The Extra's Rise - Chapter 430

Chapter 430: Red Sun (2)
Magnus Draykar, the Martial King, sat with the relaxed posture of someone who had long ago transcended concerns about proper meeting etiquette. The air around him seemed to vibrate faintly, as though reality itself recognized that it was in the presence of someone who could rearrange its fundamental laws if the mood struck him.

“So, did you confirm what Arthur said?” Magnus asked, his deep voice filling the room with a quiet authority that made even the dust motes in the sunbeams seem to pause their dance.

Moyong Jeong, standing by the window with his characteristic rigidity, let out a sigh that carried the weight of centuries of familial responsibility. The light streaming through the glass outlined his stern profile, casting half his face in shadow as if to emphasize the duality of the decision before them.

“Yes, it lines up perfectly with our intelligence,” he confirmed, his fingers tapping a rhythm of agitation against his forearm. “The Southern Sea Sun Palace is indeed connected to the miasma incidents across the border towns. If they’re really stirring trouble on this scale, we need to address it before things spiral beyond containment. The question is, how many forces will we need to mobilize?”

Li Zenith, the Lightning Dragon of Mount Hua, looked up from the detailed maps spread across the table. His silver hair caught the light as he moved, creating the momentary illusion of an electrical discharge around his head. “The Southern Sea Sun Palace has maintained absolute isolation for over a century,” he said, his voice carrying the precise sharpness of a master swordsman. “Their forces are an unknown quantity, but we must assume they’ve maintained at least some of their historical strength and whatever forces the Cult behind them gives them.”

“Which was considerable,” added Nero Astrellan, his academic robes rustling as he leaned forward. “Before their isolation, they were known to field at least a dozen Ascendant-rankers and potentially an Immortal-rank Lord. My research suggests their numbers may have dwindled during isolation, but their quality likely remains formidable.”

Magnus leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he surveyed the concerned faces around him. “Not to diminish the gravity of the situation,” he said, “but I think we’re overestimating the mobilization needed. They’ve already got an Immortal-ranker and three Ascendant-rankers on their roster—professors, no less. Throw in another Immortal-ranker and a few Ascendant-rankers for backup, and that’s more than enough.”

Jeong folded his arms, a skeptical brow arched high enough to suggest it was attempting to escape his forehead entirely. “You’re not wrong in terms of raw power calculation,” he conceded reluctantly, “but that assumes they don’t face anything unexpected. The Southern Sea Sun Palace was known for its cunning as much as its strength. Are you going to sit this one out?”

Magnus chuckled, the sound low and confident, like distant thunder promising a storm that would reshape landscapes. “Not a chance. I didn’t come all the way here to watch from the sidelines.”

“Then why bother sending so many?” Jeong pressed, his practical nature clearly wrestling with what seemed to him an unnecessary allocation of resources. “You alone could probably wipe out the entire Southern Sea Sun Palace if it came to that.”

“There’s strategy in numbers,” Li Zenith said, tracing a finger along the island’s coastline on the map. “A distributed approach allows us to cover more ground in less time. The Palace’s island is vast—nearly ten thousand square kilometers of territory to search.”

Magnus’s grin widened, the kind of grin that made people wonder if he was serious or simply baiting them into a false sense of security. “And let’s not forget, what if they’ve got a Radiant-ranker tucked away, hiding in the shadows? You never know.”

Jeong shot him a flat look that could have dried a rainforest. “A Radiant-ranker? On that island? If they had one, the whole world would have heard by now. Radiant-rankers aren’t exactly known for their subtlety or restraint.” His gaze flickered meaningfully toward Magnus as he said this.

“I’m hurt,” Magnus replied, placing a hand over his heart in mock offense. “I’m the very definition of restraint.”

“You once redrew the coastline of the Northern continent because someone insulted your sword technique,” Nero reminded him dryly.

“It was a very good technique,” Magnus defended, completely unrepentant.

Li suggested. “A dual purpose mission. Publicly, a cultural exchange; privately, an investigation. It gives us flexibility and multiple avenues of approach.”

“The composition of our forces needs to be carefully considered,” Li continued, his fingers drumming against the hilt of his sword—a habit he had never quite broken. “I suggest we lead with diplomacy—a formal request to investigate the connections between the Palace and the miasma incidents. Only if they refuse do we escalate.”

“Agreed,” Nero nodded. “But we should prepare for that escalation from the outset. I’ll accompany the students, along with Li. Our presence should be sufficient to handle most threats, while still appearing respectful rather than provocative.”

Magnus leaned forward, his arms crossed over the table as his expression shifted from amusement to firm, unwavering confidence. “This isn’t just about the mission,” he said, his voice dropping to a pitch that seemed to resonate directly with the bones of everyone present. “It’s about experience. These students need to learn what it means to face real threats, to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best. And with all the firepower we’re bringing, this is the safest way for them to do it.”

“A crucible,” Li murmured, nodding slowly. “The future defenders of humanity forged in the heat of genuine danger, yet protected by our presence.”

“I dislike using students as bait,” Jeong said, turning away from the window as his expression darkened. “Even with supervision, this is a risk. Are you certain it’s wise? What if something goes wrong?”

“Then we adapt,” Li replied simply. “As we’ve always done.”

“Nothing will go wrong,” Magnus said with absolute conviction. “Every one of these kids has reached at least Mid Silver-rank. A good number are White-rank, and there are several already at Integration-rank. They’ll have the support of multiple Ascendant-rankers, two Immortal-rankers, and me—the strongest in the world.” He stated this last part not as boast but as simple fact, like observing that water is wet or gravity pulls downward.

“We’ll organize them into tactical units,” Nero suggested, warming to the plan. “Each led by an experienced fighter, with a balanced composition of combat specialists and support mages. That structure offers both security and practical field experience.”

Jeong’s worry didn’t entirely fade, but he nodded slowly, the logic of their arguments wearing down his resistance. “Fine,” he said, though his tone remained reluctant. “But if it starts going sideways, I hope you’re ready to step in. We can’t afford to lose anyone, Magnus. Not a single student.”

Magnus’s gaze was steady, his voice quiet but resolute. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

“When do we depart?” Li asked, already mentally preparing for the journey.

“Three days,” Nero replied after a moment’s calculation. “That gives us time to prepare the students, gather supplies, and arrange transportation. The Luthadel Sea isn’t easily crossed, and we can’t use teleportation gates directly to the island—their isolation protocols would prevent it.”

“We’ll need water-capable transport,” Jeong noted. “The nanomaterial buses can be reconfigured for sea travel, but the journey will still take at least a day once we reach the coast.”

“I’ll inform the students tonight,” Li decided. “They’ll need time to prepare themselves mentally as well as physically.”

The room fell silent once more as the weight of what they were undertaking settled over them all. Two hundred students, backed by some of the most powerful individuals on the planet, preparing to confront an isolated power with unknown capabilities and suspicious connections.

As they rose to leave, Magnus remained seated, his gaze distant as if seeing beyond the walls around them to some future only he could perceive.

“Magnus?” Jeong prompted, pausing at the doorway.

The Martial King’s expression cleared, his characteristic smirk returning. “Just thinking,” he said lightly. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper fight.”

Jeong shook his head, unable to fully suppress a smile of his own. “Only you would look forward to this.”

“What can I say?” Magnus replied, rising to his full, imposing height. “I’m an optimist.”