Ashen Dragon-Chapter 393 - 316: Kingdom of Cassandra

Chapter 393: Chapter 316: Kingdom of Cassandra

“Kingdom of Cassandra, huh…”

“The southern situation still hasn’t changed. If the Empire doesn’t intervene, it will likely follow the original history.”

Cassius sat firmly on the Iron Throne, thinking. At this moment, he slightly squinted his eyes, quietly waiting for the arrival of the Cassandra Kingdom’s envoy, while recalling memories of his past life.

After all, he possessed memories of his previous life; he was familiar with Airez’s background and the general process of the Holy Fadlan’s Great Dismantling.

Now, it was only in the first phase of the Great Dismantling—the “Three Emperors’ War.”

The so-called “Three Emperors” referred to Wilhelm of the Thrace Kingdom, Audis of the Cassandra Kingdom, and Felipe of the Seleucis Kingdom.

Aragon the First had said ten years ago, “Theodivacan is the most magnificent gem in the Empire’s crown. Possessing it symbolizes possessing imperial power.”

Thus, the heirs of these three emperors engaged in a protracted, near-fanatical war over Theodivacan, the “City of Sunrise.”

They all claimed to be the sole heir of the late Emperor, the future Emperor of Holy Fadlan.

After years of war, Theodivacan was turned into ruins, with millions perishing; this former “City of Sunrise” became a blood-soaked millstone.

After the “War of the Bloody Sunset,” the three great kingdoms were exhausted and unable to control their territories. The Divine Descendant Nobles within their realms led troops to declare independence, establishing numerous new states on the former lands of the Holy Fadlan Empire.

This was the second, and longest, phase of the Holy Fadlan’s Great Dismantling—Kings’ Strife.

It was during this period that Tiamat’s giant dragon autocracy occurred.

“Kings’ Strife…”

Cassius thought.

Now, the three great kingdoms, which had inherited almost all the legacy of the Holy Fadlan Empire, were still too powerful. Each king controlled a Divine Descendant Legion composed of dozens of legendary warriors—the legacy of the “Sun Legion.”

If the Empire were to attack recklessly, it would definitely provoke a desperate counterattack from the Thrace Kingdom.

By that time, it would benefit the already most dominant Cassandra Kingdom, giving them the chance to unify Fadlan.

This was something Cassius absolutely did not want to see.

“Tsk, tsk, at this stage, diplomatic threats, extortion, and deception should be the main methods to extract as much tangible benefit from the three great kingdoms as possible.”

“At least… seize the Cartapa Hills south of the Anzeta Corridor, securing a foothold for continental expansion.”

Cassius slowly opened his eyes, greed gleaming in his light golden pupils.

Voices of the Tiefling Guards came from outside the door.

“Your Majesty, the envoy from the Cassandra Kingdom is outside the palace.”

“Let them in.”

Accompanied by a rumbling sound, the heavy palace doors slowly opened.

The envoy group, guided by attendants, entered the palace. Their number was quite large, with over a hundred people, including guards, officials, and scholars. They also brought along heavy, ornate golden silk wood boxes.

The leader appeared to be in his thirties, wearing a bright long coat ensemble, draped in a yellow, red, and orange golden silk robe, with a sunrise-shaped headpiece—standard attire for an Amanata Priest.

Obviously, the Cassandra Kingdom valued this mission highly, not only wanting to befriend the Ashen Empire but also hinting that “they” were the legitimate heirs of Fadlan.

The leading priest stepped forward, bowing deeply and said,

“Your Majesty—”

He paused but then continued smoothly, “Emperor.”

“I am the envoy of the Cassandra Kingdom, Naven Bassarius. His Majesty Audis sent me to extend his greetings and congratulate you on unifying the Anzeta Great Wilderness and being crowned Emperor of the Ashen Empire.”

“This is a humble gift, representing His Majesty Audis’ personal friendship.”

Naven raised his hand, and several robust warriors immediately brought the boxes over and opened the gilded lids one by one.

Instantly, golden light filled the palace, the boxes filled with gold and jewels.

Cassius smiled and praised,

“As expected of the king ruling ‘The Land Bestowed by the Sun God,’ truly wealthy.”

“Naven, thank His Majesty Audis for his gift. Please tell him, I am very willing to be friends with such a generous human.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Naven bowed again, his expression unperturbed.

Several tall and strong Ogres entered the hall, carrying the heavy boxes on their shoulders, removing them all.

Cassius continued,

“However… a monarch as ambitious as His Majesty Audis probably didn’t just bring personal friendship, did he?”

“Does the Cassandra Kingdom—to say nothing of you all—have any requests of the Empire?”

Instantly, Naven’s face showed joy. He quickly folded his hands and replied, “Your Imperial Majesty, your wisdom is astonishing.”

“Indeed, His Majesty Audis hopes to cooperate with the Empire. He even wishes to form a secret pact with you, becoming close allies.”

“Allies?”

“But as far as I know, the Empire has never had any dealings with the Cassandra Kingdom, no vested interests. So how could we talk about an alliance?”

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Cassius asked in a casual tone.

Naven steadied his expression and solemnly said, “The Ashen Empire and the Cassandra Kingdom have a common enemy.”

“What enemy?”

Cassius feigned ignorance.

Naven hesitated for a moment, then firmly uttered the name,

“The Thrace Kingdom.”

“You must be well aware that if the Ashen Empire wants to expand southward, the Thrace Kingdom is the biggest obstacle in your way.”

“But if you cooperate with us… we can jointly crush the Thrace Kingdom.”

Cassius neither agreed nor disagreed; he just smiled and said, “Those who understand me know well that I have always been a peace-loving ruler, putting my people first, so…”

He paused.

Naven internally scoffed at this rhetoric.

A peace-loving Red Dragon who had just destroyed a kingdom?

What a joke.

Though he thought this, he didn’t show it, still anxiously listening to the following words.

Cassius looked down at Naven with his golden eyes and said softly, “If we were to cooperate—what would my Ashen Empire gain?”

“Two-thirds of Thrace’s territory.”

“I promise on behalf of His Majesty Audis that all lands north of the Radiant Mountains can belong to the Ashen Empire. The Cassandra Kingdom only needs the southern part of Thrace.”

Naven seemed prepared, answering fluently.

Moreover, his words sounded very tempting, making Dolores, who was eavesdropping in the hall, breathe a bit faster.

But Cassius knew Audis’ true intentions.

In the south of the Radiant Mountains, in the Thrace Kingdom’s capital, the City of Sunrise, Augustus, lay a Sun God Pyramid.

Legend has it that the new emperor will possess all the pyramids and, on the summer solstice, conduct sacred priestly ceremonies in all the pyramids simultaneously.

By then, the Sun God shall bestow endless power, and the newborn Divine Descendants will once again bring glory and brilliance to Holy Fadlan.

Audis probably was not aiming to befriend the Ashen Empire but thought that—in front of the Cassandra Kingdom, or rather the Second Fadlan Empire holding the “Sun God” ritual, the Ashen Empire would be insignificant.

The lost territories were only temporarily stored, to be reclaimed anytime, perhaps even effortlessly wiping out the Ashen Empire.