Ashen Dragon

After the astonishing battle between the Ashen Empire's Emperor and the Lord of the Rot Swamp, the climate in Northern Seleucid underwent dramatic changes.

The clouds that forever loomed in the sky due to Erebos' influence vanished, and the poison mist enveloping the land gradually dissipated.

Under the sun's rays, the damp ground slowly dried, and the swamp that no one dared to tread was transforming towards an ancient forest. Birds, deer, wild boars, and other creatures returned to the woods, and this land will restore its former vitality.

Meanwhile, after Erebos's death, the fall of Lin Ying City, and the complete destruction of the Green Dragon Sect's main force, the Ashen Legion swiftly occupied the entire collapsed area of Northern Seleucid without much effort.

Due to the Dragon Worship Church's cruel exploitation and oppression across the Kingdom, people lived in constant distress, almost treating the Empire, which defeated the Dragon Worship Cult, as a savior, eager to kneel before them.

The Southern expeditionary army of the Ashen Empire, led by Marshal Dolores, stationed troops across the region, firmly controlling one-third of the former Kingdom's territory, but the apparent government still remained in the hands of the Fadlan people, led by Duke Adrian.

Adrian, with Lin Ying City as the temporary capital, established the Seleucid provisional government, welcoming rebels escaping from all over, and formed the "Anti-Dragon Worship Alliance" with the Southern expeditionary army of the Ashen Empire.

At the same time, millions of players attracted by the war missions marched south, flocking into the Kingdom of Seleucis, becoming significant forces in the Allied Army.

In the southeastern and southwestern parts of the Kingdom of Seleucis, the Dragon Worship Church gathered a large number of Dragonborn soldiers, dragon beasts, and five-colored evil dragons, forming an iron curtain stretching across the east and west of the Kingdom, encircling the Ashen expeditionary army.

Thus, near the Rock Rift Valley, which served as the border dividing line, hundreds of thousands of soldiers, tens of thousands of dragon beasts, and hundreds of giant dragons gathered, forming a mottled torrent, where both sides could clearly see each other's weapons and armor even from afar.

And under Tiamat's divine oracle, more five-colored dragons and cultists from all over Fianso were rushing here, ever-prepared for a decisive battle against the Ashen Empire.

Anyone could tell that the tension at the border was growing thicker, ready to erupt into intense conflict at any moment.

Lin Ying City.

This city, once occupied by a Green Dragon, now revived a bit of its past glory, bustling with life and noise.

However, Bipedal Wyverns still frequently hovered in the sky, and numerous outsiders wearing strange clothes appeared, making the native Seleucid people a minority.

The busiest place was the Southern expeditionary army headquarters where Dolores was, not the administrative office where Count Adrian was.

Outside the expeditionary army headquarters, a middle-aged man in a long mage robe and monocle hurriedly arrived, blocked by the Half-Dragon guards at the door holding their guns: "Do you have an invitation and a pass? Marshal Dolores is busy, and idle people should quickly leave."

"I am Elton Dionysus, a messenger coming from afar seeking cooperation."

The middle-aged man showed a gentle smile, pulling out a metallic scale from his sleeve: "I wonder if this can serve as a pass?"

The Half-Dragon guards glanced at each other, then took the scale, entered the headquarters, and came rushing back a moment later, respectfully making way: "Please enter, Marshal Dolores has been expecting you."

Elton Dionysus, an Ancient Gold Dragon from Heavenly Mountain, a messenger of Bahamut walking the Fianso Land, honored by Bards as the "Dawn Messenger."

This time, he represented the Metal Dragon Clan to convey a friendly message to the Empire, seeking military cooperation.

Shortly after Elton entered, a lavishly decorated carriage stopped at the headquarters gate, from which a young Blue Dragon Noblewoman stepped down.

She wore a heavy silk gown, hurriedly showing the Ashen Empire's invitation to the guards, successfully entering the headquarters.

Soon, an Elf Ranger riding a white horse stopped at the expeditionary army headquarters' gate, dismounted, and presented a personal letter from Queen Serenia.

A carriage bearing the Sun God's Holy Emblem even appeared publicly in the city, pulled by two golden Pegasi, with the flag of the Kingdom of Cassandra fluttering beside it...

Quickly, the gathering at the headquarters grew larger and larger, humans, elves, Dragonborn, five-colored dragons, metal dragons...

All races and forces on the continent of Fianso were closely watching this war, most hoping that Tiamat would not descend upon the world, for to them, the descent of any divine always portends a continent-wide disaster.

...

Expeditionary Army Headquarters.

The entrance guarded by fully armed soldiers, while within the spacious hall sat a few emissaries from various places in Fianso, appearing somewhat tense and uneasy.

The Duke of the Empire and Marshal of the expeditionary army, Dolores, sat at the main seat, looking unfazed.

As the head of the Seleucid provisional government, Count Adrian—who now should be called Duke but could only sit beside, appeared somewhat lacking in presence.

The emissaries permitted to attend this meeting were few, mainly envoys personally dispatched by leaders from various forces, with numerous soundproofing and prophecy-blocking incantations carved into the walls to nearly ensure this meeting's secrecy.