Ashen Dragon

Cassius relied on his night vision to steadily walk out of the mining cave, only to find that the people had not run far.

Although the recent battle had been perilous, it actually had not taken much time.

Ordinary humans exiting the deep mining cave would have spent a considerable amount of time, especially in such chaotic circumstances.

Jin Ya greeted him at the cave entrance, bowing deeply in an exaggerated manner, "My great master, your strength is unrivaled, even the mightiest monsters cannot withstand your flames."

The humans in the distance stared fearfully at the blood-soaked red dragon emerging from the cave.

The monster within the cave had been horrifying enough, but what about the dragon that had seemingly defeated it?

They used their last reserves of strength to flee desperately.

Many had been devoured by the monster in the cave, while others had been crushed by falling rocks.

Originally, more than a hundred had entered the cave, but now only around fifty managed to escape; the rest were forever entombed in the deep, dark cave.

Jin Ya moved forward obsequiously and inquired, "My great master, how do you wish to deal with... these despicable humans?"

A cunning glint flashed in the kobold's eyes.

Once enslaved by humans, it now saw a chance for revenge.

"I have my plans."

The red dragon dismissively flapped its wings, lifting off to pursue the fleeing humans.

The crowd was in an uproar, terrified as they ran even faster.

But how could running match the speed of flight?

Soon, the shadow cast by the red dragon enveloped the panicked crowd.

Yet they did not experience the expected flames, claws, or gaping maw.

"Humans, you have trespassed upon the territory of Ashen Nest."

"However, the merciful red dragon is willing to forgive your transgression."

"This time, I will only punish the ringleader as he deserves."

The red dragon swooped down, skimming the ground, and grabbed the most conspicuous armored figure—Hart.

Then he flew back to the cave entrance.

Hart, held in the dragon's claws, was thrown heavily to the ground. He knelt there, too terrified to stand, his tongue stumbling, "Great, great dragon, I was wrong."

"No, no, don't eat me, I, I don't taste good."

The once arrogant slave trader now trembled in fear.

Cassius looked down at him from above, noting that Hart was actually a Level Three warrior. He feigned anger, "Who gave you the courage—to invade Ashen Nest's territory and steal the dragon's gold?"

In the red dragon's shameless propaganda, the gold mine had become his own property.

The kobold, watching his former slave master in such a pathetic state, couldn't help but join in the intimidation, "You are but a despicable human, daring to infringe upon the great dragon's assets and enslave his kin. Your fate is sealed—you will be torn to pieces!"

Upon hearing "torn to pieces," Hart collapsed in fear.

His face was covered in snot and tears as he stammered, "It wasn't me, it, it was someone else who ordered me, someone else made me do it."

Hearing there was someone behind this, Cassius grew interested.

"Who is it?"

"Tell me the thief's name."

Detecting a glimmer of hope for survival, Hart clung to it desperately, replying without hesitation.

"It was Baron Todd!"

"Todd Rackman!"

Upon hearing this, Cassius's curiosity deepened, and he asked further:

"From the Rackman Family?"

"The so-called Northwind Eagle, ruler of Northwind Castle?"

Hart nodded repeatedly, his tone sincere in his life-or-death desperation.

"Yes, yes, great dragon, it is the Rackman."

Hart knelt on the ground, cautiously raising his head, his voice filled with tears.

"Great dragon, you must seek justice for me!"

"It's that Baron Todd, he used evil spells to control me, threatening my family's lives so I had no choice but to follow his orders and invade your property."

At this point, Hart disregarded any notion of loyalty; survival was paramount, and he would pile all the blame on the Baron.

"How interesting."

From what he knew, the Rackman Family's old Duke was a vampire, his offspring often becoming derivatives or new vampires. This Baron Todd was likely a vampire as well—a perfect opportunity to gather intelligence on Northwind Castle.

The red dragon grinned, "Where is this Baron Todd now?"

Hart hesitated briefly, then answered hurriedly, "Great dragon, I can take you to him, he must compensate for your losses."

Typical behavior of someone flipping sides.

"Fine, but we will have to wait a while first."

The red dragon seized the human and once again took to the skies, heading straight for Ashen Nest.

...

Ashen Nest.

Cassius landed amidst the welcoming wyverns.

This time, however, his wounds drew various speculations from his retainers about who had managed to injure him so severely. Yet, no one dared voice their thoughts, fearing they might anger the wounded red dragon.

Great Goblin Dolores, along with a squad of Worg Cavalry, greeted him at the entrance, their faces fawning.

The red dragon casually tossed Hart in front of the Great Goblin, "Watch this human; don't let him escape or die."

"Yes, great master, I will complete the task and never disappoint you again."

The Great Goblin eagerly complied, cracking his whip to give instructions.

A few sturdy Bugbears then stepped forward with a piece of animal hide, placing the human on it and carrying him to the military camp's dungeons.

After giving his orders, the red dragon flew directly back to Giant's Mouth Cave.

He headed straight to the deepest part of the cave, moving the stone blocking the entrance.

"No wonder I felt uneasy earlier."

"I should clear out the hidden dangers in the nest."

Cassius muttered to himself.

He leaped into the cave.

Inside, magma splashed everywhere, emitting waves of white smoke and heat.

But the boiling magma was merely hot water to the red dragon, and the sulfuric heat made him feel at home.

He descended further for a long time, unsure how deep he had gone, before finally spotting another entrance—only blocked by flowing magma.

"Splash!"

The red dragon leapt out of the magma.

Magma splattered, searing the hard rock.

It was an endlessly long tunnel.

The entrance was just over four meters high. The red dragon had to tuck in his wings to barely fit, continuing his exploration.