Ashen Dragon

Faced with the overwhelming poison fog, the Half-elf Paladin showed no fear on her face as she raised the Silver Sword high.

A twilight glow burst forth from the blade, like stars in the night, repelling the scourge of the poison fog and protecting the dozens of Silver Moon Elves standing behind her.

This was the Guardian Aura of the Legendary Paladin.

Yet, even though Rhea exerted all her strength, many Silver Moon Elves still couldn't make it in time and tragically perished in the poison fog, their lives taken by the evil presence that lurked therein.

"Deathly poison fog... They've gone mad, using such extremely filthy methods."

Seeing the fallen Silver Moon Elves, a trace of pain flashed in Catherine's eyes, but she quickly composed herself, riding her Unicorn into the sky and raising the scepter.

"In the name of Sahani—dispel the poison and evil, let this land return to peace!"

Silver light scattered over the earth, bringing silence wherever it passed, even purifying the poison fog in an instant.

The monsters twisted by evil were burned in the silver light, letting out painful howls, and ultimately turned to ashes.

The mages from the Arcane Priory likewise raised their magic wands, reciting spells, and as the Magic Web rippled, the gale swept across the land, even pushing the poison fog back.

Zeen thrust the Rock Hammer into the ground, and instantly, accompanied by the tremors of the earth, a massive stone wall hundreds of meters long rose from the ground, blocking the poison fog.

The Ancient Gold Dragon in the high skies also vigorously flapped its dragon wings, stirring a scorching storm to counter the incoming poison fog.

Through the collective efforts and solidarity of the Allied Forces, the terrifying poison fog was completely halted, leaving no chance to spread further.

On the distant Crown of the Sky, a humanoid shadow slowly descended.

It was an elf cloaked in robes, wielding a scepter, covered in cracks, his visage exceptionally aged, with eight long bristly limbs protruding from his back, appearing particularly hideous.

His pupils were pure black, devoid of any luster, beneath his eye sockets were a dense cluster of four compound eyes, resembling a spider's face, inducing a feeling of horror.

At the sight of him, Catherine, Rhea, and others were momentarily paralyzed, unable to conceal their astonishment.

Catherine's expression was complicated, and after a long silence, she spoke: "Long time no see, Elder Seron."

Near the Sword Bay Region, there are several notable cities such as Waterdeep City, Elturel, and Neverwinter City. Waterdeep City was established on the ruins of Ilfaen's capital, Erin Vier, of the Elf Empire, and hosts numerous temples of divine beings. The Miracle Temple is the game's grandest Magic Goddess Temple, with magnificent towers inlaid with various artworks and magical decorations in a splendid Baroque style, while Neverwinter City leans more towards Gothic architectural style, formed after nearly a century of development since the earliest human settlement Aegostor. The main city of the story, Bod Gate, is the largest and most prosperous trade city-state in the Sword Bay Region, a bed of plots and conspiracies encountered by adventurers, with a diverse mix from nobles to commoners and thieves. Bod Gate is named after a hero, the Grey Port adventurer Bodlan, who after exploring the continent beyond the Sword Sea, returned with wealth and led a team to establish the city.

Based on the high and low status of its residents, the city of Bod Gate is divided into the Noble Upper City, the Commoner Lower City, and the Outer City District scattered around Chenyi Mountain. The gate marking the division between the Upper and Lower Cities is named Bod Gate, which is also the city's namesake and a monument to its founder, Bodlan.

Currently, Bod Gate is governed by a council of four Great Dukes, with one serving as the leader of the council. If the council vote results in a tie, the decision falls to Great Duke Elder Ravenclaw. The Upper City's security is maintained by the Watch, an elite official police force, while the other areas are patrolled by a mercenary group called the Flaming Fist, whose highest leader is also Great Duke Elder Ravenclaw. The mercenary group's headquarters located at Bodlan Sea Tower is the strongest fortress defending Bod Gate against maritime invasion, and like a crescent, the city's economic lifeline—Gray Harbor—brings both wealth and vice daily with hundreds of merchant ships coming and going.

The Upper City is on higher terrain, composed of Castle District, Temple District, Manoburn District, and Wide Alley District, hosting numerous religious buildings. The Miracle Hall and the Supreme Miracle House are centers for the God of Craft Ralph's church in Bod Gate; the Miracle Hall showcases Ralph's great inventions, while Supreme Miracle House also serves as a workshop. The Lower City's buildings are mostly stone houses, across six districts: Sea Tower District, Blonrich District, Steep District, Crowded Side District, East Road District, and Branpton District. The middle class generally resides in the Blonrich District, adjacent to the Upper City's upper echelons, while the East Road District near the Stone Lizard Gate connecting to the Outer City District is relatively more mixed, featuring numerous bars and affordable inns. The Sea Tower District hosts the Flaming Fist Mercenary Group, and atop the largest rocky offshore island near the Sea Tower District lies the headquarters of the mercenary group, Bodlan Sea Tower. Branpton District and Steep District are relatively rundown, home to sailors and laborers. The Outer City District stretches along the Chongsar River, populated with makeshift buildings and slums, centered on a stone bridge—Flying Dragon Crossroad—that spans the river, bustling with vendors, with makeshift expansions on the bridge itself built from planks. Law and order do not exist here; even the Flaming Fist Mercenary Group's protection is severely limited. The nearby fishermen and laborers who dwell there have set up numerous makeshift buildings on the bridge, expanding its width with planks.

The moss on the sewer vault ceiling seeped with a viscous purplish-black liquid, resembling veins, squirming of their own accord. Suddenly, from beneath the filthy water, four spirit-sucking monsters burst forth! The helmet of the leading guard was dented inward, and his eyes bulged from their sockets. He stepped back, staggered, accidentally discharging his firearm. The mind flayers shrieked and writhed, their bodies alight with the burning silver aura.

The mind flayer at the front had its helmet caved in, its pale humanoid face twisted grotesquely, and a cluster of translucent eyes progenized from the split gash on its neck, writhing like maggots, adding to the horrifying sight.

"The skull… for the Hive Mind…" it gurgled, forcing the captured guard with a torn throat to rise again and regurgitate choked words, "The skull... for the Overmind..."

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