Chapter 151: A Righteous Cooperation
Shroud's speech finally ended, and the crowd erupted in righteous indignation, slamming their tables in fury.
"That vile dragon must pay the price!"
"The tyranny of the Ember Kingdom will end!"
"The justice and order of the Northern Lands cannot be destroyed!"
"One day, his dragon head will be severed and used as a trophy!"
Shroud surveyed the room, noting that the atmosphere was sufficiently heated. Then, in a deep voice, he said:
"Now, I have discovered a special method to trap that Red Dragon, but I am too weak to carry it out alone. I need your assistance."
"..."
The hall instantly fell silent.
Those who had spoken so boldly moments ago suddenly appeared as if silenced by a mass spell, collectively holding their tongues.
After all, talking was one thing, but taking action was another. The dragon was a terrifying creature that had single-handedly destroyed an army of 30,000. While many spoke of slaying a dragon, none were foolish enough to risk their lives doing it.
Shroud noticed the silence but showed no sign of disappointment on his face.
These low-tier spellcasters were not the target of his recruitment efforts.
His gaze shifted to the "Starlight" lady.
Her blue-gray eyes radiated displeasure, with no hint of a willingness to respond.
Skilled in reading people, Shroud had long observed that this "Starlight" lady, though a powerful spellcaster, was clearly inexperienced and indecisive—one might even call her "naïve."
This was precisely why Shroud had dared interrupt her earlier. He would never have attempted such a thing with a more assertive high-level spellcaster.
However, since he had questioned her earlier and diminished her dignity, she was clearly not someone he could recruit.
With this in mind, he turned his attention to "Ember."
The black-haired, golden-eyed nobleman wore a look of righteous indignation, as though he were eager to slay the brutal Red Dragon.
Yes, he was the one.
Powerful in spellcasting, backed by a formidable force, and possessing a sincere heart for justice—he was the perfect "fool" Shroud needed.
Shroud, like Olivia, had noticed the subtle flaws in the polymorph disguise and the high-born arrogance that came through in subsequent interactions. This led him to suspect that "Ember" was very likely a gold dragon.
Upholding justice was etched into the blood of every gold dragon. These obsessive creatures spent much of their time in disguise, conducting "sting operations." Many killers and bandits lurking in desolate areas of the world met swift ends when their seemingly helpless victim revealed themselves as a disguised gold dragon.
Gold dragons would not rest until wrongdoers were defeated and either killed or judged. They sought nothing less than complete victory against evil.
Shroud was willing to risk offending a high-level spellcaster to create an atmosphere of despair wrought by evil, all to lure this suspected gold dragon into his trap.
As expected, "Ember" stood up with a resounding slap on the table.
"Bang!"
He sneered as he surveyed the room and said in a loud voice:
"Are all your proclamations of justice mere words?"
"Mr. Grey Hawk, I, along with the forces I represent, am willing to provide any assistance necessary to help you subdue that brutal Red Dragon!"
"Lord Ember, thank you for stepping forward and contributing to the justice and order of the Northern Lands."
"No need to say more, Mr. Grey Hawk. Defeating the dragon is not only my duty but the responsibility of anyone with a righteous heart."
"You... you... I don't even know what to say anymore."
Shroud rushed forward, tightly gripping Cassius's hand, his expression one of overwhelming gratitude.
"Such an easy gold dragon to deceive. Once they weaken each other, I'll capture them both. Then I'll become the hero of the Northern Lands."
Shroud thought to himself.
"I will certainly give you my full 'support'."
Cassius thought to himself as well, a trace of mockery flashing in his golden eyes.
Their hands clasped tightly together, sealing a pact to vanquish the brutal Red Dragon terrorizing the Northern Lands, no matter the cost.
—The scene resembled the opening of an epic bard's tale, brimming with heroic idealism.
Yet the reality of this moment was that an evil mage under a vampire and a Red Dragon in disguise were shaking hands, pledging to vanquish the Red Dragon himself—all in the name of justice.
In this light, the scene was profoundly absurd.
Thus, the meeting concluded on a cheerful note.
People marveled at "Ember's" righteousness and wished him success in slaying the Red Dragon, restoring peace to the Northern Lands and, more importantly, preserving their noble status.
