Ashen Dragon

"Lady Misha, I, I was originally drinking alone in the tavern..."

In front of this "important figure," whom he had only seen in the **Kingdom Daily**, Raj was initially nervous and stuttered as he spoke.

But soon, thinking of the bright future ahead, Raj spoke more smoothly, and his tone became increasingly indignant.

"... This damned demon, it actually wanted to seduce me to betray His Majesty! Even if I were to die, I could never do such a disgraceful thing!

At that time, I immediately reacted and, at the risk of my life, decided on the spot to report it to the security team without hesitation.

Lady Misha, that's the general course of events."

Raj stood nervously in front of Misha, clutching the hem of his clothes and smiling ingratiatingly.

Misha nodded slightly, showing a smile of approval.

"Very well, the Empire will not forget your loyalty nor neglect any citizen who makes a contribution at the risk of their life.

The demon you exposed ranked quite high, and you're entitled to a reward of over two hundred Ginnar, the status of a First-Class Citizen, and you can collect your reward at the Empire's bounty office; you deserve it."

"Yes, Lady Misha!"

Raj instinctively straightened his back, his face radiating excitement and joy, unable to suppress his smile.

Though he almost lost his life, he had bet right!

That was two hundred Ginnar!

Before being dismissed by Yelson, his supervisor, his salary was one Ginnar per month, often being docked pay for breaking regulations.

Converted, two hundred Ginnar would require nearly twenty years of day and night toil in the factory! This was a significant fortune for him.

With this money, he could pay off all his debts, buy a shop near Emperor's Square, and lead a leisurely life.

The status of a First-Class Citizen was even better; aside from various subsidies, he would enjoy a higher social standing, leading in many aspects of life.

That renowned "Empire Dream" achiever, Baron George, joined the army as a First-Class Citizen.

The days of wandering and gloom would soon be behind him, and now, before Raj, lay a superior status, ample money, and a bright future...

His fate had truly changed!

Excited tears streamed from Raj's eyes, running down his rugged face.

He could already envision his former colleagues respectfully calling him "Lord Raj," and that supervisor Yelson fawning over him.

If it weren't for Misha's presence, he would have knelt and kowtowed to the deceased Asher; this wasn't an abyssal demon but a benefactor bringing him a bright future!

And His Majesty Cassius, who set up such a perfect bounty system, was indeed a great ruler! How foolish he had been to harbor grievances against His Majesty!

Humans had always been a reality-driven species. As a beneficiary, if His Majesty could offer him a prosperous life, what reason was there not to be loyal?

The bit of dissatisfaction caused by life's setbacks vanished instantly, and now Raj's heart held only one word—loyalty.

Raj bid farewell gratefully and hurriedly, almost scrambling, to the Empire's bounty office.

A new life, a bright future beckoned him!

Turning away from the reporter, Misha's expression grew grave once again.

Though she could hear the embellishments and self-glorification in Raj's words, this was human nature, and the general course of events should be accurate.

One thing was certain—the demon had infiltrated Isdalia and harmed Imperial citizens.

"Cough, cough!"

"By Cassius, that demon was truly terrifying! Even bullets couldn't kill it!"

"It hurts, my leg is pinned under the rubble."

"Can someone help me?"

"Anna, Anna is dead! She was killed by the demon! God, I saw her cut in half with my own eyes!"

Voices of people caught up in the disaster echoed through the tavern ruins—coughs from those inhaling the dust, the groans of the injured, and the wails of those who lost loved ones.

To Raj, this might have been a divine moment to change his fate, a grace from His Majesty Cassius, but to those involved, it was a sheer calamity.

White-robed rescue teams hurried in, collecting the dead bodies, performing restorative spells, and rescuing the injured.

"Irrelevant persons, clear the area immediately!"

"Do not crowd!"

"Imperial Army on duty! Please disperse at once!"

The Imperial Army dispersed the onlookers, set up a cordon, examined the marks left by the demon, and collected the remnants.

The previously clashing Tieflings and Ogres reconciled, reporting their respective regiments, jointly cleaning the battlefield, and reflecting on the recent encounter.

The Tiefling captain of the security team approached Misha and said heavily, "Apologies, Lady Misha, it's our negligence that we failed to stop the demon, making you intervene personally."

"You did your best."

Misha looked at the tavern reduced to ruins and muttered to herself, "These demons are becoming more rampant...

It seems I must report this to the Prime Minister."

With that thought, Misha's golden pupils flickered slightly, and flames twined around her tall figure like silk threads.

With the sound of burning air, the Magician vanished, leaving only drifting sparks in the wind.

...

Imperial Senate Building, Battaglia Hall.

This was the Prime Minister's office, luxuriously decorated, with carvings of giant dragons on the ceiling.

Ogre Ramp stood by the window, looking out over the crowded buildings and the bustling streets through the stained-glass floor-to-ceiling window.

He suddenly said, "Come in, Misha, I know you are already here."

Misha cautiously pushed the door open, politely saying, "Good day, Prime Minister, you are as wise as ever."

Though she now carried some arrogance, Misha held great respect for this mentor who first introduced her to His Majesty Cassius—especially since he was also the Empire's Prime Minister.

"I am here to report..."

Ramp interrupted, "I already know about it, a seducing demon infiltrated Isdalia and openly killed Imperial citizens in Emperor's Square."

Misha nodded, her expression grave, "These demons are growing bolder, daring to infiltrate Isdalia, especially on a sacred day like Coronation Day.

This is a blatant provocation against the Empire, against His Majesty Cassius!"

As she spoke, Misha's tone grew angry, and fierce flames flickered in her golden eyes.

Ramp said solemnly, "Misha, spellcasters need to remain rational; never let anger cloud your judgment."

Misha realized her lapse, lowered her head, and said with some guilt:

"Apologies, I lost my composure.

"Following your guidance, Prime Minister."

Ramp nodded slightly, pacing the hall, once again looking out the window at the busy Imperial people, the steam locomotives roaring by with steaming engines, sounding loud whistles.

He muttered to himself:

"Abyssal demons... indeed a troublesome enemy, presenting a significant threat to the Empire."

In the past year alone, there had been over a dozen such demon attacks across the Empire, though this was the first in Isdalia.

Most demon attacks were swiftly quelled by local armies, but several resulted in considerable casualties, with unlucky reporters killed on the spot.

These attacks severely affected the Empire, gradually eroding the people's trust in the Empire and tainting its spirit.

For a confident and martial Empire like the Ashen Empire, it had always been the one to pillage and attack other nations.

The citizens of the Ashen Empire, they were the people of the great Red Dragon, warriors under its broad wings, meant to fight for a great cause—not to become victims.

"Do not worry, Misha."

Ramp's mouth twisted slightly into a smile, an ugly grin appearing on his face, his muddled yellow eyes gleaming with cruelty and confidence.

"The Empire's army is flourishing, the Starfallen are about to return, and more importantly..."

The Ogre looked northward, noting a painting titled "The Origin of the Ashen Nest" hung on the wall, observing the dragon and ogres in the image, his eyes again showing fervor and devotion, as if he saw that majestic figure.

"The great His Majesty Cassius is about to awaken! I can feel it, our master has become even stronger."

Misha's eyes lit up, her expression filled with immense joy.

"Is His Majesty Cassius about to awaken?"

"Indeed, the Empire will thoroughly exterminate those annoying demon flies and achieve complete victory, I swear—they will regret provoking the Ashen Empire!"

The Ogre's face twisted into a grim smile, clutching his luxurious scepter tightly, making a creaking sound, oblivious to his previous statement on "spellcasters needing to remain rational."