Chapter 383: Wogin Church
Northwind Keep, Iron Dragon Wing Palace.
Xiewen Montero surveyed the opulent surroundings, adjusting his silver-rimmed spectacles with a delicate flick of his fingers. Bowing slightly forward, he smiled warmly and said,
"Your Majesty, Kai Xiusu—must say, your taste is impeccable. I’m certain you’ll appreciate what our Wogin Church has to offer.
We can provide you with everything beautiful, luxurious, and desirable in the world."
Dressed in a garish silk shirt, leather gauntlets, short boots, and a heavy crimson cloak adorned with golden embroidery, Xiewen was a walking spectacle of flamboyance. His sash was tied with silk ribbons, each holding a tiny tool—pocket knives, lockpicks, vials of alchemical powder—arranged like ornaments. Every inch of him screamed extravagance and showmanship.
This was the standard look for members of the Wogin Church—always polished, always ostentatious, always ready to dazzle.
Perched atop the Iron Throne, Kai Xiusu tilted his head slightly, his voice laced with faint disdain.
"Oh?"
"Everything?"
"As long as you have enough gold coins."
Xiewen adjusted his glasses again, eager to clarify.
Kai Xiusu knew these people well.
They worshipped the Goddess of Wealth, Wogin. For profit, they would go to any lengths—betray allies, break oaths, even sacrifice their lives.
To such men, leniency only bred arrogance. Only a firm hand—strike hard, then sweeten the blow—was the proper way to manage them.
The Red Dragon opened his eyes, pale gold and piercing, locking onto the merchant like a predator. An overwhelming aura of draconic intimidation radiated from him, thick and suffocating.
"So you're questioning the wealth of the Empire?"
"Or perhaps... questioning my wealth?"
"U-uh..."
Xiewen froze. Cold sweat broke out across his forehead, but he recovered quickly, forcing a nervous grin.
"N-no, certainly not, Your Majesty! Who would dare question an Emperor’s fortune—especially one who is also a great Dragon?
As one of our former bishops once said: Never try to measure a Dragon’s wealth with mortal logic. Simply serve them to the best of your ability.
Your Majesty, in our eyes, you are among the most elite and honored clients we could ever hope to serve."
Indeed, Xiewen was no ordinary envoy. His poise, his rhetoric, his flawless delivery—everything was polished to perfection.
Had Kai Xiusu been just any ordinary Red Dragon, the man might’ve actually been swayed by the flattery.
But the momentary pressure vanished.
The Dragon’s aura lifted like a storm passing.
Kai Xiusu chuckled, mocking.
"Are all your kind so slick-tongued?"
Xiewen forced another smile.
"Not at all. Only when dealing with someone of your unparalleled stature."
"I don’t care for empty words," Kai Xiusu snapped, impatient.
"Yes, yes, Your Majesty!"
Xiewen nodded frantically, fumbling for a golden-thread handkerchief from his pocket and wiping his brow with trembling hands.
Kai Xiusu shifted his massive frame, rising slowly on four limbs. His outstretched wings spanned nearly the entire chamber, casting a shadow over the entire Wogin delegation.
The Red Dragon fixed his gaze upon the trembling crowd.
"Let me be blunt—what exactly do you want? You and your goddess… are you seeking a collaboration?"
Xiewen lowered his head, hands shaking slightly as he straightened his spectacles.
"Your Majesty, the Empire’s frequent commercial activities in Anzeta have drawn the Goddess’s attention. The great Wogin has seen your Empire’s immense potential."
"She believes commerce is the true path to prosperity. If we can expand the world’s economic circulation, then every civilization could thrive—bringing progress and happiness to all intelligent beings."
"Therefore, the Empire is an ideal partner for collaboration."
He finished speaking, then glanced sideways at the Dragon’s expression—unchanged, unreadable.
Only then did he exhale, relief washing over him.
Kai Xiusu smirked.
"Free trade, is it?"
"Of course. That’s a universal principle. The Empire of Ashen has always upheld it, and we encourage every form of free trade."
"Your Majesty, your vision is truly enlightened—exactly in line with our Wogin Church’s beliefs!"
Xiewen’s eyes lit up. A collaboration was within reach—something that could bring unprecedented benefits to both the Church and himself.
Kai Xiusu remained calm.
"Then, what kind of collaboration do you have in mind?"
Xiewen’s face lit up with excitement.
"Our faithful followers travel across the world, aiding merchants and facilitating trade.
We would be honored to build Wogin Temples in your cities—free of charge. They’d serve as local financing hubs, currency exchange centers, luggage storage facilities—helping you generate more wealth, filling your treasure vaults, ensuring you never lack for funds..."
"Impossible."
Kai Xiusu cut him off coldly.
"Every financial and trade-related activity within the Empire of Ashen is strictly controlled by the Imperial Bank and the Imperial Commerce Ministry. Foreign interference is not permitted."
The Red Dragon let out a low, mocking laugh, stepping forward. The scent of sulfur filled the air as a thin stream of smoke curled from his nostrils, nearly brushing Xiewen’s face. The envoy trembled violently, his body shaking like a leaf in a storm.
He realized—he’d overplayed his hand.
"Hmph. Do you really think I don’t know your tricks?"
"If this is all the sincerity you bring to the table, then there’s no point in continuing."
"This is an insult to the Empire!"
His final words roared like a Dragon’s fury, shaking the very walls. The aura of intimidation surged, so intense that several envoys collapsed, some fainting outright. Only Xiewen, as Archbishop, remained conscious—though barely.
"Your Majesty! Please!"
"Wait—there must still be room for collaboration!"
Xiewen pleaded, voice cracking with desperation.
Having lived through a previous life, Kai Xiusu knew the Wogin Church too well.
Temples of Wogin dotted the continent. On the surface, they preached fairness, condemned rumors, monopolies, and hiring bandits—openly denouncing such tactics.
But behind the scenes, they demanded their priests use the most subtle, covert methods to manipulate trade and wealth.
In the past, countless players had been drained dry by the Church—some even trapped in crushing debts.
Eventually, over ten thousand victims formed the Bankrupt Alliance, launching a war against every Wogin Temple.
"The bold discover wealth. The cautious preserve it. The cowardly waste it."
That was their core tenet.
Allowing the Wogin Church to open temples within the Empire would be handing over the economic lifeline to a pack of cunning speculators.
And that was something Kai Xiusu would never allow.
He demanded absolute control—over politics, economy, culture.
Even in this supposed "collaboration," he would remain in the dominant position, squeezing every ounce of value from them.
Xiewen wiped sweat from his face, shivering.
"Your Majesty… I leave everything to your judgment."
"I will do my utmost to secure the best possible terms—so that we may achieve a truly glorious collaboration."
His voice trembled with every syllable.
"Who told me that Red Dragons are just mindless beasts obsessed with immediate gains?"
He cursed inwardly, grinding his teeth.
If I ever see the fool who wrote that report… I’ll kill him myself.
(End of Chapter)
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