Ashen Dragon-Chapter 430 - 352: Naven’s Persuasion

Chapter 430 -352: Naven’s Persuasion

Hearing this, Audis sneered, his flawless hand suddenly slapping the armrest of the golden throne.

“Bang!”

“Is that so-called ‘Emperor’ of Anzeta joking?”

“He actually provided weapons to the Kingdom of Thrace! Doesn’t he know that the Kingdom of Thrace is his natural enemy by geography!”

“And… more importantly, he dared to refuse my friendship! Such a valuable opportunity, as a noble Divine Descendant, I have shown great respect, and he dares to refuse!”

Audis’s tone grew increasingly angry, the majestic and oppressive voice echoing through the empty hall.

“Foolish Red Dragon!”

With his outburst, golden flames seemed to burn in his eyes, and even the sky darkened, with rumbling thunder announcing the impending storm.

This was a manifestation of the Supreme Heaven’s power. As proud descendants of the Gods, their emotional fluctuations could affect the surrounding environment, sometimes turning into extraordinary weather phenomena that would trouble mortal beings nearby.

Feeling the wrath of their King, the ministers of the Kingdom of Cassandra became anxious, hastily advising him.

“Please, calm your anger, Majesty!”

“It’s just an evil dragon from a remote region, not worthy of your ire.”

“Indeed, as the future Emperor of Fadlan, destined to rule all of Fianso, he is not worth your consideration…”

His Majesty Audis was proud.

Even immensely arrogant.

This was known throughout the Kingdom of Cassandra and the entire Fianso Continent.

As a noble Divine Descendant and the eldest son of Aragon the First, Audis was the focus of adoration and worship. He considered himself the natural ruler of Fadlan and looked down upon all mortal beings.

Since childhood, no one had ever dared to refuse him.

But that “Crimson Emperor” who dared to refuse left a deep impression on him by slighting his honor.

Audis’s anger simmered for days, casting a persistent gloom over the Holy City.

Among the three kings, the eldest son, Audis, was acknowledged as the strongest, but he lacked Wilhelm’s wisdom and Iloti’s rationality.

Naven Bessalius was deeply concerned; he knew that letting pure emotion dictate foreign policy would lead to failure. Now, the Kingdom of Cassandra was following this path.

For the sake of the legend, “Whosoever holds the Holy City shall gain the throne,” His Majesty Audis exerted all his strength to seize the Holy City, even at the cost of warring simultaneously with Thrace and Seleucis.

This had drained the Kingdom of Cassandra’s power, narrowing the gap between it and the other two nations.

Naven harbored a bold and almost treasonous idea.

The Holy City was no longer an inheritance.

It was a wound.

A wound causing the Kingdom of Cassandra to bleed continuously.

And Audis’ primary concern wasn’t the Kingdom of Cassandra’s interest, but his own pride, which was absurd.

“Perhaps… another method should be used to guide His Majesty, to the right path.”

“Your Majesty.”

Naven stepped forward, body slightly bowed.

“As the eldest son of the great ‘Sun Emperor,’ you are recognized throughout Fianso as the most noble being on this land, without question.”

“But that so-called ‘Ashen Emperor’ is just a simple-minded, four-limbed Red Dragon. He does not care about your status, nor does he understand how precious your friendship is.”

Audis’s expression slightly softened, the flames in his pupils subsiding, and even the gloom in the sky dissipated.

Naven continued respectfully:

“The Red Dragon lacks your foresight. In his greedy and short-sighted eyes, there is only one thing—Gold Coin.”

“And Wilhelm certainly used enough Gold Coin to bribe that Red Dragon and gain his support.”

Audis grumbled, “Didn’t I also bring him treasures?”

Naven quickly replied, “You know that Wilhelm is called ‘The Deceiver,’ enjoying causing trouble in the shadows.”

“Surely, he shamelessly bribed with more Gold Coin to make that foolish Red Dragon refuse you.”

Audis then nodded appreciatively, commenting, “Ha, crafty rogue and short-sighted Red Dragon.”

Naven, agreeing with Audis’s thoughts, immediately chimed in, “Indeed, they together are not worth even a thousandth of you.”

“But…”

“But what?”

Naven raised his head, his tone earnest.

“Your Majesty, I request to be sent again to the Ashen Empire.”

Audis’s face darkened immediately, “Why? Their so-called ’empire’ just insulted me, and you want me to send you to be humiliated?”

“Your Majesty, please hear me out.”

“Since the Red Dragon can aid Thrace, his natural enemy, for Gold Coin, surely he can also aid us for more Gold Coin.”

“Please let me try again, not just for myself, but for the future of the Kingdom of Cassandra, and more importantly—for you to restore Holy Fadlan and become a great emperor like your father.”

Hearing this, Audis’s pupils narrowed.

He was somewhat swayed.

Compared to becoming an emperor, what were a bit of anger and humiliation?

When he had the power of Aragon the First, any force before him would collapse, and the so-called ‘Ashen Empire’ could be destroyed with a flip of his hand.

Audis’s tone finally softened, his back leaning on the throne:

“Naven Bessalius, I will give you one last chance.”

“My minimum requirement is to secure those weapons that can be used by mortals. I hope… you will not disappoint me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Naven bowed deeply, finally feeling a sense of relief.

Having witnessed the coronation ceremony, he profoundly understood—the Ashen Empire was not a peripheral force; it could significantly impact the continent’s dynamics, even affecting Cassandra’s future.

He needed to strive for a military alliance with the Ashen Empire, at least to prevent it from leaning towards Thrace.

…

The meeting ended, and the ministers withdrew.

Under Audis’s harsh commands of “Get out!” and “To hell with you all!”, even the guards and maids placed within the palace were driven away.

The vast palace immediately became empty, with only Audis Aragon left alone.

Audis sat on the golden throne, covering his face with his hands, his expression a mix of shock and anger, his perfect body trembling.

“No, no…”

“I can feel it… my strength, my life are draining! They are draining!”

Audis muttered continuously.

Through the gaps in his pale fingers, Audis’s face was no longer flawless, a faint crack appeared on the side of his cheek.

Audis feared neither the abyssal demons nor the Hell Demon, but he feared a mere crack.

This was his greatest fear—losing his current status and more so, returning to being a mortal.

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“This means… I will age and even die…”

“Damn, I am a Divine Descendant!”

He cried out.

Immediately, Audis, as if grabbing a lifeline, muttered softly to himself:

“Yes… as long as the ritual is performed, everything will be fine, and I will remain immortal…”

He looked down at his smooth hands, as if expecting cracks to appear on them too.

“There’s no time, I must unify Holy Fadlan quickly, become the true Fadlan Emperor, only then will I receive Amanata’s blessing once more.”

“As long as… I become the true emperor.”

Audis clutched the golden scepter symbolizing supreme authority and said this.