Chapter 561: God of the Mortal World
Chapter 561: God of the Mortal World
Burning Ember Empire, Anstica Region, Dragonblood Mountain Summit.
The air was still filled with the scent of sulfurous smoke. The blistering heat distorted the air itself, and flickering embers and ash danced in midair.
On a cliff shaped like a ferocious dragon’s head, a majestic palace sculpted from solidified lava rose from the ground.
This was the current abode of Cassius Claudious Norrixius, the supreme Emperor of the Burning Ember Empire and master of all Dragonblood Nobles.
If divine beings or high-level spellcasters were present, they would be astonished to discover that millions of strands of pure faith gathered and entangled here like the roots of a World Tree.
Such dense power of faith was not inferior even to that of true deities.
In the word-of-mouth of Imperial citizens, the status of the Burning Ember Emperor had already surpassed that of a mere "ruler" and reached that of a god of the mortal world.
This newly forged Dragonblood Mountain, personally crafted by the Burning Ember Emperor, had been crowned "Holy Mountain" by the people of the Empire.
Each morning, devout citizens knelt three times in the direction of Dragonblood Mountain, softly chanting the "Cassius Hymn" to pledge their loyalty to His Majesty.
Even the always-mad Starfallers would bow toward Dragonblood Mountain. Some made offerings at the Dragon-Oath Paladin Sanctuary, and some kowtowed until their foreheads bled.
Though they often muttered incomprehensible phrases like "May His Majesty bless my drops" and "Inhale the dragon’s aura."
Thankfully, Imperial citizens had long grown accustomed to these Starfallers. No matter what they did, the people were never surprised.
Even if a Starfaller stripped naked and ran through the streets, people would only glance up briefly before going about their business—soon, the peacekeepers would arrive to take them away.
Inside the palace, the forty-meter-long massive red dragon kept his wings close to his body, exhaled a puff of sulfur-laced smoke, and gently swayed his thick tail.
Cassius lowered his head, staring at the blood drop refined by silvery-white flames before him, and let out a pleased whistle.
"This feeling of steadily growing stronger is absolutely delightful."
As he swallowed the blood, firelight surged through his vital veins. Cassius felt a warm current flow from his throat down to the tips of his tail and wings.
To this red dragon, magma was merely bathwater, and hellfire nothing more than a toy under his claws.
Anything capable of making Cassius feel "hot" was rare even in the material plane, attesting to the terrifying heat of this ancestral dragon blood.
Any ordinary creature approaching would combust before touching it—or vaporize entirely.
"Hooo——"
With Cassius’s long exhale, a searing gale swept across the mountaintop, warping the sky itself.
His forty-meter-long body trembled slightly, rising and falling with his breath—it seemed to expand visibly once again.
[Ancestral Dragon Blood Concentration +0.001%]
Feeling the surging power within, Cassius curled his lips upward. He slowly rose from the ground, flexed his wings slightly, and turned his head toward the side wall of the palace.
—On that rock wall hung a giant map nearly two meters long, made from the skin of a multi-headed flame serpent lizard, a rare tribute from the Fire Elemental Plane colony.
The map depicted the full view of the Faenso Continent, with detailed markings of various powers—even including other planes like Celestial Mountain, the Nine Hells, the Bottomless Abyss, and the Screaming Void Tunnel.
Floating spell-lights hovered above the map, each representing one of over a million confidential documents—strategies and proposals from the Empire’s think tanks.
According to Langpu, they merely wished to contribute a tiny effort toward the red dragon’s "grand blueprint," ensuring the Empire’s conquest and expansion proceeded steadily.
Wherever Cassius’s gaze fell, those lights would blossom, displaying countless densely packed lines of text—enough to make even him a little dizzy.
"Conquest Strategy for the Kingdom of Thress"
"Guide to Intervening in Serenia"
"Occupation Plan for Victoria Harbor"
"Annexation Proposal for the Highland Dwarf Kingdom"
Gazing at the map covered in overwhelming plans, Cassius shook his massive head and clicked his tongue in amazement:
"Tsk tsk, that so-called grand blueprint was nothing but idle talk back then, yet these vassals actually made it happen. They really saved me a lot of trouble. But still..."
Cassius extended his enormous claw and pressed down on the upper part of the map.
In an instant, the entire northern continent—including the Kingdom of Thress, the Highland Dwarves, and the Free Trade Federation—was encompassed beneath his claw.
