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"Alright, now that you've finished arguing, I'll explain everything." A voice rang out from inside the tent.

Everyone was taken aback and looked at the person who spoke. This person looked completely unfamiliar; no one present recognized him, let alone knew him.

Su Mo sat in a chair and nodded slightly to everyone. As for the people who had been sitting in the chairs, they had already stood up because they had gotten involved in the argument, so naturally there was no place for them to sit now.

"Who are you?" someone asked, already becoming wary.

A stranger has appeared in the safest tent in the army?

“I already said I’d explain everything, so naturally it’s the Great Demon King.” Su Mo said with a smile, his pupils suddenly turning gold, and an incomparably terrifying aura emanated from him.

This almost tangible aura transformed into a gust of wind that swept in, directly blowing the large and sturdy tent away.

This sudden turn of events shocked everyone.

However, no one dared to make a move. In fact, under that terrifying aura and oppressive force, they couldn't even muster a basic offensive action and could only barely resist.

"I've already explained the whole thing on the note."

Su Mo spoke up, "But you don't seem to be taking it seriously, so I solemnly remind you that this matter is real, the demon dragon is real, the kidnapping of the princess is real, everything is real."

"And this is just the beginning. Besides the royal family of Tristine, I am also very interested in princesses from other royal families. After all, a dragon cannot deviate from its persona—the dragon persona. I know there are definitely spies from other countries here. Go back and tell your masters that they can prepare to send powerful heroes and knights to attack the Dragon City."

"If anyone can actually stand before me and defeat me, they will be rewarded with a large number of princesses, fame, beauty, wealth, and power. I have placed everything you desire within the City of Dragons."

"Now—the Dragon Game begins..."

Chapter 566 Moths Flying to the Flame

That night, when Demon Dragon Su Mo uttered those words and announced the start of the Demon Dragon Game, no one present took it seriously.

Everyone believed that this was the work of a planned and powerful organization, and that there was likely the involvement of forces from other countries behind it, all in an effort to deal with Torristin.

A demonic dragon plans to kidnap the princess of all of Halkenia and send knights and heroes to fight him. Isn't that ridiculous?

Could it get any more outrageous?

However, although everyone was certain that this was not a game started by a demonic dragon, they also knew that this matter was undoubtedly a major event that could affect the entire country of Halkenia, and there was no reason not to take it seriously.

Besides Torristin, people from other countries were also wondering what the Dragon Organization was up to with such a large-scale operation, and what kind of power was behind it.

They could never have predicted this. This whole affair was indeed a game of magic, and from beginning to end, no other organization or force was involved.

Only Su Mo.

It was several years later when they finally learned the "truth." Now, everyone simply stared at Su Mo warily and solemnly, speculating on various unfounded "facts," waiting for Su Mo to reveal his true purpose.

"Hey, why are you all staring at me like that?" Su Mo said. "Aren't you going to hurry up and prepare to send out enough knights and heroes to deliver the food?"

"Louise..."

At this moment, Katalia spoke.

Su Mo glanced at her. This woman had a striking resemblance to Louise, with the same long pink hair. She was basically an adult, enlarged version of Louise—especially in that aspect.

"Don't worry, as the most important 'hostages,' including Louise and the princess, their safety will be guaranteed," Su Mo said.

"How can we trust you?" someone asked.

“As a dragon, one must keep one’s word,” Su Mo said, then smiled. “Besides, what other choice do you have but to believe me? Even if I told you they were all dead, do you have the courage to destroy the Dragon City?”

The person who had just asked the question immediately turned pale. Even if there was only a one in a thousand chance, they would not attack directly and destroy the Demon Dragon City from the outside. They could only go in and rescue the others.

“I want to see them,” Katalia said firmly as she walked up to Su Mo.

Upon hearing this, many people showed expressions of relief. Clearly, they also wanted to know what was happening inside the Dragon City, but entering it would undoubtedly be an extremely dangerous undertaking.

Even if they are eventually released, they don't know what they will encounter, and they certainly won't do something so dangerous.

But even if you send in a small soldier, the other side might not agree.

Now that Katalia has brought it up, this situation is certainly for the best. Those inside the tent are all "decision-makers," and no loyal subordinates have jumped out to stop Katalia after she spoke those words.

"Oh, sure, but once you go in, you won't be able to get out. You need to think this through," Su Mo said.

“I can stay over there, but in return, you’ll have to release some other people—at least I’m worth far more than some of them,” Katalia said, in a negotiating manner.

This composure certainly earns him respect.

"Okay." Su Mo nodded and readily agreed, which surprised everyone.

However, before these people could make any further demands, a black aura condensed behind Su Mo into a claw as tall as a person, which grabbed Katarina and pulled her inside.

Immediately afterwards, Su Mo soared into the sky and disappeared into the darkness.

What was that just now?

The group exchanged bewildered glances. Was this some kind of special magic?

I don't recall ever having heard of such magic before.

As for flying, it's not that powerful mages can't do it, but they would disappear into the sky in an instant. Such a terrifying speed is something that only a mage of the "powerful" level can do.

Back in the castle, Su Mo handed Katalia over to Louise, letting the two sisters pour out their hearts to each other. Then he selected a bunch of male students and kicked them all out without hesitation.

According to general practice, there should only be two creatures in the dragon's castle: the princess and the dragon. Su Mo's current situation is completely excessive, so removing a bunch of people would have no impact on Su Mo at all.

After understanding the situation, Katalia prepared to negotiate with Su Mo to let Louise leave.

