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Chapter 450: The Red Dragon's Dinner
Upon hearing the nickname "Hamid the Fingerless," veins bulged on the fire genie's forehead, and flames seemed ready to burst from his eyes as smoke rose from his body.
He drew the gold-encrusted scimitar at his waist, the blade's tip gleaming coldly as it pointed toward the source of the voice.
"Finally, I've caught you!"
"What is your intent? How dare you insult a noble fire genie, appointed by the Grand Sultan as Emir!"
"Are you questioning the Grand Sultan's rule and the guidance of the Flame Lord?"
Hamid was creating a pretext for punishment.
He wanted to show this fool the consequences of defying him.
This was about establishing dominance!
In fire genie society, the Emir and noble classes represented the will of the Grand Sultan, with a vast gulf separating nobles from commoners.
The fire genies at the banquet stepped aside, revealing an ordinary fire genie wearing a headscarf standing calmly at the end of Hamid's blade.
"What's your name?"
Hamid demanded, his face twisted in a cruel smile.
The fire genie raised his head, meeting the towering noble's gaze with a playful smirk.
"Heh, that doesn't matter."
"Dear Hamid, do you recognize this?"
Under the curious stares of the fire genies, the figure slowly pulled out a gold ring from his pocket.
The ring shimmered with flames dancing across its surface.
"Hiss—"
"That's…"
"How could this be possible?"
The fire genies gasped in shock, their breath catching, as did Hamid.
It was the ring that had been on the finger Hamid lost to a human.
"Who… who are you?"
"How did you get in here?"
"Why is that ring in your hand?"
Hamid's eyes flickered with confusion as he barked questions, his imposing facade cracking under pressure.
Deep down, he knew this fire genie's composure wasn't an act.
"Through a hidden passage, of course. The fire dwarves who built this city despise you."
"Tsk tsk, you fire genies claim to be the most civilized and intelligent species of the Fire elemental Plane."
"But from what I've seen, you're no better than the ogres under my command."
"Who am I?"
Magical light shimmered across the "fire genie's" form, hinting at a powerful transformation.
"Arrogant fool, you—"
"Boom!"
Before Hamid could finish, the figure expanded rapidly, forcing everyone to crane their necks upward.
"By the Flame Lord…"
"How can this be?"
The towering shadow overwhelmed them as Hamid muttered in disbelief.
A colossal red dragon filled the hall, shattering chandeliers with its massive spiked back, its enormous wings enveloping half the room.
Cassius lowered his head, his golden eyes locking onto Hamid with a predatory grin.
"Wasn't it obvious? Couldn't you guess?"
He finally completed his sentence, his voice dripping with mockery.
"I'm the ruler of the kingdom you planned to destroy, and the lord you intended to trample beneath your feet—my dear Emir Hamid."
The fire genie noble trembled, whispering frantically: "Ancient dragon… no, he's larger than an ancient red dragon."
"Damn it, how does such a being exist in the material plane? He should be in the Nine Hells with Tiamat!"
Hamid looked up, his lava-red face pale, contorting into a forced smile.
"Great dragon, this must be a misunderstanding."
"Your followers have misinterpreted—"
His weak excuses were cut short.
Cassius leaned in, sneering as he studied the trembling fire genie.
"A misunderstanding?"
"I don't see any misunderstanding."
The dragon's voice grew heavier, shifting from playful to menacing.
"Arrogant and ignorant fire genie, I see no misunderstanding—only insults directed at me, pursuits of my followers, and sieges against my forces."
"I offered you a chance to redeem yourself, yet you openly humiliated me, vowed to destroy my kingdom, and crush me underfoot."
His voice thundered through the brass palace like rolling storm clouds.
"I came here in good faith, seeking cooperation, but you have chosen to be my enemy."
"Now, you and your people will pay the price!"
"Roar—"
The dragon's roar echoed across the city.
Overwhelming dragon fear spread like a tidal wave, striking terror into every living being within the city.
Laboring fire dwarves, fire lizards, fire genie slaves, and even the whip-wielding overseers all trembled.
"Run!"
"Protect the Emir!"
"We can't fight this!"
Chaos broke out as fire genies scattered.
Though a brave race, no fire genie could stand firm before such a terrifying dragon.
Fire genies turned to smoke and embers as they fled.
Hamid, the fastest among them, led the charge, screaming:
"Guards! Protect me!"
"Don't let him catch me!"
His speed displayed the formidable spellcasting abilities of a noble.
Cassius didn't rush; he stretched his wings leisurely before opening his jaws.
"Whirrr—"
A swirling magical vortex formed within his mouth, creating a powerful suction—it was [Dragon Absorption].
"No—"
"The suction is too strong!"
"Emir, help!"
The fire genie guards desperately tried to escape but were pulled toward the dragon like debris into a black hole.
"Aaaaah!"
"For the Grand Sultan!"
"By the Flame Lord, die, you cursed reptile!"
Realizing escape was impossible, the guards launched a final, desperate assault.
Swords slashed, arrows flew, and flames surged toward Cassius.
But none of it could harm the massive dragon; it was less effective than an itch.
"Ssshhh—"
The air crackled as Cassius unleashed a torrent of flames, consuming the fire genies.
"No—"
"How can fire hurt me?"
"I don't want to die…"
Though elemental spirits, fire genies were powerless against the dragon's flames, imbued with superior magical essence that absorbed their very being.
Within mere breaths, the flames continued to burn fiercely, while the fire genies had already turned to ash.
Even their weapons melted, dripping onto the floor.
"Hiss—"
Cassius reabsorbed the flames, feeling the newfound power surging within him as he licked his lips.
"So much energy from mere fire genies…"
"I wonder how much a noble like Hamid would provide."
His golden eyes fixated on the fleeing fire genie noble, glinting with hunger.
Cassius felt no mercy toward these enslavers and oppressors.
Enslavers would be enslaved.
Exploiters would be devoured.
This was the natural order.
And with knowledge of the Grand Sultan's true nature, Cassius felt even more emboldened.
"Damn it…"
"By the Flame Lord, he's eating them!"
"He actually dares!"
Hamid flew as fast as he could, terror-stricken by the screams of his guards being devoured behind him.