Ashen Dragon

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. We have strengthened the vigilance in the border cities such as Leon City in the north, Karell City, and Wellingst City. The Imperial People will absolutely not take advantage of any weakness..." The mage, dressed in a robe, knelt on one knee, somewhat anxiously said.

"Useless!"

A roar shook the grand hall.

On the golden throne, Wilhelm's handsome face was full of ferocity, his wings behind him swayed, and the holy golden eyes burst with unrestrained fury.

"That evil dragon dares to project a blasphemous magic illusion into my airspace! Panic now spreads like a plague, the ignorant masses are flocking to the southern provinces like frightened deer, even the big bell of the King City cannot hold back the escape!"

The golden scepter struck the ground heavily, the scattering sparks were reflected in the monarch's enraged pupils: "And you, you wearers of the Sun Robe, have even the incantations to disperse illusions been burned away by Dragonflame?"

Tell me, what good is it for the kingdom to spend hundreds of thousands of gold coins every year to support your Arcane Legion?!"

"Bang!"

He stretched out one hand, a blinding golden light swept across the grand hall, causing the mage to fly backward and crash fiercely against the finely carved pillar, a mist of blood sprayed from his mouth.

If it weren't for the sturdy protection of Otiluke's Magic Sphere behind him, that mage might have died in the hall on the spot or at least ended up with his whole body shattered into bone powder.

The mage barely opened his eyes, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and weakly gasped: "Your, Your Majesty, the evil dragon projected not just a magic image, but a creation containing the terrifying Fire Element Origin.

Our Illusion Magic School mage approached recklessly and was immediately blown up, and twelve Plastic Energy Masters worked together to barely eliminate it."

Several mages behind him timidly stepped forward, softly explaining: "Your Majesty, we really have exerted all our efforts..."

They knew, although His Majesty Wilhelm now appeared vibrant, seemingly regained the strength of being a "Demigod's Son," yet his disposition had become more cruel and violent.

It was already routine for ministers dying in the hall, the maids even accustomed to cleaning the blood and brains splashed on the walls.

Therefore, these mages coming to meet would prepare Trigger Spells and Protective Magic in advance, to prevent themselves from dying under the king's raging anger—after all, there were too many precedents.

Wilhelm glanced at them coldly, saying nothing more, but turned his gaze to those armored generals.

General Dares, standing in the front, immediately stepped forward carefully, knelt before the throne, and reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, your Holy Sect Army has displayed great divine power on the Southern Front, causing Cassandra's forces to continuously retreat, already holding defensive positions south of the Casen Mountain Range.

It's only a matter of time before our Thrace Kingdom regains the Holy City and retrieves the supreme Crown of Holy Fadlan..."

Wilhelm slightly nodded, the rage in his golden eyes was restrained slowly, a smile reappeared on his flawless face: "That's proper talk.

Remember, our Thrace Kingdom is the only successor of Holy Fadlan, I am the legitimate and sole Holy Fadlan Emperor.

As for my brother..." Wilhelm's golden eyes had tiny blood beads emerge, revealing some strange, cold light: "He's nothing but a blasphemer hallucinated by power. One day, I'll personally chop off his head, using a blasphemer's blood to honor Father.

Do you all understand?" That chilling gaze swept across everyone in the hall, making their backs chill, their bodies tremble, as if brushed by invisible claws.

"Certainly, you are the only Fadlan Emperor!" The general kneeling in the front lowered his head, his voice trembling.

As a confidant of the king, he knew all too well that under the king's brilliant, demigod-like appearance was hidden a soul dirty and twisted by Hell.

The general once observed the king's ferocious features inadvertently exposed, If not for the skillful concealment of illusions, the king's true face would be far more horrific than he could imagine.

The ministers behind him all echoed: "You are the true Fadlan Emperor!"

"Thrace Kingdom is the rightful Fadlan!"

"The blasphemers of Cassandra and Seleucis will inevitably be destroyed! And His Majesty Wilhelm will ascend the throne!" The ministers in the hall rushed to show loyalty, afraid of being late.

After all, His Majesty the king might not notice who expressed loyalty, but he would certainly notice who did not, as the former finance minister was granted death by the king for often remaining silent.

Wilhelm's mouth curved into an exaggerated arc, a particularly eerie smile appeared on his face, as if carved from a wooden mask, appearing somewhat rigid.

He leaned down, patted the shoulder of the frightened, immobile general, and commanded: "Carrel, you've done well in the South, now I command you to take full charge of the northern border defense, do not let those Imperial People appear on my land, can you... do it?"

"Certainly, Your Majesty! With your illustrious Holy Sect Army, those Imperial People are absolutely insignificant!" Carrel quickly responded.

Wilhelm laughed heartily: "Hahaha, of course, only as the legitimate successor can I train a troop comparable to Father's Divine Descendant Legion!"

"Certainly, Your Majesty, we all await the moment you ascend the throne and restore Fadlan's glory."