Ashen Dragon
Chapter 750 - Chapter 750 Chapter 118 The Emperors Decree

Chapter 750: Chapter 118 The Emperor’s Decree Chapter 750: Chapter 118 The Emperor’s Decree The Imperial People’s choice.

Upon hearing Cassius’s words, Olivia’s heart trembled violently. She wanted to escape, but still involuntarily looked toward the people on the ground, especially their faces–

“How could this be…”

Those who heard the news of the war not only did not show the expected fear, panic, or disgust. Instead, each and every one of them had crimson faces, with radiant smiles on those varying countenances.

Workers in the arsenal were happy because war would bring orders like snowflakes.

Though overtime was exceptionally tiring, it could bring them ample rewards, allowing them to buy homes in the city sooner and become true citizens of Isdalia.

The soldiers in the army were happy because war would bring them honor and status.

In the eyes of the soldiers, under the protection of the Ashen Empire’s Emperor, symbolizing strength and victory, they were invincible, victorious in battle. War was merely a ladder to climb to higher positions, a trial for the brave.

The tavern owners and waitstaff were also happy because war would bring a boom in business.

After the war ended, soldiers flush with military pay and spoils of war would flood into taverns, spending lavishly, reveling all night long, even scattering Gold Coins everywhere.

As for the players, they were even more excited; they popped champagne and even streaked naked on the streets to celebrate this long-awaited good news.

In their eyes, where was the cruelty of war? This was all about grinding Experience, looting equipment, a massive dungeon!

…

After seeing the Imperial People of various identities and status all cheering for the arrival of war, Olivia fell into deep self-doubt.

She did not know what to say for a moment.

Why, why was everyone celebrating when they were about to plunge into war–could it be that only she was wrong?

Could this war of aggression truly be just?

Olivia remembered Cassius’s words from earlier: “War is a means, not an end.” “The Empire will bring true Order to the Fianso Continent.” “This is not out of self-interest, but is the collective choice of the Imperial People”…

The voice of the Red Dragon seemed to possess some Magic Power, making Olivia agree from the bottom of her heart, slowly dragging her thoughts into The Abyss.

In an instant, Olivia’s mind flashed with countless oil painting-like images: The people of Fadlan wailing in Artillery Fire, the Red Dragon circling in the sky, the Imperial Workers laboring day and night in the factories.

And in the end, the image rested on the Ancient Silver Dragon symbolizing the old order plummeting from the sky…

Olivia shook her head violently, murmuring in a low voice, her eyes already blurred: “No, it shouldn’t be like this, the Order of the future shouldn’t look like this, it’s too cruel, too tyrannical.”

Cassius lowered his head, smiling as he approached the silver-haired girl, that sulfur-scented, somewhat scorching breath sweeping over Olivia’s pale face.

The eyes of the Red Dragon, with their pale gold vertical pupils, looked strangely at her, like they were observing a newborn baby, making Olivia feel somewhat uncomfortable.

“Olivia, you are still too naive.”

Cassius lifted his head, looking at the Sun in the sky, sighing: “The old Order is teetering, and all antiquated economic forms, all corresponding relations and political systems will be shattered.”

After the thunderous collapse of the old Order, an era of chaos will arrive, and from the darkness and turmoil, a new Order will emerge.

Just like any metamorphosis in the natural world, this process of transformation is inevitably bloody and cruel; it must be accompanied by countless deaths, countless families shattered… it’s unstoppable by anyone.”

Cassius looked down again, staring intently at Olivia who looked especially tiny in his massive claws, his voice heavy: “Olivia, I thought you would understand me.

I just want to use the Empire’s strength to hasten this inevitable process, to shorten people’s suffering, like… using a scalpel to cut open the skin, to extract that newborn child.”

“Cassius, you…..”

Olivia looked up, stunned at that face exuding a touch of sorrowful majesty, not knowing whether it was a genuine emotion or yet another deceit.

Although she still couldn’t fully comprehend Cassius’s words, she was already vaguely persuaded by him.

Maybe–this Red Dragon, unlike any other, was truly saving the world?

Olivia felt the space around her distort, her head spinning, and when she came back to her senses, she had already left the giant claw of the Red Dragon, staggering onto the Isdalia Grand Altar.

She looked up to see the Emperor of the Crimson Dragon showing his people that magnificent, towering figure, spreading those extremely broad wings, casting a huge shadow inside the City of Isdalia.

“Roar–”

The Red Dragon slowly raised its head, letting out a long, earth-shaking roar that echoed throughout the Anzeta Great Wilderness.

Olivia looked down, only to see the people in the city looking towards the Red Dragon in the sky with devotion, even bordering on zealotry.

“Cassius above, truly it is His Imperial Majesty! It is Him!”

“Praise the Great Red Dragon!”

“As long as His Majesty is with us, we will surely win!”

They crowded forward, like worshippers, even kneeling down to kiss the ground, because being in the shadow of the wings was an utmost honor.