Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"As long as you don't see them retreating to the land and as long as the ice dragons don't attack all at once, it will be fine," Rain said. "Anyway, tell me about the preparations you all have done here against the dragons."

As Julie assumed command of the forces in the port town, Rain couldn't help but notice that she still seemed to hold a torch for Orcis. Despite the fact that Orcis was now a married man expecting a child, it was clear that Julie's feelings for him had not weakened over the past decade.

Rain found it rather perplexing that she hadn't made any advances or attempts to move on from her feelings for Orcis during all this time. It left him speculating that perhaps she was a masochist as she continued to pine for a man who had clearly moved on.

As the weather began to change, the forces stationed in the port town made swift preparations to defend against the ice dragons. They strategically placed catapults at various points around the town, each loaded with highly flammable projectiles soaked in oil. The idea was to create a fiery assault to deter the ice dragons and protect the town from their attacks.

The tension in the air was palpable as they readied themselves for the coming battle.

"If you don't mind, can I tell you to add some other defenses against them?" Rain asked.

"No problem," Julie said.

Rain instructed Julie to gather as many strong ropes and chains as possible from the town. He explained his plan to attach these ropes and chains to harpoons that they would use against the ice dragons. While the town lacked such weapons, Rain put his magical abilities to work, crafting the harpoons and giant crossbows necessary for their plan.

These newly weapons were then strategically placed atop the buildings near the sea, ready to be employed in the approaching battle.

Harpoons are powerful against certain creatures for several reasons. Harpoons are designed to penetrate a target's flesh or armor, delivering deep and focused damage directly to vital areas. This makes them particularly effective against creatures with tough hides or scales.

Rain made many harpoons equipped with barbed tips that secure them firmly in the target, preventing easy removal. This ensures that the target can't simply pull the harpoon out, making it a more reliable means of immobilizing or injuring the creature.
Discover exclusive tales on empire

Once a harpoon is lodged in a creature, the attached rope and chain can be used to control the creature's movements or prevent it from escaping. This can be especially useful when dealing with large, powerful animals or creatures.

Julie nodded in satisfaction as she imagined Rain's plan in action… he was using a lot of mana, but that would be necessary and useful if the dragons get carried away or do stupid things.

Although Rain could make the iron chains as well, he decided to save as much mana as possible since he didn't have many supplies there, and Jori and Reca were supposed to bring theirs for that battle… the one that he had was to protect the southern side of the country. Besides, it is always good to have some reserves.

When the night came, Rain made around fifty of those, and the soldiers were still working attaching chains and hope to the buildings or other weights around. It was a difficult job since the tethers had to be at least one hundred meters long. While the harpoons were made of iron only, they would be effective… as long as they pierced the dragons' wings at a certain distance.

When Rain finished that work, his family arrived there, and half an hour later, Jori and Reca arrived as well with one thousand warriors. They could have brought five hundred more, but they were recruits, so it was unlikely that they would be of much use against dragons.

"When are we going to fight dragons?" Reca asked. "My spear is itching to be tested against them.

Rain looked at Jori, wondering when Reca was going to calm down, but it seemed that she was going to be like that even in her forties… that was quite something. It was quite troubling, too, since her self-preservation senses needed to improve since she was a mother of four. Still, Jori just shrugged.

"Do you know how to fight in the air or underwater already?" Rain asked. "I guess you already forgot about how unpleasant it was to fly when I am controlling you guys in a battle."

"I remember, my back is hurting thanks to the memories alone," Jori said.

"What is the plan?" Seara asked.

"We need to check things underwater first, I haven't seen a single dragon since I arrived, but maybe this is just a coincidence," Rain said while holding his chin. "Depending on how things are down there, we will hunt the ice dragons or help the sea folk defend their territory."

Ice dragons were powerful and dangerous creatures known for their extremely cold breath and formidable physical abilities. Engaging them in combat is risky, even for a well-prepared group of warriors. Even more so when their natural skill after evolving increased their magic power and that skill would only get even more powerful as they grow older.

Attacking one ice dragon might attract the attention of others in the vicinity. These creatures often work together or respond to threats as a group. This could lead to a more significant and challenging confrontation. Rain just had this idea on how he could train the warriors, but it was a bit too later for that, they didn't have time for training.

"Only Seara and I will go to gain time, but I might bring Terra the next time with her healing skills since we don't know how things are down there, so prepare accordingly," Rain said.

"Understood," Terra said. "Be careful and return to us to inform us soon about the conditions down there."