Chapter 187: Wyvern Mountain Range (2)


    The wyvern vige bore a slight resemnce to an elf vige.


    The main differencey in the scarcity of trees, likely a result of the high altitude.


    Mist-like clouds roamed about, a clear indicator of the elevation.


    Upon entering the vige, Ray immediately drew many gazes, probably due to the human scent he emitted.


    A middle-aged man, who seemed to be a local, approached the young man leading Ray.


    The middle-aged manmunicated with the young guide telepathically, and Ray overheard their exchange.


    So, its a human. What brings him here? Its rare for other races to visit our vige.


    Hes an interesting human.


    Oh? That is intriguing.


    Their lips remained still as they conversed, and the manughed heartily, radiating a refreshing aura.


    The young man moved past the older one, heading toward the viges edge, with Ray in tow, still the focus of the vigers scrutiny. At the fringe, they came upon a small house.


    The idea of wyverns building and inhabiting houses was unexpectedly surprising.


    Then again, given that orcs construct huts and camps, it wasnt far-fetched for wyverns, as high-level sentient beings, to build houses.


    The environment had already been modified to amodate life in human form.


    Ray followed the young man inside, where the house contained nothing more than a table, chairs, and an old paintinga stark yet somewhat impressive setup.


    The young man casually took a seat and signaled for Ray to do the same.


    Now, lets get to the point. What brings you so earnestly to our realm?


    Ray replied, As I mentioned earlier, Im here to negotiate the relocation of yourir.


    As I said before, thats not a decision I can make alone.


    Then lead me to the wyvern with the authority to make that call.


    Hmm Fine. But there is one stiption.


    A stiption?


    Ray looked quizzical.


    The wyvern shed a smile and held up a finger.


    Thew of the strong rules in the wyvern world. The powerful dictate all. If you can defeat me, I will take you to our Lord.


    Quite a challenge, typical of the wyvern race.


    Their desire forbat likely shaped their strength-focused society.


    Ray uttered amand.


    Hold.


    Mana around him began to respond and move.


    The massive surge of mana was impossible for the wyvern to ignore.


    Despite recognizing it, the wyvern couldnt counter it; it was like knowing a punch wasing but still getting hit.


    He expressed surprise as his movement was suddenly restricted.


    Hold Are you a higher-level magical entity than me?


    Thats right. Does this prove Im the stronger one?


    Certainly. Its a bit deting, but its sufficient proof.


    Cancel.


    With that word, the gathered mana dispersed instantly.


    His control had reached a refined level.


    To subdue a wyvern, thats unprecedented for a human. Shouldnt you be more pleased?


    Considering his past experiences, subduing a wyvern was minor.


    Ray shook his head and uttered a single phrase.


    Quickly.


    Understood.


    Is thew of the strong this convenient? It feels as easy asmanding Zik.


    As he was about to leave the house, he paused and looked back.


    Your name?


    Ray.


    Ray Ill remember that. Ill challenge you again. My true name is Karnada.


    Karnada.


    In theirnguage, it means life.


    It was a name he couldnt help but like.


    Ill remember that too, Karnada.


    I look forward to it.<hr>


    The Wyvern Lord, the highest position among wyverns.


    As expected of the wyvern leader, only the strongest could hold this position.


    If they showed even a slight weakness or lost inbat, they had to step down immediately.


    Thus, the concept of a Wyvern Lord differed from that of other races.


    While somewhat simr in being the leader, the ease of recement by a new, stronger contender was quite peculiar.


    The leader of a race was beneficial in some ways but could also bring chaos.


    For instance, what if the next Lord opposed the actions of the previous one?


    The disliking of the current location of the vige or the strategies in ce could present an example.


    Such frequent changes might cause confusion among the tribe.


    This was all backed by thew of the strong.


    The wyverns prideful nature shaped a world governed by strength, offering a convenient pretext to suppress chaos and silence objections with each change of Lord.


    Possessing the greatest authority within the tribe, their power was beyondparison with other races.


    However, this authority could shift with a single duel.


    Ray experienced quite the surprise upon visiting the Wyvern Lords residence.


