Seraphina drove straight toward the outskirts of Middleton.
After about an hour, she arrived at a heavily fortified base. The place was crawling with armed soldiers standing guard, their vigilance palpable.
With just one glance, Chris immediately recognized the base as part of Camp Middleton, a key installation safeguarding the capital’s perimeter.
Although Chris held the prestigious title of Amerosia Primus, Camp Middleton was unique. As a direct asset under Master William’s jurisdiction, even Chris had no authority over it.
Curious, he couldn’t help but wonder why Seraphina had brought him here.
Before Chris could piece it together, Seraphina had already led him into the base. Inside, soldiers patrolled with loaded guns, while rows of tanks and armored vehicles were neatly arranged across the grounds.
“Stop!”
Suddenly, two soldiers blocked their path.
Without a word, Seraphina produced her identification and handed it over. After examining it, one of the soldiers nodded. “Please, come with us.”
Chris and Seraphina exited their car and boarded a military vehicle instead.
Once inside, the two soldiers blindfolded them.
Chris didn’t resist-he knew well that access to a base’s most secretive areas often required such precautions. Blindfolding was standard procedure.
Still, Chris’s keen senses remained sharp. Even in complete darkness, he could perceive his surroundings.
He remembered his rigorous training years ago, when he spent an entire month in pitch-black conditions to hone his awareness. That experience had heightened his abilities to an almost supernatural level.
As the vehicle moved, Chris deduced they were navigating a winding mountain road. The sharp twists and turns suggested that regular vehicles couldn’t traverse these paths, explaining the need for the military transport.
His curiosity deepened. Where exactly were they headed?
Chris wasn’t particularly familiar with Middleton. He had spent most of his military career stationed at the border, engaged in relentless combat. His visits to Middleton were brief, limited to reporting to Master William about the state of the frontlines.
After nearly an hour, the vehicle came to a halt.
The soldiers removed their blindfolds, and Chris found himself in a secluded valley surrounded by towering cliffs.
At the valley’s center stood numerous buildings, their strategic placement hinting at a deeper purpose.
The security here was even tighter than at the base they’d just left. Groups of elite soldiers-powerfully built and highly trained-were drilling in the open. These were no ordinary troops; they were the best of the best.
Seraphina led Chris deeper into the valley.
At the heart of the complex, they reached an unassuming building that resembled an ordinary residential area.
Inside, the room was surprisingly simple, resembling a regular home.
Seraphina turned to Chris with a playful smile. “Mr. Shelby, what do you think of this place?”
Chris rolled his eyes. “Cut the nonsense. Just tell me-what is this place?”
Seraphina’s demeanor grew serious. “Mr. Shelby, to be honest, this is the base of the Dragon Order.”
“Dragon Order?”
Chris frowned. “What the hell is that?”
Seraphina explained, “The Dragon Order is an organization founded a thousand years ago by Lord Dragon, a legendary martial arts master. After Lord Dragon disappeared, the Dragon Order became an affiliate of the government. It recruits only the finest elites from Amerosia. I’m not just the captain of the Cinder Society-I’m also a member of the Dragon Order. Hollow Frost and Eagle Noire are members as well.”
Chris raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected such an organization to exist. It seemed the world was far more complex than he had imagined.
Seraphina continued, “Mr. Shelby, let me tell you something even more shocking. My father-your mentor-was once the leader of the Dragon Order.”
“What?”
Chris was stunned. He had never imagined that his mentor, Archer Wintersong, had once helmed such a powerful organization.
“Back then, my father wanted you to join the Dragon Order. But considering how deep its waters ran, he ultimately decided against it. He thought it wasn’t the right path for you. And now, he has already stepped down from his position as leader of the Dragon Order.”
Chris’s expression tightened. “Seraphina, do you know where my mentor is now?”
Seraphina shook her head. “I don’t know. Before he left, my father told me he was heading to a very dangerous place. He resigned from all his positions, including Commander of Team Thunder, Imperial Strategist of Amerosia, and Leader of the Dragon Order. He also entrusted Emberwood Estate to you.”
She paused before adding, “However, my father mentioned that he left something extremely important for you in Emberwood Estate. He didn’t tell me what it was-he said you’d have to find it yourself.”
Chris froze for a moment, then let out a bitter laugh.
His mentor, Archer Wintersong, was truly a piece of work. Even after leaving, he had left Chris with a monumental task.
What could be so important that it required a scavenger hunt? Why not just hand it over directly? It felt unnecessarily complicated.
Still, Chris couldn’t complain. After all, Archer Wintersong was his mentor.
Chris sighed. “So, who is the current leader of the Dragon Order?”
Seraphina’s tone grew cold. “Ethan Stone, the Amerosia Abbot.”
“What the hell!”
Chris cursed aloud.
He and Ethan Stone had been rivals for years. Now that Stone had taken over the Dragon Order, Chris’s life was bound to become even more difficult.
Seeing his frustration, Seraphina sighed. “Mr. Shelby, ever since Ethan Stone took charge, much of what my father left behind has been altered. Even my standing within the Dragon Order has plummeted. I’m barely hanging on.”
During Archer Wintersong’s leadership, Seraphina had enjoyed a position of prestige. But after his departure, everything changed.
It wasn’t surprising, though. Archer Wintersong and Ethan Stone had been sworn enemies, and Stone’s grudge extended to anyone connected to Wintersong, including Seraphina.
After a brief conversation, Seraphina offered to show Chris around the base.
Suddenly, the ground rumbled.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A convoy of military vehicles rolled into the valley.
From the lead vehicle, Hollow Frost and Eagle Noire stepped out, their presence commanding attention.