Chapter 449: Emir's Banquet
Burned Wastes, City of Iron.
The city stood upon a hemispherical dome of iron, spanning several li in radius, its surface weathered and tarnished with age. Around it, the Flaming River surged endlessly, a molten ribbon of fire that hissed and roared like a living beast. Beyond the bronze gates, monstrous sentinels prowled—multi-headed Flame Lizards, serpentine Flame Pythons—guarding the threshold with primal menace.
A low, guttural hiss echoed from the Fire River, a constant reminder: those hungry, ravenous creatures would devour anyone who dared intrude without invitation.
Within the city, fire-forged fountains spouted molten streams, the Burning Palace stood as a towering monument of flame and stone, and homes were carved from blackened charcoal. Though impressive, this city was little more than a clumsy imitation of the legendary City of Brass—a mere shadow of its glory.
Even the Fire Dwarves, who prided themselves on their craft, admitted it fell far short—some claimed it was less than a ten-thousandth of the original's grandeur. Though their words may have been exaggerated, they still spoke volumes about the awe-inspiring scale of the lost city, and the unmatched mastery of the ancient builders.
“Praise the Great Sultan!”
“Hail the Lord of Flame!”
At the heart of the city, within the tallest and most magnificent structure—forged entirely from yellow copper—a melody rose from flutes, weaving through the air. Cheers, roars, and thunderous shouts filled the hall.
This was no ordinary feast. It was a grand celebration, a grand coronation banquet, attended by every Fire Giant in the city—gathered to welcome their new Emir.
The Great Sultan, a towering figure of immense power and strength, ruled over the Fire Titan Realm with the aid of Chieftains, Governors, and noble Emirs. His six closest lieutenants, each a mighty Pasha, served as his personal enforcers.
And now, the star of tonight’s event was Hamid Abdul—a noble of pure Fire Titan blood, dispatched by the Great Sultan himself to take command of the City of Iron.
“By the Lord of Flame!”
“Truly a momentous occasion! The City of Iron hasn’t seen such life in centuries!”
“Let us welcome our new Emir—noble, mighty Hamid!”
“Hamid!”
The Fire Giants roared in unison, their voices shaking the very walls.
From the depths of the Copper Hall emerged a towering figure, flanked by a retinue of attendants. He was a Fire Titan Noble—far larger than any common Fire Giant, standing over five meters tall. His skin burned crimson, like molten lava. Coal-black eyes glowed beneath a pair of short, obsidian horns. Smoke curled from his body in steady, ghostly tendrils.
Draped in fine silken robes of red and gold, he wore golden rings, chains, and a crown of heavy metal. But one detail stood out—his right hand was missing a chunk of flesh, replaced by an over-the-top golden finger clamp, grotesquely oversized, meant to conceal the wound.
Hamid surveyed the crowd, then spoke in a voice like thunder rolling beneath the earth.
“By the Lord of Flame, welcome, honored guests, to my inauguration banquet!”
“I stand here as the representative of the Great Sultan’s will. I have come to rule this City of Iron—to strengthen the Fire Titan Realm and make it greater than ever before!”
He raised a brass goblet, steaming with white smoke, filled with scalding wine.
“Tonight, let us drink without restraint!”
“I shall forge a mighty army! Together, we will Conquer, Plunder, and enslave the weak! Let this city grow richer in wealth, and stronger in power!”
“Praise Hamid!”
“He is worthy of the Emir’s title! The Great Sultan’s true voice!”
Amid the roaring cheers, the Fire Titan Noble lifted the goblet, drank deeply, then exhaled—a plume of fiery smoke burst from his mouth.
To the Fire Giants, all other beings were either enemies or potential Peasant Laborers. They raided the Material Plane and the Elemental Plane with relentless fury, capturing slaves to serve in their fiery homelands.
Hamid’s words struck a chord. They weren’t just promises—they were a call to war. The giants erupted into song, their voices raw with bloodlust.
“We are masters of the Elemental Plane of Fire! We are mighty spirits, divine beings!”
“Plunder! Raid!”
“Let the lowly races kneel before us! Let them serve as our slaves!”
They drank deep from golden goblets, gnawed on charred bread and roasted meat, and scattered plundered golden jewels across the tables like confetti.
And Hamid—his face alight with euphoria—thought, This is exactly what I wanted.
But then, a memory surfaced—the last banquet.
A human scum from the Material Plane had attacked him. Slashed his hand. Cut off a finger.
“Damned bastard.”
“You dare anger a Fire Titan Noble? I’ll make you know true hell.”
His fingers clenched around the golden clamp. His face twisted in silent rage. Images of the human writhing in agony flashed through his mind.
Fire Giants were hypocritical, cunning, and cruel—beneath their brutal exteriors, they cherished vengeance. And Hamid was no different. He simply… had never succeeded.
“Hmph. Today is my day of triumph. No need to dwell on that wretched human.”
He tore a chunk of Flame Wyvern meat from the leg, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed with savage delight—though as a Fire Elemental Spirit, he didn’t need to eat. Yet, he relished the taste of a burnt feast.
The revelry raged on—until a single, discordant voice cut through the noise.
“Emir, sir.”
“Yet I heard… you lost a finger to a human girl not long ago.”
“Isn’t that right, esteemed Fingerless One—Hamid?”
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The goblets, spoons, and plates clattered to the floor. The Fire Giants froze, eyes wide with fear.
“Smack!”
Hamid slammed his fist onto the table—cracks spiderwebbed across the copper surface.
“Who?!”
“Who spoke?!”
His molten-red face darkened to charcoal. Smoke poured from his mouth and nostrils. A pillar of furious flame erupted from his crown, crackling with rage.
That was his wound. His deepest shame.
A noble Fire Titan Emir—newly installed in the City of Iron—had been humiliated in front of his own people by a human.
It was an insult to the very core of his being.
And the nickname—Fingerless One—had already spread through the ranks, whispered in hushed tones. If this continued, his dignity would be shattered.
With a voice like a storm breaking, he snarled:
“Cowardly cur! Where is your courage, Lord of Flame? You have the nerve to speak—but not the nerve to stand!”
His gaze swept the hall, a burning, oppressive stare that pinned every Fire Giant in place.
They lowered their heads, trembling, exchanging fearful glances—but no one dared speak.
“Hmph.”
Hamid exhaled sharply.
“Fine. You won’t admit it? Then you’re cowards. Timid, hiding wretches. The Lord of Flame will punish you.”
He paced slowly, his voice rising in intensity.
“You think I’m afraid to take revenge on that human scum?”
“No. You’re wrong.”
“I let it happen.”
His voice cracked with fury.
“Because killing her outright would be too kind. I want her to suffer. To burn—not in fire, but in despair.”
“I will watch her homeland crumble. Her people die. Her lordship fall beneath my heel. I will make her watch—every last moment—until she begs for death.”
“Clap. Clap. Clap.”
A single set of hands began to applaud.
The sound cut through the air—clear, calm, and dripping with sarcasm.
“Wonderful speech.”
“Truly, Emir Hamid—Fingerless One—you’ve painted such a beautiful dream.”
(End of Chapter)
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