602. Succession

The entrance area of Dragon Cliff Dungeon had been completely cleared.

For several miles around the entrance, every unofficial member of the Demon Race had been driven away.

In their place stood the Blood Guard directly under the emperor's command. They wore dark-red heavy armor like congealed blood, expressionless metal masks covering their faces as they kept watch nearby.

Emperor Mortis stood at the edge of the entrance, looking at the enormous claw prints underfoot and the traces of dragon breath.

Chief Intelligence Officer Mofulei knelt on one knee several steps away, reporting the latest intelligence about the Fire Dragon.

"...Based on all the intelligence gathered, a total of seven villages and towns, two secondary cities, and Duke Eugene's Northwind Fortress were attacked by the Fire Dragon that emerged from Dragon Cliff Dungeon. The cities and Northwind Fortress withstood the assault thanks to large-scale protective arrays. Building damage was limited, and casualties were not heavy, but those villages and towns were almost completely wiped out."

Mortis bent down and pinched up a small bit of black ash from the ground with his fingertips. "Eugene's fortress is one thing, but those two cities aren't military strongholds... and they could still defend against a dragon of this level?"

Mofulei immediately explained, "Your Majesty, according to the consistent descriptions from a large number of eyewitnesses, that dragon did not even slow down when it launched its attacks. Its breath was not so much deliberate destruction... as a casual strike while passing by. That was precisely why the protective arrays of those two cities barely survived after enduring a single impact."

"A casual strike..." Mortis chuckled softly, yet it made Mofulei shiver involuntarily and lower her head even further.

Mortis straightened and no longer looked at the claw prints, nor did he pay any