Ashen Dragon

The mist disperses, the night fades, and a red sun gradually arises among the distant mountains, dyeing the edges of the hills gold, casting myriad rays upon the earth.

The majestic Holy Tree becomes battered, marked by scars and gaps, yet restores its former sanctity and purity, resembling a wounded angel.

"We... have won."

Catherine looked around, the once beautiful and prosperous kingdom now lay in ruins, with remnants of humans, dwarves, and elves everywhere, while those abyssal creatures have been purified by the moonlight, nowhere to be seen.

Upon seeing the elf remains, Catherine's initial joyous mood grew heavier.

As a race with long life spans and highly gifted in magic, elves were already sparse in population, with Serinia numbering just over thirty thousand.

After this battle, tens of thousands were dead or injured, shaking the foundation of Serinia, and it will likely be difficult to recover in the short term.

Indeed, they were victorious.

It was a brutal victory, and although Catherine had mentally prepared herself, she still hadn't expected such devastation.

But soon, as Catherine looked at the newly risen red sun in the sky, her expression regained resolve, her silver eyes shining brightly: "A new era dawns, and I will lead my people... towards a glorious future."

A priest wandered among the crowd, healing the wounds of the warriors, people supporting each other, all coincidentally looking toward several leaders in the heart of the battlefield.

Catherine raised her magic wand high, silver light spilling over the land, healing people's wounds.

Step by step, she walked forward, with the holy branches extending underfoot, lifting her to a higher vantage.

Catherine gazed at the jubilant crowd, speaking loudly: "Children of Shanee."

Her voice caused the craftsmen clearing battlefield shards to pause their actions, and the Silver Armor Guards dressing wounds to press down on their bleeding bandages and rise.

"We... have won."

"Through our unrelenting efforts, the Spider Queen and her claws and fangs have been driven out of the Material Plane, and Serinia returned to the embrace of the silver moonlight, regaining its freedom, justice, and pursuit of righteousness!"

"But also, please remember..."

The Elf Queen turned around, lowering her eyelids, her voice suddenly becoming gentle.

The silver leaves and branches on the Holy Tree emitted a faint glow, illuminating the suspended phantom behind her—a scene pieced together from the memory shards of the fallen.

Elf Rangers burned to silver torches on spiderwebs, Human Paladins used the last of their strength to pierce the holy sword into the Demon Hunting Spider's compound eye, Dwarf bombers jumped into the Spider Queen's hatchery with barrels of explosives...

"In this war, countless companions pursuing justice bravely sacrificed, exchanging their lives for our victory, tonight, when you drink to your heart's content, please do not forget their contributions."

Amid the crowd came several stifled sobs, Catherine lifted her head, her voice again becoming uplifted.

"All of us should remember this day, it was a sacred rebellion, a glorious war, a pivotal moment for deciding the future of the Silver Moon Elves!"

Suddenly, a Silver Moon Elf raised a longbow, shouting loudly: "Long live Serinia! Justice prevails!"

"Long live Serinia!"

"Long live Her Majesty Catherine!"

This cheer spread like a tide, gradually filling the entire battlefield with the shouts of the allied soldiers, enduring and ceaseless.

Though differing in race, disparate in beliefs, at this moment they relied upon each other like true brothers, celebrating together, celebrating this rare victory.

"Long live Serinia!"

Titus stepped forward, looking at the jubilant crowd, smiling and saying: "Everyone, we have indeed achieved a glorious victory, under the protection of Her Majesty Shanee, the Spider Queen dares not set foot onto the Material Plane again." This is part of a series from My Virtual Library Empire (MVL1EMPYR).

This Ancient Gold Dragon paused, his expression suddenly becoming serious: "But... the current Fianso is not tranquil, one could even say that undercurrents are surging."

"After the fall of the Empire of Fadlan, countless forces lurking in darkness have been eager for action, seeking opportunities to invade and plunder, even revealing their blood-stained fangs—for instance, the Red Dragon in the North."

"Lord Titus is correct, our Harpist Alliance is also monitoring the situation everywhere, and now the circumstances are rather unfavorable," Melisan responded solemnly.

Zeen laughed heartily, stroking his beard, proposing: "In that case, how about we forge an alliance, like the Holy Alliance between the High Mountain Kingdom and Serinia back in the day, to jointly resist those evil forces?"

Catherine also nodded slightly, revealing a gentle smile: "Serinia has just experienced a catastrophe, with everything to rebuild, needing your assistance."

Rhea also nodded, resolutely stating: "We Serinia certainly will not forget the helping hand you extended in our dire times; we will exert all efforts to aid you in resisting the invasion of evil forces."

Emerson said: "Since it's an alliance, a fitting name is necessary."

Titus looked up towards the nascent sun, smiling and said: "Since we have gathered here to resist darkness and seek light, fighting against the evil gods from the Abyss, breaking through the clouds in the sky, why not call it 'Dawn Alliance'?"

This Ancient Gold Dragon raised his scepter, a beam of light broke through the clouds, and the emblem of the nascent sun appeared in the air, prompting nods from everyone.

"This alliance will include Serinia, the High Mountain Kingdom, the Harpist Alliance, the Arcane Priory, and many other forces pursuing justice, positioned at the front lines against the Abyss and Barto Hell when evil forces invade, with any side suffering aggression receiving full support from the others."