Ashen Dragon

Cassius is just like this. Relying on the advantage of prophetic foreknowledge, he can always leap between the Gods, making them gnash their teeth in hatred, yet unable to do anything about it.

Finally, Du Masong lowered his eyelids and sighed deeply.

"Ah—"

The rarely vocal Divine emitted a sound that was long and low, like the desolate autumn wind, or like the final requiem of the Shield Dwarves...

Du Masong raised the Molten Rock Hammer in his hand, pointing toward the devastated ground behind him, where lava flowed freely. A surge of earthy yellow light spread out like a tidal wave, unleashing the strength of Divine Authority tied to the earth.

"Boom—"

Accompanied by a muffled rumble, the rocks flowed like liquid. The towering stone pillars that had risen began to sink rapidly, and the enormous bottomless fissures gradually sealed shut. The crystals, gemstones, iron, copper, gold, silver, and Mithril embedded in the Rock Dwarves' bodies melted back into the layers of rock, following the veins, and returned to their rightful places deep underground...

These treasures buried beneath the earth obeyed Du Masong's command with the unwavering loyalty of the most disciplined soldiers.

"This is the authority of the Divine... truly enviable..."

Cassius stood atop a nearby hill, pausing to admire the spectacular waves of the earth, as if the fierce battle that had just transpired had nothing to do with him.

To cause such an extensive change to the environment, even the Red Dragon could only accomplish it within the Imperial Region, and even then, the level of precision was far inferior to Du Masong's.

Shortly after, Du Masong touched the earth with the Molten Rock Hammer, making a gesture. Instantly, with the cold winds blowing, a mournful tune swept through hundreds of miles around.

The Shield Dwarves, whose lifeless bodies lay strewn across the battlefield, seemed to respond to the call of their Shield Dwarf Guardian God. Their corpses emitted a faint yellow light, gradually merging into the earth, sinking into the ground and transforming into nourishment for the land.

"Du Masong's Requiem..."

The Dwarves, born from the mountains and now resting beneath the rocky layers, found an ending that could be considered fitting after all.

Finally, Du Masong lifted his head and gazed deeply at the Red Dragon with his Silver Fire Eyes, before letting out another sigh. Then, he transformed into brilliant yellow radiance and soared straight toward the heavens.

Du Masong departed.

In truth, even if this Silent Guardian chose not to retreat, he could no longer linger in the Prime Material Plane for much longer, as Gush had allied with the Demon Legion of the Abyss and was preparing to strike at His Divine Realm.

Weighing various gains and losses, Du Masong chose to cease hostilities with Cassius and focus on the war within the Outer Planes—after all, the Shield Dwarves of the Material Plane had not perished, and the Prince had already led his people to carve out a new home.

Indeed, the battle between Cassius and Du Masong was primarily probing in nature. Though it appeared grand in scale, neither side had revealed their ultimate trump cards.

The towering Rock Dwarf still remained in its place. Like a living creature, it hugged its knees, slowly curling into itself, transforming into a raised hill before falling silent.

And Ed's shattered remains were buried deep within that hill, finding final rest there.

The Shield Dwarves' requiem had concluded at last, and the dense smoke and fiery clouds overhead gradually dissipated. The noon sunlight pierced through the clouds and bathed the land.

Under the fanatical stares of countless Imperial Soldiers, their gazes scorching enough to melt steel, the Red Dragon flapped its wings and ascended into the air. Its colossal body was bathed in sunlight, forming a golden halo around its frame.

"Long live Cassius!"

"Long live the Great Red Dragon!"

"Divine Ones, even the Divine must bow to His Majesty's strength and submit to the glorious Ashen Empire!"

"Praise the Great Red Dragon! He protected us and defeated a Divine!" Tears welled up in their eyes, overflowing emotions of excitement and gratitude coursing through their veins.

These Imperial officers and soldiers were unaware of the non-aggression pact Cassius had struck with Du Masong.

In their view, His Imperial Majesty had severely struck down Du Masong, forcing him to capitulate on the spot and leave the Prime Material Plane.

But such "benevolent rumors" were always welcomed by Cassius. The Red Dragon, who harbored ambitions of godhood, naturally relished rumors that enhanced his prestige.

"Hahaha, that Dwarven god actually helped clean up the battlefield for us! This is the first time I've ever seen a god collect bodies!" An Imperial Soldier laughed heartily.

"Indeed, even the Divine is no match for our Majesty!"

"How can we ever repay such a debt?" Others began singing "Cassius's Hymn" once again, their voices trembling with an overwhelming sense of excitement, even adding new lines like "Heroic and fearless, battling the Divine."

Far away, in the high skies, Cassius beat his wings and gazed down at the war-torn Aivendel. Then, he lifted his head and let out an earth-shaking, sky-rending roar.

"Roar—"

Instantly, hundreds of Bipedal Wyverns raised their heads, tapping into their instincts to howl and shriek together in resonance with their master.

"Awoo—"

Among the flock of dragons, the largest Wyvern, their leader—Stieg—was especially vigorous, shrieking until his throat was nearly hoarse, loud enough to crack the nearby rocky cliffs, causing small fragments of stones to tumble down.

The falling debris landed in the shadows of alleyways, startling the Dwarves hiding there into almost crying out.

One Dwarf curled up in a corner, his garments tattered, his exposed skin covered in charred wounds—proof of the scars left by the flames of war.