Chapter 418: Crescent Continent

The moment Sophia arrived at Marsh Castle, she felt a pressure weighing upon her.

Not just her—Simon and the others sensed an elusive, oppressive force as well.

Based on Simon’s years of experience, such pressure likely originated from a high-bloodline magical beast.

Yet when they had descended slowly from above, nothing unusual had been detected.

So instinctively, they assumed Lord Rowan had secretly stationed a beast to confront them.

Thus, Sophia proactively introduced their strength, hoping to dispel any such suspicion.

After all, they had come to this continent seeking aid, not enemies—especially as newcomers.

Rowan paused, then relaxed with sudden understanding. He hadn’t realized his defenses had been mistaken for hostility.

“I believe,” he said openly, “you may have misunderstood.”

“This pressure comes from my own magical beast residing in the castle, not any deliberate threat toward you.”

“Carlois, come greet our guests.”

At Rowan’s call, a deep roar echoed from behind.

Carlois flapped his wings, circling the sky before landing heavily beside Rowan.

A violent gust swept forward, forcing Sophia and her companions to squint.

For a heartbeat, their hearts faltered at the sight before them.

They had expected a powerful magical beast hidden in shadows—but never imagined it would be a dragon!

Even on the Crescent Continent, becoming a dragon’s master was an almost impossible feat.

How had this youth, younger than them all, achieved such a bond?

Sophia withdrew her gaze, reassessing Rowan with a faint apology in her voice:

“It seems I misjudged you. Please forgive us—we are strangers here. Though our team is strong, caution is only natural.”

With tensions eased, Rowan invited them into the grand hall.

“According to ancient texts,” he began, “a legendary battle once shook the Crescent Continent long ago. In the Flame Canyon, the human Flame Expeditionary Force sacrificed themselves entirely to slay Shadow Lord Eliot.”

Hearing this, Sophia instinctively believed the reference to such a text.

“That truly happened!”

She hadn’t witnessed it herself—it was too distant—but she had read of it in history.

“That battle was an epic clash of mortals defying legend. Heroes Rudar and Nicholas led tens of thousands of fearless soldiers to create a miracle!”

Rowan’s heart skipped a beat. He glanced at Elron—whose shock confirmed his own suspicion.

Now, their origins were undeniably real.

“And after the Flame Expedition fell,” Rowan asked, “how did the war on the Crescent Continent unfold?”

Sophia sighed. “It became a war that lasted over a hundred years…”

Through her account, Rowan gained a rough understanding of events a thousand years past.

Simply put, more than a millennium ago, the Starfall Continent—now known as Orlandt—and the Crescent Continent had maintained contact.

But the rise of the Demon God Nightmare King sparked a century-long war, engulfing all humanity.

To defeat the Demon King, every transcendent being joined the fight—casualties so severe that barely one in a hundred survived.

During this war, Archmage Erian clashed with Storm Demon King Bagdanna along the western coast of the Crescent Continent, their battle spanning vast oceanic expanses.

Though Erian ultimately slew the Storm Demon, the latter’s corpse sank into the sea, its cursed nightmare essence polluting the waters.

This gave birth to a tempestuous zone where violent storms raged eternally, tormenting those who passed—some driven mad, others dying instantly.

Crossing required a legendary mage’s protection throughout.

Yet after that battle, all legendary beings perished.

From then on, the Starfall and Crescent Continents lost all connection.

With this knowledge, Rowan formed a reasonable hypothesis: that war had severed the world’s lineage, leaving this realm so backward.

And since its people kept no written records, even such divine wars would fade within two or three generations.

“You crossed with legendary protectors?”

Sophia shook her head. “No. We used a magic orb crafted by the Archmages. Even so, four of our companions died in the Sea of Storms.”

Truly terrifying—the Archmages’ blessing could not guarantee safe passage.

“Why risk your lives to come here?” Rowan asked, bewildered.

If they had Archmage-crafted orbs, why didn’t the Archmages escort them?

“The Demon God’s servants have returned. We’ve barely held them at bay, but the Archmages cannot leave for long. Moreover, we received intelligence: Storm Lord Sereth has found a way to neutralize the Sea of Storms’ power, sending a wave of minions across.”

“So we gambled everything, forcing our way through the Sea of Storms. As long as one of us survives to deliver the warning, you’ll be prepared.”

Sophia revealed their true purpose: “We also hope the Archmages and legendary beings here will soon journey to the Crescent Continent, helping us end the nearly two-thousand-year war between humanity and the Demon Gods.”

Deliver intelligence. Seek reinforcements. That was Sophia’s mission.

Noble in intent, but harsh in reality.

Rowan silently shook his head. “To my knowledge, Orlandt—your Starfall Continent—has no legendary beings, nor any Archmages. I fear you’ll be disappointed.”

The strongest mage might be Countess Berola Silva, a ninth-rank Grand Sorceress.

Sophia and her companions’ expressions dimmed.

This young lord, though youthful, clearly possessed great power and status.

If even he claimed there were no legends or sages here, then it must be true.

Their journey had not only failed to find allies—it might have cost them any chance of return.

The magic orbs could only be used once. Without them, crossing the Sea of Storms again meant certain death.

“There’s something else I must tell you.”

The five pulled themselves from their sorrow. “Please, speak.”

“Perhaps,” Rowan said gravely, “the Demon God’s minions have already arrived on this land… and begun their work.”

He recounted what he’d witnessed—the transformation of Orsen, Barlington, and others into Wraithborn.

Sophia and her team listened in stunned silence.

Clearly, the Murphist Rowan mentioned was a servant of Shadow Lord Salonas.

Anielle warned anxiously, “Given time, the Wraithborn spread rapidly. Your Grace, we must seek out the king of Oduin and persuade him to launch a nationwide search.”

“That order has already been issued,” Rowan replied. “But Oduin is vast. If Murphist hides and refuses to show himself, finding him will be near impossible.”

So far, no region had reported anything unusual.

Sophia’s delicate brows tightened. “You’re right. But besides Shadow Lord’s agents, Storm Lord Sereth and Flame Lord Phoenix’s followers may also have arrived. We must inform this land’s supreme ruler, urging vigilance and seeking cooperation.”

She turned to Rowan, her gaze unspoken—yet clear in its plea: *Can you help us gain an audience?*

Luo Ning could certainly lend a hand.

Yet he would rather this group assist him, rather than aid His Majesty Bruno. (End of Chapter)