Beneath the Red Dragon

Many mages studying Dark Powers, as well as numerous warlocks, are drawn to the discrete market of Magic Materials in the Golden Empire, yet they find it inconvenient to reveal their true faces under the public eye.

The Golden City, already the largest Arcane Materials discrete market in Aikania’s Northern Territory, trades materials measured in grams, extraordinarily expensive.

Some Arcane Materials are dozens of times more expensive than gold of the same weight, and this industry has become a significant source of profit within the Golden City.

However, as Dragon Descendant Cranris approaches closer to the Golden City, his Spiritual Power, dozens of times stronger than that of ordinary people, begins to sense an unformed, intangible order hovering over his head.

Just like the forest will present in all the forest regions of the Golden Empire, yet without a specific subjective will, akin to a collective consciousness, but multiplied tens, hundreds of times larger.

It seems a concrete order is born, towering over all the empire’s citizens, majestic and immovable, yet evidently present within the masses.

For the loyal citizens, wholeheartedly devoted to the nation, this grand order exerts some positive influence.

In Dragon Descendant Cranris’s view, the most noticeable manifestation is in those accompanying him through the Golden City gates, their faces involuntarily becoming more radiant and full, their aura seemingly blessed, differing from the typical demeanor of farmers and merchants.

Just like the renowned saying by Luo Ya, the eminent diplomat in the empire, ”Citizens of the upper nation do not bow to the rulers of the lower nation.”

These ordinary individuals, under the blessing of such order, seem to spontaneously possess the demeanor of upper nation citizens.

Yet, for those like Dragon Descendant Cranris, harboring sinister intentions, above them hangs a Sword of Damocles, ready to strike down at any moment, making Cranris feel pricked at every turn, slightly uneasy.

”What a terrifying feeling,” Cranris couldn’t help but think, he constantly feels watched by an eye in the sky, yet it’s somehow not in the sky, but omnipresent.

Thus, wandering in the increasingly grand and prosperous city for half a day, Cranris still cannot detect the source of the feeling.

However, the only thing clear is that as he approaches the Imperial government institutions, the order perceived becomes more defined and grand, increasing the pressure on him.

Especially when standing before the Imperial Court of Justice, the feeling reaches an unprecedented peak.

”Colluding with other nations, trafficking arms and food supplies, embezzling egregiously, mixing substandard goods into the food destined for warriors at the empire’s border, these charges you have confessed truthfully, now proclaiming your judgment in the presence of the public!”

The judge of the Imperial Court of Justice stands tall, the sunlight shining on the judge’s back, so majestic it makes the watching citizens of the empire unable to keep their eyes fully open.

Yet nothing hinders the cheers of these citizens; the policies pursued by the empire, enlightened and impartial, ensure no concealed crimes by any officials, a public announcement follows judgment.

Such actions not only do not damage the reputation and image of the empire but increasingly gain the support of the ordinary masses.

Rows of kneeling officials in white prison garb, crying, showing no signs of torture. In the magic-practiced empire, gathering evidence needs no simple methods like torture.

”Given your crimes, according to law, you ought to be sentenced to death,”

The Imperial Judge states sternly, ”But the Emperor of the Imperial, under the Divine Gogolma, has issued a decree, with another form of disposition.”

The Imperial Judge unfolds the handwritten decree of the Emperor, loudly declaring: ”The Emperor, considering your past merits, judges your crimes undeserving of death, thus relegates you to pigs, dogs, cows, and horses, to once more experience the multitude of sorrows.”

With an ancient echo of Witchcraft and Dragon’s voice overlapping as the decree unfolds and reads.

The Emperor’s edict, carrying unimaginable power.

”Relegate you forever as the pigs, dogs, cows, and horses among us!”

Below, the convicted howls suddenly, swept by invisible waves, each person instantly turns into pigs and dogs, cows, and horses, shouting on the spot.

”Group Transformation Skill? Law Magic? Mind Domination?” Dragon Descendant Cranris gasps, shocked by the scene before his eyes, even his strong body, of Dragon Descendant, cannot help but sweat cold drops.

His shock is completely drowned out by the cheers of the citizens of the empire.

A multitude of voices cries out: ”Long live the empire, long live the Emperor!”