Ashen Dragon

Chapter 290: Chapter 213: Changes and Conspiracies
 

In the bustling factory, Howard wore a mysterious expression as he whispered to his nearby coworker:

“Have you heard? It seems like they are sending a new administrator.”

“Is Lord Bighead quitting?”

“Of course not. Ever since the last expansion, there are now hundreds of workers in the four factories. How can one Ogre handle it all? So, he requested several administrators from above to help manage us.”

“Tsk tsk, really envious of these lords, sitting in the office every day, eating and drinking, and earning more than all of us combined.”

The coworker named Chris couldn’t help but sigh.

“It’s not something to envy. They’re Dragonblood Nobility, after all. People like us, being able to have a meal is good enough. If it were in the Rackman Duchy, we might not even survive the winter.”

“I wonder what kind of personality the new lord has, if they can be a bit lenient…”

Howard swiftly sealed the can’s packaging and skillfully placed it on the assembly line, adding a casual comment as well.

However, as he was busy, a familiar voice came from behind, and it seemed someone patted him on the shoulder.

“Howard, long time no see.”

“George—”

Howard quickly recognized it and turned around in surprise, blurting out the familiar name.

But he was startled to find that his old friend had changed. The visitor wore a luxurious gray suit, tied with a woolen scarf that only wealthy people could afford, and even held an elegant gentleman’s cane—completely different from the silent, honest George he remembered.

Although Howard had countless times fantasized what his future would be like if he were the lucky one, even boasted about the “enviable George” in casual chats, using his friend as a topic to brag about, the cold, hard truth was right before his eyes—

They were already people from two different worlds.

Howard’s expression froze, his lips trembled slightly, and he couldn’t help but lower his head.

Soon, he added two words after the phrase he blurted out:

“Lord.”

“Lord George, it’s indeed been a long time since we’ve seen you.”

The surrounding workers were also attracted by the “returning in glory” George, casting either envious or jealous glances.

George shivered momentarily, recognizing the difference brought by his change in status, but he still straightened his suit and followed Howard’s shift in tone.

His voice was loud, meant not only for Howard but also for the thirty-some workers in the workshop.

“But I’m not here just to visit old friends this time.”

“The Kingdom official is recruiting factory administrators. I happened to have experience working here, so I volunteered to be the administrator here.”

“I am familiar with the factory work, and I can understand everyone’s feelings. I hope that in the future, we can progress together efficiently and positively, striving for the Kingdom’s glorious endeavor.”

He had rehearsed this speech many times, yet it still sounded a bit awkward. Fortunately, it was not a big deal, as the workers’ attention was focused.

George paused his tone deliberately and coughed.

“Of course, as a former worker, I won’t shortchange you. The performance bonuses specified in the regulations will be distributed as usual.”

“Clap clap clap!”

“Good!”

Sparse applause broke out. George turned his head to see Howard clapping hard.

Soon, all the workers in the workshop followed suit, applauding warmly, showing satisfaction with the new supervisor—after all, this newly transformed “Lord George” could decide their paychecks.

Howard quickly adapted to the change, shaking off the stiffness of a moment ago, even secretly delighted at the newfound connection.

As George gazed at the familiar faces filled with obsequious smiles, mixed feelings surged within him, leaving him at a loss for words, so he could only smile and clap along.

…

“Bang!”

Duke Leo slammed his hand on the table, causing cracks in the solid birch tabletop.

On the table was a white paper detailing the recent trade data of the Boske Duchy, showing an almost immeasurable outflow of gold.

“These greedy merchants should all be put on the gallows!”

“And those stupid commoners, do they know they are aiding the enemy? Every copper coin they spend ultimately ends up in the Red Dragon’s coffers and funds the Monster Legion, becoming tools to destroy their homes!”

Count Trischka sighed helplessly and said, “Your Grace… there are some things I must say.”

“The local cotton clothes are of average quality but are priced at seven times that of the Ashen Kingdom’s cotton clothes. Faced with such huge profits, those merchants would risk going to the gallows to smuggle and sell them. Moreover, we have long signed an agreement prohibiting direct attacks on Ashen Kingdom’s merchant caravans.”

“I must remind you… that the country ruled by the Red Dragon is no longer a typical monster’s nest. Its vast influence has already permeated the entire Anzeta; their products, tools, and even culture have become an essential part of the North.”

He pointed at the white paper on the table.

“Look, even these sheets of paper are their creation, yet you didn’t notice.”

“This is the terrifying influence of the Ashen Kingdom. Unknowingly, they have silently invaded our lives and are changing everything in Anzeta.”

Duke Leo’s expression grew grimmer. He stroked his fluffy white beard, seemingly deep in thought.

Trischka took out another document and spread it on the table.

“In April, we seized 1,245 smuggled items from the Ashen Kingdom. These smugglers tore off or concealed the Ashen Kingdom’s crest and replaced it with the Boske Family’s crest, claiming them to be ‘century-old heritage’ local products and marked them at extremely low prices, which incited a buying frenzy among the nobles.”

Duke Leo frowned and asked, “How did you discover them?”

Trischka sighed helplessly, answering, “Because the quality of these goods is too high. Domestically, there are no workshops of such scale and quality, so our discovery was almost a certainty.”

“And there are many similar activities in the market; we are already struggling to control it.”

“Damn it…”

Duke Leo gritted his teeth, his weathered face full of gloom.

Since the “Lionheart Alliance” over thirty years ago, the Duke had not felt such a crisis. But the appearance of Cassius changed it all, and he had never encountered an enemy like this.

Moreover, even before any direct war or conflict happened, the simplest trade alone had left him defenseless and his country in a predicament.

The shadow of the Red Dragon loomed over the entire Anzeta, and the Ashen Kingdom’s influence spread throughout the North. He couldn’t even imagine how terrifying it would be when this giant truly mobilized and went all out in war.