[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ember-dragon":3,"chapter-ember-dragon-ember-dragon-chapter-558":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},1162758,1504,"Chapter 558: Agents","ember-dragon-chapter-558",558,"\u003Cp>>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 558: Agents\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the gaze of the crowd, the overly young noblewoman slowly rose, folded her dragon wings, and took her seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Misha exchanged glances with Langpu, who also stood atop the altar. They smiled and nodded to each other in greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Langpu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Imperial Prime Minister had once brought her before His Majesty and taught her much about magic—he was nothing less than a benefactor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Misha’s mind, this grotesque ogre resembled a mentor figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside them, Duke Dolo the hobgoblin seemed to realize something. His murky little eyes glanced at Misha, and his expression turned ugly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hobgoblin squeezed out a hoarse whisper through clenched teeth—though only he could hear it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another half-dragon herald stepped forward, scroll in hand, posture ramrod straight, voice thunderous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For strategic planning and coordination, making outstanding contributions to the Empire’s logistics—Marquis Darenna is promoted to Duke of the Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lady Darenna!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t she the ’Flower of Northwind Fortress’?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid gasps and admiration, Darenna, dressed in a long gown, was lifted onto the high platform by invisible force. She waved to the crowd below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling, Darenna knelt before Cassius. She appeared calm, yet her trembling pale legs betrayed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wouldn’t be nervous?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To become a noble Duke and stand at the peak of imperial power, fulfilling an old goal—even Darenna felt as if she were dreaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the herald’s loud voice continued to ring out, echoing across the packed crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brave in battle, unafraid of mighty foes, embodying the might of Imperial dragonkin—Marquis Smaug is promoted to Duke of the Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hoarse roar rang out, sparks scattering through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by several wyverns, the nearly twenty-meter-long red-dragon-like wyvern lord beat his wings and rose into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Smaug landed atop the altar, bowed his neck to the Red Dragon, pressed his head to the ground, folded his wings, and let out a submissive growl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving imperial approval, the wyvern stood upright on his hind legs, using his tail for balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, all eyes turned to the final marble seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the Nine Dukes, only one seat remained. Who would be the lucky final appointee?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cassius above!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think Marquis Brol, commander of the infantry corps, deserves to be a Duke.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bullshit! Do you know how many demons Lord Big Head’s artillery corps annihilated?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Marquis Gilmore has loyally assisted Duke Langpu in managing the Empire’s complex affairs for years—he deserves it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans, ogres, tieflings, lizardfolk—people of many races waited with bated breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they knew they wouldn’t be chosen, they still hoped for someone of their own race to be appointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the Ember Empire, a multi-ethnic nation, the government always promoted equality and merit-based advancement—but who wouldn’t want someone \"of their own\" in the top ranks?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The imperial marquises were even more excited and anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The few counts thought to have a chance held their breath, eyes locked on the herald’s scrolls, filled with longing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the herald named the next candidate quickly, disappointing many hopeful marquises—yet none dared object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this new Duke’s identity was far too unique. So unique, none dared question it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Froze thousands of demons, faced a Balor head-on—Tinia is promoted to Duke of the Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another direct ennoblement, from commoner to Duke. But this one was a well-known imperial kin, dubbed the \"Northern Wind Wing of the Empire\"—the White Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Roar—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling wind blew, followed by a resounding dragon’s roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid a chaotic swarm of dragons, the twenty-five-meter-long white dragon spread her wings, casting a shadow over the crowd below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the typically smaller white dragons, twenty-five meters was an ancient dragon size. Yet Tinia wasn’t even of age—testament to her powerful ancestral dragon bloodline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tinia strode proudly, head high, her spiny wings stirring cold winds as she soared toward the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression burned with excitement. Pale blue vertical pupils gleamed as she thought:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her master had finally remembered her!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had fought to the brink in the demon war, trying her best to perform well. It paid off!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The earth trembled slightly as the white dragon landed atop the altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She bent her forelegs and knees, folded her wings, and lowered her head nearly to the ground in a display of submission toward Cassius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master. I saw your battle with my own eyes—you were so big, so strong, simply...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tinia murmured, trying to find the right words in her limited brain. Her face was filled with fanaticism, and her thick tail swayed uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her massive white body crept slowly toward the Red Dragon, claws scraping along the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, the young adult female dragon was in peak mating season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the gaze of hundreds of thousands, Tinia unabashedly squirmed across the ground, trying to rub up to the Red Dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the dignity of the Dukes and the ceremony, Cassius couldn’t let this continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face darkened as he raised a single clawed finger, releasing powerful force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Roar—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a panicked cry, the twenty-meter-long white dragon was enveloped in a powerful gust she couldn’t escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was slammed hard onto the spot before her assigned seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tinia lay on the ground, trembling in pain, but a dazed look of ecstasy filled her draconic face. Drool dripped from her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master... Hehe, still so strong... impossible to resist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Tinia’s crazed face, Cassius twitched slightly and thought: clearly, a white dragon brain can’t handle ancestral blood power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, how else would such a perverted, obsessive white dragon like Tinia come to be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this little interlude, the ceremony continued. Under the crowd’s eager gaze, familiar names were read aloud by the herald.