The meeting ended, and the attendees dispersed.
Shroud left behind a teleportation coordinate, inviting Cassius to a secret location in the Bosk Duchy the following morning to discuss the specifics of their collaboration.
Cassius did not leave immediately. Instead, he waited, knowing that the "Silver Star" Olivia would stop him again.
Sure enough, she hurried after him, her blue-gray eyes glimmering with concern.
"Angel, you can't trust that human. He's lying. My divination spells tell me he's likely a servant of the vampire duke and certainly no virtuous soul."
"Of course I know."
Cassius replied calmly.
Olivia was puzzled. "Then why did you agree to his plan?"
Cassius gazed at the sky, his golden eyes steely with determination. "Because a greater evil looms over Anzeta, and I must unite all possible forces to eliminate the rampaging Red Dragon."
He looked at Olivia, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't worry. I won't spare any evil. Once Grey Hawk helps me kill the Red Dragon, I'll eliminate him without hesitation."
"I will bring true justice and order to Anzeta and all of Erezaghe. That has always been my goal."
"You..."
Olivia was stunned.
In her seventy-some years of life, she had rarely encountered gold dragons, spending most of her time among her fellow silver dragons.
Unlike the obsessive gold dragons, silver dragons didn't see eradicating evil as their duty. They preferred living among humanoid societies and enjoying life, only acting against aggressive enemies.
Olivia had her own history of opposing the Cult of the Dragon, but she had never met a "gold dragon" so devoted to eliminating evil. It puzzled and moved her.
Seeing the silver dragon ensnared, Cassius's Silver-Tongued trait went into full effect.
"My father, the ancient gold dragon Castro, once told me fifty years ago: 'With great power comes great responsibility.'"
"The world has granted us metallic dragons unparalleled strength, and we must bear the heavy responsibility of eradicating all evil. That is the law of the world."
Olivia couldn't help but remark, "Angel, your father is truly a great and wise gold dragon."
Cassius gazed into her eyes and said solemnly, "Olivia, I've already investigated. That Red Dragon is far stronger than you imagine and can even cast ninth-tier spells."
Olivia's blue-gray eyes widened in shock.
"How is that possible?"
As a high-level spellcaster with over fifty years of experience, Olivia knew well the difficulty of casting ninth-tier spells—a dream unattainable for most mages in a lifetime.
But for a Red Dragon, not known for spellcasting and still in its youth, to wield ninth-tier magic was unfathomable.
"Nothing is impossible."
Cassius's tone grew heavier.
"So, if I don't attend the next Arcane Hermitage, it likely means the mission has failed. I will leave behind information about the Red Dragon at the battlefield in Northwind Fortress, detailing what I discovered at the cost of my life."
"At that time, I hope you'll find it and pass it on to the righteous."
"Alright..."
Olivia hesitated for a long moment before replying softly.
"Angel, don't think so grimly. Lord Bahamut will protect you. I hope to see you at the next Arcane Hermitage."
"Let's hope so."
Cassius replied indifferently, as if he had already resigned himself to his fate.
Gazing into Olivia's faintly glowing blue-gray eyes, he thought to himself that he had finally convinced the silver dragon. Now he just had to wait for her to deliver everything to him.
...…
Strafburg, Avenger's Chamber.
This was a secret base prepared by Duke Leo of the Bosk Duchy for Shroud and other exiles. Its location was so hidden that even the serpent spies of the Ember Kingdom knew nothing of it.
Shroud and six former Lackman court mages gathered here, waiting for their collaborator's arrival.
Space distorted, and a portal opened.
Cassius, in his noble guise, stepped through, surveying the mages in the room.
To him, these were mere fourth-tier mages—not worth his attention.
Shroud quickly approached with his entourage, a fawning smile on his face. "Lord Ember, welcome. We exiles have awaited this moment for far too long."
Cassius spoke calmly, "The situation is urgent. There's no need for pleasantries. As long as that Red Dragon remains, the Northern Lands are in constant danger."
He paused, a skeptical expression crossing his face.
"I'm just curious—what gives you the confidence to face that Red Dragon? Is it just these court mages?"
"Of course not, please don't worry, Lord Ember."
Shroud replied with an awkward laugh.
