Allies

A year ago, Olivia would undoubtedly have panicked. But after her seasoning in the Imperial Assembly Hall, she had shed many of her impractical illusions and grown far more pragmatic. She had caught the underlying meaning in Cassius's words just now—the red dragon did not truly want to declare war on Melvold, but was offering a way out. The premise Cassius had laid down was "if Genesis's actions represent the will of Melvold," not "Genesis's actions are the will of Melvold." Olivia weighed her words for a moment, then lowered her head and said in a grave voice, "I am sorry, Cassius. On behalf of the Melvold Clan, I apologize to you. What just happened was by no means the will of the clan. My aunt is merely... a bit stubborn and harbored some misunderstandings about you. I hope you can forgive her." Genesis, pinned beneath his talons, also came to her senses and hastily defended herself: "Your Majesty Cassius, this was entirely my own doing. It has nothing to do with the Melvold Clan or my father. I am willing to bear full responsibility alone..." Cassius said in a placid tone, "Genesis, my patience has its limits. This is your final chance. For the sake of Councilor Olivia, do not let me catch you doing anything like this again. "As for bearing responsibility? "Heh. If I kill you, that old fellow Oszedro will never let the matter rest, and the empire and the Melvold Clan will certainly go to war. "That being the case, I will settle for a small punishment. I hope you remember this lesson and learn some tact." *Sssss—* Accompanied by the hiss of scalding flesh, a brand surging with fiery light appeared on the silver dragon's chest. Only then did Cassius release his foreclaw, withdraw the boundless pressure of a progenitor dragon, turn around, and return to his Iron Throne. "Hah... hah..." Genesis immediately felt the weight lift from her body. Panting heavily, she cast a grateful glance at Olivia. Amidst shimmering fragments of magical radiance, the silver dragon shifted back into the form of a noblewoman. Yet now her clothing was disheveled, and an additional brand marked her fair chest. Genesis looked up, gazing at the lofty red dragon above, then lowered her eyelids. "My apologies, Your Majesty Cassius..." "Ngh..." She clutched her chest, letting out a muffled groan. Fiery light surged around the brand, scorching hot, sending a piercing, excruciating pain through her. Immediately afterward, chains woven of fire wrapped around her slender neck, leaving burning scars across her fair skin. Having returned to the throne, Cassius said casually, "You have lost my trust, so this is the only way I can ensure our cooperation goes smoothly. Whenever I wish, the flames will turn your heart to cinders in an instant. "Furthermore... if you think I am an utterly irredeemable tyrant, then declare war on the empire openly. Playing petty tricks like this only makes you look ridiculous." "Mm..." Clutching her chest, Genesis gritted her teeth and nodded. Listening to his contemptuous words and feeling the piercing agony, she looked down at the brand that resembled a slave's mark and the unsightly scars around her neck. She should have felt humiliated. To any silver dragon, this was an unvarnished disgrace—a brand, scars, chains, treating her practically like a pet. Yet the red dragon upon the throne gave her an unprecedented sensation. It left her not only without the will to resist, but yearning to... submit, and even bow in worship. This was terrifying, filling Genesis with dread from the bottom of her heart. This was clearly an evil red dragon. A tyrant. An existence she had once despised above all else. As the daughter of Silver Wings and a prime candidate to become the next head of Melvold, who had vanquished countless forces of evil, how could she desire to submit to such an entity? By Bahamut, why was this happening? "I apologize, Your Majesty." Tangled in a web of complex emotions that felt almost magical in their grip, Genesis could only repeat her words from before. Watching from the side, Olivia sensed that the atmosphere was somehow strange. Stepping forward of her own accord, she prompted, "Cassius, since this matter is behind us, let us discuss the terms of cooperation between the empire and the clan." "Very well." The red dragon gave a slight nod. Only then did Genesis regain some semblance of composure. Producing a document prepared well in advance, she spoke with caution: "To assist the Great Anzetta Waste in repelling the invasion of abyssal demons, the Melvold Clan is willing to dispatch three mature silver dragons and twelve adult silver dragons, as well as share extensive knowledge on combating demons. "The Cinder Empire must cover certain expenses and cooperate with the silver dragons' activities. Furthermore, when Melvold conducts operations to purge demons in other regions, the empire is obligated to provide assistance." Cassius was slightly surprised. "The old fellow wasn't too stingy this time. There is some sincerity here." Three mature silver dragons and twelve adult silver dragons—even in Feanso, that was enough to form a formidable force. It seemed the determination of "Silver Wings" to resist the demons was indeed genuine. In truth, however, Cassius was confident in the empire's ability to withstand the demons. Gathering these silver dragons was merely icing on the cake; what mattered more was establishing a connection with the metallic dragon factions in the south. As for the second clause, obligating the Cinder Empire to cooperate with Melvold in exorcising demons across various regions, Cassius had no objection either. His reasoning was simple: if the empire conquered the Feanso Continent—or even the entire world—then repelling demons wherever a demonic catastrophe arose was something the empire would have to do anyway. That made the cost effectively zero. When Cassius referred to him as "the old fellow" this time, Genesis did not object. Instead, she said softly, "Your Majesty Cassius, Father has fought demons for thousands of years. His resolve will never waver; you may rest assured..." After what had just transpired, the silver dragon known as "Scales of Silver Light" had become far more meek and submissive, no longer brimming with indignation as she had back at Goncalo Palace. "Seems fine..." Cassius casually skimmed the contract and checked it over with the power of the Imperial Authority before leaving his name upon it. Several characters surrounded by drifting sparks manifested on the parchment: *Cassius Clobus Norixius.* The red dragon parted his jaws, the corners of his mouth curling upward into a sinister smile. "Well then... to a fruitful partnership." Genesis pressed her lips together. Though the process had been fraught with twists and turns, she had fulfilled the mission her father had entrusted to her and brought about the cooperation between the empire and Melvold. Now, the notion of "defeating the red dragon" had vanished from Genesis's heart entirely. She could not muster even the faintest urge to resist, wanting only to bring all this to a swift end. With that thought, she lowered her head and said respectfully, "To a fruitful partnership, Your Majesty."