Mystic Calling：Stone of Glory-Chapter 893: The Price of What Comes Next

Just as Leonis’s strike was about to land—

Karnyx suddenly tore open a spatial vortex, sweeping up his remaining subordinates without hesitation and vanishing in an instant.

The portal snapped shut almost faster than the eye could follow.

Leonis’s attack hit nothing but air.

The blast of raw energy shattered the lingering turbulence, but the target was already gone—no trace left to chase.

"Damn it!"

He growled low, fury still simmering in his chest.

"Next time I see you... I’ll tear you apart with my own hands."

Not far off, Ethan stood watching quietly.

His expression wasn’t one of simple satisfaction—it was more like a calculated confirmation, the kind that came after a thorough field test.

This battle had been exactly that: a live combat trial for Leonis.

Tier 31, peak-level foundation.

A rare, aggression-based amplification ability that let him ramp up his output the longer the fight dragged on.

Combined with the synergy from his enhanced armor—

Leonis’s overall combat potential now clearly outclassed most of Emerald Castle’s current high-tier forces.

Handled right, he could become the spearhead of their future frontline campaigns.

With the threat neutralized, Ethan gave the order to reactivate the city’s defense systems.

Layer after layer of energy shields shimmered back into place over Emerald Castle, and the city’s defenses gradually stabilized.

The various units withdrew in an orderly fashion.

The high-tier survivors who had fled from the Phoenix Empire returned with them.

Each one of them carried energy densities and battlefield experience far beyond standard units.

Without fanfare, Emerald Castle’s upper-tier combat structure had just undergone a major leap forward.

Right now, the city didn’t lack for numbers.

The Creature Dwellings kept churning out basic troops.

The energy supply was stable enough to support mass production.

Mechanoids, War Machines—even Crimson Ultimate-class hero units—could all be built at scale through industrial systems.

What was truly scarce—

Wasn’t "soldiers."

It was elite individuals like Leonis, Ignara, and the Phoenix Empire survivors—those with high Tiers, unique abilities, and real combat instincts.

They were the real currency that would shape the wars to come.

Originally, Ethan had only planned to stabilize the current situation—use the resources at hand to secure Emerald Castle and wait for the right opportunity to grow.

But with the arrival of the Phoenix Empire defectors, the game had changed.

A direct assault on the Phoenix Empire was still the most straightforward option—but it came with massive risks. Especially with Drake in the picture.

In the center of the main hall, a virtual map projected the surrounding terrain and strategic layout. The Phoenix Empire’s location was clearly marked.

A low-ranking officer stepped forward and reported quietly, "My lord, the Phoenix Empire’s energy reserves are nearly depleted. Drake’s taken full control and is draining every last resource. If we launch an attack now, we might walk away with nothing."

Another voice chimed in—one of the high-tier warriors who had escaped from the Phoenix Empire.

"We know what it’s like over there. Attacking now might not be worth it. There’s no guarantee we’d gain anything meaningful."

One by one, the senior commanders voiced their opinions. Most agreed—launching a direct assault on the Phoenix Empire right now would be a bad move.

Ethan listened calmly, eyes never leaving the virtual map. The concerns being raised weren’t without merit.

But he also knew one thing for certain—if Drake wasn’t dealt with for good, there would never be peace. One way or another, the Phoenix Empire had to be wiped out completely.

As for the minor Plane Worlds others had mentioned, Ethan was already familiar with them.

Those worlds were rich in energy, yes—but too weak to sustain a full-scale war. They weren’t the answer.

His gaze drifted, landing on a forested region off to the side of the map.

That forest had been bothering him for a while. It pulsed with energy, but was shrouded in a veil of mystery that no one had been able to pierce.

If they could tap into it, the payoff might be far greater than expected.

But right now, Ethan didn’t have full control over whatever power lay within.

Feylora stood beside him. Her eyes flicked toward the same spot, as if she’d read his thoughts. She spoke in a low voice, "Master, we conducted a survey there a few months ago. The forest is full of unknowns. If we try to conquer it, the cost could be... unpredictable."

Ethan turned to her. "What kind of cost?"

Feylora hesitated, then reached for a scroll nearby and unrolled it across the table.

She pointed to a marked zone. "This is the forest’s core. During our exploration, we encountered some natives. They weren’t particularly strong, but they had a terrifying ability—mental manipulation. They can control the objects around them, even resonate with the natural forces of the forest."

Ethan frowned. "Mental manipulation?"

"Yes," Feylora nodded. "That’s the real problem. These natives can directly link their mental energy with the forest’s natural power. If we try to force our way in, their resistance could be catastrophic."

She pulled a crystal from her cloak and placed it gently on the table. It shimmered faintly.

"I’ve studied this gem. It’s similar to the ore found in Stormhowl Castle. It grants the wielder a form of mental resonance. If we can harness this kind of ore, we might be able to strike a balance with the forest’s power."

Ethan narrowed his eyes, finally catching her meaning.

"You’re saying... we need the energy from that mine to trade for the forest’s power?" he asked, voice low.

"Yes," Feylora confirmed. "But we haven’t fully analyzed the mine’s energy yet. It’s stronger than we expected. If we can tap even a portion of it, we might be able to use it to negotiate with the forest—or at least avoid triggering a full-scale backlash."

Ethan took a deep breath, a flicker of hesitation crossing his mind.

That mine had once been Stormhowl Castle’s primary resource hub. Its energy levels were off the charts. He’d never fully unlocked its secrets. If he could, it might trigger a breakthrough for the entire city.

But the cost would be steep. The natives’ mental abilities meant they could manipulate everything around them—including their resistance.

Still, Ethan didn’t have many options left.

"We need that ore," he said after a moment, his tone firm. "This path is dangerous, but if it lets us stabilize the forest’s power, the value will be far beyond what we’ve estimated."

He turned to face the others in the room. "Most of you don’t understand how complex that forest is. But we can’t afford to ignore this opportunity. Get a team ready—I want more intel."

One of the high-tier warriors who’d fled the Phoenix Empire looked confused. "The forest? What’s the issue there?"

Ethan didn’t bother explaining. His gaze swept the room and landed on Vornath. He raised a hand, signaling him forward.

"I remember your ability—you can temporarily absorb energy up to twenty times your own capacity and safely release it a few hours later, right?"

Vornath blinked, then let out a booming laugh.

"Three hours? I can hold it for six!" He thumped his chest. "Just say the word, my lord. I’ll go through hell if you need me to."

Ethan gave a satisfied nod, then pointed toward the distant forest, now enclosed in a shimmering energy barrier.

"When the time comes, I need you to absorb as much of the forest’s ambient energy as possible from above."

Vornath grinned wide. "Easy. Just wait here—I’ll bring back good news."

He was about to head out when Ethan raised a hand to stop him.

"Not yet," Ethan said, voice steady. "That forest is still an unknown. Its energy structure is unstable. I need to be sure you won’t suffer irreversible damage from the absorption."

Vornath’s grin faded slightly. He gave a respectful nod and stepped back into formation.

The tactical planning continued.