Chapter 365: Debate and Audience
Northwind Fortress, Iron Dragonwing Palace.
Cassius reclined on the massive steel throne, with an angry Olivia standing not far before him.
The silver dragon had taken on her human form, appearing as a silver-haired girl dressed in a starlit gown.
"Cassius, why are you still slaughtering those Northern nobles? They've already surrendered—there's no need for such senseless killing!"
"No, this isn't slaughter."
"It is judgment."
Cassius opened his eyes and spoke calmly. Lazily extending a claw, a vivid magical image appeared midair.
"Death! Death! Kill him!"
The image depicted a furious crowd, gathered in a square, raising their hands and shouting fanatically.
Cassius watched the scene with a smile and said, "Do you see this?"
"It wasn't me who killed them, but the enraged Northern people. Or rather, the Northern nobles dug their own graves—along with their lives."
"This is the price they had to pay, a judgment of justice and righteousness."
"If it weren't for centuries of ruthless oppression and cruel exploitation by the Northern nobles, would the people hate them so much as to drag them to the guillotine?"
"This..."
Olivia frowned, momentarily speechless, unsure of how to counter his argument.
After all, the trials were indeed conducted under the supervision of the Northern people, aligning with their will. Even though the Kingdom had deliberately incited emotions, this was an undeniable truth.
For someone like Olivia, aligned with lawful good, using practical reasons like "dividing the populace and solidifying rule" to justify the trials was clearly inappropriate.
But terms like "righteous judgment" and "resistance against oppression" sounded noble and aligned with the benevolent mindset of metallic dragons.
Cassius thought this silently.
Olivia shook her head and said softly, "No matter what, your methods are too extreme. I admit oppression existed, but some of those people didn't deserve to die."
"But it was still the people's choice—wasn't it?"
Cassius replied in the same manner.
Facing the red dragon's lofty reasoning, cloaked in the guise of "justice," Olivia found herself at a loss for words. She could only clutch her skirt tightly in frustration.
Cassius slowly rose, shaking off his massive draconic body.
"Olivia, the process of unification is often brutal and violent. The dying old order will inevitably resist fiercely, and the bloodshed cannot be avoided."
"Only through such means can lasting peace be achieved."
The red dragon turned to Olivia, his pale golden eyes glimmering.
"However, absolute violence cannot sustain long-term rule or establish a new order. Therefore, kindness and order are essential for a nation's existence."
"And that—this—is why I invited you to join the Kingdom, my dear Councilor Olivia."
Olivia hurriedly lowered her head, avoiding his deep, entrancing gaze. Her lips pressed tightly together.
"I... I understand."
"I will fulfill my duties faithfully."
The skirt in her hands was wrinkled and crumpled from her grip, and sweat beaded on her brow.
Olivia had spent days preparing rebuttals, readying herself for confrontation, even mentally preparing for the possibility of provoking him.
Yet, when she truly faced this red dragon, she still cowered, unable to articulate a single complete argument.
"He's controlled me again..."
Olivia bit her lip, thinking this silently.
Suddenly, Cassius's voice interrupted her thoughts: "By the way, Olivia, how is your injury?"
The silver-haired girl gently shook her head. "It's nothing. The spear wasn't aimed at me, so I only suffered a bit of Abyssal energy contamination."
Cassius smiled and said, "Speaking of which, I must thank you for stepping in back then."
His words sounded unusually sincere.
Caught off guard by his sudden gratitude, Olivia hesitated.
She stubbornly replied, "When I shielded you then, it wasn't just to save you—it was to prevent Abyssal influence from corrupting you and bringing greater harm to the Material Plane..."
Suddenly, a faint glow of magical energy surrounded her. Her body swelled rapidly, transforming back into a slender, elegant silver dragon, with wounds tainted by chaotic energy still visible on her wings.
"If you're injured, stop maintaining your polymorph form, and don't foolishly think about fighting for those nobles' justice."
"Focus on recovering."
Cassius's voice rang out again.
Olivia felt a silvery light descend, soothing her wounds. The sensation was oddly familiar.
"Is this..."
"Bahamut's power?"
"Could it be... could Cassius have truly converted to the Lord of the Northwind?"
Such thoughts flashed through Olivia's mind as she slowly closed her eyes.
The slender, graceful silver dragon breathed rhythmically, her wing wounds healing rapidly, the chaotic energy dissipating.
"So, this is the power of order..."
Cassius held the radiant "Wind of Bahamut" gem while casually waving his right claw.
As space twisted, a portal appeared before him, teleporting Olivia's dragon form to the palace's secondary hall.
Now, Cassius's control over the [Kingdom's Domain]had reached its peak. Within the Kingdom's territory, he was confident he could defeat Ozzedro without relying on any external power.
...…
"Master."
A voice emerged from the magical mirror in the grand hall.
With the magic web unsealed, Langpu's grotesque face appeared on the mirror's surface.
"What is it?"
"Master, I've found a highly talented human girl in Northwind Fortress. At just nine years old, she can access the third layer of the magic web, showing potential for legendary sorcery."
"Additionally, she harbors deep resentment toward the Northern nobles and a strong sense of allegiance to the Kingdom."
"Oh?"
"What's her name?"
Cassius's interest was piqued.
To be self-taught and cast third-circle spells without magical education at just nine years old was an extraordinary talent, even across the entire Fianso continent.
"Misha. Her name is Misha."
Langpu quickly responded.
"Misha..."
"This name seems familiar."
Cassius's long-buried memories resurfaced.
"The Mad Fire Witch" Misha, a slave sold to a noble earl, suffered inhumane abuse in his dungeon.
She eventually snapped, awakening unparalleled fire magic talent.
Misha incinerated the earl and hundreds of others, turning the entire city into an inferno, and established the "Infernal Flame Tower," dedicated to burning all things.
After players arrived, Misha became the final boss of the [Mad Fire Witch] questline. She died before the age of seventeen but had reached a challenge level of 16.
"This just got interesting."
"Truly a legendary-level talent, with even greater potential in the future. Such a promising seed cannot be wasted."
Cassius stroked his chin, thinking this.
"Langpu, bring her here immediately."
"Yes, Master."