Chapter 291: Dragon Slayer
As Heavy’s Metallic Gate slowly creaked open, Meizhuolashi strode forward with deliberate steps into the hall. Half-Kneel stood at the foot of the steps, voice low and grave:
“Master, Nocturne has obtained the latest Intelligence.”
“Bosk Duchy spent heavily to recruit a Legendary Adventurer Party from the South—Crimson Edge. They’re infamous across the Faldran Empire, known for their unparalleled mission efficiency. They’ve already slain thirteen Dragons in the past—”
Meizhuolashi paused, carefully lifting his gaze to gauge Kai Xiusu’s expression. Seeing no change in the Red Dragon’s impassive countenance, he continued:
“—including an Ancient-Stage Red Dragon.”
“Oh?” Kai Xiusu stroked his chin thoughtfully. “So the old lion’s really throwing everything he’s got into this.”
That was no ordinary Red Dragon—An Ancient-Stage beast, immensely powerful and ferocious, with a Base Challenge Level of Gundam 20. Even Kai Xiusu wouldn’t take such a foe lightly. And a party capable of felling such a creature couldn’t possibly be ordinary.
A spark of genuine interest flickered in Kai Xiusu’s eyes.
“Any other Intelligence on this group?”
“Master, forgive us—our network in the South remains too weak, our roots too shallow. We’ve only managed to gather the most basic, publicly available information.”
The Red Dragon gave a slight nod, signaling him to continue.
“The party consists of five members—all Legendary Level, top-tier professionals. Their composition is perfectly balanced: Paladin, Barbarian, Mage, Rogue, and Priest.”
Meizhuolashi crushed a crystal in his palm. A shimmering image coalesced in midair—a towering man clad in Crimson Plate Armor.
“This is Decks Flamegold, the leader of Crimson Edge. A Paladin devoted to the Law of Faith and the Sun God Amanata. He’s previously slain a mature Blue Dragon single-handedly. We don’t yet know his Sacred Oath, but based on his past deeds, he’s almost certainly a Black Knight who swore an Oath of Vengeance.”
The image shifted. A statuesque woman in white robes appeared, radiating serenity.
“This is Ingrid Galces, a Legendary Priestess and one of Amanata’s honored bishops. Given her Faith, she must belong to either the Light or Order Domain.”
The scene dissolved. In its place stood a massive man—naked from the waist up, his body inked in crimson tattoos.
“Rano, Legendary Barbarian. Born among the tribes of the Faldran frontier. Once defeated an entire Giant Tribe in melee combat.”
“Of the remaining two, we’ve found nothing in the South. The Mage’s Intelligence is prohibitively expensive—rumored to be tied to the mysterious ‘Tower of Time.’ As for the Rogue… he’s a master of Camouflage and Concealment. He rarely shows his face in public.”
Meizhuolashi gathered the shattered crystal fragments, tucking them back into his satchel. He stood silently, awaiting the Red Dragon’s orders.
“Good work.”
“Hmm. What a lavish lineup. But how much did that old lion pay?”
Kai Xiusu sighed, unable to suppress a wry chuckle.
“According to our intel, Crimson Edge’s base commission is sixty thousand Gold Coins. To hunt a noble target like you, the price doubles—conservative estimate: one hundred and twenty thousand Gold Coins.”
He paused, eyes narrowing slightly.
“And that’s equivalent to three years of Bosk Duchy’s tax revenue. Add in their recent military expenditures, and they’re practically bankrupting their national treasury.”
Kai Xiusu smiled—satisfied.
“Now that’s what I call going all-in. Bosk Duchy’s ready to burn the ship down, aren’t they?”
A faint smirk curled the Red Dragon’s lips.
“But the other nobles in the Northern Regions? They’re not so eager. They’ve already tasted the sweet profit of being brokers. Might just sell us their own gallows too.”
“War’s exhausting. Why bleed your own people when you can just trade their lives for gold?”
“With Nocturne’s Covert Interference, the Northern Kingdoms will be nothing but a fractured mess.”
Meizhuolashi nodded eagerly. “Master, the rebels across the Northern Regions are no match for your realm. Their Order is paper-thin.”
Kai Xiusu gave a slow nod. “Still, we must watch for aid from the South. The Faldran Empire’s strength far surpasses any force in the North. Even a single piece of their equipment could shift the balance across Anzeta. The Anzeta Great Wasteland is still too small, too remote.”
“Keep monitoring Crimson Edge. Report any development immediately.”
“Yes, Master.”
Meizhuolashi bowed deeply, then exited the chamber under the watchful eyes of the Tiefling Guards.
Kai Xiusu slowly closed his eyes, relaxing his body, trying to unwind from days of relentless tension. He sought to perform a meditation ritual described in ancient texts—a temporary countermeasure against the Inner Chaotic Will.
But just as he began to settle, a new sound echoed from outside the palace.
The sharp, metallic clang of a Tiefling’s call.
“Your Majesty, Lord Lanpu requests audience.”
“Let him in.”
The Red Dragon opened his eyes with a faint sigh, his gaze piercing through the steel-forged gate. His vision seemed to stretch beyond the borders of the Ashen Kingdom, beyond the Anzeta Great Wasteland—reaching across the vast expanse of the Feiansuo Continent.
“Tch. Another time of troubles.”
---
Bosk Duchy, Stravburg, Duke’s Residence
Duke Leo paced anxiously, hands clenched behind his back.
“Trelshka, when are they coming?”
“The scouts have already detected traces of Crimson Scale Conqueror near the border. Damned if that Red Dragon’s already Awakening. He could Barge In at any moment—destroy Stravburg without a second thought!”
Unlike the Northern nobles lost in dreams of peace, Leo Bosk knew the truth: no one in the North could stop Kai Xiusu now. That Dragon could descend at any time—and reduce everything to ash. He needed help—fast. Even if it cost him everything.
“Lord Duke, they’re coming. I’m still trying to contact them,” Trelshka replied, frustration evident in his voice. He kept fiddling with a crimson emblem-shaped token.
Suddenly, the air beside him twisted—ripped apart, fractured like glass.
Duke Leo instinctively gripped his sword. A reflex forged through years of battle.
“What… is that—?”
The Guard beside him tensed, drawing his Long Spear with a sharp clatter.
Then, a deep, jagged Spatial Rift tore open in the center of the hall. From within stepped several figures.
At the front stood a towering man in heavy crimson armor. In his left hand, a shield embedded with Dragon Scales. At his waist, a Longsword pulsed with a faint glow. His face was hidden beneath a thick Helm—only the shadow beneath his jawline visible.
This was Decks Flamegold.
The uninvited guests had barged into the Duke’s residence without permission. Duke Leo narrowed his eyes, but kept his tone measured.
“Using a Teleportation Spell to enter someone’s residence? Not exactly polite.”
Decks Flamegold ignored him, slowly drawing his sword.
“Northern customs mean nothing to us. We’re not here as guests. Tell us where the Red Dragon is.”
Beside him, Rano growled, “And shut your damn mouth.”
Leo froze.
He hadn’t been spoken to like that in years.
Only then did it sink in—these were not mere nobles. They were Legendary professionals from Faldran. And he was just a Duke in Anzeta.
To them, Northern etiquette was meaningless. They’d come for one thing: the contract. The gold.
Trelshka let out a wry chuckle, shaking his head in resignation.
(End of Chapter)
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