https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-775-The-Power-of-the-Lifeform-Mandate/13677679/
Chapter 776: Unexpected Allies
“That’s a follower of Deep Crimson Embers—Kazul’s Follower! We mustn’t take this lightly!” Aid里An instantly gripped his Longsword, sweat beading on his brow—whether from the intense heat radiating from the Red Dragon Kin or from the tension and unease churning within his chest, he couldn’t tell.
“Kill her!”
“No need to fear,” growled the female Dwarf warrior, hefting her Battle Axe. “She’s alone. We’re over a dozen. Once the Dwarf Relief Forces arrive, she’ll be dead for sure!”
But Mage Rolf Fitzgerald looked pale, darting close to Aid里An and whispering urgently: “Sir, we must not provoke her. If a Dragonborn is out here now, she likely defeated—or even killed—that mature Green Dragon. Even if we all attack together, we may not prevail.”
Hearing this, Aid里An nodded gravely and signaled his subordinates to fall back.
The Dwarf warrior seethed. “Coward! She’s a minion of the Evil Dragon! Do you think she’ll spare you just because you run?”
With a roar, she charged forward, leading her fellow Dwarves in a furious assault.
But the Dragonborn woman merely raised a hand. Flames erupted like a coiled serpent, twisting into scorching, magical chains that wrapped tightly around the Dwarves, pinning them to the ground—motionless.
“Dragon’s Claws!” the warrior screamed, struggling despite her wounds. “Even if you kill me, you can’t destroy our Rebellion’s will! Seleucus will never belong to the vile followers of the Dragon Queen!”
The Dragonborn woman’s voice cut through the air, cold and sharp. “Who told you… I’m a follower of the Dragon Queen?”
Her eyes flared with a dazzling, hellish light. A terrifying Aura of intimidation surged forth, chilling the very air. Every being present felt their breath catch, their hearts seize.
She smirked—a sound as crisp and cold as winter wind. “If I truly served the Dragon Worship Church, you’d already be reduced to ash, just like those priests you just saw burn.”
The Dwarf warrior spat in fury. “Then who are you? Why hide your face? Why wield the strength of an Evil Dragon?”
Aid里An, however, remained composed. He stepped forward, bowing deeply in the formal Fadalan Noble salute. “Esteemed lady, thank you for your timely intervention. You saved us from certain death.”
“But I do not know your name. Might you… be one of our Second Fadalan Alliance?”
“I have not joined your so-called alliance,” the Dragonborn replied. “But like you, I view the Dragon Worship Church as my enemy.”
Aid里An exchanged a glance with Rolf. Both wore expressions of deep confusion. Which faction possesses Red Dragon bloodline power… yet opposes the Dragon Worship Church?
The woman seemed to read their thoughts. From beneath her rich robes, she drew out a token—its surface carved with a vertical pupil and a flaming emblem—and held it up before them.
“I am the Ruler of the North, Sovereign of Anzeta and Thrace, First-Class Duke of the Empire, and loyal follower of the Supreme Emperor of Ember—Kai Xiusu. I have come here by my Master’s command, bearing justice and vengeance, to aid you in overthrowing the Dragon Worship Church and terminating their brutal rule.”
“The Empire of Ashen? That… can’t be real,” murmured the crowd. Humans and Dwarves alike paled, their hearts sinking.
The Empire of Ashen—rumored to be a shadowy, powerful realm from the far north—was said to be ruled by the Red Dragon’s dominion among the Five-Colored Dragons. In their eyes, it was a land of endless conquest, merciless tyranny, enslavement of its people, and even the annihilation of Thrace Kingdom, one of the Three Great Kingdoms.
And in the propaganda of the Dragon Worship Church, the Emperor of Ashen was said to be Tiamat’s most beloved offspring—called the “Dragon Prince” by the Five-Colored Dragon Flock—and destined to become a cornerstone of the Great Dragon Empire.
The female Dwarf roared, “You’re just like those cultists! You’re all evil dragons’ pawns—what’s the difference!”
Misha’s gaze turned icy. She flicked a finger. The Dwarf warrior was instantly crushed by a crushing, invisible force, her body driven into the ground, bones groaning under the pressure.
Her voice was like frozen steel. “This is your final warning, Dwarf. Insulting the Emperor of the Ashen Flame is a capital crime—death on the gallows.”
“If my Master hadn’t commanded me to show mercy, to treat you rebels with dignity and let you see the truth, you’d already be a pile of ash.”
Aid里An stepped forward quickly, pleading. “Duke Misha, please, restrain your subordinates. These Dwarves are rash, yes—but their hearts are honest. No disrespect was intended.”
“Last Hope,” Misha muttered. The oppressive aura vanished. The warrior collapsed, gasping, her body wracked with pain, eyes filled with suspicion and hatred.
Human. Red Dragon bloodline. Untrustworthy.
After years of enslavement under the Dragon Worship Church, these Dwarves had endured endless torment—fleeing, starving, beaten, sometimes even used as dragon food. To them, any being with Dragon blood was a monster, worthy only of death.
“With my Master’s strength and fame,” Misha sneered, “why would I deceive a bunch of nameless rebels?”
Aid里An paused, then asked, voice steady: “Duke Misha… what kind of aid does the Empire offer?”
“Military gear, funds, supplies—even powerful warriors. The Empire has it all. It will be provided.”
“And in return… what must we do?” Aid里An asked cautiously.
Misha didn’t answer directly. Instead, she tossed a token engraved with the Empire’s emblem. “When you’ve made your choice, activate this. My Master awaits you in Isdalia.”
Aid里An caught it, stunned. Before he could speak, Misha’s body erupted into flames. The air warped around her, space itself distorting with a deep, roaring implosion—then she vanished, leaving only silence and stunned faces.
