Ashen Dragon-Chapter 528 - 1 Empire

Chapter 528: Chapter 1: Empire

Chapter 528 -1: Empire

Northwind Castle Suburbs, Steel Dragonwing Palace.

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Olivia stood outside the main gate, her expression rather elated, like a praised child.

“Cassius, I have already persuaded the elders of my clan. They have agreed to send personnel to give us…”

“I’m sorry, madam, His Majesty will not accept an audience now.”

tiefling Guard Captain Eckmon extended his spear to block the familiar-looking woman.

Eckmon had experienced one of the red dragon’s slumbers and understood the dangers within.

Just the “morning temper” of His Majesty was enough to bring catastrophic consequences to mortal beings.

“But…”

Olivia’s brows immediately furrowed, revealing an unmistakable look of disappointment.

To persuade the Silver Dragon Elders to help this former enemy, she had expended much effort in debate.

Finally, the Great Elder Osedro, who was still recovering from injuries, personally spoke, and they accepted Olivia’s request, deciding to send aid to the Ashen Empire.

“As long as we can defeat the demons, I am willing to ally with the Evil Dragon.”

These were his original words.

To this venerable Ancient Silver Dragon who cherished order, abyssal demons, creatures of pure chaos, were forever their enemies.

While Olivia was deep in thought, a familiar voice came from behind her.

“Lady Olivia, His Majesty has already gone to sleep.”

Olivia turned around to see the large figure, her expression somewhat surprised.

“Lord Ramp?”

The Ogre Archmage slightly bowed and politely said, “However, His Majesty had previously instructed me to thank you for all that you have done for the Empire.”

Ramp extended his Magic Wand, and a portal to the Imperial Senate Hall appeared before Olivia.

“His Majesty believes your contributions have been significant enough, and he hopes you can join the Imperial Senate to discuss cooperation matters in detail.

Furthermore, His Majesty has reviewed your latest proposal and expressed his approval, though some amendments are needed in the specific implementation.”

“Thank you.”

A hint of joy appeared on Olivia’s face.

The Imperial Senate was the true seat of power, with the authority to draft various policy bills.

Entering the Senate meant truly becoming part of the high echelon of the Ashen Empire.

Olivia believed her perseverance would bring a better future to this nation—and also lead Cassius towards order and goodness.

In reality, this was both Cassius’ “reward” to Olivia and his attempt to balance the influence of the evil faction at the top of the Empire.

“Lady Olivia, please follow me.”

Ramp slightly bowed again, making a standard gesture of invitation—though such etiquette looked somewhat absurd on an Ogre.

“All right.”

However, before stepping into the portal, Olivia turned back to gaze at the familiar palace.

After hesitating for a moment, she softly asked, “Will His Majesty Cassius sleep for a long time?”

Olivia’s concern was not unfounded; for mortals, a dragon’s slumber might last their whole life.

And for a “special” dragon like Cassius, even the Silver Dragons were uncertain how long he would sleep.

Ten years?

Thirty years?

Or fifty years?

She did not know why she cared how long a “foe” would sleep, but it was undoubtedly a significant question for the Silver Dragons.

Ramp said in a deep voice, “Lady Olivia, no need to worry. His Majesty mentioned he would wake up after a year.”

“So soon?”

Olivia let out a breath of relief, her expression easing somewhat.

Everything seemed to be progressing as she had hoped.

The Silver Dragons were about to join the Empire’s decision-making body, striving to bring order and goodness to this empire.

She glanced back at the palace again, tucking her silvery hair behind her ear. For some reason, a hint of anticipation appeared in her blue-gray eyes.

“Cassius, sweet dreams.”

Olivia murmured the words softly, then stepped through the portal to the Imperial Senate Hall.

…

The cold wind blew across the Anzeta Great Wilderness, the northern snow was gradually melting, and a few more months had swiftly passed. It was now nearing March.

In fact, during the initial period after the Starfallen departed, the Empire lost much of its developmental vigor.

Without those tireless, mad individuals, many factories faced labor shortages, some goods became unsellable, and technological advancement slowed its pace.

