Beneath the Red Dragon

What ensues is chaos beyond one’s control, simply put, a test of willpower.

If the will cannot sustain one’s own consciousness, and there is no supplement from potions, these individuals will degenerate into wild beasts bereft of intellect and awareness, much like the Giant Dragons affected by the Dragon Madness Curse Skill.

"Great Evil Poison Queen, Lord of Desire," the Caster’s face presented a composed yet fanatical expression, not only feeling the benefits of the potion, but the greatly enhanced intelligence and spiritual power also allowed this Caster to easily glimpse their future positioning.

If he doesn’t obey the command and will of this Green Dragon before him, then his fate will be like those companions dragged away, snot and bloody tears flowing, immersed in endless agony and wailing, reduced to beasts.

The Dogman Guard unlocked the shackles on this Caster, allowing the Caster to move freely.

Antajena looked coldly down at the noble Caster, who almost zealously kissed the tips of her shoes, and smiled.

"What is your name?" Antajena chuckled, in fact, the names of these Casters had already been exposed by the first companions to arrive here, but Antajena enjoyed this feeling.

"Great Master, your loyal servant’s original name was Nacha. If your will requires me to change my name, I will do so resolutely!"

Antajena looked around at the dull and numb humans and Half-Elves in the surrounding cells, who became somewhat excited and agitated after smelling the residual scent of Devil’s Poison.

Many Casters even pressed their faces against the large gaps in the bars, eyes filled with strong desire as they looked towards the Green Dragon Antajena.

Even Nacha shivered at the sight of his companions’ gazes.

"No need," Antajena turned and walked out of the cell, her figure gradually disappearing into the distance, leaving only the chuckles of the Green Dragon echoing, "Stay here safely, I’ll find an opportunity to set you free,"

"I need to think, a reasonable excuse, tsk tsk, after all, I am a noble ruler, not some demon. How can I keep you noble ones trapped in this dark dungeon!"

...

Any alliance between nations and powers is not something that can be achieved through a few verbal agreements; it requires continuous consultations and discussions to reach a consensus and final agreement.

The agreement between the Golden Empire and the Elf Kingdom is no different.

Although the ultimate goal of the Golden Empire has been established, and the delegation of the Elf Kingdom is impatient, the agreement involving an Elf Princess still requires approval from the council and the King of Elves within the Elf Kingdom.

Even if the agreement of the Elf Princess Isabelle Adjani becomes effective immediately, subsequent negotiations are inevitable.

For instance, in what form should the Golden Empire assist the Elf Kingdom, and how many legions should be dispatched without alarming the Elf Kingdom.

For the cleansing of internal forces within the Empire, this is also a preparation step by the Golden Empire for the subsequent war.

Although the reinforcements initially sent to the Elf Kingdom will certainly not be numerous, to prevent other forces from making irrational moves, the rulers of the Empire have decided to thoroughly clean up internally.

And about war, it is not something that can be completed in one go; war materials and logistical supplies are of utmost importance.

In the decade before and after the founding of the Empire, under the will of the Dragon, the Golden Empire excavated the Grand Canal that traverses the territory, connecting the northern and southern lands.

As the Empire’s rule expanded westward, the Empire’s canal needed to start excavation from east to west again, to connect east and west to the sea, forming a turnover logistic system of ports and the internal hinterland of the Empire.

Apart from the canal, the Empire also massively constructed cities, colossal cities rose from the ground, requiring immense amounts of money and materials.

There are also expenditures on education, medical care, people’s livelihood, the revival and research of magic technology, military manufacturing, all of which are enormous expenses of the Empire.

Also, the establishment of provinces—cities—townships—villages system by the Empire consumed a lot of wealth for the operation expenses and welfare subsidies of various departments of the Empire, as well as various miscellaneous expenses.

Compared to these expenditures, the dividends given to the Gogomola Dragon Group are like a stream compared to the sea.

Moreover, as the Empire develops, the expansion brought by the mature military and political system also consumes a large amount of wealth.

