Ashen Dragon-Chapter 484 - 405
Chapter 484: 405
Chapter 484: 405
“Woo——”
A cacophony of steam whistles, machine operations, and the sound of iron wheels turning on tracks filled his ears.
On Isdalia’s wide Wyvern Street, multiple tracks crisscrossed as steam locomotives weaved through, carrying a myriad of people to various destinations within the city.
“Extra, extra! Latest Imperial Daily! His Majesty Cassius visits the Fire Elemental Plane, expanding territories once again!”
“Klaubow Armament Group issues a statement, unconditionally supporting all special actions by the Empire’s Taxation Department and harshly criticizing any tax evasion.”
“Hiring armed guards! Escort a merchant caravan to the Fadlan Region! Requirements…”
“Recruiting teammates for the latest Giant’s Relic Replica, must be Fourth Level or above, with plenty of combat experience. No Wild Magicians! No Wild Magicians!”
“Daimo Blacksmith Shop, heaven for adventurers, your top choice for crafting equipment—”
“Citizens, please follow the rules!”
“His Majesty Cassius is watching your every move!”
A bipedal wyvern carrying a knight flew low, its wings beating the air.
Listening to the familiar, noisy sounds and watching the diverse crowd on the street, George, sitting by the window, couldn’t help but smile.
“So…”
“They are the true ‘Empire Dream.'”
George then remembered why he chose to settle in Isdalia and why he felt proud of the city.
The city was always full of vitality, filled with an impure, wild, and rough vigor.
Whether it was the street vendors, the shouting newsboys, the hollering blacksmiths, or the odd Starfallen, they were all constantly climbing upward, using any means necessary—just like he once did.
The North used to make him despair, with an insurmountable gap between nobles and commoners.
This gap encompassed status, resources, perspectives, and military power, making nobles and slaves feel like they were from different species.
No matter how hard he worked, the most he could get from a noble was a remark: “This is a hardworking animal.”
Under the Northern Order, everyone was tightly bound to their positions, unable to escape for a lifetime.
Bearing the slave mark, George was born to be beneath everyone else, a fate he had to endure as a slave.
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Lowly as dirt, cheap as weeds.
According to the priests in the church, the souls of slaves were like foul-smelling water, dirty ash turned into defective products, needing constant labor to purify themselves.
To George, the Northern Kingdom was like a decayed…
Remembering this, George couldn’t help but shiver and muttered: “Fortunately… Fortunately, the North is gone.”
George was unfortunate, being born a lowly slave.
But he was also fortunate.
Because unlike his ancestors for generations, unlike thousands of other slaves, he had a chance to change his fate.
The Emperor arose like the sun, swiftly and powerfully defeating the millennia-old Northern United Kingdom.
The Empire completely destroyed the Northern Order, dragging nobles to the guillotine and establishing a new order.
George knew well the Ashen Empire was neither fair nor kind. It was a terrifying mechanical beast, consuming everyone into its enormous body.
But it was also forgiving, offering everyone a chance to rise. If you served the Empire to the death, the Empire might give you something back—as Ramp called it, “social mobility.”
And George was that lucky one, stumbling into fortune multiple times. First, he gained First-Class Citizen status by reporting a spy and then earned a barony through military merit.
George’s story even appeared in the “Imperial Daily,” making him a role model for many low-born people striving for better lives.
Thinking of this, George felt sentimental as he looked at the hurried crowds outside the window.
But soon, Grace’s voice interrupted his thoughts.
“George, what are you looking at?”
George turned his head: “Nothing much, just looking at the scenery. Isdalia is developing faster and faster.”
Grace smiled and said: “The whole country’s resources are centralized in Isdalia; how could it not change quickly?”
“You probably don’t go out much. The area around Wyvern Street is nothing; the Emperor’s Square area is the most bustling. Next time, I’ll take you to see the newly completed Grand Colosseum. That’s really spectacular.”
“I’ve heard of it, but I’m not too interested.”
George smiled too, turning his head back and pointing out the window: “After all… once you’ve seen it, no other buildings would seem impressive.”
Grace looked in the direction George pointed and saw the Isdalia Grand Altar towering over the land, overlooking the city’s inhabitants.
Surrounded by wispy clouds, the magnificent white marble structure seemed almost otherworldly.
Even from the farthest corners of Isdalia, raising one’s head, one could see that white altar and remember His Imperial Majesty’s radiance.
Grace was momentarily taken aback, then shook his head with a smile: “Of course, after all, that’s the Holy Land where His Majesty Cassius was crowned Emperor.”
“I watched it rise to the sky with my own eyes, a sight… unforgettable for life.”
“Indeed.”
George also sighed.
“I even participated in the altar’s construction project, just two years ago. Back then, Isdalia was still a wilderness. Who could have imagined it would develop into the city it is today?”
