Chapter 492: The Suburbs of Northwind Keep, Steel Dragon Wing Palace
Olivia stood before the Front Door, her expression alight with quiet excitement—like a Watch-curious child.
"Kai Xiusu," she said, "I've convinced the elders of my clan. They've agreed to send aid to us."
"I'm sorry, Lady, but the King will not receive an audience now," said Tiefling Captain of the Guard Ekmon, raising his Long Spear to block her path.
Ekmon had once endured the Red Dragon’s Sleeping. He knew full well the danger within. Even the King’s mere “Morning Wrath” could bring catastrophe to any Mortal Entity.
"But—" Olivia’s brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of undeniable disappointment crossing her face.
It had taken her considerable effort to persuade the Silver Dragon Elders—those ancient guardians of Order—to aid a former enemy. Only after the ailing Elder Oszedro himself issued the decree did they finally accept her plea.
"As long as we can defeat the Demons, I am willing to ally with the邪龙."
That was his exact words.
For an Ancient Silver Dragon, Deep Abyss Demons—pure embodiments of Chaos—were eternal foes. Yet here Olivia stood, offering a fragile bridge between worlds.
Just as she began to reflect, a familiar voice echoed from behind her.
"Olivia, Lady, the King is already Sleeping."
She turned, eyes widening slightly at the towering silhouette.
"Lanpu, Lord?" The Ogre Magus bowed slightly, his tone courteous. "But the King has already instructed me—he thanks you for everything you’ve done for the Empire."
Lanpu raised his Staff, and a Portal materialized before her, leading into the Imperial Council Hall.
"The King believes your Contribution Points are sufficient. He sees you as his Last Hope to enter the Imperial Council, where you may discuss Collaboration with the High Ministers in detail. Furthermore, he has reviewed your latest proposal—he has Watched it and approved it in principle. Only minor adjustments remain in implementation."
"Thank you," Olivia replied, a genuine smile spreading across her face.
The Imperial Council—the true power-trap mechanism of the Empire. To join it was to wield the authority to draft laws and shape policy. To be admitted meant stepping into the very heart of the Empire of Ashen’s ruling elite.
Olivia believed her persistence would bring a better future to this realm—one that would guide Kai Xiusu toward Order, toward goodness.
But in truth, this was both Kai Xiusu’s reward to Olivia—and his quiet attempt to balance the overwhelming Evil Alignment forces at the top of the Empire’s hierarchy.
"Please, Lady Olivia, if you would follow me," Lanpu said, bowing again, offering the classic gesture of invitation.
Yet such etiquette from a towering Ogre was undeniably absurd.
"Of course," she replied.
Before stepping through the Portal, Olivia paused, turning back to gaze at the familiar Royal Palace.
After a brief hesitation, she whispered, "King Kai Xiusu… will he Sleep for long?"
Her concern was not unfounded. For Mortal Entities, a dragon’s Sleeping could span an entire lifetime.
And for a dragon like Kai Xiusu—so uniquely different—no Silver Dragon could say how long it might last. Ten years? Thirty? Fifty?
She didn’t know. And yet, she couldn’t explain why she cared about the duration of a “foe’s” slumber.
But to a Silver Dragon, such a question was vital.
Lanpu spoke gravely. "Lady Olivia, do not worry. The King has said he will Awaken within a year."
"Already so soon?" Olivia exhaled softly, her expression relaxing.
Everything was unfolding exactly as she’d hoped.
The Silver Dragon was entering the Empire’s decision-making core—bringing Order, bringing light to this realm.
She looked once more at the Palace, brushing her silver hair behind her ear. In her blue-gray eyes, a quiet flicker of Expectation stirred.
"Kai Xiusu," she murmured, so softly it was barely audible, "may you dream well."
And with that, she stepped through the Portal into the Imperial Council Hall.
Cold wind swept across the Anzeta Great Wasteland. Snowpacks in the north began to melt. Months slipped by in silence. It was nearing March.
At first, after the departure of the Stellarfallen, the Empire had lost much of its momentum. Without those tireless, wild-eyed Homefolk, factories faced manpower shortages. Goods piled up unsold. Technological progress slowed.
