"The dragon has constructed a lair in a place that is challenging for other creatures to access. Its nest is situated on a ledge that can only be reached using chains, pulleys, or magic," explained the Queen of Air and Darkness, her voice mirroring her solemn face.

"But when provoked into battle, the dragon undergoes a drastic transformation. Its once gentle and kind nature is replaced by a terrifying beast of immense power and magic. It combines fiery breath, sorcery, and sheer strength to conquer any opponent, no matter the size or number."

"Immryg-Umryss has designed its lair to suit its combat style," explained Queen Aurora, her voice filled with concern. "The ledge and lair are too small for anyone to hide or escape without risking a fatal fall of hundreds of feet. Its fiery breath weapon fills most of the lair, ensuring that anyone caught in the fight will be burned to ashes.

"Furthermore, Immryg-Umryss is not above using its hostages as shields. Once the battle begins, it's unlikely that any captive will survive. During the third or fourth round of combat, Immryg-Umryss summons bats and insects to aid it with its Lair Action. And when the formidable beast's health drops below half, it unleashes its Wail of Sadness, engulfing its enemies in overwhelming despair."

"Is that so? Then we shall go and kill it and get the scepter," said Ren to stop the two from further explaining.

He knew that it was part of the quest. What they were telling them was a hint of how to defeat the dragon, but Ren would just punch his way through by sheer force alone.

If he had to use Pii to do so, then so be it.

He didn't have time to put up with another round of long explanations.

"I'm afraid that Immryg-Umryss is no more," the Queen of Air and Darkness said with a troubled shake of her head.

". . ." Ren was momentarily speechless, trying to process this unexpected turn of events. Confusion and frustration welled up inside him.

Why did they bother with all those explanations if the dragon had already been defeated?

Suppressing his rising frustration, Ren managed to compose himself and asked, "So, you mean to say that someone has already slayed him?"

The Queen of Air and Darkness nodded knowingly. "Yes. In fact, they're a group of adventurers like yourselves."

Isolde's curiosity piqued, and she couldn't help but ask, "Who are they?"

". . ." Ren's mind raced as a sudden realization struck him. He recalled the recent conversations he had with Fate Alliance and Great Dynasty from the previous days.

'Black Lion had just defeated a dragon! A dragon!'

". . ." D-don't tell me . . . Ren trailed off, feeling a sense of unease.

Without a word, the Queen of Air and Darkness conjured a mirror, revealing the faces of Scar, Joker, Invayne, and the rest of the guild.

Isolde's shock was evident as she gasped, "Egh! Black Lion?!"

"It's good that you're already acquainted with them. It would make things faster," said the Queen. "Get the scepter from this adventurers and bring it to me."

A prompt then appeared on Ren's screen.

[The Queen needs a mighty artifact to shift the fey realm away from its long summer. Bring the Artifact to her and defeat anyone who gets in your way!]

"Currently, this group that holds the scepter is coming here right now. You can intercept them from miles away," informed the Queen.

A map displaying their location and the approaching Black Lion appeared on Ren and Isolde's screen.

Good. They're bringing the [Scepter of Season] to him themselves.

Ren glanced at the map, realizing that the group carrying the scepter couldn't store it in the vault due to the absence of the Bank features. He suspected that one of them had equipped the Artifact.

With the Princess and the Prince by his side, Ren felt confident in their combined strength. They were more powerful than any dragon, and he believed they could take on Black Lion.

"May fortune smile upon you in your quest," Queen Aurora said, her voice filled with hope. "Return safely with the scepter."

"Let's go," Ren stated firmly, ready to embark on their mission, and tugged at the Prince's collar, urging him to come along. The Prince resisted, reluctant to leave Princess Elaine's side.

"Wait for me, Elaine! I promise I'll come back to you!" the Prince declared dramatically.

"She can't hear you," Ren said, his face bored.

A few kilometers wasn't a great distance, especially when they were riding Tiki. Within a short span of time, riding on Tiki's back, they covered a few kilometers and arrived at the forest entrance in the wide field where they expected to intercept Black Lion's group.

From a distance, Ren could make out familiar faces. He recognized Scar leading the group, accompanied by Joker the Chronomage, Invayne the Luminaire, Robert the Guardian, and even the surprising presence of Mike, who he thought was no longer alive.

On the opposing side, Sleeping Dragon's group was led by Angelica the Seer, Hixel the Barbarian, Aragon the Gunner, and Cang Lu the Knight.

It seemed that both groups had formed a temporary alliance due to their diminishing numbers.

Ren quickly searched for the scepter and found that it was in the hands of Invayne. Using [Appraisal], he confirmed that he was right that it was indeed the scepter.

Scepter of Seasons

Rod, Artifact (requires Attunement)

The scepter's core was crafted from a remarkably strong, dark wood that rivaled adamantine in durability. Two branches wound around it, one adorned with vibrant green leaves and the other bare and flecked with white snow.

Although the scepter could be held without attunement, its true powers remained inaccessible to the wielder. To unlock its abilities, one needed to become attuned to it.

Once attuned, the wielder gained the following abilities:

Seasonwalker

During winter, the wielder gained resistance to cold damage, while in summer, resistance to fire damage.

Shifting Seasons

The wielder has the power to alter the weather on its current plane, transitioning it to either summer or winter. This change occurred gradually over an hour once the ritual was completed.

The wielder could control the intensity of the weather, ranging from the typical climate of the region to scorching heat in summer or freezing cold in winter.

Stormshaper

With a single action, the wielder could manipulate wind and precipitation in a 100-mile radius. This ability is akin to the spell control weather, but it took effect instantly and did not affect the temperature of the area.

Summer Heat (1/day)

While the weather is set to summer, the wielder can summon a blast of intense heat by using an action. This blast would strike a point within a 100-meter radius that the wielder could see.

Creatures caught in the blast suffers radiant damage and are blinded for one minute. This effect cannot be cured and only work when there is a clear view of the sky.

After using this ability, it could not be employed again until the next daybreak.

Winter Chill (1/day)

When the weather is in the grip of winter, the wielder can unleash a swirling vortex of intense cold upon a point they can see within a 100-meter radius.

Creatures caught in the vortex suffers cold damage at the start of each of their turns and had their movement speed reduced by half.

IMPORTANT NOTE!

Only mages and individuals with magical abilities are capable of wielding this Artifact!

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