Valerian spent two days absorbing ten drops of water from the pond of life. Boo-too woke him up from his practice and said, "It is time." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The young man nodded, and Boo-too said, "I will take you to the front. Everyone is already assembled. You no longer need to go to the northern continent."

Valerian nodded with a reply, "I will follow your arrangements, Your Excellency."

Boo-too nodded, and then with a wave of her hand, a portal opened in the void. The young man was about to enter the portal when an ethereal voice sounded in his mind, "May Vita bless you, Young Valerian."

Valerian bowed to the void and replied, "Thank you, Pointiaf."

Then he followed Boo-too inside the portal. The next moment, the world changed. He found himself standing on a sandy beach. However, the easy vibe was nowhere to be found. Valerian looked around and found tens set up as soldiers moved here and there. He recognized the flag post of the Lumen Empire and the rest of the Western nations.

The young man was surprised by this ensemble and asked, "What is happening here?"

Boo-too replied, "You should find that yourself."

Valerian nodded and moved toward the biggest tent, where a big flag was hoisted. He was sure this was where the meetings were held. Many people saw him as he moved through the campsite, and the word spread around.

Valerian soon came to the biggest camp and found Ensis standing guard. When the lady moved to the side and said, "Fourth Prince has arrived, " he wanted to ask if he could go inside."

The voice was so loud that it echoed in the surroundings. Valerian shook his head and moved forward. He parted the curtains letting Boo-too enter before him. He found Fortuna, Fragrantia, Morgana, Libra, Emperor of Stella Empire, and Vulcan when he came inside.

With his furrowed brows, he asked, "So what made you guys come over?"

Fragrantia stood up from her chair and walked up to him. She did not hug him but pinched his ear and said, "How dare you act cocky in front of me?"

Valerian sighed and said, "Mother, this place is not where you all should be risking your lives. How can I fight when I am worried about you all?"

Fortuna clicked her tongue and said, "You can stop thinking so much. Lady Fragrantia will be here for logistics command and will not fight."

Valerian glared at her, and Fortuna avoided his gaze. The young man said, "Do you take me for a six-year-old? She is an Archmage with the heart of a warrior. Am I to believe she will sit behind and watch us all brave dangers? I know it was all your idea. Dumb dragon."

Fortuna glared at him and said, "Who are you calling a dumb dragon? Do you want to be beaten to a pulp before the war?"

Valerian spat on the ground as he said, "If only you had the skills."

Fortuna stood up from her chair, and Boo-too said, "You two can go outside and fight. I have things to discuss with the rest of the people."

Valerian nodded and said, "Come, and let me tell you who is the boss here."

That said, Fragrantia shook her head as she watched the two walk out. She sighed and said, "Ensis, inform Azula. Have her watch these two. If they destroy any weapon, it will be a headache."

"Yes, Your Excellency." replied the guard chief, quickly sending a person to inform the princess.

...

Valerian and Fortuna stood face to face in an empty spot, and the young man said, "Come."

Fortuna smirked and vanished from her spot. Valerian dilated his pupil and located a punch coming in at his temple. He leaned back, and the punch moved, tearing the wind in front of his face. However, he was not going to give up just like that. He raised his right leg and kicked at Fortuna’s waist.

The dragon queen was not hurt since she made a quick sidestep. However, Valerian had already turned around, and his palm chop was aimed at Fortuna’s neck. His reaction was fast, but the counter to seize the initiative was faster.

Fortuna did not expect something like this, but this was not bad. The stronger Valerian, the better her understanding of him and the better they will be able to cooperate in the battle.

Valerian did not hold back, he began to channel his battle aura, and the two began exchanging blows. They did not say anything but kept fighting. The reason behind this fight was for Valerian to get used to the surging force in his body. He was concerned about his strength in the battle.

However, hearing the truth that Immortuous could fight King Dracos, the dragon with innate strength, toe to toe. Then the only chance Valerian will have will be after he could fight against Fortuna.

The girl was being pushed back, so Valerian rushed in. However, Fortuna shape-shifted into her original form and flew into the sky while roaring. Valerian raised his eyebrow, and behind his back, blue mana gathered, and gradually a pair of wings appeared there.

The wings were as if made of feathers. A few soldiers watching the fight from the side were surprised. They did not expect this young man to have such a command on his mana outflow.

Azula arrived at the battlefield and sighed at the sight. Valerian flapped his wings and climbed the skies. Fortuna flapped her wings to hover in the same spot. The two faced each other, and then a wind blew. They both cast pure mana spells at each other without holding back.

Pure mana spells were special. They did not change the surroundings, but it was more like a beam of condensed mana. The two channeled the runes inside their mind outside with a light stream of mana from their bodies, resonating with the outside world and quickly condensing into a beam of light.

The color of this beam would indicate what element was used in the attack. This light beam was so powerful that it could melt bones on contact. A dragon’s fire breath was made from mana and thus had a similar effect.

The beams collided with each other, sending visible ripples in the surroundings. The onlookers held their breath, and so did the dragons guarding and maintaining the barrier. This power was beyond their imagination. Despite all this, they knew the battle with Immortuous would not be easy for the two entities.

Fortuna asked, "Did you get what you wanted?"

Valerian nodded and said, "I would not have returned without it."

Fortuna nodded. She wanted to say something but hesitated, and Valerian said, "I am not blaming you for this arrangement, Fortuna. However, if the people suffer, it will be on us."

The dragon queen nodded, and Valerian said, "We must ensure the death toll is not too high."

He had been to war before and knew every action and decision could make a difference in life and death. The young man had been responsible for deaths too, and he knew the burden they had placed on his shoulders.

Fortuna asked, "What do you think will happen?"

Valerian chuckled and adjusted his collar chain as he said, "What can happen? Either he dies, or we die. Simple."

Fortuna sighed and said, "I wonder if we survive this, how will we survive."

Valerian smiled, saying, "We shall let the future decide that even if we do not have hands or feet. We will have peace."

The two discussed for a bit before they descended to the ground. Valerian spotted the high priestess Solaria. He bowed to her and the lady asked, "Is any one of you hurt?"

They both replied, "This weakling cannot hurt me."

Then they were back glaring at each other for a few seconds before snorting. Valerian then met his family members warmly. Valerie was also here, but she was attending to things with Misericordia.

The girl was reluctant but she promised to come find him after her duties were finished. She was busy serving food and tending to the people.

Everyone was ready and nervous to face the biggest power in the mortal world. Valerian had been flirting with Morgana when Ensis came to find him and said, "Your Highness, the Holy Maiden of Clar-awks is here."

Valerian sorted his clothes and hair before he walked out of the tent to greet the holy maiden. He bowed to her and said, "We meet again, Your Excellency."

The lady said, "You do not have to be so humble, Master Valerian. Raise your head."

Valerian raised his head and the Holy Maiden said, "You will face the biggest threat of your life soon. Though, we cannot cancel the risk completely. We do hope you are safe when fighting that man."

She waved her hand and a full set of plated armor entered his sight. Valerian was surprised and then he was shocked. Just when he wanted to say something, an explosion sounded from the barrier.