At the top of the high tower in the center of the Black Wings, the current matriarch of the Jezred family, Shalena Jezred, stared at the white torrent on the crystal ball with an extremely solemn expression.

At the round table were a dozen female drow with different expressions. They were the elders of the Jezred family and the real rulers of this city.

Drow elves have always respected women, and male drow are often only fit to be slaves for venting desires.

"Courting" is the duty of women, who choose their mates like choosing a domesticated animal and change them frequently.

But at this moment, facing the imminent danger, these drow elves have no time to enjoy their desires.

"For God's sake Ross, what the hell are those?"

Salina asked through gritted teeth.

As she spoke, a thin black mist filled the tower.

As a descendant of the shadow dragon, Sharlaina not only has the pointed ears of a drow elf, but also black scales often appear on her face. She also has the ability to cast shadow spells.

"According to the scouts we sent out, they are undead skeletons. They should come from Dragon Shadow City."

"Could it be Mortifil? No, we have already confirmed it. He is dead completely."

"Wasn't Dragon Shadow City destroyed by that red dragon a long time ago?"

The drow elves were talking among themselves.

But Shalena said in a deep voice: "It is the Burning Empire - the Burning Empire with the 'Burning World Dragon' as its emperor in the legend."

"The empire on the surface?"

"damn it!"

"That, that red dragon."

"These greedy guys obviously live on the surface, why do they want to meddle with the affairs of the Underdark!"

The drow elves were suddenly in chaos, some were terrified, some were angry, and some were full of resentment.

"Green-footed dragon snake skeleton."

"High-level corpse demon."

Sharlena stared at the image on the crystal ball, her slender fingers trembling constantly.

"They are all high-level undead creatures. Such an army is definitely not put together at random. This can only mean one thing—"

By the end of her speech, her throat was trembling.

"They've got their eyes on the Jezreds, for whatever reason—they want to destroy us completely."

The tower suddenly became silent.

"Boom, boom"

Suddenly, dull noises came from the city wall, accompanied by the sound of bones rubbing against each other, mixed with the wails and screams of the drow soldiers.

"boom!"

Dozens of huge dragon and snake skeletons broke through the city wall and poured into the city, followed by thousands of undead skeletons.

The dragon and snake skeletons even climbed up the black tower and entangled around it.

The corpse demon stood on the huge skull of the dragon snake, overlooking the panicked drow elves, and once again showed a twisted smile.

"The hunt has begun."

The capital of the Burning Empire, Istalia.

"when--"

The loud and long bells rang throughout the city, awakening the sleeping people and starting a busy day.

In a beautiful mansion in the inner city, George slowly opened his eyes and yawned.

He first washed in front of the mirror, then put on his military uniform, and finally put on the bronze medal representing his status as "Imperial Baron".

"Tsk tsk, it's like a dream. A genuine dragon-blood noble."

George adjusted his collar, looked in the mirror at the pair of golden vertical pupils that symbolized his "noble bloodline," and nodded with satisfaction.

As a human who has received the gift, he already possesses the essence of magic and is closer to a true dragon than those miscellaneous dragon beasts.

However, George did not exchange for a more conspicuous half-dragon potion like those radical colleagues - he still liked himself better now.

George came to the living room as usual, put his hands together, closed his eyes, and bowed deeply in front of the red dragon statue on the highest shrine.

"Good day, Your Majesty Cassius." "I hope you will bless me with victory and glory in every battle."

George's prayers were particularly sincere and came from the heart.

Placing a statue of His Majesty in the living room and worshiping it every day has become a popular fashion in the empire - especially in the army.

Even the poorest reservist would ask the best blacksmith around to make a small statue out of fine brass and place it in the room he rented.

"Worship His Majesty, He will bring you endless victory."

"Praise His Majesty, He will bring you eternal glory."

The origin of these two sentences cannot be verified, but many officers and soldiers of the empire firmly believe in them.

After doing all this, George placed three "kinnars" in front of the statue - it is said that this currency was designed by His Majesty himself.

George then put on his Imperial Army coat, put on his military cap, and opened the door.

As soon as he stepped out of the door, he heard a warm greeting from afar.

"Good day, Sir George."

"Good day, Baron Grace."

George turned around - that was his current neighbor, Baron Grace Parid, who was also a human soldier who had won honors in the Northern War.

The two men were in similar circumstances and were of the same race, so naturally they had a close relationship.

The two dragon-blood nobles, who were also dressed in military uniforms, greeted each other and then walked together towards the station a hundred meters away.

"You're here really early."

"Haha, I heard that Marshal Dolo has been tightening military discipline recently. Several lazy officers have been dismissed. It's time to do it sooner rather than later."

"Tsk tsk, those people in the Military Court don't know how to fight a war, they can only show off their power internally."

On both sides of the road are rows of houses of similar style with gardens.

In Istalia, where every inch of land is valuable, owning a house like this is undoubtedly a great honor.

This is the inner city area of ​​Istalia. Only military officers, officials, and big businessmen are worthy of living here. Many residents here are dragon-blood nobles.

But George was just a small baron, living at the outermost part of the inner city, separated from the outer city by only a wall.

"beep--"

The steam locomotive slowly drove in and stopped at the station, spewing out puffs of white smoke.

This locomotive is somewhat different from ordinary ones. There are emblems of rifles and cannons carved on its side, and the interior is also more luxurious.

This is an official military train, which is only responsible for picking up and dropping off officers and soldiers. No outsiders are allowed to enter.

"Good day, Baron."

"Thank you for your service to the Empire."

The inspector at the door of the car glanced at the medals on the two men's chests, nodded quickly in greeting, then bowed slightly and welcomed them in.

"Woo-"

The train was running at high speed, making noises, and the whistle on top of it was spewing out puffs of smoke.

People are coming and going outside the window, including hard-working workers, shouting newspaper boys, and those falling stars running around.

There are various buildings on both sides of the road. In the distance, you can see large-scale factories with black smoke billowing from their chimneys.

George sat quietly by the window, looking at the scene passing quickly outside the window. He held his chin, thinking.

Too fast, everything changed too fast, even faster than the scenery outside the window.

A few years ago, this place was still a wasteland full of natural atmosphere, and George himself was just a lowly serf like an animal.

But now, times have changed, a magnificent city has sprung up, and he has become a respected "big man".

“It’s like a dream.”

George couldn't help but sigh again.

Looking at those buildings, he couldn't help but feel a surge of passion in his heart - and an urge to give everything for this community.

This may be the "imperial dream" described in the Istalia Times.

George thought so. (End of this chapter)