Chapter 149: Chapter 78: The Situation in the North


    After Duke Brad’s death, the Ashen Nest swiftly upied the entirety of Northwind Castle. Key areas such as the city hall and the armory naturally fell into the control of the evil dragon’s minions.


    The Rackman Castle, surrounded by the Shadow Curse, was sealed off by the army and turned into a forbidden zone.@@novelbin@@


    Every gate of Northwind Castle was guarded by the Goblin Army, armed with muskets, enforcing martialw. No one dared to escape, for patrolsposed of Dragon Vein Goblins and Kobolds eagerly awaited to tear apart any fleeing individuals.


    An oppressive atmosphere permeated Northwind Castle.


    The thirty thousand inhabitants of the city were all anxious about their fates.


    As Northwind Castle fell, news of the Rackman Duchy’s copse spread throughout Anzeta.


    Though the Northern nobility had anticipated the duchy’s fall, its swift demise left them stunned.


    “Infernal Cmity” Cassius led his wicked servants and demonstrated terrifying military prowess, conquering the vast Rackman Duchy in less than a month, erasing this four-century-old nation from the annals of history.


    Suddenly, the Northern United Kingdom was in a state of rm, with everyone fearing for their safety.


    But soon, Bipedal Wyverns appeared across Anzeta, dropping leaflets like snowkes.


    It was an official promation—


    Duke Brad Rackman, ruler of the Rackman Duchy, signed a contract with an evil entity, converting himself into a vampire. Over his two-hundred-year reign, he ughtered and enved the local popce, creating horrifying atrocities and umting a blood debt. Additionally, Brad Rackman repeatedly sent forces to invade the Ashen Nest, even dispatching armies that severely threatened the local safety and disrupted the peace and order of the Anzeta Great Wilderness.


    Therefore, the great Red Dragon, King of Ashen, His Majesty Cassius udius Norixius, upheld justice and righteousness for the deceased, killed Brad Rackman, and brought the dark and decaying Rackman Duchy under his enlightened rule, officially dering the formation of the great Ashen Kingdom.


    After this promation came a series of bewildering additional uses.


    “The Notte Duchy, aiding Rackman Duchy’s assault on Stormy Ridge, infringed upon the Ashen Kingdom’s sovereignty. We believe the Notte Family’s actions were extremely reckless. Theyck the capability to take responsibility for their citizens and territory and should be subject to oversight and management by the kingdom.”


    “The Boske Duchy, deceived by Duke Brad, participated in the so-called allied forces, causing significant losses to the kingdom. They mustpensate with twenty-five thousand gold coins, and furthermore…”


    “The Carter Duchy spread shameful rumors. Their ‘Song of Embers’ caused extremely negative public opinion against the kingdom…”


    “The Fano Duchy colluded with the Rackman Family, providing economic support and indirectly causing harm to the kingdom…”


    The Northern nobility was in an uproar.


    This greedy dragon dared to extort the entire Northern United Kingdom!


    He was far more avaricious than those Red Dragons that only showcased their strength by massacring cities!


    Once obscure and only existent in bard tales, “me Wing Dragon” Cassius had in just a few years grown into such a colossal being right under their noses, now capable of making the North tremble with a mere p of his wings.


    Remember, even “cier Wing” a century ago only destroyed a city and did not upy a duchy, let alone extort the entire Northern United Kingdom.


    Dragons ruling thend was something only of legends, even tracing back to the first era of the Dragon-Giant conflict. Now it was happening right before the Northern nobility’s eyes.


    At least in these past few centuries, at least since the establishment of the Northern United Kingdom, there had never been such an arrogant dragon on the Anzeta Great Wilderness!


    In Stratholme Fortress, the nominal capital of the United Kingdom and also the capital of the Boske Duchy, in the grand Lion Council Hall.


    Hundreds of Northern nobility rarely gathered in one ce, discussing how to deal with this terrifying dragon. This was the first time since the “Lionheart Alliance” thirty years ago.


    “Outrageous!”


    “This evil dragon is outrageous!”


    Duke Leo Boske mmed the flyer on the long table with a resounding “p.”


    His face was full of fury, his tall and sturdy body trembled with anger, even his lion’s mane-like beard quivered, and his thunderous roar terrified his attendants.


    “We, the Boske Duchy, will never ept such humiliating terms!”


    “Who does he think he is? Just a fire-breathing lizard! We Scania People have ughtered dozens of such overestimating lizards to establish ourselves in Anzeta!”


    Not far from him, Grand Duke Oliver Norton of the Norton Principality also rose angrily, mming the table: “Yes! We must reim the Rackman Duchy’snd! Kill this overestimating Red Dragon!”


    “Or we won’t be able to quell the public outrage!”


    Grand Duke Oliver gritted his teeth; his hatred for Cassius was already deep-seated.


    The Ashen Empire’s notices to other countries mainly involved extorting some money or transit rights. But the demand on the Norton Principality was so-called “international trusteeship,” with an outrageously absurd reason: “Grand Duke Oliver does not have the capability to govern the Norton Principality and requires the assistance of the more civilized and orderly Ashen Empire.”


    An absolute mockery!


    This was a tant insult!


    An empire ruled by a monster shamelessly issued such a despicable notice, causing Grand Duke Oliver to lose sleep for days. In fury, he dismissed all envoys originally destined for the Ashen Nest.


    “But…that Red Dragon can cast Eighth Tier Spells.”


    “The entire North has only a few spellcasters of this level. He’s catastrophic for the army.”


    A hoarse, weary voice sounded.


    “Grey Hawk” Schroeder also attended this meeting. At this moment, his eyes were dim, full of fatigue and helplessness, and a deep-seated hatred for the Red Dragon.


    The lord he served and the country he belonged to had perished. He had no choice but to take refuge here, barely finding shelter with Grand Duke Leo.


    “Maybe we can seek external assistance.”


    “Yes, there’s a rumor from six years ago that a ‘Twilight de’ from the South slew a Red Dragon. Just not sure if it’s true.”


    Some nobles said.


    Hearing this, Grand Duke Leo’s anger subsided a bit, and he asked the nearby nobles: “Count Tapley, didn’t that ‘Twilight de’ once stay in your domain? Can you get in touch with her?”


    Count Tapley shook his head helplessly: “She left hurriedly five years ago, leaving no contact information.”


    Grand Duke Leo’s tone grew solemn: “Maybe we can look to the South, and seek help from the Holy Fan Federation.”


    “I’m afraid that won’t work.”


    Count Triss, who often visited the South, said: “Recently, unprecedented rebellions have erupted in several provinces of Fan. His Majesty Aragon has led the Sun Legion in a campaign for months, probably unable to attend to us.”


    Grand Duke Leo roared furiously:


    “Then what should we do? Will we just wait to die, surrender to that Red Dragon, and watch him unt his power before us?”


    The nobles fell into silence, the hall echoing only with Grand Duke Leo’s roar.


    Suddenly, a hoarse voice broke the silence—


    —It was none other than “Grey Hawk” Schroeder.


    “Your Grace, I know of someone who might be able to counter that Red Dragon and is willing to help.”