Harpers (I)

Looking down at the twelve newly emerged Dragonkin Paladin, Keosius exhaled a puff of Sulfur Scent smoke and casually praised, "Freed, you have a good eye."

After all, as mortals, those who can accept the Red Dragon's violent bloodline without being overwhelmed are definitely among the best of the best, and the fact that all twelve candidates succeeded this time far exceeded his expectations.

Freed lowered his head and replied calmly, "It is my honor to receive your praise."

He was well aware that his sole mission was to find and train Dragon Oath Paladin for Keosius. As a former "Black Lion Knight" who had served the enemy, and unlike Mezhuolash, he lacked sufficient vested interests, even with the absolute suppression of bloodlines, Keosius would not feel comfortable entrusting him with all the power of the Dragon Oath Hall and making him the direct ruler.

Therefore, Freed was very sensible and even took the initiative to hand over his power to the kingdom, deliberately downplaying his influence and focusing on cultivating candidates.

Keosius nodded slightly in satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Anthony.

"You will become the ' Twelve Dragon Escorts ' of the Dragon Oath Hall."

"Anthony, I admire you for maintaining your sanity after the conversion. As a reward for your courage and perseverance, you will be ranked first among the Dragon Knights and will be able to choose your own honorary title."

The boy who emerged from the basement has now completely overcome his inner demons and become a staunch supporter of the kingdom's order.

"Master, I am willing to become the 'Judgment', to enforce the kingdom's order with an iron fist, and to burn away all enemies who attempt to disrupt the order with flames."

He knelt on one knee, his expression excited, his eyes burning like blazing flames.

"I gave my permission."

"Keosius said calmly, then looked at Freed said.

Freed immediately understood and stepped forward, saying respectfully, "Master, I am preparing to take them to accept the work of the Dragon Oath Hall, so we will not disturb you any longer and will take our leave now."

The Red Dragon nodded slightly.

Freed then led Anthony away, each of them carrying two unconscious Dragon Oath Paladin, looking rather comical. Meanwhile, the Tiefling servants, having received orders, entered the hall to assist them in moving the unconscious men.

Keosius narrowed his eyes, watching their departing figures, and thought with a hint of amusement, "Judgment, huh? Quite an appetite."

These twelve youths, who received personal blessings from Keosius, will become the future leaders of the Dragon Oath Hall, cultivating more Dragon Oath Paladin for the Embers of the Burned Kingdom.

The seeds of bloodline power within them, which connect to the Red Dragon's power, can also become the source of transforming Dragon Vein Kin, actively bestowing blessings upon mortals. However, the effect is far less powerful than Keosius's personal blessing, and the bloodline is relatively thinner after the transformation.

In just a few years, starting with them, hundreds or even thousands of Dragonkin Paladin can be generated, becoming a major force in the Embers of the Burned Kingdom.

Compared to the Red Scale Conqueror, who primarily rely on reconnaissance and air raids and are similar to aerial scouts, the Dragonkin Paladin are more like heavy infantry, capable of playing a greater role in direct combat.

When legions of Dragonkin Paladin appear on the battlefield, they advance like impregnable mobile fortresses, with countless protective and fiery auras shimmering in the air. The scene is a nightmare that no enemy would want to face.

Keosius studied the spells for a while longer, but finally succumbed to his drowsiness.

"Now I can finally get a good night's sleep."

"I'll inform Lang Pu later and tell him to make sure the magic protection is in place. It's time to begin the next period of slumber."

He yawned again, and magma-like ripples flowed across Keosius's body, making the Sulfur Scent smell even stronger.

Suddenly, Keosius froze, and the scales on the upper part of his golden eyes wrinkled slightly.

As Sorcerer capable of influencing reality with his will, the Red Dragon clearly sensed subtle disturbances in the Weave, as if an invisible eye was watching him, a feeling that made him very uncomfortable.

"Another Divination Spell?"

"Ha, they really don't know what's good for them."

Keosius laughed in anger, feeling quite irritated and having an urge to burn the person who disturbed his rest to a crisp.

Although the spell's effects were almost imperceptible, his authority over the Kingdom Domain allowed him to clearly perceive everything, and he could even faintly trace the spell's source—deep in the mountains and forests outside the palace, only a few miles away.

A ferocious smile appeared on the Red Dragon's face, and its wings gradually spread open.

"Then let me see for myself—who dares to disturb my peaceful slumber?"

Outside the royal palace, in the Kareba Mountain Forest.

Because of its proximity to the Iron Dragon Wing Palace, and its past as a gathering place for rebels and a hideout for North Wind Fortress's fleeing Northern Nobles, this forest has become the palace's back garden, where Wyvern and Hobgoblin often patrol and search for unidentified individuals.

At that moment, rustling sounds and hushed conversations came from the woods.

The pointed-eared female Elf in the Emerald Green Cloak whispered, "Li Cha, be careful. Don't try to spy with your magic again. According to the Alliance's intelligence, that's a spellcaster capable of casting high-level spells."

The man called "Li Cha" turned around, patted the Elf on the shoulder, and looked quite relaxed.

His ears are unusual, and his features are somewhat delicate, which is clearly a sign of Half-elf.

"Abis, you're being a bit too cautious. I know what I'm doing."

"Sorcerer are nothing but Barbarian among spellcasters. This is Spell Scroll personally crafted by Master Kavina. Even evil Red Robe Mage cannot detect this spell. A Red Dragon with nothing but muscles in its head? Ha, needless to say."

He then focused his attention once again on magical probing.

His name is Li Cha · Xige, a well-known Ranger in the Fadlan Empire, a "Fey Wanderer" of the Supreme Fairy's Grace, and a senior member of the Harpers.

He accepted the "extremely dangerous" mission assigned by the Alliance, and traveled north to Anzeta with the Elf assassin Apis to investigate the recently rising evil force Embers of the Burned Kingdom.

"I don't know why, but I always have a bad feeling. Believe me, it's an assassin's intuition."

Apis reminded her with a serious expression.

"Etc--"

Li Cha turned his head again, his eyes filled with panic.

"That Red Dragon seems to have spotted us."

Abier urged hastily, "Then what are you waiting for? Quickly use your magic to get out of here! The Alliance only gave us a mission to gather intelligence, not to slay dragons!"

Li Cha lowered his head and gave a bitter smile, "I'm sorry, maybe I really was wrong."

"Abier, haven't you noticed? The Weave here is gradually being imprisoned. I'm afraid we can't escape."

"Fool! (Elvish)"

Abier gripped the dagger tightly and cursed through gritted teeth.