Ashen Dragon

A week later.

Stratholme Fortress, Duke Boske's Mansion.

Duke Leo Boske kept stroking his beard, his face full of anxiety. It had been a long time since he had lost his composure like this. The bad news of late was too much, making even the usually calm duke find it hard to accept.

The Principality of Norton had been swiftly annihilated by the Ashen Kingdom in a single day, without even sending out a distress signal.

And in the northern part of the kingdom, with the sounding of the strange horn, the legendary "Frost Calamity" started to stir once more. Signs of Frost Giants' advancement had appeared near the Vaar Glacier.

"Your Grace, Your Grace!"

The adjutant rushed in hurriedly, bringing the latest intelligence.

"Our scouts in the north have discovered signs of Frost Giants' rapid advance! On roads long sealed, there are remnants of beasts, massive footprints, and the ground... is covered in snow."

Duke Leo's face immediately darkened, masked by a heavy shadow.

"Just as recorded."

"It is indeed... the Frost Calamity."

Duke Leo turned to the adjutant, asking anxiously:
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"What about their marching direction? Where will those Frost Giants appear?"

The adjutant hurriedly responded truthfully: "Stormy Ridge. According to our current intelligence, they will head south from the vicinity of Stormy Ridge, passing through Triel Valley, entering the northern region."

However, he added:

"But, the area around Stormy Ridge is Ashen Kingdom's territory. Though their patrol and defense focus has shifted to the former Rackman Duchy, it is still controlled by the Red Dragon's retainers. The information we have is extremely scarce, all obtained at the risk of our scouts' lives."

The adjutant presented a map, respectfully offering it up.

The parchment map was scarred with marks and blemishes, red paint marking areas where signs of Frost Giants' march had been discovered.

Duke Leo carefully examined the map, his expression shifting between joy and puzzlement.

He paced back and forth in the hall.

"That's not right... This is different from the recorded Frost Calamities.

"According to records, during the Frost Calamities sixty and a hundred seventy years ago, the Frost Giants surged into the northern region from different directions, rapidly destroying everything in their path and looting everything around. Often, just a few dozen Frost Giants were enough to obliterate a city."

"According to domestic scholars' analysis, their main goal should be plundering resources while weakening our forces, hence why these Frost Giants would unleash their destructive power recklessly."

"But this time, they seem to have a specific target."

"And that target, which requires them to concentrate their power, should be the current... Ashen Kingdom."

Continuing to scrutinize the map, Duke Leo's eyes gleamed with a peculiar light.

Upon hearing this, the adjutant immediately showed a look of delight.

"My Lord, doesn't that mean we've hit the jackpot?"

"This Ashen Kingdom is fending off the Frost Calamity from the north, with the Frost Giants and the giant dragons tangled up amongst themselves, too preoccupied to look south. We can take this opportunity to..."

"Launch an attack on the Ashen Kingdom, right?"

Duke Leo finished the thought.

The adjutant quickly bowed, flattering: "You are wise, my Lord, that is exactly what I was thinking."

Duke Leo's expression slightly softened, finally revealing a hint of relaxation: "Let me correct you on one term—it's not 'take this opportunity,' but 'bide our time.'

"We still don't know the upper limit of the Red Dragon's strength in the Ashen Kingdom, and the Northern Frost Giants have only appeared sixty years ago according to records. The outcome of their clash is still uncertain."

"So we must wait, wait for an opportunity that clearly reveals the situation."

"If the Frost Giants have the upper hand, about to annihilate the Ashen Kingdom, then we can aid the Ashen Kingdom in resisting the Frost Giants, exhausting their remaining strength to fend off the calamity for us. Once the Frost Giants retreat, we can slowly settle accounts with the Ashen Kingdom.

If the Ashen Kingdom prevails, during the lax period after their battle with the Frost Giants, we can launch a surprise attack."

The adjutant showed an expression of sudden realization and quickly echoed:

"My Lord, your wisdom is far beyond my reach."

Duke Leo did not continue to respond, but thoughtfully looked at the map.

"What a rare opportunity... "

"Luck is a part of strength too. The initiative is back in my hands; how will you respond?"

"Cassius Klaubow Norixius..."

He once again pronounced that long, cumbersome name that had made him restless for days, but now his tone held a touch of expectation.

...

Ashen Kingdom, Northwind Castle.

"Ah, isn't that Mantou?"

"Out on patrol again, you're working hard."

The passing townsfolk called out warmly, though their voices carried deep reverence.

"Serving the Ashen citizens is my duty."

Mantou declared righteously.

He still wore the sheriff's uniform, patrolling the streets of the Southwest Urban District he was responsible for.

But due to the Dictator's Rule, there were hardly any players daring to break the law in the city. Mantou now considered the original residents as his primary targets. For instance, the notorious "Black Beer" gang in the Southwest Urban District was single-handedly wiped out by Mantou on his own, earning him over seven thousand faction contributions from that mission.

Since then, the Southwest Urban District had become eerily quiet, with few special cases occurring, leaving Mantou quite bored.

"Why is it so peaceful? Can't there be a major case for me?"

"Is there no hidden gang in Northwind Castle for me to make a fortune?"

Mantou thought as he rode on the dragon's back.

"Hey, isn't that Mantou? How come you're all dressed up?"

A snarky voice interrupted Mantou's thoughts.

Mantou immediately exploited his authority, not even looking at the person before sternly shouting:

"Citizen, watch your language. Do not attempt to provoke the sheriff!"

Unexpectedly, the speaker did not restrain himself but instead grew more arrogant: "Why are you, a little Level 2 sheriff, putting on airs?"

"I'm now the head of 'Nocturne,' ranked two levels above you in the Ashen System. Let me tell you, I can directly reach the Big Dragon Boss. Who do you think you are?"

"Come on, call me 'officer!'"

The speaker was none other than Swashbuckler. At this moment, he was flaunting himself, his tail practically sky-high.

And upon hearing the name "Nocturne," the surrounding residents all scattered, adamantly closing their doors and windows, afraid of getting involved with this important figure—after all, the Nocturne Troop in the Ashen Kingdom was notorious, rumored to have assassinated countless would-be rebels.