As for Henrietta, without needing to think too deeply, Katalia knew that Su Mo would never release this princess of Tristine.

Unexpectedly, after only a few words, he received news from Su Mo that he had already kicked out a bunch of people.

Moreover, judging solely from their titles and power, this group combined surpasses even Cateria. Strictly speaking, Cateria actually benefited from this deal.

Faced with such a powerful "dragon," this was all that Cateria could do. Fortunately, she could stay and keep her sister company, so that Louise wouldn't be left alone here.

Two months passed quickly.

The army of Tristine, which had been gathered outside the city of the dragon, has retreated, and has been replaced by armies from various countries.

In the span of these two months, Su Mo struck again, sweeping away almost all the children of the powerful and wealthy in Halkenia.

Countries with princesses are captured, and other heirs to the throne, such as princes, are turned into "Sleeping Beauties." Countries without princesses are captured, along with a few dukes' daughters.

These two months have been the most terrifying time for the second-generation nobles of Halkenia. They might wake up one morning to find themselves not in their soft beds, but lying on the cold floor.

Then a terrifying voice rang in my ears: "Welcome to my castle."

Even if you send hundreds of people to protect them day and night, it won't make a difference. A gentler approach is to simply disappear in the blink of an eye.

A more brutal approach would be to feel a sharp pain all over your body, lie on the ground, and watch helplessly as the person you need to protect disappears.

Regardless of the method, the final result is the same, and a note will be left describing in detail who did it, where the person was taken, and inviting everyone to send out their people to play the "mushroom picking" game of "heroes fighting evil dragons and rescuing princesses".

This blatant and comprehensive act of "kidnapping" thoroughly enraged the rulers of Halkenia.

While Su Mo was seemingly binding whoever he saw, the noble rulers were also sending out their elite troops to march towards what was once the Tristine Magic Academy, now the City of Dragons.

It can be said that Su Mo is now at odds with the entire Halkenia.

The upper echelons and rulers of Halkenia deeply resented the name of the dragon Sumo, whose actions were tantamount to severing the very foundation of the nobility.

Now, it's time for that so-called dragon to pay the price for what he's done.

"I'm curious to know what exactly you want to do," Katarina asked, looking at Su Mo. "Make an enemy of the entire continent?"

"To make an enemy of the entire continent?"

Su Mo repeated Katalia's words, shaking his head with a smile.

“As expected, you did have an ulterior motive. No matter how crazy a person or dragon is, they can't possibly be an enemy of the entire continent,” Katalia said.

"Do not."

Su Mo said, "What I mean is that the entire Halkenia, and even your whole world, are not qualified to be my enemy."

Katria's expression stiffened for a moment. She felt she should take back what she had just said; the "dragon" in front of her was a madman who wanted to be an enemy of the entire continent.

"As for the purpose."

Su Mo said, "Of course there is. I told Louise before that this was a rehearsal."

"A rehearsal?"

"how to say?"

Su Mo looked at Katalia, but his gaze was rather unfocused, clearly not fixed on her. "No matter how strong they are, even if they can destroy the world with a single blow, they are essentially just ordinary intelligent beings. Those beings who have supposedly transcended the human level and extinguished emotions, unless they truly think with absolute rationality, will still have the same thought patterns as when they were weak. It's just that when they were weak, they would fight over a piece of meat, but when they are strong, they won't care about a piece of meat anymore. Instead, they care about an entire world, or even less about an entire world. That's why they seem so aloof and cold-hearted."

"What do you mean?"

"No one is immune to inner desires. The reason they seem emotionless is simply because they haven't been touched by what they care about. When what they need is placed in front of them, they are like moths drawn to a flame."

"A rehearsal?" Katria seemed to understand what Su Mo meant.

"Yes, you are the 'prelude' to those moths, letting me know what methods, means, and approaches I can use to burn those moths to a miserable state while they still rush towards me without hesitation or even fear."

"Even moths can kill each other..."

The flat voice and tone turned this magnificent hall into a cold abyss.

In the final chapter, you summoned me; you must grant me one hundred wishes.

Several years quickly passed in the long river of time.

For the entire country of Halkenia, a few years is but a fleeting moment, but for the people of Halkenia, these few years are probably the longest experience of their lives.

It all started when the Tristine Magic Academy was taken over by a group of people—at least that's what they thought at the time.

Then, it quickly developed into a terrible storm that swept across the entire country of Halkenia.

The name of the Demon Dragon Sumo has resounded throughout Halkenia in recent years, becoming a nightmare for countless people. His city, the Demon Dragon City, has become a death trap in the eyes of many, yet also a place of utmost allure for many adventurers.

Because that place represents crisis—danger and opportunity.

Over the years, Demon Dragon Su Mo has captured many second-generation figures of important people and dumped them directly in Demon Dragon City, attracting a large number of important figures to come here.

When powerful individuals entered the Dragon City full of confidence, only to never emerge again, the city's reputation for danger began to spread throughout Halkenia.

However, this was only the beginning. Just as the dragon Sumo said on that night that could be said to have changed the landscape of Halkenia, he placed everything that anyone wanted in the Dragon City.

After several years of development, the City of Dragons possesses wealth that no other person or force in the entire Halkenia can match. Those "heroes" left themselves there and also left behind other things, such as their weapons, magic, and cultivation techniques.

As for the nobles—the dragon Su Mo perfectly demonstrated the qualities of a dragon, and many nobles used a large amount of treasure, real gems, and gold to exchange for the freedom of some people.