Chapter 394: The Emperor's Tour
"The next stop is Antonio City in the Carter Kingdom."
Cassius spread his wings, gliding over the land and cities below.
The people on the ground erupted into cheers—not sure if it was genuine or prompted by the sight of the vigilant Imperial Guards.
Over nearly three months, the Emperor had toured most of the Ember Empire, greeted with resounding gongs, drums, and endless cheers at every stop.
"Long live the Empire!"
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!"
Such cries echoed without pause.
Of course, there were also a few foolhardy "assassins" who sought to become dragon slayers. Yet most were incinerated before they even got close.
People called them madmen.
After all, assassinating an emperor was understandable, but who would attempt to assassinate a "Dragon Emperor"?
In fact, within the empire's domain, not even a deity's avatar could likely kill this red dragon.
As the tour progressed, more and more incredible legends about him spread among the people, quickly becoming confirmed truths.
In the frigid city of Eternal Frost, His Majesty summoned mountain ranges hundreds of meters high to shield the city from northern winds, making it warmer inside.
In the perilous High Mountain Fortress, His Majesty leveled the uneven terrain, creating vast flatlands where local factories could be built.
In villages plagued by shark-lizard beasts, His Majesty enjoyed a hearty barbecue feast.
These legends gradually spread across the empire.
Previously conquered and shaped by tales like the "Song of Embers", the populace viewed their Emperor with fear and felt uneasy under the empire's rule.
But as their lives gradually improved, feelings of "awe and admiration" began to take root in their hearts.
It was widely known that the Northern nobles' "tours" often brought misery, with lavish expenses forced upon the local populace, but the Emperor's tours were the exact opposite.
Some said His Majesty was not conquering but liberating and saving.
With blood and fire.
In truth, Cassius's tour aimed to transform his lands into [Imperial Territory].
The rumored feats of moving mountains and filling seas were merely experiments with his newfound abilities, coincidentally creating better environments for industrial development.
Initially, Cassius planned to use the tour to leverage his knowledge of the story and clear side quests, dungeons, and bosses across the Anzeta Wasteland, leveling himself up.
However, as a legendary dragon, ordinary creatures could no longer help him improve.
For example, the side quest [Cannibal Beast in the Cave] in High Mountain Fortress featured a final boss, a mutated terrorclaw [Shadow Ravager] with a challenge level of 13—a nightmare for new players in the past.
Yet, defeating it would only grant Cassius a paltry 500 experience points.
Moreover, the emergence of a new system changed Cassius's plans, prompting him to decide to leave these "experience bundles" to the players.
[Your faction, [Ember Empire], has reached faction level—[Crimson Gold].]
[Faction system [Experience Shop] unlocked.]
[Players affiliated with your faction can spend experience points to learn faction techniques and abilities.]
In Cassius's memory, this system only appeared in the largest factions in the past. Players could spend experience points to learn faction skills, rapidly enhancing their strength.
Riding, swordsmanship, crafting skills, and even some spells could be learned through the experience shop.
This also widened the gap between professional players and casual players since the latter often couldn't even gather enough experience to level up, let alone spare any.
Meanwhile, many top players became true "hexagonal warriors."
Thinking of this, Cassius telepathically contacted Langpu.
Even separated by thousands of miles, the soul link of [Imperial Grace] allowed the red dragon's subordinates to communicate with him from anywhere within the empire.
"Master, what are your orders?"
Langpu's voice sounded drained, carrying genuine exhaustion.
Before Cassius could speak, Langpu's weary tone came through the link.
"Master, the Imperial Council Hall has been completed, but the Empire Tower and Isthalia Grand Arena are still under construction—they'll be done in three months."
"The Claudious United Military Industrial Group and the Imperial South Continent Company have been established, and the initial profit distribution is complete. We've liaised with the Waukeen Church and even sent out some corporate spies."
"Count Gilmore Sparrow has built a steam press minting machine and established the 'Dragon Coin' template, but it still needs your approval."
"Additionally, the war situation in the Faedran region has shifted."
Langpu's words poured out in a torrent.
Over the past few months, he had been tasked with overseeing Isthalia's urban development, planning industrial zones, and organizing the establishment of various imperial corporations.
Just three days ago, he received a new assignment—to consolidate the Imperial Bank and centralize the minting rights.
He had to abolish the chaotic currency system of the Northlands, standardize the use of the new "Dragon Coin," and ensure that transactions, including the Thrace Kingdom's orders, were settled in this currency.
Even as a legendary being with mental and physical endurance far surpassing ordinary creatures, Langpu found the intense workload draining.
He hadn't slept for several days.
The empire had simply grown too vast.
With over three million square kilometers of territory and a population exceeding eight million, the old kingdom's administrative system was struggling to keep up.
Meanwhile, His Majesty the Emperor, at this critical starting point of the empire, remained as hands-off as ever, just as he had been in the past.
Cassius didn't see this as laziness.
After all, he believed in specialization, knowing that governance wasn't his strength, so why not leave it to capable subordinates?
"By the way, Master, there's also the issue of managing the newly arrived Starfallers—recently, there are sixty-five thousand four hundred..."
Listening to Langpu's report, Cassius's lips twitched. He had anticipated many affairs, but not this many.
This was truly a nation full of vitality, with everything rapidly evolving and traditions of centuries being ruthlessly overturned.
After listening to over ten minutes of reports, Cassius yawned out of boredom and interrupted:
"Langpu, I'm here to assign you a new task."
"..."
At the municipal hall, piles of documents towered high.
On the other end of the soul link, the massive dragon-blooded ogre almost wept.
Silently, he roared in his heart: "All this is worth it—for my Master's grand vision!"
Langpu suddenly remembered a seventh-circle spell called [Simulacrum] that could create multiple duplicates of oneself. Wouldn't that make the work more efficient?