Above The Sky
Chapter 400 - 400 371 Proof of the Tyrant 13

400: Chapter 371 Proof of the Tyrant (1/3) 400: Chapter 371 Proof of the Tyrant (1/3) During the reign of former Emperor Yinaiga II, in order to eradicate the numerous Magical Beast Nests in the eastern part of The Empire, it was necessary to mobilize the army, blockade the region, prevent the wandering of Magical Beasts that might endanger the surrounding villages, towns, and cities, and also require heavy firepower to bombard the nest structures.

Hence, it naturally followed to requisition supplies and accumulate various war materials from the surrounding provinces.

However, before the army could set out, twenty-nine large granaries scattered across the eastern provinces were completely consumed by a massive fire overnight.

The intensity of the fire was so great that even magma spewed forth, turning the site of the granaries into a volcanic scorched earth.

In addition to the designated Grain Guard Army, Sublimators also guarded the grain depots.

It wasn’t just fires they were prepared for—even if a volcano erupted, as long as it wasn’t the main flow of magma, they could still manage to hold it off.

Yet everyone uniformly claimed that on the night the granaries burned down, they saw a Flaming True Dragon with fiery red scales soar across the sky, spitting fireballs, resembling shooting stars.

Without a doubt, it was an Ancient Dragon that had set the granaries ablaze!

It was common knowledge that encountering an Ancient Dragon was akin to facing a natural disaster.

The granaries being destroyed by a natural disaster was indeed not their responsibility.

This became a lore of Terra World, the origin of “dragon fire burning granaries.”

Upon hearing this, Yinaiga II flew into a rage.

He personally took action, capturing all the captains of the guard and Sublimators from those twenty-nine granaries, hanging them on the lampposts of the main city square, and leaving behind the tyrannical declaration for posterity: “You useless lot, even if I killed ten out of ten, I’d still feel there are fish that slipped through the net!”

This incident contributed to Yinaiga II’s later reputation as a tyrant—one who, to wage a costly and burdensome war, didn’t hesitate to deplete significant manpower in stockpiling food.

Even when faced with divine warnings in the form of natural disasters, he refused to repent and stubbornly insisted on going to war, executing all the innocent officials and soldiers affected by the disaster, and showed no regard for the laws of The Empire, undoubtedly making him a despot.

How terrifying!

Killing ten out of ten didn’t seem enough, such was the bloodthirstiness of the tyrant!

To this, Ian’s assessment was: Good riddance!

The more the better, he loved to see it!

When Ian first read about this in the history books of The Empire, he looked as if he’d seen something filthy…

Who were they kidding?

To record such matters openly and then use them to prove that Yinaiga II was a tyrant?

But there was no helping it; that’s pretty much how history is.

It cannot be said to be entirely Nihility, but some events, when put another way or narrated from a different perspective, really give an entirely different impression.

This so-called grand theft was but a blatant case of the dragon fire burning granaries, with Baron Leyan probably collaborating with Marquis Barton or other high-ranking Nobles to secretly corner the batch of materials meant to be sold at base price to the official Empire.

And the real identities of these omnipotent thieves would not surprisingly turn out to be the special forces from Fiery Flame Land.

A scapegoat, indeed!

Since the activities in Fiery Flame Land had been so frequent lately, it would be a waste not to make use of them.

Ian speculated that Baron Leyan had become aware of the increasingly frequent activities in Fiery Flame Land.

Or perhaps, he even knew of the biological warfare information Ian had recently reported to the Viscount.

Unwilling to be left out, he wanted to make a huge profit.

As for the rest, Ian couldn’t be bothered to ponder over the doubtful points.

In any case, he’d know once he took a look around with his Foresight View.

If he could see large swaths of blue-purple fog, then he’d know his conjecture was correct.

Prophet trial and error, as crude and simple as that.

“Now it’s going to be difficult to buy quality goods.”

Standing on the street and feeling the droplets of a light rain falling, Ian touched the anti-poison structure beneath his helmet and pondered, “But I remember Leyan Territory only has seven or eight Sublimators, most of whom are like the Wave Singers—a specialized type.

