[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ember-dragon":3,"chapter-ember-dragon-ember-dragon-chapter-418":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},1161944,1504,"Chapter 418: Demonstration at Kawano","ember-dragon-chapter-418",418,"\u003Cp>Chapter 418: Demonstration at Kawano\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Southernmost region of Kartepa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kawano Valley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A troop of several hundred soldiers was stationed here, fully prepared and on high alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They carried swords, spears, and other weapons, wearing light leather armor, with the winged sun emblem of the Kingdom of Thrace proudly displayed on their chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain, are we really going to stay here longer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. This is an order from Count Fabric before he marched south. That northern empire is a threat to the Kingdom of Thrace. We can’t let them seize our lands while we’re distracted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man referred to as \"Captain\" wore fine iron armor and held a polished silver sword, speaking with unwavering determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His name was Piotr McGrath, leader of this scouting unit and an extraordinary-level Warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, he had yet to undergo the Sun Rite ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the foundation inherited from the Sacred Fadlan Empire—Piotr’s strength alone would have made him a general in any northern duchy in Anzeta.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Count Fabric, the demigod noble defending Thrace’s northernmost region, had been ordered south due to the escalating war over the Holy City, leaving only trusted units behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deputy’s tone was hesitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to the treaty the kingdom signed, we’re already near the border. Stepping further could provoke a conflict, couldn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piotr shook his head while sharpening his blade, sneering. \"They’re just barbarians from a backwater region.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’ve never witnessed the glory of the Sacred Fadlan Empire, and yet they dare to call themselves an ’empire.’ How laughable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deputy nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was, after all, the Sacred Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Thracians, Kassandians, or Seleusians, they all revered the glory of the bygone Fadlan Empire and believed themselves its rightful heirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This pride was uniquely Fadlan, as the Sacred Fadlan Empire had ruled the entire continent of Feanso for over a century. Dwarves, elves, giants, and demons alike had bowed under its immense light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just thinking about the century of Fadlan’s dominance made even the poorest citizens stand tall with pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piotr raised his polished longsword, letting it gleam brilliantly under the sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, they’ve only been in Kartepa for a little over a month. I doubt they can hold their ground here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This isn’t the barren Anzeta. Monsters and beasts are everywhere. Building a city here won’t be so easy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deputy still seemed concerned. \"But the northern disturbances have been pretty intense lately...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thump, thump.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy thuds echoed from the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground trembled, and the warhorses in the camp neighed in fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piotr furrowed his brows and looked north. \"Could it be...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No way...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered to himself, visibly shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of wyverns flapped their wings wildly, their cries chaotic as they collided mid-air. Like a looming black cloud, they approached from the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ground, dozens of ground drakes—each like a moving mountain—appeared on the horizon. Mounted on them were goblin cavalry, with cannons mounted on the beasts’ sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long live the empire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long live His Majesty Cassius!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mounted and infantry soldiers of the imperial vanguard shouted in unison, their voices shaking the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came a thunderous voice from the ranks, cutting through the noise like a bolt of lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arrogant Thracians!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve crossed the line!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This land now belongs to the Ember Empire, the domain of the great Emperor Cassius!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you dare take another step north, you’ll face the wrath of the empire’s army!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jesse stood atop the largest ground drake, speaking into a magical amplifier that spread his voice across the plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A remote, backwater region like this... how could it have such an army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piotr stared at the imperial vanguard in disbelief. This \"empire\" from the north was far stronger than he had anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by their strength and presence, only the kingdom’s demigod legions, arcane corps, or steel colossus army could rival them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary troops like theirs didn’t stand a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on Piotr’s past encounters, the armies of the northern nobles in Anzeta were laughably weak. A thousand-man unit wouldn’t even have a handful of Professionals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fighting them wouldn’t require deploying such an elite force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden realization hit Piotr, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had carelessly sent scouts north to gather intelligence, and they hadn’t returned. Could it be—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Captain, help me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tearful cry echoed through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The missing soldier appeared in the imperial ranks, bound and restrained by goblin soldiers, positioned at the front of their formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jesse spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If anyone else dares to trespass on imperial land without permission—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, raising his ornate pistol and pulling the trigger without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gunshot rang out, and the soldier collapsed lifelessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait! We can negotiate—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piotr’s pupils contracted, his face filled with shock as his outstretched hand froze in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goblin had actually killed a Thracian soldier on the spot?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How dare he commit such an open act of humiliation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jesse coldly glanced at the fallen soldier before continuing, \"This is the consequence!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you all understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang! Bang! Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jesse fired several shots into the air, and silence fell over the area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deputy whispered nervously, \"Captain, what should we do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piotr looked at the approaching imperial forces, hesitated for a long moment, then gritted his teeth and gave the order: \"We retreat immediately. There’s no need for unnecessary casualties.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We won’t return to the border. The Kingdom of Thrace... cannot afford to anger such an empire right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Move out!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Thracian soldiers hastily gathered their horses and supplies, retreating south in what was almost a rout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jesse stood atop his ground drake, watching the retreating army with narrowed eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kartepa is the key to the empire’s future southern expansion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We must maintain absolute control over it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the main reasons the empire sought Kartepa was its strategic position. It provided a path past Thrace’s blockade—westward to the Free Trade Confederation around Silvermoon Bay and eastward to the dwarven High Mountain Kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the Ember Empire fully consolidated its power in the Anzeta Wasteland, Kartepa would serve as the gateway for the empire’s entry into the continent, making it a major force in the grand chessboard of Feanso.\u003C\u002Fp>",1031,"2026-06-03T12:47:02.951Z","2026-06-03T12:47:07.061Z",1,"novelbin.me","58f03b823f731aa8a5f3177318a5db2280e0a877016e42097b5a1c2de8e55b79","ember-dragon-chapter-311","ember-dragon-chapter-417",603,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fember-dragon-cover.jpg"]