Alliance with the Fire Dwarves

"Your Majesty Keosius, what is this?"

Shalin's eyes were full of doubt, and his bronze face was filled with disbelief.

The Fire Dwarf nobleman hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to refuse. He was prepared to face the wrath of the Red Dragon Emperor, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better.

Keosius nodded slightly.

"That's right, they are allies."

"Allies with an equal, cooperative, and mutually beneficial relationship."

"Your Excellency Shalin, rest assured, the Empire will never break its word like the Fire Giant. I can even sign a contract with you."

Could you be more specific?

"Shalin asked tentatively, his face full of surprise."

An ally with an equal relationship.

Mutually beneficial cooperation.

He couldn't even believe it—this was a proud dragon, and yet it was a condition that the emperor could propose.

Keosius replied calmly, "The Empire will send troops to help you defend against the Fire Giant ' invasion."

"At the same time, we will also sell you advanced weapons and a variety of imperial goods, and exempt you from all taxes."

"However, as a basic condition for cooperation, you need to allow the Empire's army to garrison the Brass Fortress and pay a certain amount of military expenses."

"You will also be allowed to allow the Empire's merchants to summon and hire Fire Dwarf to forge items, but don't worry, they will pay enough Ginar."

"We need to have a concession of the Embers of the Burned Empire within the Brass Fortress and establish an Imperial Embassy to handle all matters between the Empire and the Brass Fortress."

Keosius waved his hand gently, and flames gathered in mid-air, forming a magical contract with exceptionally clear terms that were almost identical to what he had said earlier.

"This"

"Your Majesty Keosius, are these all the conditions?"

"I still can't believe it," Shalin asked, puzzled.

The reason is simple—

In his view, this was a completely equal treaty! The Fire Dwarf would even benefit more! Opening up trade, paying for the military expenses of those under protection, allowing the empire to hire soldiers, and establishing concessions and embassies—these things, though novel to him, were perfectly normal.

There was no forced labor of the Fire Dwarf, and more importantly, no infringement on the authority of the Fire Dwarf nobles, nor any interference in their rule.

Could it be that this seemingly ferocious Dragon Emperor is actually a peace-loving monarch? At least in his current view, this treaty is perfectly fine and only benefits the Fire Dwarf.

Thinking of this, Shalin lowered his head and said with gratitude and a hint of guilt:

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty."

"I misunderstood you just now, and actually thought you wanted to enslave us! Thank you for your magnanimity."

"I must say, you are truly the most tolerant and benevolent monarch I have ever met."

Shalin picked up his scepter and gestured for the Fire Dwarf to come behind him. Then, he said solemnly, "Your Majesty Keosius, if that is the case, the Fire Dwarf of Brass Fortress are willing to become loyal allies of the Empire."

"We will wield our bronze hammers and use the unique skills of the Fire Dwarf to craft the most exquisite items for you and your people."

"Clang, clang, clang!"

The Fire Dwarf behind him struck their shields with bronze hammers in unison, producing a crisp sound.

They cheered, and the flames above their heads burned even hotter in the hall.

After this conversation, the banquet continued until the next morning, with the excited Fire Dwarf drinking heavily and chatting and boasting with the imperial soldiers.

Thus began the cooperation between the Embers of the Burned Empire and the Fire Dwarf.

The Fire Elemental Plane, Burning Wilderness.

Keosius transformed into his enormous dragon form, lying on a hill made of dark brown basalt, gazing at the orange-red sky.

The Fire Elemental energy within his body was constantly gathering, and the dragon crystal on his chest was shimmering slightly.

The Half-Red Dragon Serkan came to the Red Dragon's side and knelt down.

"Your Majesty, I have arrived."

Keosius nodded slightly and praised, "You did very well; there was no trace of acting at all."

This was his plan.

One played the good cop and the other the bad cop, using this to get the Fire Dwarf to accept their treaty.

But Serkan hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but say:

"But Your Majesty, I still don't understand. The conditions you've given those Fire Dwarf are far too favorable."

"With a mere few thousand people occupying a small fortress, what makes them worthy of being equal allies of the Empire?"

Keosius simply smiled and asked, "Have you read the official Imperial edition of ' On Colonialism '?"

Serkan's face flushed slightly, but he still replied truthfully, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty."

"I haven't had a chance to see it yet."

Keosius continued, "If we are on par with the Brass Fortress, then this is indeed an equal treaty, with mutual military access and tariff exemption."

He paused, grinned, and exhaled a puff of Sulfur Scent smoke.

"But when the two sides of a treaty are too far apart in strength, the so-called equal treaty is just a joke."

"Granting the Empire the right to station troops means they lose their own territory; granting the Empire the right to trade means they lose control of their economic lifeline; granting the Empire the right to employ Fire Dwarf means the Fire Dwarf become slaves to imperial capital."

"And these Fire Dwarf nobles will become loyal puppets of the empire."

"This kind of thing, which the Imperial scholars call ' Neocolonialism,' is far superior to direct enslavement. The Brass Fortress will become the Imperial's first stronghold in the Fire Elemental Plane."

"This"

Serkan lowered his head in deep thought, carefully considering the emperor's words.

The treaty ostensibly grants both sides equal rights, but in reality, due to the Fire Dwarf ' underdeveloped state, they are unable to exercise the rights stipulated therein on an equal footing with the Empire. However, through the treaty, the entire Brass Fortress will be open to the Empire.

Keosius stretched his body and slowly rose from the basalt hill, spreading his broad wings.

"Go, Serkan. If you want to become the Empire's governor in the Fire Elemental Plane, learn more about this."

Upon hearing Keosius's words, Serkan was greatly encouraged and immediately knelt down and bowed his head.

"Yes! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Colonial Governor – that's another rather unfamiliar term.

Because the Embers of the Burned Empire adopted a vertical management system in the Anzeta Great Wasteland, local officials did not have much autonomy.

At this moment, Serkan has a new goal—to manage the Fire Elemental Plane for His Your Majesty Keosius!

The Red Dragon nodded slightly, then vigorously flapped its wings, stirring up Mars full of ash and sparks on the burning wasteland, and its massive body soared into the air.

Subduing a few thousand Fire Dwarf was a trivial matter for him; the transdimensional Fire Giant Kingdom was what truly deserved his attention.

——Requesting monthly votes——