https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-780-The-Rainy-Night-in-Green-Valley-Town/13677693/
Chapter 779: Relief Forces
"Originally... so that's how it is. I never expected the King of Angels to be corrupted by Devil Corruption, reduced to this abomination." Adrian stared up at the Magical Image of the fallen Angel, his eyes wide with astonishment.
Wilhelm’s deal with Hell was already common knowledge throughout the Empire—no secret at all. Especially in the Thrace Great Administrative Region, Imperial officials had spread the narrative widely, branding Wilhelm a traitor who had abandoned his people and allied with Hell, while the Empire of Ashen was portrayed as the heroic force that had rescued the populace from the Waterfire catastrophe.
In a way, the Empire’s propaganda was factually accurate—just selectively so.
In other regions, particularly in Cassander and the Kingdom of Seleucus—former territories of Fadalan—nobles and officials deliberately concealed the truth, painting the Empire of Ashen as an aggressor that had invaded Thrace and slaughtered Fadalan’s remaining people. Only by doing so could they rally their citizens to resist the Empire’s advance.
"It doesn’t matter," Kai Xiusu said, his gaze fixed on the Paladin. His narrow golden vertical pupils glowed with sincerity. "I’ve long grown accustomed to the rumors and gossip slandering the Empire. I believe reality itself will shatter the prejudices others hold."
He turned to face the south, his voice firm and resonant: "Adrian, I have always believed that the Empire of Ashen is the true heir to the Sacred Fadran Spirit Legacy—the only kingdom capable of upholding the light of the Sun."
"And you, Adrian, can become the Empire’s ally. You can become the blade that cuts through Tiamat’s advance!"
The Red Dragon Emperor’s voice rang with unwavering strength. Behind him, the sun blazed forth, casting golden light that outlined his majestic form, radiating an aura of sacred power. His overwhelming charisma even seemed to warp reality itself—before Adrian’s eyes, the Emperor’s figure loomed immense, as if carved from the divine realm, a living Angel of legend.
Emotion stirred within Adrian. He rose to his feet, his voice low and solemn: "Your Majesty, thank you for your trust. What must I do?"
Kai Xiusu turned his head, his expression grave as he gazed southward. "My last hope rests in you—stop the atrocities of the Dragon Worship Church, liberate the Seleucus region, and prevent Feanso from falling into catastrophe."
"I will provide you with the Empire’s finest weapons and gear—those evil Dragon Beasts will fall from the skies, unable to harm mortals ever again."
With a snap of his claw, a procession of Ogre soldiers emerged from beneath the Now Isdalia Grand Altar, carrying dozens of rusted, ancient Anti-Aircraft Guns. There were over a hundred of them—crude, worn, and covered in dust.
But anyone with real knowledge of the Empire’s military would have recognized them instantly: these were the long-forgotten relics from the Ammunition Depot, the "Thunder’s Wrath" artillery—weapons only irregular forces ever used, long discarded.
Yet Adrian, upon seeing them, knelt halfway, his eyes alight with excitement: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I shall not disappoint your trust. I will drive Tiamat from Seleucus!"
"I will send our most loyal and courageous warriors—those with undying resolve, capable of aiding your rebellion and serving as the Dragon Queen’s allies."
"Immortal Warriors?" The words struck Adrian and Rolf like lightning. Though they were far from the front lines, they had heard rumors—whispers of the Empire of Ashen’s Undead Army. Tales said these warriors were forged through vile Necromancy and pacts with Dark Deities, each requiring the sacrifice of hundreds of mortal lives, each a brutal, merciless killing machine.
Kai Xiusu saw their hesitation, their unspoken doubt, and smiled knowingly. "They are warriors from another world—descended from fallen stars that fell to Earth. Those rumors are nothing but baseless fabrications. Besides, with millions of Stellarfallen now scattered across the Empire, and traces appearing in other lands, do you truly believe I would sacrifice the entire Empire to such myths?"
Adrian quickly bowed his head. "Forgive us, Your Majesty. Our prejudice toward you ran too deep."
Kai Xiusu waved it off, raising a claw. Fire surged within, coalescing into a shimmering, intricate Law Force that slowly shaped itself into a small stone tablet.
"This is the Empire’s token—a special teleportation array. Place it on the ground, infuse it with magical energy, and the Empire’s warriors will pour forth from the other side, one after another."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Adrian said, overwhelmed with gratitude. He had never imagined receiving such aid.
