Ashen Dragon
Chapter 753 - Chapter 753 Chapter 119 The Surge of War_2

Chapter 753: Chapter 119 The Surge of War_2 Chapter 753: Chapter 119 The Surge of War_2 “Soldiers, on this expedition, we will face an enemy of unprecedented strength, but remember–we are the Retainers of the Great Red Dragon, representing the glory of the Ashen Empire!”

Dragon Vein Goblin overlooked the crowded throng below, hoisting his Bloodfire Battle Axe high and unleashing a vigorous war cry.

“For the Empire–”

The voice, like the roar of a dragon, carried an invisible majesty that shook the heavens and the earth, igniting the passions of the Imperial People and further invigorating the troops.

“For the Empire!”

“For His Majesty Cassius!”

Among the marching ranks, George, clad in military attire and donning the Chimera shoulder badge denoting his colonel rank, turned his head and waved to the crowd.

“Look, it’s Count George!”

“By Cassius above! Lord George! You are my idol!”

“I want to become a hero like Lord George too!” a young child, waving his hat, exclaimed passionately.

A small sensation erupted within the crowd; George had already gained some fame within the Empire, far surpassing other nobles of equal status.

George’s journey from a mere serf to a member of the Dragonblood Nobility has been propagated by the “Imperial Daily” as a quintessential example of the “Empire Dream,” an aspiration for countless commoners of humble beginnings.

His performances during the Demon War were equally splendid, featured in newspapers and inspiring many.

To public enthusiasm and adoration, George had grown accustomed, even relishing in it. He saw his former comrade-in-arms, Baron Grice, also among those bidding farewell, watching him depart.

George was no longer the timorous, baseborn serf he once was; his life had undergone radical change. Now, he was a bright prospect in the Imperial Army, a colonel and a rising Dragonblood Earl.

Stepping beyond the city gates amidst flowers, music, and cheers, George turned his head, his golden, dragon-like vertical pupils observing the fluttering banners on the walls and the towering buildings in the distance.

He had lived for years in this city, a miracle in itself, which had witnessed his growth and ascent. When he would return next, he did not know.

“When I return… I shall shine resplendently, equal to my honors.” George murmured, his slightly gaunt face almost filled with ambition.

As the parade drew to an end, the cheering of the crowd, the booming of gunfire, and the resonant shots mixed with the soldiers’ disciplined roars, like a deluge overwhelming Isdalia, spreading to every corner.

In a rarely frequented back alley, Olivia, draped in a gray robe, silently observed, shrouded in shadows.

After conversing with Cassius, she had stayed here for quite some time.

Olivia was eager to understand what war truly meant for the Ashen Empire.

She had been living here for years but never truly integrated into Imperial society, remaining outside of Cassius’s “new Order,” doing what she believed could make the Empire better.

During the last Demon War, Olivia could understand why the people were fervently protective of their homeland, seeking vengeance for their loved ones and friends.

But now?

Lands under the sun, Emperor-promised territories, a new world order…

Such absurd and elusive reasons, yet countless lives are spent in madness for them.

Olivia failed to comprehend what drove them to do it.

It’s true, military men can gain honor, status, and spoils of war, but what about the common folk? Why should they partake in the brutality of war?

With a bitter smile, Olivia shook her head and said, “Maybe I’m too presumptuous, always believing that the world would operate according to my expectations, following an established Order.

Perhaps… I should truly integrate into Imperial society to understand the views of the people and grasp what Cassius has spoken.”

She bowed her head, grinding her teeth in hesitation; still, she clenched her fists and resolutely left the dark alley.

At the top of the Imperial Senate Hall, in the Prime Minister’s office.

Ramp looked at the silver-haired young woman at the door, and although his ugly face was adorned with a polite smile, a hint of surprise flickered across it.

“Lady Olivia, what brings you…”

“Lord Ramp, I want to join the Imperial Staff.” Her tone was especially firm.

