Chapter 38

“Everyone, have we been here so long that you’ve forgotten why you came? Grap, tell me—how many extraordinary combatants have you cultivated for me in the past twenty years?”

“My lord, please calm down—the land’s development demands too many capable individuals; we simply cannot spare additional extraordinary personnel, and all our resources are funneled into cultivating Awakened Ones. Please grant us more time—our students need time to grow.”

“Is that so? Then why don’t the other dragons’ vassals in the Crimson Moon Plane need time to grow? Why have they already produced High- and even Master-tier individuals in just twenty years?”

Sulede: “Duke, you’re unjustly blaming Grap. Twenty years ago, your domain had thirty-five Mid-tier and five hundred forty-three Low-tier natives. Since then, twenty have risen to High-tier, one hundred fifty-six to Mid-tier—these individuals, though not trained in the Academy, should still count.”

Sakavi: “Oh? So I’ve wronged you? Then tell me, Sulede—where have all your extraordinary talents gone? Aside from the Silent Hand, are there any other departments or organizations capable of fielding combatants?”

Verna: “My lord, trust us—every graduate of the Magic Academy is at least a Fifth-Rank Mage. Within ten years, we’ll have a vast number of High-tier combatants. The Academy graduates two hundred annually—more than enough to fill administrative vacancies.”

But speaking of which, the wood elves at the Magic Academy are planning to leave en masse. We need to appoint a new head for Trade and Culture, as well as new instructors.”

Sakavi: “Send Krasuna! Look at her—she’s got nothing to do all day.”

Grap: “Uh… is she really qualified?”

Sakavi: “She’s a Master of Lightning. If she can’t even teach a few students, what good is she?”

Grap: “But she’s still managing trade! That requires a good public image.”

Sakavi: “Isn’t she well-connected among dragons? I spent millions in gold to train her—not so she could wander around playing.”

“We’ve been too quiet for too long. Some factions now think we’ve lost our fangs—that we’re crude beasts content to guard our hoards. Recently, the Radiant Sect of the Light Church learned I’m still alive—and dared come here demanding the Empire hand over dragons.”

Verna: “My lord, we needn’t heed those madmen. They only dare shout; if they truly came to seize dragons, the Church of the War God would be the first to object. Besides, you’re Duke of the Rosen Empire—you hold legitimate status. What right do they have to seize you?”

Sakavi: “Verna, I don’t want to reason with them. I want equal retaliation. I want them to understand—I am not someone they can grab whenever they please.”

Grap: “My lord, have you forgotten one thing? The Dragon Worshipers who once allied with you—and then betrayed you—are still alive.”

Sakavi: “Good. That’s a fine idea. Verna, handle it. I’ll give you their identities shortly. Kill them. No survivors.”

Verna: “Understood!”

Sakavi: “Grap, have you arranged a successor?”

Grap: “I intend to appoint Brag Stonehoof. He was my assistant, and I’m deeply satisfied with his abilities. I hope he can ease your burdens in the coming days. We plan to establish a Prosecution Office within the Security Bureau and a Personnel Department within the Interior Bureau. Here is the personnel list—please review it for any issues.”

Sakavi: “I trust your judgment, Grap. How many years have you served me?”

Grap: “Thirty-six years, my lord.”

Sakavi: “Yes… so many years. I was six then. Now I’m forty-two. You’ve grown old too. I recall you were thirty when you first joined me. Through your own strength and my vassal enhancement, your lifespan extended by twenty years—but now, your time is nearing its end.”

“I’ve arranged for you in the Noaetel Plane. Over the next few days, hand over your duties. I’ll send Verna and Sulede with you. That super-large plane offers easier breakthroughs. Once there, focus on your cultivation—strive to reach Legend tier as soon as possible. I still need you.”

To arrange Grap’s promotion, Sakavi spent 650,000 gold coins. Many know that super-large planes offer easier breakthroughs—and many wish to enter. But for outsiders, it’s not easy. Normally, such planes are controlled by powerful dynasties or organizations.

To enter and break through, money alone isn’t enough—you need connections. Of course, scammers are an exception. Fortunately, one super-large plane is ruled by a Gem Dragon. As kin, Sakavi still had some influence—though that influence required payment.

