Chapter 308: The Silver Dragon's Request
Chapter 308: The Silver Dragon’s Request
Christina did not notice the fleeting coldness in the Red Dragon’s eyes and continued speaking:
“The Dragon Queen has said that you are Her most favored offspring. She will ensure your smooth dominion over Anzeta and make you an integral part of the chromatic dragons’ grand blueprint.”
Cassius thought to himself, Does my rule over the North require your protection? But he still replied politely and indifferently:
“Extend my gratitude to Her Majesty for Her support, but I do not seem to lack such strength.”
“You—”
Christina was momentarily speechless. She had not expected anyone to reject assistance delivered to their doorstep, especially on the eve of a great war.
Cassius continued, “You need not serve as my reinforcements. Simply bear witness to history as observers, while I and my army destroy all enemies—including that recently awakened old Silver Dragon.”
These words were calm and powerful, as though he were discussing a trivial matter.
Christina was once again shaken by his overwhelming confidence.
After all, their enemies included an Ancient Silver Dragon with spellcasting mastery!
Even the most arrogant of Great Wyrm Red Dragons would hesitate to claim absolute victory, yet the Red Dragon before her seemed to have already claimed triumph and was merely awaiting the celebratory feast.
What she did not know was that Cassius’ thoughts revolved around preventing these Blue Dragons from securing any foothold in Anzeta. If he opened this door, countless of Tiamat’s subordinates would inevitably infiltrate his territory.
Moreover, in battles at his level, even prime-aged Blue Dragons would contribute little and might even interfere with his judgment.
In large-scale warfare, the mighty army of the Ember Kingdom was already sufficient to crush their foes. Even a dozen Blue Dragons would be little more than garnish on an already dominant force, incapable of altering the outcome.
Christina couldn’t help but say:
“Your confidence and strength are truly awe-inspiring.”
“However… the Dragon Queen has issued another decree.”
Her tone grew hesitant, her breathing quickened, and her cheeks flushed.
“What decree?”
Christina transformed into her ten-meter-long Blue Dragon form and, under Cassius’ puzzled gaze, approached him. Her serpentine eyes gleamed seductively as she leaned against his robust body and whispered near his ear:
“Lord Cassius, the Dragon Queen has decreed that, as a reward for the Farias family’s long-standing loyalty, you must sire the finest offspring with me.”
Cassius’ expression turned utterly grim.
After prying the sobbing Blue Dragon from his leg—who was wailing about the Dragon Queen’s arrangements—and wiping the saliva off his face, Cassius sneered inwardly, barely suppressing his fury:
“Well played, Tiamat. Well played, Dragon Queen. I’ve truly witnessed Your shamelessness now. ”
“By securing my bloodline and verifying Karrikex’s lineage, She simultaneously appeases the Blue Dragons while planting Her influence in the Ember Kingdom.”
“What a masterstroke of manipulation.”
Tinia, lounging nearby, wagged her tail smugly and spat, “Bah, that Blue-scaled lizard is up to no good. With that sandy stench and nose like a drill, does she really think she’s worthy of mating with you, my master?”
However, in the Red Dragon’s presence, she refrained from adding, “Only I have the qualifications for that.”
Cassius shot the foolish White Dragon a glance but ignored her. Instead, he focused his thoughts on the news about Oszedro. This information had come quite opportunely.
His earlier display of confidence had been for the Blue Dragon’s benefit.
Without tapping into the power of the “Heart of Karrikex” within him, Cassius was indeed wary of the Ancient Silver Dragon. He wasn’t entirely certain of victory.
After all, Silver Dragons were the second strongest among the metallic dragons, rivaling Red Dragons in raw strength. At the Ancient tier, their base challenge rating reached level 23, and Oszedro’s spellcasting mastery further increased his danger.
“It seems I’ll need to contact Olivia again, ” Cassius thought.
Recalling the events of their previous encounter, a faint hint of guilt surfaced in his heart for the tormented Silver Dragon sorceress—though it was not a particularly strong emotion.
He had no intention of extinguishing that feeling entirely. Perhaps it was the last remnant of his humanity.
Iron Dragonwing Palace, Inner Hall.
The Silver Dragon lay quietly on the floor, her wounds still unhealed.
Fortunately, under Cassius’ tacit permission, she had been freed from her chains. She could now move freely within the limited confines of the palace, enjoy meals prepared by the royal chefs, and stay informed through daily copies of the 《Kingdom Gazette》.
Yet, Olivia did not find peace in her recovery. Instead, her face was etched with worry.
“Is war about to begin…”
The Silver Dragon gazed at the palace’s tightly shut doors, her vision seemingly piercing through the walls to glimpse the blood-soaked battlefield and the rivers of crimson that would soon flow.
After assessing the kingdom firsthand and reading its reports, she knew the Northlands stood no chance. The war would be a one-sided slaughter—a massacre.
The thought sent a shiver through her heart.
Suddenly, Olivia felt a familiar pressure.
With a resounding boom, the metal doors slowly opened, and the Red Dragon’s immense form appeared at the threshold.
“Boom—”
Olivia looked up into those pale gold slit pupils, her lips unconsciously tightening. Her emotions tangled into a knot, her mind a whirlwind. She had rehearsed ways to face Cassius, yet now she found herself completely unprepared.
How should she face this Red Dragon?
As an enemy, or as…
As the Red Dragon stepped across the threshold, the air grew heavy, and an oppressive atmosphere filled the hall.
Finally, Cassius broke the silence:
“Long time no see, Olivia.”
“…”
After biting her lip in hesitation, Olivia mustered her courage and, in a near-supplicant tone, pleaded:
“Cassius, can you stop?”
“Stop what?”
Cassius lowered his head slightly, staring into her pale blue eyes.
Olivia looked up at him, her gaze earnest and pleading.
“All of this—including this war.”
“Too many innocent lives have been lost because of you, Cassius. Please, stop now, will you? I know you are not purely evil… something has influenced your mind. I will do everything I can to help you—”
“Olivia, you are mistaken.”
Cassius cut her off mercilessly.
“It is not that I refuse to stop; it is that they are afraid. Whether it was the Battle of Trier or the Magur Incident, it was the northern nobles who struck first. I was forced into this conflict. Should I bare my neck and await execution just because I am a Red Dragon?”
“You’ve seen much of this kingdom by now. Have you not realized it yet?”
“As long as my kingdom exists, serfs and citizens oppressed by the nobles will continue flocking here. It is not that I refuse peace—it is that the Northland nobles will never permit a kingdom like this to exist. They fear it will undermine their rule.”
“To them, whether I am just or evil is irrelevant. If I supported their serfdom and safeguarded their power, they would defend me as a wise and holy ruler, even if I were a demon from the Abyss. But if I do otherwise, I am a monster that must be destroyed.”
The Red Dragon bared his teeth, forming a menacing smile.
“In other words, justice and evil mean nothing to them. The absence of the Ember Kingdom, this anomaly threatening their rule, means everything.”
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