Olivia raised her head, her gaze fixed on the tall Ogre Mage, her blue-grey eyes sparkling with fragments of starlight.

She wanted to thoroughly understand–Cassius’s new Order.

…..

The Fire Elemental Plane, Brass Fortress.

Here, magma still flowed in streams, fire clouds enveloped the sky, and the air was filled with the scent of sulfur, as flames grew rampant like wild weeds.

Selcan rode on the towering back of a multi-headed Flame Serpent Lizard, looking towards the giant Portal that had just appeared not far away, knowing that this was the handiwork of the Imperial Magic Department.

“War, is about to begin again…”

The Half-Red Dragon Folk licked their somewhat dry and chapped keratinous lips, their expressions filled with eager anticipation and excitement.

For him, this was a rare opportunity.

Selcan knew–the more they stood out on the Material Plane’s battlefield, the more likely they were to gain the attention of His Majesty Cassius, prompting the Empire to invest more resources into the Fire Elemental Plane colonies.

And behind him, countless Imperial Soldiers from the Fire Elemental Plane surged out from the Brass Fortress, like a scalding hot river.

Among them were Half-Red Dragon Folk, Fire Lizards, Fire Giants, Fire Element Apostles, and…tens of thousands of Fire Dwarves, identical in appearance.

These Fire Dwarves were produced from the assembly line of the automated reproduction factory, and due to the players’ mischief, some had been made into strangely shaped exceptions.

With the capture by Fire Giant Spirits, and their naturally slow reproduction, no city-state had ever had such a number of Fire Dwarves, yet the Ashen Empire had managed it through these “untraditional” operations.

And these tens of thousands of Fire Dwarves mined ores day and night, constantly swinging their hammers, forging the finest equipment for the Empire, while the Empire’s merchants only had to provide cheap industrial goods in return.

Gazing at the fully-armed, high-spirited Fire Element Plane Army, Selcan raised his flaming Spear, roaring in Common Tongue: “For the Empire–”

“For the Empire!”

Although the Common Tongue was still not fluent, tinged with the crackling tones of the Fire Tribe’s language, these Fire Elemental Creatures converted to the Empire still raised their weapons, shouting in unison.

And those Half-Red Dragon Soldiers who followed Selcan here needed no encouragement, they yelled at the top of their lungs, utterly exhilarated by the thought of returning to their homelands.

Their armor, Battle Axes, longswords, and flails glinted in the firelight, reflecting a metallic sheen.

It must be said, if one were talking about “classical” gear, the Fire Elemental Plane Army might have the finest equipment among all Imperial Armies.

…

The Gloomy Region, Dragon Shadow City.

Beneath the pitch-black sky, the cold wind howled incessantly, the desolate land was cracked throughout, and the black city still stood tall.

Hart stood at the top of the city wall, peering down at everything below with his purely black eyes–

Below, the Skeleton Dragon-Serpents twisted their massive bodies, Skeletons and the Undead advanced like a horrifying grey flood, while Shadow Flying Dragons circled high above, letting out chilling screeches.

The Grey Dwarves, Swamp Bearmen, Underworld Dwarves, Gray Centaurs, and other races that submitted to the Ashen Empire also appeared in the massive military formation.

“It is the decree of His Majesty Cassius. Dwellers of the surface world, be prepared… to face fear and Death.”

Hart drew his stark white Skeleton Longsword from his waist, a ghastly smile emerging on his cadaverous face, the skin tightly stretched over bone.

…

At this moment, the torrent of war surged forward with a mighty roar and bellow, almost unstoppable.

Its impact even spread throughout the Multiverse, affecting not just Anzeta itself, but also the Empire’s colonies in various planes, ready to be transported to the southern battlefield at any moment.

In just a mere three days’ time, the Ashen Empire had fully awoken. Powers in the South barely had time to react, let alone prepare.

These prideful Fianso people had yet to realize–this Empire from the desolate North was about to bring a shocking and profound impact on the continent’s situation.