Mystic Calling：Stone of Glory
Chapter 406: That’s it?

Chapter 406: That’s it?

"A sneak attack?"

A low, mocking chuckle echoed from above, laced with disdain.

"What a laughable excuse to comfort yourself... But fine. I’ll let it slide this time."

The voice grew colder, sharper—like a blade drawn across stone.

"But hear me, hypocritical Dragonblade Knight—if you ever dare to slander Emerald Castle again, if you so much as breathe another word of insult..."

"We won’t hold back next time."

"It’ll be war. No mercy. No retreat. No survivors."

BOOM!

A storm exploded from the heavens as the massive figure descended—an overwhelming force that shook the very air. The shockwave hit like a tidal wave, blasting across the mountainside. Even the elite Dragonblade Knights, those hidden 13Tier legends, were thrown off balance, stumbling, struggling to stay upright against the sheer pressure.

And then—he landed.

A colossal Green Dragon, its scales shimmering with violent magical energy, slammed into the earth with a thunderous crash. The ground cracked beneath its weight, magic rippling outward in waves of raw power.

It was Cicero.

And he wasn’t alone.

Standing tall on Cicero’s back, arms crossed, eyes cold and unreadable, was Ethan.

He looked down at them all—at the Dragonblade Knights, at Roland, and finally, at Veyra. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes flickered with calculation.

[Roland]

Level: 74

Race: Human

Tier: 11

Rank: Orange Legendary Hero

Class: Castle Faction – Cavalier

Attack: 335

Defense: 177

Spell Power: 45

Knowledge: 22

HP: 38,000

Damage: 501–656

Magic Damage: 77–121

Overall Rating: C-Rank Orange Legendary Hero

[Veyra]

Level: 64

Race: Human

Tier: Crimson Ultimate Hero

Class: Dragonblade Knight

Tier: 13

Attack: 511

Defense: 272

Spell Power: 88

Knowledge: 186

Damage: 787–1101

Magic Damage: 323–452

HP: 65,000

Overall Rating: C-Rank Crimson Ultimate Hero

"Level 64... Crimson Ultimate Hero," Ethan murmured to himself, eyes narrowing slightly. "But still not a match for Cicero."

He could see it clearly now. He was a Crimson Ultimate Hero himself—Level 56, C-Rank. And with that power came insight. He could read the flow of battle, the weight of power behind every clash.

Even accounting for Veyra being caught off guard, even if she hadn’t been fully prepared...

She’d still been completely overwhelmed.

Cicero, at just Level 59, had crushed her defense like it was nothing.

Which meant—if this turned into a real fight...

Cicero wouldn’t just win.

He’d obliterate her.

"So this... this is what it looks like when someone breaks through the limits of their race?"

Ethan stood silently atop Cicero’s back, eyes narrowed, heart pounding with a mix of awe and calculation.

"Yeah... that’s some terrifying power," he muttered to himself, the weight of the moment sinking in.

Meanwhile, Cavalier Hero Roland stepped forward, his armor still rattling slightly from the aftershock. He approached Cicero and Ethan with a respectful bow, his voice calm but cautious.

"Honored Lord of Valkarion, it’s been a long time. I’m glad to see you again."

Ethan dismounted from Cicero with a slow, deliberate step, his expression unreadable.

"Roland. Right... it’s you." He glanced past him, eyes landing on Veyra. "Though... she doesn’t seem quite as happy to see us. She’s one of Cain’s, isn’t she? Then why does she look like she wants to burn Emerald Castle to the ground?"

"Lord Valkarion, I believe there’s been a misunderstanding," Roland began, trying to smooth things over. "Lady Veyra didn’t mean—"

But he didn’t get the chance to finish.

Veyra stepped forward, her boots crunching against the cracked earth, her voice like ice.

"So you’re the lord of Emerald Castle?" she said, cutting straight through the tension. "Then answer me this—why haven’t you deployed your forces to strike the Infernal Legions outside Sylvanwood?!"

"And another thing—!"

"Hold it." Ethan raised a hand, his tone still calm, but now edged with steel. He cut her off mid-sentence, his gaze sharpening.

