Ashen Dragon

Thick smoke rushed in, its suffocating odor filling the hall, and Jennies lifted her head, her pupils suddenly dilating.

Her lips parted slightly, murmuring, "That is... the Ashen Emperor."

The smoke gradually cleared, revealing a massive figure at the end of the steps, atop the towering steel throne.

There lay an enormous Red Dragon, lounging comfortably.

By Bahamut!

What a giant dragon it was!

Jennies had never seen such a Red Dragon, its size surpassing even the grand Ancient Gold Dragon of her memories.

Smoke intermittently puffed from between its scales, its vast dragon's body resembling a rolling volcano, seemingly ready to erupt with scalding lava at any moment.

And that Dragon's Might was even more terrifying, causing the well-traveled Jennies to stand transfixed in place, trembling deep within her soul.

An Ancient Red Dragon!

No, it was more than just an Ancient Dragon!

The metallic sheen of its scales, the crystal at its chest, and the unique horns all indicated this dragon was out of the ordinary.

Reluctantly, she realized that from the moment she saw this Red Dragon, she felt an almost irresistible urge to bow down in worship.

This reminded Jennies of the ancient clan legends—those dragons that ignited divine flames and ascended to immortality...

At this moment, Cassius lowered his head to gaze at the arrivals, a smile flickering in his lava sphere-like golden eyes.

"Long time no see, Olivia. Ramp has told me of your deeds; it seems you completed my task well."

He paused, eyes burning as they focused on Jennies.

"And... this unfamiliar guest, won't you introduce yourself?"

Hearing Cassius's words, Olivia nodded nervously yet somewhat pleased.

Jennies finally snapped out of her shock and panic.

She brushed her silver hair behind her ear, forced a smile, then lowered her head, lifted her skirt, and performed a standard curtsy.

Suppressing her turbulent emotions, Jennies spoke in a steady tone:

"Jennies, envoy of the Melwood Clan, greets His Majesty Cassius."

Olivia quietly added beside her, "Jennies is my aunt, the most outstanding member of our generation, deeply trusted by our grandfather.

This time, grandfather specifically sent her here; surely this shows Melwood's sincerity."

"Oh?"

Cassius eyed Jennies's voluptuous form with interested eyes.

"How amusing, this is the daughter of that old fellow? No wonder I felt a sense of familiarity."

Jennies felt a wave of displeasure at Cassius's words.

After a moment's thought, she spoke loudly, "When Olivia returned, the elders within the clan were in heated debate, each holding their opinions. It was my father who overcame all opposition to make this cooperation possible.

His Majesty Cassius, if I may speak frankly..."

"Aunt, that's enough..."

Olivia tugged at Jennies's skirt, signaling her to soften her tone.

She absolutely did not want the Melwood Clan to become an enemy of Cassius.

After all, Olivia knew well that although Cassius could not be considered a pure evil dragon, his methods against enemies were crueler than even those dragons.

The blood-stained guillotines scattered throughout the empire were the most direct proof.

As a silver dragon recognized as most similar in temperament to the young Osedro, Jennies was not easily swayed.

Ignoring Olivia's attempt to stop her, Jennies continued, "Shouldn't you show the most basic respect to future allies?"

"Respect?"

Cassius slowly stood, his powerful back muscles lifting his wing bones upright, spreading his vast wings, casting a tremendous shadow.

Immediately, an almost tangible Dragon's Might surged forth like a tidal wave, causing Jennies to tremble uncontrollably.

"Crash!"

A crisp sound echoed.

Jennies looked up in terror to see a crystal ball glowing with spell energy floating in midair, its shimmering fragments falling to the ground.

The Red Dragon glared coldly at Jennies, his voice heavy, "Using a spell to detect weaknesses on an ally, is this the sincerity of the Melwood Clan?

Clearly, you do not respect me."

"This... impossible!"

"How did you discover..."

Jennies's face turned pale, her body limp, nearly collapsing to the floor.

It was the Crystal Ball of Truth Inquiry she borrowed from Trafalgar, capable of detecting an enemy's weaknesses.

Even a Legendary Mage would find it hard to discover its presence without profound divination spell knowledge.

This Red Dragon was clearly a barbaric magician, how did he detect such a delicate spell?

Cassius advanced step by step, exuding a tremendous aura, "Indeed, you are that old fellow's daughter, arrogant, stubborn, and hypocritical...

Did you never ask that old fellow about my spellcasting ability?"

"Swish!"

Under immense pressure, Jennies could not even maintain her human form, and with a flicker of magical aura, her shape-shifting spell dissipated instantly.

"Roar..."

A nearly twenty-meter-long Silver Dragon suddenly appeared in the hall, struggling desperately, letting out panicked whimpers.

But in front of the forty-five-meter-long Red Dragon, this adult Silver Dragon appeared so small, even trembling like a helpless cub.

Cassius did not move. Merely releasing that ancestral dragon's pressure, the Silver Dragon was pressed to the ground, unable even to lift her tail.

"No, not like this..."

Jennies shook her head with effort, stammering.

In her centuries-long dragon life, she had never faced such a terrifying opponent. In the past, powerful enemies, out of reverence for her father, rarely acted directly against her.

Even the five-colored dragons avoided provoking an ancient silver dragon favored by Bahamut, often keeping a respectful distance.

But now, for the first time, Jennies felt her life truly threatened, and her deeply buried pride dissolved completely.

The Silver Dragon's heart pounded.

Perhaps she really would die!

And this time, not even her proud father, "Wings of Silver" Osedro, could save her!

Jennies used all her strength to lift her head, her vision already blurring, but she could still see that enormous figure, suddenly feeling an unprecedented emotion.

At this moment, Cassius finally approached Jennies.

He mercilessly pressed his massive left claw onto the Silver Dragon's back, coldly saying:

"Jennies, put away your ludicrous tricks.

If you represent Melwood's will, the old fellow's will, then I can only see this as provocation, even—war."

At the last word, Cassius applied a little more pressure, crushing the Silver Dragon to the ground, causing her to groan.

"No..."

"Wait, Cassius."

Olivia struggled to suppress her fear of the Dragon's Might, extending her hand in desperation.

This all happened too suddenly, even she had not reacted.

Olivia never expected her aunt to dare provoke Cassius to his face, even angering him!

The worst-case scenario had unfolded. If not handled properly, the Melwood Clan could become an enemy to the empire.

This would be a complete diplomatic disaster for the Melwood Clan, and even the whole Metal Dragon Tribe.

"Aunt..."

Thinking of this, Olivia felt particularly weary, realizing she would have to clean up her aunt's independent "sense of justice."