Ashen Dragon

Chapter 262: Chapter 187 Demon’s Trail
 

The ceremony of conferring honors had concluded.

Cassius did not hide the news; rather, he made a grand spectacle, fearing only that people might remain unaware.

Paper leaflets fluttered like snowflakes, spreading the news of this grand event throughout Anzeta by way of the Bipedal Wyverns.

The reactions were varied; the northern nobles were terrified, fearing that this newly awakened Red Dragon would unleash a disaster that could shake their rule and worried that such an unimaginable system might create terrifying war machines.

However, many commoners harbored other thoughts. They fled to the Ashen Kingdom, hoping to seize power and seek the legendary longevity and strength of the dragons.

But regardless, Cassius had achieved his purpose.

He did not care that such actions might prompt the Northern Countries to prepare prematurely; what he cared about was sowing the seeds of war in people’s hearts so that the new order’s construction would be quicker after the war.

Cassius sprawled on the Iron Throne, slightly stretching his wings, white steam billowing from the vents on his neck, his chest’s still-smoldering Dragon Crystal quickly cooling down and gradually dimming.

“Three years, three years have passed already.”

“In just one more year, the great collapse of Holy Fadlan will occur, and fifty thousand beta players will descend upon Anzeta.”

“By then, I will establish a new order in the Anzeta Great Wilderness and unify the entire North.”

Cassius muttered to himself as he gazed into the distance.

…

In the Ancytica Mountains.

Alger rode the Dragon Vein Giant Eagle, flying rapidly out of the portal.

Another routine patrol mission, over the past three years he had patrolled this area many times, becoming intimately familiar with the surroundings of the portal.

But the Ancytica Mountains were far vaster than he had imagined, even with such a long time spent, there were still many areas left unexplored, awaiting his discovery.

Alger pulled a parchment scroll from the saddlebag beside the Giant Eagle. The scroll was inlaid with the Ashen Kingdom’s emblem at both ends. When unfurled, it displayed a map made of magic particles, with various mountains and rivers vividly depicted and twinkling with tiny auras, while a special glowing dot marked Alger’s current position.

This was a special map prepared for Alger to record the areas he had explored, and more than half of the map had already been filled.

In fact, this map was just a trial version. In the future, the kingdom would produce more perfected versions on a large scale, even creating collector’s editions inlaid with gems, to be sold at high prices to players, but that was a story for another time.

“No signs of demons found in Area 327.”

Alger gently tapped the area, a line automatically appearing to indicate the completion of exploration; over the past three years, he had explored hundreds of areas.

“Next is Area 328.”

“Eagle.”

Alger patted the Giant Eagle’s neck. The creature immediately understood, folding its wings and speeding through the mountains at a rapid pace.

After undergoing the second Dragon Vein Blessing, Alger felt that both he and the Giant Eagle had experienced significant improvements in strength. The Giant Eagle’s beak grew sharp teeth, gradually losing its avian appearance, evolving a head similar to that of a Sub-dragon, while Alger himself could even exhale scorching Flame Breath.

In just a moment, the Giant Eagle soared past several peaks, arriving at Area 328 marked on the map.

In the distance, the mountains resembled the jagged teeth of a giant dragon, rising and falling.

Barren, desolate.

This was Alger’s only impression of the Ancytica Mountains.

The highest peaks of these mountains reached over five thousand meters, separating the Anzeta Great Wilderness from the south and blocking the cold currents from the North. The endless range, covered in heavy snow all year round, only occasionally revealed black rocks in summer.

No one would dare to cross this mountain range; even migrating birds chose not to pass through here. The strongest and most resilient warriors often entered through narrow mountain passes.

If the Giant Eagle had not undergone the Dragon Vein Blessing, Alger would never have dared to venture into this Life Forbidden Zone recklessly.

“Whew—”@@novelbin@@

The northern wind howled, the bitter cold making Alger sneeze with a hint of sulfur.

But his sharp, red-horned ears trembled slightly.

Alger crouched low, whispering:

“Eagle, did you hear that?”

“That’s not just the wind… there’s something else.”

Indeed, it was not just the wind; there were also piercing wails and heavy murmurs.

He had finally found the demon’s call.

Though it might have been something else, during his explorations, Alger had already dispatched many monsters hidden in the deep mountains, including Gnolls in the mountain depths, huge monstrous snowmen hibernating in ice caves, and even Polar Dragon Beasts lurking in the snowfields.

Alger spoke no more, relying on his keen hearing to locate the source of the sound, maneuvering the Giant Eagle purely with his body.

He noticed the “Seeking Demon” scroll on his side glowing faintly with a blood-red light.

Maybe, he really had found it.

Alger tightened his legs, steering the Giant Eagle into a dive.

Sure enough, a few black shapes appeared in the distant sky, and Alger immediately chased after them.

It was only when he flew within dozens of meters that he could clearly see—their forms were a mix of vulture and humanoid features, with twisted beast bodies and a pair of foul-smelling, broad wings, emitting wailing screams akin to a woman’s cry.

Alger’s expression grew serious, his brows furrowing slightly.

“Frosthorn.”

From the kingdom’s texts, he had learned about some basic demon races, for instance, these vulture-like creatures enjoyed devouring humanoids, often using deafening screams to shock their targets.

The Giant Eagle flew higher; these Frosthorns, seemingly in a rush, had not yet noticed him.

“Follow them closely.”

Alger silently instructed.

The Giant Eagle maintained a steady speed, trailing high above.

Eventually, the Frosthorns entered a massive cavern.

As dust-like snowflakes drifted down, the Dragon Vein Giant Eagle landed at the cavern entrance. Despite the howling winds, Alger could clearly hear the whispers and sorrowful wails from deep within the cavern.

“This is it.”

Alger drew the Everburning Greatsword from his back, gripping it tightly.

Instantly, the blade ignited, illuminating the surrounding area, allowing him to barely see the path ahead.

The demons bore the corruption and contagion of the Abyss itself. Their mere presence worsened the world. The cavern was filled with pits of filth and pus, emanating a perpetual stench.

The scroll beside him flickered more intensely, blood-red light dancing wildly. Yet, Alger felt little joy at finding the mission’s target. He knew all too well the terrifying nature of demons; a single misstep could spell his doom.

Even the Giant Eagle trembled slightly, showing a hint of reluctance.