The Tide of War

Near the Nemeel Town in western Anzeta lies the largest desolate desert in the Empire, and hidden within it is a mysterious warehouse district.

In this area, hundreds of identical warehouses are neatly arranged, surrounded by high concrete walls and barbed wire.

However, behind this seemingly peaceful scene, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, lies a strict security measure.

Wyvern and Flame Wyvern circled overhead, while fully armed Imperial Guards stood guard and patrolled day and night, and any unauthorized entry would be dealt with severely.

"Waaah—"

Accompanied by the piercing sound of steam whistles, dozens of military steam trains roared in and stopped at the entrance of this warehouse district.

At the quartermaster's command, the well-trained Half-Dragon soldiers lined up in neat rows and quickly disembarked from the vehicle.

"All soldiers, stand by!"

"Yes, sir."

A dragon officer wearing a dark green woolen overcoat stepped off the train. He carefully examined the documents in his hand before looking towards the warehouse in the distance.

Only officials of the Imperial Military knew that this was "Dragon's Nest," the largest military reserve warehouse in the Empire, with a staggering scale of 45 square kilometers.

The warehouse has an extremely rich variety of ammunition, ranging from traditional artillery shells to advanced enchanted shells, covering almost all types of ammunition for all kinds of firearms in the history of the Empire, estimated to be hundreds of thousands of tons.

The museum also displays advanced mechanized weapons such as Steam Tank and armored vehicles, as well as various guns and cannons, making it almost a symbol of the empire's military strength.

Beside the officer stood a human with a lower Dragonification Degree, holding a thick stack of receipts and wearing a fawning expression.

"Sir, I have completed the inventory of the quantities requested by the military headquarters. Please take a look."

He is Lajie, a former unemployed worker who, after experiencing the demonic catastrophe, rose to become a noble First-Class Citizen and is now a glorious quartermaster of the Imperial Army.

"Good."

After the officer confirmed it once, he nodded and went forward to negotiate with the Tiefling Guard at the door. The whole process was orderly.

"Boom--"

In the distance, billowing smoke and dust rose as the gates of the towering wall slowly opened, and trucks loaded with guns and ammunition drove out, while Steam Tank rolled across the ground, causing the earth to tremble slightly.

Lajie stared at the grand scene, his face flushed, filled with tension and excitement, his heart pounding.

Born into poverty, he never imagined that he would be able to become a member of the Imperial Army, and in such an easy job as a quartermaster, not to mention that he was assigned a house in Istaria.

At this moment, Lajie was filled with gratitude towards His Your Majesty Keosius. The Empire's generous wartime subsidies for soldiers made him wish that the war could go on forever.

Looking at these enormous and imposing war behemoths, Lajie couldn't help but puff out his chest. He even imagined the enemy howling in agony amidst the roar of artillery fire and screaming under the treads of tanks.

Lajie's mind wandered. "Once this war is won, I might become Baron of the Empire."

The thought of the empire's military strength would make even the lowest-ranking soldiers proudly puff out their chests, with no doubt that victory was imminent.

And so, thanks to the efforts of the Half-Dragon soldiers, countless pieces of equipment and ammunition in the "Dragon's Nest" warehouse were loaded onto the steam train.

Meanwhile, along railways spanning hundreds of miles, countless other trains sped across the land, transporting soldiers, equipment, and ammunition from all over the empire to the south.

The Empire has made full preparations for this war. Although it may seem like there are only three days left, behind it lies years of infrastructure construction and war planning by the Empire.

Istaria City, the streets have been cleared, and police tape has been put up on both sides of the road, with Tiefling Guard stationed every few meters.

The citizens crowded both sides of the road, waving imperial flags embroidered with vertical pupils and flames, and shouting slogans fervently.

"Conquer! Conquer!"

"Long Live the Empire! Long live His Your Majesty Keosius!"

"Those damn Southerners don't deserve to have fertile land. We want land under the sun!"

The Half-goat Human in the military band also beat war drums and blew horns, playing uplifting military music that could inspire morale and boost spirits.

As the stirring melody played, imperial officers in uniforms and wearing epaulets appeared in neat rows, coming into view.

Each of them wore a proud smile, head held high, waving to the people lining the street, who responded with scattered flowers and enthusiastic cheers.

