight-dwelling creature should be able to see it."
"Oh!"
The footage fast-forwarded, and the probe appeared to detect something, swiftly moving in one direction. Soon, a large group came into view—a procession of tall, black-haired, blue-skinned humanoid beings, some riding six-legged mounts, others on brilliantly patterned winged birds, making their way toward an unknown destination.
Suddenly, the procession halted. The leader, riding a massive black beast, looked directly toward the probe's location.
"Please note, the probe was in stealth mode at this point, and the distance between the probe and the leader exceeded ten kilometers."
The council members focused on the screen. Even though it was a recording, they could feel the native leader's eyes staring right at them, as if he had spotted the probe.
"What's this? Is he planning to take it down like a primitive hunter?" one council member joked after seeing the native leader grip a long spear, trying to lighten the mood.
His laughter quickly died. The native's arm began to glow, and the simple wooden spear transformed into a spear of light. In less than a second, the spear flew toward the probe, and the screen turned completely white. The footage ended abruptly.
"Are you kidding me? How could any normal being do that?" one council member exclaimed in shock. He couldn't believe that something straight out of fantasy was unfolding before his eyes.
"Councilman, I assure you, as fantastical as this scene appears, it's real. I wouldn't be foolish enough to present a fictional work to deceive all of you," Weston replied humbly.
"I admit we may have underestimated the beasts and the natives of the New World. They possess abilities far beyond our expectations, but it's still nothing we can't handle."
The council speaker, sitting at the head of the table, finally spoke. He turned to Weston, the presenter of the footage. "How powerful was that native leader's attack?"
"That single attack had the power equivalent to a strategic anti-air missile. Based on our calculations, such an attack is likely a routine ability for this leader."
"In other words, this native leader is like a walking missile silo?"
"That's one way to look at it."
"Surely there aren't many beings like him among the New World's intelligent species?"
"There may not be many, but there won't be too few, either. And it's possible that even stronger beings exist. Let's not forget that 172 of our probes have mysteriously malfunctioned, which could be the result of a powerful creature."
"Or it could simply be the natural environment of the New World, not some extraordinary beasts!" another council member interjected.
"Speaker! I believe we must carefully consider how we approach the intelligent species of the New World. If possible, I recommend avoiding conflict and instead mining the New World's energy resources peacefully."
"The energy crisis in our world is dire, in case you've forgotten. If we fail to secure a new energy source, our civilization will perish. Therefore, for the sake of our world, I will spare no cost, no matter the loss of life, to obtain energy from the New World and ensure our civilization's survival."
The speaker's voice was firm, though he softened his tone as he continued, "However, if we can obtain the energy peacefully, that will be our priority. War brings death, which is detrimental to both us and the intelligent species of the New World."
"In that case, Speaker, I propose sending a mining company under my control as the vanguard. They can enter the New World first, and no matter what happens, we'll have a buffer zone."
"Agreed. But remember, peace first."
"However, we might face resistance from the natives, and they could attack us. I'd like to request some military assistance."
"Approved. I'll have the military deploy a division to accompany the mining fleet. But once they enter the New World, they won't be affiliated with our official forces. They'll be your mining company's security personnel."
…
Meanwhile, in the Ikkon World, unaware that his earlier spear throw had startled the leadership of an interstellar civilization, Muria made an announcement to his followers. "In seven days, I will go to Cloud Peak and conquer Meisha!"
This declaration caused an uproar among the Ikkon people following him. Some were shocked, others overjoyed, and still others were filled with admiration, each reacting in their own way.
"Go inform all the tribes in the Ayaire Forest and Bagdad to come witness the moment I become king!" Standing atop Black Cat, Muria issued a command to his followers.
Immediately, hundreds of Ikkon warriors mounted their partners and set off to relay his orders to all the tribes in the Ayaire Forest.
"Ull, are you really ready to conquer Meisha now? Can't you wait a bit longer?" Batu approached Muria, concern written all over his face.
"Yes, I'm ready to conquer Meisha," Muria nodded. The shadow of an interstellar civilization was looming, and the Ikkon people needed a king—a king who could bring about change.
"But you haven't even come of age yet. Your strength can still grow," Batu tried to convince his son to delay his challenge.
"I've reached my limit. I can't get any stronger!" Muria smiled. "So, it's time to conquer Meisha."
…
In the skies above the Ayaire Forest, the undisputed ruler, Meisha, was recognized as the uncrowned king. To the powerful creatures living in the forest, the entire forest was its domain. This acknowledged king resided in the most unique place within the forest—a chain of floating mountains known as Cloud Peak.
"So, this is where Meisha lives!" Below Cloud Peak, a Bagdad warrior from another tribe pointed to the floating mountains and introduced the area to Muria.
"Are those Meisha's subjects?" Muria looked up at the vast floating mountains, where enormous creatures resembling dragons flew in and out.
He knew these were Meisha's shadow creatures, its spawns. They guarded Meisha like sentries around a king. To challenge Meisha, Muria would first need to break through these shadow creatures' defenses.
"They are indeed Meisha's guardians! Lord Ull, we will send you up there, and we'll hold off the shadow creatures so you can face Meisha without interference!"
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]