Ashen Dragon

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Nighttime, the snow was nearing its end, with only a few scattered snowflakes falling. The ground was covered in a thick layer of snow.

The town was dark and silent. People closed their doors and windows tightly, calling their children inside. Only the Baron's mansion was brightly lit.

The stone tablet at the crossroads was inscribed with a name: Sgurr Town.

This was a small town on the outskirts of the Rackham Family's territory. The nearby land was open and fertile, ideal for farming. A hundred years ago, an ancestor of the Rackham Family led his subordinates to cultivate this area, establishing Sgurr Town.

It was also a bustling town with over a thousand residents, providing a constant supply of food to the surrounding areas.

But due to its remote location, Frost Giants, Snowmen, and even White Dragons frequently visited, causing the town to be rebuilt several times, leaving only about four hundred residents.

Most of them were serfs who couldn't leave. The rest were a few merchants, millers, grooms, and attendants serving the nobles.

The Rackham Family only assigned unimportant family members to this place to provide food to Northwind Castle.

And shortly after Baron Todd was dispatched here, the town began to have rumors of "Night Demons." Several young women mysteriously disappeared at night, making the town's atmosphere tense, with residents living in constant fear.

...

Inside the Baron's Mansion.

Baron Todd Rackman sat at a luxurious wooden table, his hands supporting his chin, his face solemn. A silver cup on the table held a red, viscous liquid.

"Damn Ashen Nest..."

Mentioning this name, his face seemed to be covered with a shadow.

The last time he sent all his subordinates to the mines, they were completely wiped out. His former head butler, Hart, was reportedly captured, and only a few insignificant serfs managed to escape back.

He initially thought these reports were lies fabricated by those despicable slaves. But a few days later, even the Rackham Family's elite Eagle Guards suffered heavy losses at the place known as "Ashen Nest."

Only then did he have to acknowledge the report's authenticity.

Even the Northwind Eagle Guards couldn't conquer the monster's nest, rumored to be the lair of the Red Dragon called "Flying Flame." How could he possibly attack with the small guard force he had?

No more gold.

No more army.

Only lowly, weak serfs and the guards sent by the family.

Though he wasn't the family's eldest son, he was still a legitimate son of the Duke.

Did this mean he was destined to guard this remote place all his life, providing food for the family and never getting close to the center of power?

"I will return to Northwind Castle."

"Father will eventually recognize me."

Thinking this, the Baron's gaunt face looked even darker, with a hint of hunger in his deep eyes.

It seemed he needed some fresh food tonight to calm his mood.

"My Lord, outside there is..."

A soldier hurriedly pushed open the door and entered, appearing to have urgent news to report.

But when he realized he was interrupting the Baron's thoughts and saw the hungry and unfriendly gaze, he quickly shut his mouth.

Todd saw that it was a soldier who had come and suppressed his bloody impulse, slowly and deliberately asking:

"What is so urgent?"

"Urgent enough... to disturb my rest?"

The soldier felt his scalp tingle as Todd stared at him.

Though the Baron had not been here long, he was secretly known as the "Bloody Baron."

Previously, a maid had mysteriously disappeared after soiling his ceremonial robe while cleaning, and she was never seen again in Sgurr Town.

Thinking of this, the soldier nervously replied:

"My Lord, it is Hart."

"There is someone outside claiming to be Hart. He wishes to see you."

Hearing the familiar name, Todd slapped the table and stood up abruptly, asking loudly:

"How is that possible?"n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Wasn't he captured?"

The soldier shook his head in panic and quickly answered, "Sir, I don't know."

Todd coldly said, "Bring him in."

The soldier hesitated and said, "He requested that you go out to meet him. He has something important to present."

The soldier's voice had a hint of a sob.

Thinking of his lost gold and troops, and the rumor of Hart being captured, Todd's anger flared up. He laughed coldly and said:

"Fine, fine, fine!"

"Where is he? I will personally go and see."

"Let me see how this... deserter, my dear subordinate, is faring."

Baron Todd's tone was gritted with rage.

"Yes, my Lord."

The soldier felt his heart pounding but obediently led the Baron outside.

The Baron's mansion, newly built, wasn't very large. After passing through the hall and walking down a narrow corridor for dozens of meters, they arrived at the entrance.

The person outside was dressed in rags, with disheveled hair and a filthy appearance, looking more like an Orc. There was no trace of the once confident head butler.

But Todd recognized the familiar scent of blood on him and immediately confirmed—it was Hart.

The Baron spoke first, with a sneering tone:

"Hart, long time no see."

"Isn't this my most trusted subordinate? The one who promised to bring me gold."

"Why have you been gone so long and returned now?"

Hart's expression was uneasy. "My Lord, I have important information to report."

"Oh? What information?"

Todd looked at him with a half-smile, his gaze filled with both hatred and hunger, his rationality fading.

He hadn't fed on fresh blood in a long time. When Hart finished reporting, he would become Todd's next meal.

"Please, have your men leave."

Hart's voice trembled.

"Very well."

"You all leave." Todd agreed to the request, dismissing the surrounding guards, and took Hart to a secluded spot in the mansion's back garden, which also suited his own intentions.

To him, Hart was delivering himself to death.

Baron Todd's pupils had turned crimson. He sneered, "Speak, Hart, I am curious to see how you will justify yourself."

Hart's voice trembled even more, his forced smile worse than a cry.

He said, word by word:

"The, Dragon, has, come."

Baron Todd reacted with astonishment, "What?"

But the next moment, he found himself covered by a colossal shadow. The massive wings blocked most of the night sky, obscuring the cascading moonlight.

The Red Dragon looked down at the Baron from above, its sinister head holding a hint of a smile. Its golden slitted eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.

"Do you need me to repeat it again? My unseen Baron."

"The Dragon has come."

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