[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ember-dragon":3,"chapter-ember-dragon-ember-dragon-chapter-566":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},1162771,1504,"Chapter 566: The Warlock of Victoria Harbor","ember-dragon-chapter-566",566,"\u003Cp>Chapter 566: The Warlock of Victoria Harbor\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northwest Silvermoon Bay, Victoria Harbor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky was just beginning to brighten as a few rays of morning light pierced the clouds, shining down on the busy docks, where all kinds of fishing boats were moored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shirtless dockworkers bustled about, their skin tanned dark by the sun. Merchants on the shore argued fiercely over prices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seagulls circled above, their cries mingling with the occasional sound of ship horns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some fishermen murmured prayers toward the sea, hoping the \"Sea Queen\" Ambori would calm her wrath, still the seas, and prevent monsters like the Sahua fishmen from appearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Victoria Harbor, a city at the estuary of the Zeller River, one of the rare deepwater ports, and the largest and most prosperous trade city-state in the Silvermoon Bay region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The city was named after a hero from centuries past—Victoria, the adventurer from Gray Harbor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victoria had once led her fleet across the vast western seas, gathering immense wealth over the years and selflessly building this magnificent port city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, some say she was merely a pirate queen born to plunder, and the city was just a haven for storing stolen treasures. Thus, some skeptics mockingly called her the \"Pirate Queen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Centuries later, the current rulers of Victoria Harbor were the Council of Four Dukes, with the most respected duke serving as the consul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From nobles and commoners to thieves and infamous pirates, everyone gathered here. Dozens of faiths coexisted, and secret cults operated in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Victoria Harbor was a melting pot of chaos, known to adventurers as a \"breeding ground for conspirators.\" Recently, a group of mysterious \"undead\" had appeared out of nowhere, plunging the city into deeper uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Victoria Harbor’s mottled city wall, space rippled as a man in a gray robe holding a bronze staff appeared out of thin air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked to be in his fifties, with wrinkles at the corners of his eyes. His pale green eyes were deep and mysterious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stroking his beard, he looked down at the bustling streets and the departing merchant caravan, muttering to himself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like I’m a little early. The Seaver family caravan just left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the original story progression, the kidnapping incident should happen in five days. I should appear around then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tsk tsk, ever since I became Emperor, I’ve handed all the chores to my vassals. It’s been a while since I handled anything personally. I almost miss it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stroked his chin thoughtfully. \"Now, what name should I give this disguise?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, he spotted a street fortune teller drawing a tarot card—an old man in a gray cloak holding a lantern: the Hermit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corners of his mouth lifted, and he clapped his hands. \"Hermit, then. Albert the Hermit. Sounds pretty classy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This \"Albert\" was none other than Cassius’ draconic shadow projection—a vessel for his will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius had come to Victoria Harbor, ready to stir the already murky waters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the Faruk Wasteland, a caravan was traveling southward, clearly headed for Victoria Harbor several miles away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The caravan was large—50 horses, hundreds of guards, and dozens of wagons full of heavy goods, all bearing the golden hawthorn crest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The mark of the cargo’s owners, one of Victoria Harbor’s four great families: the Seaver family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the delicate floral crest, the Seaver family commanded the strongest military power in the harbor and controlled the city’s largest mercenary group, \"Mithril Hand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside a lavish carriage surrounded by guards sat a blonde woman in a long dress. She looked no older than her twenties and wore the hawthorn crest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her name was Heloise Seaver, the only daughter of the current Seaver duke and the family’s heir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heloise lifted the curtain and peered at the quiet wilderness outside, saying to the nearby guard captain, \"Marvin, it’s a little too quiet here. We left Gray Harbor and headed south for over ten kilometers without encountering a single caravan. That’s very unusual.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard, a grizzled man in his forties with a long facial scar, wore standard armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was Marvin, the caravan’s head of security and a loyal servant of the Seaver family for decades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, faced with the noble lady’s concerns, he appeared slightly distracted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he had escorted Seaver caravans for years. To him, Heloise was still a rookie sent by her father to learn the ropes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lately, there’s been bandit trouble in the Faruk Wasteland. Many caravans have taken detours through the east to Gray Harbor, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marvin puffed his chest proudly. \"Miss, we’re the Seavers—Victoria Harbor’s overlords. No mere bandit would dare touch us. If they try, we’ll blast their hands off with our muskets!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He patted his rifle confidently, as if stating a mundane fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heloise frowned slightly but said nothing more, merely telling him to stay alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Duke Aidan’s daughter, she knew her family’s strength well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This caravan had 574 well-trained guards and advanced muskets purchased from the northern Ember Empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even local city-state armies could defeat them, let alone random bandits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the cargo this time was especially valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wagons held crates of new firearms, ammunition, and even small cannons—over 3,000 basic rifles alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the bloody \"Battle of the Three Emperors,\" Ember Empire weapons gained fame and spread rapidly thanks to the Wokin Guild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duke Aidan’s purpose for purchasing these arms was clear: strengthening the Seaver military.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heloise stared into the quiet wasteland, hearing only the chirping of insects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she spotted wreckage among distant rocks—broken wagons, shattered wheels, severed limbs, even crushed skulls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, this scene of carnage was far beyond what common bandits could cause!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Seaver heiress and half-trained mage, she knew the might of supernatural forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression shifted sharply, her deep purple eyes filled with gravity. She raised her hand to stop the caravan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Marvin, stop.