[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ember-dragon":3,"chapter-ember-dragon-ember-dragon-chapter-356":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Ember Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1162122,1504,"Chapter 356: Bellon Castle","ember-dragon-chapter-356",356,"\u003Cp>Chapter 356: Bellon Castle\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ferenc Viscount’s domain, Bellon Castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A defensive structure composed of uneven walls, towers, and sturdy gates stood atop a hill, overlooking the rushing river below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moat and drawbridge blocked access to the castle, guarded vigilantly by the Viscount’s soldiers, with the massive portcullis protecting the entry to the lord’s wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For over a thousand years, the Northern nobles waged wars over land, grain, livestock, and population. The frequent wars led to the construction of ever-larger and more fortified castles to protect their territories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bellon Castle had been passed down through generations of the Lot family, and its current owner was Viscount Horace Lot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you saying even Vichy City has fallen? And in less than two days?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure this information is accurate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Count Okot is dead, killed in his own mansion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the knight’s report, Viscount Horace was left speechless, frozen in long silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a fellow noble under the Duchy of Otto, Horace was well aware of the strength and height of Vichy City’s walls—far superior to Bellon Castle, which could barely qualify as a pile of rocks in comparison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If such a stronghold could fall so quickly to the Ember Kingdom’s army, how long could his castle hold out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long pause, Viscount Horace finally spoke: \"We must stay quiet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s best not to draw their attention.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood, my Lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with a seemingly invincible foe, Viscount Horace could only bury his head like an ostrich, praying he wouldn’t be noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Northern lands had many such castles, and even the Ember Kingdom wouldn’t have the resources to clean them out one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve heard there’s a mage in the North skilled in teleportation and willing to aid nobles. Perhaps we could use his help to escape Anzeta.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viscount Horace thought to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he didn’t know was that within the Ember Kingdom, there were tireless and fearless Starfall Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor did he realize that his so-called \"escape route\" was a trap-filled dead end, long since sealed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Roar—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed from the skies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viscount Horace hurried to the castle window and looked up, only to see several wyverns soaring above, circling the castle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the backs of these wyverns were humanoid figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s the Crimson Scaled Conquerors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knight Mitra’s face darkened, and his tone grew grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the terrifying power in the roars, Viscount Horace asked shakily:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-what are those creatures?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knight Mitra knelt on one knee and recited in a low voice: \"When the dragon’s roar echoes from afar, the Crimson Scaled Conquerors will ride their massive, brutal draconic beasts to descend from the skies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused briefly before continuing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bringing endless flames and total annihilation to their enemies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tale had circulated in the Northern lands for many years, said to have originated from an adventurer who narrowly escaped the Ember Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knight Mitra’s expression grew even more serious: \"My Lord, those are the Ember Kingdom’s deadliest scouts. I fear... we’ve been targeted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, gods...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Viscount Horace stared at the small black dots in the sky and murmured in despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Woohoo, let’s go!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the Crimson Scaled Conquerors, dubbed \"the deadliest scouts\" and \"bringers of death,\" were cheerfully shouting in the skies, showing none of the rumored apocalyptic gravitas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the wyverns seemed infected by the lively atmosphere, letting out ear-piercing screeches, only to have their gaping mouths hastily covered by the annoyed players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally found a decent-looking castle. We might actually make some money this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, it’s about time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn, that baron’s shabby estate from before had nothing but a stockpile of grain. His coin purse was emptier than my pockets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We even had to open the grain stores and distribute it to the serfs. Selling it would’ve been too much hassle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou wiped the drool from his mouth, his eyes gleaming with greed. \"This time, I’m going to rob the hell out of this place and redeem my honor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard Lang Bastard looted a Count’s mansion and got goods worth 100,000 gold coins. It’s killing me to see him make money while I don’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Singo commented casually: \"Don’t set your expectations too high. He got lucky that time, catching the Count mid-asset transfer and taking everything in one swoop.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard that was supposed to be Magic Coin’s job, but Langli Baitiao snatched it, leaving Charlotte so mad he wanted to challenge him one-on-one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou’s mouth twitched slightly. \"Knowing Charlotte’s terrible luck, getting hit by a car just buying groceries wouldn’t be surprising.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But this castle looks pretty sturdy. Can we really take it with just us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Singo replied, \"We’ve got plenty of reinforcements.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Roar~~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a slight squeeze of his legs, Singo’s wyvern let out a roar, circling in mid-air before descending to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou patted his wyvern’s neck, landing right behind Singo on the hillside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, so many people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The area was bustling with noise, with over a hundred players gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When do we start?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn, it’s Holy Light Bro again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The players’ outfits clashed wildly with the surroundings, their styles ranging from absurd to bizarre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some wore armor, others donned pink dresses, and a few were completely naked, their muscular bodies glowing with a holy light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange mix of siege engines, from primitive trebuchets to magical cannons, cluttered the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yo, you made it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Born Battle Maniac raised his axe in greeting, using his other hand to rub his glossy, polished bald head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Summer Night Autumn Rain smiled and waved, conjuring a dazzling burst of flames as a signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou dismounted from his wyvern with practiced ease and muttered under his breath, \"Damn, with this many people, there won’t be much loot left for us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Born Battle Maniac sighed, \"Not my fault. They’ve also set their sights on this Viscount’s castle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Singo said, \"This is just how things are in the Northern Kingdom right now. Players are storming castles everywhere, and if you’re too slow, you get nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Summer Night Autumn Rain nodded in agreement: \"I heard the Royal Authority group has already captured thirteen cities. At this rate, the Northern lands will be picked clean in less than two months.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou sighed. \"Fine, let’s just try to grab whatever scraps we can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m going to loot some teeth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hand over all the gold!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For cleaning up after Lord Cassius!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wyverns, each carrying a knight, took to the skies once more. Players pushed their assortment of strange siege engines, shouting nonsensical slogans as they charged toward Bellon Castle in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>",1091,"2026-06-03T12:47:02.952Z","2026-06-03T12:47:07.061Z",1,"novelbin.me","6c1bcd4c7128db4523d874aa907dc2550bb7cf61f8ee26f5be73085eb71a97b5","ember-dragon-chapter-357","ember-dragon-chapter-355",603,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fember-dragon-cover.jpg"]