Chapter 297: Chapter 220: Dragon Slayer
As the heavy metal gates slowly opened, Mezulash strode into the hall and knelt on one knee before the steps, saying in a low voice:
“Master, Nocturne has obtained the latest intelligence.”
“The Boske Duchy has spent a fortune recruiting a legendary adventurer squad from the South—the Scarlet Blade. This squad is famous in the Empire of Fadlan with an extremely high task completion rate. They have killed thirteen giant dragons before, and even…”
Mezulash paused for a moment, cautiously looking up and seeing that Cassius’s expression remained unchanged before continuing:
“Including an ancient red dragon.”
“Oh?”
...
“It seems that old lion is making a big effort.”
Cassius rubbed his chin as he spoke.
An ancient red dragon, a tremendously powerful and ferocious being, with a base challenge level of 20, was not an opponent to be underestimated, even for him. And any adventurer squad capable of slaying such a dragon was certainly no ordinary group.
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Cassius’s interest was instantly piqued.
“Do you have any additional information about this squad?”
“Master, I’m afraid we don’t have many personnel in the South, and our foundation there is still shallow. We could only gather the most basic, publicly available information.”
The red dragon nodded slightly, indicating for him to continue.
“The squad has five members, all top-tier legend-grade professionals. They consist of a paladin, a barbarian, a mage, a wanderer, and a priest. Their team composition is very balanced.”
The Tiefling crushed a crystal, and an image of a burly man in scarlet heavy armor appeared in mid-air.
“This is the leader of the Scarlet Blade, Paladin Dex Flamgold. He worships the god of law and the sun, Amanata. He once single-handedly killed an elder blue dragon. While we are not clear about his oaths, based on his past deeds, it’s highly likely that he is a Black Rider with an oath of revenge.”
Next, the image changed to that of a full-figured woman in white robes.
“This is Ingrid Garses, a legendary priest and an honorary bishop in the Amanata Church. Based on her faith, she can only be a priest of the light or order domain.”
The previous image faded, and a tall man with crimson tattoos all over his nude upper body appeared.
“Rano, a legendary barbarian from the barbarian tribes of the Fadlan border. He once defeated an entire giant tribe in hand-to-hand combat.”
“As for the remaining two members, our spies in the South have yet to gather information. The mage’s intelligence is very valuable and is said to be linked to the mysterious ‘Tower of Time.’ The wanderer is skilled at disguising and hiding and rarely appears in public.”
Mezulash collected the shattered crystal fragments and placed them into his backpack, quietly waiting for the red dragon’s orders.
“You did very well.”
“What a lavish team composition; how much did that old lion spend?”
Cassius expressed some sentiments but couldn’t resist asking.
Mezulash answered without hesitation: “According to our information, the base commission for the Scarlet Blade is sixty thousand gold coins, and to hire them to take on a formidable and noble entity like yourself, the price would double, conservatively reaching one hundred twenty thousand gold coins.”
“Based on our intelligence, this amounts to three years of the Boske Duchy’s tax revenue. Coupled with the recent military spending, they must be nearly draining their treasury.”
Cassius seemed very pleased with this answer.
“Such lavishness. Is the Boske Duchy prepared for a desperate, all-out fight?”
The red dragon’s lips curled into a smile.
“However, the Northern nobility may not share the same sentiment. They have tasted the sweetness of acting as middlemen; they might even sell us the gibbet around their necks.”
“War is such hard work; isn’t exploiting their own country’s people and acting as middlemen quite satisfying?”
“With Nocturne’s covert intervention, the Northern countries will remain a scattered mess.”
Mezulash immediately agreed: “Master, many rebels in the North are no match for your kingdom; their order is as fragile as paper.”
Cassius nodded again: “Nevertheless, we should still be cautious of assistance from the South. The strength of the Empire of Fadlan far surpasses any force in the North. Anything they casually bring forth could influence the entire situation in Anzeta. The Anzeta Great Wilderness is still too small and remote.”
“Continue monitoring that legendary squad’s movements and report any developments immediately.”
“Yes, master.”
Mezulash respectfully said before leaving under the watchful eyes of the Tiefling Guards.
Cassius slowly closed his eyes, trying to relax his body and conduct some meditations recorded in ancient texts, an effective method to temporarily combat the chaos deep within his mind.
But a Tiefling’s voice outside the palace interrupted his meditation again.
“Your Majesty, Lord Ramp requests an audience.”
“Let him come in.”
The red dragon impatiently opened his eyes, his gaze seemingly piercing through the iron-forged gates, beyond the borders of the Ashen Kingdom, out of the Anzeta Great Wilderness, and across the vast Fianso Continent.
“Sigh, it’s another tumultuous season.”
…
Boske Duchy, Stratholme Fortress, inside the Ducal Mansion.
Duke Leo paced anxiously back and forth.
“Trischka, when exactly will they arrive?”
“Our scouts have already spotted the Red Scale Conqueror near the border. Damn it! That red dragon has awakened, and he could invade the duchy at any moment, even destroy Stratholme on his own!”
Unlike those Northern nobility lost in a delusion of peace, Leo Boske knew very well that no one in the North could stop Cassius now. The giant dragon could descend at any time to destroy everything, and he urgently needed external support, no matter the heavy cost.
“Your Grace, very soon. I’m still trying to contact them.”
Trischka showed a helpless expression as he kept adjusting a crimson emblem-like token.
Suddenly, the space around them distorted, deformed, and even shattered without warning.
Duke Leo instinctively gripped the sword at his waist, a conditioned reflex from years of combat.
“What is—”
The guards beside him reacted with similar tension, hastily drawing their spears.
Soon, a dark spatial rift appeared in the ducal mansion’s hall, and several figures emerged from it.
The leading figure was a burly man clad in heavy scarlet armor, holding a shield inlaid with dragon scales in his left hand and a faintly glowing sword at his waist. His head was covered by a thick helmet, concealing his features—this was Dex Flamgold.
Although Duke Leo frowned at these uninvited guests intruding into the ducal mansion without prior notification, he still courteously reminded them.
“Using teleportation spells to enter someone else’s residence is hardly polite behavior.”
Dex Flamgold ignored him, silently drawing the sword at his waist before saying: “Northern etiquette means nothing to us. We are not here as guests; just tell me about that red dragon.”
The barbarian Rano added impatiently: “And shut your annoying mouth.”
Duke Leo Boske was slightly stunned.
It had been a long time since anyone had treated him so rudely.
Leo Boske then realized that the others were legendary professionals from Fadlan while he was merely a duke within Anzeta.
Northern etiquette held no binding force for them; they had come with only one aim—completing their commission and obtaining gold coins.
Trischka’s face also showed a bitter smile as he helplessly shook his head.