Ashen Dragon

"White phosphorus bombs, incendiary bombs, thermo-baric bombs, cloud bombs, and solidified gasoline bombs... give them all a try. I want to invite these Orcs to a barbecue.""

"Uh... okay, you guys just do your thing." Derol didn't quite understand these weapons, but just listening to the names, he knew these things were definitely not so-called "little toys."

"Great Sage, why don't we use biochemical weapons?" another player asked.

Curtis shook his head: "I've observed the experiments of that Biological Sage. These Orcs have a very peculiar life form; they can even use toxins as an energy source.

From my observations, flames are the best way to deal with them. I really enjoy their howls of anguish as they struggle in the flames, and their corpses seem to emit a smell similar to burning vegetation..."

Listening to the players' discussion, Derol was increasingly dumbfounded, lamenting that he was still too kind-hearted...

...

North Aisier, within Dragon Head City.

Bipedal Wyverns circled at low altitude, Half-Red Dragon Folk, Tiefling Guards patrolled back and forth on the city walls. In the city's center, towering buildings of steel and concrete were under construction, with black smoke drifting from the suburbs...

After more than a month of transformation, this city had taken on a strong "imperial style," vastly different from its former Collins appearance.

And after capturing North Aisier, more and more players flocked to Dragon Head City, becoming the new driving force for the city's development, while the original city residents became the cogs in this vast machine.

"Noodle!"

"Roar——"

Accompanied by a loud dragon roar, a Bipedal Wyvern flapped its wings and landed on the rooftop's Dragon Landing Square.

The knight on the dragon's back was fully armed, clad in a red and black interwoven armor, wearing the emblem of the Dragonblood Earl of the Ashen Empire, and a silver longsword engraved with a Wyvern hung at his waist, looking imposing and majestic.

The newbie players watched with envy, gathering around the Wyvern, exclaiming with awe at the coolness and handsomeness of this Wyvern Knight.

"So handsome!"

"Quick look, it's a Dragon Knight!"

"Is this the empire's Red Scale Conqueror? So cool, it's just a pity I joined too late, and there are no spots left.""

"Really handsome, my beloved is a hero without equal. One day he will come to marry me, clad in a red armor, riding a Wyvern..."

"This Wyvern should be able to carry more than one person, right? Big shot, can I sit behind you..."

There were even female players with eyes full of admiration, rubbing their hands excitedly, wishing they could jump on the dragon's back and fly together with this Wyvern Knight.

Amid the crowd of newbie players, Mantou waved at the crowd, smugly exclaiming: "Haha, it seems my charisma radiates from within, not even armor can conceal it!

Well, since I'm in a good mood today, I'll give you some extra rewards! Let you see my true face!"

Mantou slowly lifted the heavy faceplate, with a smirk, revealing a mischievous smile he deemed as handsome as Peng Yuyan's, on par with Wu Yanzu's charming grin.

In an instant, the entire venue fell silent.

Soon, the faces of the newbie players were filled with strange expressions, and the previous female player stood still, lightly shattered.

"Oh my god, can you please not show your face?!"

"As expected, a man's charisma comes from a woman's imagination. Can I take back what I said earlier?"

Seeing the disappointment on the newbie players' faces, Mantou's smile awkwardly froze.

——The scene he imagined with everyone cheering and girls gathering around did not appear.

That female player even reluctantly stepped back a few steps, creating distance, muttering: "Uh, well, according to the empire's new regulations, Wyverns carrying people seem to be restricted, so I won't join you after all."

"Uh... his equipment looks quite nice."

"Indeed, as expected of a big shot player, this set of equipment probably costs hundreds of Gold Coins."

"Yeah, it's just his appearance is a bit... well, hard to describe."

Why does it feel like the mood dropped as soon as they saw my true face? Am I really that unattractive?

Even if I'm not a paragon of beauty, I'm at least decent-looking, if not plain at best!

At this moment, Mantou felt like crying without tears. The players' whispers were like sharp blades, mercilessly piercing his heart.

After a long time, he thick-skinnedly managed to utter: "Beautiful skins are all the same, but interesting souls are one in a million. Can't you feel my handsomeness radiating from my soul?"

The surrounding air grew cold again, and under Mantou's sorrowful gaze, the female player particularly firmly shook her head.

Suddenly, someone from afar pointed at Mantou and said: "Whoa, isn't that Old Pigeon Mantou? He hasn't updated videos for over half a year!"

"It's really him!"

"Look at that face just begging for a beating, it's definitely Mantou!"

"Gosh, I almost forgot what he looks like. This guy hasn't posted in ages!"

"Beat this Old Pigeon!"

Instantly, the nearby veteran and new players eagerly surrounded him, with someone even holding a heavy hammer, battle axe, ready to vent the half-year's worth of frustration.

"You're Mantou? The uploader of the Airez game videos?"

"I remember now, I initially got into the game watching his videos! This guy just doesn't have a memorable face."

Finally, some of the newbie players recognized him and started chattering about.

"Oh, I see, you were doing a show effect earlier!"

"Will we be on camera?"

Mantou wailed internally, but he still forced a smile on his face and replied: "Ah yes, of course, it was intentional, wanted to record some fun material!"

"No wonder your words were so narcissistic!"

"Hahaha, I thought you actually thought you were handsome!"

"Yeah, it was so awkward I couldn't even speak, turns out it was for the show!"

Among the joyful laughter of newbie players, Mantou silently turned his back, gazing into the distance, a face full of seasoned expressions in the cold wind.

Lies can't hurt people; the truth is the real sharp blade.

And those veteran viewers also crowded around, leaving no space, passionately saying: "Mantou, where's your new video? Where have you uploaded it?!

"Mantou, you bailed again!"

"You damn eunuch!"

"I'm working on it, working on it, stop yelling at me!" Mantou dodged the eggs thrown at him.

His face flushed red, veins popped on his forehead, and he argued: "This collecting material thing, can it be called bailing?... Collecting material!"

Followed by incomprehensible words, such as "creating better videos for the audience" and "ten years to sharpen a sword," which drew laughter from the crowd.

"Roar——"

A loud Dragon's Roar echoed in the sky, and another huge shadow descended as another Bipedal Wyvern hovered down.

This Bipedal Wyvern was completely armored in silver heavy armor, with scarlet ribbons tied, looking more majestic than Mantou's mount.

"Who is it this time? He looks much more handsome than Mantou!"

"His mount is fully equipped, and it's of Rare Level! Where did this tycoon come from?"

"Boom!"

With the accompanying dust flying, the knight clad in heavy armor also mounted a Wyvern and descended onto the Dragon Landing Square, their actions even more easy-going than Mantou's.

The knight lifted the faceplate and shouted to Mantou not far away: "New war mission, want to join?"

"Oh, looks familiar!"

"Hey, that looks like S God! Super big shot!"

"Whoa, is it Singo? He was the runner-up in last year's world championship! A god who fought against large guilds solo!!"

"This Wyvern Knight looks way more handsome! Didn't expect the face under the faceplate to be like this! Wow it's S God, I've liked him for a long time, really want to sit behind him..."

In an instant, the players all abandoned Mantou, even the female player found a new crush, instantly becoming a ten-year fan of the other.

Seeing this bleak scene, Mantou turned his head, grumbling: "Let's go! To do the mission! These petty and superficial mortals, only attracted by embroidered pillows..."

"Roar——"

The two Bipedal Wyverns flapped their wings in succession, taking flight, one after the other, heading northeast.