Chapter 25: Black Oilfield

The Sael Wasteland was as scorching hot as ever.

The sunset's glow still poured down like molten iron from cracks in the clouds, dyeing the entire wasteland a rust-red; the distant horizon seemed to be burning, steaming up distorted heat waves in the twilight.

The Camell Black Oilfield.

The roar of alchemical engines never ceased.

Steel-framed pumpjacks stood at identical intervals along the horizon, densely packed like countless devout pilgrims, knocking on the earth with a fixed rhythm to pump vast quantities of black oil to the surface.

An army armed with superior alchemical equipment was stationed nearby to guard the site.

Combat alchemical golems, the Steel Guards, towering over ten meters tall, marched with heavy steps, accompanied by fully armed human soldiers who remained vigilant against any movement on the ground around them.

Within a radius of dozens of kilometers around the oilfield, no powerful ferocious beasts or demons existed.

—All had been cleared out in advance.

On the ground, alchemical golems like the Steel Guards and human soldiers patrolled on alert; besides these, there were also Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbows fixed around the perimeter of the oilfield, each firing several-meter-long, thick bolts inscribed with alchemical runes, specifically designed to deter and deal with flying demons and ferocious beasts.

"The defenses are truly formidable."

Garos hid within the high clouds, gazing from afar.

While hunting, he had passed this oilfield; after a moment's thought, he decided to observe from a distance, hoping to detect some flaw.

The Red Iron Young Dragon hovered with wings spread, squinting as it gazed into the distance.

Because the distance was great, the alchemical constructs appeared tiny in Garos's eyes, and the humans moving about were even smaller, like ants.

Yet he felt no contempt in his heart.

As his gaze swept over the Steel Guards and the Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbows fixed around the perimeter, which instinctively made him feel extremely dangerous, Garos silently increased his flight altitude.

"Both ground and sky are strictly guarded; there is absolutely no chance to get close."

"However, it seems one might be able to pick up some scraps from underground."

Garos observed the layout of the oilfield, lost in thought.

The defensive works of the Camell Black Oilfield were mainly concentrated on the surface; the vigilance against ground and sky threats was heavy, but on the surface, the defense against the underground appeared somewhat weak.

"Better not; the wasteland is not lacking in creatures like Rock-Breaking Worms that move underground. Just because I cannot see them with my eyes doesn't mean they aren't here."

Garos calculated in his heart that he would wait until he had subdued some creatures capable of burrowing, similar to Rock-Breaking Worms, before ordering them to probe.

As for a direct frontal assault.

Even the Iron Dragon Mother would have to detour when passing such a place; the current Garos dared only to gaze from afar, approaching would require deep consideration, and he was already very far away.

Even so.

Garos, hidden within the high clouds, was still discovered.

Click-click-click!

To the northeast, a Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow slowly raised itself, adjusting its angle.

The bolt mounted upon it was less like an arrow and more like a spear: sharp at the tip, thick and long, its entire body inscribed with dense alchemical runes.

One by one, the runes lit up.

Then, softly, with a barely perceptible whoosh.

The Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow fired a bolt, piercing the clouds and breaking the air, shooting toward Garos.

It moved with extreme speed, yet emitted no sound of tearing air mid-flight, no sharp whistle of splitting the airflow; it was not easily detected, silent and fast as lightning, dangerous and lethal.

However.

While observing the layout of the Black Oilfield, Garos had maintained the utmost vigilance in his heart.

He had noticed the Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow adjusting its angle.

"Such a long range."

Garos clicked his tongue, swiftly shifting his body to dodge this heavy crossbow attack.

Looking back.

Where Garos had previously been, the clouds had been pierced through, leaving a huge hole.

The power of the heavy crossbow could be imagined.

Had Samantha come here for the first time and encountered this heavy crossbow attack.

She would certainly have died.

The alchemical arrows shot by the Goblin Wolf Riders back then were not on the same level; even with Garos's physique, taking a hit would not have been pleasant.

Since he had already been discovered, his wings, sharp as guillotine blades, tore through the thick clouds, and he decisively moved away from the area to avoid further attacks.

The Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow, having loaded a new bolt, fell silent.

It did not continue to strike the young dragon that had moved out of its range.

"It seems to be a dragon."

"Such a fast reaction; pity we couldn't shoot it down."

The human soldier guarding the Sky-Hunting Heavy Crossbow blinked, thinking regretfully.

The black oil reserves here were still abundant; besides natural accumulation over a long period, many demons and ferocious beasts killed by the garrison had also been dumped into it.

"Places with Lothorn Federation garrisons are still too dangerous; I shouldn't have approached such a place. This time was a bit rash."

"Even if I wanted to investigate, I should have sent a subordinate; I shouldn't have risked myself."

Having suffered an unexpected attack, Garos summarized the lesson of this incident, thinking to himself.

He thought the distance he had kept was far enough, yet he still underestimated the might of alchemical constructs; fortunately, he had never relaxed his vigilance.

Obtaining black oil directly from the oilfield was basically impossible for the current Garos.

Having tasted the powerful flavor of black oil, especially its significant boost to his adaptation efficiency, Garos could not forget it.

Unfortunately, he was too weak now.

Vast black oil resources lay right here, but aside from gazing at them longingly, there was no good method; only a slim chance to steal oil from underground remained, but he currently lacked any subordinates capable of burrowing, so it could not be implemented.

Not long after, Garos turned back to the Iron Fir Hills.

"My dear brother!"

As soon as he landed among the iron firs, Garos heard Samantha's call.

"What is it?"

He looked at the crimson young dragon and asked.

Samantha hopped over, lifted her chin slightly, and said with a proud tone: "I have grasped the true essence of alchemy! The Great Alchemical Dragon King has taken its first step toward conquering the world."

Since the very beginning when Garos had Samantha learn alchemy,

roughly three months had passed.

What she called "grasping the true essence of alchemy" was merely having just entered the door.

But that was already not bad.

If it were an ordinary person, even after years of accumulation and day-and-night study, they might not even be able to enter the door; dragon-kind, such top-tier demons, possessed talent in every aspect.

The crimson young dragon stared unblinkingly at Garos, as if waiting for something.

The desire for praise in its eyes had solidified into something tangible; Garos saw it, smiled slightly, and said, "Oh, that is truly good news. Congratulations to you."

Since Garos had saved this red dragon girl,

and pointed out the path for her,

the red dragon girl's arrogance and conceit had rarely erupted before Garos; instead, she had become much more respectful toward him.

"Can you refine black oil now?"

Garos asked.

Samantha's expression froze; she shook her head, her tone weakening slightly.

"Not yet."

Garos asked again, "What about crafting alchemical artifacts?"

"Also... no."

(End of this chapter)