Ember Dragon Novel Chapter 286: Strategy

Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Strategy

Chapter 286: Strategy

anwhile, Cassius was watching the video on the forums, sulfurous smoke curling from his mouth.

"Yes, all of it is footage from reality."

"It showcases key events that have influenced the situation in Anzeta."

Cassius suddenly felt as though an unseen pair of eyes were watching and silently recording everything. Even with his near-peerless power, he couldn’t glimpse the existence behind it.

He continued browsing the forums until he ca across a new post from Singo.

"Launch Strategy: Erezaghe Beginner’s Guide"

"There are currently twelve available starting locations across Anzeta, including Strav Fort, Waltz City, and Arlanburg. However, I only recomnd one and a half locations—Northwind Fortress as the one, and Baator City barely making up the half. Also, there’s only one faction worth choosing—the Ember Kingdom."

"In terms of class selection, the Ember Kingdom boasts overpowered classes like the Crimson Scale Conqueror and Dragon-Oath Paladin, which give players a head start over other classes. The sub-classes in other northern factions are lackluster, with only the Bosque Principality’s Lionheart Paladin offering so strength—but that’s a noble’s private army with extrely harsh advancent requirents, and its power can’t compare."

"Faction-wise, there’s no contest. The entire beta version revolved around the Ember Kingdom’s history. Nearly all the main storylines are tied to the kingdom. It features crushingly advanced technology and a top-tier faction leader in [Ember King - Cassius]."

"Put it this way, even if you lose on the battlefield, you still get to watch a cutscene of the Red Dragon annihilating the opposition. I even suspect the developers are pushing this as the ’main protagonist faction.’"

"For players who want rapid progression, start in Northwind Fortress—there are countless opportunities there. Whether you work in the factories to earn money or take a job at an agency, you can quickly accumulate startup capital. For adventurers who want to level up early, I recomnd starting in Baator City. The hostile monsters in Storm Highlands offer plenty of experience."

Mantou also posted his "strategy guide."

But rather than a guide, it ca across as a smug brag, dripping with Versailles-style humility.

"The Crimson Scale Conqueror isn’t all that strong; it’s just nice to ride a wyvern and take in the sights."

"Huh? You an the Sheriff perks? Just a few hundred faction points daily. Nothing much—barely enough for a Dragonblood Elixir or sothing."

In addition to strategy posts, there were also lore analysis posts. At least half of them ntioned the "Ember King," speculating that he was either the final boss or a developer-chosen protagonist.

Cassius browsed these posts, nodding slightly.

"Good. The expected results have been achieved."

"Now, it all depends on the public launch."

For nearly a decade, Cassius had worked toward this mont. From subduing the tieflings to seizing Northwind Fortress and establishing the Ember Kingdom, his aim was to dominate the beta version’s main storyline [The Cleansing of Northwind Fortress]. This would cent his faction as the players’ primary choice, preparing to welco even greater power in the future.

Players weren’t just "undead" in their thousands; they represented a talent pool and technological system from another world. By the mid-to-late ga, even real-world nations would have their forces involved, becoming the shadow backers of major guilds.

For example, [Machine God Cult] later incorporated top scientists from various countries. They built massive floating fortresses, and their guild leader, [Iron Frenzy], was effectively reduced to a figurehead.

Now, Cassius had achieved his goal. He had even compelled the mysterious "system" to set him as a central figure in the ga’s lore.

"It’s ti to make preparations."

With this thought, Cassius activated a magical mirror to summon Langpu in Northwind Fortress.

The ogre mage’s ugly face appeared in the reflection once more.

"Master, what are your orders?"

"The Starfallers are arriving soon. Instruct all departnts to make the necessary preparations."

"Yes, Master."

Langpu agreed without hesitation, then hesitated briefly before adding, "Master, the item you requested now has a preliminary design."

Designing this magical equipnt had strained Langpu’s intellect. Supervised directly by Cassius, any errors would carry unimaginable consequences. The design had gone through more than thirty iterations.

Worse, the equipnt’s details were classified as state secrets, aning Langpu couldn’t delegate the task to the mages of the Magic Departnt. He had to complete the design himself.

The final blueprint depicted a luxurious golden crown, perfectly fitted to Cassius’s head. Made of enchanted mithril, it was adorned with nurous priceless gemstones.

[Crown of the Supre Dragon]

"Not bad."

Cassius glanced at it. Unable to decipher the three pages of intricate magical circuits, he nodded slightly to indicate his approval.

"At least it looks the part."

Weeks passed.

"Yes!"

"I got in! I secured a beta slot!"

In a room filled with gaming pods, Ji Ming pumped his fists in the air with excitent.

Having followed Mantou’s videos about "Erezaghe