The mature military system brings completely professional elite Warriors, and the generous welfare benefits and consumption of food by these elite Warriors are also an unimaginable wealth.

If not for the Golden Empire opening several worlds, continuously exploring and mining the small Dimension Planes around the Icaria World to accumulate primitive capital, even with such rich and uniquely blessed land, the Empire wouldn’t be able to handle such a gold-devouring expenditure.

It’s important to know that not all Plane Worlds can have mature civilization systems and stable resource acquisition like the worlds opened by the Golden Empire.

In many worlds explored by Legendary Mages, many are even worlds that cannot be entered and lived by Mortal World creatures, and lack formed civilizations.

Some worlds are completely composed of the sea, which can only be explored by aquatic creatures, with low efficiency to speak of, and the output gained does not match the input at all.

It’s only because Karon possesses some incomparable conditions that resources can be accurately acquired, enabling the Empire to grow wildly at an unprecedented speed.

But even with several-dimensional resources available, the Golden Empire won’t exempt the resources that the Elf Kingdom should provide.

"This is how it is between countries, you cannot compromise on direct interests due to friendly relations. It is better to tilt in policies, such as the customs trade tax policies. Such a win-win situation is the right development relationship,"

Karon Gogomola explained.

Divine Favor Naga Jaluun does not need to stay long in the sea like other Nagas, she has the magical protection of the Ancestral Red Dragon, allowing her to stay with the Ancestral Red Dragon for a prolonged time.

Compared to combat, this Naga’s understanding of politics cannot be compared to the Chief Maid Charlize.

However, Divine Favor Naga Jaluun’s willingness to take the initiative to understand is a good thing for Karon. After all, it also means that if Jaluun has potential, the burden on the Ancestral Red Dragon would be lightened.

Beside her, the maid Charlize, who was reciting the imperial military and political report, let out a slight smile, and Divine Favor Naga Jaluun, lifting her eight arms for the first time, laid down her weapons to serve others.

The somewhat hefty fists for other creatures struck Karon’s body perfectly.

However, the Ancestral Red Dragon’s body is massive, already grown to thirty meters, and even when crouched, it is undoubtedly a giant beast. The slender body and coiled tail of the Divine Favor Naga cannot reach the back of this Red Dragon.

Divine Favor Naga glanced secretly at the Double-headed White Dragon Camid opposite her. As dinnertime approached, the aroma of delectable food had already made one of this White Dragon’s heads gaze around unconsciously, appearing particularly frisky.

It had become one of White Dragon Camid’s habits to mooch meals at Karon’s castle, and of course, coveting the Naga Queen was also one of this White Dragon’s goals.

In the presence of the Ancestral Red Dragon, White Dragon Camid always maintained its original nature, an incomparable fondness.

However, Karon firmly rejected the request made by White Dragon Camid to take the Naga Queen as a mate.

Divine Favor Naga’s gaze flickered, she knew in the presence of the Ancestral Red Dragon, there was no need to come off as pretentious.

So, she lightly asked, "Your Majesty, regarding the journey to the Elf Kingdom, will you personally go? I have heard about the ancient splendor of the Elves’ civilization in the depths of the sea, and I long to witness their realm myself."

Karon bared his fangs and lightly smiled, saying, "Of course, I will go; there lies the Empire’s new hunting ground."

"But I won’t go immediately; the Empire exists because of us Dragons, it is the hunting tentacle and hound we wield. Those Warriors are also the sickle of the Dragons’ harvest, they will eliminate obstacles for us."

"Of course, after the Empire’s Warriors leave, the Empire will loudly proclaim that the Emperor of the Golden Empire is making a westward tour to establish good relations with the Elf Kingdom."

Jaluun revealed a smile, "I know, Your Majesty is the angler by the sea, fond of fishing for giant whales in the deep sea!"

"Smart," the Ancestral Red Dragon’s tail claw swayed lightly, laughing, "Actually, I would also like to see how many enemies still lurk in the shadows of the Empire. After all, the intelligence obtained from Antajena’s interrogations didn’t yield any ’big figures’, this little gain is not enough to fill a Dragon’s belly."