Central Army Base Camp – Outer Planet of the Dragon World
Army Chief's Command Chamber.
Stacks of reports and scrolls were scattered across the obsidian desk where Army Chief Belmoth Shen worked, his sharp eyes dancing over troop movements, supply routes, and rising border threats. The room was dimly lit, save for the flickering blue glow of a floating mana-lamp above.
Suddenly, the heavy door creaked open. A gatekeeper entered, saluted sharply, and stood with discipline.
"My Lord Shen, a female officer from the Messenger Division is outside. She insists on handing over a classified message directly to you."
Belmoth set his quill down, narrowing his eyes with faint curiosity. His voice was calm but commanding.
"Send her in."
The gatekeeper bowed and exited swiftly.
Moments later, the chamber doors opened again. In stepped Rexia Midgar, her silver hair cascading down her armored shoulders, eyes glowing with resolve. She knelt briefly, saluting with precision.
"Army Chief Belmoth Shen, I am Rexia Midgar of the Special Units, Messenger Division. I was ordered by Captain Sam Ranseo to deliver this message personally and only to you."
Belmoth observed her silently for a second before nodding.
"Very well. Proceed."
Rexia approached with firm footsteps and held out a crystal-sealed scroll, its surface humming faintly with protective magic and marked by the Royal Sigil of the Dragon Throne.
He accepted it without another word.
"You may leave now ."
Rexia saluted once more and exited with military grace.
Belmoth stood in place, holding the sealed scroll. His fingers moved in a swift series of arcane signs, murmuring a few ancient words. The protective enchantment shimmered, then dissolved, revealing the letter beneath.
As he read, a frown crept across his stern face.
"Tch... what an headache."
He rubbed his forehead and growled,
"An emergency meeting at Tommorow? Why Tommorow...?"
Slamming the scroll down with a quiet thud, he turned and rang a bell rune beside his desk.
Within seconds, the gatekeeper returned, breathless but composed.
"Awaiting your orders, my Lord."
"I must depart immediately for the Sky Palace. There's an important meeting council. Inform all base captains and division commanders. Tell them to maintain standard border protocol and await further instructions."
"As you command."
The gatekeeper saluted and rushed out.
Belmoth grabbed his black-and-gold cloak, slung it over his armored shoulders,
As Army Chief Belmoth Shen turned to leave, his hand on the hilt of his sword, a sudden thought struck him like a silent thunderclap.
He stopped in his tracks.
"…Wait."
The gatekeeper, who had just turned to leave, paused mid-step and glanced back.
Belmoth's gaze darkened slightly, the glint in his eyes shifting from urgency to caution.
"No need to inform anyone. Not yet."
The gatekeeper blinked. "My Lord?"
Belmoth stepped closer, his voice lowered to a commanding whisper.
"Listen carefully. I'm heading to the Sky Palace for a single day. Until I return, you are to manage everything here. Don't let anyone enters in my chamber until I returned back. Make any excuse tell them I am in the middle of the training. Understood?"
The gatekeeper straightened with full military posture, his voice sharp and resolute.
"Yes, my Lord. Consider it done."
Belmoth nodded, fastening his cloak with a flick, the fabric rippling like thunderclouds behind him.
"Good."
Belmoth paused at the doorway, turning his sharp, calculating gaze toward the gatekeeper one last time.
"You... are more than a guard to me. You both are one of my most trusted guards.
He stepped closer, placing a firm hand on the man's shoulder.
"I entrust this camp to you. Hold the line. No one steps out of bounds until I return."
The gatekeeper's expression hardened with pride.
"Yes, my lord. I will guard it with my life."
Belmoth nodded once, a silent gesture of absolute trust.
With no further words, he marched out of the command hall, his boots striking the ground with a rhythmic intensity. The tension in the air was thick enough to slice with a blade.
As he mounted his obsidian-armored sky drake, he cast one final look back at the sprawling base below—the tents, the walls, the soldiers sharpening blades and testing fire-spells.
Then, with a deep breath, he whispered under his breath:
"I still can't figure it out… why an emergency summon, and this one is confidential?"
"My gut tells me something is cooking... something big.
He took his grand and majestic dragon form and wavering his big and large wings over the sky.
Outside, the sky rumbled over the southern border of the Dragon World.
He was thinking
"Something's not right... this summon feels heavier than usual."
He roared into the wind and with a powerful thrust of its wings, soared into the storm-kissed skies—toward the Sky Palace.