Ashen Dragon-Chapter 431 - 353: City Observations

Chapter 431 -353: City Observations

On the morning of the second day, Naven Bassarius once again embarked on the long journey to visit the Ashen Empire.

Due to the intensifying war, the long border between the Kingdom of Cassandra and the Kingdom of Thrace was alight with flames of war, making this mission particularly arduous.

As for why they didn’t use a Teleportation Spell?

After multiple attempts, it seemed as though the space within the Ashen Empire was bound by a restrictive layer, difficult to penetrate.

Because of the war, the Kingdom of Thrace was filled with interference spells, and there were even cases where mages were torn to pieces by spatial rifts during teleportation attempts.

Due to Audis’ pride, he could not proceed in a grand manner with a diplomatic mission as he did last time; he could only travel secretly, accompanied by two personal guards.

Inside the carriage, Naven felt uneasy.

“I hope this time I can succeed.”

“If I can secure the Ashen Empire’s assistance, perhaps… His Majesty Audis can truly unify Holy Fadlan, restoring the glory of the empire.”

He turned his head and looked back at the increasingly distant Holy City, gazing up at the towering Eternal Sun God Tower, thinking this in his heart.

The carriage sped along the road.

After passing a post station, it was replaced with a mule renowned for its exceptional endurance.

He also donned plain cloth clothes, disguising himself as an ordinary traveling merchant.

Over the coming month, Naven would pass through the northeastern Dwarven Kingdom, traverse the long Mier Valley, and reach the Cartapa Hills area now governed by the empire.

Then, he would head north into the Anzeta Corridor, towards the distant and remote Anzeta Great Wilderness — the heartland of the Ashen Kingdom.

…

A month later, in the central part of the Anzeta Great Wilderness, on the outskirts of the City of Isdalia.

Naven led the mule, slowly removing his hood.

“This…”

“How is this possible.”

He gazed at the majestic cluster of buildings in the distance, stared at the towering, thick chimneys, and watched the plumes of smoke rising from the city. He couldn’t help but rub his eyes.

Was he dreaming?

Naven was not merely astonished by the scale of the city. In terms of sheer size, he was confident that no city could compare to Sunshine City, Theodivacan.

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What he found unbelievable was the empire’s construction speed.

Considering that only a few months had passed since his last visit, when Isdalia was merely in its nascent stages.

Yet now, it was more magnificent than many of Cassandra’s century-old cities, comparable even to those of the former Holy Fadlan.

He rubbed his eyes again.

It wasn’t until he saw people walking in the distance that he confirmed that this newly built city was no illusion, but genuinely there.

“By Amanata…”

“This young and unfamiliar empire is even more terrifying than I imagined.”

Naven couldn’t help but pray silently, feeling somewhat apprehensive about everything.

He didn’t know how the Ashen Empire accomplished this, nor did he know why they had such formidable mobilization and construction capabilities, but he knew one thing — the Kingdom of Cassandra had to take this seriously.

Of course, Naven didn’t know that the Ashen Empire now had nearly 200,000 high-quality laborers who didn’t tire or fear death.

Though they caused quite a bit of chaos, they indeed brought a qualitative leap in the empire’s productivity.

Nowadays, building houses from ashes had become an inevitable way for newcomers to earn Gold Coins and faction contribution when they first entered the game, considered the “novice guide mission” unique to the Ashen Empire. Newcomers were also given a fond nickname — laborers.

The Imperial Parliament Hall, Ashen Armory, Isdalia Grand Coliseum, Imperial Bank Building, and other iconic constructions were mostly built through the combined efforts of players and the imperial construction teams.

In the distance, a line of Tiefling Guards in neat formation marched by, each holding a new type of bayonet rifle.

“As expected, it’s that kind of weapon.”

“A standard short staff, very similar to those held by the Thrace Army.”

Naven thought as he looked at the firearms in the Tieflings’ hands.

But as he watched the Tiefling Guards drawing closer, approaching him.

“I should first observe the situation in the city and then carry out the task given by His Majesty.”

“If they have indeed allied with Thrace…”

Naven put on his hood, lowered his head, and led the mule quietly, praying the Tieflings wouldn’t notice his difference.

“Halt.”

The Tiefling Guard Captain said.

Naven quickly tightened his hood, trying to pass by nonchalantly.

But the bayonets of the Tiefling Guards flashed coldly, crossing to block his way.

“Sir, I’m just a passing merchant. If you…”

Naven tried to reach for money to bribe them.

But the Tiefling Guard Captain took out a parchment with gold-embossed writing.

“You are Lord Naven Bassarius, correct.”

“Please come with me. The great Ashen Emperor has long foreseen the arrival of a Cassandra envoy, and His Majesty has been waiting for you for a long time.”

“What?”

Naven was shocked.

He had come on this mission secretly, without informing any outsider, yet this emperor already knew.

Could it be true as the rumors within the Ashen Empire claimed, that he possessed the power to know all and foresee the future?

“Please come with me.”

The Tiefling urged again.

Filled with immense unease, Naven led the mule and entered the city under the escort of the Tiefling patrol.

The city was bustling with pedestrians in a hurry, and many players dressed in bizarre costumes.

A group of fully armed soldiers.

A mule.

An inconspicuous merchant.

Such a combination indeed looked odd.

Naven walked along, observing the varied styles of buildings on both sides of the road.

But seeing that the Imperial Army was carrying out official duties, most passersby only took a few more glances before minding their own business again, as interfering with official duties was considered a grave crime.

“What’s that NPC doing?”

“No idea. To be caught by the Imperial Army, he must be someone important.”

“Could he be a spy from the South?”

“The last time, they caught a northern remnant. I heard he died soon after being captured.”

“Could there be a hidden quest?”

“Never mind, it doesn’t concern us. Better to spend the time moving more bricks; earning Gold Coins isn’t easy these days, and it seems all mining tasks are replaced by skeletons.”

The players talked casually but did not dare approach. Nonetheless, their words made Naven blush with embarrassment.

Suddenly, the sound of a whistle caught his attention.

“Toot—Toot—”

“Northwind Castle Station, next stop—Imperial Seventh Armory.”

“Passengers, please disembark first, no crowding, queue up to board.”

In Naven’s astonished gaze, a “beast” of steel rolled in on the tracks, spewing puffs of gray-white smoke from its pipes.

But the people waiting on the roadside were already used to it, merely yawning and waiting for the passengers to disembark, then queuing up at the conductor’s call.

“Citizens! Please maintain order!”

From time to time, Sheriffs on wyverns swept across the sky, but people remained unperturbed, only whispering to each other.

Some players even discussed topics like “that bastard fined me fifty Copper Coins last time” or “here’s that son of a bitch again.”

On the street, a few ogres in oversized tailcoats approached, their belly buttons straining against their shirts so much the buttons were ready to burst.

The leading one held a Gentleman’s Cane and wore silver-rimmed glasses, looking quite “noble.”

“Isn’t that Lord Bighead?”

“Good day, Lord Bigheaded Viscount.”

“Wish you a great appetite today.”

People greeted with utmost respect, some even ingratiated themselves, and the ogre nodded in response.

There were many such scenes.

“This city…”

“It’s too strange. It’s unlike any place I have been before.”

Naven Bassarius, looking around at the bizarre surroundings, couldn’t help but think this.