"Are you asking me... or accusing me?"

"Veyra..." Roland’s face paled. He could hear the shift in Ethan’s voice, feel the pressure in the air. He tried to intervene, but Veyra didn’t even glance his way.

"What difference does it make?" she shot back, eyes locked on Ethan like a blade drawn and ready. "Call it a question, call it an accusation—I don’t care. I want an answer. Why haven’t you sent your troops to fight the Inferno Devils?"

"The people of the Sacred Continent are suffering. Dying. And you—you—a lord of the Light Alliance, just sit back and do nothing. You turn your back on them. On us."

BOOM.

Cicero’s fury exploded like a thunderclap. The ground trembled beneath his claws as his massive form surged with emerald energy. His voice was a guttural snarl, his eyes burning with rage.

"That’s enough!" he roared. "Looks like you’ve already forgotten what I told you earlier, haven’t you?!"

But Veyra didn’t flinch. Not even a little.

"Dragonblade Knights do not fear death," she said coldly. "And we fear threats even less."

Shhhk—shhhk—shhhk...

Behind her, the Dragonblade Knights moved in unison, blades drawn once more, their formation snapping back into place like a coiled spring. Their eyes burned with the same fire as their commander’s—unyielding, unshakable.

One word from Veyra, and they’d charge. No hesitation. No retreat.

They’d die if they had to.

And they’d take their enemies with them.

"Master, please—allow me to kill them!"

Cicero’s voice was low and trembling with fury, his massive frame quivering with restrained violence. His emerald eyes burned as he turned toward Ethan, his tone laced with desperation.

"I cannot tolerate anyone insulting you like this in front of me... I won’t."

To Cicero, Ethan wasn’t just a master—he was everything. His loyalty, his belief, his purpose. And now, this stubborn, arrogant Dragonblade Knight had dared to insult him? To question him?

That was a line Cicero would not allow to be crossed.

But Ethan?

Ethan just smiled.

"Easy, Cicero. Don’t lose your temper," he said calmly, even casually, as if none of this had gotten under his skin. He reached out and gave Cicero a light pat on the shoulder, like he was calming a furious beast. Then he turned his gaze toward Veyra, his smile still there—but now it had an edge.

A sharp one.

"You say I’m shirking responsibility. That I’m standing on the sidelines," Ethan said, voice smooth, almost amused. "Alright then. Let me ask you something."

"In this war between the factions... what exactly have you accomplished?"

Veyra straightened immediately, pride flashing in her eyes. She didn’t hesitate for even a second.

"I’ll gladly tell you!" she declared, her voice ringing with conviction. "In this war, I’ve led the Dragonblade Knight army into countless battles. I’ve personally slain seven Dungeon Lords and Infernal Lords. Over three hundred units of Red Dragons, Shadow Dragons, and Devils. More than fifty Black Dragons and Inferno Arch Devils—14Tier threats!"

"Because of these achievements, I was recognized by the Light Alliance and granted the noble title of Count! A title of honor and valor!"

Ethan raised an eyebrow, then chuckled softly.

"That’s it?" he said, his tone laced with mockery. "Not bad. Really. But what if I told you... my contributions have already earned me the right to be promoted to Marquis of the Light Alliance?"

"W-What?!" Veyra froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "M-Marquis?!"

She stared at him like she couldn’t quite process what she’d just heard.

"And that’s not all," Ethan continued, his voice calm but cutting. "You say you’ve killed seven Lords and a few hundred dragons. Impressive. But let me tell you something—Emerald Castle has already repelled a full-scale assault from a Dungeon King."

"Shadow Dragon Vorundar."

The name hit like a thunderclap.

Veyra’s expression cracked. Her confidence faltered. Her lips parted, but no words came out.

"So," Ethan said, stepping forward now, his smile widening just a little, eyes gleaming. "Tell me, oh noble, righteous, and glorious Dragonblade Knight Veyra..."

"Compared to my Emerald Castle—who’s really done more for the Light Alliance?"

He tilted his head slightly, watching her face shift from shock to confusion to something dangerously close to shame.

"Well?" he asked, still smiling. "I’m waiting."

...