Ashen Dragon

The Empire had defeated the Abyssal Legion, and the news that the Ashen Empire's Emperor had slain a Demon Lord had spread across the world, causing a stir throughout the Fianso Continent.

The impact of this news was even more exaggerated than the victory over "Wings of Silver" Osedro.

Even if the Ancient Silver Dragon was powerful, he was merely Melwood's Great Elder, a respected figure within the good-aligned camp. Yet, an Abyssal Lord, a being that could threaten the entire Prime Material Plane, had been killed by that Red Dragon alone.

Was this not proof that the Ashen Emperor also possessed the capability to easily destroy a nation, or even threaten the entire Prime Material Plane?

The Magic Image of that terrible battle that had devastated Ancytica had also appeared in the hands of the upper echelons of various powers, causing them immense shock and terror.

—Giant dragons, hundreds of meters in size, entangled in combat, their struggle causing the sky to tremble, mountains to collapse, and the earth to crumble.

In the Third Era, a time separated from the divine by mere mortals, no one had ever seen such a grand battle, making people doubt their own eyes.

Could this be an Illusion Technique?

Or perhaps some imagery from ancient times?

However, everyone who had witnessed that war with their own eyes and deeply embedded the scene of heaven and earth tearing apart into their minds gave a negative answer.

—This was real, a battle that occurred in the Third Era, on the Anzeta Great Wilderness.

...

Deep within the Supreme Forest on the eastern part of the Fianso Continent,

the air was filled with a faint scent of flowers and the moist smell of soil, the dense canopy shimmered with a jade-like luster, sunlight speckling through the gaps casting dappled shadows.

Hidden deep within the dense forest, surrounded by ancient and tall trees and filled with aesthetically pleasing bas-reliefs, was the Serinia Royal Court—the ancient capital of the Elf Kingdom that had been passed down for ten thousand years.

At the back of the court, on a window sill, a beautiful Elf woman gazed into the distance.

Her light golden hair draped over her shoulders, and her sheer robe made of woven grass barely concealed her graceful figure, worry visible in her clear eyes.

The golden crown studded with dew drops on her head and the hint of purple in her pupils revealed the identity of this Elf.

—The nominal ruler of Serinia, the seventeenth Queen since the inception of the Elf Kingdom, Catherine Moonchaser.

The Elf Queen looked up at the cerulean sky above the Supreme Forest, talking to herself.

"The three great kingdoms ceaselessly at war, the Abyssal demons constantly scheming, and to the north, a powerful dragon rises rapidly... What a mad era."

At this, Catherine lowered her eyelids and gave a self-deprecating smile.

"But... I'm merely a canary in a cage, what right do I have to care about these things?"

Decades ago, the Elder Council, backed by the Empire of Fadlan, had sidelined the then young Elf Queen, taking complete control over Serinia's politics.

They revered "the ancient and noble traditions of the Elves," isolating Serinia from the outside world.

They would not allow the Elf Kingdom any involvement in the conflicts of the world, nor did they permit the Elf Queen to access the magical knowledge passed down from her ancestors.

These Elders, in collusion with the humans, even secretly presented beautiful Elf women as gifts to Fadelan Nobles, as objects of their amusement.

—The famous Half-Elf Paladin, "Twilight Blade" Rhea, was the illegitimate child born from the union of an Elf woman and a Fadelan Noble.

"Your Majesty, you shouldn't belittle yourself, this situation is coming to an end, and the Elf Kingdom will soon return to your rule."

A cold, steady female voice came from behind Catherine, as a Half-Elf Paladin, clad in dark gold light armor and wielding a longsword, stepped forward.

"Rhea, have you returned?"

Catherine quickly turned around, a look of uncontrollable joy spreading across her gentle face.

Rhea took a few steps forward, kneeling before Catherine, saying solemnly, "Yes, Your Majesty.

Now that the Empire of Fadlan has crumbled, the Senate's old men have lost their support, and the opportunity to overthrow their decrepit rule has arrived."

"Rise, Rhea."

Catherine hurried forward, helping the travel-worn Half-Elf Paladin to her feet.

She turned around, looking at the Moonlight Holy Tree, a symbol of the highest power of the Elf Race, now occupied by the Elder Council.

"You're right, Serinia shouldn't perish like this.

Nor should it... be controlled by those degenerates. I will restore the Elf Kingdom to the civilized and great nation of our memories."

The "canary," whom the Elders thought easy to control and who had always been gentle and kind, now had an unprecedented resolve in her water-like eyes.

"I will follow your will."

Rhea clenched the hilt of her Silver Sword, her tone resolute.

"By the way, Rhea."

"What is it?"

Catherine drew a Crystal Ball from her bosom.

The Crystal Ball displayed the Magic Image of two mountain-like giant dragons in combat—the battle between "Ashen Emperor" Cassius and the Abyssal Giant Dragon.

Catherine pointed to the dragon in the image with her slender finger, asking softly, "Do you know of this Ashen Emperor?"

Rhea nodded slightly, "Of course, Your Majesty, I've seen this segment at the headquarters of the Harpist Alliance.

I must admit, that Red Dragon... is incredibly powerful, to an unbelievable extent. It's not an entity that can be confronted head-on."

Catherine was a bit curious.

"Is it possible for us to collaborate with him?"

"Forgive my frankness, Your Majesty, but in my experience, trying to cooperate with a Red Dragon is like negotiating with a tiger for its hide, especially considering that the Dragonkin have a historical grudge against the Elves."