Ashen Dragon-Chapter 425 - 348: Kono Demonstration

Chapter 425: Chapter 348: Kono Demonstration

The southernmost tip of the Cartapa Region.

Riverfield Valley.

A troop of several hundred soldiers was stationed here, poised and ready.

They wielded weapons such as swords and spears, dressed in light leather armor, with the winged sun emblem of the Thrace Kingdom on their chests.

“Captain, should we continue to guard this place?”

“Yes, this is the order left by Count Vabric before heading south. That northern empire is a threat to the Thrace Kingdom; we mustn’t let them seize the opportunity to invade our lands.”

The man called “Captain” wore finely crafted iron armor, holding a brightly polished Silver Sword, and replied with a determined tone.

His name was Piotr McGrath, the captain of this scout troop, and a warrior of supernatural level.

Unfortunately, his experience was still limited, and he had not yet undergone the Sun Sacrifice Ritual.

This was the heritage left by Holy Fadlan. With his skill, he could already become a general in one of the Northern Duchies of Anzeta.

Vabric was the Divine Descendant Count stationed at the northernmost part of the Thrace Kingdom. As the war around the Holy City intensified, he received orders to head south, leaving behind only some trusted troops.

“But…”

The lieutenant’s tone was a bit hesitant.

“According to the kingdom’s signed treaty, we are close to the border region here, and will soon step into the empire’s territory. Won’t this cause some conflict?”

“No.”

Piotr shook his head while sharpening his sword, speaking dismissively. “They’re just a bunch of barbarians from a desolate land.”

“They haven’t even glimpsed the glory of the once Holy Fadlan, and they dare to call themselves an ’empire.’ It’s laughable.”

“Indeed.”

The adjutant nodded in agreement.

That was the Holy Empire.

Whether it’s the Thrace, Cassandra, or Seleucis people, they all fondly remembered the glory of Fadlan and believed they were the true successors of the empire.

This was the unique pride of the Fadlan people. After all, for the past century, the Holy Fadlan had dominated the entire Fianso Continent. Whether dwarfs, elves, giants, or fiends, all bowed before the empire’s glorious light.

Thinking of the century-long splendor of Holy Fadlan, even the poorest or most destitute people would proudly puff out their chests.

Piotr picked up the brightly polished longsword, making it gleam in the sunlight.

“Moreover, they’ve only set foot in Cartapa for a little over a month. They probably can’t even establish themselves here.”

“Hehe, this isn’t the barren Anzeta. Terrifying monsters and magic beasts are everywhere. Building a city here is no simple task.”

The adjutant still seemed worried. “But recently, there’s been a lot of commotion in the north…”

“Thump, thump…”

A heavy thudding sound came from the north.

The ground trembled, even the horses among the troops neighed in fear.

Piotr also frowned, turning to look north. “Could it be…”

“How is this possible?”

He murmured to himself, his expression shocked.

Hundreds of wyverns were flapping their wings chaotically, letting out noisy roars. Their wings collided in the air, flying in like a thick, dark cloud from the distance.

On the ground, dozens of Land Dragon Beasts, like moving hills, appeared on the horizon. Cannons were mounted on their sides, and Goblin Cavalry rode on their backs.

“Long live the Empire!”

“Long live His Majesty Cassius!”

The cavalry and infantry of the Imperial Vanguard Legion roared loudly, their voices resounding through the sky.

A thunderous shout came from the battle formation, like a sudden clap of thunder.

“Arrogant Thrace people…”

“You have crossed the line!”

“Now, this is the territory of the Ashen Empire, the land of the great Emperor Cassius!”

“If you dare take another step north, you will be invading the empire’s territory and will face the relentless strikes of the Imperial Legion!”

Jesse, riding on the largest of the Land Dragon Beasts, used a magic amplifier provided by the empire, letting his words echo across the wilderness.

“How could such a military force appear in this remote wilderness…”

Piotr gazed at the Imperial Vanguard Legion in the distance, full of disbelief—the strength of this “empire” from the north far exceeded his expectations.

With the power and might displayed by this army, only the kingdom’s Divine Descendant Legion, Arcane Legion, or Iron Colossus Legion might be able to defeat them.

Ordinary troops like theirs had almost no chance of victory.

From Piotr’s past experience, the Northern Nobility’s armies in Anzeta were simply weak. A thousand-man unit didn’t even have many professionals.

Dealing with them didn’t require deploying such a high-level force.

“Wait…”

Piotr suddenly realized something, cold sweat forming on his forehead.

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He had just carelessly sent people north to freely gather intelligence, but they hadn’t returned yet—could it be——

“Captain, save me!”

A voice with a sobbing tone came.

Sure enough, the missing soldier appeared in the imperial ranks, bound hand and foot by the Goblin Infantry, tied in the front.

Jesse spoke again.

“If anyone dares to step into the empire’s territory without permission——”

The Goblin paused, slowly raising an exquisite handgun, and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

“Bang!”

A gunshot echoed, and the soldier fell to the ground, no longer alive.

“Wait, let’s talk——”

Piotr’s pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief, and his extended hand froze in mid-air.

The Goblin really killed him?

How dared he publicly execute a soldier of the Thrace Kingdom!

This was blatant humiliation!

Glancing coldly at the soldier lying on the ground, Jesse continued, “This is his fate!”

“Have you all heard clearly?”

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The Goblin Earl fired several shots into the air, and the surroundings fell silent.

The lieutenant whispered, “Captain, what should we do…”

Piotr looked at the formidable Imperial Legion from the north, stayed silent for a long time, and finally ordered with gritted teeth, “Go, leave this place immediately! Avoid unnecessary casualties.”

“Don’t come to the border area anymore. The Thrace Kingdom now…can’t afford to anger such an empire.”

“Move!”

The panicked Thrace soldiers, leading their horses, carrying supplies, moved southward, almost fleeing in a rout.

Jesse stood on the Land Dragon Beast’s back, watching the retreating troops with expressionless eyes slightly narrowed.

“The Cartapa Region is the primary stronghold for the empire’s future southward advance.”

“We must ensure…absolute control over it.”

One important reason for the Ashen Empire to seize Cartapa was that it could break the Thrace Kingdom’s blockade—heading southwest led to the Free Trade Federation around Silvermoon Bay, and eastward led to the High Mountain Kingdom of the dwarfs.

When the Ashen Empire consolidated the strength of the Anzeta Great Wilderness, it would truly step into the continent through Cartapa, becoming an important force in Fianso’s grand chessboard.