Ashen Dragon

Cassius lounged lazily in the cave, using Ramp's magic mirror to observe the diligent players within Barto City.

"Work hard, my dear chattel."

In just a month, the once crude Barto City had shown a brand-new appearance. The city walls had become much taller and thicker, several uniquely styled buildings had sprung up, and the city had gained some vitality due to the comings and goings of the players.

"I'm Going to Eat Mantou," "Singo," "Summer Night Autumn Rain," and "Natural War Maniac" were able to receive that mysterious invitation not by chance, but because he deliberately arranged it.

These few had their own following in the gaming community. Once they discovered the uses of faction contributions, the entire player base would take it seriously.

For instance, even though Singo had not yet revealed the strategy information, his loyal followers had already, through analysis, begun to suspect the significant utility of faction contributions and started attempting to accumulate them. Soon, those big guilds would also begin competing for contribution tasks.

By then, Cassius's mission of reaping benefits with no effort would be a grand success.

And after that, he would introduce another heavy dose—the faction position system. By using faction contributions, players could acquire certain positions within the city, such as patrol officer, tax officer, judge, investigator, and perhaps even, in the future, mayor or city governor of conquered human cities.

As for wages, of course, they would mainly be faction contributions, with money as a supplement.

Allowing players to relish the thrill of power would also let Cassius enjoy the pleasure of having free labor. It was a win-win policy.

He believed the players would understand his moves and be deeply grateful.

He was watching intently when Great Goblin Dolores came to report.

Over the years, this dragon vein goblin had become increasingly seasoned, commanding over ten thousand goblin creatures and becoming well-versed in the military affairs within Ashen Nest.

"Master, the wolf cavalry recently spotted traces of the Eagle Guards near the border of Stormy Ridge."

Cassius's golden eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh? Haven't they refrained from provoking me for a long time?"

Dolores continued, "While you were asleep, we took in a dozen pureblood serpentfolk and sent them to Northwind Castle to gather intelligence."

"A very good decision, but remember, serpents' fangs are venomous."

"Don't fully trust them; it's best to treat them as disposable tools," Cassius said meaningfully.

Serpentfolk always plotted to replace and dominate other races, eventually declaring themselves gods.

And pureblood serpentfolk were the lowest in serpentfolk society. Their appearance was very similar to humans but could not pass human scrutiny.

They always exposed some innate traits, such as scaly skin, serpent-like eyes, sharp fangs, or forked tongues. They wore cloaks and hoods to disguise themselves as humans and infiltrated civilized lands to gather information, kidnap prisoners for interrogation and sacrifice, or make deals to further their endless schemes.

"We followed your instructions exactly, Master," Dolores replied.

"And recently, these pureblood serpentfolk seemed to have received news that the Rackman Family planned to collaborate with the Southern 'Northern Lion' Boske Family and the Northwestern 'Double-Headed Eagle' Notte Family to form an allied army, and their likely target is us—Ashen Nest."

"If I may say so, my great Master, Ashen Nest's expansion in recent years has aroused the vigilance of the Northern Countries. They covet our gold and fear our retainers, but we have yet to endure a true trial by blood and fire."

Cassius slowly stood up, his golden eyes looking down at Dolores. "So you are saying... we need a war?" Enjoy new tales from My Virtual Library Empire

Dolores knelt on one knee, bowing his head respectfully. "I believe so, Master."

"Only war can make those pathetic, shortsighted humans realize your might."

"Ramp, what do you think?"

Cassius looked toward the magic mirror. The mirrors were naturally connected to Ramp's "Mage Tower" and followed the Red Dragon's will, only activating when he needed them.

Ramp's grotesque and ferocious face appeared in the mirror. He had put on his gold-rimmed glasses again and was holding several magic scrolls.

"Master, I also believe Ashen Nest needs a war. According to my statistics, the number of goblins in the nest has reached thirteen thousand four hundred fifty-seven, and kobolds number ten thousand three hundred forty-one. Without continuous, large-scale war consumption, our food supply can no longer fill these creatures' bellies."

Ramp deliberately adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses as if unintentionally, mentioning, "With Dolores's um... rather rudimentary, even primitive, farming system, he can barely make a dent."

Dolores's already red face flushed at Ramp's deliberate mockery, but with the Red Dragon present, he dared not react.

Cassius didn't care about their scheming, just asking, "How long until their so-called 'allied forces' are assembled?"

Dolores quickly replied, "The dukes of the Northern Countries do not have complete control over their lords. These humans delay, bicker, and vie for power, which is very slow. Assembling such a tens of thousands-strong force will take at least three months. This is a conservative estimate."

"Very well, three months is enough."

A dangerous glint appeared in Cassius's golden pupils.

"Master, are we going to war?"

Dolores's expression showed extreme excitement. Goblins were born to love war, causing most of them to die before their natural end. With the Red Dragon bloodline, his innate savagery and thirst for blood and fire had only intensified.

"Dolores, don't rush. Have those serpentfolk keep an eye on the Northern Allied Forces and prepare your troops for war—weaponry, training, tactics. You should know these better than I."

"After all... you've long been eager, haven't you?"

"Yes, Master."

Dolores knelt on one knee again, excitement causing white smoke to puff from his large red nose. He seemed to already imagine the enemy's blood smeared on his claws.

"Ramp, start preparing logistics, using the spells you've developed over the years."

"Yes, Master."

"If they want war, we'll give them war.

"But as for when it ends... that's not up to them."

The two retainers took their orders and returned to work.

The goblin soldiers began sharpening their long-idle weapons and armor, practicing for war and discussing tactics.

The ogres cheered at the prospect of the coming war, and upon learning they could use enemy corpses as rations, their morale rose further, celebrating around bonfires.

The goblins transported food to the depths of Dragon Mountain Valley, storing it for wartime use.

The kobolds started making slingshots, bows, and other simple weapons.

The Red Dragon stood tall at the highest point of the valley, overlooking his busy retainers with golden eyes that seemed to reflect blazing flames.

"It is time to set this massive war machine... in motion."

Three months until war.

...