Ashen Dragon -
Chapter 749 - Chapter 749 Chapter 117 The Peoples Choice_2
Chapter 749: Chapter 117 The People’s Choice_2 Chapter 749: Chapter 117 The People’s Choice_2 The retainers present all lifted their heads, their gazes converging on the massive body of the Red Dragon.
From his elevated position, Cassius looked down upon the crowd, his tone calm as he declared, “Three days, within three days, I want to see the Empire fully enter a state of war readiness.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Ogres, Great Goblins, Humans, Tieflings, and even those more colossal Monsters, the Dragon Beasts, all knelt on one knee, bowing their heads respectfully, echoing in unison.
In the Ashen Empire, every word and deed of the Emperor was worthy of all to follow, study, and ponder; there were even publishers who printed “Emperor’s Admonitions,” which sold exceptionally well within the Empire, enjoyed hot sales.
Three days, that was the deadline set by Cassius.
For any normal great nation, to be battle-ready in three days is an almost impossible task, but the Ashen Empire is different.
Entering a state of war for the Ashen Empire is as simple as pressing a button to start machinery because, in a certain sense, the Empire has never been in a true state of peace.
—-The armament factories continue to churn out weapons and ammunition without cease, and the Imperial Army is also continually training, always ready to be transported to the South via the extensive railway system.
It is a complex machinery that Cassius and the top brass of the Empire have meticulously crafted for war, with every Imperial Citizen involuntarily becoming part of its components.
And now, with the Emperor’s decree, this terrifying machine is about to be fully activated, belching thick smoke, making its presence felt across the vast Fianso Continent.
…
At this moment, the City of Isdalia was already boiling over; even from hundreds of meters in the air, one could hear the fervent shouting from the citizens within the city, and the vigorous and cadenced melody of “Cassius’s Hymn.”
And on the steps of the Great Altar, Olivia, clad in a trim black dress, clutching a thick stack of documents, hastened towards the pinnacle of the Empire.
However, the fully armed Tiefling Guards quickly crossed their spears in front of her, barring her way.
“I’m sorry, Lady Olivia, His Majesty is currently in a private conversation with Lord Ramp; without His Majesty’s verbal command, we cannot let you in.”
“But… I have important matters to discuss with His Majesty!” Olivia’s expression was grave, her words rushed, and even her silver hair seemed somewhat disheveled.
Ignoring the guards’ interception, she persisted in calling out: “His Majesty Cassius—-”
“Let her in.”
That familiar voice came from the top of the altar, and the Tiefling Guards immediately complied, withdrawing their spears to allow the silver-haired girl to pass smoothly.
Olivia strode forward, and what came into view was the Red Dragon, far more massive and more alien than she remembered, coiled atop the altar like a sculpture in a temple, worshipped by all.
For some reason, the Silver Dragon felt that Cassius had become more distant, as if he was no longer the Dragon they could converse with, but had become a lofty existence from myth.
Although they were both in the world, it seemed as if they had entered different dimensions, unable to touch each other.
The words she had planned to say on the way, now lodged in her mouth, and she found herself unable to utter them.
Biting her lip, Olivia hesitated for a long time before mustering the courage to speak: “Your Majesty Cassius, you… have lied to me again.”
“You once promised that the Ashen Empire was only trading weapons, to bring a better life to the people, and would not invade the territory of others, nor start any wars.
Back then, I believed you, and I joined the Imperial Council voluntarily, advocating for the people everywhere, hoping the Ashen Empire would become a more beautiful, more orderly country.”
Olivia defiantly lifted her head, tears shining in her eyes, her voice choked with emotion, verging on tears.
But… you have deceived me again. You said the Empire would not start a war, but what about now? I have seen with my own eyes your declaration of war–more precisely, a declaration of invasion!”
Cassius cracked a smile, responding calmly, “Olivia, the Ashen Empire has always sought peace…”
Olivia, somewhat annoyed, interjected: “Peace? Your soldiers are assembling through those railroads, and countless terrible weapons are being transported to the South; you are going to unleash an even greater disaster in North Aisier!”
