Ashen Dragon

Deep within the Supreme Forest, in the Serenia Royal Court.

The crisp sound of birdsong rang out.

A bird cloaked in pristine white feathers swept past the sunlit lakeshore at dawn, weaving through the dense forest before gently landing within the royal palace. It carried a message from the North.

On the windowsill in the depths of the Royal Court, the Elf Queen, crowned and regal, extended her arm. The bird perched gracefully on her slender hand as she carefully removed the letter it clasped in its beak.

Catherine softly patted the bird's wing, smiling warmly. "Thank you. Return now, and please extend my gratitude to the members of the Harpist Alliance."

The bird flapped its wings, soaring skyward, blending seamlessly into the azure heavens. In mere moments, it vanished from sight, leaving behind only a few spotless white feathers.

Only then did Catherine unfold the letter in her hand and began reading its contents. Before long, she lightly covered her mouth, her brilliant eyes reflecting shock and panic.

She lifted her head, gazing toward the North, murmuring to herself, "This... this... how is this possible?"

Outside the door, a Half-elf female general in light armor strode briskly toward her, concern etched on her features. "Your Majesty, what has happened?"

Catherine turned her head and replied, "Rhea, you've arrived at the perfect time. The latest intelligence from the Harpist Alliance—High Mountain Kingdom... has fallen."

Rhea's pupils instantly contracted in disbelief. "What? Who did this?"

Catherine responded helplessly, "Who else could it be? Of course, it was the Ashen Empire. They used the pretext of eliminating the Orc threat to occupy Aivendel... such a laughable excuse."

Rhea furrowed her brows deeply. "And what of Ed, the Master of High Mountains?"

Catherine sighed. "He fought valiantly but perished during the siege. It's said he was slain by one of the Evil Dragon Kin."

Rhea sharply drew a breath. She knew all too well the strength possessed by the Master of High Mountains—undeniably at the peak of Legendary power. Even she herself couldn't claim absolute confidence in defeating him.

Yet, the Red Dragon merely dispatched a single retainer to extinguish Ed! It was a testament to the Ashen Empire's overwhelming might!

"And it didn't end there. After the Master of High Mountains fell, the Shield Dwarves' Guardian God, Du Masong, descended upon the Material Plane. However, the Emperor of the Ashen Empire was also summoned, igniting a battle that shook heaven and earth..."

Nevertheless, Catherine continued, "Ultimately, Du Masong departed from the Material Plane, and Aivendel was seized by the Ashen Empire."

After finishing her account, Catherine handed the letter to Rhea.

"This... this is truly..."

Rhea hastily took the letter, scanning through it several times until she could fully confirm the information. She then spoke in a low voice, "Unbelievable."

After all, they were dealing with deities!

Even the avatars of the Gods possessed power and majesty that mortals could scarcely fathom. To challenge divine authority was to invite annihilation—but this Red Dragon had managed to force a deity to retreat!

In an instant, a previously hidden suspicion nestled within Rhea's heart began to falter.

How could a dragon barely a few decades old possess the strength to contend with a deity?

Perhaps, just perhaps, the Lawful Neutral Red Dragon she remembered had long since perished in the wilderness, replaced by the Ashen Emperor—an authentic Ancient Evil Dragon, a being forged by the passage of endless millennia...

Catherine let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. She then moved to the window, leaning against it in contemplation, murmuring, "Indeed, it's so unbelievable."

"The dwarf kingdom that forged a Holy Alliance with us Serenia, a lineage spanning thousands of years, was wiped out in mere days—it's almost like a joke."

Rhea spoke gravely, "Your Majesty, as I've told you before, this world has already descended into chaos. For us Elves to bury ourselves deep in the forest and pretend to be ostriches—it's simply impossible."

Catherine nodded lightly. "Rhea, I suppose you've hurried here once again to persuade me to launch a coup, haven't you?"

"You guessed correctly, Your Majesty," Rhea's voice grew more urgent.

"With the fall of the High Mountain Kingdom, this matter has reached a critical juncture. If we don't act soon, the decrepit members of the Elder Council will lead the Moon Elves into the Abyss!

Your Majesty, the High Mountain Kingdom is gone. So who will become the next prey of that greedy dragon? When calamity descends upon Serenia, it will be too late for anything."

"Very well, I agree."

"What? You..." Rhea was taken aback.

Until now, Rhea's repeated attempts to persuade her had always ended in failure.

This Elf Queen had remained hesitant, reluctant to initiate a coup, always feeling that their preparations were insufficient.

Catherine glanced at Rhea, clutching the silver crescent-shaped pendant on her chest tightly. Her pale violet eyes glimmered with an unshakable resolve.

"Under the grace of the Moonlight Goddess Shahan, we've planned for far too long. It's time to bring the reign of those stagnant rulers... to its conclusion."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Rhea knelt halfway, her excitement barely contained, as she proclaimed, "The Harpist Alliance will dispatch over a hundred Transcendents, along with three Legendary warriors as reinforcements."

"The Silver Moon Followers Army has long been ready; every member is absolutely loyal to you. On the Sacred Day, we can storm the Holy Tree at a moment's notice."

"Furthermore, Lord Tralafanluo of the Arcane Monastery has pledged to send twenty Silver Robed Mages..."

Catherine interjected, "By the way, Rhea, don't you have ties to the Ancient Golden Dragon Titus, known as the 'Dawn Wings'?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Lord Titus is also a just and selfless warrior," Rhea answered truthfully.

"Invite him as well."

"Yes, Your Majesty."