Chapter 82: Varanus’ Blessing
The return to Tempest City was executed in absolute silence.
Moving through the dense canopy of the Tempest Forest, Alisa’s newly acquired Ghost-Silk properties allowed her to melt into the shadows seamlessly, acting as an invisible shield for Roy as they bypassed the outer sentinel arrays.
Instead of heading to the military barracks or the public squares, Roy directed their path straight toward the grandest structure in the settlement: the newly erected Church dedicated to his worship.
Saint Jarden’s Cathedral.
Headquarters of the Church of Varanus.
Passing through the grand nave, they descended into the heavily guarded inner chamber—a secluded, stone-walled sanctuary lined with defensive wards that completely blocked any external espionage or sensory leaks.
Within minutes, the summons went out.
One by one, the higher officials of Tempest City slipped into the dim, torch-lit chamber.
The inner chamber of the Church fell into a ritualistic hush as the higher officials took their designated places around the massive, circular stone table.
The round layout symbolized their unified front under Roy’s absolute authority, but the hierarchy of power was distinctly mapped by their seating positions.
Roy sat at the absolute apex of the circle, his sleek golden hair catching the flickering candlelight.
Directly to Roy’s right sat Lord Manuses.
The towering Holy Griffin Tiger Man sat with a rigid, military posture, his majestic white-gold mane casting a faint, radiant luster over the stone surface.
His golden-feathered wings were folded tightly against his massive, polished battle plate, his posture radiating the quiet, dominant security of a Martial Lord guarding his deity’s flank.
To Roy’s left sat High Priest Croak. Clad in deep ceremonial robes that hummed with subtle defensive spiritual arrays, the elderly yet youthful beastman sat in calm, meditative stillness.
His webbed fingers were loosely clasped over his staff, his expression detached and analytical as he anchored the spiritual and religious execution of Tempest City’s upcoming war strategy.
Spanning the rest of the round table were the core frontline operatives, filling out the remaining curve of the circle.
Next to Lord Manuses sat Commander Trojan, leaning his heavily bandaged frame slightly forward, his eyes locked onto the liquid-gold vials before him.
Beside Trojan sat Alpha Brenda, her canine ears twitching as she practically vibrated with predatory anticipation, her claws lightly tapping the basalt table right next to her pulsating essence.
Completing the circle next to High Priest Croak was Captain Eurenia, her posture stiff but resolute as she guarded her shattered sternum, her hands firmly gripping her newly assigned divine flasks.
Just a half-step behind them, standing perfectly integrated into the shadows where the torchlight couldn’t reach, was Alisa—invisible, frictionless, and watching over the entire assembly like a living phantom.
Everyone felt it.
That Alisa had evolved into a Martial Master.
They all wondered how she was able to pull such a feat off but when they gaze at the elixirs placed on the table.
They understood why.
The blessings of Lord Varanus is here again.
**
Roy exhaled a soft sigh, "First and foremost, what I want to say is that I’m proud of everyone who participated in the second invasion"
He genuinely smiled.
"Ever since the Church was founded months ago, we have been invaded twice and yet we curbed those invasions twice"
"We have established official trade alliance with Yeren City, we are now importing rare minerals while selling off our Varanite blocks and Varanium metals"
"We have successfully created our own means of transportation through the dozens of Beast-stage F-class Abominations we hunt every month"
"Our crops are growing faster than expected, it won’t be long until they’re ready for harvest" Roy sighed.
"We are able to achieve all of this thanks to the grace of Lord Varanus. I’ll not allow anyone to destroy what the God of Beasts has given us"
He declared.
"Norona City has declared war on us and so we will do the same" his eyes flickered.
"We’ll commence our first invasion on Norona City"
The moment Roy spoke those words, everyone sitted instantly tensed up. Their hearts racing with excitement.
The time had come for them to go all out.
The time of being hunted is over.
They are the hunters now.
"But..." Roy laidback on his seat, "Before we carry out such important task, I must inform you all that the current you is weak"
"Aside from Manuses and Croak, no one else is a Martial General...."
Roy’s words strucked deep into their hearts, he speaks the truth.
Lord Manuses and High Priest Croak could be considered the main powerhouses of Tempest City.
For they were both Martial Lords.
But excluding them, everyone else is either a Martial Master or a Martial Warrior.
No Martial General has been found yet.
"This is why Lord Varanus has decided to bless you all once again" Roy lips curled faintly, he glanced at Commander Trojan.
"Trojan" he called.
"Yes, Master Jarden" Commander Trojan immediately rose to his feet, "You have proven your loyalty to the God of Beast"
"Drink these three elixirs now" Roy commanded.
He pointed at the square flasks of the 2nd-Grade Titan Bone-Tempering Marrow Elixir, 2nd-Grade Evolution Advancement Elixir.
And the 3rd-Grade Sun Purifying Elixir.
He faced Eurenia, "You take these three" he instructed.
"By your will" Eurenia rose up and grabbed the 2nd Grade Titan Bone-Tempering Marrow Elixir, the 2nd-Grade Evolution Advancment Elixir.
And the 3rd Grade Asura Blood-Flame Essence.
She thanked the apostle before taking her seat.
Roy nodded before facing Brenda, "Brenda" he called.
"Yes" Brenda answered and immediately rose to her feet.
"Take this two" he instructed.
"Praise be the God of Beast"
Brenda wasted no time taking the 2nd Grade Titan Bone-Tempering Marrow Elixir, the 2nd Grade Evolution Advancement Elixir..
And the 3rd Grade Feral Beast-King Essence.
Once Alpha Brenda took her seat, Roy faced the two Martial Lords.
"You two are the powerhouse of Tempest City at this moment, take these potions but only use the one I tell you"
"Keep the last one for the right time, I see no reason for you two to evolve at the moment" Roy stated.
"By your will" the two Martial Lords bowed before the Apostle of the God of Beast.
They obeyed and took both the 2nd Grade Evolution Advancement Elixir and the 2nd Grade Titan Bone-Tempering Marrow Elixir.
They were only permitted to take the 2nd Grade Titan Bone-Tempering Marrow Elixir and save the other.
"With this, today’s meeting is over" Roy rose to his feet, "You have tonight to digest these potions and evolve to the next realm"
"By sunrise....you’ll be summoned here once again"
"And we will commence the first invasion of Norona City!"