Beneath the Red Dragon

The former southern province of the Gata Empire has now transformed into the Charal Duchy.

The former lord’s fortress of the southern province has been rebuilt into the duchy’s Duke’s Castle, towering around forty meters high, grand and magnificent. Some walls and watchtowers were removed, making it more imposing than the original lord’s fortress.

The former Emperor of the Gata Empire, now Duke Charal Cesar, enjoys standing at the very top of the Duke’s Castle every day, overlooking everything within his domain—his remaining elite troops, his current subjects, his loyal generals.

And his most loyal warrior, the bravest General Kaire, stands beside him, shoulder to shoulder. This was a transgressive act he would never have allowed in the past, clearly indicating that Duke Charal Cesar has changed considerably over this long period of time.

”How was the situation you went to inspect, Kaire?” Under the wide robe of Duke Charal Cesar, a pair of strong forearms rested on the castle’s railing, his expression calm and his eyes deep.

”Your Majesty, estimating with the potential population of the two provinces, two full troops can be raised within three years. Any more would be unaffordable, and we must ensure that each household retains at least one adult laborer to maintain the territory’s basic production and grain supply.”

”If we resort to extreme measures, we can muster four more troops. But if we do that, the territory will fall into collapse, and many might flee from it. If that happens, things will go very badly. Without a grain supply, even the original elite troops are likely to defect!”

Although he has been demoted from Emperor to Duke, General Kaire still refers to Duke Charal as ”Your Majesty” in daily speech, obviously worried that this former emperor might be too impatient.

A hint of dark green light flashed in the duke’s eyes. He was silent for a long time before slowly speaking, ”Take it slow. This time, we will learn from our past mistakes and no longer preserve the privileges of those lordly nobles. We will re-establish a kingdom that is clean enough and strong enough.”

This duke, who had set foot on the battlefield since youth, suddenly felt bold and laughed, ”It’s simply starting over. I succeeded once; why can’t I do it now when I’m even stronger, Kaire? Let’s do it again. After all, we’re still young!”

A flicker of surprise passed through General Kaire’s eyes standing beside him, but he bowed his head and said, ”I will always follow Your Majesty’s footsteps and rebuild the kingdom!”

Duke Charal Cesar nodded with satisfaction and turned to walk back into the castle.

A young girl in a white lace dress was waiting inside the castle for Duke Charal Cesar. She was the former imperial princess, now grown into a remarkable young woman.

The previously playful blonde girl had now turned quiet and ladylike. Seeing her father approach, she did not rush forward as she did as a child but elegantly lifted the hem of her skirt with her two snow-white slender hands and bowed her head.

”Haha, my beloved girl is here,” Duke Charal Cesar strode forward, taking his daughter’s hand, and laughed, ”I wonder if my pure angel has any good news to share with me. I seem to see joy on her face!”

”Father, a reward secretly issued has already been taken up by someone. Their identity is none other than the famous Dragon Slayer Team, Blood Red Rose,” Liya spoke joyously, her lively movements, sweet voice, and occasional display of two bunny-like teeth making her appear especially playful, revealing that her quiet demeanor was only on the surface.

”Oh,” Charal Cesar nodded, suddenly clutching his eldest daughter’s hand tightly.

”Ah,” a sudden pain spread through her wrist, her bones feeling like they might break. The playful girl cried out involuntarily.

”Damn it, I got distracted by some thoughts and accidentally hurt my pure angel. Someone, get Liya checked,” Duke Charal Cesar seemed to come to his senses and hastily summoned a servant.

Liya, tears welling in her eyes, shook her head and widened her eyes, ”I’m fine, Father. No need to trouble them.”

”Hmm,” Duke Charal Cesar nodded and suddenly said, ”Liya, I just remembered there are some matters I need to attend to. You go rest first.”

Tearful-eyed Liya nodded and watched her father hastily walk into his study, feeling that her father had been a bit strange recently. Although his personality hadn’t changed, he often seemed mysterious.

”Huff, huff,”

Duke Charal Cesar closed the thick, heavy door of his study made from precious sandalwood, leaning against the solid castle wall and panting heavily. Under his wide robe, veins bulged, and his once mighty body now carried a faint dark green glow.

In his eyes, the deep green light was as intense as the darkest jade, and whispers like those of a demon’s temptation echoed in his heart and mind.

”Charal, why don’t you offer me your most beloved angel, your most cherished daughter, just like you offered your older and younger sons to me,”

”Your cherished pure angel is also my beloved Soul Angel. Offer her to me, and you’ll gain not just more life but also greater power,”

”Offer her to me, Charal Cesar. A pure soul can elevate you further. Please me, and perhaps I’ll grant you the Ascension Contract!”