Ashen Dragon

Was he overexploiting?

But to say the least, the ogre he had personally groomed was indeed a useful retainer.

Ramp gave a fawning smile and said, "Master, you have grown stronger again."

The ogre cautiously lifted his head and fervently praised, "There has never been a dragon like you in this world!

Your physique is as majestic as the earth, your wings as vast as the sky, your tail as winding as the mountains..."

"Ramp, you should know I'm not here to listen to these bard clichés."

Cassius interrupted him.

"Of course, Master."

You are still so humble, dedicated wholly to the empire..."

The ogre scratched his head and chuckled, then took out a magic stone from a dimensional pocket in his mage robe.

"Swish——"

Instantly, numerous magic images appeared in mid-air, with detailed text accompanied by rich graphics and tables.

If this ogre applied for a job on Earth, he'd likely receive an "excellent at office software" assessment.

Ramp put on gold-rimmed glasses, and the expression on his ugly face became serious and earnest.

"Master, after the Starfallen left, the empire's economic growth has slowed, and technological development has nearly stagnated..."

"I know."

Cassius slightly nodded; this was what he had anticipated. After all, workers as cheap and useful as the players were indeed rare.

"However, the scale of the war in the South continues to expand, and our weapon orders are still exceeding supply. As you predicted, the military industry is still booming, with a monthly net profit reaching one million Ginnar..."

"But the expansion of the military-industrial complex has also given rise to various social issues, such as domestic violence incidents. Thus, I have taken the liberty to implement some special measures..."

"In terms of agriculture, the construction of the Matra Great Farmland has been essentially completed and can supply seventy percent of the nation's grain. And at the Stormy Ridge Yuan Cattle Ranch and Dragon Beast Ranch, high-quality breeds are being cultivated according to your directives..."

"Culturally, the Imperial Propaganda Department has followed your instructions, combining the manuscripts left by the Starfallen for further ideological education..."

"Additionally..."

"Page thirty-six..."

"On page eighty-seven, I have organized the proportions of various industries and their growth trends..."

"On page one hundred twenty-one, I have compiled conflicts among different races..."

Ramp's presentation covered more than two hundred pages, encompassing various aspects of the empire's recent political, economic, cultural, and military developments.

After all, what he needed to consider now was not the kingdom that only ruled parts of the northern regions, nor the monster nest that only controlled the Stormy Ridge.

The current Ashen Empire was a vast, complex, and diverse empire.

It had a population of over eight million, with a total area of nearly four million square kilometers, spanning the Anzeta Great Wilderness, Cartapa Region, Gloomy Region, and even the Elemental Plane of Fire.

Humans, Serpentfolk, Tieflings, Ogres, Great Goblins, Half-Orcs, Fire Dwarves, Gray Dwarves, Half-Goat People, Kobolds, Lizardfolk...

According to official statistics, there were thirty-four intelligent races within the Ashen Empire's territory. If certain "non-citizens" were included, the number would be even higher.

And this vast expanse, with its numerous races and the impact of new technologies, made the empire's social structure more complex and changeable than any country that had ever existed in the world.

As the Imperial Prime Minister, Ramp was undoubtedly inundated with responsibilities.

However, Ramp's dull and monotonous report soon made the just-awakened Cassius yawn, feeling somewhat drowsy.

Hot flames appeared from his mouth, and scalding gray smoke seeped through his teeth.

It was indeed better to be a hands-off leader, throwing out a general idea and leaving the rest to capable subordinates.

Cassius, observing the talkative and eloquent Ramp, suddenly asked curiously, "Ramp, how do you manage to handle so many tasks simultaneously?"

Ramp froze in place, seemingly recalling some unpleasant experience, and forced a smile.

"Your Majesty, I am only doing what I should do!"

"I bought a scroll of Multiple Illusion Technique from Thrace, allowing myself to split into multiple illusionary duplicates, so I can manage tasks simultaneously."

"I see."

Cassius did not pay much attention.

But Ramp did not tell him that these illusions and the main body had direct mental links, meaning the Ogre Mage had been maintaining multi-threaded operations for years.

And half a year ago, under the immense work pressure, one of Ramp's illusions actually "awoke." It attempted to escape and planned to kill Ramp, almost bringing disaster to the Council Hall.

"In dealing with state affairs, you have always done well," Cassius praised.

The Red Dragon slowly stood up, gazing at Ramp with his golden eyes, and said solemnly:

"But... have demons appeared?

The time of the prophesied demon invasion is drawing near; the empire needs to handle this with utmost caution."

Ramp also nodded gravely, turning to the last page on the magic image:

"Master, your words were correct. Over the past year, demons have launched several small-scale attacks on the empire, resulting in hundreds of casualties."

"The last attack occurred three days ago, precisely on your Coronation Day, when a seducing demon disguised as a human infiltrated Isdalia, attempting to corrupt Imperial citizens and incite rebellion.

Fortunately, Miss Misha intervened in time and killed that demon."