Ashen Dragon-Chapter 576 - 35 Dragon Battle

Isdalia, high atop the towering pillars of stone, lay a magnificent, white altar encircled by white smoke, where the Red Dragon languidly coiled upon its marble throne.

Beside him stood Ramp, the Ogre Archmage, and in front of them were vast Magic Images showcasing the state of various battle zones along The Imperial’s Wall.

Cassius, intrigued by the sight of the Massacre Demon being surrounded and killed, asked, "How many Dragon Scale Cultivators of this sort are still within the imperial borders?"

Ramp answered, "Master, this project is still in the experimental phase, and currently we only have twenty-one. Of those, only twelve are able to fight normally and stably."

"Snap—"

While speaking, the corpulent ogre’s body flickered, becoming somewhat ethereal, and particles of light appeared on the surface of his skin.

"I apologize, Master. My physical body might have encountered a battle, so this simulation is somewhat unstable."

It turned out this was merely Ramp’s simulated image; the real Ogre Archmage had already gone to the front lines, where he presided over the battlefield, confronting the Spellcasters from the Abyss.

Cassius, gazing at the strange phenomena produced by the death of the Massacre Demon, narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Massacre Demons, huh…"

Massacre Demons, absolute predators of the Abyss, with a Challenge Level reaching 16, were comparable to some of the lower-level Legendary beings.

Even though located within the Empire and influenced by Cassius’ imperial domain, which suppressed their chaotic power, the strength of these demons remained formidable.

Former players would be slaughtered indiscriminately by Vampires, crushed mercilessly by Frost Giants, and could only serve as cannon fodder in wars.

However, nowadays, the most powerful players were capable of surrounding and killing such high-Level Monsters.

—Although this was a result of leaning on imperial resources, there was no denying that players had become an important and considerable force in the world.

After a moment of contemplation, Cassius asked again, "Approximately what is the cost to cultivate a Dragon Scale Cultivator?"

Ramp’s simulated image responded, "Fifty thousand Ginnar, Master. The most expensive part is actually the Dragon Blood materials, but these are not scarce within the imperial borders. The technology at the Department of Technology is not yet mature, and according to researchers from the Mechanical God Cult called ’Genists,’ the cost is expected to reduce to less than ten thousand Ginnar..."

Cassius nodded slightly, lapping the flames at the edge of his lips with his tongue, "Very well, it seems we’ll soon be able to mass-produce Supernatural Level warriors, and all we need to pay... is merely money."

Money was what the Empire lacked the least. Throughout the ongoing years of war on the Fianso continent, the Ashen Empire made vast profits by dealing in arms and dumping products.

The Empire’s ability to gather wealth was unimaginable to other nations.

As for how much gold was in Cassius’s vaults? That had gradually become a legendary tale.

Scholars estimated this figure had reached a staggering degree, surpassing most mortals’ understanding to the point that even speaking of it seemed unbelievable.

Ramp, smiling sycophantically, leaned forward and said, "This expenditure would not even need to tap into the imperial, that is, your wealth. Being chosen as Starfallen is their supreme honor. We plan to collect a Sacrifice of twenty thousand Ginnar from these Starfallen, as a return for your beneficence..."

Cassius clicked his tongue in admiration and nodded in agreement once more.

Over the past decade, this ogre had learned the essence of exploiting players, even handling it more meticulously and minutely than the Red Dragon, infiltrating every aspect of domestic life.

For instance, taxes with imperial characteristics like "Casting Tax," "Firearms Possession Tax," "Dragon Blood Tax"...

"Pfft—"

Cassius twisted his head, snorted loudly, and exhaled steaming white smoke, then turned his attention back to the Magic Images of the battlefronts.

"The main party still hasn’t shown itself... What elusive creatures."

At this moment, the war between the Empire and the Abyssal Legion had reached an intense stage.

The Ashen Empire’s artillery was no longer able to halt the advance of the Magic Tide; a myriad of brutal, powerful High-Ranking Demons emerged continuously.

The Empire, on the other hand, had exhausted all their strategies, relying on pre-arranged defensive lines for a staunch defense, desperately holding the line, keeping the Demon Legion south of the Imperial’s Wall.

In the southern wastelands, the ground was scarred with innumerable holes, shrouded in gunsmoke, covered in demon corpses, and riddled with shattered projectiles and bullets.

The demons’ dark purple pus-blood corroded the rocks and soil, forming grotesque scars across the land as if cursing it.

Endless shrill demonic screams, the roar of artillery, and the battle cries of Imperial Soldiers intertwined over the protracted battle line, ensnared across the vast battlefield, converging into a cruel symphony of war...

Huor Mountain Range. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

This mountain range wasn’t very high; just crossing it allowed access to the northern plains, reaching the core areas of the Empire.

"Roar—"

Groups of Dragon Beasts flapped their wings, swarming like thick dark clouds, emitting harsh, noisy roars.

Normally, such a sight wouldn’t be rare within the Empire’s boundaries.

After all, the Ashen Empire was known as the "Dragon Kingdom," breeding thousands of Bipedal Wyverns and Dragon Beasts, along with Sub-dragons frequently appearing here; it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Yet, this time the Dragon Vein Monsters were extraordinary— they originated from the Abyss.

Abyssal Drakes, similar to their Bipedal Wyvern ancestors, displayed their Purgatory lineage through their dark red scaly skin.

They possessed powerful Bat Wings, snake-like necks, and razor-sharp claws.