Ashen Dragon

Northern Thrace, Esengard.

The Red Dragon perched atop the steel fortress, its massive body nearly encompassing the entire stronghold, causing the steel in contact with its scarlet scales to become searing hot and emit clouds of white smoke.

Dragon Vein Goblin, Imperial Marshal Dolores knelt before the fortress, bowed his head, and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, the Western Front's Mixed Third Battalion was attacked by the Holy Guard and utterly defeated. We have... disgraced you."

The Great Goblin watched the Red Dragon's expression and only continued to report when he saw no wrath: "Moreover, the situation on the eastern line is not optimistic either.

In Saint Michael City, we encountered Holy Fadlan's Ancient Weapon—the Blazing Sun Barrier, and the Eastern Front Army hasn't been able to break through after several days. Duke Misha and Marquis Anthony have already rushed to assist."

Cassius spread his wings, looked down at Dolores, and said in a calm tone, "War is a game with both losses and victories. It's just that the Empire seldom encounters opponents of the same caliber—that has blinded us from years of triumph.

The Empire's officers are still too complacent, treating the Thrace Kingdom like the frail North, and dare to divide their forces deeply within enemy lines."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will urge them to correct this promptly and make this a model case within the army," Dolores immediately promised solemnly.

The loss of over fifteen thousand people and tens of thousands of gold coins is something the Ashen Empire can still withstand, and Cassius would not erupt in wrath over this—though it would take some effort to appease the Imperial People.

In his eyes, if it could get the Imperial Army to change its reckless and arrogant approach just a little, even if it cost more in terms of price and lesson, it would be worth it.

Cassius exhaled a puff of sulfur-smelling white smoke, turned his head, and asked the Tiefling kneeling beside him, "Mezulash, have you found out the origins of these so-called 'Holy Guard' yet?

With the Sun God slumbering for years, they could still train such an army, capable of devouring an entire battalion of mine."

Mezulash responded solemnly: "Report to Your Majesty, I have already arranged for Nocturne and the Empire Intelligence Bureau to conduct a detailed investigation.

To my knowledge, these Holy Sect Army first appeared three years ago, and their source of strength is not the sleeping Sun God, but... Barto Hell."

"Oh? Hell?"

Cassius raised an eyebrow, a faint light flickered within his golden vertical pupils, showing some interest at last.

Mezulash took out a box of charred substance and answered, "Yes, Your Majesty, we took samples at Hill 103, where the Mixed Battalion was ambushed, and found ashes produced by Hellfire burning.

That legion is rather like angels wearing the guise of the Hell Legion; I suspect this is likely Zarriel's handiwork."

Cassius continued to ask, "But as I know, Hell has always advocated equivalent exchange. What did Wilhelm offer to obtain such an army?"

"Souls."

Mezulash replied without hesitation and then presented a dataset that had been prepared long ago.

According to data compiled by the Empire Intelligence Bureau, in the last three years, the number of missing persons in the Thrace Kingdom has increased annually, even the homeless on the streets have vanished, creating a state of public panic within the country."

Mezulash pulled out a Memory Stone, and magic images appeared in mid-air, showing scenes of Thrace Soldiers throwing unconscious civilians into underground tunnels.

On the walls of those tunnels, strange and twisted arrays were everywhere, resembling grim and twisted faces.

Mezulash continued, "We have reason to suspect... to stabilize his Ruling, that King has sacrificed more than ten thousand—perhaps even more—souls to Hell."

As a Tiefling with devil blood, Mezulash felt no goodwill towards these distant kin and would even desire their complete extermination.

After all, it was these devils whose presence had caused his kin to endure centuries of pain and humiliation.

Cassius mocked flicking his tongue, "Self-proclaimed descendants of the Sun God, glamorous angels, yet sacrificing the souls of the people to devils, is truly laughable.

It seems it is rather reasonable for us to claim the Empire liberated the Thrace people, at least we won't feed them to devils."

"Indeed, Your Majesty, under your grand blueprint, all things in the world can obtain true equity and freedom, which is the most genuine and potent justice."

"Is it truly that Wilhelm? He was the second son of Aragon the First, once revered as the 'Angel King,' how could it..."

Standing by, Olivia furrowed her brows slightly, her pupils glinting with surprise on her fair face.

For the past few years, this Silver Dragon traveled between the Melwood Clan and the Empire, striving to maintain relations between the Ashen Empire and the Metal Dragon Clan.

But she felt utterly helpless in the face of the Empire's conquests; she could understand Cassius' "Grand Blueprint," yet still sympathized with the lives lost in wars.

She vehemently opposed the Empire's declaration of war against the Thrace Kingdom, even wanted to propose a countermeasure in the Imperial Council.

Unfortunately, the war was already set in motion, and Olivia's cries were drowned in the Empire's agitated shouts of "Defeat Thrace!" "Conquer Augustus!"

But now, in seeing the evidence of Thrace Kingdom's collusion with Hell firsthand, she was still somewhat incredulous.