Ashen Dragon-Chapter 1287 - 400: City of the Setting Sun
After Tiamat was defeated, the Dragon Worshipers within Sunset City completely collapsed, and the Empireβs soldiers entered the city with ease. πππππ°π²π―π»ππππΉ.ππ¨π
This group of well-trained soldiers occupied important buildings such as the Seleucis Royal Palace, the Eternal Sun God Tower, the bank, and the arsenal, quickly taking control of the entire city.
In front of tens of thousands of citizens, Tiamatβs statue was shattered before their eyes; the once unseeable symbol of faith and power was now nothing more than a pile of dim rubble.
Meanwhile, Tiamatβs temple was transformed by the Empireβs construction team into the new Hall of Dragon Oath. Hundreds of Dragonsworn Holy Warriors and Emperor Priests moved in, widely distributing alms and promoting the supremacy of the Ashen Emperor.
The thousands of human slaves and sacrifices imprisoned in the dungeons were liberated. After being rescued, they were given food and water by the Emperorβs priests, who preached to them about the source of their suffering and why they had been saved.
After repeated speeches, these refugees who escaped death would become the Emperorβs most loyal followers, harboring deep hatred for the Dragon Worship Church and Tiamat.
After breaking Tiamatβs faith, it was naturally necessary to dismantle the social power structure left by the Dragon Worship Church. Under the empire guardβs extensive crackdown, the former high-ranking members of the Dragon Worship Church were all captured and imprisoned in dark dungeons.
What was once the coveted mark of the five-colored dragons had now become a symbol of disaster avoided by everyone. Those found with these marks would be arrested by the Empireβs guards, and even their friends and family would be implicated.
In this atmosphere of fear, the formerly caste-like social order was completely abolished, replaced by the Empireβs unique occupation area system.
Praising the Emperor, submitting to the Empire, and reporting spies became rare paths of promotion for the common people.
Meanwhile, based on the previous alliance agreement, the Exiled Noble Alliance of Seleucis, headed by Adrian, still held a ruling position. They justifiably moved into the local lordβs mansion, and despite it being in name only, they still had some influence over the local populace.
However, no matter what, the days of war were finally over. The people of this devastated country finally got a chance to breathe without worrying about becoming sacrifices or victims of war.
In Sunset City, people hurried about in bustling crowds.
The towering Eternal Sun God Tower still stood in the cityβs center, but it was heavily guarded, making it inaccessible to ordinary people.
The grand city walls had been largely shattered by Tiamatβs Breath, and the construction teams from the Empire, who had traveled from afar, were busily repairing them. Large machinery like cranes, excavators, and concrete mixers now appeared in the city.
The native Seleucis inhabitants initially glanced fearfully at these iron beasts making loud noises, but as time passed, they gradually got accustomed to these new things, though still somewhat curious.
A newsboy on the square was waving newspapers, shouting with a crisp voice.
"Extra! Extra! The Ashen Empireβs Prime Minister Ramp is expected to visit Sunset City in three days for friendly talks with Duke Adrian!"
"Loren, the former bishop of the Dragon Worship Church, who massacred thousands, has been captured by the Empireβs guards and will be executed this afternoon!"
"According to insiders, a common craftsman provided the intelligence and received a reward of one hundred and fifty gold coins..."
In the most bustling central area of the city, atop the lordβs mansion tower, the nominal ruler of the Kingdom of SeleucisβDuke Adrian gazed silently at this city full of thriving bustle.
Adrian, once a frivolous noble scion, was now regarded as a hero for slaying several giant dragons with the Blade of Brilliance in the war against the Tiamat Church, earning the Seleucis peopleβs respect as the "Son of the Sun" and the "Dragon Slayer."
Within the allied forces, he also held significant prestige, with many Empire officers showing him respect and hoping that this warrior inheriting Amanataβs Divine Power would join the Imperial Army.
"The war is over, the Dragon Worship Church destroyed, Iβve become a respected Duke, everything seems to be moving in the direction I hoped for, except..."
Adrian watched the iron beasts beside the distant city wall, the Ashen Emperorβs grand figure and that youthful face with a confused expression floating into his mind again.
Is this what he really wanted?
"Lord Adrian, they are still waiting for you in the hall," his attendant whispered beside him, interrupting his thoughts.
Adrian instructed softly, "Tell them Iβm busy now, have them come back in five days when Lord Ramp arrives, and we can resolve all matters together."
The attendant hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head and whispered, "Earl Clive said if you donβt come personally, he wonβt leave and intends to lead them to find you."
Adrian then retracted his gaze, looking at the attendant: "Who else besides Clive?"
The attendant replied, "Duke Vao Hawke, Duke Engel Morick, Earl Anselm Whitaker... Almost all the families in the alliance are present, my lord. I think they indeed have important matters to discuss with you."
He paused, cautiously adding, "Of course, thereβs also an envoy from the Kingdom of Cassandra, and a Divine Envoy from the Amanata Church."
