Ashen Dragon

Devils of the Nine Prisons have always hated each other, constantly warring amongst themselves; open and covert attacks are commonplace, as long as they adhere to the surface order and maintain a façade of falsehood.

But even the conflicts among devils are never as brutal and blatant as the chaotic brawls between players.

These creatures, though draped in skins resembling humans, have a callous disregard for humanity in their reckless style of conduct.

If not for the absence of abyssal presence, the devils might even mistake the players for demons disguised as humans.

Even Piere looked at Cassius with a peculiar expression, muttering softly, "His Majesty Cassius, is this... the million reinforcements you promised?

Are you sure they won't kill each other off before the Blood War even begins?"

"Of course they won't."

Feeling a bit speechless, Cassius still managed to smile and shake his head, "They are, after all, the most loyal and courageous soldiers of the Empire.

Believe me, in times of necessity, they will unleash a power that may even astound me."

After hearing Cassius's words, Piere turned to observe the players engaged in their fierce killing, trying to discern the claimed qualities Cassius spoke of, yet fell silent again.

In the incident concerning Zariel's demise, Piere had cooperated with these 'soulless ones'; their style was bold and varied, but they followed orders and were efficient.

But what about these people in front of them?

Besides killing each other, they hadn't done anything. So what are these lunatics here for? Is it all just a joke?

Or... is this another conspiracy of the Ashen Emperor, aiming to bury creatures akin to demons in Hell?

"Boom!"

Once again a loud explosion, another player tossed a bomb into the densest crowd, killing dozens of players.

Cassius did not further explain and merely chuckled twice.

The Red Dragon flapped its wide Dragon Wings, stirring up a scorching gust, then ascended into the sky, looking down upon the players.

That golden vertical pupil gleamed faintly, radiating an authoritative aura; Dragon's Might descended, demanding submission, even causing players to cease fighting and turn their heads to gaze skyward.

"I can't move, looks like another forced cutscene."

"Damn, what bad luck, nearly killed that bastard who was stealing my gear."

"So majestic, Emperor Kai truly is the man with built-in cutscenes; no, it's the male dragon..."

Cassius glanced sharply over the players, slowly waving his wings, opening his blood-red maw, and speaking in a thunderous voice, "My loyal subjects... you know well that the Empire has a blood feud with the Abyss, those filthy bastards once invaded the Empire's territory but were repulsed by our brave warriors.

And now, those vermin from the Abyss plan to invade Aphernas, trying to become masters of Hell! I once said, we will fight demons on the plains, mountains, skies, oceans—even in Otherworlds.

And now, we join the endless Blood War that spans millennia, fighting side by side with the Devils of Aphernas, becoming the new masters of this ancient battlefield.

Demons, they are dirty worms, twisted monsters, deserving to stay in the darkest corners of the universe! Drive the demons back to the Abyss!"

"For the Empire!"

"Drive the demons back to the Abyss!"

Countless players, faces flushed with excitement, shouted passionately and eagerly cheered—wanting to garner favor in the presence of their top faction leader.

Even before Cassius's words fully landed, quest information appeared on every player's panel.

[Main Quest: Blood War]

Duration: Unlimited!

[The war between Devils and demons has lasted tens of thousands of years, no one knows when this war began nor when it will end—perhaps at the universe's end?

[These two fiends have waged endless combat across Multiverse battlefields, from Aphernas to the Myriad Abyss Plains, never ceasing.

Often thought of as a scourge, Blood War embodies the struggle between chaos and order within the universe's dark aspects.

Now, the Ashen Emperor collaborates with Aphernas's temporary Lord—Piere—to fight against the invading Abyssal Legion; Starfallen, you will join the Devils in this grand Blood War.

Warriors, for the Empire and the ultimate order of the universe, drive the demons back to the Abyss!]

Quest Objective: Hold your ground, kill the demons

Quest Rewards: Players will receive corresponding Faction Contribution and Gold Coins based on demon strength.

Moreover, if Guilds engage collectively, making significant contributions, they will receive Influence Contributions accordingly, raising their Guild status within the Empire.

"Isn't this the evolved version of the 'Kill the Demon' main quest?"

"Not again, this quest!"

She summoned Deep Prison Demon Refiner (Consumable Magic Ability), chains of Demon Refiner bound Dragon Wings, dragging the Red Dragon into the magma depths. Karascos roared out one last wave of flame, merely igniting the sneer at Zariel's mouth. Hell Lord leaped onto the dragon's back, driving the Great Sword through its spine, pinning the Red Dragon to the scorching riverbed. Dragon Blood evaporated into crimson mist, reflecting her twisted victorious grin.

Sulfurous smokey skies covered, scorched earth littered with web-like cracks, magma coursed through like veins. Red Dragon Grazthor—a thousand-year denizen of Aphernas—built its nest above the Fire Lake deep in the gorge. Zariel's Steel Fortress hovered at the ravine's edge, its shadow clawing at the Dragon Nest. Their conflict rooted in the Red Dragon's disdain for the Hell Legion: "Dragon Flame is Hell's Authority!" Zariel needed this dragon's head to shock any questions toward her Ruling among devils.

The battle's beginning: provocation and wrath

The Red Dragon's roar shattered the gorge walls, magma spewed like blood.

"Zariel! Your Iron Throne is nothing but scrap iron!" Grazthor unfurled its sky-darkening Dragon Wings, brewing dark red Dragon Flame within its throat.

Zariel leaped from the fortress top, her Burning Sky Wings exploding into a flame trail behind: "Your Pride is Hell's cheapest fuel."

Dragon Flame Breath swept in like a meteor stream, but Zariel dove toward it, Great Sword Slayer of Hope cleaving through the fire, the sword edge aiming for the Dragon's Eye. The Red Dragon jerked its head, the sword blade grazing the Dragon Tooth, sparking fiery flares that fused scorched ground within a hundred meters into glass.

The Red Dragon's claw tore toward Zariel's chest, Hell Lord's Black Iron Armor burst with a grating scrape, molten metal dripped like blood. Zariel grasped the dragon's wrist, the Great Sword executed a Downward Slash, severing a Dragon Toe. Grazthor's howl surged a magma tsunami, its fractured toe bones forged anew within seconds by Hellfire—the corrupting power of Aphernas nourished this evil dragon.

Zariel's wings whipped, releasing a flaming Shockwave (Burning Sky Wings), forcing the Red Dragon to retreat to the gorge edge. Grazthor whipped Dragon Wings, brewing a windstorm laden with magma shards; Zariel swept into its center, flames on her wings flickered out, revealing scorched, tattered feathers—scars from her fall, forever unhealed.

The Red Dragon's tail-hammer struck Zariel's spine like a siege ram, plunging her into the magma lake's depths. Yet next instant, Hell Lord leapt from the boiling surface, Great Sword entwined with Purgatory Rune (Purgatory Slash), severing the tail's bone spur. Dragon Blood spattered solidifying a black Obsidian spire, as if Hell laid the battlefield's tombstone.

Zariel suddenly pulled her sword back, allowing the Red Dragon's teeth to bite into her left shoulder. As Dragon Tooth pierced the armor, her palm pressed against Grazthor's forehead, Devil Contract runes spreading from her hand over Dragon Scales.

"Thought I desired your Death? No… I seek your Allegiance." Zariel coldly laughed.