Chapter 371: Coronation and the Blue Dragon
Langpu continued enthusiastically: "Master, you unified Anzeta in just a few years, exterminating the Frost Giants of the North. This is a feat and achievement unmatched for millennia on this land."
His tone grew increasingly fervent and impassioned.
"Being called a 'king' on par with the Northern rulers is no longer sufficient to describe your greatness."
At this point, Langpu deliberately paused, bowing deeply, his gaze filled with reverence and admiration.
"I believe, my lord, that you should be granted the title of 'Emperor,' and that the Ember Kingdom should ascend to an empire—just like the once-holy Fadlan Empire. This is the ardent hope of all your subjects."
"An empire, hmm..."
Cassius fell into contemplation, his eyes flickering.
Langpu softly urged, "You could hold the coronation alongside the conferment ceremony, showcasing the might of the Ember Kingdom to all of Anzeta, and even the continent. This would utterly crush any lingering resistance in the North."
"Furthermore, this ceremony would also signal to all of Fianso that we are no longer isolated or indifferent to the world.
With this as a starting point, we could participate in the division of the Fadlan Empire's legacy—the divine descendants of Fadlan are embroiled in endless conflict, and our long-isolated land could become the external ally they all seek to gain."
Cassius nodded slightly, somewhat persuaded.
Langpu was not wrong.
The Ember Kingdom—or rather, the Ember Empire—needed to show its fangs to the world.
Currently, the Ember Kingdom boasted 2.7 million square kilometers of vast territory and a population exceeding 9 million.
Though merely a remote corner of the expansive Fianso continent, it was already a force to be reckoned with—especially under the rule of a terrifying aberrant dragon at the pinnacle of material power.
Without much hesitation, Cassius said, "If that's the case, then prepare for it."
"However... I need a grand coronation ceremony, one that spreads the Empire's name across the entire continent."
"Yes, Master!"
Langpu knelt on the ground, his face flushed with extreme excitement and joy. He soon excused himself in haste.
As the Kingdom's current Chief Minister, countless affairs awaited Langpu's attention. Most pressing of all was, undoubtedly, the proposed coronation ceremony.
—However, the Kingdom's think tanks had already prepared dozens of plans before the war even began, compiling a 300-page, hundreds-of-thousands-of-words detailed proposal.
This included every detail, from ceremonial steps and etiquette to budgetary allocations, leaving no stone unturned.
After Langpu left, Cassius finally began to act on the thoughts swirling in his mind.
With a flick of his will, he removed the crown.
He then took out the silver-white gem—[Bahamut's Wind].
Previously, he had noticed that Oszedro's silver disc didn't match this gem but had been forcibly elevated to artifact level by [Bahamut's Wind].
Using force field magic, he embedded the silver-white gem into the adamantine crown, watching it gradually fuse into place.
Silver light rippled across the crown's surface.
Though the two were not inherently compatible, Bahamut's orderly and gentle power made them integrate seamlessly.
"Swoosh—"
[Supreme Dragon Crown – Sacred Radiance]
Quality: Semi-Artifact
"Tch, as expected of the Northwind Lord's divine power. It elevated the equipment to this level."
Cassius couldn't help but marvel as he stretched his dragon body, placing the crown atop his head and savoring the purifying sensation of order.
Ultimately, he removed the crown, extracting the silver gem and keeping it close.
Cassius had an upcoming coronation to attend—though the metallic dragons were already aware of it, he didn't intend to expose such a high-level treasure to public view.
Suddenly, Tiefling Captain Eckmon's voice came through the communicator.
"Your Majesty, Lady Christina requests an audience with you."
Cassius furrowed his scaly brow, exhaling sulfurous hot air impatiently.
"Her again?"
No wonder Cassius was irritated.
Over the past few months, that blue dragon had visited at least ten times, only to be turned away by the guards with the excuse that "His Majesty is resting."
Cassius casually ordered, "Tell her I'm still resting."
Eckmon hesitated momentarily before replying helplessly, "Your Majesty, Lady Christina said she saw Lord Langpu and a human leaving the palace."
"Lady Christina also requested entry and is now lying at the palace gates."
"..."
Cassius sighed.
"Fine, let her in."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Soon, a soft, charming female voice called from outside.
"Lord Cassius..."
The grand doors opened slowly, revealing Christina in her human form.
She still wore a silk gown accentuating her figure and nearly dashed into the hall.
Christina lifted her skirt with one hand in a curtsey, her radiant face showing a pitiable expression. "Your Majesty Cassius, you've finally agreed to see me."
Cassius reclined on his throne, not sparing her a glance. He replied flatly, "The task entrusted by Her Majesty the Dragon Queen has been completed. Do you have any other matters?"
"Uh..."
Christina was momentarily at a loss but quickly recovered, smiling as she said, "Of course, I came to congratulate you."
"You've defeated the renowned 'Silver Wing' Oszedro, destroyed the Northern coalition, and achieved such a glorious victory. As your loyal ally, I naturally had to come and offer my congratulations."
Cassius remained indifferent. "Now you've congratulated me."
"So, Lady Christina, please leave. I need rest."
Christina's expression immediately shifted. She hastily waved her hands, protesting, "No, of course not. Please allow me to stay a little longer."
"Why?"
Cassius tilted his head.
Christina's body shimmered with magical light, rapidly expanding as she transformed into her true form—a young blue dragon over ten meters long.
The blue dragon swayed her thick tail, spreading her azure wings, and her single-horned dragon face "smiled coquettishly":
"Your Majesty Cassius, according to our five-colored dragon traditions, after a thrilling battle, one should relax through a night of revelry."
"Before you rest, why not enjoy a..."
The blue dragon began inching closer to the red dragon, her deep-blue form deliberately swaying.
"What nonsense tradition."
Cassius's expression turned odd.
"Your Majesty Cassius, awo—"
With a surge of force field magic, the blue dragon was suddenly flung across the hall, rolling over ten times before coming to a stop.
Just as Cassius prepared to banish her outright, Christina scrambled to her feet, hurriedly raising her claws with a forced smile.
"Wait! Your Majesty Cassius!"
"That was just a misunderstanding! I actually brought new orders from the Dragon Queen!"
"Speak."
Christina whispered, "Her Majesty the Dragon Queen asks that you not forget your previous agreement."
"Understood."
Cassius replied expressionlessly.
The red dragon gazed into the distance, his pale golden eyes flickering with light, as if reflecting the majestic figure of the five-headed dragon.
"Draconic Regency... I wonder who will end up being used."
He thought silently to himself.
Christina, meanwhile, left the palace dejectedly, utterly defeated—her much-vaunted charm had no effect whatsoever.
Waiting outside, a blue dragon servant consoled her:
"Miss, don't be disheartened. At worst, the clan can find another male dragon with ancestral bloodline for you. With the Faria Clan's influence, we could still..."
Christina shook her head vehemently, her scales crackling faintly with static discharge.
Her expression filled with sorrow, she pounded the ground in frustration, gritting her teeth as she declared:
"I don't care! The Dragon Queen herself promised! Only he is worthy of me! And where else could I find a dragon like Lord Cassius? The others are all trash!"