Ashen Dragon

Jenny looked out of the window at the sky, watching the black smoke billowing from the chimneys of the industrial area with a grave expression.

Her lips parted slightly, "The Ashen Empire..."

Traveling from the South, Jenny had seen everything in the Empire firsthand. She had felt a profound change in the lives of the Anzeta people—something new and unprecedented.

Undeniably, the lives of the Anzeta, once tormented by hunger and cold, had indeed improved significantly.

Yet Jenny also noticed the dangers hidden behind these seemingly beautiful appearances—

War.

This country was like a machine tailored for war, with everyone merely being parts of its vast mechanism.

She had witnessed, in the South, the war brought about by firearms and cannons, which was the source of her vigilance toward the Empire.

With the help of these terrifying weapons, even wars among mortals had become unspeakably brutal, akin to hell descending upon the world.

Jenny could not imagine the disaster that would befall the entire Fianso if this war machine were to operate at full capacity.

The forests, filled with the fragrance of flowers and chirping of birds, would be ruthlessly destroyed by artillery fire, and humans, elves, and halflings would be pierced by a hail of bullets; the land scarred and charred by bombardments...

Moreover, Jenny, having lived among humans for centuries, could see that the Empire's system was deliberately designed by some hidden force—that force being the Ashen Emperor, Cassius.

Toward that Emperor, Jenny harbored hidden hostility, believing that the Red Dragon was likely to become a global threat.

That Red Dragon had severely wounded her father, destroyed a human kingdom, and created a colossal war machine.

Although Osedro had already instructed her not to pursue those old grudges and to assist the Empire in fending off demonic invasions, Jenny found it difficult to dispel the resentment in her heart.

The Melwood Clan were the guardians of Fianso's order; how could they sit idly by as an Empire, poised to disrupt peace and destroy order, grew stronger?

"Cassius, no matter how powerful you are, I will never give up..."

She thought silently.

Jenny crossed her arms in front of her, letting her silver hair cascade like a waterfall over her shoulders, a resolute gleam in her beautiful eyes.

Even if her father did not support her, she would not give up.

She intended not only to fend off the demonic invasion but also to gather intelligence on the Empire and find the Red Dragon's weaknesses, striving to eliminate this threat.

Olivia was still too naive.

This young Silver Dragon was blinded by the Empire's seemingly perfect facade, enchanted by the Red Dragon's words.

But Jenny was confident that she would never make such a mistake.

Suddenly, a rapid ringing sound broke the silence. Olivia took out the communicator from her pocket, her delicate face lighting up with joy at the message.

"Cassius has awakened!"

She exclaimed excitedly.

Olivia turned to Jenny, "And... Aunt, Lord Ramp said Cassius is very willing to meet with you."

"Now?"

"Yes, right now."

But Olivia seemed to remember something, a worried look flashing in her eyes, and after hesitating for a moment, she spoke softly:

"Aunt, I still hope you can let go of your prejudices, especially during the upcoming audience."

She looked into Jenny's similarly blue-gray eyes, her expression serious.

"No matter what you think of the Empire, it is unwise to clash with Cassius at this critical moment.

Demons have always been Melwood's greatest enemy. For nearly a thousand years, Grandfather has been dedicated to keeping demons out of the Prime Material Plane; this is his..."

"I know that, of course."

Jenny sighed softly, cutting Olivia off.

"Olivia, you are still too naive. My perspective remains the same: The enemy of our enemy is not necessarily a friend. Fighting demons does not change the brutal nature of the Empire.

Of course, I will complete the task Father entrusted to me, and I am not foolish enough to confront the Red Dragon directly at this moment."

"Korda Pearl" Jenny.

She also had another title widely known in the good alignment—"Scales of Silver Light."

As the daughter of Osedro, she was acknowledged within the clan as the Silver Dragon most resembling the "Wings of Silver" in character.

Stubborn, loathing evil, and full of wisdom.

Olivia knew she could not change her aunt's mind, so she nodded, "Alright, I'll take you there."

She led the way, preparing to head to the Imperial Senate Hall—where there was a portal leading directly to Northwind Castle.

Jenny watched Olivia's back, her brows furrowing slightly.

Upon learning that Cassius had awakened, she sensed an anomaly in Olivia's emotions—was that... joy?

Could it be that she had truly succumbed to the Red Dragon?

Most of the clan's elders had affirmed Olivia's position as an "Imperial Councilor," believing she could lead the Empire toward justice.

But now, it seemed that might not be the case.

After all, Olivia was a young dragon her father had high hopes for.

At only eighty years old, she had already become an Archmage and was likely to become the successor of the Melwood Clan in a thousand years.

Young dragons were always prone to mistakes; Jenny hoped she had misjudged.

...

Space rippled, and Olivia and Jenny appeared in the administrative hall of Northwind Castle.

"Good day, Lady Olivia."

"Also... You must be the envoy to see His Majesty. Please, follow me."

The Half-Dragon guard had been waiting for a long time. The captain stepped forward respectfully.

"Alright."

Jenny nodded slightly, showing a polite smile.

But she noticed the evident Red Dragon traits in this guard—frilled ears, crimson scales, and a scent of sulfur.

Her eyes instinctively showed hostility.

Half-Red Dragon.

At least in Fianso, these beings were mostly mercenaries from hell, retainers of evil dragons, or high-ranking members of Tiamat's church.

Ordinary Red Dragons could not grant such a high concentration of dragon blood; those who received this "gift" were usually the most devout followers of Tiamat.

For centuries, Jenny had often fought against these fierce-looking beings, yet in Anzeta, she had to ally with them?

This contrast was something she found difficult to accept.

"Father's instructions..."

"This is all for the mission..."

Jenny followed the guards, telling herself inwardly.

Olivia, having served as an Imperial Councilor for a year, was already accustomed to dealing with these "evil races."

Before long, with the guards escorting them, they arrived at the foot of Dragon Mountain—the site of the Royal Palace.

Jenny looked up at the mighty palace forged of steel and rock, integrated with the mountain, a grave expression on her face.

At a glance, she could tell that this palace was not built by human hands but created directly by some spell-like ability.

She also keenly noted that the palace's precision was extraordinary; even her father, a Legendary Mage, would have to expend considerable effort to complete it.

"Is this the residence of that Emperor?"

"It should be... right here."

Olivia was also surprised; in just one year, the palace she had once lived in had changed so dramatically.

Though it had not been completely altered externally, its scale had increased significantly, nearly occupying half of Dragon Mountain.

"Boom—"

The heavy doors slowly opened, and Olivia and Jenny entered one after the other.

After walking a long way, they finally reached the main hall of the palace, before them, hundreds of stone steps.

"We meet again..."

"He must have become even stronger."

For some reason, looking at the door engraved with majestic dragon heads, Olivia felt nervous.

Compared to the image in her memory, the palace had grown in height and grandeur, but the familiar sulfuric scent still permeated the air.

Olivia was certain that this was Cassius's residence.

And Jenny also sensed the overwhelming pressure around them.

Dragon's Might.

And an incredibly powerful Dragon's Might that filled even an adult Silver Dragon like her with dread. Even her father could not achieve such an extent.

Not even the previous Great Elder she had seen, the two-thousand-year-old Ancient Silver Dragon, had such profound Dragon's Might.

This Red Dragon was more powerful than she had imagined.

Thinking this, Jenny's vigilance intensified. She took a deep breath, cold sweat seeping from her fair skin, her silver-gray eyes filled with solemnity.

"Boom—"

The palace doors thundered open.