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Chapter 449: Hamid's Banquet
The Burning Wasteland, Iron City.
This city was built on an iron hemisphere spanning several miles, displaying a mottled hue, with rivers of flowing flames surrounding its perimeter.
Outside the brass gates, massive and terrifying creatures like multi-headed flame serpents and flame pythons patrolled.
The low hissing "Ssss" echoed through the flaming rivers, as the hungry beasts awaited to devour any uninvited intruders.
Inside the city, there were fountains of fire, burning palaces, and mansions made of charcoal.
This city could be considered a spectacle, but it was merely a poor imitation of the legendary "Brass City."
According to the fire dwarves, it wasn't even one ten-thousandth of the Brass City's grandeur.
Although perhaps exaggerated, it still showcased the magnificence of the legendary Brass City and the fire dwarves' extraordinary building skills.
"Praise the great Grand Sultan!"
"Praise the Flame Lord!"
At this moment, within the tallest brass structure at the city's center, melodic flute music filled the air, accompanied by enthusiastic cheers and shouts.
This was a grand banquet where all the fire genies of the city had gathered to celebrate the arrival of their new Emir.
The Grand Sultan was a fire genie with immense power and authority, assisted by various chieftains, governors, and Emir nobles, with six powerful Pashas as his direct servants.
The protagonist of this banquet was named Hamid Abdul, a noble-born fire genieâappointed by the Grand Sultan to govern Iron City as its new Emir.
"By the Flame Lord above!"
"What a grand event! Iron City hasn't been this lively in centuries!"
"Let us welcome the new Emir of Iron Cityâthe honorable Hamid!"
"Hamid!"
The fire genies cheered loudly.
A towering fire genie appeared in the brass hall, surrounded by his retinue.
"Praise the honorable and powerful Hamid Abdul!" someone shouted.
This fire genie noble was much larger than the average fire genie, standing over five meters tall.
His robust body had fiery red skin, coal-like eyes, short black horns atop his head, and wisps of smoke rising from his body.
He wore a robe of fine silk and satin over his lava-colored skin, adorned with golden rings, chains, and bracelets.
A closer look revealed a missing segment on one of his fingers, covered by an exaggerated golden finger guard.
Hamid scanned the surroundings and spoke in a deep, powerful voice:
"By the Flame Lord, welcome to my inauguration banquet!"
"I come representing the will of the great Sultan to oversee Iron City and to strengthen the Fire genie Nation!"
The fire genies filled their brass cups with steaming hot wine, raising them high as Hamid continued.
"Tonight, let us drink to our hearts' content! I will build a powerful army, and together, we will conquer and plunder, bringing slaves and wealth to Iron City!"
"Praise Lord Hamid!"
"You are the rightful Emir, the Grand Sultan's voice!"
Amid cheers, Hamid lifted his head and downed his drink in one gulp, exhaling wine-scented smoke.
Fire genies considered all other creatures as enemies or potential serfs.
They often raided material and elemental planes, capturing slaves to bring back to their homes in the Fire elemental Plane.
Hamid's speech resonated deeply with the fire genies, inspiring them to sing joyfully.
"We are the masters of the Fire elemental Plane! Powerful beings of legend!"
"Plunder! Pillage!"
"All inferior races shall bow at our feet and become our slaves!"
They drank the hot wine, ate charred bread and roasted meat, and tossed around stolen gold and jewels.
Hamid, looking elated, thought to himself that this was exactly what he wanted.
However, during the last banquet, he had suffered an unfortunate incidentâlosing a finger to a half-blood from the material plane.
"Damn that mongrel!"
"Daring to offend a noble fire genie, I will make sure they know the meaning of true hell."
He rubbed the golden finger guard, imagining the torment he would inflict on the human.
Fire genies were deceitful and ruthless, relentlessly seeking revenge on anyone who offended themâHamid was no exception.
But his revenge plans had yet to succeed.
"Heh, today is my day of celebration; I won't think about that miserable mongrel for now."
He tore off a piece of roasted flame wyvern leg, stuffing it into his mouth as he joined the feast.
As beings of elemental essence, they didn't need food but wouldn't refuse a charred meal.
Suddenly, amidst the festive atmosphere, an incongruous voice echoed:
"Emir Hamid."
"Is it true you recently lost a finger to a human girl?"
"Isn't that right, 'Hamid the Fingerless'?"
The surrounding area fell silent.
The fire genies were so shocked that spoons and plates clattered onto the tables.
"Bam!"
Hamid slammed the table, cracking its surface.
"Who is it?"
"Who dares speak such words?"
His lava-red face turned ashen, smoke billowing from his mouth and nose, while flames flickered atop his head.
The comment had hit a nerve!
Fire genies were a proud, warlike race, and Hamid, as a noble and the newly appointed Emir of Iron City, had suffered the disgrace of losing a finger to a human.
It was a humiliation of the highest order!
The derogatory nickname "Hamid the Fingerless" had begun circulating recently among the fire genies.
If this continued, his dignity as an Emir would be lost.
Enraged, Hamid roared:
"Cowardly fool!"
"Where is the courage granted by the Flame Lord? You have the audacity to speak but not to show yourself?"
He glared at the gathered fire genies.
They nervously lowered their heads, exchanging glances but remaining silent, unwilling to face Hamid's wrath.
"Hmph."
Hamid snorted.
"Fine, keep hiding, you spineless cowards! The Flame Lord will punish you!"
Pacing through the hall, he continued: "You think I won't take revenge on that human mongrel?"
"You're wrong!"
"I let her live on purpose because burning her alive would be too merciful. I will make her experience utter despair!"
Hamid's speech grew more impassioned, his voice louder.
"I will destroy her pathetic kingdom, burn her home to ashes, and trample her lord underfootâ"
"Clap! Clap! Clap!"
Clear applause interrupted Hamid.
The familiar voice returned, filled with undisguised mockery.
"Well said."
"Your daydreams are quite entertaining, esteemed 'Hamid the Fingerless.'"