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Chapter 502: Silver Dragon
Genesis gazed out the window at the sky, watching the black smoke plumes rising from the chimneys in the industrial district, her expression solemn.
Her lips parted slightly: "The Ember Empire, huh."
From the south to here, Genesis had witnessed the empire firsthand. She had truly felt the changes in the lives of the Anzeta people—It was a new way of life, one she had never seen before.
There was no denying that the Anzeta people, once plagued by hunger and cold, had indeed seen improvements in their lives.
But Genesis also noticed the dangers hidden beneath these seemingly beautiful appearances—
War.
This nation was like a machine built for war, and everyone was merely a cog in its massive mechanism.
She had personally witnessed warfare in the south after the introduction of firearms and cannons, which was the root of her wariness toward the empire.
With these terrifying weapons, even wars between mortals had become incredibly brutal, as if hell itself had descended upon the world.
Genesis could not fathom the disaster that would unfold if this war machine were to operate at full capacity across all of Feanso.
The fragrant forests, filled with birdsong, would be mercilessly destroyed by artillery fire. Humans, elves, and halflings alike would be riddled with bullets, and the land would be left scarred and scorched under relentless bombardment.
Moreover, having lived among humans for centuries, Genesis could see that the empire's system had been deliberately designed by a singular force—The Ember Emperor, Cassius.
Genesis harbored silent hostility toward the emperor, believing that this red dragon had the potential to become a global threat.
That red dragon had grievously wounded her father, destroyed a human kingdom, and built a colossal war machine.
Although Oszedro had already instructed them not to dwell on past grudges and instead assist the empire in resisting the demon invasion, Genesis still found it difficult to let go of her resentment.
The Melward clan were the guardians of Feanso's order—how could they sit idly by and watch an empire that so clearly threatened peace and stability continue to grow stronger?
"Cassius, no matter how powerful you are, I will not back down."
She resolved in her heart.
Genesis crossed her arms before her chest, letting her silver hair cascade down her back like a waterfall. A resolute glint shone in her beautiful eyes.
Even if her own father refused to support her, she would not give up.
She not only had to repel the demon invasion but also gather intelligence on the empire, find the red dragon's weaknesses, and do everything in her power to eliminate this threat.
Olivia was still too naive.
The young silver dragon had been blinded by the empire's dazzling façade and enchanted by the red dragon's words.
But Genesis was confident that she would not make the same mistake.
Suddenly, an urgent chime rang. Olivia took out the communicator from her pocket, and upon reading the message, a look of excitement appeared on her delicate face.
"Cassius has awakened!"
She exclaimed in a cheerful tone.
Olivia turned to Genesis. "And, Aunt, Lord Langpu says Cassius is happy to meet with you."
"Now?"
"Yes, right now."
But then Olivia seemed to remember something. Worry flashed in her eyes. She hesitated before speaking softly:
"Aunt, I still hope you can set aside your prejudices—especially during your audience with him."
She locked eyes with Genesis, her expression serious.
"No matter what you think of the empire, provoking Cassius at this critical moment would be unwise."
"Demons have always been Melward's greatest enemies. For nearly a thousand years, Grandfather has dedicated himself to keeping demons out of the Material Plane. This is his—"
"I know that, of course."
Genesis sighed lightly, cutting off Olivia's words.
"Olivia, you are still too naive. My stance remains unchanged: The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend. Resisting the demons does not change the empire's brutal nature."
"Of course, I will still fulfill the mission Father entrusted to me, and I'm not foolish enough to openly clash with that red dragon right now."
Genesis, the "Pearl of Korda."
But she also had another title well-known among the righteous—
"The Silver-Scaled Light."
As the daughter of Oszedro, she was widely recognized within the clan as the silver dragon most similar in temperament to the legendary "Silver Wing."
Stubborn, unyielding in the face of evil, and full of wisdom.
Olivia knew she couldn't change her aunt's mind, so she merely nodded. "Alright, then I'll take you there."
She led the way toward the Imperial Council Hall—where a portal led directly to Northwind Fortress.
Genesis watched Olivia's back, frowning slightly.
Just now, when Olivia heard of Cassius' awakening, her emotions seemed… off. Was that joy?
Had she truly submitted to the red dragon?
The clan elders had initially approved of Olivia becoming an "imperial senator," believing she could influence the empire toward righteousness.
But now, things seemed far less certain.
Olivia was someone her father had placed great hopes on.
At only eighty years old, she had already become an Archmage and was expected to inherit leadership of the Melward clan in the next millennium.
Young dragons always made mistakes. Hopefully, she was overthinking it—Genesis told herself.
Space rippled, and Olivia and Genesis materialized in the administrative hall of Northwind Fortress.
"Good day, Lady Olivia."
"And… you must be the envoy seeking an audience with His Majesty. Please follow me."
The half-dragon guards had been waiting for some time. Their captain stepped forward respectfully.
"Very well."
Genesis nodded slightly, maintaining a polite smile.
Yet she couldn't help but notice the distinct red dragon features on this guard—
His frilled ears, crimson scales, and the scent of sulfur.
Her eyes instinctively showed hostility.
Half-red dragon.
In Feanso, such beings were usually hell's mercenaries, the minions of evil dragons, or high-ranking members of the Tiamat cult.
Ordinary red dragons did not have the power to grant such potent dragon blood. Those who received this "blessing" were typically the most devout followers of Tiamat.
For centuries, Genesis had fought these brutal creatures. And now, in Anzeta, she was expected to ally with them?
The contrast was difficult for her to accept.
"Father gave orders…"
"This is for the mission."
Genesis followed the guards, repeating these words in her mind.
Meanwhile, Olivia, now well-accustomed to her role as a senator, was unfazed by the presence of "evil races."
Soon, under the escort of the guards, they arrived at the foot of Dragon Mountain—where the imperial palace was located.
Genesis looked up at the grand palace of steel and stone, seamlessly integrated into the mountain, her expression heavy.
She could tell at a glance that this palace was not built by human hands—it had been conjured through some sort of magical ability.
And she keenly noted the precision of its construction. Even her father, a legendary mage, would have expended significant effort to achieve this.
"Is this His Majesty's residence?"
"It… should be."
Even Olivia seemed surprised at how much the palace had changed in just one year.
From the outside, it retained its former design, but its scale had expanded immensely, now occupying nearly half of Dragon Mountain.
"Boom—"
The massive doors slowly opened, and Olivia and Genesis stepped inside.
As they walked through the long corridors, they finally reached the main hall. Before them, hundreds of stone steps led upward.
"We meet again."
"He must be even stronger now."
For some reason, as Olivia stared at the grand doors engraved with a mighty dragon's head, she felt a hint of nervousness.
Compared to what she remembered, the palace had grown far more majestic, yet the familiar scent of sulfur still permeated the air.
Olivia was certain—this was Cassius' domain.
Genesis, too, felt the overwhelming presence surrounding her.
Dragon's might.
And an extraordinarily powerful one—so much so that even she, an adult silver dragon, felt fear and trembling. Even her father had never exerted such pressure.
Not even the previous grand elder, an ancient silver dragon over two thousand years old, had such a domineering presence.
This red dragon was even stronger than she had imagined.
With that realization, Genesis' wariness intensified. She took a deep breath, cold sweat seeping from her fair skin, her silver-gray eyes filled with caution.
"Boom—"
The palace doors swung open.