Of all dragon kinds currently thriving, none surpass the Gem Dragons. Though few in number, they are diverse and each excels in mental attacks. Even as dragons retreat from the world’s center, they still hold vital positions among the elite and on the Seven Heavens.

The one handling this payment was an Obsidian Dragon—a breed notorious for its volatility and destructive urges, hence its close ties to the Chromatic Dragons. After Sakavi’s lavish flattery, the Obsidian Dragon declared outright: “Pay, and I’ll do it.” Though he disliked gold, he insisted on proper conduct.

Sakavi couldn’t comprehend such irrational thinking, but he dared not mock it internally—after all, the Obsidian Dragon could read memories. Dealing with such a creature meant you might be killed on the spot for a casual insult from decades ago—and they feared no Tiamat’s retribution.

Sakavi: “Grap, have you prepared the list of subordinates who performed excellently over the past twenty years?”

Grap: “Prepared. Thirty-two individuals. As you ordered, I judged solely by contribution, not rank. Fifteen were selected for their exceptional technical skills.”

Sakavi: “Good. Notify them. The Vassal Transformation Ceremony will be held the day after tomorrow. Make it grand.”

Normally, vassal transformation required only a scale, a drop of blood, and a touch to the forehead—survival depended on one’s physical condition. To emphasize the value of vassals, Sakavi ordered a thousand-meter red carpet laid out, with drums and gongs for a grand celebration.

Though Sakavi shed many scales, vassal transformation was no common occurrence. If it became too cheap, his subordinates would lose all reverence for him. Don’t assume vassals become loyal after transformation—they’ll still deceive and conceal, and their power may even make them worse.

Looking at the vassal transformation list, Sakavi’s mood lifted. Of the thirty-two candidates, twenty were High-tier. The remaining five weren’t extraordinary—fine.

Regarding personnel cultivation, Sulede brought good news: the dragon-beast transfer agreements Sakavi signed long ago with various factions had delivered one hundred thirty dragon-beasts—not only Chromatic, but Metallic as well.

Perhaps due to innate talent or Sulede’s expert guidance, these dragon-beasts had already produced eight Master-tier mages. The rest were at least Mid-tier.

These dragon-beasts were still young. In another decade or so, when they reached youthhood, Sakavi could kick the Rosen Empire out of the Crimson Moon Plane. He ordered the silver dragon-beast Morax to replace Sulede in guarding Nolasiem. This twenty-year-old silver dragon-beast had already reached Master tier last year.

Many dragon-beasts weren’t sent as newborns—some were bought or stolen. Dragon-beasts were hot commodities in slave markets. Because Sakavi reimbursed their purchase cost, many people profited from the price gap—some Chromatic Dragons even claimed stolen beasts as purchased ones.

Sakavi decided he needed an extraordinary army to serve him. Sulede was assigned this task. Since vassals were unreliable, he’d build his force from kin. He couldn’t keep being beaten every time he stepped out.

But betting everything on one thing was dangerous. As a black dragon famed for cunning, Sakavi would never do that. He sought to create a soul capable of withstanding intense plane disturbances to animate skeletal soldiers.

This experiment may have been forbidden by the gods—or perhaps it was simply misguided. After fifteen years of research, every soul he created failed to match a true soul. To avoid drawing the Death King’s attention and prevent loss of control, Sakavi created only incomplete souls—capable of only directed thought.

Not only did his soul research yield no breakthroughs—he also failed to reach Legend tier. Over twenty years, he attempted four breakthroughs—all ended in failure. Dragons, unbound by any class, could ascend to Legend through innate power—that had always been Sakavi’s goal.

But fortunately, he’d reach adulthood in eight years. Dragons enter youth at twenty-six, adulthood at fifty-one. Most dragons who reach Legend do so in adulthood—but most never advance beyond it.

If he couldn’t even reach Legend, how could he ever aspire to half-god or true god status? Moreover, his favored necromancy had produced no powerful offensive spells in the past decade.

Among all known necromancers, none truly excelled at long-range magical duels. This path seemed a dead end. But since he’d chosen it, he’d walk it—even if it led to death. If others couldn’t succeed, he’d forge his own way.