After a long pause, Rolf finally spoke. “Aid里An, what should we do?”
“This invitation from the Empire of Ashen… we don’t know if it’s real. But it’s certainly deadly. If it’s a trap set by the Dragon Worship Cult, we’ll be walking straight into our graves.”
The Mage paced, face grim. “And the Empire’s reputation isn’t exactly better. Rumors say their army is made of bloodthirsty Dragon Beasts. They consume thousands of children in every town they conquer, and imprison mortal souls in their fire-forged vessels—supposedly how they stay invincible.”
The female Dwarf pushed herself up, wincing as she clutched her broken bones. “All these Evil Dragon-blooded monsters—pure villains. Never trust them.”
“Exactly!” another Dwarf shouted. “Their greed, brutality, shameless lies—we’ve seen it with our own eyes. They’re probably luring you to be sacrificial offerings!”
Aid里An remained calm. He stroked his chin. “But if she truly meant harm, she could’ve captured us all and handed us over to the Dragon Queen. Why go through all this trouble?”
The warrior winced, gritting her teeth as she forced her limbs to move. “The Dragon Queen’s lackeys are the most treacherous, cunning, full of plots. You can never be too careful.”
One of the human warriors stepped forward. “Sir, let’s retreat into the mine shaft first. Safety comes before everything. Those cultists won’t find us there. If they discover the priests’ bodies, they’ll start hunting us. Then we’ll be trapped.”
Aid里An looked toward the dark clouds shrouding the south. Silence. Then, slowly, he shook his head.
“No. I’m going to the Empire of Ashen. To meet the Emperor. Even if it’s a trap—I’ll take the risk.”
He gripped his Longsword, the blade heavy in his hand. “The Evil Dragons are ravaging our lands. The people suffer. The Dragon Worship Church has nearly conquered the Kingdom of Seleucus. This is our last chance.”
Rolf stepped forward, standing tall behind him. “Sir, I’ll go with you. Let us restore peace to Seleucus.”
“Aid里An, sir… we—” The warrior hesitated, voice trembling.
Aid里An waved him off. “I know you don’t want to come. Take the Dwarves into the mine shaft. If nothing goes wrong, I’ll return with the Empire’s aid.”
“If I don’t come back within a few days… don’t wait. Fight to the end. Fight the Dragon Worship Church.”
His voice was firm, unshakable—radiating absolute determination.
Without hesitation, Aid里An poured his Sacred Power into the token. The flame pattern flared to life, and before them, a portal of writhing fire tore open.
He stepped through without a second thought. Rolf followed close behind.
The others stared, stunned, watching the portal close behind them—leaving only silence and emptiness.
After a long while, the female Dwarf warrior waved a hand. “Let them go. If they want to throw themselves into the jaws of the Evil Dragon, let them.”
Whoosh—
The portal split open again. Aid里An and Rolf stepped out, still dazed.
But when their senses returned, their expressions froze—jaw-dropping in disbelief.
The sight before them could only be described as magnificent—nothing like the hellish wasteland they’d feared.
“Is this… the capital of the Empire of Ashen?” Aid里An whispered, awestruck.
Far off, a towering white wall stretched endlessly—like a range of snow-capped mountains. Along the city wall, massive metal doors were carved with intricate Dragon motifs. Above them, enormous mechanical trebuchets and anti-aircraft guns bristled like steel sentinels.
Even though the wall was colossal, the city within teemed with wonders: steel-forged palaces, crystal-covered skyscrapers, and distant stone mountains piercing the sky.
Beyond the wall, watchtowers stood every few hundred meters. Atop each, massive armored Wyverns perched, scanning the crowds below with predatory eyes.
Outside the city, a sea of people surged like waves—of every race and form. Humans, Elves, Lizardfolk, Ogres—yet they moved in orderly lines, patiently waiting at the gates where Tieflings and Half-Red Dragons conducted inspections.
Woo—
A bone-chilling, beast-like scream tore through the sky. Then came a thunderous, rhythmic clatter—like a thousand footsteps.
The citizens paid no mind. They simply kept moving. But Aid里An and Rolf turned, tense and alert.
“What… is that?”
A monstrous Iron Beast, serpentine in form, charged toward them, belching thick smoke from its nostrils, roaring as it charged.
So large… so terrifying…
Aid里An and Rolf gripped their weapons, hearts pounding—on the verge of screaming.
Then, from behind, a bored mutter:
“Another southern backwater fool. Never seen a Steam Locomotive? If you’re not riding, get out of the way. You’re blocking the track.”
It was a young man in his twenties, carrying a briefcase, wearing a cheap tailcoat. His expression was tense, impatient.
Aid里An turned. Seeing a genuine Human, he exhaled in relief.
He paused, then pulled a silver coin from his pocket. “Sir… what is that thing? Why aren’t people afraid of it?”
The young man grinned, snatching the coin. “Oh, you’re too kind! Call me Xin!”
“You’re clearly new here. This is a Steam Locomotive—the most common transport in the Empire. Like your wagons, but faster.”
Xin pulled a card from his chest and pressed it into Aid里An’s hand. “By the way, need any firearms?”
“This is my business card. I’m the Sales Manager of Claudew Military Industry Group. I can give you the best deal.”
“Thank you,” Aid里An said, flustered by the sudden warmth.
At that moment, the Iron Beast slowed, its engine sputtering. It stopped just ahead, puffing thick smoke.
In shock, Aid里An watched as people began filing out from within the beast’s massive frame. A clear, feminine voice echoed from within:
“Please follow the order. Board in line.”
Aid里An studied the citizens. Though weary, their faces showed no signs of starvation. No whip scars. No hollow eyes.
“Rolf,” he said quietly.
“Yes, sir?”
“We were right. The Empire of Ashen… is nothing like the demon’s den we were told.”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
