Chapter 386: Cassander Kingdom
"Cassander Kingdom?"
"The situation in the south remains unchanged. If the Empire doesn't intervene, history will likely unfold as it did before."
Kai Xiusu sat upon the Iron Throne, his thoughts quiet and calculating. His eyes were half-lidded, patiently awaiting the arrival of the envoy from the Cassander Kingdom, while memories of his past life stirred within him.
He remembered well the background of Ailezegai, the broad outline of the Great Collapse of the Holy Phaldran Empire.
Now, the empire was only at the first stage—the "Tri-Emperor Confrontation."
The "Three Emperors" were Wilhelm of the Thrace Kingdom, Otis of the Cassander Kingdom, and Philippe of the Kingdom of Seleucus.
Ten years ago, Aragorn I had once said: "Teotihuacan is the most dazzling gem on the Empire’s crown. Whoever possesses it holds the authority of the Imperial throne."
Driven by that belief, the heirs of the three rulers plunged into a prolonged and near-frenzied war over the "City of Solar Radiance," Teotihuacan. Each claimed to be the sole legitimate successor of the old Emperor, the destined bearer of the Sacred Fedran Future.
Years of relentless warfare reduced Teotihuacan to ruins. Millions perished there. The once-glorious "City of Solar Radiance" became a grinding mill of flesh and fire.
After the "Crimson Sunset War," the three kingdoms were left shattered, their strength broken. They could no longer maintain control over their territories.
Within their borders, the Divine Offspring Nobles rose up with their armies, carving out new realms across the former lands of the Holy Faedran Empire.
This was the second phase of the Great Collapse—the Age of Kings. And it was during this era that Tiamat’s Dragon Tyranny emerged.
The Age of Kings.
Kai Xiusu mused.
Even now, the three kingdoms—each inheriting a vast portion of the Holy Faedran Empire’s legacy—were still dangerously powerful. Each king commanded an army of Divine Descendants, dozens of legendary warriors, the last remnant of the famed Solar Legion.
If the Empire struck too soon, Thrace would retaliate with everything it had.
And in the chaos, it would only benefit the most powerful of the three—Cassander Kingdom—giving them the perfect chance to unify the entire land.
That was something Kai Xiusu would never allow.
Tsk tsk. In this phase, diplomacy—threats, deception, manipulation—must be the tools of choice. The goal is to extract as much real benefit as possible from these three kingdoms.
At the very least… I must secure the Kartpa Hills south of the Anzeta Corridor. That’s the foundation for expansion across the continent.
Kai Xiusu slowly opened his eyes. In his pale golden irises, a flicker of greed gleamed.
A sound echoed from outside—the footsteps of Tiefling Guards.
"Your Majesty," came the voice, "the envoy from the Cassander Kingdom has arrived at the palace gates."
"Let them in."
With a deep, echoing rumble, the heavy palace doors groaned open.
The delegation entered under the guidance of attendants. A hundred strong, they were a spectacle—soldiers, officials, scholars, and envoys of every kind. They carried with them numerous large, ornately decorated chests of gilded wood, each one heavy and sealed with golden trim.
At the head of the group stood a man in his thirties, dressed in a vibrant, long-sleeved tunic. He wore a cloak of gold-threaded fabric in yellow, red, and orange—colors of the rising sun. Upon his head sat a sun-shaped headdress.
The attire of a high priest from Amanatara.
Clearly, the Cassander Kingdom took this mission seriously—not only seeking to build goodwill with the Empire of Ashen, but also signaling, subtly, that they were the true heirs of the Faedran legacy.
The priest stepped forward, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty—"
He paused, then smoothly continued, "Emperor."
"I am Navin Bessalious, envoy of the Cassander Kingdom. King Otis has sent me to extend his congratulations upon your unification of the Anzeta Great Wasteland, and your coronation as Emperor of the Empire of Ashen."
"This small gift is a token of Otis’s personal goodwill."
Navin gestured, and four strong warriors lifted one of the chests, setting it down before the throne. With a firm tug, they removed the golden-laced lid.
A wave of golden light flooded the hall.
Inside lay a mountain of gold coins, glittering gems, and priceless jewels.
Kai Xiusu smiled. "No wonder you’re called the land blessed by the Sun God. You’re truly wealthy."
"Navin, thank Otis on my behalf. Tell him I’m honored to have such a generous human as a friend."
"Certainly, Your Majesty."
Navin bowed once more, his expression calm and composed.
Then, towering Ogres entered the hall, heaving the heavy chests onto their broad shoulders and carrying them away without ceremony.
Kai Xiusu leaned forward slightly.
"Still… a monarch of Otis’s ambition must have more than friendship on his mind, wouldn’t you say?"
"Your Majesty," he added, "surely you’re aware that Cassander Kingdom seeks something from you?"
Navin’s face lit up with quiet triumph. He quickly bowed again.
"Your Majesty, your wisdom is breathtaking. King Otis sees the Empire of Ashen as our last hope. He desires nothing less than a secret pact—true alliance, a bond of mutual strength."
"Allies?" Kai Xiusu tilted his head, his tone neutral. "But as far as I know, the Empire has never had dealings with Cassander Kingdom. No shared interests, no mutual benefits. How can we form an alliance?"
Navin composed himself. "Yet, Emperor, we share a common enemy."
"Who?" Kai Xiusu feigned ignorance.
Navin hesitated only a moment—then spoke with resolve.
"Thrace Kingdom."
"You know full well, Your Majesty, that if the Empire of Ashen seeks to expand southward, Thrace stands as the greatest obstacle in your path."
"But if we collaborate, we can destroy Thrace together."
Kai Xiusu said nothing. He only smiled.
"Those who know me understand that I have always been a lover of peace, a monarch who places the welfare of my people above all. So…"
He paused.
Navin scoffed inwardly. A lover of peace? A Red Dragon who just obliterated a kingdom? Please.
He kept his expression serene, though his pulse quickened.
Kai Xiusu locked eyes with him, his golden gaze piercing, overwhelming.
"If we collaborate… what would my Empire of Ashen gain?"
"Two-thirds of Thrace’s territory."
"I, on behalf of King Otis, pledge that all lands north of the Radiant Mountain Range shall belong to the Empire of Ashen. Cassander Kingdom will retain only the southern region of Thrace."
Navin had clearly rehearsed this. His words flowed smoothly, laced with promise. Even Dolo, standing silently in the shadows, felt his breath grow heavier with anticipation.
But Kai Xiusu knew the truth.
South of the Radiant Mountain Range—within the capital of Thrace, the City of Dawn, Augustus—lay a Sun God Pyramid.
It was said that the new emperor would ascend all the golden towers simultaneously on the day of the Summer Solstice, performing a sacred ritual that would summon the Sun God’s eternal might.
Then, a new Divine Offspring would rise, and the glory and splendor of the Sacred Fedran Empire would be reborn.
Otis wasn’t seeking alliance.
He believed that after the Sunlight Ritual, the Cassander Kingdom—nay, the second Empire of Faedran—would stand as the true heir.
And in that moment, the Empire of Ashen would be nothing more than a relic.
The lost lands were merely borrowed.
And if the time was right… he could reclaim them—and destroy the Empire of Ashen in the process.
(End of Chapter)
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