Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2644: 1455: Doubts and Confessions (Part 2)

“Accept these, old sir—they pale in comparison to what you've accomplished.”

A subtle smile played on Leo Ray's lips as he passed the shimmering items straight to the elder.

The waves of thanks and wonder from Frank afterward were beyond words; after all, a wanderer like him, roaming the Outer Region for hundreds of years, had poured his efforts mainly into cultivation, yet he could never dream of gathering even a sliver of such treasures.

One thing was clear: these gifts would surely boost his power immensely, propelling him into an entirely fresh realm!

Brimming with thrill, Frank's eyes scanned our formidable comrades before settling on Lina.

He recalled dispatching this young woman from her homeland to hone her skills close to the Human Domain, where her power hovered at Tier 3 Peak; but now, she had transformed utterly, mirroring the dramatic rise of the Human Clan itself.

Without witnessing it firsthand, who would believe that humans, once dismissed as mere insects by the Outer Region races, had carved out a foothold there, commanding more than 50 Tier 3 Legions and even eclipsing numerous ancient Outer Region powers?

And this extraordinary turnaround owed everything to the youthful human ruler standing before them!

Frank's gaze, alight with thrill and reverence, returned to Leo Ray, overflowing with joy.

Catching that eager look aimed his way, Leo Ray merely offered a gentle smile in return.

Guided by his mentorship, Lina—already blessed with impressive talent—had ascended to Tier 5 and was steadily approaching Tier 5 Peak.

The Human Clan's collective might had soared as well. Beyond the million troops inside the city, even the standard guards across the Human Domain now exceeded Tier 2, a benchmark once reserved for humanity's finest legions.

Naturally, provided his progress continued unabated, this was merely a stepping stone for the Human Clan, far from their ultimate potential.

“Hehe, teacher, thanks to the Lord's guidance, I can now command the undead spirits of Giant Dragons!”

Lina thumped her chest with pride, then tilted her head in curiosity and inquired, “Teacher, when I departed, you were merely a Tier 5 powerhouse—how did your strength become so overwhelming now?”

“My dear, your birthplace falls under the Rainforest Fortress Alliance; the emergence of a foreign Tier 6 powerhouse would surely draw the scrutiny of the Rainforest authorities.”

Frank replied with a soft chuckle, “I simply wished to train in peace, without causing any ripples.”

“So, teacher, you concealed your true power all along? Not even the clan elders detected it.”

Lina exclaimed, her face lighting up with abrupt understanding.

“Truth be told, we're equally baffled.”

Grey Elder and Yonir, joined by Qiana—another of the Nine Dragon-slaying Heroes—shared a knowing look before questioning in puzzlement, “Old companion, during your dragon hunts and journeys through the Outer Region after departing the Human Clan, your abilities matched ours closely—so what sparked this sudden leap?”

This held special weight for Grey Elder and Yonir, fresh Tier 6 entrants who had endured endless perils to claim their spot in the Tier 6 ranks; even after decades of relentless practice, attaining Tier 6 Two Stars remained elusive.

Yet Frank had vaulted to Tier 6 Five Stars, a feat that defied belief!

In their shared astonishment, Yonir suddenly remembered something and burst out, “Old friend, did you step into the Tier 6 hall back then?”

“Staying under the radar is always wise.”

Frank nodded reluctantly with a grin, “I have to admit, it's shocking to find you two relics still kicking around.”

“We'll outlast you yet,”

Grey Elder and Yonir shot back defiantly, brows arched in challenge.

But Frank's following words caught them off guard: “Incidentally, I wasn't alone in masking my prowess back then.”

Before Grey Elder and Yonir could process it, Frank pivoted toward the eternally graceful Qiana, gave a slight bow of his head, and remarked, “Though next to Qiana, us old timers have truly fallen behind.”

“What nonsense? A half-elf's longer life aside, I've surely lagged behind you all.”

Qiana let out a wry smile, a hint of weary sorrow etching across her fair features.

Among these four reunited comrades, she alone lingered at Tier 5 Peak, barred from breakthrough—a fact that stirred inevitable regret within her.

“Oh, and over a century past, I spotted a half-elf much like Iris Winters at the Shadow Market's gateway; her presence felt strikingly familiar.”

Frank seemed to dredge up a memory and continued to Qiana offhandedly, “But she disappeared in an instant, trailed by a group of formidable figures, leaving me no moment to call out.”

“You mean Aunt Iris lives on?”

Qiana's eyes flew wide at Frank's revelation, disbelief flooding her expression.

As Iris's heir and kin, Qiana knew well that the ex-leader of the Moon Chaser Clan—who had aided the Coldflame Hero King in legendary campaigns across south and north—had perished abruptly in a conflict over five centuries prior, her remains lost forever.

Yet if this prodigiously talented predecessor still breathed, she would have long since entered the Tier 6 domain.

Above all, Qiana—orphaned young and nurtured by Iris—cherished an unbreakable bond with her.

“But if Aunt survives, why hasn't she come back to the Moon Chaser Clan for me? This is her home, after all.”

Confusion clouded Qiana's pale face once more, melancholy deepening her gaze.

“Perhaps my aged eyes tricked me? Or some other motive keeps her away.”

Frank fell silent, merely shaking his head in resignation.

Listening to their exchange, Leo Ray pondered with a nod.

With his recent enlistments of Crisis, Broy, Fanny, and more, his Tier 6 forces were expanding, though many bore heavy duties that tied them down.

Not just Frank—if Iris Winters and fellow dragon-slaying heroes endured, their aid would prove invaluable.

“That said, even Frank likely holds no clues to their locations; better to proceed gradually. These powerhouses, tied to the human race or its allies, have lingered in the Outer Region long enough to offer aid beyond their direct involvement.”

As these thoughts crossed Leo Ray's mind, Elder Bing materialized, bowing respectfully, “Your Majesty, delegates from the Rainforest Fortress Alliance and the Desert Alliance have arrived one after another.”

At Elder Bing's announcement, Leo Ray glanced toward Ice Stone City's environs and spotted two ironclad hosts radiating fierce energy approaching from either flank. Their standards marked them as the Desert Alliance and Rainforest Fortress Alliance contingents.

“This gathering of coalition forces is truly stirring.”

Leo Ray observed the two superior elite units rapidly forming up beneath the walls, giving a small nod of approval.

Now, even the fog-shrouded Horizon afar and the enigmatic Land of Howling appeared less daunting.

“Time to move out.”

Leo Ray gestured broadly, directing his elite companions, “All Tier 5 and higher, advance with me!”

Responding to Leo Ray's order, as Ice Stone City's grand portals swung wide, our stalwart allies surged forth continuously, taking position at the heart of the twin coalitions.

From the vanguard of the array, Leo Ray turned to survey the packed ranks of our forces and the allied groups, where Tier 5-plus powerhouses abounded, nearing a thousand in count.

The overwhelming, sky-shaking vigor rippling through the air moved not just Leo Ray but his nearby comrades profoundly. This was a genuine Tier 5 host!

While Leo Ray's spirit swelled with fervor, the pair of specialist squads hurtled toward them.