Giant Dragon Lord: Starting from Daily Intelligence

Chapter 178: Chapter 172: Silver Mist Secret Scripture

”Mist Force Field”: Creates a dense fog so thick one cannot see their hand in front of their face, robbing enemies of both their sight and sense of direction. But its truly terrifying aspect is that within their own fog, the Caster’s senses are greatly amplified. Every stir of the air, every enemy’s heartbeat, becomes distinctly audible. Within the fog, the Caster is the absolute master.

”Cold Fog Erosion”: Seeps fog imbued with the power of extreme cold into the gaps in an enemy’s Armor, and even into their very pores. This fog does not cause massive damage instantly, but instead continuously saps the enemy’s body heat and stamina, slowing their movements and numbing their nerves. Like a frog being slowly boiled alive, it drags the enemy into the abyss of death before they even realize it.

”Shadow of Illusory Mist”: Uses the refraction of light within the fog to create incredibly lifelike illusions. These can be duplicates of the Caster, used to confuse enemies, or terrifying illusions of Magical Beasts, used to assault an enemy’s morale.

Raylo turned the pages one by one, his mind completely immersed in the contents.

If Wind Magic was a sharp spear, then Fog Magic was an invisible net.

An inescapable web that combined concealment, control, debilitating effects, and Illusion Techniques.

Countless tactical possibilities flashed through his mind in an instant.

For small-scale infiltration operations, ”Mist Force Field” could be used to conceal their movements.

When facing legions in Heavy Armor, ”Cold Fog Erosion” could be used to undermine their defenses.

And in a decapitation strike, ”Shadow of Illusory Mist” would serve as the perfect decoy.

This was not merely an enhancement of personal Power, but a revolution for the tactical system of an entire army.

If he could disseminate this school of Magic and train a Mage Corps specializing in Cloud Mist Techniques, they would become a Ghost Legion that struck fear into the hearts of all their enemies.

”AOW?”

Seeing that Raylo hadn’t moved for a long time, Coal Ball finally grew impatient. It poked its small head out from his arms and gently nudged his chin.

Startled from his reverie, Raylo looked down at the little creature.

He reached out and pinched Coal Ball’s chubby cheeks. He owed his success in finding the Secret Scripture entirely to this little one.

”Well done. I’ll have the kitchen give you an extra treat later.”

”AOW!”

The moment Coal Ball heard there was food, its eyes lit up. It hopped on the spot twice in excitement, its tail wagging like a pinwheel.

Raylo closed the Silver Mist Secret Scripture. The metal cover made a soft ”CLICK,” sealing the overflowing radiance of Magic Power back within the book.

He stood up, surveying the small secret chamber.

The stone pedestal remained, the surroundings empty, but to Raylo, this place had already become one of the most important turning points on his path of conquest.

Wealth could be accumulated again, and land could be conquered again, but a magical legacy with such infinite potential was a priceless treasure one could only stumble upon by chance, never actively seek out.

Raylo walked out of the secret chamber, cradling the Silver Mist Secret Scripture. The cool touch of the book helped to calm his racing thoughts slightly.

He did not return to the great hall, but instead walked directly into what was formerly Count Donne’s study.

Everything inside was preserved as it had been, only its master had changed.

Raylo placed the Secret Scripture on the wide oak desk and gave an order to the Personal Guard outside the door.

”Bring me Kevin Donne.”

A moment later, footsteps sounded.

Kevin was brought in.

He looked at Raylo, who was sitting in the master’s chair, and then at the familiar, metal-bound tome on the desk. His pupils constricted slightly.

”Do you recognize this book?”

Raylo tapped the cover lightly with his finger.

Kevin nodded, his voice dry.

”It’s... our family’s Silver Mist Secret Scripture.”

”Tell me about it in detail.”

”I... I can’t say for certain.”

Kevin seemed somewhat embarrassed.

”I have no magical talent, so my father never let me get too involved with it. I only know that it’s our family’s most important heirloom, recording the Magic of wind and fog.”

He seemed to recall something and added,

”My father was always its keeper. Only... only my sister was qualified to read it.”

”Your sister?”

Raylo’s interest was piqued.

”She is the most magically gifted person the Donne Family has seen in a century. On her eighteenth birthday, during her coming-of-age ceremony, she successfully advanced to become a Tier Two Intermediate Mage. My father was so thrilled that he handed over management of Silver Mist Castle’s entire Magic Tower to her.”

”Alright, you may leave.”

Raylo waved his hand.

As if granted a great pardon, Kevin bowed and withdrew.

”Ed.”

Raylo turned to his Personal Guard Captain.

”Bring Ailia Donne to me.”

Unlike her dejected brother, when Ailia Donne was brought in, she wore a simple, long white dress that could not conceal her innate haughtiness.

Her long, silver hair flowed like liquid Moonlight, giving her a cold, aloof air, much like the perennial morning mist of Silver Mist Castle itself.

Her gaze swept over Raylo before finally locking onto the Silver Mist Secret Scripture on the desk. Her expression instantly sharpened.

”A common brigand, presuming to lay his hands on the secrets of the Donne Family?”

Her voice was frigid, laced with unconcealed hostility.

Raylo was not provoked.

”Lady Ailia, I don’t believe you’ve accepted your reality. The war is over. The Donne Family has lost.”

He stood, walked to the window, and gestured to the lands outside, their outlines sharp in the twilight.

”Look out there. Silver Mist Castle and all the lands surrounding it. Everyone in Silver Mist Castle is now my prisoner. And you...”

He turned, his gaze falling upon Ailia.

”...you are a spoil of war, one who possesses great magical knowledge but has lost her freedom.”

The color drained from Ailia’s face. She clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

”I am giving you a choice.”

Raylo returned to his seat behind the desk.

”You, and all the Mages under your command, will serve me for ten years. During this decade, you are to research Fog Magic for me, train a Mage Corps, and fight for me when necessary.”

Ailia scoffed.

”And why should I? To serve the very enemy who destroyed our home?”

”After ten years, our contract will be fulfilled, and I will grant you and all your people their freedom. Moreover, I promise that I will then, as your ally, help you retake Silver Mist Castle.”

Ailia snapped her head up, her pale golden eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

”What did you say?”

”You heard me correctly,” Raylo said.

”This castle is meaningless to me. When I leave, I intend to hand it over to Kevin. Its value pales in comparison to a fully developed tactical system based on Fog Magic.”

”In ten years’ time, your Mages and the captured Knights of Silver Mist Castle will be returned to you, and I will help you defeat Kevin to reclaim your family’s domain.”

Ailia was thrown into a state of intense internal conflict.

Raylo’s offer was like a stone cast into a stagnant pond, sending a thousand ripples through her heart.

To serve her enemy for ten years would be an immense humiliation.

But after those ten years, she would not only regain her freedom but also have the chance, with Raylo’s aid, to take back everything that belonged to her family.

The bargain was filled with both temptation and bitter resignation.