Chapter 608: Chapter 608: Debate and Audience
Chapter 608: Debate and Audience
Crassus rubbed his whiskers again, looking helpless. He had met many rigid and stubborn kin—those who followed every rule like monks, repeating the same routines every day.
—And this newly joined kin before him was clearly one of those, suffering from the particular moral scrupulosity common among gold dragons.
Did Crassus really need to tell him this was all by Bahamut’s own will?
Crassus paused for a moment before replying solemnly, "Titus, although we pursue justice, the world is not always black and white. Sometimes... compromise and sacrifice are necessary.
Take that red dragon, for example—what we can do is try to guide him onto the right path, and turn him into a force against the Chromatic Dragon Queen.
We must win over as many as possible, make them followers of justice. Our actions should be persistent yet subtle, intervening where needed, but striving to cause as little harm as possible—that too is part of Bahamut’s teachings."
Cassius refused to back down, even ’instinctively’ spreading his wings and speaking passionately: "That does not mean we should back down or give in!
Lord Crassus, please trust me. You think you’re placating that red dragon, but you don’t realize—it’ll only make him more reckless, perhaps even more wicked than the Chromatic Dragon Queen!
Constant indulgence only breeds arrogance; only the iron fist of justice can show the lost the true meaning of law!"
Cassius stood up, gesturing with his claws, his tone earnest. The other gold dragons couldn’t help but nod, supporting him in secret.
The young gold dragons—like Angel—rose to their feet in excitement, loudly echoing Titus, as if they’d become loyal fans.
"Lord Titus is right! We gold dragons cannot turn a blind eye to this!"
"Yes, that’s our benefactor!"
"In Bahamut’s name, no matter how strong the enemy, we cannot give up!"
Clearly, compared to Crassus’s seemingly cruel ’appeasement policy,’ these gold dragons—strong in morals and a bit obsessive—agreed much more with ’Titus.’
Especially since Cassius had the [Silver-Tongued] trait—his words were far more persuasive than the dry rationalizations of the Primordial Gold Dragon.
If he’d been in a Munich beer hall in the early 20th century, he’d easily have stolen a certain painter’s future job.
"In the end, they’re just younglings; they don’t understand what a third-generation Ancestral Dragon means to the race, or all dragons."
Listening to the gold dragons’ impassioned voices, Crassus sighed deeply and shook his head. He knew it would be hard to change the mind of this unfamiliar kin.
To become an old dragon was to be exceptional, but also to be exceptionally stubborn—it was nearly impossible to sway them.
As the governor of the Fianso Gold Dragon Council, all Crassus could do was try to minimize losses.
With that, the Primordial Gold Dragon spoke gravely: "Titus, I grant your request—you may aid Walter. But leave the young ones out; it’s too dangerous for them."
Cassius nodded, answering steadily, "Of course. I could never let these young dragons share such risk—they’re not ready for that responsibility."
"Lord Titus!"
"Grandpa Crassus, I want to go to North Aether!"
Crassus ignored the young dragons’ urgent pleas, scolding gently: "Nonsense."
The Primordial Gold Dragon’s powerful aura spread out—those eager young dragons immediately trembled, their heads pressed to the table, unable even to lift their wings.
"With your strength, you’re not ready for a battle at this level. You’d just make things harder for Titus!"
After admonishing the reckless youths, Crassus turned back to Titus with a hint of regret—and perhaps envy—in his eyes.
As a gold dragon himself, he understood Titus’s feelings well. Once, he too had been this way.
A thousand years ago, he’d been hot-blooded, determined to walk the path of justice—he’d stormed into the Chromatic Dragon Queen’s lair alone and foiled her schemes.
But after becoming governor, more responsibilities fell on him—world order, faith, the future of his kind...
Under such pressure, he couldn’t just act on impulse; he had to constantly balance, compromise, and carefully maintain a fragile equilibrium.
Crassus looked deeply at Titus again. "Titus, I must remind you—this is a war you can hardly win. By yourself, you can’t defeat the red dragon. Even with the Messenger from Celestial Mountain, you’ll barely keep Walter alive. That’s your real task."
"I understand, Lord Crassus."
Cassius met the Primordial Gold Dragon’s gaze, then smiled bitterly. "But if you don’t try, how will you know if the enemy can be beaten? No one is invincible. If a sinner like me can burn himself like a candle and bring even a little light to the world, I’ll be satisfied."
"Elder Titus..."
The young dragons were moved, inspired by the ancient dragon’s willingness to risk his life for justice.
Even the old and ancient dragons were touched—none had expected this peer of theirs to show such conviction.
Crassus stepped forward, taking from between his scales a jeweled pendant necklace. Solemnly, he said, "Titus, may the North Wind Lord Bahamut protect you."
And so, under the gaze of a hundred gold dragons, Titus—Cassius—lowered his head as the Primordial Gold Dragon placed the necklace around his neck.
"I will not let you down."
Cassius promised, his ringing voice echoing through the Hall of Justice with calm and steady strength.
