Audience and Conversation

Upon the towering white altar, the Red Dragon Emperor cast his gaze downward, exerting immense pressure.

Beneath the sun's radiance, an indescribable holiness and solemnity shone in the emperor's eyes, giving Adrian the faint, reverent feeling that he was facing the incarnation of the Sun God himself.

"You have finally come, Adrian."

The majestic voice came from the red dragon's throat, heavy as rolling thunder. The moment he spoke, a scorching breath carrying a Sulfur Scent washed over Adrian's face, nearly suffocating him.

"Adrian, Count of Furna Territory in the Seleucia Kingdom, pays homage to Your Majesty Keosius, the rightful ruler of Anzeta and Thrace, sovereign of the North of Feian Suo, and supreme emperor of the Embers of the Burned Empire."

Adrian hurriedly dropped to one knee. He had originally intended to perform the standard Fadlan noble's salute, but in his panic, he instead used an internal rite of the Sun God Church.

Rolf behind him was shocked by this, but quickly came to his senses as well. He bowed and knelt, paying respects to the most powerful ruler in the Material Plane.

With his head lowered, Adrian watched sweat drip from his chin onto the white stone tiles. A storm had already risen in his heart, filled with shock, excitement, and even an inexplicable delight.

The emperor actually knows my name?

He was merely an insignificant count of the Seleucia Kingdom. Before a colossal power like the Embers of the Burned Empire, his territory could not even make a ripple.

Moreover, before this emperor, who rivaled a demigod, the strength of which he was so proud as an Extraordinary Holy Knight was not worth mentioning. He could be crushed as easily as an ant.

Adrian truly could not imagine why the emperor, himself a red dragon, would take