CHAPTER 675: CHAPTER 1: THE HUMBLE INTELLIGENCE DIRECTOR

The Chief of Intelligence Ivan had once served three Emperors of the Red Lion Empire, possessing the privilege to freely come and go from Junlin Tower.

It was Ivan who had learnt in advance about the palace coup staged by the Weiting Family and had reported it overnight to Edward II, enabling him to easily thwart the rebellion against him.

Ivan would also attend the Imperial Conference punctually every week. He could no longer remember how many times he had climbed the stone steps outside the door, inscribed with lion patterns.

However, when he came here now, those stone steps remained, but the grand castle that had once sat atop was now gone, reduced to ruins.

And upon those ruins, sprawled a colossal creature.

It possessed an enormous body; its head alone was as large as half of a small tavern, covered in red scales that glistened with a metallic sheen under the setting sun.

The desperate Imperial Army warriors had fired a thousand arrows at it, yet they didn’t even leave a scratch.

Now standing in front of this terrifying beast, Ivan felt an overwhelming sense of oppression, his calves trembling slightly.

Back then, the tale of the Dragon Slayer from the western territories had quickly become a topic of casual conversation in the Royal Capital when it arrived.

However, noble and commoner alike regarded it merely as a piece of novel gossip, in the same way one might talk about a noble finding a new mistress.

Giant dragons had been extinct on the Bratis Continent for nearly three thousand years, and people had long forgotten their power and terror.

Even Edward II, Ireya’s most ardent supporter, probably hadn’t fully grasped what an incredible feat she had accomplished.

This former Emperor of the Empire regarded the giant dragon simply as a particularly formidable quarry, no different in essence from the other fierce beasts he had hunted.

Edward II had even expressed regret at not having the chance to face a giant dragon himself to prove his valor.

Perhaps only by witnessing these horrific creatures firsthand could one understand that they were not mere game, but rather, everything alive on this Continent was their prey.

Ivan couldn’t comprehend how the young noble named Ireya had managed to kill a dragon.

But now was not the time to ponder such matters. Ivan shifted his gaze away from the giant dragon, focusing instead on another figure standing before it.

The man had white hair, even the hairs on his neck were white, but a pair of grey wings extended from his back.

He was quite tall, with wings much larger than most of the Wing Tribe.

From the intelligence he had previously gathered, Ivan knew this Wing Tribe member was named Solomon and he was the commander of this Wing Tribe army.

Thus the Chief of Intelligence bowed slightly, paying his respects, "Honorable Lord Solomon, congratulations on you and your warriors taking the first stronghold on the Bratis Continent.

"You’ve summoned me, likely to inquire about the whereabouts of Gars... I assume."

A smaller Wing Tribe member beside Solomon translated Ivan’s words for him.

Only then did Solomon raise his head to look at the Chief of Intelligence standing below on the stone steps and softly uttered two words.

"Kneel down."

Solomon spoke in the Universal Language, so no translation was necessary for Ivan to understand. A look of astonishment appeared on his face.

In the Red Lion Empire, knights rarely needed to kneel except during their investiture, and not even in the presence of the Emperor.

But Ivan did not forget his current status, and after a brief moment of shock, he knelt on one knee resolutely.

A satisfied look spread across Solomon’s face, "A conquered should look like a conquered."

He paused and then continued, "I hear you are a trusted confidant of the Emperor."

"Gars indeed trusts me, as I have served the Imperial Family for nearly a hundred years," Ivan said respectfully.

"Shouldn’t you now be by his side, accompanying him through the last stretch? I have heard that on your continent there is something called ’knight spirit’ that is highly esteemed by the people here."

"I am not a knight," replied Ivan. "And aside from facing death, I have more important matters to attend to."

Solomon raised an eyebrow, "So it was Gars who sent you to see me."

Ivan sighed, "You’ve won this battle and conquered this great city, but if you wish to rule it, I mean truly rule it, not just raid and pillage, you might need to show a bit of mercy beyond bravery."

"How do you know I am not here to plunder?" Solomon challenged.

"Because a robber does not choose the strongest fortress to strike. I do not know where you and your warriors hail from, but crossing the vast ocean to reach here must not have been easy.

"You probably aren’t just looking to steal some gold and silver and leave."

Solomon neither confirmed nor denied, "Does Gars want me to spare him?"

"No, Gars knows that you would never spare him no matter what," Ivan shook his head. "So he doesn’t entertain the hope of surviving."

"Then it seems he hasn’t completely lost his mind," Solomon said lightly.

"Gars simply hopes you can grant him a death befitting his status."

"What death is befitting his status?"

"Gars hopes to duel with you, one-on-one, with no assistance. If you agree to his request, then he is willing to emerge from his hiding place."

"Or I could just have someone torture you," Solomon said. "Let’s see how loyal you really are to the family you have served for a hundred years."

"Oh, I do not have such confidence in myself, which is why even before coming here, I did not know where Gars was hiding," Ivan stated.

"The Vespasian Family has ruled this land for nearly a thousand years, their ancestors built this city. Of course, after you’ve conquered this city, there will be many who, like me, fear death and will come to pledge allegiance to you.

"Begging for your pardon, but there are also many who will still open their doors to Gars. You might eventually find him, but it certainly won’t be easy.

"It may take a month or two, so... why not choose the simpler way?"

Solomon finally seemed a bit tempted, "Gars knows he has no chance against me, doesn’t he? Land Species are inherently inferior to the Sky Tribe, and even if he is your Emperor, he has no hope of victory against me."

"He is well aware of that, just as I said before, Gars only hopes for a death that befits his standing," Ivan reaffirmed.

After Ivan finished speaking, he saw Solomon and his lieutenant whispering to each other. After a moment, Solomon spoke again.

"Tell your Emperor that at dawn tomorrow, as soon as the sun rises, he should come here. I will give him what he desires."