"Long Live the Empire! May you return in triumph!"

"You are the heroes of the Embers of the Burned Empire, and the heroes who saved Fei An Suo!"

But this grand parade wasn't just for officers. Land Dragon Beast were letting out deep roars, Wyvern and Chimera were circling in the air, and elite soldiers were firing their guns in salute—it was quite a lively scene.

Suddenly, an even more enthusiastic cheer erupted from the crowd.

"Look! It's Marshal Dolo!"

"Keosius above! What a majestic and powerful presence!"

"As expected of an Imperial Duke, as expected of Dragon Blood Noble standing at the pinnacle!"

Dolo stood on the towering back of the Land Dragon Beast, spread his broad Dragon Wing, flapped them, and suddenly soared into the air.

"Soldiers, on this expedition, we will face an unprecedentedly powerful enemy, but remember—we are the servants of the Great Red Dragon, and we represent the glory of the Embers of the Burned Empire!"

The Dragon Vein Hobgoblin looked down at the crowded people on the ground, raised the Bloodfire Battle Axe in his hand, and let out a powerful battle roar.

"For the Empire—"

The sound, like the roar of a dragon, carried an invisible majesty, shaking the heavens and the earth, igniting the passion of the imperial people, and making the army even more excited.

"For the Empire!"

"For His Your Majesty Keosius!"

In the parade, George, dressed in military uniform and wearing the Chimera symbolizing his rank of colonel, turned around and waved to the crowd.

"Look, it's Earl George!"

"Keosius, Your Excellency George! You are my idol!"

"I want to be a hero like Lord George!" the boy shouted enthusiastically, waving his hat at him.

A small commotion broke out in the crowd. George was already quite famous in the empire, far surpassing other Earl of the same rank.

George's journey from a serf to Dragon Blood Noble was touted by the Empire Daily as a prime example of the "Empire Dream" and became a life goal for countless people from humble backgrounds.

His performance in that demonic war was also quite remarkable, and it was also published in the newspapers, which greatly inspired people.

George was already used to, and even somewhat enjoyed, the enthusiasm and adoration of the people. He saw his former comrade-in-arms, Baron Grace, also in the farewell crowd, watching him leave.

George was no longer the cowardly, lowly serf he once was; his life had undergone a complete transformation. Now, he was a promising Imperial Army colonel and a rising star, the newly crowned Dragonblood Earl.

As George walked out of the city gate amidst flowers, music, and cheers, he turned around and gazed with his golden, dragon-like vertical pupils at the fluttering flags on the city walls and at the majestic buildings in the distance.

He lived in this miraculous city for several years, and the city witnessed his growth and ascent, but he didn't know when he would return.

"When I return, I will surely be radiant with glory and honor."

George muttered to himself, his slightly thin face almost etched with ambition.

As the parade was about to end, the cheers of the crowd, the booming of cannons, the loud gunshots, and the soldiers' synchronized battle cries mingled together, flooding Istaria like a raging flood and spreading to every corner.

In a secluded alley, Olivia, draped in a grey robe, silently observed from the shadows.

She had been here for a long time after talking with Keosius.

Olivia desperately wanted to know what war meant for the Embers of the Burned Empire. She had lived there for years but had never truly integrated into imperial society. Instead, she remained outside of Keosius's "new order," doing what she believed would make the empire better.

During the last demon war, the people were filled with righteous indignation in order to protect their homes and avenge their loved ones, Olivia could still understand.

But what about now?

The land under the sun, the land promised by the emperor, the new world order. What an absurd and ethereal reason it sounds, yet countless people still go crazy for it, even at the cost of their lives.

Olivia couldn't understand what drove them to do this. Soldiers could indeed gain honor, status, and spoils in war, but what about ordinary people? Why did they have to participate in such a brutal war?

Olivia gave a wry smile and shook her head, saying, "I was too presumptuous. I always thought the world would operate according to my expectations and the established order."

Perhaps I should truly integrate myself into imperial society to truly understand the people's perspectives and grasp the meaning of what Keosius said.

She lowered her head, hesitated for a moment, gritted her teeth, then clenched her fists and resolutely left the alley.

Top floor of the Imperial Parliament Hall, Prime Minister's office.