Looking at the panel’s [Knowledge (Future)] proficiency field, Cassius grinned and murmured, "They can’t see the future."
As a former veteran player of "Erezaghe", Cassius was well-versed in all major events of the War of Kings—like the war between Orcs and Dwarves, the coup in Serenia, the Mind Flayer invasion of Victoria Harbor...
And these were merely the tip of the iceberg. Countless hidden conflicts and entanglements lurked beneath the surface of the continent.
After the fall of the Fadellan Empire, Faenso became a playground for gods and demons alike, with every force vying for a piece of the chaotic pie.
Cassius once lacked the confidence to set foot on Faenso. But after years of dormancy and growth, he now ruled a vast empire.
Thinking of this, Cassius felt a rare wave of sentiment. He gently caressed the massive map, his claw sweeping across the wide Imperial borders as he muttered:
"It’s time to truly set foot on Faenso. Only in this era of strife can the Empire shine."
Cassius believed that in the near future, he would lead his empire to dominate Faenso and establish global hegemony.
He had already reshaped the fate of Anzeta by founding the Burning Ember Empire—and this would also upheave the entire situation on the Faenso Continent.
In the original history, with the help of players, the Northern Kingdoms managed to resist the Abyssal invasion—but only barely.
As a magically barren and neglected region, the Northern Kingdoms had no say in southern conflicts and remained isolated.
A butterfly flaps its wings, and a storm brews in the Atlantic.
But what Cassius did was far more than a butterfly wingbeat—it was a dragon flapping its wings, stirring cataclysmic winds across Faenso.
A gleam flickered in Cassius’s pale golden eyes as he scanned the continent. A glimmer of greed shone deep within his vertical pupils.
"Still, some things won’t change—they are destined to happen. Like the war of the Three Great Kingdoms.
Humans, elves, orcs, dwarves, naga, giants...
As the center of the Material Plane, this continent is home to over a hundred intelligent races, spawning rich cultures and hiding countless grand ruins.
The red dragon turned around and strolled out of the molten palace, spreading his vast wings and letting out a commanding hum.
"I’ve been in Erezaghe for over a decade. It’s time to see what Faenso has to offer."
Cassius gazed toward the south, golden light swirling in his pupils, where dragon silhouettes flickered, and fiery tongues coiled around him.
"Rooaaar——"
Thunderous roars echoed through the sky as two red dragons appeared before Cassius, raising their heads and roaring together.
Their appearance was identical to Cassius, albeit smaller—only thirty meters from snout to tail.
Their abilities matched Cassius exactly, though their strength was only one-third of his.
This was the power of the 7th-tier dragon spell—[Draconic Shadow Simulacrum]. These two dragon clones were replicas of Cassius, carrying his will, memories, and all abilities.
"Such a strange sensation."
Cassius slowly closed his eyes, savoring the delicate feeling of simultaneously controlling multiple bodies.
This was his plan: leave his true body in Dragonblood Mountain to absorb ancestral dragon veins and grow stronger, while sending his clones into the continent to seize everything using his foreknowledge.
Under his control, the two dragon simulacra flapped their wings, whipping up fiery winds as they roared and soared into the sky.
They effortlessly tore open space with their claws, creating blazing portals, flying toward separate directions beyond the Empire.
—Their targets: Victoria Harbor near Moon Bay in the southwest, and the Blackstone Mountains in the southeast.
Watching the two fading dragon forms, Cassius bared his fangs in a grin, golden eyes brimming with anticipation.
He whispered, "Go now, bearing my will—go disrupt the world’s balance."
Burning Ember Empire, Isthalia City.
The people in the city were still immersed in the ceremony from a few days ago, seemingly unable to break free from the fervent celebratory atmosphere. The chorus of the "Cassius Hymn" continued to echo through the city.
"His Majesty is like the sun in the sky, we are like seeds on the ground, endless brilliance shines upon the land, growing strong and thriving."
Whenever a Dragonblood Noble with dragon scales and golden pupils passed by, the people would cheer passionately, vying to offer their congratulations.
Escorted by soldiers and surrounded by crowds, the Dragonblood Nobles strode down Emperor Avenue, waving to the people and enjoying the warm welcome.
On this day of grand conferment, the Dragonblood Nobles were in excellent spirits. They even tossed out dozens of silver nals in response to the people.
"Long live the Empire!"
"Long live His Majesty Cassius!"