"A permanent portal array? This... this is too precious!" Rolf gasped, stunned.
As a mage, he knew full well the value of such a large, stable teleportation network. Even a Legendary Mage would struggle to craft one. And yet, this Emperor gave it away freely—generously, openly.
Was this truly the same Red Dragon he remembered—one of the most greedy, stingy beings in existence?
The Emperor before him bore no resemblance to a true dragon.
"Go, Adrian. Stop the Church’s atrocities. Prevent Tiamat’s descent. The Empire of Ashen will stand behind you, always."
In Adrian and Rolf’s eyes, the Emperor of the Ashen Flame grew ever more enigmatic, his presence towering, divine.
"Your Majesty," they both said, voices thick with emotion, bowing deeply—overwhelmed by the generosity, the fairness, the boundless dignity of this ruler.
Watching their retreating figures, Kai Xiusu’s lips curled into a faint smile. The dragon’s face, so often cold and aloof, now wore a rare, genuine expression of warmth.
Under Lanpu’s direction, the Empire of Ashen had already begun full-scale military mobilization. The conversation between Kai Xiusu and Adrian would be published in The Imperial Daily, broadcast across the Empire.
Guided by official narratives, the people would come to understand Tiamat’s true horror—and answer the call to war against the Five-Colored Dragon Queen.
After long years of attrition warfare with the Dragon Worship Church, the Empire of Ashen would launch a relentless southward advance, crossing the Karl Masts Mountains, devouring the entire Seleucus region, reclaiming most of the old Fadalan Empire’s territory.
"Very soon," Kai Xiusu murmured, gazing southward, "I shall claim my second Eternal Sun God’s Tower. The Path to Divinity is within reach."
After bidding farewell to the Emperor of the Ashen Flame, Adrian and Rolf were escorted by a contingent of Tiefling Guards through a portal conjured by Imperial Court Mages—spanning tens of thousands of miles—before returning to the Kingdom of Seleucus with a massive cargo of military equipment.
Deep in the underground mine shaft, Dragonfang Dwarves and humans were bandaging wounds, discussing how to shake off the pursuit of the Dragon Worship Church.
Then, from the distant tunnel, came the heavy, echoing footsteps of approaching forces—along with the sharp stench of sulfur and gunpowder.
The air in the shaft froze.
Had the Church found them?
Dwarves gripped their battle axes. Humans tightened their holds on longswords, bows, and staves. The tension was unbearable—almost solid.
Arrows were nocked, drawn to the ready, aimed at the cavern’s entrance. Sweat beaded on their palms.
A female Dwarf gritted her teeth. "Damn cursed dogs! Even hiding here, they find us! Let’s fight!"
The human warrior raised a hand, signaling silence. "Wait… those aren’t Cultists. They’re from Hell. Are they… Tiamat’s puppets?"
"Who are you? Drop your weapons!"
"We’re the Church’s dogs! Don’t forget the Dark Deity is sealed in Hell!" The Dwarves roared, their voices brimming with fury.
Then, a familiar voice cut through the tension—coming from the Tiefling column.
"Relax. It’s me. We’ve brought reinforcements from the Empire of Ashen. We’re back."
Relief washed over their faces.
Adrian and Rolf stepped forward from the ranks. Behind them, crates upon crates of military gear spilled out—rifles, cannons, ammunition.
The adjutant rushed forward, embracing Adrian. "You’re back! And you brought this? It’s incredible!"
A Dwarf opened a crate, staring at the firearms in awe. "Can these fire-sticks kill a Death Dragon?"
An experienced human stepped forward, picking up a rifle, examining the engraved markings. His voice trembled with excitement. "It’s genuine Claudew Military Industry Group gear—nothing like those cheap imitations!"
Rolf spoke with quiet authority. "These weapons and cannons are enough to arm a thousand-man army. We can establish a stronghold in northern Seleucus."
"But the real problem," he added, "is where to go. The Church has cut off all communication. Everywhere is swarming with Dragon Beasts and Cultists. We have no idea what’s happening nearby."
Silence hung for a long moment—then the female Dwarf spoke up.
"Green Valley Town. It’s still intact. Duke Franz is holding the garrison there with his Guardian Legion."
Adrian frowned. "Duke Franz wasn’t fighting the Church’s main force in the east, leading the Second Fadalan Allied Forces?"