But soon, the Chief Minister unveiled a wave of bold policies: Imperial Security Armor Class, Economic Revitalization Strategy, Foreign Trade Regulations. Workers’ wages rose. Export routes expanded. New markets were sought.
The Empire of Ashen was still growing—still evolving. The loss of Player presence had only a limited impact. And in the south, war raged on, with endless orders for weapons and armor.
Without the Players’ direct aid, the Empire’s pace slowed slightly—but its industrial scale continued to expand. The people grew visibly richer. More and more Anzeta citizens left the countryside for the cities, chasing the dream of Imperial prosperity: wealth, Dragon-Blooded nobility.
For the common Workers, the departure of the Stellarfallen was actually a blessing. At last, their employers could no longer demand wages as low as dirt.
On the front of expansion, the Empire made remarkable gains.
Lord Jese Swan’s Southern Continent vanguard had firmly established itself in the Cattapa Region, building an Unbreakable fortress and securing the land beneath the Empire’s control.
Tahan City became a vital hub—caravans constantly bivouacked there, trading goods. The city flourished.
They even extended their influence southward into Thrace, erecting fortresses along the border between the Empire and the Thrace Kingdom. Scouts prowled the frontier, mapping the terrain.
But Thrace, burdened by war in the south, dared not protest.
Meanwhile, conquest in the Elemental Plane of Fire progressed smoothly.
Under Selkan’s leadership, the Empire’s army had captured the ancient Fire Giant cities of Iron Forge and Black Iron. Tens of thousands of Fire Elemental creatures—Fire Lizards, Fire Dwarves, Molten Lava Drakes, even Fire Giants—now served as subjects of the Empire.
They had also achieved indirect colonization of the Bronze Fortress. Though it remained nominally under Fire Dwarf rule, it was now effectively a forward outpost of the Empire.
The diligent Fire Dwarves now worked for Dragon-Blooded Nobles and wealthy Merchants from the Empire—though they called it “Freedom-Hired.”
Then, as the war between the Giant Empire and the Holy Flame Legion intensified, the Empire capitalized on both sides’ arms smuggling, reaping massive profits.
They even seized a Fire Giant city abandoned by the Holy Flame Legion and renamed it New Northern Wind Fort—a fitting name, for Selkan was a true son of Northwind Keep.
In the Underdark, the Empire’s war had struck terror into the hearts of the Underworld’s native inhabitants—Drow Elves, Gray Dwarves, Swamp Bears, Underground Gnomes.
The city of Blackwing, ruled by Shadow Dragonblood Drow, was razed by Baron Hart and his Skeleton Army. Every half-Shadow Dragonblood within was slaughtered.
Empire’s Azure-Footed Dragon Serpent legions surged like a flood, shaking the very foundations of the Underworld.
Combined with the rumors of the “Dragon of World-Burning,” the destruction of Dragonshadow City, and the death of Mortifer—by all accounts, the Empire of Ashen had become an existence no being in the Underdark dared provoke.
Meanwhile, another Baron, Zaike, forged a generous treaty with the Gray Dwarves who had defected. He granted them favorable terms, and spread the news across the Underdark.
The Upper Darkness Realm, already close to the surface, had long-standing contact with surface races—through trade, raids, and conquest.
Soon, several city-states submitted to the Empire’s influence: the Underground Gnomes of Seko Rock, the Gray Dwarves of Hozan-Su, the subterranean ratfolk of the Underkingdom. Even the Drow Elves of Mozolea City sent envoys, seeking a temporary Peace.
Even these evil, ambitious Drow dared not challenge an Empire that wielded an Undead Legion and a Red Dragon.
Thus, through a blend of strength and diplomacy, the Empire’s Advance Guard in the Underdark claimed vast territories—becoming a rising, unstoppable force in the Upper Darkness Realm.
Slowly, the name and title of the Empire of Ashen began to echo across the entire Alerzage World.
Yet, its image varied from region to region.
To some, it was a land of rifles and cannons.
To others, a distant, windswept frontier of Northwind Keep.
To others still, a land overrun with Monsters—home to the hated Prime Material folk.
But one truth remained universal:
It was an Empire ruled by a powerful Dragon Sovereign.
(End of Chapter)
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