War and Rumors

After the fall of Troluo City, the entire Anzeta was in an uproar, but it was not entirely unexpected.

Having lost their most elite "Eagle's Claw," how could the Rackman Dynasty possibly withstand the claws and teeth of those dragon-blooded monsters, not to mention the terrifying Red Dragon known as the Purgatory Calamity?

But what they hadn't anticipated was that the Troluo City, known as the "City of Might," which had stood for a century in the northern part of the Northern United Kingdom without ever falling, was so easily breached. In fact, it wasn't even a breach, but an easy occupation; Troluo City couldn't even muster a proper resistance.

With Earl Dawson killed by a mysterious weapon, the humiliating white flag flew over the city gates, and the centuries of glory of Troluo City vanished into thin air.

In the following months, the Ember Nest did not rush to conquer North Wind Fortress, the capital of the Lakman Duchy. Instead, it patiently conquered the remaining eleven cities within the duchy one by one: Hafuz Fort, Tena City, and Mex City. The Lakman Duchy, one of the three most powerful duchies in the Northern United Kingdom, was gradually devoured, causing fear and insecurity among the nobles of the various kingdoms of Anzeta.

During this period, many bloody incidents occurred, and rumors of Ogre and Chimera eating people emerged, but under Keosius's supervision, the Dragon Vein Kin still maintained basic order.

Compared to the human soldiers of this era who would burn, kill, plunder, and wantonly vent their desires when faced with war, and the noble knights who regarded civilians as worthless and often took pleasure in killing, these monsters suppressed by the Red Dragon's "Dictatorial Law" were actually quite disciplined—at least those Ogre only regarded humans as delicious snacks, rather than objects of bullying.

However, within the various countries of Anzeta, through deliberate propaganda, the image of the Ember Nest's servants has become indistinguishable from the legendary demons, and even Bard has created a long poem— the Ember Song.

Their evil tyrant, the "Keosius the Purgatory Calamity," has now become a symbol of original sin. Legend has it that he is the Lustful Dragon, the Wrathful Dragon, and the dragon of pride. He would transform into a grotesque human several meters tall, wantonly humiliating beautiful young women, and then revert to his original form to swallow them whole.

The chief steward of the Ember Nest, the Dragon Vein Ogre Mage Lang Pu, is naturally depicted as the embodiment of gluttony. He greedily devours everything in sight, and whenever someone trembles before him, this Ogre is seen chewing on human remains.

The military commander, the Hobgoblin Dolo, became the embodiment of jealousy, perhaps simply to fit the Bard ' parallelism...

Keosius neither confirmed nor denied this, and seemed completely indifferent.

Before he completely conquered the Northern Kingdom, such distorted rumors were perfectly normal.

Once he has swallowed up the remaining twelve kingdoms, all the clamor will vanish, and he will become the one and only supreme king of Anzeta.

"It will be soon."

"Wait until I deal with this Old Vampire."

"You are the next target, you outdated Northern Nobles."

The Red Dragon exhaled a breath of hot, Sulfur Scent air and muttered to itself.

He was currently lying in the Hall of Governance of Troluo City, a spacious and bright place that could barely accommodate Keosius's massive dragon body.

The Hall of Governance was once the place where decisions were made about the affairs of the Troluo City. The noble councilors of the city would gather together to discuss government affairs. This was a glorious tradition passed down from generation to generation in Troluo City. The flying eagle on the tall stone pillar represented courage and authority.

This place still determines everything in Troluo City, but those eagles no longer represent power; they are now symbols of the defeated.

At this moment, only the Red Dragon rules everything here.

"Master, the Mex City has fallen."

Dolo's image appeared in the hall.

Behind him was a city shrouded in Gunsmoke, with dragon vein monsters constantly passing by, and the sound of gunfire could be heard in the distance.

Red Dragon nodded slightly. "Very good."

Darena, who had been standing by for a long time, picked up a brush and drew an X on the word "Mex City" in the corner of the huge map of the duchy in the center of the hall.

In addition, ten other cities have been marked with an X, including the Troluo City where they are currently located.

North Wind Fortress was isolated among those cities—it was the only remaining city controlled by the Lakman Duchy.

Darena said obsequiously, "Congratulations, Master. The centuries-long history of the Lakman Duchy is coming to an end. Their vast territory will be yours, your great achievements will be recorded in history, and the entire the North will tremble under your wings."

"Now, only North Wind Fortress remains."

Keosius suddenly asked Lang Pu, "When you broke into Mex City, did you capture those Vampire Spawn?"

He was referring to the descendants of the Rackman Dynasty, the highest rank among Vampire Spawn, who often call themselves vampires, like the former Baron Todd.

However, speaking of Todd, this poor guy has lost his mind and become a complete beast under Lang Pu's constant torment and various experiments.

With the scholarly spirit of a sorcerer, Lang Pu, after a series of tests and once the Vampire had lost his usefulness, slowly chopped him into fine mincemeat. This time, he never recovered, proving that even "immortal vampires" are not entirely immortal.

After months of experimentation and various creative ways of playing with them, Lang Pu has mastered many of the characteristics of these Vampire Spawn, such as the Running Water Wound.

He is now more interested in the Old Vampire, Duke Brad Lachmann, who is lurking in North Wind Fortress.

Lang Pu answered truthfully, "No."

"Only human remains, drained of their life force, were found in Earl Ketley Lakman's mansion. His eldest son has long since vanished. The same is true for the other cities ruled by Lakman's sons. I suspect they have all been summoned to North Wind Fortress for that so-called— Ascension Ritual."

"Ascension Ritual."

Lang Pu assumed that Keosius was asking a question rather than stating one, so he respectfully replied:

"Yes, the Ascension Ritual. During the interrogation of Todd Lachman, we learned about this special ritual, which is similar to a sacrifice. It is the legendary ritual that can evolve Vampire into a 'true immortal being'."

"Once the ritual is completed, the Vampire will no longer fear sunlight, nor will it have weaknesses such as flowing water, and will wield an incomparably powerful Dark Erosion Power."

The Red Dragon slowly rose and spread its wings.

"It's time to put an end to all of this."

"Lang Pu, notify all the Familiars of the Ember Nest to mobilize their most elite troops from each city to prepare for the siege of North Wind Fortress. I don't want to see a troublesome Ascended Vampire appear."

"It's time for this old guy... to go back to where he belongs."

"Yes, Master."

Lang Pu responded excitedly.