Ashen Dragon

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Kenya City, within the Ducal Residence.

Duke Oliver Norton's entire body shook with his trembling voice.

As a descendant of the Val Barbarians, the Norton Family was said to bear the bloodline of Giants. Grand Duke Oliver himself was exceptional, standing over two meters tall, with a beard that was a pale white.

But at this moment, wrapped in his luxurious robes, his corpulent body showed none of the barbarian vigor.

"Wh... what do we do? The Ashen Kingdom has broken through!"

"It's over, completely over!"

He never imagined that the Ashen Kingdom would strike here like a bolt of lightning.

The Principality of Norton had long been under the protection of the Boske Duchy, with the Lionheart Knights often stationed within its borders. Few were the nations that dared attack—it was, after all, forbidden to harm a dog without considering its master. No one wanted to provoke Boske, the mighty colossus of the North, which is why Oliver had dared to provoke so many times.

Now, with the Lionheart Knights redeployed and most of Norton's local forces drawn into the Triel Conference,

during this time of the weakest defenses, the Ashen Kin led by Dolores took them by surprise, directly conquering Kenya City.

Duke Oliver looked at his adjutant beside him, grabbing his shoulders like a drowning man clutching at straws, shaking him violently.

"Quick, Gardel, go find Duke Leo!"

"The Boske Duchy must have a way!"

"Hurry, go now!"

But Gardel only looked despairing, not moving a muscle.

Seeing this, Duke Oliver flew into a rage, pushing him violently to the ground and cursing furiously: "Damn it, don't you understand human speech? Go contact Duke Leo for me!"

"Now! Immediately!"

Collapsing on the ground, Gardel's voice was heavy with resignation.

"Lord Oliver, it's too late. They've already broken in, and Boske's reinforcements... can't sprout wings and fly over to save us."

As a steward-like figure within the Principality of Norton, Gardel had maintained a pessimistic view of the future ever since the defeat at the Triel Conference. He had fervently advised Duke Oliver not to get involved in this mess, but Oliver, relying on the backing of the Boske Duchy, still sent over a hundred elite warriors.

Oliver grew even more furious, grabbing Gardel by the collar and lifting him up, spitting with rage.

"Then what do we do?"

"Wait here to die?"

Gardel cautiously suggested, "Perhaps, maybe we can surrender."

Oliver threw him to the ground, laughing angrily: "Maybe you can surrender, but do I have that chance?"

"Don't forget the Rackham Family is already extinct, and most of the nobles in the Rackman Duchy have been slaughtered. Do you think, as the Duke of Norton and ruler of this Principality, that I have a chance to surrender?"

He unfastened the axe at his waist, gripping it tightly, advancing step by step. His towering figure nearly obscured Gardel, and his tone grew increasingly menacing.

Gardel sensed danger as he lay on the ground.

Yet he did not panic, instead a semblance of calm took over. Suddenly, his face twisted into a mocking smile, "Who knows, maybe you still have a chance. After all, a dog of the Boske Duchy or a dog of the Ashen Kingdom, either way you're still a dog—"

"Swish—"

Duke Oliver chopped Gardel's head off, blood splattering his face.

"Hmph, despicable rebel."

He snorted coldly, his visage growing even more grotesque.

Duke Oliver knew all too well that he had angered the Red Dragon multiple times, and with the Red Dragon's vindictive nature, there was no way it would let him live.

He would likely be dragged to the executioner's block, facing so-called "judgment," becoming the laughingstock of all. This was absolutely intolerable to Oliver.

Duke Oliver looked at his trusted aides, his expression icy as he addressed them: "This is the fate that awaits those who dare to think of surrendering. Do you understand?"

The Frost Giant bloodline seemed to be taking effect as he held Gardel's head aloft, panting heavily. His bloodied face took on a bluish hue, and with his towering stature over two meters, he indeed resembled a fierce and brutal Frost Giant.

Out of fear or respect, the trusted aides nodded in agreement, not daring to make a sound.

"..."

"So, what will you do next...?"

After a long silence, the Guard Captain finally gathered the courage to ask.

The chaos outside grew louder with howls, cries, even gunshots echoing throughout the city. Clearly, the Ashen Kingdom's army had entered the city and begun killing the resisting enemies. They wouldn't hold out much longer.

"Damn it, how could they break through so fast? Useless bastards."

Duke Oliver tossed Gardel's unseeing head aside, contemplating with a grim face that seemed shrouded in a thick gloom.

Suddenly, he recalled a story about the Norton Family. Passed down through generations since the time the Norton Family were still Val Barbarian chieftains, it had been four hundred years. People had even regarded it as legend, including his father.

But with the Red Dragon's retainers approaching, perhaps this was the last straw to clutch.

With this thought, Oliver ordered: "Let's go to the family tomb."

"Yes, my lord."

Oliver and his trusted aides moved through a secret passage behind the Ducal Residence, arriving at the Norton Family tomb.

This cemetery was lavishly adorned, with flowers symbolizing the repose of the deceased planted throughout.

Engraved on the tombstones were intricate inscriptions bearing the names of the Norton Family ancestors and their epitaphs. There were many sizable underground mausoleums within the graveyard, providing a resting place for each Duke.

Hundreds of years of assimilation had made the Norton Family's burial customs almost identical to those of the Northern Nobility.

"This is the place."

"You may stand guard outside. Await my return."

"Yes, my lord."

The trusted aides obeyed, guarding the entrance.

Grand Duke Oliver approached the largest mausoleum and walked straight in.

Etched upon it was the name of the Norton ancestor, the first to be given the Norton surname—Kavaha Norton.

"According to the Secret Codex, it should be like this."

Following the procedures outlined in the family's Secret Codex, he used a dagger to cut his finger, letting his blood drip into the groove in front of the sarcophagus.

The blood, a peculiar blend of red and white, immediately merged into it, producing a subtle icy ripple.

"Boom—"

With a deep rumble, a concealed stone door slowly opened. Behind the sarcophagus, a deep secret passage appeared.

"So it's true. It's all true!"

Duke Oliver's eyes lit up with excitement as he quickly stepped into the secret passage.

The passage seemed to be designed just for him. Despite his height of over two meters, he walked through it effortlessly.