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss, we must hurry. Duke Aidan wants the delivery made before nightfall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I said stop. This is an order from the Seaver family caravan leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was firm, her eyes commanding. Marvin flinched at that unmistakable Seaver gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Miss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reluctantly, he called the guards and drivers to halt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he still thought the young heiress was being paranoid—not very duchess-like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Victoria Harbor territory. Who would dare mess with the mighty Seavers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead lay the narrow Carl Valley, where only one wagon could pass at a time. The caravan now stood at its entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marvin tried again. \"Miss, there’s no need to worry. I know Carl Valley like the back of my hand. I’ve crossed it a hundred times in thirty years. It’s easier than going home.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Heloise coldly cut him off, pointing at the wreckage and ordering:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Marvin, stay on alert. Send a squad to investigate. If there’s any danger, we detour east.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Miss...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He faltered before her steely gaze. As the golden hawthorn heir and potential duchess, her word was final.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he prepared to dispatch scouts, a scream rang out from the front, followed by chaos and whinnying horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ambush! Protect the lady!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marvin tensed, quickly loading his rifle and shouting orders to the guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t believe anyone dared target the Seaver caravan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear, synchronized sounds rang out as trained guards loaded weapons and formed a protective ring around Heloise’s carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mounting his horse, Marvin spotted the source of the scream—a young driver pierced by an arrow, blood pouring out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then black-robed figures emerged from the rocky hillside, like shadows from the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Praise the Lord of Dominion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are the only master of all things. We offer sweet blood as tribute.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They murmured prayers and giggled eerily, chilling even Marvin’s battle-hardened spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dismounting, Marvin drew his sword and roared, \"Damn cultists! Do you know who you’re dealing with? This is the Seaver caravan! Duke Aidan will burn you all! Leave now or die!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahahahahaha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tall, gaunt figure on the slope raised a bone staff. His raspy voice echoed: \"Seaver family. Yes, exactly. Capture Heloise Seaver alive! She’ll make the perfect sacrifice for our god!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marvin turned pale. He had blundered. These cultists were after Heloise!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it. Prepare for battle!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Borel, take the elite guards and escort the lady out! She must not be harmed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enemies targeting the Seaver family...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heloise was grave but calm. She mounted her horse and fled north toward Gray Harbor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fire! Turn those cultists into sieves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marvin fired first, and the guards followed, unleashing a hail of bullets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang! Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of rifles roared. Bullets tore into robed figures, dropping many instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s it! Kill them all! Show no mercy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the cultists only laughed. Their leader raised his staff, summoning swirling black mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn caster!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The caravan’s mages chanted spells, releasing radiant magic, but it couldn’t pierce the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Heloise’s retreat met enemies—goblins, worgs, gnolls—thousands strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their faces were marked with black cracks, eyes blackened, faces twisted in fanaticism as they chanted their god’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no impromptu attack. It was a long-planned ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heloise gestured to Borel, saying coldly, \"Stop. They were waiting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Borel trembled. \"Miss, what do we do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her tone was firm. \"Return and regroup with Marvin. We hold until reinforcements arrive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trained hawk soared into the sky carrying a plea for help. Heloise and her escort turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Carl Valley, the black mist thickened. Arrows struck despite the soldiers’ frantic gunfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Heloise return, Marvin gasped, \"Forgive me, Miss. This is my...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cut him off, calm despite the crisis. \"Marvin, this is a planned ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The north is blocked. We hold until help arrives. Everyone follows my command now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, give me a gun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stunned, Marvin retrieved a rifle and handed it to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heloise loaded it smoothly, aimed at a robed figure, and fired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cultist fell. Marvin gaped, then picked up his rifle to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered—this was the heir known as the \"Blade of Victoria Harbor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle raged. Both sides took losses, but the guards held their ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Foolish mortals. You resist the Lord of Dominion’s grace?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leader raised a skeletal hand, eyes glowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive black vortex appeared overhead, pulling in trees, rocks, even people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gods above, what is that?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So strong!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No—NO!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screams filled the air as guards were sucked up, blood drained instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even their weapons were torn into scrap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gods? They are lies! Only the Lord of Dominion is the true end of all things!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood rained down. The robed man raised his arms, reveling in the massacre.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heloise stared up at the vortex, sweat running down her pale face. Her hands gripped the wagon tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is... Psionics.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had seen it before from monks invited by Duke Aidan, but this was far more sinister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In seconds, the vortex left hundreds helpless. The cultists grew bolder, and more enemies closed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t an ambush. It was war. A declaration against the Seavers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>O Sheenworth, who can save us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even calm Heloise now felt despair. Leaning against the wagon with her gun, she couldn’t help but think this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just then, as if answering her prayer, a mysterious male voice rang in her ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, didn’t expect those bugs to get so cocky after a few centuries of sleep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1872,"2026-06-03T12:47:18.890Z","2026-06-03T12:47:22.748Z",1,"novelbin.me","1a1acf3bb74b9b676359ceee3cf72f70ba1dcec524ff3e97deaa7629ee14fffa","ember-dragon-chapter-567","ember-dragon-chapter-565",603,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fember-dragon-cover.jpg"]