Chapter 335: The True Golden City Plan
Seeing the dragon completely ignore him, Edward’s rage boiled over.
He shouted, “Dragon and Phoenix Power!”
A golden light burst forth, forming a faint golden phantom that didn’t really have a shape.
But as soon as this light appeared, the dragon’s attention shifted.
Edward charged straight at the dragon’s gaze.
With the boost from Dragon and Phoenix Power, his attacks actually did have some effect on the dragon.
He struck and darted, dancing around on the dragon’s back.
Edward never thought of dealing any real damage to the dragon; his aim was still to stall for time.
To the dragon, this little bug was annoying—its attacks were like a tickle, but that light was definitely blinding.
From the ground below, the ongoing sky battle looked incredibly fierce, with flashes of swords, golden light, and dragon roars erupting every now and then.
But in reality, Edward was just playing hide-and-seek.
If caught, it was pretty much game over.
Even if the dragon couldn’t k*ll him in one shot, it could still seriously injure him.
He was also legendary rank, but there was a considerable gap even among legendary beings, especially when your opponent is a dragon.
Fortunately, his power had increased, and the Dragon and Phoenix Power was even more formidable.
Stalling for an hour might be impossible, but holding out for a few minutes or even ten? That was doable.
All those years, all those battles, the wisdom and experience honed into a razor-sharp resolve would hopefully provide him with a satisfactory answer.
Yuliya watched the battle in the sky and could see Edward was totally just putting on a brave face.
Run? Could he really run? Would he even get away?
Even if he managed to escape this time, what about next time?
There had to be some way to deal with this!
Things hadn’t reached the absolute worst yet; there must be a plan in place.
“Your Highness!”
Suddenly, someone shouted from behind.
“Your Highness! Chief Andrew and Captain Kane are looking for you! They say they have a plan!”
As Yuliya turned around, she vanished and the next moment appeared in front of the person who shouted: “Where are they?!”
“Uh…” The person was taken aback but quickly replied, “Waiting for you in front of the Adventurers Guild.”
No sooner had he spoken than Yuliya vanished again.
A few flashes later, she stood in front of the guild, seeing Andrew, Kane, and Maria there.
She hurriedly asked, “You have a plan? Something to deal with that dragon’s avatar?!”
“Yes!” the three responded in unison, their voices filled with determination.
“What’s the plan?”
“Your Highness, please follow me.”
“Where to?”
“To the Great Hall.”
Yuliya frowned but didn’t say anything, quickly moving ahead.
The four moved at lightning speed, and after several teleports, they arrived in front of the Grand Square in under a minute.
But on the way, Yuliya felt puzzled and had a bad premonition.
“Why is there not a single person around?”
“They’re all waiting for you in the Great Hall.”
“…”
Yuliya had been intentionally avoiding that place; she knew something was up, but she didn’t want to get involved.
“Your Highness, you must take this step now.”
Andrew shouted, “We implore you to move forward!”
Maria and Kane echoed, “Please proceed, Your Highness!”
The next moment, a synchronized voice came from the Great Hall: “Please proceed, Your Highness!!!”
Yuliya closed her eyes, pondering for three seconds.
In that brief moment, she sensed her teacher still fighting desperately against the dragon outside the city. She felt the adventurers on the walls caught between hope and despair.
She sensed the countless monsters outside, eyes glinting with hunger, and above, the endless brutality and greed of the dragon blotting out the sky.
And also, the determination and will of the golden citizens in front of her and within the Great Hall.
She opened her eyes and took a step forward.
Andrew and the other two followed slowly behind.
Andrew began to explain carefully.
“The Golden City was originally the royal city of our Golden Kingdom, the brilliant symbol of our realm—a pearl shining brightly through the annals of our history.”
“But during that invasion of the gods, much like today, the ‘Dragon’ wreaked havoc in the sky outside the city, tarnishing our pearl.”
“After that, it was Your Highness who led the Golden City away, burying it in the sands, thereby initiating the Golden City Plan.”
Yuliya walked steadily, listening to Andrew’s account: “So you’ve known the complete plan from the start, but didn’t tell me initially.”
“Yes, we beg your forgiveness, Your Highness.”
Yuliya chuckled lightly and shook her head.
Andrew continued, “The Golden City has actually merged with you, Your Highness; its strength is your strength. The core of the Golden City Plan is to return all that power to you when you return, along with the entire city.”
“We exist for this reason.”
“Now, the restoration of the Golden City is already ninety percent complete; the core is fully restored.”
Yuliya asked casually, “Do you know if it will come?”
“Not sure. But Your Highness once said, with awakening comes calamity; what to do must adhere to the choices made at that time.”
“Was that truly a choice I had? Heh.”
Yuliya crossed the square, seeing the golden citizens lined up in two long lines, welcoming her.
Their expressions were resolute, their eyes shining.
Andrew continued, “To completely shake off the ‘Dragon’s’ gaze, you separated your body, soul, memory, and powers.”
“Power protects the Golden City, memory forms us; the specifics of your body and soul, we do not know.”
“Now, we return it all to you, Your Highness!”
Yuliya looked up at the newly restored Great Hall, admiring its splendid towers.
This was just the surface; internally, it was a fully activated formation, constituting a complete ritual.
“So you’ve been preparing this all these days…”
“We beg your pardon for not informing you in advance, Your Highness!”
Yuliya shook her head.
“Sin? Well, one has to have a chance first.”
“The ritual is complete; please take your throne!”
“Long live Your Majesty!!!” they all shouted in unison, bowing deeply.
This time, Yuliya no longer hesitated and stepped forward.
With each step, countless rays of light converged toward her body.
She felt her strength surging.
Meanwhile, the last item on the system panel also registered an increase.
Synchronization Rate: 80%…81%…82%.
She glanced to her sides and spotted many familiar faces, some were just passing acquaintances, while others were complete strangers.
But all were smiling, paying their respects to Yuliya amid the light.
Yuliya ascended the steps leading to the throne, moving towards her lofty seat.
The people behind her stopped at the bottom of the steps, nearly a thousand gathered in the Great Hall.
Yuliya’s power had maxed out; she paused before the throne, turned around, and looked at the crowd below.
Everyone knelt, gazing up at her.
“Your Highness, you can do it,” Luti shouted out.
But this time, Maria didn’t silence her.
Yuliya nodded slowly and acknowledged them with a sound of affirmation.
“We take our leave first.”
“May Your Majesty prosper in martial matters!” Andrew shouted, bowing.
“Long live Your Majesty!!!” they all shouted in unison, bowing.
Yuliya slowly sat down and spoke solemnly, “It’s done.”
In the next moment, the Great Hall erupted with blinding light.
All figures dissolved in the radiance, leaving only one person sitting on the throne.
Synchronization Rate: 100%.
