A Dragon against the Whole World

Many years ago, in a highly anticipated national swordsmanship championship.

The young Kairos, with a self-created skill that was not yet perfect and executed with great risk, unexpectedly defeated another seasoned opponent who was strongly favored to win.

The entire audience and judges erupted in enthusiastic cheers for him, ready to bestow upon him the title of ’Unrivaled Sword’ on the spot.

However, he raised his hand and refused this honor that many warriors dream of.

In front of everyone present, he said: "Remember, I am the ’Unfinished Sword’. Wait until the day I become the strongest Sword Saint and truly achieve the unparalleled title, then it’s not too late to cheer for me."

This event made his initial mark, gaining him some fame.

Even until recently, having successfully ascended to the revered status of a Legendary Sword Saint, he still hasn’t changed the title of ’Unfinished Sword’. Clearly, this legend has bigger ambitions and pursuits and is not satisfied with the current status.

At this time, Marquis Marcus looked at the Legendary Sword Saint and spoke.

"Nearly three decades of fierce civil war have almost made us forget that the sharp fangs of the wilderness never truly fell; they are always sharpening in the shadows, waiting to strike."

His voice was low and hoarse, with a hint of anger, resonating clearly in the quiet room.

"Except for the northeastern lands, our carefully managed base in the Sel Wilderness, nurtured over hundreds of years, was almost completely uprooted by those savage natives! It’s the greatest loss and humiliation in the expansion history of the Theo Kingdom."

"Those wild natives are truly reckless and ignorant of death!"

A civil war lasting several decades, ultimately failing to seize the expected benefits, instead depleting the nation’s power, left a pent-up frustration that had nowhere to go in the hearts of the leadership in the Southern Countries, including the Theo Kingdom.

Now, Marquis Marcus seemed to have found an appropriate outlet.

If they couldn’t defeat the Lotheren Kingdom of the re-emerging Saint King, could they not deal with those ignorant and backward wilderness natives?

"According to intelligence analysis from various sources, this doesn’t seem like a scattered tribal rebellion."

Marquis Marcus’ fingers heavily tapped on the glaring red on the map.

"Ruling the Northwest and Central Region is the so-called ’King of Molten Iron’, who has integrated numerous monster clans and even Giant Dragons under his banner, establishing strong forces and even developed structured and systematic Alchemy Armaments, organized to a level far beyond ordinary monster groups."

"And the ’Fungus King’ occupying the southern region of the wilderness is equally formidable."

"So far, there is no reliable intelligence to reveal its true form. All we can see is the army of fungal monsters under its command."

"In comparison, that Mountain King entrenched in the northeast, a giant fleeing from the Seresia Continent, seems relatively obedient."

Marquis Marcus assessed the situation in the wilderness.

Beside him, the Legendary Sword Saint Kairos stood with arms crossed, relaxed yet with an understated sharpness.

His gaze was as sharp as a sword, as if piercing through the map to stare directly at the chaotic land.

"Theoretically, the entire Sel Wilderness should be the territory for future expansion and conquest of the Civilized Realm."

Kairos said flatly, "Those entrenched beasts, uncivilized monsters, and those dragons and mushrooms that emerged from who knows which dark corner, dare to claim kingship?"

"They are openly challenging the dignity of the kingdom, trampling on the bottom line of civilization."

Hearing this, Marquis Marcus nodded slowly, deeply agreeing.

He stood up, walking steadily to the large map, fingers heavily point to several crimson areas in the northwest, central, and southern regions.

"We cannot let this continue."

"We must make those ignorant wild scraps understand who the true master of the Sel Wilderness is."

"The Exotic Territory Strategy Department has already drafted a plan and submitted it to His Majesty the King, deciding to conduct a cleanup operation in the Sel Wilderness. The goal is to reclaim all the bases that belong to us, seize more new resource points, and make those monsters daring to provoke us pay for it with blood."

As he said this, Marquis Marcus’ gaze turned to the quietly standing Unfinished Sword.

"Kairos, whether in terms of strength, prestige, or knowledge of the wilderness, you are the best candidate to execute this cleanup operation, without peer."

"I will immediately request formal authorization from His Majesty the King, for you to personally lead the team back into the Sel Wilderness."

"This time’s objectives are very clear: execute the so-called ’King of Molten Iron’ and ’Fungus King’, destroy their Dragon Groups and fungal army, regain and solidify our control over the wilderness, and restore the glory of the Theo Kingdom."

The Legendary Sword Saint, upon hearing this, curled his lips and made an indistinct clicking sound.

"The civil war has just ended, the Federation announced its dissolution, the country is in disarray, and there are quite a few contradictions. His Majesty the King must be overwhelmed at the moment."

"Forming a close alliance with the Ripos Kingdom to advance and retreat together, in hindsight, doesn’t seem like a wise choice."

His words seemed to lack sufficient respect for the sovereign of a kingdom.

However, any legendary existence is the foundation upon which the kingdom relies, a precious resource that needs careful maintenance.

A Legendary Powerhouse, even if they have some criticism of the king behind closed doors, as long as they do not actually do anything to harm the core interests of the kingdom, usually won’t face any substantial punishment.

This is the privilege brought by power.

"The world is unpredictable, who could have thought that the Saint King, who should have long passed away, is not dead?"