Ashen Dragon

On the grand and pristine altar, the gaze of the Red Dragon Emperor descended, imparting an immense sense of oppression.

In the light of the sun, the emperor's eyes exuded an inexplicable sacredness and solemnity, making Adrian vaguely feel a sense of awe akin to facing the incarnation of the Sun God.

"You have finally arrived, Adrian."

The majestic voice emanated from the throat of the Red Dragon, heavy like the rumble of thunder, and at the moment of speaking, a scorching scent of sulfur approached, leaving him nearly suffocated.

"Adrian, Earl of Folner Territory of the Kingdom of Seleucis, pays respects to the legitimate monarch of Anzeta and Thrace, ruler of the North of Fianso, supreme Emperor of the Ashen Empire, His Majesty Cassius."

Adrian hastily half-kneeled on the ground, initially wanting to perform the noble's salute of Fadlan, but in his panic, he used the church rite of the Sun God Church instead.

Rolf, behind him, was shocked at the sight but quickly regained composure, bending down to kneel, paying homage to the most powerful ruler of the Material Plane.

At this moment, Adrian lowered his head, watching the sweat from his chin drip onto the white stone bricks, his heart filled with tumultuous waves of shock, excitement, and even a hint of inexplicable delight.

The Emperor actually knows my name?

He was nothing but an inconspicuous earl of the Kingdom of Seleucis, and his territory could barely make a splash before such a behemoth as the Ashen Empire.

Moreover, before this emperor who could rival a demigod, his proud Paladin strength was insignificant, easily crushed like an ant.

Adrian really couldn't fathom why this Red Dragon emperor would pay attention to him or even summon him here personally.

"No need for formalities, rise."

The Red Dragon Emperor's words interrupted Adrian's musings.

Before he could react, Adrian felt an unstoppable force lift him up against his will, without any chance to resist.

He slightly raised his head and saw the Red Dragon Emperor in the distance, expression calm, merely slightly curling one of his claws.

Adrian stood there, bewildered and speechless, unable to say a word.

What kind of power is this!

Should this Red Dragon Emperor harbor hostility towards him, perhaps merely pressing down that claw would grind him into pulp.

This Paladin couldn't even muster the thought of resistance.

Because the disparity is too great, like a tiny ant facing a towering giant, not even on the same level. Check for the latest updates on My Virtual Library Empire (MVLEMPYR).

"Adrian, I understand you might be confused about the current situation."

Cassius said flatly: "But you needn't be nervous; you can voice any query, rest assured, I won't claim your life like those five-colored dragons."

Adrian hesitated for a moment but still asked the question he cared about most and needed to know: "Your Majesty, why do you wish to assist us against the Dragon Worship Church? Considering your status..."

"Considering that I'm also a five-colored dragon, and there's even talk of me being 'Dragon Prince,' logically, I should be a retainer of Tiamat, right?" Cassius chuckled, continuing where he left off.

"Please forgive my impertinence, Your Majesty," Adrian nervously lowered his head, sweat beading on his forehead, particularly when hearing the nightmarish name "Tiamat," his breath faltered.

"Don't worry; I won't mind such trifles. I only ask you — how do you feel within the empire? What kind of place is Isdalia?"

Adrian recalled the scenes he had witnessed earlier, earnestly saying, "I have never seen such a prosperous, wealthy, and enormous city. The innovations here leave me in awe."

"So many races that were once enemies can coexist peacefully, living in harmony; it's simply...inconceivable to me."

The Red Dragon Emperor nodded satisfactorily and continued to ask, "And how is the territory ruled by the Dragon Worship Church?"

Adrian recalled the numerous tragedies of Seleucis, unable to help shaking his head, with a solemn expression and a show of compassion, he replied: "Appalling."

"There, the five-colored dragons reign supreme over other races, and the Dragonborn likewise tread over all races but the five-colored dragons, and the so-called laws and rules are mere scraps of paper."

"There, an adult dragon can recklessly gobble up a human walking down the street, or break into the mansion of a wealthy merchant, plundering all treasures, slaughtering all humans residing within. I've witnessed a Green Dragon descend from the sky, devouring a teenage half-elf girl."

"But for such matters, the Dragon Worship Church does nothing. They'll handle everything, slandering the victims and witnesses as sinners desecrating the divine."

At this point, Adrian's tone shifted from sorrowful, mournful to angry, his throat trembling slightly.

"And the Dragonborn also act recklessly, committing evil deeds, killing a human with compensation being merely three silver coins, and if humans accidentally offend them, having their eyes gouged out or hands chopped off is commonplace."

"Every seven days, the followers of the Dragon Worship Church hold sacrificial ceremonies, casting so-called 'sinners' onto altars or dragon breeding grounds to become sacrifices and sustenance.

The people wail, cry, but to no avail, only able to pray they won't be selected by the cultists, some even throwing themselves into the cult for survival."