"Salute to our war heroes!"
Salutes rang out, flowers rained down, and the cheers and shouts of the Empire’s citizens rolled in like waves.
The Starfaller named "I Go Eat Mantou" was brimming with energy, raising both arms and shouting to the crowd, "Come! Shout my name loud!"
"Say it with me, Mantou—"
"Mantou!"
"Mantou!"
The Empire’s citizens didn’t know what the name meant, but swept up in the excitement, they shouted along.
Mantou was quite pleased with himself.
He had once again collected video footage that showcased his magnificent image!
Among the crowd was Abiel, the elf from Serenia. She smiled and waved at the citizens. As the only elf among them, she stood out quite a bit.
Abiel softly sighed, "Cassius above, what a harmonious scene this is."
As a convert to the Empire, Abiel’s past memories were vague in her mind, like fragmented images.
She only knew she had once infiltrated the Empire as a spy and was personally captured by His Majesty, reduced to a prisoner.
Later, under the Empire’s reformation camp’s thorough instruction, Abiel gradually came to understand the hypocrisy of those so-called "righteous ones" and personally witnessed the changes the Empire brought to the people.
Years later, with excellent scores in all assessments, she finally walked out of the reformation camp.
Abiel deeply repented her past mistakes, pledged loyalty to the Burning Ember Emperor, and became a glorious Imperial warrior. Her superb archery skills shone brilliantly on the battlefield against the demonic invasion.
Eventually, she was granted the title of Dragonblood Baron, ascended the Isthalia Grand Altar, and received the Emperor’s personal blessing before hundreds of thousands of onlookers.
That was a supreme honor that many could only dream of. As a former enemy, to receive such treatment was astounding.
Abiel felt immense satisfaction, and her desire to reclaim her old memories gradually faded.
The only trace left of her past life was the name—Abiel—and nothing else.
"Life now is already quite good. Maybe... I don’t need to dwell on the past."
After smiling and waving to a flower-bearing girl, reminiscing about her innocent smile, Abiel thought to herself.
To have opposed such a great empire—perhaps her former self had been brainwashed by those self-righteous hypocrites.
Such experiences were not worth remembering.
Abiel’s thoughts gradually solidified, and her steps grew steadier. The Dragonvein Elf firmly believed she was walking the right path.
Suddenly, with the sensitivity of an archer, Abiel felt a gaze fixed tightly on her, causing her some unease.
Could it be an enemy?
Abiel quickly turned her head and met that gaze.
She saw a man cloaked in a hooded gray robe hidden among the crowd, staring intently at her, his partially visible face full of weathered sorrow.
"Wait, this is—"
Abiel could see that those amber eyes held not hostility but a more complex, conflicted emotion.
Abiel’s heart suddenly trembled.
"Richard."
For some reason, Abiel uttered this strange yet familiar name, as if it had been etched deep in her memory.
Abiel repeated the name silently but could not recall even the slightest memory associated with it.
By the time she came to her senses, the gray-robed figure had disappeared into the crowd without a trace.
"So strange..."
And so, Abiel continued walking with the parade, brushing off the strange interlude.
In a dark alley, the man squatted in a corner, his head lowered, muttering to himself, "No, how can this be... she’s forgotten me! No wonder—no wonder Abiel joined the Empire. She lost all her memories!"
The man—Richard—slowly lifted his head, his eyes gradually firming. "I will make you remember everything, Abiel."
Isthalia, Inner District—the residential area for the Empire’s nobility.
Exquisite buildings stood everywhere, with clean, tidy streets. Even Prime Minister Langpu’s mage tower was located in the Inner District.
"Inner District, next stop. All passengers, please disembark in an orderly fashion."
As the conductor’s clear voice rang out, Abiel stepped off the steam train and soon arrived at her residence.
It was a new house, a gift from the Empire after she was granted the title of Dragonblood Baroness. Outside, it could probably sell for five or six hundred gold coins.
Abiel took the key from the pocket of her military uniform and prepared to open the door.
Just as she inserted the silver key into the lock, her hand paused. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Come out. I know you’re nearby."
Sure enough, an excited, trembling voice came from behind.
"Abiel, you really—"
A man slowly stepped out from the shadows behind the house, looking at her with fervent eyes.
"Click."
The sharp sound of a firearm being cocked rang out. Abiel suddenly turned around, revealing the pistol she had long prepared in her sleeve.
