Ashen Dragon-Chapter 371 - 295 Controversy and Audience

Chapter 371: Chapter 295 Controversy and Audience

Northwind Castle, Steel Dragonwing Palace.

Cassius lay sprawled on the massive iron throne, not far in front of him stood Olivia with an angry expression.

The Silver Dragon had already transformed into her human form, still retaining the appearance of a silver-haired young girl, dressed in a long gown adorned with sparkling stars.

“Cassius, why did you continue slaughtering those Northern Nobles? They had already surrendered, there was no need for pointless killing!”

“No, this was not a slaughter.”

“It was a judgment.”

Cassius opened his eyes and spoke calmly. He lazily extended his claw, and immediately, a clear magic image appeared mid-air.

“Death penalty! Death penalty! Kill him!”

In the image, a crowd of agitated people gathered in the square, raising their hands and shouting fervently.

Cassius admired the scene and said with a smile, “Do you see?”

“It was not I who killed them, but the angry Northern People who executed them, or rather… the Northern Nobles who buried themselves—a life for the life.”

“This is the price they had to pay, as well as the judgment to carry out justice and righteousness.”

“If it were not for the centuries of cruel oppression and brutal exploitation by the Northern Nobles, how could the people of the North hate them to such an extent that they would drag them to the guillotine?”

“This…”

Olivia furrowed her brows, momentarily speechless, not knowing how to refute.

Because the judgment was indeed overseen by the Northern People, it did comply with their wishes, albeit the kingdom had deliberately incited emotions, but this was nevertheless an undeniable fact.

For someone like Olivia, who leaned towards lawfulness and goodness, explaining the public trial with terms like “manipulating hearts and stabilizing rule” was clearly inappropriate.

However, grandiose words like “righteous judgment and rebellion against oppression” seemed like a fitting reason, which coincidentally aligned with the benevolent mentality of the Metal Dragons.

This was what Cassius thought to himself.

Olivia shook her head and said in a low voice, “Regardless, your methods are too extreme. I acknowledge the existence of oppression, but some of them clearly did not deserve death.”

“But this was still the choice of the people—wasn’t it?”

Cassius continued to reply as such.

Faced with the Red Dragon’s grand pretension, slaughtering under the banner of “justice,” Olivia was left speechless and could only grip her skirt in silent anger.

Cassius slowly stood up, shaking his massive dragon body:

“Olivia, the process of unification is often cruel and violent; the old forces on the brink of extinction will make fierce resistance, and some bloodshed is inevitable.”

“But only in this way can long-lasting peace be brought about.”

The Red Dragon turned to look at Olivia, a faint light flickering in his pale golden pupils.

“However, absolute violence cannot maintain long-term rule nor establish a new order. Therefore, goodness and order are also essential for the existence of a kingdom.”

“And this is why I invited you to join the kingdom, my Councillor Olivia.”

Olivia quickly lowered her head, avoiding his deep, mesmerizing gaze, her lips pressed together slightly.

“I, I understand.”

“I will definitely fulfill my duties.”

The skirt in her hand was crumpled and her forehead was dotted with sweat.

Olivia had spent days preparing her arguments, readying herself for confrontation and even preparing mentally for angering her opponent.

But when she truly faced this Red Dragon, she was still timid, unable to utter a single sentence from beginning to end.

“Once again, this guy has controlled me…”

Olivia pursed her lips, thinking to herself.

Suddenly, Cassius’ voice interrupted her thoughts, “By the way, Olivia, how are your injuries?”

The silver-haired girl gently shook her head, “It’s fine, the spear wasn’t aimed at me, I just got a bit of Abyssal Energy contamination.”

Cassius smiled and said, “Speaking of which, I must thank you for stepping up at that moment.”

The words sounded particularly sincere.

Faced with this unexpected gratitude, Olivia was momentarily taken aback.

Immediately after, she stubbornly said, “At that time, I stood in front of you not just to save you—but to prevent you from being infected by the Will of the Abyss, and bring greater harm to the creatures of the Prime Material Plane…”

Suddenly, a delicate light of mana flickered on her body, and her form rapidly expanded back into the slender, graceful Silver Dragon, with wounds on her wings still spreading chaotic energy.

“Since you’re injured, don’t maintain the shape-shifting spell anymore, and don’t foolishly think about seeking justice for those nobles.”

“Take good care of yourself.”

Cassius’ voice rang out again.

Olivia felt a silver-white radiance descend upon her, soothing her wounds, a feeling she found quite familiar.

“Is this…”

“The power of His Majesty Bahamut?”

“Could it be, could Cassius have truly converted to the Lord of the Northwind?”

Such thoughts flashed through Olivia’s mind, and she closed her eyes slowly.

The slender, beautiful silver dragon body breathed rhythmically, the wounds on her wings healing swiftly, and the chaotic energy being dispelled.

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“So this is the divine power of order…”

Cassius held the shimmering “Wind of Bahamut” in his claw, gently waving his right paw.

As the space distorted, a portal appeared before him, through which Olivia’s dragon form was transported into the palace’s side hall.

By now, Cassius’ control over the [Kingdom Domain] had reached its peak. If it were within the kingdom’s territory, he had the confidence to defeat Osedro without any external aid.

…

“Master…”

The voice came from the magic mirror in the hall.

The ban on the Magic Web was lifted, and Ramp’s ugly face appeared on the mirror’s surface.

“What is it?”

“Master, I found a highly potential human girl in Northwind Castle. She is only nine years old and can already access the third level of the Magic Web. She likely possesses the talent to become a Legendary Sorcerer.”

“Moreover, she harbors a deep hatred for the Northern Nobles and has a strong sense of belonging to the kingdom.”

“Oh?”

“What is her name?”

Cassius was immediately intrigued.

At merely nine years old, without any magical education, to intuitively cast a Third Tier Spell—this was a prodigy even on the entire Fianso Continent.

“Misha, her name is Misha.”

Ramp quickly responded.

“Misha…”

“The name seems somewhat familiar.”

Old memories of Cassius were stirred once more.

The “Fire Witch” Misha, who was sold as a slave to a certain noble Earl and subjected to inhumane abuse in the basement.

Over time, she went completely mad but also awakened an unparalleled talent for Fire Magic.

Misha burned alive hundreds of people, including the Earl, turning the entire city into a sea of flames, building the “Tower of Sinful Fire” on the ashes, devoted to burning everything.

When the players descended, Misha became the final boss of the [Mad Fire Witch] series of side quests and was eventually vanquished by the players. She died before turning seventeen but already had a Challenge Level of 16.

“Now this is interesting.”

“She indeed has a Legendary talent, perhaps with even higher future achievements, such a good seed cannot be missed.”

Cassius rubbed his chin, thinking.

“Ramp, bring her to me immediately.”

“Yes, Master.”