“Disaster? I don’t think I’m bringing disaster; what I’m bringing to Fianso is peace.”
Cassius slowly rose to his feet, stretching his body, gently shaking his head, his demeanor and tone leisurely, showing no signs of the seriousness that war was approaching.
“Olivia, did you know? The Tri-Emperor War has been going on for three years now, and it still has not yet stopped.”
According to the data from the Empire’s Statistical Bureau, at least eight million five hundred thousand people died in this conflict, with countless others affected, displaced, made homeless, and this is merely a result of the self-indulgence of three kings.
I have grown weary of the endless warfare on this land; I want to bring peace and order to the tens of millions of people living in Fadlan, to bring them true peace.”
Olivia sarcastically retorted: “The peace you speak of, is it achieved through aggression?”
Unexpectedly, Cassius nodded, speaking with profound meaning: “War is a necessary path to peace. It is not the goal, just a means.”
After the consecutive annihilation of the Three Great Kingdoms, the Empire will bring true order to the Fianso Continent, at least a hundred years of peace–just like what Holy Fadlan did back then.”
“You, you want to crush the Three Great Kingdoms too?”
Red Dragon said righteously: “Of course, they are the root cause of all wars.”
It is precisely these self-proclaimed Divine Descendants who stand above the masses, who plotted and competed for the late emperor’s legacy, that have brewed so many tragedies across the Fianso Continent.”
Cassius’s words were powerful and staunch, as if he was the party of justice, and not the disgraceful invader.
Olivia, trembling with anger, said, “This is sophistry, I’m sick of all this slick talk.
His Majesty Cassius, stop cloaking your speech; you are clearly doing it for your own selfish desires! For the expansion of your own territory! This is blatant aggression!
You are sacrificing your own people, trading their lives for benefits!” At this moment, the emotions of the Silver Dragon finally burst forth.
As inherently good creatures, they find it hard to stand by and watch an aggressive war unfold, especially one where they are part of the aggressors–something no Metal Dragon can tolerate.
“Selfish desires?”
The Red Dragon grinned with a sneer, just shaking his head with extra confidence and letting out a breath of sulfuric smoke.
“No, you are wrong, Olivia.”
He suddenly extended his immense claw, grasping the Silver Dragon, now in human form, in his grasp, then spread his massive wings, stirring them up to create a strong gust, launching himself from the top of the Isdalia Grand Altar into the sky.
“Cassius, what are you trying to do?”
Olivia couldn’t help but shout, and in her panic, she even forgot to use respectful language, but as the young Silver Dragon, she was completely powerless against the Red Dragon now.
Cassius said: “I just want to make one thing clear to you.”
“Clear about what?”
Olivia looked down from the sky, seeing the City of Isdalia abuzz below, with tall chimneys spewing billowing smoke, and those iron monsters in motion.
On the streets, in the squares, and even on the outskirts of the city, there were bustling crowds everywhere, including commoners in plain clothes, guards in armor, and nobles in robes.
“Conquer those damned Southern people! Destroy their armies!”
“Long live His Majesty Cassius! Conquer! Conquer! Conquer!”
“For the grand blueprint of the Ashen Empire!”
Regardless of status, these Imperial People were all fervent and excited, waving the Empire’s flags in their hands, chanting loud and crude slogans.
Even half-grown children took to the streets, selling newspapers, singing war-supporting songs that were popular among the people.
“This is…”
Looking at those faces, all different yet showing similar expressions, Olivia felt somewhat dazed, a bit ironic, and even began to question her own actions.
Was she really “petitioning for the people”? Or just satisfying her own moral convictions?
Cassius flapped his wings, smilingly whispered to the silver-haired girl in his claw: “What I want to correct is–this war, it’s not caused by my own selfish desires, but…
the choice of the Imperial People.”
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