He retrieved an ancient parchment scroll from a hidden cabinet.
Cassius narrowed his eyes, instantly on guard. He could sense the dangerous aura emanating from it—a forbidden spell designed to target dragons.
[Wagner's Dragon-Binding Array]
Eighth-tier conjuration.
Created by the "Dragon-Mad Necromancer" Wagner, who, obsessed with dragons, developed this spell to study them indefinitely.
Due to a dragon's immense power, this spell required at least twenty casters working together or a legendary spellcaster using true dragon blood and scales as components. It could bind a dragon of any stage below ancient.
Wagner was a name Cassius recognized—a notable boss in Anzeta's history.
A century ago, Wagner had been abducted into the Cult of the Dragon, forced to serve evil dragons and dracoliches. When a starving Red Dragon devoured his wife whole, Wagner went mad.
From then on, Wagner became fanatical about dragon power. He captured white dragons in Anzeta, built the Eternal Night Demon Tower, and even transformed his own daughter into a half-human, half-dragon monstrosity, earning him the title "Dragon-Mad Necromancer."
Cassius frowned, his tone carrying a trace of anger.
"This is from the Eternal Night Demon Tower?"
"How dare you collaborate with that madman Wagner?"
Shroud, clearly startled that Cassius knew of the mysterious necromancer, quickly defended himself, "No, we don't know the origin of this scroll. We only want to use it against the Red Dragon."
Cassius replied coldly, "Mr. Grey Hawk, I believe you can guess my true identity."
A powerful aura of oppression emanated from him. Cold sweat trickled down Shroud's forehead as he stammered, "Of course, you're a gold dragon, a defender of justice and order."
Cassius snorted dismissively, exuding the proud demeanor of a gold dragon.
"Good. As long as you understand. Human, I will cooperate with you, but don't think of trying any tricks."
"Yes, Lord Ember."
Shroud wiped his forehead with a handkerchief.
"Lord Ember, our plan is this: you'll revert to your true form and engage the Red Dragon directly, luring him to a predetermined location where we'll activate the array and bind him."
"Of course..."
"We'll also need your scales and blood."
He sneaked a glance at "Ember," relieved to see no change in his expression.
Cassius raised another objection.
"Can these few mages alone cast this eighth-tier spell?"
Shroud answered respectfully, "I'm gathering spellcasters from across the land, but few have responded. It may take several months to prepare."
Cassius replied bluntly, "We don't have that much time. The people of the Northern Lands are in constant danger."
Shroud admitted reluctantly, "But spellcasters are so scarce..."
Cassius interrupted without hesitation, "I have dozens of spellcasters under my command who can be summoned immediately. I also have allies in Northwind Fortress who can provide a secure area to place the array."
"So, when can we begin?"
"One month."
Shroud answered honestly.
"Ordinary mages need at least a month to learn how to inscribe parts of the array. It's too advanced and can only be inscribed once, after which it's forgotten. I will be the primary controller of the array."
"Good. I'll start sending my spellcasters here gradually. I hope in a month's time, you'll succeed."
"Yes, Lord Ember."
...…
Northwind Fortress, [Magical Coin] Guild Headquarters.
"501, 502..."
"We're making a fortune lately!"
Charlotte, a fourth-tier mage and guild leader of Magical Coin, was gleefully counting gold coins in their warehouse. The guild had recently earned a fortune by taking on tasks around the city.
Suddenly, his interface updated with a faction mission.
[Hidden Mage]
[Former Lackman court mage Shroud is planning revenge against the Ember King Cassius. Recruit 20 players, disguise them as Angel the Gold Dragon's followers, and infiltrate the Avenger's Chamber in the Bosk Duchy...]
[Rewards: 15,000 faction contributions per person, 2,500 gold total.]
"Another turncoat mission, huh."
Charlotte initially grumbled but froze when he saw the reward column, his eyes widening.
"Whoa, the rewards are insane!"
His guild, known for excelling at double-agent missions, was well-prepared for this. This could be their path to immense wealth.
"Woohoo, let's go!"
"Everyone, get moving!"
"Magical Coin, follow me to victory!"
Ignoring the odd looks from ordinary residents, Charlotte shouted commands excitedly in the guild headquarters.