Chapter 235: Lutehand Alliance (Part 5)
Faced with the scorching breath of Blow Toward and the looming threat of death, Abeir clenched her silver teeth. The vow she had made upon joining the Lutehand Alliance echoed in her mind, alongside the image of Richard Sieg’s surrender—flashing back and forth like a cruel memory. Yet, without a doubt, she wavered now. Her resolve, once unshakable, had cracked.
"Relax," Kai Xiusu said, voice flat and unemotional. "I won’t let you spill any intelligence about the Lutehand Alliance."
"Then… what do you want?" The elf trembled, already fearing the worst.
Kai Xiusu simply replied, "Dawnblade Ria—half-elf Holy Knight from Serrynia. Do you know anything about her?"
"Why are you asking about her?" Abeir’s brows furrowed instantly. She hadn’t expected the Red Dragon before her to be connected to the very figure who had caused such a storm within the kingdom.
To be honest, Abeir held little regard for the half-elf. Though they shared distant blood ties, Ria stood at the heart of a power struggle between the Elven Queen and the Council of Elders, destabilizing the once-stable Serrynia. Conservative elven elders had even branded her a “baseborn mongrel” and a “thief attempting to steal divine strength.”
The reason was simple: the Queen sought to grant the half-elf—her loyalist with human blood—the highest blessing of the Elven Goddess, transforming her into a powerful Lunar Grace Adept. But this defied the sacred traditions of the high elves, sparking fierce resistance from the Council. Open rebellion was no longer just a possibility—it was simmering.
Kai Xiusu grew impatient with the elf’s hesitation.
"Think this is a request? You have no choice."
The Red Dragon’s claw tightened around her throat, slowly applying pressure. The sheer weight of oppression made it hard to breathe.
"Wait… I—I know!" Abeir gasped. Ria’s whereabouts weren’t a secret, and she herself had long been disenchanted by the turmoil in Serrynia. Under the pressure of survival, she finally spoke the truth.
"She’s in Serrynia. Now a general in the Queen’s army. That’s all I know—truly. I haven’t returned home in years. All I’ve heard comes from my kin, secondhand rumors."
The Red Dragon released her, tossing the battered elf onto the ground with a dismissive flick.
She was young. Weak. Too insignificant to know Serrynia’s deeper secrets. Her utilitarian value was minimal—but perhaps she could serve as leverage against the Elven Kingdom.
After all, the elves of the past continent had long since weakened after centuries of Crown Wars. With their dwindling numbers, every citizen was a precious asset.
"Take her back. Keep her alive," Kai Xiusu ordered casually.
"I… I’m still alive?" Abeir whispered, stunned. The Red Dragon hadn’t taken anything—hadn’t even demanded tribute. Just a simple question.
It seemed the intelligence from the Northern Noble wasn’t entirely false—perhaps this Red Dragon wasn’t the mindless, unyielding beast she’d assumed.
"Ah…"
But then came the image of Richard Sieg’s betrayal, and she let out a heavy, aching sigh. Her heart was torn, a storm of pain and confusion with no outlet.
The Tiefling Guard dragged her back to the damp, dark cell. She would spend a long time there.
"That ‘old armor acquaintance’ must have reached legendary status by now," Kai Xiusu murmured to himself.
He remembered the first time he’d seen the half-elf—already a warrior beyond twenty levels, capable of slaying a Red Dragon on her own. Back then, he had been nothing more than a desperate dragonling, fleeing in terror from a Paladin’s judgmental gaze. Now, he was poised to lead the entire Northern Regions—and set his sights on the South.
Kai Xiusu still carried the sting of past humiliation. Though he had no affection for his adoptive dragon mother, he was determined that the half-elf who had once forced him into retreat would pay a price. More importantly, she carried something the Red Dragon coveted.
And from memory, he knew the path she would follow: after traveling the world, eradicating evil, and cementing the name Dawnblade across the land, she would ascend to legendary status. Then, called back by the Queen, she would quell the rebellion of the Council of Elders and receive the Divine Favor.
In the future’s Dark Moon Cataclysm, she would play an even greater role—mocked by players as “the Elf Dragon Overlord.”
With a sharp exhale, a sulfurous gust escaping his nostrils, Kai Xiusu muttered,
"Tch. The strength of the Northern Regions is still too weak. If I fail to unify them successfully within four years, we won’t even survive Anzeta’s demon invasion—let alone dream of conquering the vast South."
At that moment, the Tiefling Guard appeared at the door.
"Your Majesty, Meizhuolashi has arrived."
"Let him in."
"Yes."
Meizhuolashi entered with practiced ease, half-kneeling before the throne.
"I’ve carried out your orders. The ‘Nocturne’ forces have conducted a thorough sweep. We’ve uncovered twelve agents of the Lutehand Alliance within our borders. After interrogation, they admit their organization holds us in high regard—suggesting future infiltration attempts, small-scale espionage. These are the ones."
"Extract everything they know. Confine them. No need to break open hostilities with the Lutehand Alliance yet," Kai Xiusu said, a cold smirk curling his lips.
"When our realm expands enough, they’ll be forced to remove me from their ‘evil’ list. They might even seek to recruit us. And these people? They’ll become bargaining chips for future demands."
"Understood, Master."
Kai Xiusu narrowed his eyes. "Meizhuolashi, as you know, I am about to enter a deep slumber lasting years. When I awaken, I expect to see a fully developed intelligence network—nothing like this patchwork, scattered mess we have now."
"I will not disappoint you," Meizhuolashi replied, calm and steady.
No longer the fugitive of the past, no longer drowning in the sea of blood that had claimed his kin, Meizhuolashi now sought only one thing: the relentless expansion of the Kingdom of Ashen. He wanted it to flourish, so his people could gain greater benefits from it.
Tieflings held a unique position within the Kingdom of Ashen. They served in city defense forces across the realm—excellent posts, coveted by many. Unlike the brutal, chaotic Goblin and Ogre followers, Tieflings were disciplined, rational, and reliable. Their numbers were significant, and their presence made them indispensable.
But this also made them targets of envy. While Goblins and Goblinoids were stuck guarding the barren Storm Ridge, some even doomed to the frozen Ice Plains, the idea of defending the wealthy cities was a dream—something Tieflings now held, and others bitterly resented.
"Return to your duties," Kai Xiusu said.
"Yes."
Meizhuolashi bowed and departed.
(End of Chapter)
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