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The conferment ceremony ended here.

Cassius did not hide the news; instead, he made it a grand event, as if fearing people wouldn’t know.

Flyers danced in the wind like snowflakes, and this grand gathering was spread across Anzeta by wyverns.

People’s reactions varied. The nobles of the Northland were in a panic, fearing that this newly awakened red dragon would cause a disaster enough to shake their rule. They also worried that this unthinkable system would create a terrible war machine.

But many commoners had other thoughts rising in their hearts. They fled to the Ember Kingdom, hoping to seize power and seek the legendary longevity and strength of dragons.

But in any case, Cassius achieved his purpose.

He didn’t care that such behavior would prompt the northern countries to prepare early. What he cared about was sowing seeds of fire in people’s hearts, allowing the new order to be constructed more swiftly after the war ended.

Cassius lay sprawled across the Iron Throne, slightly stretching his wings. Two streams of white steam spouted from the pores on his neck, and the dragon crystal at his chest, still hot, quickly cooled and gradually dimmed.

“Three years, three years have passed already.”

“There’s still one last year. The great collapse of Holy Fadlan Empirewill occur, and fifty thousand open-beta players will descend upon Anzeta.”

“By that time, I will establish a brand new order in the Anzeta Wasteland and unify the entire Northland.”

Cassius gazed into the distance, murmuring to himself.

In the Anstica Mountains.

Alger rode a Dragon Vein Great Eagle, speeding out of the portal.

It was another routine patrol mission. Over the past three years, he had patrolled here many times, and he was already very familiar with the scenery around the portal.

But the Anstica Mountains were far more vast than he imagined. Even after all this time, there were still many unexplored areas waiting for him to discover.

Alger took out a parchment scroll from the side pouch of the great eagle.

The scroll was inlaid with the emblem of Ember.

Once unfolded, it presented a map made of magical particles.

The various mountains and rivers were vivid, glowing with a faint light, and Alger’s current position was marked by a special glowing dot.

This map had been specially prepared for Alger by the kingdom to record the areas he had already explored, and this map had been mostly filled in.

The map was actually just a trial version. In the future, the kingdom would mass-produce more complete versions, even jeweled collector’s editions, to be sold at high prices to various players, but that is another story.

“Zone 327, no sign of demons found.”

Alger lightly tapped that area, and a horizontal line automatically appeared on it, marking the area as completed. Over the past three years, he had explored hundreds of zones.

“Next is Zone 328.”

“Igor.”

Alger patted the great eagle’s neck, and it immediately understood, tightening its wings and flying through the mountains at a rapid speed.

After receiving the second bloodline blessing, Alger felt that both he and the eagle had experienced considerable progress in strength.

The eagle’s beak had grown sharp teeth, gradually shedding its bird-like appearance, growing a head similar to a sub-dragon, and Alger himself could even breathe scorching flames.

In just a moment, the great eagle passed several mountain peaks, arriving at Zone 328 marked on the map.

In the distance, the mountain range looked like jagged dragon teeth, rising and falling.

Barren, desolate.

This was Alger’s only impression of the Anstica Mountains.

The highest point of this mountain range reached more than five thousand meters, separating the Anzeta Wasteland from the south and blocking the cold currents from the north.

The mountain range, stretching hundreds of miles, was covered in thick snow all year round, with only occasional black rocks exposed in summer.

No one would attempt to cross these mountains. Even migratory birds would not choose to pass through here. No matter how strong and resilient a warrior was, they would often use narrow mountain passes instead.

If the great eagle had not experienced the Dragon Vein blessing, Alger would never have dared to rashly enter this forbidden zone of life.

“Hoo—”

The north wind howled, and the bitter wind made Alger sneeze, the smell of sulfur in the air.

But his sharp, red keratin-covered ears twitched slightly.

Alger leaned forward slightly, speaking softly:

“Igor, did you hear that?”

“That wasn’t just the wind; there was something else.”

Yes, it wasn’t just the wind; it was mixed with mournful wails and deep whispers.

He had finally found the demon’s call.

However, it could be something else. During his explorations, Alger had already slain many monsters hiding deep in the mountains—gnolls in the mountain depths, giant snowmen sleeping in ice caves, and even polar drakes hiding in the snow.

Alger spoke no more, relying on his keen hearing to track the source of the sound, using only his body to control the direction of the eagle’s flight.

He noticed the “Demon Seeking” scroll on his body glowing faintly, a blood-red light.

Maybe he had truly found it.

Alger squeezed his legs tightly, urging the great eagle into a dive.

Indeed, several dark shadows appeared in the distance, and Alger immediately pursued them.

It wasn’t until he got closer, tens of meters away, that he could see clearly—the monsters had forms combining features of vultures and humanoids, with twisted beast bodies and a pair of foul-smelling broad wings. Their mouths emitted sharp cries like the wails of women.

Alger’s expression grew serious, his brow furrowed slightly.

“Fro Demons.”

From the kingdom’s records, he already understood some basic demon species. These vulture-like creatures enjoyed feasting on humanoid beings, often using deafening screams to stun their targets.

The great eagle flew at a higher altitude, and these Fro Demons, seemingly in a hurry, had not yet noticed him.

“Follow them closely.”

Alger silently gave the order.

The great eagle maintained a steady speed, flying high and following from afar.

Eventually, those Fro Demons entered an enormous cave.

With dust-like snowflakes swirling, the Dragon Vein Great Eagle landed in front of the deep cave. Despite the whistling wind, Alger could still clearly hear the whispering and wailing from deep within.

“This is it.”

Alger drew the Everburning Greatsword from his back, holding it tightly in his hand.

The blade immediately ignited, illuminating the surroundings, allowing him to barely see the path ahead.

The demons carried with them the corrupting contagion of the Abyss itself. Their mere presence made the world worse. The cave was filled with countless pits, oozing with foul pus, and the stench seemed everlasting.

The scroll at his side flashed with increasingly fierce light, as if blood were dancing. But Alger felt little joy at having found his mission target; he knew very well how terrifying demons could be. A slight mistake could cost him his life here.

Even the Dragon Vein Great Eagle’s body trembled slightly, showing a hint of resistance.

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