Ashen Dragon

Sgurr Town.

At the Baron's Mansion.

Todd Rackman clasped his hands together, looking deeply troubled.

A close attendant patiently served him—it was Todd's new butler, named Charlotte, who had a knack for pleasing the Baron with his words.

Todd couldn't help but ask the attendant, "What should I do? My father has already sent a message. The Allied Forces might choose Sgurr Town as their camp. Once they discover my collusion with the Ashen Nest, then..."

Thinking of his father's crimson eyes made Todd's body shiver uncontrollably.

The attendant simply said, "You must make a choice. You can choose to become a faithful servant of the evil dragons, or become... the hero of your family."

"What should I do?"

Todd clung to the suggestion like a lifeline.

The attendant replied, "It's straightforward. The first step is to eliminate Hart and report the situation here to your family."

Todd immediately gnashing his teeth said, "Yes, yes, we need to get rid of Hart, that scourge, that traitor! He's the one who brought this Red Dragon here. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be in this predicament. That damned lapdog!"

Perhaps alert to the sounds of war, Hart had recently become all-seeing over the Baron's activities, acting increasingly brazenly, paying no heed to Baron Todd.

This made the Baron extremely displeased, growing ever more hateful towards Hart. How dare the former slave trader, once groveling at his feet, now rise above him?

The attendant offered advice at the right moment, "My lord Baron, maybe you need a banquet."

"Oh?"

"Hart has become so arrogant that he completely disregards you. He's certain that out of concern for the Ashen Nest, you wouldn't dare act against him. So, you could invite him to a banquet, using the opportunity to eliminate him completely."

Baron Todd pondered for a moment, slowly lowering his clasped hands.

"Alright, let's do it."

"I'll make sure he knows who the real master here is...."

The Baron's pupils glowed with a bloody light.

...

In the dim hall, candle flames flickered.

The long table was laden with a feast, with several soldiers standing guard nearby.

Hart and the Baron sat across from each other at the long table, while the attendant Charlotte stood by.

Hart spoke first, laughing heartily, "My lord Baron, did you call me over just to treat me to a sumptuous dinner? It seems that someone as proud as you has learned how to please others."

Baron Todd's pale face showed a false smile, "You're right, Hart... my lord."

He slowly rose, straightened his clothes, then walked to stand behind Hart.

The attendant followed closely behind.

Hart seemed unaware of the danger, leaning back in his chair, smugly saying, "What, my dear Baron, are you going to serve me dinner?"

Baron Todd stood behind Hart, a crimson light appearing deep in his pupils.

"Yes, of course, serve dinner—"

His tone turned somewhat sinister.

In an instant, Baron Todd lunged forward, sharp fangs aiming for Hart's neck. Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire

Only by draining this insolent human's blood could Todd alleviate his hatred; he wanted Hart to witness his own life draining away.

"Crunch."

There was no familiar sensation of flesh.

Instead, Hart's neck, which should have been soft and vulnerable, was covered in hard, crimson scales that broke Todd's fangs.

Baron Todd, face contorted, cried out in shock, "How could this be—"

Hart, expecting this, laughed wildly, "You, a vermin of the shadows, how could you understand the power of a master!

"Look, this is the noble bloodline of the True Dragon!"

Hart then slowly stood, turning around, his bulging muscles tearing through his clothes.

Not just his neck; scales also covered the sides of his face, though hidden by his hair. Even his eyes had turned into golden vertical pupils, sharp claws growing from his hands.

Baron Todd shouted, "Quick! Guards! Kill this monster for me!"

The soldiers standing guard immediately raised their spears, but instead of attacking Hart as Todd expected, they pointed their weapons at Baron Todd.

A heavy cloud of darkness fell over Baron Todd's face, followed by uncontrollable anger, "Damn it! You betrayed me!"

"These lowly humans truly can't be trusted!"

In his fury, he lost his mind, directly casting a spell at Hart.

"Mayuf's Strong Acid Arrow!"

An acid arrow flew towards Hart but was blocked by an invisible shield.

Baron Todd tried to cast a teleportation spell to escape, but found the room surrounded by Whispering Flowers—a special material that suppresses magic, rendering him unable to pass through.

Growing more infuriated, he thought, "There's another spellcaster? This is a complete ambush, and I'm the prey!"

"No, it's Charlotte!"

"You are the biggest traitor!"

Baron Todd angrily turned around, only to see the always humble attendant now showing a disdainful expression.

[Hypnotism]

Charlotte's hand glowed with eerie magical light.

Baron Todd immediately fell into a magical sleep, collapsing to the ground.

Hart kicked the unconscious vampire variant on the ground, laughing heartily, "Well done, Charlotte, this vampire hiding in the darkness isn't very powerful but has too many ways to escape.

"It wouldn't be good if he escaped back to Northwind Castle."

He laughed, "Poor Baron Todd, thinking he had set a trap for me, only to become the prey himself."

Charlotte said, "Lord Hart, about the reward you promised...."

Hart waved his hand generously, "Don't worry, five hundred gold coins, not a single coin less, and all the magic scrolls in the Baron's Mansion, plus positions in Sgurr Town will be reserved for you, as long as you do your job well."

Hart was about to use a silver knife to kill the vampire, but Charlotte hurriedly stopped him.

"Don't kill him. Lord Ramp specifically instructed that he needs to study the vampire variant."

At the mention of Ramp's name, Hart shivered and sighed, "Tsk tsk, this poor Baron won't even be able to wish for death."

When it was all over, the guards revealed their true identities.

—They were all members of the [Magic Coin] guild!

The vice president Bright Moon, guild members Heavenly Fire, Mage of Love, Kabaleba, and many other renowned mage players were there.

Even the maid serving the meal was disguised by the Sky Flying Witch.

These players mastered advanced techniques learned in the New Era, flattering and serving Baron Todd, quickly becoming his trusted confidants within the mansion.

Poor Baron Todd believed he had found allies free from the control of the Ashen Nest, not realizing they were all players eyeing his head.

Charlotte laughed wildly, hands on hips, "Haha, completing this set of tasks has filled our guild's coffers. From now on, Sgurr Town is the territory of the Magic Coin guild!"