The aircraft itself was not that large and could only house up to twenty people at maximum capacity. However, the passengers inside this specific aircraft numbered only six. There were the two pilots seated at the front, three commanders representing each legion positioned behind them, and one person lying on a modified bed secured within the craft. The bed had been adjusted to fit medical restraints and support frames, indicating that it was prepared to transport an injured or unconscious individual. Because of the limited number of occupants, the interior felt spacious, leaving enough room for movement and equipment storage.
As the engine began to rev, a low mechanical vibration spread throughout the body of the aircraft. The sound gradually intensified as power flowed into its propulsion systems. The aircraft hovered several meters above the surface, lifted by its two main turbochargers which extended outward like wings. A sub turbo located beneath its beak provided additional vertical thrust, stabilizing its position in the air.
After maintaining its hover briefly, the aircraft descended slightly. Its wings rotated from a vertical orientation to a horizontal one, shifting from lift mode to forward propulsion mode. Once aligned, the thrust redirected backward, and the craft began accelerating forward in a steady motion.
Although the aircraft measured more than ten meters in width, the corridors of Valkor were wide enough to allow it to fly without obstruction. The massive scale of the dungeon provided sufficient clearance on all sides, enabling the craft to move forward freely without concern of collision. Another aircraft soon followed after the first one. Their engines ignited one after another, filling the vast interior of the place with a continuous mechanical hum. Each craft lifted off the ground in sequence, hovering steadily before adjusting their wing orientation. Once aligned for forward movement, they accelerated and proceeded through the wide corridors of Valkor, maintaining a controlled formation behind the lead aircraft.
In a short span of time, the departing vehicles disappeared deeper into the interior pathways of the massive dungeon, leaving the area noticeably emptier than before.
Behind them, the remaining thousands were left stranded within the floor. The exhausted warriors stood scattered across the massive space, some seated on the damaged ground while others remained upright despite their fatigue. Their gazes followed the departing aircraft until they were no longer visible. With no immediate means of return, they could only wait for reinforcements to arrive and give them their turn to be transported back to the surface.
...
The national headquarters of the Dragonvail Empire was regarded as one of the major sites in Arendar due to both its political importance and its strategic value. It served as the central command hub for imperial operations, military coordination, and large scale expeditions authorized by the empire. Decisions made within this compound often affected not only Arendar but also the surrounding regions under Dragonvail influence.
The headquarters was situated near the northwest part of Arendar, the city of dragons. From its location, it faced directly toward Valkor's Pit. This placement was not accidental. It was deliberately chosen so that any abnormal activity, emergency, or large scale disturbance originating from Valkor's Pit could be detected, reported, and responded to with minimal delay. Observation posts and signal towers within the compound were aligned to maintain constant awareness of the pit's condition.
The headquarters itself was massive in scale, spanning a full kilometer in width. At its center stood several tall buildings that housed command offices, strategy halls, administrative departments, and communication facilities. These central structures were designed to accommodate large numbers of personnel and to allow efficient coordination between divisions. Surrounding these were broader and lower buildings positioned along the sides of the compound. These spacious structures were primarily used for the storage, maintenance, and deployment of various transport vehicles used during expeditions, including ground based transports and aerial carriers.
The entire complex was enclosed by sturdy fortified walls that stretched up to twenty meters high. These walls were constructed to withstand both physical assaults and prolonged sieges, serving as the first line of defense against any attempted intrusion. Guard towers were placed at regular intervals along the walls to ensure continuous surveillance of the surrounding area.
Access to the headquarters was tightly controlled. There were only two massive gates that allowed entry into the compound. One gate faced directly toward Valkor's Pit, allowing rapid deployment of forces in that direction when necessary. The second gate was positioned on the opposite side of the headquarters, serving as the primary access point for personnel, supplies, and transports coming from within Arendar.
Inside one of the tall buildings, which primarily served as the central facility for receiving and processing reports from within Valkor, the atmosphere was chaotic and tense. Officers, analysts, and communication staff moved rapidly between stations, relaying information as new messages continued to arrive without pause. The room was filled with flashing indicators, open channels, and overlapping voices as reports were verified and logged.
Numerous reports had come in from personnel stationed inside Valkor, all confirming the same shocking development. The 27th expedition had survived. Not only that, they had successfully activated the teleportation platform and returned to the first floor. This information spread quickly across the room, causing visible disbelief among the staff who first received it.
The event was unprecedented. For over a year, upper management had concluded that the 27th expedition was lost permanently. The teleportation platform associated with their mission had gone out of control a year ago, cutting off all reliable means of return. Since then, the expedition had been officially classified as gone for good, with no expectation of survivors. As the realization set in, urgency overtook the confusion. Shouts rang out across the hall as orders were issued immediately.
"Quick! Inform the management! The 27th expedition had successfully arrived back in the first floor!"
"Faster! Call the stationed commanders in duty, an urgent meeting will occur in the assembly hall in one hour!"
"Whose task is for responding? Inform everyone in the department to be ready to depart!"
A constant series of raised voices, rapid footsteps, and overlapping commands echoed through the building as different personnel contacted their assigned units and issued orders to their respective groups after receiving the confirmed information from inside Valkor.
