Ashen Dragon

After discussing the Earl's disposal, Cassius suddenly seemed to remember something, a strong sense of curiosity showing on his face.

"By the way, Ramp. Experience a new spell."

"Yes, Master."

The ogre obeyed immediately, standing still, attentively monitoring the changes in the Magic Web around him, not daring to move a single step.

"Snap."

A crisp sound was heard.

He saw the space before him ripple, and the Magic Web fluctuated violently but disappeared in an instant, quick to the point of being almost undetectable. The Red Dragon had already appeared behind him out of thin air.

It wasn't a teleportation spell but an acceleration of the time flow, achieving the purest speed to the extreme.

However, things didn't stop there.

Ramp suddenly felt the surrounding space and time gradually freezing, a suffocating feeling coming from all directions. He still resisted the urge to struggle and stood in place.

[Eternal Stasis]

In an instant, he felt as if he was trapped in an eternal, invisible cage, time stretched infinitely, and everything around him fell into a complete standstill.

"No..."

"This feeling..."

Second by second passed — without reference, Ramp didn't know how much time had passed. A trace of despair even formed in his heart.

The next moment, however, the invisible cage suddenly vanished, everything around began to function normally, the air flowed, and the ogre returned to normal conditions.

"Huff, huff, huff..."

Ramp couldn't help but open his mouth wide, first looking down at his body in disbelief, then gasping and looking around, muttering to himself: "Is this... Time Stop?"

"Master, you..."

Ramp's voice trembled, saliva almost dripping from the corners of his mouth.

It was known that Time Stop was one of the most practical and renowned Ninth Tier Spells, difficult even for many Legendary Mages to cast.

For a mage eager to research spells and explore the mysteries of the Magic Web, Time Stop was also unattainable.

Moreover, this truly achieved the literal meaning of "Time Stop."

Seeing the ogre's fascinated look, Cassius smiled and said: "Thanks to those dragon slayers who came from far away, there was a mage among them from the Tower of Time — and that also got me compensation from the Tower of Time."

The Red Dragon lightly waved his claw, and a delicate scroll appeared in front of him, with iridescent veins flowing across it as if the tides of time shimmered on its surface.

Ramp was stunned, his heart pounding, his hands trembling as he took the scroll, almost unable to hold it steady.

"This, this is..."

"A Time Stop scroll, crafted personally by a Chrono Dragon."

Ramp's massive body knelt on the ground, his eyes even welled up with tears of excitement: "Master, this... this is too precious."

Cassius merely said lightly: "This is not a gift to you but for the Magic Department to research."

"I want it classified as top secret, accessible only to the most loyal spellcasters of the kingdom."

"Moreover, I expect to see your research results within five years. Even if you can't cast this Ninth Tier spell, it should enrich the kingdom's knowledge of time-related spells."

"Yes, Master."

Ramp replied solemnly.

For such a treasure, an ordinary dragon would surely hide it in the deepest part of their lair, not letting anyone know.

Yet Cassius handed it over nonchalantly, allowing him to study it personally.

What recognition!

What trust!

Instantly, Ramp's eyes filled with tears again, making a silent vow to dedicate everything to the Red Dragon's grand plan.

Cassius didn't care about Ramp's thoughts, continuing to give orders:

"When the affairs of the North are entirely dealt with, it will be time for the second conferring ceremony. Many meritorious individuals emerged from this war; prepare for that."

"Yes, Master."

Ramp looked up, his face beaming with smiles.

"But should you first look at... the thing you asked to be made?"

"Alright."

...

"Heave-ho, heave-ho!"

"Be careful!"

"This is something His Majesty values!"

Several strong ogres carried a massive metal box, laboriously walking into the royal palace, while Ramp carefully led the way.

"Greetings, Majesty."

The ogres paid their respects, kneeling to the Red Dragon, and, under Ramp's command, quickly left.

The ogre archmage, like a mountain of flesh, knelt on the ground, excitedly saying: "Master, this is the equipment we poured our all into creating for you, a product embodying the kingdom's wisdom and resources — the Supreme True Dragon Diadem."

"Only such a treasure can match you."

As Ramp finished his words, the metal box slowly opened, bright light shining through.

Even Cassius was somewhat curious — it was a diadem made of mithril, pure gold in color, carved with ferocious dragon patterns, and inlaid with sparkling gemstones at the dragon's eye.

[Supreme True Dragon Diadem]

Quality: Exotic

Creator: Ramp

Description: This is a treasure created by Ramp, the Prime Minister of the Ashen Kingdom, gathering over a hundred spellcasters from the Magic Department over several months, costing nearly a hundred thousand gold coins, and invaluable.

"Spare no expense! Everything must be done to the utmost luxury! This is something His Majesty personally requested!" — Ramp, Prime Minister

Effects:

[Indestructible]: This diadem is made of mithril, making it difficult to damage in battle.

[Change Size]: Due to the attached spell, it can change with the wearer's size and shape.

[Disaster Warning]: It automatically alerts and awakens the wearer when detecting frenzy or loss of sanity.

This diadem's "Exotic" quality was built entirely on money.

However, considering no Legendary-level spellcaster is currently available, creating such quality magic equipment is not easy.

"Only Exotic-level..."

"But it's quite good."

The Red Dragon slightly raised his claw, and the diadem floated above, resting on his head.

Under the spell's influence, the mithril diadem conformed to the Red Dragon's horns, adhering directly to the dragon scales — not only did it not seem out of place, but it also added a touch of luxurious solemnity to Cassius's fierce and terrifying dragon head.

He could feel the magical patterns within the diadem continuously detecting the surrounding Magic Web, ready to react at any moment.

Ramp, in an excited state, quickly flattered: "Master, this diadem seems so insignificant before your majestic presence..."

Yet Cassius pondered.

— Perhaps this diadem could become more advanced, even reaching a legendary level.