Escaping Strasbourg

"Don't kill me!"

"Huff, huff"

Viscount Luton awoke from a nightmare, sat bolt upright, and gasped for breath.

He nervously touched his neck, and only after confirming that it had not been severed by the guillotine did he breathe a sigh of relief.

But soon, Viscount Luton recalled that bloody memory, that head that died with its eyes wide open, and those fanatical faces.

Immediately, he dry heaved again.

"Public trial."

"They've all gone mad, everyone's gone mad."

Viscount Luton shook his head repeatedly, muttering to himself.

He looked around with difficulty. Beneath him was a hard stone floor, to his left were cold iron railings, and the walls were covered with stains and bloodstains.

He recognized the place.

This is the dungeon of Strasbourg, used to imprison criminals who broke the law or homeless people on the streets.

No noble Northern Nobles has ever stayed there.

However, compared to his elders, Luton was lucky; at least he kept his head.

Thinking about this, he became uneasy again.

Could it be that he too would be dragged off for a so-called "public trial"? Recalling that nightmarish scene once again, Viscount Luton's heart pounded.

He was panting heavily and shaking his head incessantly.

"No"

"I want to get out of this awful place!"

"The North! The North is now a den of dragons! Everyone has gone mad!"

"The Viscount Luton said through gritted teeth."

However, upon hearing footsteps, he immediately covered his mouth, pretending to be unconscious, and squinted his eyes to peek out.

In the corridor, illuminated by flickering candlelight, several Tiefling Guard carrying long spears patrolled the area.

Only after confirming that the guards had left did Viscount Luton cautiously open his eyes, cursing under his breath.

"Damn it"

"With so many patrols, how are we supposed to get out?"

Suddenly, the shadow in the corner seemed to sway, and a deep, unfamiliar voice came from it.

Do you want to escape?

"Who are you?"

Luton grasped at this as if it were a lifeline, forgetting all his fear and only afraid that the voice would leave him.

After all, this might be his only hope of escaping from here.

He had to live! "Quickly, take me away from here!"

"The Viscount Luton urged anxiously."

The shadow swayed and eventually coalesced into a man draped in a black robe, who then bowed politely to Luton.

"Luton. Seager Sieg, I am an agent from the Holy Fadlan Empire. His Majesty Wilhelm insists that the Northern Nobles are the rightful rulers of Anzeta."

"Of course, that's for sure."

"Unfortunately, all of Duke Leo Bosk's sons met with misfortune, and you seem to be his nephew."

"Oh?"

Viscount Luton's eyes lit up.

The man in black robes grabbed Luton's hand and silently dragged him into the Shadow Plane, whispering in his ear:

"His Majesty Wilhelm will make you the nominal Northern Grand Duke, to spread the history of Anzeta in the South, and to draw people's attention to this evil dragon."

"Okay, I agree."

"You may not know this, but the Duke Luton embellished his experiences. His true identity was that of a male prostitute."

"How could he, a mere idle viscount, suddenly become the so-called 'Duke of the the North '?"

"So, the Duke Luton bought a ditch in the Thrace Kingdom, and his experience of fleeing south was actually that he was working as His Majesty Wilhelm's male prostitute."

—From "《Feiansuo Secret History Miscellany》", by a historian who wishes to remain anonymous, North Wind Fortress, Iron Dragon Wing Palace.

Keosius lay lazily on his throne, gazing indifferently at the Magic Image in the distance, exhaling a breath of hot Sulfur Scent air.

"Did you see that?"

"This is what is called struggle."

"We are not the same species as those humans, so they are very likely to be misled by the Northern Nobles and launch a fierce rebellion for the so-called ' Scania People's Common Interests '."

"What we need to do is to divide them from within, separate these Northern Nobles from the commoners, conduct a seemingly fair trial, and disguise the kingdom as a righteous Arbiter, so that they will completely lose their awe of the Northern Nobles."

"And in this way, our rule will be more stable."

Lang Pu immediately knelt down, revealing an expression of adoration. "Master, your wisdom in ruling puts me to shame. Only under your guidance can this grand blueprint be realized."

"Huh?"

Tinia tilted her head, her eyes filled with confusion.

But soon, she forgot all about it and excitedly moved closer, nuzzling the Red Dragon's tail affectionately with her neck.

"Smack!"

"Awooo—"

With a scream, the White Dragon was whipped more than ten meters away by the thick tail, rolling several times on the ground before coming to a stop.

But soon, Tinia sprang to her feet, wagging her tail excitedly.

Keosius glanced at her.

It seems highly unlikely that this dim-witted White Dragon will become a competent lord.

Lang Pu seems to have mastered this skill and doesn't need much guidance from him anymore—after all, the 《Kingdom Daily News》 only praises the Red Dragon's mighty power and extols Lang Pu's foresight and dedication.

Lang Pu is now even paying attention to his image, disguising the skull necklace around his neck as a gold chain.

Keosius shook himself slightly, brushing the dust off his scales, and then casually asked:

"What you were supposed to report to me? Bring it here."

"Yes, Master."

Lang Pu excitedly took out a Magic Crystal and put on his oversized gold-rimmed glasses.

Instantly, a massive Magic Image, several meters wide, unfolded in the main hall, with several bright characters at its top.

[《Northern Lands Five-Year Development Plan》]

Below it is an extremely detailed map, which marks various cities, mines, and manors, including all the current territories of the the North Kingdoms and the Embers of the Burned Kingdom.

Near those markings, future plans and goals were detailed, such as: "Build 15 food processing plants", "Mine at least 300,000 Silver Coin annually", and "Construct a complete railway line". "You have indeed achieved a great victory, and it is a great honor for all living beings in the Anzeta Great Wasteland to bask in your glory."

"While you were asleep, we began to prepare this plan, which covers all of Anzeta's territory. We hope you will offer your criticism and suggestions."

Lang Pu's voice was exceptionally excited and agitated, and even the "gold necklace" around his thick neck trembled slightly.

"I am very satisfied."

Keosius nodded slightly and smiled.

Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye, and this Ogre, who can be described as a "perfect working man," has really lived up to his expectations, at least he doesn't have to worry about trivial matters anymore.