Chapter 394: The Emperor's Inspection
"Next is Antonio City, located within the Kingdom of Cart."
Kai Xiusu waved his Wings, gliding effortlessly over the Earth and the city below.
On the ground, the people erupted into shouts and cheers—whether genuine or merely born of fear at the sight of the Emperor’s elite guards, no one could say.
For nearly three months now, the Emperor had toured vast stretches of the Empire of Ashen. Every arrival was met with thunderous drums and ceaseless cries of adoration.
"Long live the Empire!"
"Emperor, may you reign forever!"
The chants never ceased.
Of course, there were always those reckless fools—“Spinekillers” with delusions of grandeur—daring to challenge the Dragon Slayer. Most never even got close before being reduced to ash by the Emperor’s breath.
They were called madmen, of course.
After all, slaying a Spine was one thing—anyone could understand that. But who would dare challenge a Dragon Emperor?
In truth, within this entire domain of the Empire, even a Divine Being descending in physical form might struggle to slay this Red Dragon.
As the inspection continued, tales of impossible wonders spread like wildfire—and soon enough, they were confirmed.
In the frozen city of eternal ice, the Emperor summoned towering mountain ranges hundreds of meters high, shielding the settlement from the relentless northern winds and warming the land within.
In the treacherous highland fortress, he flattened jagged peaks and carved out vast, level plains from barren rock—enabling the construction of factories where none had stood before.
In a village plagued by Shark Lizard Beasts, the Emperor enjoyed a lavish barbecue feast.
These stories spread across the Empire, carried by travelers, merchants, and whispering rumors.
Once, the Nationals had been conquered. They had endured the propaganda of the Northern Nobles—songs like The Song of Ashen Embers—and had lived in dread of the Empire’s rule.
But now, as life grew better, a new emotion stirred within them: not fear, but awe. Reverence. Worship.
For unlike the Northern Nobles’ inspections—harsh, burdensome, and filled with endless demands for luxury and tribute—this Emperor’s presence brought prosperity, not oppression.
Some even whispered: the Emperor wasn’t conquering. He was liberating. Saving. With blood and fire.
In reality, Kai Xiusu’s inspection served a deeper purpose: to transform his lands into a true Empire Domain.
The miracles—mountains raised, valleys filled, cities reborn—were not just displays of power. They were tests of his newly acquired abilities. And as a side effect, they created a more favorable natural environment for the Empire’s industrial growth.
Originally, Kai Xiusu had planned to use this journey—his knowledge of the timeline—to clear out all the quests, hidden realms, and bosses scattered across the Anzeta Great Wasteland, aiming to level up to the new New tier.
But now, as a Legendary dragon, ordinary creatures no longer offered meaningful progress.
For instance, the quest in the Highland Fortress, culminating in the final boss—a mutated Shadow Ravager, a CR 13 nightmare once feared by New players in his past life—barely granted him 500 Experience Points (XP).
And then came the arrival of the New System, which completely reshaped his original plan.
Now, he decided to hand all these Experience Point Packages directly to the Players.
[Your Power Empire of Ashen faction level has reached — Crimson Gold]
[Unlock faction System: Experience Point Shop]
[Players under your faction may spend Experience Points (XP) to learn faction-specific skills and abilities.]
In Kai Xiusu’s memory, this was a feature only seen in the great factions of his former world—where Players could spend XP to learn skills like Horsemanship, Swordsmanship, Craftsmanship, or even Spells—rapidly boosting their strength.
But now, the gap between Professional Players and Common Players only widened.
Common Players couldn’t even gather enough XP to level up, let alone afford skill training.
Meanwhile, elite Players became true six-dimensional warriors, masters of every discipline.
Thinking of this, Kai Xiusu reached out through a mental link to Lanpu.
Even across thousands of kilometers, the Imperial Grace’s spiritual bond allowed the Emperor’s vassals to communicate instantly anywhere within the Empire.
"Master… you have need?" Lanpu’s voice was weak, strained—honest exhaustion from the soul.
Before Kai Xiusu could speak, Lanpu’s weary tone continued, unrelenting.
"Master, the Imperial Council Hall is complete. The Imperial Palace and Isdalia Grand Arena are still under construction—but will be finished in three months.
The Claudew United Military Consortium and Imperial Southern Continent Company are established. Initial benefit distribution is complete.
We’ve coordinated with the Wogin Church, and deployed several commercial spies.
Baron Gilmore Sparo has completed the Steam Press Coining Machine—establishing the prototype for the 'Dragon Coin.' It requires your final approval.
Also, the war situation in the Fadalan Region has changed."
Lanpu’s report flowed without pause.
For months, he had managed city planning in Isdalia, oversaw industrial development across the realm, and spearheaded the formation of every major Empire-owned corporation.
And just three days ago, he received a new mission from the New System: to consolidate the Imperial Bank, centralizing minting rights under the Empire.
He must dismantle the old chaotic currency system of the Northern Regions, unify all transactions under the new Dragon Coin, and enforce its use for all Thrace Kingdom orders.
Even as a Legendary being, his spirit and endurance far surpassed mortal limits—yet the relentless workload still wore him down.
He hadn’t slept in days.
The Empire was simply too vast now.
Over three million square kilometers. More than eight million souls.
The old kingdom’s administrative structure was already crumbling under the strain.
And yet, his great Emperor—during this pivotal stage of Empire-building—had remained, as always, a hands-off sovereign.
Kai Xiusu didn’t see it as laziness.
No. He believed in specialization. He wasn’t built for mundane bureaucracy. Why not entrust such matters to capable subordinates?
"By the way, Master… there’s also the matter of managing the newly arrived Stellarfallen. Recently, reports from across the nation indicate six thousand five hundred forty…"
Kai Xiusu’s lips twitched.
He’d known the Empire’s affairs would be numerous.
But never this overwhelming.
This was truly a nation rebuilding from ruin, vibrant, dynamic, and rapidly transforming—shattering traditions that had stood for millennia.
After listening to nearly fifteen minutes of reports, Kai Xiusu yawned, bored. He interrupted:
"Lanpu. I’m here to assign you a new task."
"..."
In the Municipal Hall, documents piled high like mountains.
On the other end of the mental link, the massive Dragonline Ogre sat silently, his body trembling—wishing he could cry, but unable to shed a single tear.
Inside his mind, he roared without sound:
All of this… is worth it. All for the Master’s Great Blueprint!
Then, a sudden thought struck him.
There was a Seventh Circle Spell—Phantom Illusion—that could create multiple copies of oneself.
If he used it… wouldn’t he be able to work twice as fast?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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