Ashen Dragon

After taking care of the Chaotic Evil Eye, Cassius finally used a spell to contact Ramp, who was thousands of miles away, but he was astonished to find nine different coordinates appear when trying to locate Ramp.

Ramp's "work avatars" have increased again?

Cassius's lips twitched slightly, though he found it rather expected—after all, apart from governing the vast North Aisier occupied territories, there was also the recent task of mobilizing the army.

Soon, an ugly face exuding the aura of an overworked clerk appeared before the Red Dragon, surrounded by a thick stack of documents that seemed to be nearly as tall as a person.

Ramp, as usual, lowered his head respectfully and weakly greeted, "Good day, my noble and glorious master."

Seeing the Dragon Vein Ogre looking utterly drained, Cassius grew somewhat concerned that he might suddenly drop dead one day. So, he softened his tone and offered some consolation, saying, "Ramp, you've worked hard these past months.

The Empire has just entered Fianso—economy, policies, public security, intelligence, diplomacy—there's so much to handle right now. Once we enter a stable mode, things should be easier for you."

This show of concern stemmed from the dragon's consideration for his own assets. If Ramp were to suddenly perish, who else in this enormous empire would be as loyal—and as tirelessly diligent in their work—as him?

Under Cassius's "kindly consolation and heartfelt concern," Ramp was deeply moved, his eyes growing moist, though this only made his already ugly face appear even more grotesque—and bizarre.

Indeed, no matter the action, an ugly creature only becomes uglier in stranger ways—fortunately, after encountering beings whose appearances attacked the senses, like the Fungus Lady and the Chaotic Evil Eye, Cassius's resistance had improved considerably.

Soon after, the Dragon Vein Ogre's expression regained its resoluteness. He slowly shook his head and said, "Master, this is all my duty. As the Imperial Prime Minister, it's my responsibility. I should be thanking you for granting me this opportunity...

By the end of his words, his tone grew impassioned, his throat trembling slightly, "For the Empire's mission to conquer the world—no, to conquer the Multiverse—I am willing to give everything, even my life!"

Watching his retainer self-motivate himself with just a few words and return to a state of vigor, Cassius nodded in satisfaction repeatedly and couldn't help but muse inwardly: this ogre was born to be a laborer.

Soon after, Cassius asked, "What is the status of the Imperial Army? When will they reach Aivendel?"

Ramp answered confidently, "Three days, it will take only three days. The war hasn't been over for long, and our main forces are still stationed in the North Aisier Region, so deployment is very smooth.

According to the Imperial Intelligence Department's investigation, the High Mountain Dwarf Kingdom is currently drained from war. Its internal defenses are weak, and what's more, we have the schematics for Aivendel City's defenses. Those dwarves are no threat at all.

After a brief discussion, the Imperial Senate resolved to send only 30% of the troops to Aivendel City while leaving the rest stationed across the North Aisier occupied territories, ensuring order there will not fall into chaos."

Cassius casually asked, "Who is leading the battle?"

"It's Admiral Delor. Marshal Dolores still needs to oversee operations in the North Aisier Military District. Although he strongly recommended himself for this mission, the Senate did not approve his proposal," Ramp replied evenly.

"Not bad."

The Red Dragon nodded slightly, exhaling a puff of sulfurous white smoke and stretching his wings.

Delor, Marquis of the Empire, Dragon Vein Goblin, Dolores's confidant, and one of the prominent figures representing the power of the Imperial Military—Cassius was more than familiar with the name.

From the towering stack of documents, Ramp deftly pulled out the correct one, used a spell to lift the seal upon it, opened the file, and reported dutifully, "For this special military operation, the Empire will deploy sixty thousand infantry, one hundred fifty-four tanks, four hundred sixty-four wyverns, as well as eight thousand five hundred personnel from engineering and logistics units...

Meanwhile, we've issued a call to arms for the Starfaller Army across the North Aisier Region. We estimate that over fifty thousand Starfallen will serve as reinforcements."

Hearing these arrangements, Cassius sighed inwardly. Though the Ashen Empire wasn't mobilizing its full strength, the scope of the forces alone was an overwhelming advantage against the High Mountain Dwarf Kingdom.

As the "steadfast ally" and "eternal friend" of the Shield Dwarves, Cassius understood the High Mountain Kingdom's internal affairs better than anyone.

After Zevrol led the exodus of the weak, elderly, and women, Aivendel's remaining dwarves numbered fewer than thirty thousand, and even during its peak population, it couldn't match the number of troops the Empire was deploying.

And as for the dwarves' prized artisanal weaponry, they amounted to nothing in the face of the Empire's Steel Torrent.

In terms of troop numbers, quality, and level of equipment, the Empire clearly held an unquestionable, crushing advantage.

The only matter of note was the High Mountain Dwarf Kingdom's high-tier combat power—the renowned "Master of High Mountains," legendary dwarf warrior Ed.

Soon enough, Ramp raised this concern: "Based on the information you've provided, and intelligence gathered by the Imperial Intelligence Department, Gush has recently launched an attack on the dwarf divine pantheon. The dwarves' gods should be too occupied to intervene in the Material Plane.

However, Ed Klein, a legendary dwarf warrior nearing demigod-level strength, remains a formidable figure. Therefore, Misha will accompany the army, prepared to suppress the dwarves' elite forces at any time."