Ashen Dragon

Northwind Castle, inside the council hall's chamber.

"How much longer will it take to complete the criminal code?"

"Lord Cassius, if I may speak frankly, this task is too monumental. To compile a comprehensive kingdom code... this isn't something we can complete in just a few months."

"Oh? Why?"

"The structure of the Ashen Kingdom is too complex. We must consider the local productivity, social structure, and even the habits of different races and the use of spells. This is a completely new field for us, and without a large amount of practical investigation, we simply cannot proceed."

"My Lord, let me give you an example. For instance, consuming the bodies of one's kind is undoubtedly a grave insult to human remains, but for Ogres, it's an ancient social custom. Meaning that, considering the current number of races in the kingdom, we need to create more than twenty different versions, and the number could continue to increase."

His voice showed fatigue.

"But the kingdom's order needs to be regulated by written law, and it's urgent."

"Of course, we will do our best—"

"One month. Within a month, you must submit a simplified framework of the 'Kingdom Code.' The rest of the content can be discussed and gradually filled in over time."

"My Lord, I think this timeframe is still—"

"I will provide you with all the textual materials accumulated over a century in Rackman Duchy and a large amount of funding."

"But—"

"There are no 'buts.' If you satisfy me, whether it's wealth, status, or power, none will be beyond reach. Do you understand?"

"Understood, understood."

The player's name was "Clouds Light and Breeze Mild." His expression at the moment was particularly complex, a mix of joy and sorrow.

"Sigh…"

He was just an ordinary lawyer, under immense work pressure and suffering from hair loss at the age of thirty due to constant overtime. On doctor's advice, he temporarily put aside his work to recuperate in a virtual world, seeking some peace in the world of Erezer Sword and Magic.

Unlike those professional players who had reached the occupation limit of level 4, "Clouds Light and Breeze Mild" was just a level 1 ordinary player who had never taken on a combat mission, having only killed a chicken—similar to many ordinary players.

"Clouds Light and Breeze Mild" originally intended to earn some contribution as a sorcerer but unexpectedly exposed his high professional competence by accident, and was assigned the task of compiling the code in the council hall.

However, in light of the dizzying array of rewards, he finally chose to return to his old profession.

"Clouds Light and Breeze Mild" glanced around at the various players, most of them law students and even intern lawyers. He was considered a senior among them.

"Everyone, the project timeline is very tight. The party A has ceased to be human, wait, he's never been human; he's actually a dragon."

"The deadline is only a month."

"We might have to work overtime to catch up on the progress."

He looked down at the densely scattered 'Kingdom Code' drafts on the floor, and suddenly tears flowed freely. The middle-aged "Clouds Light and Breeze Mild" vanished, replaced by the sorrow of a balding young man.

"No..."

"Why am I still working even in another world?"

...

Cassius got up and walked out of the chamber, back into the main hall.

"These players need constant prompting to keep up the pace, lest they slack off. Otherwise, they might delay me until the public beta."

Cassius was very familiar with the methods of party A prompting project progress.

He didn't actually expect them to produce the framework of the "Ashen Kingdom Code" within a month. It would be good enough if they could complete it within three months. But by setting the deadline at one month, he could push them to race against time.

Players always liked compromises. For example, if you want to open a window, everyone would oppose it. But if you propose to tear down the roof, people would be willing to open a window. The compilation of the code was similar.

"The Dictator's Rule has limited influence on the native people; it cannot replace real laws. The kingdom needs a genuine code that can transcend ages and races."

Cassius thought.

The Red Dragon lay sprawling in the council hall. Its gigantic body made the hall, which could accommodate a thousand people, seem cramped.

He looked at the interface; a new achievement had long appeared. A golden crown appeared in his mind.

[You have established a country and gained the advanced achievement 'King']

"Wherever the sunlight reaches, the land belongs to the empire!—Holy Fadlan Emperor, Aragon the First"

Your trait 'Dictator's Rule' upgraded to: 'Kingdom Domain'

Charisma +3

Ruling Proficiency +10

Your kingdom is under your control. You can spend a certain amount of time to transform an area under your rule into 'Kingdom Domain.' In the 'Kingdom Domain,' you can actively suppress all spell reaction effects and enhance your spellcasting potency.

(Note: The original effect of Dictator's Rule still exists.)

"As expected of an advanced trait, it's essentially a gigantic antimagic field, and it boosts one's own spellcasting potency."

"It even significantly enhances charisma."

Cassius looked at the interface, clicking his tongue in wonder.

The familiar sensation descended upon him once more, distorting his body and soul, bringing a pure enhancement.

His charisma increased by two points, totaling a 1.3 times boost twice. This leap in his influencing capability made his external persuasion power reach a terrifying level.

Although Cassius's spellcaster level was merely 13, his base value of 28 charisma, which could twist reality, allowed his spell potency to rival that of some legendary sorcerers.

"So this is what it feels like to be a numbers freak..."

"Not bad at all."

The Red Dragon only focused its will on one point; it didn't even cast a spell, and the elements there began to stir, little flames dancing in the air.

There was no spell prototype or Magic Web parameters, only the firmament of will and the presentation of talent. This was the 'Power of Deep Thinking' of sorcerers.

"Now let's try the new ability."

"Kingdom Domain."

Cassius slowly closed his eyes, focusing his will on the golden crown in his mind.

The surrounding space underwent a marvelous change, an invisible force field slowly expanded, and within the field, all spell energy bowed down to the Red Dragon.

One could say he was the absolute ruler within this domain.

[Kingdom Domain]

The Red Dragon opened his eyes, and golden energy surged in his eyes.

He could feel the elemental currents around him and control them. He could cause them to intensify or fall silent; within this domain, all spell energy was like his subjects, his retainers.

"A very powerful ability." Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire

"If I'm in the Kingdom Domain, facing that Shadow Dragon again, I certainly wouldn't be powerless."

Suddenly, there was a sound from Cassius's dimensional bag. The 'Arcane Priory Medal' was flashing with magical aura.

"Looks like it's time for the second Arcane Priory."

The Red Dragon cast a shape-shifting spell. The fragments of aurora floated around him, and his enormous dragon body vanished. A black-haired, golden-eyed human noble appeared in the council hall.

"However, quite a lot has happened between these two meetings."

Cassius's face revealed a smile.