Ashen Dragon

The vast region south of the Elbert Mountains and north of the Radiant Mountains is traditionally known as the "Agostino Region," the location of the ancient Kingdom of Agostino.

This land is fertile and rich with Magic Elements. Decades ago, Aragon the First led his invincible Divine Descendant Legion to annihilate the Agostino Kingdom, incorporating it into the domain of Holy Fadlan, and named it "Thrace."

At the pass of the Elbert Mountains stands a strategically critical military fortress—Esengard, meaning "The Indestructible Steel Fortress City."

Two crescent-shaped twin castles span the canyon, the Magic Barrier revealing golden light patterns at sunrise, and the three-mile-long Cast Iron Wall at the pass glimmers in the morning mist.

This city acts as a natural barrier, separating North Aisier from Thrace.

Inside the city, tens of thousands of Thrace's elite soldiers are stationed, alongside several noble Angel Divine Descendants as military commanders, whose military might can easily destroy a small country.

On the walls lie the Sun God Giant Crossbow, Radiant Discs, Holy Spear Defense System left behind by Holy Fadlan...

It's said that within the Indestructible Castle Wall, dozens of Steel Golems and War Giants from the Empire of Fadlan era still slumber, ready to awaken and obliterate any invaders should the city be attacked.

Nonetheless, as the Empire's expansion in the North becomes increasingly rampant, the residents of Esengard gradually feel tense and uneasy.

In the official propaganda of the Thrace Kingdom, although the Red Dragon was extremely vicious and swiftly obliterated numerous countries, enslaving the vast populace of the North.

However, the Red Dragon fears His Majesty Wilhelm's brilliance and valour, hesitating to move south, and has signed a peace treaty lasting decades with Thrace Kingdom, reassuring Esengard's residents of their safety.

But the people are not fools. Observant individuals have long detected the increasingly tense situation on the Fianso Continent, noticing that Thrace Kingdom's elite forces are gradually assembling at Esengard—an omen of war.

On the Cast Iron Wall, a bleak wind blows by.

A messenger soldier climbs the tower, his voice incredibly grave: "Lord Earl, Augustus sent urgent news; the Ashen Empire has declared war on us! Those evil dragons' Retainers... they could arrive at any moment."

"I understand. Send the order out, gather all troops, prepare for the war, and ensure vigilance!"

At the towering city tower's summit, a warrior in heavy, ornate armor, with wings on his back, looks northward, with an exceptionally solemn expression.

He is the Divine Descendant Count of Thrace Kingdom—Hain Diaz, also the military commander of Esengard.

Regarding the Ashen Empire's southerly advance, having been stationed in Esengard for years and familiar with northern affairs, he naturally had some anticipation.

Yet, in his expectations, the southward advance of the Ashen Empire was at least a year away—or even three or four years later, but certainly not now.

Hain's eyes lowered, the golden pupils suppressing anger: "The audacity of these evil dragons' Claws and Fangs... After years of unending war, they suddenly declared war on our Thrace Kingdom without warning!"

Soon, the sound of wings flapping arose, and another Divine Descendant Noble soared up to appear atop the tower—that was Viscount Elliot Evans.

"This is outrageous! Do they think Thrace Kingdom is one of those small countries easily crushed?

"You've arrived, Elliot."

Haines turned his head, nodded at him, then snorted coldly: "Although Holy Fadlan has perished, its glory hasn't faded away! This young and barbaric nation hasn't witnessed Fadlan's greatness—they should be reverent."

Elliot agreed: "If not for the distractions of the southern war, restraining us from focusing northward, how could the Ashen Empire have been so rampant! They would've been eradicated long ago!

Those evil dragons' Retainers are extremely greedy, even selling us the most advanced weapons for Gold Coins, and they have no high-level strength to contend with the Divine Descendants—how could they capture our fortress?"

Hain nodded slightly but still reminded: "However... we still cannot be careless. If the Red Dragon were to intervene, our strength might not be enough to stop it."

Recalling that terrifying Red Dragon, Elliot couldn't help but shiver, but he still forced himself to say: "As far as I know, that Giant Dragon is extremely proud and rarely intervenes personally."

"Let's hope so."

Hain once again looked northward, his expression serious, akin to a marble sculpture.

In truth, they both are well-aware that such words are to boost their morale, even so, facing the southward advance of the Ashen Empire from the north, they've no guarantee of victory.

But in today's Thrace Kingdom, even the slightest hint of fear in speech would be reported by spies to His Majesty Wilhelm, labeled by that suspicious and irritable king as "coward" and "surrender faction."

"Dong—"

Within Esengard, the large bell tolled, the loud bell echoing through the city, accompanied by the solemn Sun God hymn, rousing numerous people from sleep.

At the urging of officers at various levels, soldiers rushed to Esengard, converging in large numbers beneath the towering Cast Iron Wall, forming a mottled torrent.

"The Ashen Empire declared war on us?"

"By Amanata!"