    Unlike the house of Aira, who might be regarded as the elf Lord, the Wyvern Lords dwelling was remarkably in.


    It was a wooden house with a wooden fence.


    The windows were ordinary, with sporadic patches of grass in the yard.


    Sensing his thoughts, Karnada telepathicallymented:


    Its just a preference.


    Preference, huh


    Well, it was best to move past preferences.


    Before entering, Karnada paused at the door, likely sending a telepathic message.


    After a brief wait, the door swung open, revealing a disheveled-haired girl.


    Yawning, she clearly had been roused from sleep, given the evening hour.


    Good children go to bed early and rise early, right? The Wyvern Lord before him was a living testament to that.


    The girl, of a simr stature to Aira, inquired:


    Whats the matter?


    In response, Karnada offered a slight bow.


    This human wishes to meet with the Lord, so I have brought him here.


    The Wyvern Lord nced at Ray and then voiced a significant observation.


    Your mana lordship is quite unique, isnt it?


    Ray flinched at her astute observation.


    She noticed my mana lordship?


    The Wyvern Lord before him discerned a uniqueness in him that had previously gone unnoticed by others.


    That was no small matter.


    It indicated that she was either his superior or on aparable level.


    Rays tension mounted slightly.


    This encounter didnt promise to be straightforward.


    She might even be more formidable than Aira, the guardian of the High Elves.


    The Wyvern Lord casually opened the door.


    Come in, lets talk inside.


    Thank you.


    You can go now.


    Understood.


    Karnada seemed somewhat dejected as he nodded and turned to leave. The Wyvern Lord then gestured toward the interior of her house.


    What are you waiting for? Come in.


    As Ray entered, he thought to himself,


    This is odd?


    She spoke with moving lips, a strangely eerie sight, possibly because wyverns typicallymunicate telepathically.


    Noticing his thoughts, she grinned.


    Projecting thoughts into someones mind gives me a headache. I personally prefer speaking like this. Thats why I learned several humannguages.


    She was a wyvern of unique character.


    Ray nced around the interior.


    The inside was as in as the outside.


    Simple, almost modest.


    There were hardly any decorations, with only a lone bed in the room.


    Nonchntly sitting on the bed, she said,


    Find afortable spot.


    Afortable spot? There wasnt even a ce to sit, except for the bed.


    With only a bed for furniture, where could he sit that would be considered appropriate?


    Ray casually sat on the opposite side of the bed.


    So, what did you want to talk about?


    The Wyvern Lord yawned again, covering her mouth.


    I want you to move their.


    Her expression sharpened at his direct request, and she paused her yawn.


    Why?


    Its not really about being above the empire, but your kind is harming the civilians. Like sudden attacks or using magic.


    After pondering for a moment, the Lord nodded.


    I understand. But isnt it the same with humans? Expanding their territories and driving others out?


    Hmm.


    He couldnt refute her valid point.


    Indeed, when orcs set up camps, local lords dispatched troops to drive them out.


    Seen from her perspective, humans actions in iming the continent for themselves wouldnt look favorable.


    She continued, The strong define justice. This isnt just our tribal rule but a universalw in this world. Humans defend their realms with their strength, driving away monsters. But they overlook the possibility of being overtaken by someone stronger.


    So, youre saying if I want, I should drive you out by force?


    Thats the idea.


    She answered more easily than I expected.


    But I wasnt surprised.


    I had considered this possibility even before I came here.


    Ray began to gather mana.


    Mana around him resonated, converging toward him.


    The surroundings vibrated intensely, contrasting with their rxed seating on the bed.


    Ray asked,


    One question. How did you know my mana lordship was unique?


    A simple answer. My kin brought you here, meaning he was overpowered by you, ording to our tribal rule. So, I checked and found your mana peculiarly absent. With no internal mana, I had to consider the uniqueness of your mana lordship.


    In summary, she had made a prediction rather than using any special ability.


    Ray smirked.


    So, it was just a guess. And here I was, getting tense.


    He had been inwardly bracing for a confrontation with someone at Airas level.


    Though still cautious, his initial tension had lessened.


    As Ray continued to amass mana, now dense enough to color the air around him, he dered,


    Thew of the strong? Sounds good.