While everyone was busy due to the 27th expedition army's appearance, a restricted floor situated high above in the same building was unsurprisingly quiet. Only a few people occupied it, and most of them were officers assigned to guard the entrance hall where the elevators were located. They stood in fixed positions along the walls and near the access points, maintaining a disciplined posture.
The other rooms and facilities on this floor had already been closed or abandoned. Several doors were sealed with security locks, while others showed signs of long term disuse. The lights were dimmer compared to the lower levels, and the wide corridor leading away from the entrance hall was mostly empty.
At this time, a ringing sound reverberated throughout the entrance hall as one of the elevator icons lit up and emitted a clear notification bell. The guards immediately shifted their attention toward the elevator doors, their expressions turning alert.
Then, the elevator stopped with a soft mechanical sound, and the doors slid open.
A voluptuous woman wearing the military uniform of a high ranking official stepped out of the elevator. Her uniform was fitted precisely to her figure, emphasizing her captivating but authoritative presence. Without pausing, she immediately walked toward the hallway ahead, and passed the guards without any hindrance.
The guards only looked at the woman but did not intervene, as they were fully aware of her temper and position. She was not someone they could afford to offend or obstruct. Although they maintained their discipline, a few of them could not help but briefly glance at her figure as she walked past, before quickly returning their gaze forward and resuming their rigid posture.
After passing through the unmaintained corridors in silence, the woman finally arrived at a door that was relatively more maintained compared to the rest of the floor. Unlike the other neglected rooms, this door was clean, and the identification plate beside it remained intact. The lighting above it functioned properly, casting a steady glow over the entrance.
She stopped in front of the door and briefly tidied herself. She adjusted the collar of her uniform, straightened the fabric around her waist, and brushed a loose strand of hair back into place. After that, she raised her hand, intending to knock.
However, her hand stopped at the last second. She held the position for a brief moment before lowering it again. She took a deep breath, her expression firming up, then pushed the door open forcefully instead.
A loud bang echoed inside the room as the door collided against the wall it was attached to. The sound reverberated across the enclosed space before fading.
"Sorry for the intrusion, Commander Zad. But there is urgent news coming from our informants," the woman said as she began walking toward the person seated behind a desk near the balcony of the room.
The room itself was organized and clearly in use, in contrast to the rest of the abandoned floor. A large desk occupied the center area near the open balcony doors, allowing natural light to enter. Documents and newspapers were neatly arranged on the desk.
The old brawny man sitting there had large silver horns protruding from his forehead, curving slightly upward. His build was heavy and muscular despite his age. He wore the uniform of the highest official in their army, marked with insignias that signified his rank and authority. Upon hearing her entrance, he simply shook his head. He placed the newspaper he had been reading down on the desk and turned his attention toward the woman.
"Can you at least close the door before you sit, Veila?" he asked in a calm but slightly displeased tone.
"What is the point? This floor has long since been abandoned anyway," Veila replied calmly as she sat down in the seat in front of Commander Zad's desk.
Hearing her reply, Zad only grunted, but he did not argue any further as doing so would simply waste their time. Instead, he raised his right hand and stretched his index finger, pointing it toward the door. He made a small gesturing motion with his finger.
In response, the door that Veila had forcefully opened earlier began to move on its own. It slowly swung inward and closed until it fit properly into the frame. The sound of the latch clicking into place was soft but clear in the quiet room.
Of course, Veila was intently looking at the scene with focus.
"It is always quite refreshing to see your magic tricks from time to time, Commander Zad," she said with a slight hint of amusement in her voice.
"Enough with the pleasantries. Tell me, what is this urgent news?" he asked as he reached for a glass containing a sort of beverage resting on his desk. He lifted it slightly, preparing to drink.
However, before he could even take a sip, Veila's report caused him to stop in his tracks.
"Well, according to them, the teleportation portal on Valkor's first floor had opened once more. Then they saw the 27th expedition army come out safely," Veila reported in a steady tone.
"What?! Has this report been verified?" Zad asked immediately, his reaction sharp as he lowered the glass slightly.
"It is even more than verified, Commander. The Ministry of Expedition has already called for an emergency meeting for all high ranking officials in the assembly hall."
More curious than shocked, Zad received the news in silence and calmly took a sip from his drink. The liquid moved slightly inside the glass as he raised it, and he swallowed without any visible urgency. After that, he simply stared at Veila's beautiful and mature face, as if waiting for her to continue her report.
However, Veila only responded with silence as well. She remained seated across from him, looking directly at him with a calm expression. She did not rush to speak further. The room fell quiet, with only the faint sound of air entering from the open balcony.
After several moments passed, it was Zad who finally broke the silence first.
"I am not going there," he said in a flat tone.
He then raised the glass again and took another sip before continuing.
"If I am not mistaken, the lead commander of that expedition was Rolgar Ubrus. It is likely that those Heralds may soon arrive and take control of the situation. It would create a pointless conflict if I personally go."
After saying that, Zad lowered the drink and placed it back on the desk. He then picked up the newspaper again and unfolded it, returning his attention to the pages as if he had already lost interest in the matter entirely.
Veila understood his intention immediately. She did not press the topic any further. Instead, she gracefully stood up from her seat, preparing to leave the room.
However, after taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. She did not turn around, leaving her back facing him.
"There is one more thing..."