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Count Big Head is promoted to Marquis of the Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Count Juan Wilkerson is promoted to Marquis of the Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Count Selkan is promoted to... Marquis of the Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would he become a Marquis?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many murmured about the unknown name, but some seasoned Imperials recognized him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I saw Count Selkan in the \"Empire Daily\"’s colonial section. He’s the Fire Element Plane overseer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I met him at Brass Fortress—a very ambitious man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heat-emitting portal opened, and out walked a half-red dragon in light armor—Count Selkan, Governor of the Fire Element Plane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike homeland half-red dragons, this Count had a distinct appearance: fire danced in his eyes, and small flames flickered from his ears and nostrils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years in the Fire Plane had left Selkan with many elemental traits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many fire drakes, fire lizards, fire dwarves, and half-red dragons followed him, cheering like firecrackers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Count Iron Frenzy is promoted to Marquis of the Empire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after much time together, the heralds still weren’t used to Starfallers’ bizarre, spell-like names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Starfallers erupted in loud cheers, player voices surging like waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Holy shit? Frenzy bro made Marquis?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Flesh is weak, machines shall ascend!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Praise the Omnissiah! Hahaha! Our Mechanist Church just got full face credit!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Watch it! Don’t chant slogans now. Imperial Religious Affairs already came to talk to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ring the bell thrice, sing in unison—prai... uh, praise His Majesty Cassius!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No matter what, Frenzy bro is awesome!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One Mechanist Church player even pulled out a mini mechanical bell and rang it repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dong! Dong! Dong!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid cheers and bell chimes, Iron Frenzy strutted out, waving proudly to the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha! What a day! How did you know I was being ennobled?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pressing a button on his suit, two steel tubes extended from his modified back, spraying brilliant flames and thick white smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoosh—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mushroom cloud rose. Iron Frenzy soared skyward and landed atop the hundred-meter-high altar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New players, struggling to even kill a chicken, stared wide-eyed at the soaring arc left in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone muttered, \"Are we... playing the same game?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saluting the Emperor, Iron Frenzy stood with arms akimbo at the Marquis seat, striking a pose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside, he wept. That prototype single-soldier flight module was now scrap. Who knew how much it’d cost...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maicon Watts, for guarding vital territory with the infantry corps, is promoted to Marquis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gilmore, for weapon research contributing heavily in battle, is promoted to Marquis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Freed, as guide of the Dragon-Oath Sanctuary... is promoted to Marquis.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"George, for leading a legion to reinforce the frontlines, holding high ground against demons, and personally slaying several Balors, securing precious time for the Empire...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is promoted to Count.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s Baron George! That former northern serf!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cassius above! He also rose two full ranks to become a Count!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So envious... from serf to Count...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I worked in the same factory as Lord George! We were close back then! I always knew he had ambition...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst all the discussion and envious stares, George strode up to the altar’s base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood tall and proud, feeling the dragon blood in his veins throb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally a Count. So close. So close to... becoming a true figure of power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Invisible force lifted him steadily. As he rose higher, the crowd below shrank to ants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought, \"I was once just one of the masses...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now, everything has changed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With determination in his eyes, George ascended the altar with purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the Red Dragon’s oppressive aura, he stilled his trembling body, though his heart pounded and his blood boiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He managed to maintain composure and knelt before Cassius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, thank you for your grace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>George clenched his teeth as sweat dripped from his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Red Dragon slowly lowered his head and, after studying him a moment, actually said gently, \"George... you’re impressive, to awaken the seed of blood I left behind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>H-His Majesty... He actually values me this much!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelmed by joy, George nearly fainted. Emotion surged so intensely it threatened to sweep him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barely composed himself, thanked the Emperor again, and returned to his seat—but Cassius’s words kept echoing in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"George, you’re impressive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His Majesty values me... Maybe I can reach the pinnacle of imperial power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>George looked up toward the Marquis and Duke seats above, eyes burning with ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For brave combat deep among demons, Crimson Conqueror is promoted to Viscount.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For fighting demons in deadly melee, Born Battle Maniac is promoted to Viscount.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Russell is promoted to Baron.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hurm is promoted to Baron.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the last name was read, the half-red dragon heralds closed their scrolls and withdrew amid mixed gazes of envy and disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this ceremony, the Empire had gained nine Dukes, twenty-six Marquises, over fifty Counts, more than a hundred Viscounts, and four hundred Barons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, before a crowd of hundreds of thousands—perhaps a million—the Red Dragon slowly rose from his throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a tedious ceremony...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He exhaled a cloud of sulfur-laced smoke, spread his immense wings, and gazed with pale golden pupils at the expectant, excited imperial citizens below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius knew: the true gift—was about to descend.\u003C\u002Fp>",1794,"2026-06-03T12:47:18.890Z","2026-06-03T12:47:22.748Z",1,"novelbin.me","a4134d730e3d8ad5421a336eca6f7ce52a71008d96409bbd396b2427b913b4de","ember-dragon-chapter-559","ember-dragon-chapter-557",603,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fember-dragon-cover.jpg"]