[Platinum Sacred Heart]
Grants the wearer Bahamut’s protection, able to block a fatal blow in a critical moment.
Unseen, Cassius was delighted: ’Well, well, those rich gold dragons—just like that, I’ve conned myself a legendary-tier artifact.’
But the gold dragons knew nothing of the ’Elder Titus’s’ true thoughts. They simply applauded, full of admiration for his self-sacrifice.
North Aether Plain, Collins City. The air was crisp, the north wind howled.
"Your Grace, please go inside and wait—we’ll let you know as soon as we have news."
"No need—I’m a god-blooded, I can handle a bit of wind."
Walter Graham turned down the captain’s advice. He stood atop the city wall, waiting anxiously, pacing restlessly.
—For today, the gold dragon aid promised by Crassus was finally due to arrive.
That trip to Celestial Mountain had left a deep impression—even mighty Crassus, on hearing ’Cassius’s’ name, looked flustered and hesitant to act.
This made Walter realize something:
—He could never withstand the Ember Empire’s southern push alone, let alone defeat that red dragon.
So in just a few days, he’d crossed Fianso—and even the multiverse—seeking aid, burning every connection he’d built over a century. Few had answered.
In the chaos of Fianso, few would risk facing that red dragon for ’justice.’
Today, Walter’s only allies were mages from the Arcane Hermitage, rangers of the Harpers, and the ’Messenger’ Barachiel.
Though he’d gathered quite a force, the gold dragons were still crucial—only metallic dragons truly counter chromatic ones.
Just then, shouts broke his thoughts.
"Look!"
"What’s that?"
"By Amanata—I’ve never seen such a huge dragon!"
Walter looked up, excited at last to see the long-awaited gold dragon reinforcements.
"That’s..."
High in the sky was a massive gold dragon, over thirty meters long.
His golden scales shone like armor, reflecting the light, with intricate, mysterious patterns etched upon them.
In the sunlight, golden halos circled the great dragon, making him appear godlike.
Instantly, the soldiers relaxed, hearts filled with thoughts of dawn, hope, and the coming day.
"Roar—"
The gold dragon let out a long cry.
Then, flapping his wings in a rippling motion, he soared gracefully through the sky and landed atop the city wall, folding his wings.
Even gently, the weight of the dragon made the whole wall tremble.
Cassius looked down at the humans, maintaining a serious posture. He spoke: "Good day, Lord Walter. I am Elder Gold Dragon Titus. By order of the Gold Dragon Council and in Bahamut’s name, I’ve come to help you resist the red dragon’s invasion."
"By Amanata, thank you for coming!" Walter hurried forward, wings on his back trembling with excitement.
An elder gold dragon was an invaluable ally—just one was a huge boon.
Clearly, Crassus was loyal after all—whatever he said, he had sent help.
"Titus..."
Walter repeated the name, then looked up in surprise.
"Are you—the Dragon of Dawn, Wings of Daybreak the bards sing of? The gold dragon who helped the dwarves repel the orc invasion?"
"Mortal exaggeration," Cassius replied lightly, tacitly confirming it.
"Wonderful, wonderful..."
Walter murmured to himself—things were going better than expected; Crassus had actually sent the very dragon who’d defeated a god’s minion.
He looked up again—the badge on the gold dragon’s chest gleamed brightly, proving he was a true council member.
"Lord Walter."
Cassius spoke softly.
Walter snapped back—there was no time, no chance to steady himself. The red dragon to the north was already watching hungrily, ready to strike south at any moment.
"Lord Titus, please, come with me. We’re ready for the red dragon’s attack—and you are the final piece."
Walter led Cassius into the city, to the war council hall.
There, the god-blooded noble poured out everything he knew—details of North Aether’s defenses, introductions to every ally, including the ’Messenger’ Barachiel.
"No matter how strong the red dragon, with our forces we’ll drive him off—maybe even kill him."
Walter spoke with relentless enthusiasm, bolstering his own confidence.
But he had no idea he was revealing everything to his true enemy—Cassius.
Cassius listened, recording every word in his heart.
"Lord of Lucia, Barachiel the Messenger—another semi-divine being."
"Well, let’s see what these celestials are made of."
Ember Empire, Dragonblood Mountain.
A red dragon sprawled on his throne—a mountain-sized body over fifty meters long, jets of sulphur smoke streaming from his jaws.
—This was the Emperor of the Ember Empire, supreme ruler of Anzeta—Cassius Klauberu Norixius.
Flames erupted from cracks in the ground, burning endlessly like living trees and grass.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, thunder crashed and a terrible pressure descended. Scorching winds swept Dragonblood Mountain, molten lava gushed forth.
Its master was awake!
"Whoosh—"
The red dragon snapped open his eyes, fire flickering in those pale golden pupils, a fearsome fighting intent burning within.
Cassius grinned, a savage smile twisting his red face.
He reached out a massive claw, pointing at a spot on the map. "If they’re so eager—then let’s begin with North Aether."
"It’s time the world witnessed my power!"
