Translated Chapter
387. Persuasion
The hall fell into sudden silence. Though Navin kept his head lowered, his face brimmed with confidence. Dragons, no matter how extraordinary, were ultimately creatures of greed—this was their eternal nature. And he believed: no dragon could resist the price offered by the Cassander Kingdom. Millions of square kilometers of territory, mountains of gold coins—enough to drive any human ruler mad. How could a greedy dragon possibly refuse?
So he stood still, waiting. Waiting for the approval of the “Red Emperor” before him, eager to report the good news of securing strong support to his sovereign.
Sure enough, Kai Xiusu’s voice echoed through the vast, empty hall. But the sound froze Navin’s expression.
“No.”
“I cannot agree to your request. Please convey my thanks to King Otis for his kind offer.”
Navin stepped forward, urgency tugging at his tone. “Your Majesty, why?”
“This is a golden opportunity! With our collaboration, you would gain not only millions in gold, but your empire would also reap countless benefits—perhaps even expand southward!”
“I’ve always been a monarch who values peace,” Kai Xiusu said with a faint, almost amused smile, speaking slowly and deliberately. “My nation has only just recovered from war. My people have only recently been liberated from the oppression of the Northern Nobles. For my empire right now, the most important thing is rest and recovery—not endless conquest.”
“Return to your King Otis,” he added, “and tell him I send my blessings. May he one day reclaim his homeland and restore the glory of the Sacred Fedran.”
“As for me, I am merely an ordinary monarch who seeks peaceful development.”
Impossible. Navin’s pupils contracted sharply. He couldn’t fathom it—how could a greedy Red Dragon turn down such an obvious advantage?
Had he stumbled upon a miracle? A dragon who actually cared for his people, one who prioritized the nation over greed?
Nonsense. Who would ever think such words could describe a Red Dragon?
He’d sooner believe the sun rose in the west from Amanata’s neglect than accept that a Red Dragon would willingly abandon such benefits—especially over some absurd excuse like “prioritizing the people.”
Perhaps the price just wasn’t high enough. More money was needed.
With clenched teeth, Navin declared firmly: “If you act, King Otis is willing to donate five million gold coins to your empire—and share vast quantities of magical knowledge!”
Sure enough, the Red Dragon seemed to waver.
“I see King Otis’s sincerity,” Navin’s face lit up with relief. “No wonder he’s the heir to that legacy.”
It was a necessary cost. Five million gold coins still fell within the expected budget. Returning with this outcome would be acceptable—barely.
But then Kai Xiusu paused.
“Still… this matter concerns the livelihood of my nation. We must consider it carefully.”
“But Your Majesty—” Navin tried once more to persuade.
Kai Xiusu’s expression turned cold, cutting him off mid-sentence. “Enough. Do not test my patience. Do not attempt to manipulate my decision.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“We shall take our leave now, not to disturb your rest. May Amanata’s protection be upon you.”
Navin bowed stiffly, retreating with a grim resignation.
Perhaps… he thought, exhaling slowly, this Red Dragon truly does care for his people?
But he had no idea that his initial suspicion had been correct—only the opposite. Navin had vastly underestimated the Red Dragon’s greed.
Kai Xiusu was not indifferent to the Thrace Kingdom. He desired far more than mere millions in gold or two-thirds of its territory. His craving extended to the entire Faldran Empire, the entire Feiansuo Continent, even the whole of Alerzage World.
Allowing Cassander to gain an advantage in the Tri-Emperor Confrontation would not serve his plans. It was unworthy of his ambition to annex the entire Faldran Empire.
Soon, the Cassander delegation—escorted and watched by Tiefling soldiers—departed in haste. They had come bearing reports and ledgers, but left empty-handed, their hopes crushed.
Inside the royal palace, Kai Xiusu did not rest. Instead, he grinned.
“The Cassander envoy has left.”
“Enter, guest from the Kingdom of Thrace.”
The secret envoy of Thrace Kingdom—Deyef Marshall—entered the palace through the secondary hall, tense and guarded by an Ogre. He had arrived shortly after the Cassander envoy, but had been directed to wait in the antechamber.
Now, his expression was grim.
Just moments ago, he had overheard the Cassander Kingdom’s plot to ally with the Empire of Ashen against Thrace—a geopolitical disaster for his nation. The offer had been dangerously tempting: five million gold coins, vast magical knowledge, and the conquest of two-thirds of Thrace’s lands. Even Deyef had felt his resolve tremble.
But the Red Emperor had refused.
Still, Deyef did not relax. He dismissed the “prioritizing the people” excuse as hollow. The Emperor’s refusal could only mean one thing: the Empire of Ashen wanted something from Thrace—something valuable.
With that thought, Deyef took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. He stepped forward, bowed deeply at the foot of the stairs.
“Good day, King Kai Xiusu.”
Kai Xiusu offered no greeting. Instead, his pale golden eyes fixed on Deyef with an overwhelming, piercing gaze.
“You heard what the Cassander envoy said, didn’t you?”
Sweat broke out across Deyef’s forehead. He replied quietly, “I am only a southern envoy. How could I dare eavesdrop on your private words?”
“Hmph.” Kai Xiusu chuckled. “Do not worry. I deliberately let you hear it. I could have kept it from you, if I wished.”
Yet Deyef felt no relief—only greater tension. He knew the real test had just begun.
“So,” Kai Xiusu said, his voice low and heavy, as if an invisible aura of intimidation pressed down upon him, making it hard to breathe. “Give me a reason.”
“A reason not to attack Thrace.”
“Five million gold coins. Vast magical knowledge. Two-thirds of your kingdom’s territory. That was Cassander’s offer.”
“What will you give me in return?”
Under the shadow of the Dragon, Deyef lifted his trembling head. In those deep, pale gold eyes, he saw nothing but endless greed.
(End of Chapter)
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