Finding dragons in Eden proved more challenging than anticipated. I searched the mountains beyond Craft Kingdom's borders, venturing into beast-inhabited territories.
The harsh desert landscape stretched endlessly, dotted with ancient pyramids and sand-swept ruins. Deadly creatures prowled these lands, though none posed a real threat to my power level.
My Level 4 Bracelet of Lifeblood Veins was invaluable, allowing me to teleport between locations with ease. Its increased usage limit for world-travel teleportation significantly expanded the scope of my search.
I decided to investigate a promising cave system. The entrance looked deceptively welcoming - cool air drifted out, crystalline formations sparkled on the walls, and the soft sound of underground streams echoed within. It felt more like entering a luxury resort than a potentially deadly cave.
But I knew better than to trust this peaceful facade. Eden's unexplored regions remained wild and dangerous, largely due to Lunar Kingdom's environmental protection policies. The elven government fiercely preserved these natural spaces, despite the dwarves' push for modernization.
The dwarves had to settle for developing their underground domains, establishing the Craft Kingdom. Each state specialized in different crafts - Sculptors' Haven with its master carvers, Mechanists' Deep focusing on advanced technology, and others each with their unique expertise.
My reminiscing ended abruptly as danger sense flared. I leaped backward just as the ground where I'd stood exploded, stone shrapnel flying everywhere.
Looking up, I spotted thousands of massive bats clinging to the cave ceiling, their eyes glowing blood-red.
"Mental note: get anti-rabies shot later," I chuckled. Another invisible attack forced me to dodge.
My eyebrows rose as I evaded purely on instinct. The countless hours spent training in Dragon Ball's world had honed my reflexes well.
After avoiding several more invisible strikes, I recognized the attack pattern. These weren't ordinary bats - they were using Soundwave Magic, channeling destructive sonic energy at their targets.
The bats' attacks posed little challenge. I cast "Soundwave Nullifier," a basic Soundwave Magic spell that not only blocked their sonic assault but absorbed it, strengthening my defense with each strike.
Their frustration showed as they beat their wings furiously, intensifying their attacks. Thousands of bats channeled more power into their sonic blasts, the combined magic creating visible distortions in the air.
I smiled at their futile efforts. While a single bat's magic couldn't harm me, the combined force of thousands might actually sting. I could use my Devourer Ring to absorb their magic, but it was already at capacity from earlier encounters.
The bats, realizing their magic proved ineffective, changed tactics. They swarmed around me, attempting physical attacks. My barrier held firm as I continued deeper into the cave, barely noticing their impacts.
Their constant movement did obstruct my vision, though. Annoyed, I waved my hand dismissively, pushing thousands of bats aside with raw magical force. "That's better," I smiled, continuing my exploration unhindered.
The cave system stretched for miles, branching into several tunnels and chambers. I investigated every promising cavern - some filled with glittering crystals, others housing underground lakes, a few descending so deep they seemed bottomless.
Yet none showed signs of dragon habitation. No claw marks, no scorched walls, no massive nests. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn NoveI(F)ire.net
Checking my Bracelet of Lifeblood Veins, I noticed my daily teleportation limit running low. Time to return home and reassess. Perhaps my information about dragon territories needed updating - the beasts might have migrated elsewhere since my last reports.
Arthur returned to Horn Kingdom and collapsed onto his bed, frustrated by the fruitless dragon hunt. "Tomorrow's another day for dragon information," he sighed.
His Hellsing Organization, primarily staffed by Sylwen and dozens of his clones, handled most intelligence gathering. But the organization's effectiveness suffered from its heavy reliance on clones. These duplicates could vanish within weeks or months, especially if they encountered significant resistance during missions.
Sylwen, being the only permanent member, shouldered most of the burden. The clones' temporary nature created constant disruptions - they'd build connections with informants, establish information networks, then suddenly disappear. Each vanished clone meant lost contacts and broken relationships that Sylwen had to repair or rebuild from scratch.
Even worse, the clones couldn't maintain long-term undercover positions or develop deep infiltration networks. Their limited lifespan made them unsuitable for operations requiring months or years of careful relationship building. Only Sylwen could handle such delicate, time-intensive missions, and she remained unaware that her fellow agents were merely temporary duplicates.
Arthur needed more permanent operatives - real people who could build lasting networks, maintain consistent covers, and accumulate years of experience without risk of sudden disappearance. His organization required stability that clones simply couldn't provide.
His thoughts turned to Lance and his team. "They'd make perfect recruits for the organization," he mused aloud. "Their reputation and power would draw other talented individuals. Plus, they already understand secrecy and loyalty..."
Arthur drifted to sleep with a satisfied smile. Tomorrow would bring another dragon hunt - not just for the film, but for personal ownership. While dragons weren't part of Tolkien's original story, Arthur's adaptation would feature them prominently, making the War of the Ring even more spectacular than before.
Morning brought Arthur back to Hellfire Studio, overseeing auditions for "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers." George, Firfel, Vivienne, and Klein sat beside him, carefully evaluating each performer.
Though several actors showed promise, the process would take time. The production maintained strict secrecy, operating under the codename "Dragon Project." Most auditioning actors had no idea they were trying out for Lord of the Rings - only a select few, granted special scripts, knew the truth.
Lewis Light was among these privileged few. The superstar had arrived in Horn Kingdom a week ago, attending daily auditions despite his fame. Unlike his usual instant casting in other studios, here he faced the same rigorous process as everyone else.
The media couldn't resist covering his daily visits to Hellfire Studio. Headlines spread across entertainment papers:
"SUPERSTAR LEWIS LIGHT FACES REAL AUDITION PROCESS AT HELLFIRE"
"NO SPECIAL TREATMENT: Even Lewis Light Must Prove Himself to Arthur Pendragon"
"Is Hellfire's Mysterious 'Dragon Project' Worth Lewis Light's Persistent Efforts?"
"INDUSTRY SHOCKED: Why Would Lewis Light Submit to Weekly Auditions?"
"Sources Say Light Dreams of Joining Arthur's Next Epic - But Can He Make the Cut?"
A week later, news of Lewis's ongoing auditions traveled far beyond the borders of the Horn Kingdom, reaching neighboring realms and even his hometown of Angel City in the U.S.E.
His fans wrestled with mixed emotions - pride warring with concern as they watched their idol undergo such a lengthy audition process. Yet most understood why. Arthur Pendragon, despite being just three years into his career, had revolutionized the entertainment industry. His meteoric rise from unknown to industry titan made his exacting standards understandable.
In Lewis's hometown, speculation ran wild about the mysterious project that could command such dedication from their famous son.
At the Golden Lion tavern, Lewis's old friends gathered to discuss the situation.
"Arthur's track record speaks for itself," Horton swirled his wine thoughtfully. "Any project that makes Lewis work this hard for just an audition must be something special."
"No question about it," nodded James, a working actor himself. "Speaking as someone in the industry, I'm dying to know what Arthur's planning. His creative vision is unmatched."
"True, but have you noticed how he's spread himself thin lately?" Joe interjected, shaking his head. "Between his new entertainment machines, computers, and that QR code system, we're seeing fewer films. Such a waste of his filmmaking genius."
Meanwhile, in Horn Kingdom, Lewis sat across from Arthur for another interview, detailing his evolving approach to the character. The contrast between the public speculation and the reality of these intense private sessions couldn't have been starker.