Chapter 445: Arrival at the Brass Fortress
"Boom!"
The red dragon flapped his massive wings in the sky, casually shattering a meteor blocking his path.
Cassius squinted slightly, asking nonchalantly, "How do your fire dwarves live?"
Hearing this question, the previously panicked Grinn immediately puffed out his chest with pride.
"Each has their duty, Cassius, Your Majesty."
"The society of us fire dwarves is the most perfect in this plane. Unlike the brutality of the fire genies or the savagery of the fire lizards, every fire dwarf inherits their parents' profession at birth and dedicates their entire life to fulfilling that responsibility."
"The brass-skirted nobles govern and defend against external threats, the bronze-skirted merchants handle trade and sales, and the copper-skirted workers are servants, craftsmen, and laborers."
"Our lives are always orderly; every fortress operates like a finely tuned machine."
Grinn's tone brimmed with pride.
Fire dwarves are known for their dedication, and Grinn, as a guide, was no exception. He was eager to share all he knew.
"A caste system," Cassius thought as he listened to Grinn's flawless description of their society, casting him a sly glance.
"So you're considered a noble among fire dwarves?"
Grinn puffed out his chest again, making sure to shake the brass skirt he wore proudly.
"Of course, Your Majesty. My Cardoso family has been among the fire dwarf nobility for four thousand years."
"Seven hundred years ago, my father personally forged my body and infused it with the flame of life. Their memories of constructing the Iron City and the Brass City were passed down to me."
The pale gold pupils of the red dragon flickered with a barely noticeable hint of surprise.
Seven hundred years.
That was no short span of time, even for "long-lived species" like dragons as mortals called them.
A seven-hundred-year-old dragon would be referred to as an "ancient dragon," the final stage of a dragon's life where it could still reproduce.
Many chromatic dragons didn't even live this long before being slain by armies or adventurers.
To Cassius, a "adolescent dragon" barely over twenty, it seemed an eternity.
"Impressive," he said.
"Grinn Cardoso, you are fortunate."
"Perhaps you will become the bridge for communication between the Empire and the fire dwarf nation."
The red dragon's gaze fell on the fire dwarf held in his claws, a diminutive figure yet venerable in age. For the first time, he regarded Grinn with a measure of respect.
Previously, he had seen the Elemental Plane of Fire solely as a resource to plunder for fire elemental energy.
Now, he realized the Empire might need its own colony here.
"Heh, thank you, Your Majesty," Grinn said, scratching his head, oblivious to Cassius's deeper intentions.
He merely felt this terrifying-looking emperor seemed rather kind, even favorable towards his people.
"We're almost there," Grinn announced.
"That's it, the Brass Fortress of the fire dwarves."
The red dragon angled his wings slightly and began his descent.
The fortress's visible portion above ground was built of gleaming brass and basalt.
"Wait… what is that?"
Roars and howls echoed from the ground, accompanied by familiar explosions and the hiss of steam.
From his high vantage point, Cassius saw what appeared as specks of lifeforms engaged in a chaotic melee. Fire and steam covered the ground.
He spotted fire lizards wielding halberds, towering fire genies, and even winged flame drakes.
The opposing side consisted of fire dwarves wielding hammers and the Empire's vanguard equipped with rifles and artillery.
"Cassius, Your Majesty!"
"It's the raiders of the fire genies! Those despicable, shameless beings are attacking again!" Grinn exclaimed.
Cassius squinted, his pale gold pupils glinting with mirth as a sinister smile tugged at his lips.
"The fire genie army?"
"Looks like I've arrived at just the right time."
The red dragon's colossal body shimmered with faint magical light as he beat his wings, accelerating.
"Boom!"
A deafening sonic boom resounded.
With the ripping sound of air, the red dragon streaked through the fiery plane's sky like a crimson comet.
The orange-red horizon was split by a long trail of explosive clouds, dividing the heavens in two.
"Boom!"
A cannonball descended, crushing a fire lizard's head.
"Sizzle—"
The anguished cry of the fire species echoed.
The fire lizard's snake-like lower body twitched a few times before going still. The burning fibers covering its body began to extinguish.
"Clang!"
Its halberd fell to the ground.
Yet the fire genie nearby stood with arms crossed, coldly observing. Drawing a curved blade from his waist, he raised it high.
"You vile creatures from the Material Plane!"
"Hand over the half-blood human named Misha! Only then will we spare your lives!"
"And you fire dwarves! Continue hiding these interlopers, and we will shatter your Brass Fortress!"
"Boom!"
The fire genie's words were met with a barrage of scorching metal shells, forcing him to dodge frantically.
"By the Flame Sovereign, these damn Material Plane mongrels!"
"Destroy them!"
The fire genie raised his blade with his left hand, brandishing a whip in his right as he shouted in fury, flames blazing in his eyes.
"Roar—"
"Attack!"
Flame drakes and fire lizards launched another assault.
Meanwhile, in the defensive structures before the Brass Fortress, the Empire's vanguard grew increasingly agitated. Leading them was a half-dragon.
His name was Serkan Wood. Having joined during the Kingdom of Ember era, he had earned numerous accolades in the Northern Battlefield and risen to the rank of a baron—now overseeing operations in the perilous Fire Plane.
This time, he had volunteered to lead the most elite half-dragons to this dangerous front, only to face unprecedented setbacks.
"I've had enough of these damn fire elemental bastards!" Serkan spat angrily, kicking at the fortifications.
His half-dragon deputy nodded in agreement, lamenting, "By the great Cassius, explosions barely faze them—even direct hits from shells are needed to do any damage."
Serkan cursed, "When we return, I'll report to the Empire's Magic Division and demand a squad of ice and water element specialists to annihilate these pests!"
Nearby, fire dwarves repairing the brass defenses shrank nervously at his words. They too were elemental beings.
"Buzz—"
Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
The half-dragon deputy turned, gazing skyward at a spectacular phenomenon.
At once, he formed a bold conjecture that was about to be confirmed.
"Captain!"
"Look!"
Serkan turned curiously, only to find his deputy kneeling with a fanatical expression.
Even the fire dwarves working on the defenses gaped, exclaiming, "By Moradin…"
He looked up.
"Thud."
Serkan dropped to his knees, murmuring reverently.
"By Cassius…"
The red dragon streaked across the heavens like a meteor, crashing directly into the fire genie army's ranks.
"Boom!"
The ground of the Fire Plane trembled violently as ash filled the air and flames erupted skyward.
"Look quickly—"
Serkan turned his head in confusion, only to find his adjutant already kneeling on the ground, his expression fervent with devotion.
What surprised him even more was that the fire dwarves repairing the brass fortifications were similarly stunned, shouting, "Moradin above!"
Intrigued, Serkan looked up at the sky.
"Thud."
Serkan, too, dropped to his knees, muttering under his breath.
"Cassius above…"
A massive red dragon streaked across the fiery sky like a meteor, heading straight for the fire genie's army.
"Boom!"
The ground of the Fire Elemental Plane trembled violently as ash blanketed the area and flames erupted into the sky.