However, soon the Empire’s Prime Minister introduced the “Imperial Protection Act, “Economic Stimulus Strategy,” and “Foreign Trade Regulations,” along with various policies to improve workers’ benefits, expand export channels, and seek broader markets for the Empire…

The Ashen Empire was still a growing nation. The departure of the players had a limited impact, and the ongoing wars in the South continued to generate military orders incessantly.

Even without the players’ assistance, although the Empire’s development slowed slightly, industrial expansion persisted, and the Imperial people visibly became more affluent.

More and more Anzeta people left the countryside for the cities, chasing the so-called “Imperial Dream,” hoping to become wealthy, noble Dragonblood citizens.

For the Empire’s numerous workers, the Starfallen’s departure even led to better conditions—they at least wouldn’t face employers daring to offer low wages arbitrarily.

In terms of external expansion, the Ashen Empire achieved significant results as well.

Earl Jesse Swann led the South Continent Vanguard and had completely secured the Cartapa region, establishing indestructible fortresses and firmly controlling this land.

Not only that, Tahan City became a relay station for the Empire’s South Continent group, with trade caravan settlements continually conducting commerce, making the city quite prosperous.

They even extended their influence to the south, towards the Thrace Kingdom, establishing fortresses on the border between the Empire and Thrace, frequently sending scouts for reconnaissance.

However, Thrace, troubled by southern conflicts, dared not voice their anger at the Empire’s probing.

The Empire’s conquest within the Fire Elemental Plane also progressed smoothly.

Count Selcan led the Fire Elemental Plane Imperial Legion and gained control of the fire giants’ former cities of cast iron and black iron, commanding tens of thousands of fire elemental creatures: Fire Lizards, Fire Dwarves, Lava Dragons, and even Fire Giants, who all became citizens of the Empire.

Furthermore, he achieved indirect colonization of the Brass Fortress.

Though the Brass Fortress nominally remained the territory of the Fire Dwarves, it practically served as the Empire’s outpost in the Fire Elemental Plane.

Most diligent Fire Dwarves worked for dragonblood nobles and merchants from the Empire under so-called “free employment.”

As the war between the Giant Spirit Empire and the Holy Flame Legion intensified, the Empire took advantage, selling arms to both sides and earning handsomely.

They even occupied a city that the Holy Flame Legion had seized and later abandoned, renaming it “New Northwind Fortress”—Count Selcan was a true Northwind native.

In the shadowy Gloomy Region, the Ashen Empire’s wars had terrorized the Drow Elves, Dwarves, Marsh Bearmen, and Underground Gnomes, the original inhabitants of the underworld.

The city of Dark Wings, held by the Shadow Dragon Descendant Zhuo’er, was mercilessly destroyed by Count Hart and his skeletal army, who slaughtered all the Shadow Dragon Descendant Zhuo’er within.

The Empire’s skeletal Bluefoot Dragon-snake army swept through the underworld like a torrent, causing great terror.

Coupled with the legends of the “World-Incinerating Dragon,” the destruction of Dragon Shadow City, and the death of Mortifir, the Ashen Empire naturally became an entity not to be provoked in the eyes of the underworld residents.

Another Imperial Count, Zaiko, signed lenient treaties with the voluntarily allied Dwarves, offering generous treatment and spreading such news throughout the Gloomy Region.

The Upper Gloomy Region, which was close to the surface, had extensive contact with surface races, involving trade, raids, and conquests.

Soon, several neighboring city-states declared nominal allegiance to the Empire, including the Underground Gnomes of Secco Rock City, the Dwarves of Ho’ansuo, and the Rat Men of the Underground Kingdom…

Even the Drow Elves of Menzoberranzan sent emissaries seeking temporary peace with the Empire.

These wicked and ambitious Drow Elves did not wish to rashly provoke an Empire with an Immortal Legion and a Red Dragon.

Thus, through a combination of benevolence and intimidation, the Empire’s Gloomy Region vanguard legion occupied a significant piece of land, growing into a rising power in the Upper Gloomy Region.

Gradually, the name of the Ashen Empire spread not only across the Fianso Continent but throughout the entire world of Elzegai.

Inhabitants of different regions perceived the Ashen Empire differently.

It was the land of guns and cannons, a remote place where the Northwind howled, an empire teeming with monsters, the hated homeland of certain material plane locals…

However, one point was universally acknowledged—it was an empire ruled by mighty dragons.