Ashen Dragon

Chapter 29 Dailenna's Report

After watching the military exercise, Cassius returned to the cave, where the Great Goblin presented another secret report.

He examined it carefully.

The report was titled "Notes on the Northern Tripartite Alliance."

"In terms of direct military power comparison, the Boske Duchy is obviously far superior to the combined strengths of Rackman and Notte Duchies.

Boske emerged victorious in the internal struggles of the Northern United Kingdom. It gained a special status in the "Lionheart Alliance" a century ago and has since occupied the southern part of the Anzeta Wasteland as the nominal controllers of the United Kingdom.

However, their relationship with other duchies has always been subtle and distant. The current Grand Duke of Boske dreams of a unified, federated kingdom, so he does not fully exert his strength to assist any particular country but rather prefers to see his neighbors' power weakened.

Of the so-called thirty thousand allied forces, less than five thousand originated from the "Northern Lion" of the Boske Duchy, and even these were unimportant border guards. The Notte Family of the "Double-Headed Eagle," though reliant on Rackman as a shield, was willing to help but could only muster three thousand troops due to limited strength.

As for the bulk of this so-called allied force, it was primarily made up of soldiers from the Rackman Duchy, as this matter concerned their survival. They dispatched virtually their entire military.

This collection of notes aims to record the military status of the Rackman Duchy.

The lowest and most common soldiers in the army are the conscripted laborers. Before the war, these men were likely farmers without any systematic military training. Equipped only with inferior weapons and almost no armor, their primary roles were feeding warhorses and transporting supplies, or being used as cannon fodder before elite units engaged the enemy.

In the Rackman Duchy, these men are typically tenants and serfs under the control of local gentry, lacking personal freedom and without the right to claim spoils of war. Any military achievements or spoils they gain are recorded under their owner's name.

Slightly better are the second-tier soldiers, who are free men that joined the military for conscription. They keep their spoils of war, and although their financial means are limited, they often fight with inherited weapons.

In the duchy, these men are usually self-sufficient farmers who serve under their lords. Military service is their obligation to the lords. Theoretically, they are on par with the gentry, as the gentry are essentially farmers with more land who do not participate directly in production.

The third-tier soldiers are closely associated with their lords and are true professional soldiers. Their eagerness to fight far surpasses that of conscripts. They are often the lords' attendants or local gentry. Whether through stipends from their lords or income from their own lands, they have enough wealth to procure superior weapons and armor and gain more benefits from war.

There is another type of soldier between the second and third tiers, known as mercenaries. Although they do not possess as much property as the gentry, their constant battle experience compels them to convert their existing wealth into better weapons and armor to survive and achieve more in combat.

Conscripted soldiers from farming backgrounds tend to spend their spoils on living expenses. While mercenaries do not receive structured military training like third-tier soldiers, their extensive combat experience serves as their training, provided they survive.

The fourth and highest-tier soldiers not only have ample wealth to procure top-tier weapons and armor but also receive enough military education to qualify for junior officer positions.

Only this group can form sizeable cavalry units. They often serve as knights or barons under lords. The representative of this group is the so-called "Northwind Eagle Guards" Knight Order."

The final signature read, "Your loyal servant, the humble pureblood Serpentfolk, Dailenna. Poisonstroke."

"Interesting..."

Cassius stared at the text, thinking to himself.

This is no mere military report; it is a comprehensive overview of the social structure of the Northern countries—or rather, it seems more like a show of credentials.

Whatever Dailenna's motive, she had successfully piqued the Red Dragon's interest.

After a moment of thought, Cassius ordered, "Dolores, bring the author of this report over."

Dolores quickly said, "Master, that Serpentfolk has been waiting at the door for a long time. I wanted to send her away..."

"Let her in."

"Yes, Master."

In a moment, Dolores brought her up.

Cassius scrutinized the pureblood Serpentfolk closely. She wore a heavy headscarf, and her purple robe accentuated her graceful figure. For now, there was little to distinguish her from a human.

Under Cassius's scrutinizing gaze, Dailenna removed her headscarf and, without any hesitation, lifted her head to reveal a captivating smile.

Her face was stunningly beautiful, but it emitted a hint of danger. The vertical pupils, sharp fangs, and forked tongue revealed her Serpentfolk heritage.

"Lord Cassius, I have long admired your name. I knew you would let me in."

Her voice was enchanting yet had a serpent's rasp.

Cassius looked down at her from above.

"To write such text, you must be quite capable. You could earn a good position among humans. Why come to my secluded Ashen Nest?"

Dailenna instinctively flashed a flattering smile and coquettishly said, "Lord Cassius..."

However, she was interrupted before she could finish.

"Do not use your feeble Charm Person spell on a noble dragon."

Cassius's tone was perilous, emitting a faint Magical Aura of Dragon's Might.

She truly felt for the first time that she was facing a genuine and ferocious Red Dragon, not a bloated human lord.

Under this pressure, Dailenna felt an instinctive fear. She trembled and bowed her head, kneeling on the ground.

"I-my identity..."

"In Serpentfolk society, I am the lowest scum, and in human society, my bloodline prevents me from showcasing my talents. So I came here..."

Cassius said indifferently, "Now, isn't it better when you speak plainly?"

"I prefer directness. So tell me—what do you seek to gain in the Ashen Nest?"

After a moment's hesitation, Dailenna gritted her teeth and said,

"Power, status."

With that, she knelt in silence.

The air was nearly static as sweat rolled down her forehead. She awaited the final judgment.

Cassius glanced at her, and a faint Magical Aura flashed in his golden eyes.

[Lie Detector]

The spell showed she was not lying.

Cassius's calm voice sounded again.

"Good. You did not deceive me, or you would now be a pile of ashes."

Dailenna sighed in relief.

"Here at the Ashen Nest, we welcome capable individuals. I do not mind your ambitions but encourage them, as long as you prove useful to me..."

"Do you understand?"

Dailenna quickly nodded in agreement.

"Go to the ugly tower and find my steward, Ramp. He will arrange a suitable position for you."

"Yes."

"...Master"