They probably can’t silence me—so I’ll just go and ask to buy it directly.”

In Harrison Port, the number of Sublimators reached double digits.

Not to mention others, the Guard Squad and three ship crews alone made up more than ten people.

Although most of them had a potential of only reaching the First Energy Level or the Second Energy Level at best, like the typical Wave Singers, Sublimators were Sublimators nonetheless, placing them at the pinnacle of Harrison Port.

“Indeed, but the Baron himself is of the Second Energy Level.”

Anfa nodded in agreement, “In the end, my Lord, you are a Knight after all, and there is still room for negotiation, but I need to leave this place earlier, lest I get embroiled in this and end up mistakenly labeled as an informant for the thieves.”

Ian turned to look and saw that the Elves Scholar indeed had acquired a new set of luggage, leading a pony at the back, ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

Anfa’s original purpose in coming to Leyan Territory, aside from replenishing the supplies lost in the Sharp Claw Tiger’s ambush, was to conduct some studies, such as investigating the connections between Leyan Territory and the Mountain People, as mentioned during their previous conversations.

However, after sensing the abnormal atmosphere, he decided to leave ahead of schedule.

The intelligence of wise individuals lies in knowing when to flee, rather than becoming trapped.

Although the blame could be laid on the Fiery Flame Land special forces, Baron Leyan did not even need to find scapegoats, yet if there were any, the argument would be much more convincing.

After all, Ian was a knight, and as such, he was somewhat related to the situation, making it difficult to pin the blame on him, but Anfa, the foreigner, was a perfect fit.

No one said that Elves couldn’t be in Fiery Flame Land, right?

“A wise choice,”

Ian nodded slightly and bade him farewell, “Then I hope there will be another chance to meet.”

“You are also an interesting knight, farewell,” the Elves Scholar returned the gesture and parted ways.

Anfa’s departure was an interlude; Ian walked alone on the streets, watching the color of the Frost Butterfly within his helmet.

He was somewhat surprised to discover that the future he had envisioned of “speaking bluntly about wanting to buy Two-Year Shimmering Dawn Grass” turned out to be a dazzling purple.

The Frost Butterfly would benefit from this—judging by “the Little Fairy will benefit from the Great Fairy’s advancement,” his own advancement was obviously very successful.

This meant his actions would go smoothly, Baron Leyan would sell him the Two-Year Shimmering Dawn Grass without hesitation, and he wouldn’t even use the excuse of the Radiance Grass being stolen to stall…

it was almost as if he wanted to get rid of him.

There might be other possibilities, but the outcome was good.

“Good news.”

With a slight nod, Ian had no desire to get more involved in this matter.

He did not mind getting his hands dirty, but it was better to avoid sludge if possible.

He returned to the accommodation building of the Platinum Iridium Workshop, waiting for the Steward of Baron Leyan’s manor to notify him.

At noon, the notification came; an old man, almost bald and now concealing it with a wig, brought the Baron’s greetings.

He said that Baron Leyan was aware of Ian’s identity and purpose, and he was eager to meet such a talented young man and have lunch together.

So Ian set off for the fortress.

Guided by the Steward, they walked under the gloomy sky on damp streets, following a winding road to the edge of the city, towards the building on the cliff.

Tall and sturdy, the fortress partook in Qing Steel Stone to withstand artillery attacks, the walls and towers adorned with moss and ivy exuded an air of antiquity.

Ian saw next to the castle’s stables, a servant leading a brown steed into the stable.

It seemed there were other guests before him, and rather urgently at that.

“Please forgive me, Your Excellency, the master has some urgent matters and is temporarily unable to receive you.”

As expected, upon entering the interior of the castle, after the Steward saw a few hand signals from other servants, he bowed regretfully and apologetically to Ian, “Excuse me.

If you don’t mind, please rest in the drawing room for a while and taste the flower tea from Leyan City.”

“I don’t mind.”

Ian also wanted to try what the flower tea tasted like, considering the splendid sea of flowers outside the city, he was quite looking forward to it.

Boom.

The sound of thunder rumbled outside, and the rain intensified.