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Cassius lazily lay in the cave, observing the hardworking players in Baator City through Langpu’s magic mirror.

“Keep up the good work, my dear leeks.”

In just one month’s time, the once extremely simple Baator City had displayed a brand-new appearance. The city walls had become much taller and thicker, and buildings with unique styles had sprung up. The city had also gained a bit more vitality due to the comings and goings of players.

The fact that I Go Eat Mantou, Singo, Summer Night Autumn Rain, and Born Battle Maniac obtained that mysterious invitation was actually no coincidence but his deliberate arrangement.

These people came with their own following in the gaming circle. Once they discovered the use of faction contribution, the entire player community would pay attention to it.

For example, now, although Singo hadn’t published strategy information yet, his loyal followers had begun to suspect the importance of faction contribution through analysis and had started to try to accumulate it. It was believed that soon those big guilds would also start to compete for contribution quests.

By then, Cassius’s task of reaping benefits without sowing would have been a great success.

And after that, he would administer another strong dose—the faction position system, which, based on faction contribution, would allow players to obtain certain positions in the city, such as Inspector, Tax Officer, Judge, Investigator, and even in the future, when they capture human cities, it wouldn’t be impossible to make them a town mayor or even a city mayor.

As for salary, of course, it would mainly be issued in faction contribution, supplemented by money.

Letting players experience the pleasure of power while allowing Cassius to enjoy the pleasure of having people work for him for free, this was a win-win policy.

It was believed that players would understand his actions and be grateful.

He was watching with great interest when the Hobgoblin Dolo came to report.

After several years, this Draconic Bloodline Hobgoblin had become more seasoned, commanding tens of thousands of goblinoid creatures and familiar with various military affairs within the Ember Nest.

“Master, the Wolf Riders have recently discovered traces of the Eagle Guards on the border of the Storm Highlands.”

Cassius’s golden eyes narrowed slightly: “Oh? Haven’t they not bothered me for a long time?”

Dolo continued: “During your slumber, we took in a dozen Pureblood Yuan-ti and sent them to Northwind Fortress to gather intelligence.”

“A very good decision, but the teeth of snakes are poisonous.”

“Do not fully trust them; it’s best to treat them as tools that can be discarded at any time,” Cassius said meaningfully.

Yuan-ti are always plotting to replace and dominate other races and then proclaim themselves as gods.

And Pureblood Yuan-ti are the lowest existence in Yuan-ti society. Their appearance is very similar to humans but cannot pass humans’ strict scrutiny.

Because they always reveal some innate features, such as scaly skin, serpentine eyes, sharp fangs, or forked tongues. They wear cloaks and headscarves, disguise themselves as humans, infiltrate civilized places to gather intelligence, or kidnap prisoners for interrogation and sacrifice, and even make deals with others to further their endless conspiracies.

“As you command, Master, that’s exactly what we are doing.”

Dolo continued.

“And recently, these Pureblood Yuan-ti seem to have obtained information that the Lackman Family intends to cooperate with the ‘Northern Lion’ Boscov Family from the south and the ‘Double-headed Eagle’ Nott Family from the northwest to form a joint army, and their target of encirclement from three sides is most likely us—the Ember Nest.”

“Forgive my bluntness, my great Master, the expansion of the Ember Nest in recent years has already aroused the vigilance of the northern countries. They covet our gold and fear our followers, but we have yet to receive true trials and proof of blood and fire.”

Cassius slowly stood up, his golden eyes looking down at Dolo: “So you mean we need a war?”

Dolo knelt on one knee and respectfully lowered his head: “I think so, Master.”

“War, only war, can make these pathetic, short-sighted humans realize your power.”

“Langpu, what do you think?”

Cassius looked toward the magic mirror. These mirrors naturally connected to Langpu’s “Mage Tower”; they followed the will of the red dragon and would only activate when he needed them.

In the mirror appeared Langpu’s ugly and ferocious face. He had put on those gold-rimmed glasses again, holding a few magic scrolls in his hand.

“Master, I also think the Ember Nest needs a war. According to my statistics, the number of goblins in the nest has reached 13,457, and there are 10,341 kobolds. If we do not engage in continuous, large-scale warfare to consume them, our food supply will no longer be able to fill their stomachs.”

Langpu deliberately pushed his gold-rimmed glasses and “inadvertently” mentioned: “And relying on Dolo’s, hmm... can be called simple, even primitive breeding system, can only fill a little bit.”

Facing Langpu’s intentional or unintentional mockery, Dolo’s already red face flushed even more, but with the red dragon right in front, he didn’t dare to act up.

Cassius ignored the scheming between the two and just asked:

“Their so-called ‘coalition army,’ how long until it can be assembled?”

Dolo quickly replied: “The dukes of the northern countries do not have complete control over their vassals. These humans shirk responsibility, bicker, fight for power and profit, and are very inefficient. To gather a coalition army of tens of thousands, it would take at least three months, and that’s a conservative estimate.”

“Very good, three months is enough.”

A hint of danger flashed in Cassius’s golden pupils.

“Master, are we going to war?”

Dolo’s expression revealed extreme excitement. Hobgoblins are creatures who are naturally fond of war, which causes most of them not to live to die of old age. After obtaining the red dragon bloodline, his inherent brutality and desire for blood and fire became even stronger.

“Dolo, don’t be in a hurry. Let those Yuan-ti keep an eye on the northern coalition, and have your army under your command make all preparations for war—weapons, drills, tactics. You should understand these things better than I do.”

“After all... you’ve been looking forward to it for a long time, haven’t you?”

“Yes, Master.”

Dolo hurriedly knelt on one knee, excitedly exhaling white smoke from his big red nose. He seemed to have imagined the scene of the enemy’s blood smeared on his claws.

“Langpu, you start preparing the logistics work, using the spells you’ve developed over the years.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Since they want war, then we will give them war.

“As for when it ends... that will not be up to them to decide.”

The two followers took their orders and went back to work.

The Hobgoblin soldiers began to polish their long-unused weapons and armor, conduct pre-war drills, and discuss tactics.

The Ogres cheered for the upcoming war, and upon learning they could use the enemy’s corpses as rations, their morale soared even higher, celebrating around bonfires.

The Goblins sent food deep into the Dragon Valley, storing and reserving it for use in the war.

The Kobolds began to make simple weapons such as slings and bows.

The red dragon stood atop the highest point of the valley, overlooking the busy followers, his golden pupils seemingly reflecting blazing flames.

“It’s time to get this massive war machine... running.”

Three months until the war.

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