Ashen Dragon

"Master, this is the situation I observed."

Alger knelt on the ground and spoke in a deep voice.

"Very good, I understand."

Cassius coiled on the highest spot, leisurely grooming his scales, displaying no sense of urgency despite the impending war.

Within Dragon Valley, the leaders of various factions from the Ashen Nest had already gathered.

Ogre Mage Ramp, Goblin Chieftain Dolores, Wyvern Leader Stieg, the Chimera, Lizardfolk Leader Acker and Shaman Koda, Kobold Magician Jin Ya...

And representatives of the newly conquered races: Orcs, Half-Goat People, Pureblood Serpentfolk. Essentially, all notable figures within the Ashen Nest were assembled in the valley, waiting attentively.

"Anzeta hasn't seen such a large-scale war for a long time, not since the Northern Lion Alliance War thirty years ago," Dailenna added.

For now, she served as a strategist and had no real decision-making power, but she was earnest in her efforts.

"According to Lord Alger's intelligence, the Allied Forces have now advanced to the edge of Stormy Ridge. Only the Tel'Fah Hills in that region are suitable for large-scale troop movements."

"And here—"

She spread out a sheepskin map, her slender finger pointing to a spot— a wide, flat valley, flanked on the north by a series of mountain barriers with only one pass leading to Stormy Ridge, and on the south, enclosed by rolling hills.

"Triel Valley is their inevitable route to Dragon Valley."

"All we need to do is hold this easily defensible pass— the Throat of Triel, and we can secure Stormy Ridge, blocking the Allied Forces from entering."

Cassius made no comment and merely looked calmly over his retainers below.

Ramp adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and said in a somber tone, "I think this is a very good idea. We can set up spell traps there in advance, causing disorder among their troops and making them lose the will to fight."

Cassius gave no response, just continued to gaze down at his retainers.

The surroundings fell silent, with most of the retainers adopting a wait-and-see attitude.

Seeing this, Dolores's eyes flickered, and he snorted a puff of white smoke from his nostrils, shouting at Ramp: "Ramp, you've been studying human spells so long that you've become as cowardly and apprehensive as a human mage! Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire

"Are we, the Ashen Nest, really going to hide and defend against a mere group of humans?"

The Great Goblin waved his spear and shouted, "We are the retainers of the mighty Red Dragon, with the blood of destruction and invasion flowing in our veins!

"We should take the initiative, using flame and strength to utterly destroy them! Crush their pathetic courage and bring them blood and death!"

This time, his proclamation received significant support from the retainers. They were mostly not very smart and extremely revered brute force, making Dolores's words resonate deeply with them.

Ramp snorted derisively, "Ignoring a natural barrier and going head-to-head with the enemy? Your head is filled with goblin dung."

"Pitiful fool."

"Exactly, Lord Ramp. Those goblins truly are greedy, cowardly, and foolish..." The Kobold Magician Jin Ya chimed in timely.

Though talking about goblins, every word made the Goblin Chieftain tremble with rage, turning his already red and ugly face even redder.

Dolores stepped forward, glaring down at him, and roared fiercely,

"Jin Ya! Get lost!"

"You are not qualified to speak here!"

But Jin Ya stood alongside the towering Ramp, giving him the courage to confront Dolores. Since they were already at odds, he figured he might as well make it worse.

The Kobold Magician opened his wings aggressively toward Dolores and said smugly, "Look, who here has the purer bloodline of the master."

"Who is the true Dragon Vein!"

Dolores laughed angrily, "You—"

"Enough."

The Dragon's voice broke the tension, and an invisible force of Dragon's Might spread through the valley, pressing heavily upon each retainer.

The scene instantly became silent, even eerily still. Whether Ogre, Goblin, or Kobold, all stood obediently, not daring to even breathe loudly.

"We do need to take the initiative."

Upon hearing this, Dolores's face lit up with joy, casting a provocative glance at Ramp.

Cassius's tone then paused.

"But..."

"I intend to give them a grand gift."

The Red Dragon rose slowly on his forelimbs, unfurling his expansive wings.

"Woo—"

The horns in Dragon Valley sounded.

The horns made from the Azure-footed Wyrmhorn emitted a sound as heavy as thunder.

Goblins drove the massive Land Dragon Beasts forward, causing the ground to tremble with a thunderous rumble. Tieflings and Lizardfolk warriors, fully armed, marched in neat formations. Meanwhile, from countless mines and nests within Stormy Ridge, Kobolds and Goblins surged out like a tidal wave.

The Ashen Nest, a terrifying beast dormant for years, finally revealed its ferocious claws and fangs.

...

In the Northern Allied Forces' camp, a hand wearing a white glove slapped a map scroll.

"Here, Triel Valley."

"Our primary campsite. We can advance to Stormy Ridge and retreat to defend the Throat of Triel, preventing the Ashen Nest from pursuing us. Everything is perfect."

The man speaking appeared to be in his forties, clad in a richly adorned knight's armor, with meticulously groomed moustaches, and an air of authority.

His name was Robert Dudley, the youngest Earl of the Rackman Duchy, the trusted son-in-law of Duke Brad Rackman, commander of the Tri-Nation Alliance, and a seasoned noble knight.

Inside the tent, a young blonde man in his twenties voiced a concern, "What if they attack from behind and trap us in the valley?"

"Hahahaha!"

The noble lords in the tent burst into laughter again.

The spokesperson was Andrei Boske, the third son of the "Northern Lion" Boske House, and a young and promising Paladin committed to the Oath of Honor.

However, aside from his personal strength, his naive impulsiveness often amused others, earning him the nickname "Little Lion" in private.

Robert stroked his moustache and laughed, "Andrei, war is not a simple game. In a war involving tens of thousands, moving troops is not as easy as a chess match."

He pointed at the map.

"Look here, with the Lext Mountains on the edge of Stormy Ridge, it is impossible for them to appear behind us without warning."

Andrei thought for a moment before replying softly,

"I understand, Lord Robert."