Chapter 176: A Special Delegation
The Duchy of Bosk did not rely send a special envoy but dispatched a high-level delegation, complete with historians, bards, court mages, and more.
Leading them was Count Treliska, a skilled diplomat known for his long-standing missions to the Holy Fadlan
Empire.
His title was an honorary one without actual lands, symbolizing both his exceptional diplomatic achievents and Bosk’s emphasis on its foreign missions.
Guided into the hall by guards, the handso Count Treliska wore a luxurious ceremonial robe, bowing deeply and exuding a refined charm that reflected centuries of northern aristocratic tradition.
"Greetings, esteed Ember King."
"I bring you the regards of Duke Leo."
Cassius remained reclining on the Iron Throne, gazing down at the envoy without responding imdiately.
The atmosphere grew tense.
The guards in the hall tightened their grips on their spears.
Although Treliska appeared calm and composed, his slightly trembling hands and evasive gaze betrayed his inner nervousness.
His delegation mbers were even more visibly affected.
Despite being ntally prepared, the fifty-year-old historian More turned pale at the sight of the twenty-ter-long dragon, breaking into a cold sweat and nearly fainting, barely remaining upright with the support of his attendants.
The renowned female bard Yelena, nicknad the "Flower of Strapha," famous for her performances at grand banquets, was now ashen-faced and even let out an involuntary scream.
Cassius found the scene rather amusing.
Narrowing his golden eyes, the red dragon finally broke the oppressive silence.
"Envoys from Bosk, I would like to extend a polite greeting to you as well."
"However, your duke recently orchestrated an assassination attempt against . How am I to trust that you are not another batch of would-be assassins?"
This statent sent shockwaves through the delegation, their hearts pounding in fear.
Such a dangerous question caused cold sweat to bead on Treliska’s brow, but it had been anticipated in their planning.
Following his rehearsed lines, he maintained as steady a tone as possible and replied:
"Honored Ember King, the Duchy of Bosk had no involvent in that operation and was unaware of it. It was solely the reckless action of the Duchy of Nort."
"And as you are aware, they have already faced their due punishnt."
"As for those Lionheart Knights, they were disavowed by Bosk’s internal authorities. Their actions were personal, beyond our control."
"Enough."
Treliska's words were abruptly cut off by Cassius.
"Envoy from Bosk, there’s no need to feign ignorance before . Everyone here understands what has transpired, and I am well aware of your duke’s sches."
The red dragon's lips curled into a sinister smile, his brow scales slightly lifting, sending shivers down the delegation's spines.
"However, I welco your role as so-called 'observers' this ti, because only by witnessing the disparity in power can you refrain from stirring trouble in the shadows."
He exhaled a breath of sulfuric air.
"After all, flies are easy to crush, but their incessant buzzing around one's ears can be quite annoying."
Hearing Cassius's comnt, Treliska felt a surge of indignation but dared not show it.
After a mont of hesitation, he mustered his courage and spoke with calm dignity:
"Lord Cassius, I acknowledge your imnse strength. Even thousands like
combined could not match you."
"However..."
He slowly lifted his head, struggling to suppress his primal fear as he locked eyes with the red dragon's golden pupils.
"Aren’t you being a bit arrogant?"
These words threw the delegation into a panic, fearing that the dragon might erupt in fury and incinerate them all.
Yet, Cassius did not react with anger as they expected. Instead, he watched Treliska with amused curiosity.
"Why do you say that?"
Encouraged by the dragon's response, Treliska steadied himself and continued:
"To be frank, Anzeta is ultimately a remote land. Everything here resembles a wasteland—whether in wealth, culture, or strength."
"Over the past decade, I have visited the southern Fadlan
Empire and the western Free Trade Confederation. I have seen lands flowing with milk and honey, treasures vast as the sea, and Sun Warriors who seem like demigods. Their splendor is unimaginable to the people of the north."
Hearing this, Cassius understood another objective of the envoy—luring the dragon south, exploiting his greed to redirect his might to other regions.
"What a clever plan. But with my current strength, venturing south would an facing countless challenges."
Cassius thought to himself.
Narrowing his golden eyes, the red dragon offered no response but said dismissively:
"I have grown tired of Bosk's honeyed words. I will arrange for you to observe the battle at the Trier Throat."
"Record everything carefully and report it to your duke."
"That might dissuade him from playing petty tricks."
With that, Cassius summoned his hobgoblin guards to escort the delegation out of the council hall.
More, Yelena, and the others, overwheld by the oppressive atmosphere of the hall, felt imnse relief at Cassius’s dismissal.
They exhaled deeply, grateful to have escaped the red dragon's unpredictable wrath.
Count Treliska, however, remained deep in thought.
The delegation had reached the hall’s exterior.
The elderly scholar More dabbed at his sweaty brow with a handkerchief, grumbling: "Treliska, you were far too reckless this ti!"
"If you had angered that red dragon, we would all have been dood!"
Yelena hugged her arms, still shaken: "That was terrifying, like standing under the blade of a guillotine, ready to drop at any mont."
"Yes, thank the gods for sparing us and allowing us to leave unscathed."
Treliska frowned deeply, his eyes fixed anxiously on the locked tal doors behind them:
"If he were so easily angered, it would an he’s just an ordinary red dragon—capricious, mindlessly destructive, and insatiably greedy."
"Such creatures, though reckless for a ti, never last long and are eventually eliminated by those who uphold order."
"But he did not behave that way."
"I believe he is not a textbook example of a cruel and savage red dragon but sothing far more cunning and terrifying."
"Perhaps… he truly will upend the rule of the north."
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