Lang Pu looked at the silver-haired girl outside the door. Although he wore a polite smile on his ugly face, a hint of surprise was still evident.

"Ms. Olivia, what is this?"

"Lord Lang Pu, I want to join the Imperial General Staff." Her tone was exceptionally firm.

Olivia looked up at the tall Ogre Mage, her blue-gray eyes sparkling as if tiny stars were twinkling in them.

She wanted to understand thoroughly— Keosius's New Order.

Fire Elemental Plane, Brass Fortress.

Here, lava still flows, fiery clouds fill the sky, and the air is thick with the smell of sulfur. Flames grow wildly, like weeds.

Riding atop the towering back of the Multi-Headed Flame Salamander, Serkan gazed at the giant portal that had just appeared in the distance. He knew it was the work of the Imperial Magic Department.

"War is about to begin again."

The Half-Red Dragon licked its chapped lips, which were dry and cracked from the high temperature, and its expression became extremely expectant and excited.

For him, this was a rare opportunity.

Serkan knew that the more outstanding they performed on the battlefield of the Material Plane, the more likely they were to gain His Your Majesty Keosius's attention and have the Empire invest more resources in the Fire Elemental Plane Colony.

Behind him, countless Imperial soldiers from the Fire Elemental Plane poured out of the Brass Fortress, like a scalding river.

Among them are Half-Red Dragon, Fire Lizard, Fire Giant, Elemental Apostle, and tens of thousands of Fire Dwarf who look exactly alike.

These Fire Dwarf are mass-produced in Automated Breeding Factory, but due to the players' morbid curiosity, some of them have grown into strange-looking exceptions.

Due to the combined effects of the Fire Giant ' capture and their slow reproduction, no city-state has ever been able to possess such a large number of Fire Dwarf, but the Embers of the Burned Empire has achieved this through these "unconventional" methods.

These tens of thousands of Fire Dwarf worked tirelessly day and night to mine ore and constantly wield their hammers to forge the finest equipment for the empire, while the empire's merchants only needed to pay for cheap industrial products.

Gazing upon the fully armed and imposing Fire Elemental Plane, Serkan raised his flaming spear and roared in the Imperial Common Tongue, "For the Empire—"

"For the Empire!"

Despite their still-unfamiliar Common Tongue, which was tinged with the crackling sounds of Fire Clan Language, these Fire Elemental elementals who had converted to the Empire raised their weapons and cheered in unison.

Needless to say, the Half-Red Dragon soldiers who followed Serkan here shouted themselves hoarse, overjoyed to be able to return to their homeland.

Their armor, battle axes, longswords, and flails gleamed in the firelight, shimmering with a metallic sheen.

It must be said that, if we only consider these "classic" equipment, the Fire Elemental Plane Legion's equipment is probably the best among all Imperial armies.

The Underdark, Dragon Shadow City.

Under the pitch-black sky, the cold wind howled incessantly, and cracks were everywhere on the desolate land, yet the black city still stood tall and majestic.

Hart stood atop the city wall, his pure black eyes surveying everything below.

The Skeletal Dragon Snake twisted their massive bodies, and the skeletons and undead moved slowly like a terrifying gray tide, while the Shadow Wyvern circled high in the sky, emitting eerie shrieks.

Meanwhile, races such as the Gray Dwarf, Lizardfolk, Deep Gnome, and Gray Centaur, who had submitted to the Embers of the Burned Empire, also appeared in the massive army formation.

"It is His Your Majesty Keosius's decree. All living beings on Surface World, prepare to face fear and death."

Hart drew his longsword, a stark white skeletal blade, from his waist, and a ferocious smile appeared on his gaunt face, where the skin was practically touching the bone.

At this moment, the torrent of war surged forth, roaring and howling with overwhelming force, almost unstoppable.

Its influence extends even across the multiverse, not only to Anzeta itself, but also to the Empire's colonies in various planes, all of which are being conscripted and ready to be teleported to the southern battlefield.

In just three short days, the Embers of the Burned Empire was fully awakened, and the southern forces barely had time to react or even prepare.

These arrogant Fei An Suo people were unaware of the Earth-Shattering impact this empire from the desolate north was about to have on the continent.