The Dwarf sighed. "The sudden appearance of Deep Crimson Embers—Dragon Flame incinerated tens of thousands of Allied soldiers. Duke Franz was severely wounded and fled here with the remnants of his army."
"Only..." She hesitated.
"Only what?" Adrian pressed.
The Dwarf looked up, her voice heavy. "Tiamat’s vassal army is gathering at Green Valley Town. The Dragon Queen herself has issued a Divine Oracle—declaring she will exterminate Duke Franz."
"Ten Five-Colored Dragons. Hundreds of Dragon Beasts. Thousands of Cultists. They’ll be there soon."
The mine shaft fell silent. Everyone knew what that meant.
The human adjutant stepped forward. "Sir, this isn’t a battle we can win. We’re just scattered remnants. How can we face such horrors?"
"I’ve had enough," Adrian said, his voice like steel. "I’ve had enough of running, of fleeing, of hiding. Can we truly save Seleucus by fleeing forever? By letting them burn one city after another?"
"Today, a town falls. Tomorrow, another. As long as we don’t rise up, there will come a day when Dragon’s greed consumes us all."
"Let them declare war. Let them try to wipe us out."
He gripped his sword hilt, eyes blazing with resolve. "Then we go to Green Valley Town. We join Duke Franz. We crush those damned evil Dragons and their Cultist hordes!"
With a sharp clink, he drew his longsword.
"Seleucus belongs only to the brave, fearless people of Fadalan. It will never be the domain of those evil Dragons!"
He scanned the faces around him, his gaze fierce, burning with uncontainable rage. "Can you still stand by while those beasts slaughter our people, raid our homes, steal our wealth?"
He raised his sword high, his voice thundering: "We need battle! We need the pursuit of freedom! We will never be slaves to evil Dragons—no matter the cost!"
"To Green Valley Town! Fight to the death!"
"Fight to the death!"
The Dragonfang Dwarves stood first, raising iron hammers and battle axes, shouting in unison with Adrian.
Then the weary humans—long suppressed, long suffering—let out a guttural roar, releasing years of pent-up fury.
They had run long enough.
Now, a chance for battle had come. They would make the Dragons and their Cultists pay in blood. Blood for blood. Cost of blood.
---
Empire of Ashen, Thrace Great Administrative Region, August
In the Thrace Arena, a Stuffed Bun rode a Wyvern down from the sky, plunging a rifle straight through the chest of a Paladin clad in beast-leather armor. But instead of cheers, the audience stood in stunned silence—then erupted into boos.
"Ugh—"
"Stuffed Bun old fraud! Go update already! Stop showing off!"
"Shameless! How many levels is this fossil? Still entering the Newcomer Arena?"
Stuffed Bun grinned, flashing a finger at the crowd in a mocking "shush" gesture. "No level limit, right? Who said max-level players can’t compete?"
"Shouldn’t you be applauding my outstanding performance? One move, one kill—so stylish!"
"Retire! Retire! Retire!"
"Shameless old cheat!"
The jeers surged like a tidal wave. Someone even threw a rotten egg—only for the arena’s protective shield to deflect it harmlessly, missing the grinning face of Stuffed Bun.
The host grimaced, voice strained. "Well… let’s congratulate contestant I Don’t Eat Stuffed Bun for winning this year’s New Star Cup! Prize: Defense Team Armor set and a Novice Steel Sword."
"Thank you, thank you!" Stuffed Bun beamed, accepting the green-quality gear and waving at the crowd—earning more furious shouts.
Back in the player lounge, Stuffed Bun suddenly noticed a new quest appearing on his character sheet. His eyes lit up.
"Is this… a new main quest?"
---
[Dragon Tyranny]
[Quest Description: After a thousand years, Tiamat’s followers have returned to Earth. The shadow of the Dragon once again looms over the world, suffocating all with fear. The Dragon Worship Cult, allied with the Five-Colored Dragons, dragon-like creatures, and human traitors, burns, kills, and raids across the land, conducting rituals to break Tiamat’s seal in the Nine Hells and allow her return to the Material Plane.
Heroes, unite with the rebellion group known as "Second Fadalan." Through investigation, battle, and resistance, defeat the conspiracy of the Dragon Worship Church.
—As the Minstrel sings: "When Dragon Wings blot out the sun, Heroes march forth in flame; though tyranny falls, greed endures forever."]
(End of Chapter)
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