She pointed the gun at the man, her brow furrowed, her voice sharp: "Who are you? Why are you following me?"
Seeing the hostility in her eyes, the man—or rather, Richard—showed a flash of sorrow. The Dragon-Vein Elf before him was nothing like his former lover.
"You really don’t remember me."
He sighed softly, then slowly removed his hood, revealing a handsome yet weathered face, and the pointed ears that marked him as a half-elf.
Abiel’s heart skipped a beat. A half-elf—this man was indeed someone she had known.
Still, she did not lower her weapon and continued pressing: "What is your goal? Are you plotting against the Empire?"
"I have no hostility, and no intention to oppose the Empire."
Richard quickly shook his head, then carefully asked, "My name is Richard. Do you remember that name?"
Abiel gave a slight nod: "It sounds familiar. I suppose you were someone I knew."
Richard finally breathed a little easier. He wanted to say something, but didn’t know where to begin. Thousands of words clogged in his throat, unspeakable.
After a moment of thought, he began awkwardly, "Fifteen years ago, we met at a noble banquet—"
But Abiel coldly cut him off: "Richard, none of that matters. I don’t want to hear those stories. I am not the elf you once knew."
Her icy words left Richard breathless.
Could all those beautiful memories and unforgettable promises really vanish into nothing?
Despair seemed to grip his throat.
The rumors were true. After receiving the Burning Ember Emperor’s gift, Abiel’s soul had been completely transformed.
He exhaled deeply, forcing a gentle smile as he continued speaking under the muzzle pointed at his forehead:
"Abiel, you’ve only lost your past memories. I can help you recover them.
We were both members of the Harpers. We met by chance at a vampire noble’s banquet. We infiltrated the Red Robe Mage Tower together, and watched the sunrise in the Cardavener Forest..."
Richard spoke more fluently, his expression softer, his eyes shimmering with tears.
He recalled every moment with Abiel, hoping she would regain her memories and recognize him again. His emotions surged.
So many days of hiding and waiting were all for this moment.
Now, the woman he yearned for stood before him. He just needed to rekindle those memories, and they could be reunited.
"Click."
Just then, Richard felt something cold press against his forehead. A chill swept through him—it was the barrel of her gun.
Abiel, gripping the weapon in her slender hand, aimed it steadily and said in a calm voice:
"The person in front of you is not your so-called lover, nor a member of the Harpers. I am His Majesty Cassius’s sworn vassal, a Dragonblood Baroness who serves the Burning Ember Empire with her life."
The Dragon-Vein Elf did not lower her gun, nor did she remove the robe symbolizing Imperial honor and loyalty. She continued:
"Trespassing into Isthalia’s Inner District, following an Imperial Dragonblood Noble, and attempting to incite rebellion—this is already espionage of the highest order. For the sake of old times, leave now. I won’t pursue your crime any further."
Richard looked at his former lover in astonishment. He stood there, shaking his head in deep sorrow, murmuring repeatedly:
"No..."
"Abiel, it shouldn’t be like this."
"Please, listen to me. You haven’t recovered your memories. You don’t know what we went through—"
Richard risked a few steps forward, trying to grab her arms.
But Abiel holstered her gun and turned swiftly, stepping into her residence and shutting the door without hesitation, leaving the desperate Richard outside.
She left only one final, calm sentence: "Richard, don’t linger here. The Imperial Guard won’t be as merciful."
Inside her home, Abiel took off her standard-issue Dragonblood Noble uniform, hanging it by the door, then placed her decocked pistol back into its case.
She stood silent for a long time before peeking out the window.
As expected, the figure who had just stood there was now gone, as if he’d never been there at all.
"Richard..."
In truth, she had regained all her memories the moment he spoke. She remembered everything Richard had wanted to say.
But times had changed. Now, Abiel was a loyal vassal of the red dragon. Everything about her belonged to the Emperor—her body, her mind, and her soul.
Emotions might fade, but the bond the Emperor tied to them was eternal and unbreakable.
Abiel knew clearly that as a Dragonblood Noble of the Burning Ember Empire, a disciple of the Emperor, she must not maintain ties with a Harper like Richard.
It would do no good for either of them.
It might seem cruel, but it was the only correct choice they could make.
To be precise: they no longer belonged to the same world.
"I’m sorry. I had no choice."
Abiel leaned against the door, clutching her chest. A sudden sharp pain pierced her heart—but it faded as quickly as it came.