LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 28: A Grand Celebration – The Northern Trial
A Hero's Welcome—The Dragon Slayers' Triumph
The news of Li Ran and the Darkmoon Dragon Princess's triumphant reclamation of Cloudveil Mines spread through Carosso like wildfire. The kingdom's nobles, royals, and merchants alike rejoiced—the revival of Mythril Steel mining promised an economic golden age, all thanks to the fearless duo.
Before long, an official royal invitation arrived. The palace extended an elaborate banquet in their honor, a spectacle of music, wine, and grandeur, where knights, merchants, and aristocrats alike gathered to praise the legendary "Dragon Slayers."
Among the honored guests was Nina, dressed in a finely tailored dwarven gown. Her freckled face glowed with pride as elven minstrels and bardic singers immortalized the tale of their battle, weaving even her name into their verses.
Raising her goblet, she grinned at Li Ran. "You've earned every bit of this."
Yet beneath the celebrations, the gears of royal ambition were turning.
The Frost-Dragon Crisis—A Royal Request
As the evening reached its peak, a high-ranking minister stepped forward, addressing the gathering with a solemn expression.
"Our kingdom faces a grave crisis," he declared. "A Frost-Dragon has begun terrorizing our northern trade routes, devastating villages and supply chains. It has already repelled multiple knight battalions—its very presence threatens our dominion over the north."
The minister turned to Li Ran. "The royal family formally requests your aid in eliminating this menace."
There was a respectful tone to his words, but Li Ran detected an underlying expectation—this was not a request. It was an order.
He shot a glance toward the Darkmoon Dragon Princess, who gave him a small nod of approval.
"Very well. We'll handle it," Li Ran answered, his tone cool and unwavering.
The Frost-Dragon hunt had begun.
Nina's Request—Another Joint Adventure
Shortly after the assignment was announced, Nina volunteered to join the mission.
"The Frost-Dragon's rampage has cost lives and livelihoods," she reasoned. "I can't just stand by."
Beyond that, it was a chance to repay the duo for inspiring her to push beyond her limits.
"Besides," she added with a smirk, "I'm a rising star in the dwarven world! You'll need me to chart a safe course!"
Li Ran chuckled. "We'd be glad to have you."
Preparations for the Frozen North
Unlike any foe they had encountered before, the Frost-Dragon was an apex predator of glacial domains, wielding devastating ice breath and impervious frost armor.
To counter this, Li Ran forged a weapon imbued with Fire-Dragon Crystals—the Fire Dragon Sword, its blade pulsing with eternal embers, capable of melting through even enchanted ice.
Meanwhile, the Darkmoon Dragon Princess honed new shadow magic, developing techniques to restrict the dragon's movement, preventing it from fleeing or unleashing massive frost storms.
Winter gear, fire-based explosives, enchanted anti-freeze potions—the trio meticulously stocked everything they needed before setting out.
"This will be the hardest battle yet," Li Ran admitted, "but we'll win."
The Ice Wolf Ambush
The northern tundra was unforgiving.
Blizzards raged relentlessly, each breath of air sharp as daggers against their skin. As they pushed deeper into the frozen wilderness, low, guttural howls echoed across the frost-bitten expanse.
Suddenly—
Glowing blue eyes emerged from the snowstorm.
A pack of Ice Wolves surrounded them—fast, intelligent predators perfectly adapted to this merciless terrain.
With a deafening snarl, one of the alpha wolves lunged at Nina, its fangs glowing with frost magic.
Li Ran was faster.
In one seamless motion, he unsheathed his Fire Dragon Sword—
SLASH!
A trail of flames erupted from his blade, cleaving the wolf in two, its body disintegrating into steam upon contact with the heat.
"They're not ordinary wolves," the Darkmoon Dragon Princess muttered. "They're infused with elemental ice magic."
Coordinated Attack
The remaining wolves snarled, adjusting their formation, encircling the trio like hunters cornering prey.
Three wolves leaped simultaneously—one from the front, two from behind.
The Darkmoon Dragon Princess reacted instantly.
"Darkmoon Chains."
Tendrils of shadow lashed out, binding two of the wolves mid-air, stopping their attacks before they landed.
Meanwhile—
Li Ran sidestepped the final wolf's attack and delivered a burning counter-slash, incinerating it before it hit the ground.
The Ice Storm Maneuver
The alpha wolf howled, unleashing a swirling vortex of ice, obscuring their vision.
Nina gasped as frost began creeping up her boots, freezing her in place.
Li Ran gritted his teeth.
"Not happening."
He launched forward with a flash step, breaking through the storm.
"Blazing Rend!"
He struck the alpha wolf, his sword carving a flaming arc through the icy whirlwind, shattering the wolf's aura!
The storm instantly dissipated.
Shadow Counterplay
A second wave of wolves rushed in, faster and more coordinated.
The Darkmoon Dragon Princess remained unfazed.
"Darkmoon Eclipse."
A black mist spread across the battlefield, disorienting the wolves.
Li Ran took advantage of the confusion, cutting through three wolves in succession.
The Pack's Last Stand
The alpha wolf, now heavily wounded, bared its fangs, gathering its last reserves of mana.
It launched a final, desperate attack—a massive ice spear aimed at Nina!
"NINA, MOVE!"
But—
Too late.
The Fire Dragon Sword ignited in Li Ran's hands.
"Final Form—Infernal Fang!"
A blazing shockwave exploded outward, meeting the ice spear head-on. The attack melted the projectile instantly, then engulfed the alpha wolf in cleansing fire.
The last of the wolves fell.
Victory & The Road Ahead
As the ashes of their foes scattered into the wind, Nina wiped her brow, catching her breath.
"They never let up, do they?" she gasped.
Li Ran chuckled, sheathing his sword. "You'd better get used to it."
With the Ice Wolves defeated, they pressed forward, the towering icy peaks of the Frost-Dragon's domain looming ahead.
Their greatest battle yet was only beginning.