Continue walking towards the city center and come to the Great Altar of Istalia.

The ground rises high to form a cliff, lifting the entire altar high into the sky, just like the legendary hanging garden.

Naven spotted the building from a distance, and this was the main reason why he thought he was hallucinating - such a strange sight did not seem to exist in reality.

But when he actually saw the altar, he understood - this was the effect of magic. There must be an incredibly powerful spellcaster who made the earth bulge and lift the ground.

"Miraculous buildings, special weapons, legendary spellcasters. This is definitely not something a newly emerging country can possess."

"Do they possess the entire heritage of some ancient empire?"

Or is there a powerful god behind them who is as powerful as His Majesty Amaunator?"

"How many secrets does the Burning Empire hide? Their ambitions are probably not limited to Anzeta."

Naven looked up at the cliff that was like a pillar supporting the sky, and felt worried about the future of Cassander.

Suddenly, the tiefling's voice sounded, interrupting his thoughts.

“Sir Naven, this is it.”

"Please go up alone and see me."

The tiefling captain extended his hand and made a "please" gesture.

"Thank you."

Naven walked along the circular staircase on the smooth cliff with a very uneasy mood.

The altar was located very high, and it took him nearly twenty minutes to reach the top.

Fortunately, Naven himself is also a priest who is close to the extraordinary. Under the sun, his physical condition is much better than that of ordinary people, so he is not exhausted and out of breath.

"Hello again, Naven."

A familiar voice came from the top of the altar.

Naven raised his head nervously, but he did not see the huge red dragon as expected, but a young noble with black hair and golden eyes.

The man was wearing a red robe with gold thread and a luxurious crown inlaid with gems on his head. His face was extremely handsome, and his light golden pupils were so deep that people could not help but want to worship him.

He just lay on his side on the throne, his posture quite casual, but there was a sense of oppression in his every move. That kind of temperament was like the authority of a god and could not be concealed no matter what.

——This is Cassius in human form.

"He, he looks more distinguished than Mr. Otis."

"More. Like a god."

And suddenly an extremely presumptuous and daring idea appeared in Naven's mind. If he expressed this idea in front of His Majesty Otis, it would be very likely to lead to his death.

Naven Besalius shuddered.

Only then did he come back to his senses from his shock and surprise, and realized the true identity of the "young nobleman" in the distance.

Thinking of this, Naven quickly bent down deeply and saluted: "Meet His Majesty Cassius, I'm sorry, I was rude just now."

"But please allow me to explain. I was shocked by your empire and distracted by your heroic demeanor, which is why I made such a stupid mistake."

Cassius casually created a bunch of flames on his hands, turned his head to look at him, and said lightly: "No need to say more, I don't care about these."

He chuckled and said in a rather playful tone, "I would like to congratulate your Majesty Otis for once again defending the Holy City and firmly holding the symbol of the royal power of Holy Fadlan in his hands."

"Thank you for your concern."

Naven said: "Your Majesty, I still take His Majesty Otis with me."

"I know why you came."

Cassius interrupted him.

The flames condensed into glowing red beads in his hands, and then disappeared.

"I have said before that I am a peace-loving ruler, and now is the period of development for the empire. At least within this year, the Burning Embers Empire will remain neutral and will not participate in the war between the kingdoms of Fadlan."

Hearing this, Naven breathed a sigh of relief.

Emperor Burning Embers said these words himself.

This is absolutely impossible. This means that the Burning Empire has not become a military ally of the Thracian Kingdom!

The worst case scenario he had imagined had not yet happened!

Thinking of this, Naven decided to try again: "Your Majesty Cassius, His Majesty Otis said that as long as you can form an alliance with us, he is willing to pay..."

"Let's not discuss this matter."

Cassius interrupted again.

He stared at Naven at the bottom of the stairs and asked in a strange tone: "Do you think - I am a dragon that can be easily bribed by gold coins?"

Naven was sweating all over, and he lowered his head quickly and responded: "Of course not, Your Majesty."

"I have seen a lot as I traveled along the Anzeta Corridor. Your subjects are all in awe of your wisdom and foresight."

This was not pure flattery, but what he had seen with his own eyes and heard with his own ears. Naven was also quite surprised by this phenomenon when he passed through various cities disguised as a merchant.

After the Emperor Ranjin's "national tour" with a legendary and mythical color, the Propaganda Department vigorously promoted it, shamelessly whitewashed it, and even published popular stories such as "The Grace of His Majesty Cassius".

As word of mouth spread, the emperor's image in the country became increasingly majestic. Farmers, merchants, and citizens could all feel his favor, and his image had even become close to a symbol of the empire.

"The emperor's attitude is very clear."

"It seems that I will disappoint His Majesty Otis. It seems that I really can't make the Empire an ally."

Seeing that Casius's attitude was so firm, Naven sighed deeply in his heart and buried this idea deep in his heart.

But this time, he came here with an important mission.

Naven took a deep breath and glanced tentatively at the man on the throne.

After observing that his expression was normal, he lowered his head and spoke again: "Your Majesty, we have another matter, but I don't know if I should tell you."

"explain."

"We discovered weapons similar to those of the Burning Empire during our battles with the Thracian army."

"So - you are doubting that the Burning Empire is aiding Thrace?"

There seemed to be a hint of anger in his voice.

This question made Naven's scalp tingle.

He waved his hands quickly and explained in panic: "No, that's not the case. It's just that His Majesty Otis is a little curious and wants to learn about this weapon from you."

"Haha, you guessed it right. Those weapons came from the Burning Empire."

This answer caught Naven off guard and he froze in his place.

But Cassius continued: "But this is not aid in any sense, just the most ordinary trade."

"They pay gold coins, and the Empire gives them weapons. It's that simple."

"This"

Naven didn't know what to say for a moment.

Such special weapons can actually be sold? And sold to their potential enemies?

"Your Kingdom of Cassander doesn't seem to have the right to interfere in the trade between the Empire and the Kingdom of Thrace, right?"

"of course."

Naven responded earnestly.

"We in the Burning Empire have always advocated free trade."

"As long as you pay enough gold coins, you can also obtain weapons like that. They are even more advanced than those from the Thracian Kingdom."

The corners of Cassius' mouth curled up in an imperceptible arc, but Naven, who bowed his head respectfully and panted with excitement, did not notice it.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Naven replied with great excitement.

This thought came to his mind: Maybe this visit could help him change the situation! (End of this chapter)