Chapter 176: A Special Delegation
The Duchy of Bosk did not merely send a special envoy but dispatched a high-level delegation, complete with historians, bards, court mages, and more.
Leading them was Count Treliska, a skilled diplomat known for his long-standing missions to the Holy Fadlan Empire.
His title was an honorary one without actual lands, symbolizing both his exceptional diplomatic achievements and Bosk's emphasis on its foreign missions.
Guided into the hall by guards, the handsome Count Treliska wore a luxurious ceremonial robe, bowing deeply and exuding a refined charm that reflected centuries of northern aristocratic tradition.
"Greetings, esteemed Ember King."
"I bring you the regards of Duke Leo."
Cassius remained reclining on the Iron Throne, gazing down at the envoy without responding immediately.
The atmosphere grew tense.
The guards in the hall tightened their grips on their spears.
Although Treliska appeared calm and composed, his slightly trembling hands and evasive gaze betrayed his inner nervousness.
His delegation members were even more visibly affected.
Despite being mentally prepared, the fifty-year-old historian More turned pale at the sight of the twenty-meter-long dragon, breaking into a cold sweat and nearly fainting, barely remaining upright with the support of his attendants.
The renowned female bard Yelena, nicknamed the "Flower of Strapha," famous for her performances at grand banquets, was now ashen-faced and even let out an involuntary scream.
Cassius found the scene rather amusing.
Narrowing his golden eyes, the red dragon finally broke the oppressive silence.
"Envoys from Bosk, I would like to extend a polite greeting to you as well."
"However, your duke recently orchestrated an assassination attempt against me. How am I to trust that you are not another batch of would-be assassins?"
This statement sent shockwaves through the delegation, their hearts pounding in fear.
Such a dangerous question caused cold sweat to bead on Treliska's brow, but it had been anticipated in their planning.
Following his rehearsed lines, he maintained as steady a tone as possible and replied:
"Honored Ember King, the Duchy of Bosk had no involvement in that operation and was unaware of it. It was solely the reckless action of the Duchy of Nort."
"And as you are aware, they have already faced their due punishment."
"As for those Lionheart Knights, they were disavowed by Bosk's internal authorities. Their actions were personal, beyond our control."
"Enough."
Treliska's words were abruptly cut off by Cassius.
"Envoy from Bosk, there's no need to feign ignorance before me. Everyone here understands what has transpired, and I am well aware of your duke's schemes."
The red dragon's lips curled into a sinister smile, his brow scales slightly lifting, sending shivers down the delegation's spines.
"However, I welcome your role as so-called 'observers' this time, because only by witnessing the disparity in power can you refrain from stirring trouble in the shadows."
He exhaled a breath of sulfuric air.
"After all, flies are easy to crush, but their incessant buzzing around one's ears can be quite annoying."
Hearing Cassius's comment, Treliska felt a surge of indignation but dared not show it.
After a moment of hesitation, he mustered his courage and spoke with calm dignity:
"Lord Cassius, I acknowledge your immense strength. Even thousands like me combined could not match you."
"However..."
He slowly lifted his head, struggling to suppress his primal fear as he locked eyes with the red dragon's golden pupils.
"Aren't you being a bit arrogant?"
These words threw the delegation into a panic, fearing that the dragon might erupt in fury and incinerate them all.
Yet, Cassius did not react with anger as they expected. Instead, he watched Treliska with amused curiosity.
"Why do you say that?"
Encouraged by the dragon's response, Treliska steadied himself and continued:
"To be frank, Anzeta is ultimately a remote land. Everything here resembles a wasteland—whether in wealth, culture, or strength."
"Over the past decade, I have visited the southern Fadlan Empire and the western Free Trade Confederation. I have seen lands flowing with milk and honey, treasures vast as the sea, and Sun Warriors who seem like demigods. Their splendor is unimaginable to the people of the north."
Hearing this, Cassius understood another objective of the envoy—luring the dragon south, exploiting his greed to redirect his might to other regions.
"What a clever plan. But with my current strength, venturing south would mean facing countless challenges."
Cassius thought to himself.
Narrowing his golden eyes, the red dragon offered no response but said dismissively:
"I have grown tired of Bosk's honeyed words. I will arrange for you to observe the battle at the Trier Throat."
"Record everything carefully and report it to your duke."
"That might dissuade him from playing petty tricks."
With that, Cassius summoned his hobgoblin guards to escort the delegation out of the council hall.
More, Yelena, and the others, overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere of the hall, felt immense relief at Cassius's dismissal.
They exhaled deeply, grateful to have escaped the red dragon's unpredictable wrath.
Count Treliska, however, remained deep in thought.
The delegation had reached the hall's exterior.
The elderly scholar More dabbed at his sweaty brow with a handkerchief, grumbling: "Treliska, you were far too reckless this time!"
"If you had angered that red dragon, we would all have been doomed!"
Yelena hugged her arms, still shaken: "That was terrifying, like standing under the blade of a guillotine, ready to drop at any moment."
"Yes, thank the gods for sparing us and allowing us to leave unscathed."
Treliska frowned deeply, his eyes fixed anxiously on the locked metal doors behind them:
"If he were so easily angered, it would mean he's just an ordinary red dragon—capricious, mindlessly destructive, and insatiably greedy."
"Such creatures, though reckless for a time, never last long and are eventually eliminated by those who uphold order."
"But he did not behave that way."
"I believe he is not a textbook example of a cruel and savage red dragon but something far more cunning and terrifying."
"Perhaps… he truly will upend the rule of the north."