Audience Once More

Continue walking towards the city center until you reach the Istaria Great Altar.

The ground rises high, forming a cliff that lifts the entire altar into the air, like the legendary Hanging Gardens.

Naven spotted the building from a great distance, which was the main reason he thought he was hallucinating—such a spectacle didn't seem to exist in reality.

But when he actually saw the altar, he realized that this was the effect of magic; a spellcaster of astonishing power must have caused the earth to rise and the ground to lift.

"Miraculous architecture, unique weapons, legendary spellcasters. This is something no emerging nation could possibly possess."

"Could it be that they possess the entire legacy of some ancient empire?"

Or perhaps, behind them, there is a powerful deity comparable to His Majesty Amanata?

"The Embers of the Burned Empire. Just how many secrets are they hiding? Their ambitions probably extend far beyond Anzeta."

Naven looked up at the towering cliff that seemed to support the sky, and felt deeply worried about the future of Kassand.

Suddenly, Tiefling's voice rang out, interrupting his thoughts.

"Lord Navin, this is the place."

"Please come up alone to see me."

Tiefling Guard extended his hand, gesturing for the others to proceed.

Thank you.

With a heart full of trepidation, Naven walked up the circular staircase on the smooth cliff face.

The altar was located very high, and it took him nearly twenty minutes to reach the top.

Fortunately, Naven himself was a near-superhuman Cleric, and his physical condition was much better than that of ordinary people under the sun, which prevented him from being exhausted and out of breath.

"We meet again, Naven."

A familiar voice came from the top of the altar.

Naven hurriedly looked up nervously, but instead of the enormous Red Dragon he had expected, he saw a young nobleman with black hair and golden eyes.

The man was dressed in a crimson robe embroidered with gold threads, and wore a magnificent crown studded with jewels. His face was exceptionally handsome, and his pale golden eyes were incredibly deep, making one want to worship him.

He lay on his side on the throne in a casual posture, but every move he made carried an air of authority, an aura like that of a god whose power could not be concealed.

—This is Keosius in human form.

"He... he looks more distinguished than Otis."

"More like a god."

Naven suddenly had an extremely presumptuous and audacious idea. If he were to voice this idea to His Majesty Otis, he could very well be killed.

Navin Bessarius shivered.

He then snapped out of his shock and astonishment and realized the true identity of the "young nobleman" in the distance.

Thinking of this, Naven quickly bowed deeply and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty Keosius. I apologize for my rudeness just now."

"However, please allow me to explain. Your empire awed me, and your heroic figure captivated me, which led me to make such a basic mistake."

Keosius casually conjured clusters of flames in his hands, then glanced at him and said indifferently, "No need for further explanation, I don't care about these things."

He chuckled lightly, saying with a playful tone, "Congratulations to your Emperor Otis for once again defending the Holy City and firmly grasping the imperial symbol of Holy Fadlan."

Thank you for your concern.

Naven said, "Your Majesty, I will still bring His Majesty Otis with me."

"I know why you've come."

Keosius interrupted him.

The flames condensed in his hand into glowing red beads, which then disappeared.

"As I have said, I am a peace-loving ruler, and now is the time for the empire to develop. At least for the next year, the Embers of the Burned Empire will remain neutral and will not participate in the wars between the kingdoms of Fadlan."

Upon hearing this, Naven breathed a sigh of relief.

The Embers of the Burned Emperor said these words himself.

It's absolutely impossible to fake.

This means that the Embers of the Burned Empire did not become a military ally of the Thrace Kingdom!

The worst-case scenario he had anticipated had not yet occurred!

With this in mind, Naven decided to try again. "Your Majesty Keosius, His Majesty Otis said that he is willing to pay any price if you can form an alliance with us."

"This is out of the question."

Keosius interrupted again.

He stared at Naven below the steps and asked in a strange tone, "Do you think I'm the kind of dragon that can be so easily bought off with Gold Coin?"

Naven immediately broke out in a cold sweat, quickly lowered his head, and replied, "Of course not, Your Majesty."

"I have traveled all the way from the Anzeta Corridor and have seen and heard a great deal. Your subjects all admire your wisdom and foresight."

This was not mere flattery, but something he had witnessed and heard firsthand. Naven, disguised as a merchant, was quite surprised by this phenomenon when he passed through various cities.

After the Embers of the Burned Emperor embarked on his legendary and mythical "National Tour," the Propaganda Department vigorously promoted and shamelessly embellished the story, even publishing popular tales like "The Keosius's Grace."

As word spread, the emperor's image within the country indeed grew ever more majestic. Farmers, merchants, and city dwellers alike could feel his benevolence, and his image had even come close to becoming a symbol of the empire.

"The emperor's attitude is very clear."

"It seems I will have to disappoint His Majesty Otis. It seems I really have no way to make the Empire an ally."

Seeing that Keosius's attitude was so firm, Naven sighed deeply in his heart and buried the thought in his mind.

However, he has another important mission this time.

Naven took a deep breath and glanced tentatively at the man on the throne.

After observing that his expression was normal, he lowered his head and spoke again, "Your Majesty, there is one more thing, but I don't know if it is appropriate to say it."

"Explain."

"During our battles with the Thrace army, we discovered weapons similar in design to those of the Embers of the Burned Empire."

"So—you suspect that the Embers of the Burned Empire is aiding Thrace?"

There seemed to be a hint of anger in his voice.

This question sent chills down Naven's spine.

He quickly waved his hands, explaining in a flustered manner, "No, that's not it. His Majesty Otis is just curious and would like to ask you about this weapon."

"Hehe, you guessed right, those weapons came from the Embers of the Burned Empire."

This answer caught Naven off guard, leaving him stunned.

But Keosius continued, "But this is not aid in any sense; it is just ordinary trade."

"They pay Gold Coin, and the Empire gives them weapons, it's that simple."

"This"

Naven was at a loss for words.

Such unusual weapons are actually being sold? And even to their potential enemies?

"Your Kassand Kingdom seems to have no right to interfere in the trade between the Empire and the Thrace Kingdom, does it?"

"Certainly."

Naven responded earnestly.

"Our Embers of the Burned Empire has always advocated free trade."

"As long as you pay enough Gold Coin, you can also obtain such weapons, even more advanced than those from the Thrace Kingdom."

A subtle smile played on Keosius's lips, but Naven was bowing respectfully and breathing heavily with excitement, did not notice it.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Naven answered with great excitement.

The thought crossed his mind—perhaps this trip could change the course of the war!