[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ember-dragon":3,"chapter-ember-dragon-ember-dragon-chapter-448":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},1161993,1504,"Chapter 448: Shalin’s Respect","ember-dragon-chapter-448",448,"\u003Cp>🎄Christmas Special!🎄\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To celebrate Christmas, enjoy30% offmonthly subscriptions fromDecember 25th to 31st🎁✨\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The adjusted price is available on the Patreon page.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 448: Shalin’s Respect\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty Cassius, please wait a moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The supreme ruler of the Brass Fortress, and my father, will come to greet you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leading Cassius and the others to a finely crafted bronze palace, Green said this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selkan stepped forward, glanced around, then nervously leaned closer and said in a low voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We previously only resided on the outskirts of the Brass Fortress, but without a doubt, this city is incredibly valuable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It could completely serve as the Empire’s stronghold in the Plane of Fire. Now that you are here, along with thousands of imperial soldiers, perhaps we could...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The half-dragon’s heart pounded, his eyes filled with ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Empire’s military, expanding territory was everything; having such thoughts was perfectly normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius gently shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, Selkan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The most valuable treasure here isn’t the Brass Fortress itself but the fire dwarves within it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Empire has no roots in the Plane of Fire. We need a native species with deep roots as allies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Selkan beside him and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also, haven’t you read the Empire’s publication, ’On Colonization’? Controlling a race isn’t solely about brute force.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was short-sighted, Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disappointment flashed in Selkan’s eyes as he lowered his head, carefully reflecting on Cassius’ words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinarily, he wouldn’t have the qualification to meet the emperor, so now that he had this precious opportunity, he made the most of every second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The adjutant beside him reminded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, a group of fire dwarves wearing brass kilts approached, led by one wearing a miniature crown and holding a bronze scepter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leading fire dwarf glanced at Cassius and then deeply bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shalin Cardoso, at your service, great Majesty Cassius. Green has already explained the purpose of your visit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s a pleasure to meet you, esteemed master of the Brass Fortress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius nodded in greeting, studying the fire dwarf noble with golden pupils that carried a hint of gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fire dwarf noble was not as weak or simple as he appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the master of the Brass Fortress, he was likely thousands of years old, with a lineage possibly tracing back to ancient mythological eras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This must be taken seriously.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The fire dwarves are excellent ’allies.’ If we can control them, the Empire’s potential gains will be immense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius thought to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Shalin was also discreetly assessing the humanoid dragon before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What made the fire dwarf uneasy was that even in human form, this dragon exuded an overwhelming dragon’s presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reminded him of the ancient progenitor dragons that once dominated worlds and disrupted the multiverse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Caution is essential; his arrival may determine the fate of the Brass Fortress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shalin thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He silently thanked himself for insisting on accepting the dragon-blooded warriors from the material world despite opposition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, it might have been them, not the fire genies, facing the dragon’s wrath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this in mind, Shalin spoke first, his bronze-cast face smiling warmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty Cassius, you have once again helped us repel the fire genies’ invasion. I’m at a loss for how to properly express our gratitude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended his hand, bowing slightly in a gesture of invitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How about this: we will hold a grand banquet in the palace to thank you for your assistance, celebrate your visit, and showcase the hospitality of the fire dwarves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Additionally, we have prepared over ten thousand gold coins as a token of our appreciation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shalin lowered his stance significantly. He had likely dealt with many dragons and understood their vanity and greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the most peculiar dragons couldn’t change their nature, and the fire dwarf noble believed this approach would satisfy the dragon emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Cassius’ response surprised him, causing his pupils to flicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s no need for that now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius shook his head slightly, smiling as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. You fire dwarves and the fire genies are sworn enemies, and my vassals are also being hunted by the fire genies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Given this, the Empire and the fire dwarves should naturally be allies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, with a powerful enemy ahead, shouldn’t we eliminate the fire genies first and discuss banquets and rewards later?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shalin was momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This dragon wasn’t greedy for gold? And didn’t seem to crave glory either?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief thought, the fire dwarf noble quickly agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius continued, his eyes radiating an intense flame that made the fire dwarf shiver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, my banquet won’t be held in your Brass Fortress but in the City of Iron.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Understood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire dwarf swallowed nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius reassured him: \"Don’t worry, Lord Shalin. My wrath is directed solely at the fire genies who insulted me, not at you fire dwarves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, I only want information about the ’City of Iron.’ I heard you were responsible for its construction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shalin nodded solemnly and replied, \"Long ago, when the fire genies were still our allies, we helped them build many cities...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Brass City is our greatest masterpiece, but as for the so-called City of Iron, haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chuckled and then continued, \"It’s just a crude imitation, riddled with flaws in my view.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The fire genies are nothing but thieves who kidnapped our people and stole our creations. The finest craftsmanship will always remain with the fire dwarves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shalin gripped his scepter tightly, speaking with conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius smiled. He had long observed this trait of the fire dwarves—mention their past glory, and they would proudly puff out their chests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could potentially exploit this to control the fire dwarves of the Brass Fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn’t resort to the crude method of \"enslavement\" but rather employ a more cooperative form of labor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Green softly added, \"The newly appointed fire genie lord, Emir, has just taken office in the City of Iron.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The last celebratory banquet was ruined by Lady Misha, so he will likely host a new one soon...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implication was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire genie noble would definitely attend the upcoming banquet, presenting a perfect opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excellent. I believe I’ve found my rightful ’banquet.’\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gathered fire dwarves collectively swallowed hard. If their heads weren’t aflame, they might have been drenched in sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>",1056,"2026-06-03T12:47:02.951Z","2026-06-03T12:47:07.061Z",1,"novelbin.me","be61d75a438f3cf9c0599501c3341f8e931202fc97444757bf0965c1b8b09375","ember-dragon-chapter-330","ember-dragon-chapter-447",603,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fember-dragon-cover.jpg"]