Chapter 448: Shalin's Respect
"Your Majesty, King Kai Xiusu, please wait a moment."
"Our highest-ranking leader—my father—will come to greet you personally."
After guiding Kai Xiusu and his companions to a magnificent Bronze Palace, Green said.
Selkan stepped forward, glancing around nervously before leaning in close and whispering:
"Your Majesty... We’ve only ever lived on the outskirts of the Bronze Fortress before. But there’s no doubt—this city holds immense value."
"It could easily become the Empire’s primary base in the Elemental Plane of Fire. Now that you’re here, with thousands of Empire soldiers already stationed—why not...?"
The half-dragon’s heart pounded. His eyes burned with ambition.
For the Empire’s military, expanding territory was everything. Such thoughts were perfectly natural.
But Kai Xiusu gently shook his head.
"No, Selkan."
"The true treasure here isn’t this Bronze Fortress. It’s the Fire Dwarf who dwells within it."
"The Empire has no roots in the Elemental Plane of Fire. What we need is a native, deeply rooted race to serve as allies."
He glanced at Selkan beside him, continuing.
"And haven’t you read the Empire’s own Doctrine of Colonization? Controlling a race isn’t just about force."
"I was foolish, Your Majesty," Selkan murmured, a flicker of disappointment crossing his eyes. He lowered his head, deeply pondering Kai Xiusu’s words.
Normally, he would never have been granted an audience with the Emperor. Now that he had this rare chance, he wasn’t about to waste a single moment.
"Your Majesty," the aide whispered beside him. "They’re coming."
From the distance, a procession approached—Fire Dwarves clad in bronze skirts, led by one wearing a tiny crown and carrying a copper-forged scepter.
The lead Fire Dwarf glanced at Kai Xiusu, then bowed deeply.
"Shalin Cardoso, at your service, Great King Kai Xiusu. Green has already informed me of your purpose."
"I am equally honored to meet you, esteemed ruler of the Bronze Fortress."
Kai Xiusu returned the bow with quiet reverence. He studied the Fire Dwarf noble—pale golden eyes flickering with a quiet, calculating seriousness.
This noble was far from the frail, simple figure he appeared to be.
As master of the Bronze Fortress, he must be thousands of years old. His lineage likely traced back to the ancient, mythic era.
This must be taken seriously.
The Fire Dwarves are a valuable potential ally. If we can guide them, their value to the Empire would be immense.
Kai Xiusu thought.
Meanwhile, Shalin quietly observed the dragon before him—now in human form.
What unsettled the Fire Dwarf was the dragon’s presence. Even in humanoid shape, the aura of draconic power radiated from him, overwhelming and undeniable.
It stirred memories of the ancient, world-shaking Ancestral Dragons from eons past.
We must be cautious. Perhaps… his arrival could decide the fate of the Bronze Fortress.
Shalin reflected inwardly. He was deeply relieved he had pushed through opposition and welcomed those Dragon-blooded warriors from the Material Realm.
Otherwise, it would have been them—not the Fire Giants—who now faced the dragon’s wrath.
With that thought, Shalin stepped forward, his copper-forged face breaking into a broad, welcoming smile.
"King Kai Xiusu, you’ve once again saved us from the Fire Giant invasion. I truly don’t know how to thank you!"
He extended his hand, bending low in a gesture of invitation.
"How about this? We’ll host a grand banquet in your honor—celebrating your arrival and showing you the warmth of our Fire Dwarf people."
"Furthermore, we’ve prepared over ten thousand gold coins as a token of our gratitude."
Shalin kept his posture low—so low, in fact, that he was clearly familiar with the Red Dragon’s habits. He knew their pride, their greed, their insatiable desire for wealth and glory.
No matter how strange a dragon might seem, its nature remained unchanged. The Fire Dwarf noble believed this familiar ritual would satisfy even the most demanding of emperors.
But Kai Xiusu’s response surprised him—unexpected, and unsettling.
"Not now, please," Kai Xiusu said with a gentle shake of his head, smiling.
"An enemy’s enemy is a friend. You Fire Dwarves have been ancient rivals of the Fire Giants. And my followers have been hunted by them as well."
"In that light… the Empire and the Fire Dwarves should be natural allies."
"Besides, with a greater threat looming, shouldn’t we first eliminate the Fire Giants before celebrating with feasts and rewards?"
Shalin froze.
The dragon… wasn’t after gold?
He didn’t seem to care for fame or glory?
Stunned, the Fire Dwarf noble quickly recovered and echoed, "You are absolutely right."
But Kai Xiusu wasn’t done.
His eyes now blazed with a flickering, emerald flame—so intense it sent a chill down the spines of the onlookers.
"Besides… my feast won’t be held here in your Bronze Fortress."
"It will be in that city of iron."
"I see," the Fire Dwarf swallowed hard.
Kai Xiusu offered reassurance. "Do not fear, Lord Shalin. My wrath is directed only at those who insult me—the Fire Giants. You are not involved."
"Now, I simply wish to learn about the City of Iron. I’ve heard you were the one who built it."
Shalin nodded solemnly.
"Long ago, when the Fire Giants were still our allies, we helped them construct many cities."
"City of Brass was our greatest masterpiece. As for the City of Iron… hah."
He chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"It’s merely a clumsy imitation. In my eyes, it’s riddled with flaws."
"They are nothing but thieves—plundering our people, stealing our works. The finest craftsmanship? That remains in the hands of the Fire Dwarves."
Shalin gripped his scepter tightly, his voice firm.
Kai Xiusu smiled. He had already noticed the Fire Dwarves’ telltale trait—mention their past glories, and they’d instantly stand taller, chest out, pride blazing.
And he could use that.
He wouldn’t enslave them—no, that was too crude. Instead, he’d offer them a freer kind of labor. A partnership.
Green whispered beside him: "The Fire Giant who recently took power in the City of Iron—just appointed himself Emir, the city’s ruler."
"Last time, that celebratory banquet was destroyed by Lady Misha. He’ll likely host a new evening gathering soon."
The implication was clear.
The Fire Titan noble would be present at that banquet. And that was the perfect opportunity.
Kai Xiusu let out a soft laugh.
"Excellent. I believe I’ve found the feast I’ve been looking for."
The Fire Dwarves present all swallowed hard. If they weren’t already burning with fire in their hair, they’d surely be sweating.
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