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Chapter 507: Military Parade
March 27, Year 1790 of the Third Era, Isthalia Suburbs, Plains Military Training Grounds.
"The military parade is about to begin—"
"All spectators, please remain in the designated viewing area. Unauthorized entry into the military exercise zone is strictly prohibited; violators will bear the consequences."
The voice of the tiefling guard captain blared through the loudspeakers. The Imperial Guard had cleared a ten-mile radius around the grounds, leaving only designated spectator areas on both sides.
Tiefling soldiers, armed with rifles, stood in two neat rows at the edges of the grounds, ensuring that no one trespassed.
Even before the parade began, the venue was already buzzing with excitement. The crowd fervently discussed the impending war, eagerly anticipating the parade.
"Such a vast field..."
"Will His Majesty truly attend in person?"
People from all corners of the Empire, and even from beyond, had gathered along the sidelines, anxiously awaiting the Emperor's appearance.
This grand military parade, tied to the war against the demons and widely publicized by the authorities, had drawn hundreds of thousands of spectators from across the land.
However, it still paled in comparison to the coronation ceremony that had once shaken all of Faensol.
At the far end of the training ground, a temporary platform conjured through magic—practically a small mountain—stood tall. This was the "throne" prepared for the Red Dragon.
Suddenly, distant roars and gusts of wind filled the air.
"Look, it's the Wyvern Legion!"
"By Cassius!"
"What an awe-inspiring sight!"
All eyes turned skyward. Thousands of wyverns clustered together, their wings beating chaotically, forming a dense storm cloud that blotted out half the sky.
Leading them was an especially massive two-legged wyvern, its neck extended as it let out a raspy roar.
"Roar—"
This wyvern stretched a full fifteen meters from head to tail. Were it not for its distinct lack of forelimbs, even dragon scholars might have mistaken it for an actual red dragon.
—This was Smaug, the commander of the Wyvern Legion, a direct kin of the Emperor, and a marquis of the Empire.
Amidst the packed crowd, a middle-aged man with glasses, Adroville, lifted his gaze toward the wyverns, his expression growing serious.
"This bloodline purity... it's nearing true dragon levels."
"This wyvern has the strength to rival a young silver dragon, perhaps even an adult silver dragon."
"Boom! Boom!"
"Woo—"
Suddenly, the ground trembled with deep rumbles akin to war drums, accompanied by the unmistakable blare of steam whistles.
"That is..."
"The Land Wyvern Beast Corps!"
"No, it's not just land wyverns! Listen to that whistle!"
From the distant horizon, thick billows of rolling steam emerged, followed by the silhouettes of massive figures shaking the earth.
Leading them were over a dozen towering land wyvern beasts, clad in heavy iron armor, carrying goblin beast tamers on their backs as they let out deep growls.
"I know that one!"
"That beast is Blackrock! It once crushed an entire Northern Knight Regiment to death!"
These were the elite war beasts meticulously raised at the Storm Highlands Ranch. Each had survived numerous battles, standing as mobile fortresses on the battlefield.
Yet, this was just the beginning.
A dozen eerie mechanical monstrosities followed, spewing steam as they roared forward with an agility ill-suited to their massive size.
These "beasts" lacked traditional limbs, instead moving on rapidly rotating treads.
Where their heads should have been, they bore heavily armored plating adorned with the Imperial insignia, sharp ramming spikes, and chillingly thick cannon barrels.
"This... This is..."
"Steam Tanks!"
"By Cassius! I thought these only existed on blueprints! The Imperial Technology Department has actually built them!"
A well-read Imperial citizen who subscribed to "Military Affairs" gasped at the sight of the steel colossi.
In truth, these steam tanks were not the work of the players.
The Imperial Technology Minister, Earl Guillermo Sparrow, had personally designed and developed these iron giants using knowledge borrowed from the Starfallers, equipping them with ramming horns and steam cannons.
In honor of the old war beast Gar, who perished in the Northern Wars, these steam tanks were named "Old Comrade-Class."
Imperial military officials generally believed these mechanical monsters provided greater impact and cost-effectiveness than the slow, food-consuming land wyvern beasts.
For the first time, these steam tanks were making their grand debut before the Empire's populace, leaving them in awe.
"By the gods..."
"This... This is unreal!"
"By Cassius! Even demons will be crushed under these iron beasts!"
The sky swarmed with wyverns, the ground rumbled with war beasts, gunfire and cannon blasts echoed, and more forces were still arriving.
"By Bahamut..."
Adroville watched in growing solemnity.
Based on sheer military might, the Ember Empire had already surpassed the once-holy Fadlan.
At last, he understood why Genesis held this nation in such wary regard—even to the point of fear—and why the Imperial citizens were so fervent.
—With an army like this, what had they to fear?
Beside him, Genesis silently gazed at the sky, her shoulders trembling slightly, eyes filled with tension—as if she were waiting for something.
She clutched her chest.
The parade had only just begun, and the Empire had already unveiled its formidable strength. But where was the Emperor?
"Heave-ho! Heave-ho!"
With heavy breathing, ogre artillerymen dragged their colossal cannons onto the field, adjusting their aim toward the sky.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Cannon fire roared.
Shells rocketed into the sky, exploding into symmetrical fireclouds, painting half the sky in a brilliant orange hue.
These were the Empire's ceremonial fireworks, producing dazzling flames.
The fireclouds surged like waves, gradually forming a pathway of flame and smoke.
"Roar—"
A thunderous roar echoed through the heavens. All eyes snapped toward the source, witnessing an immense figure appear on the horizon.
Suspended high above, the red dragon's pale golden eyes gazed down upon the earth.
With each beat of its vast wings, currents of fire-laden wind surged at its sides, setting the very fire elements of the world alight.
—The supreme ruler of the Empire, the Ember Emperor, Cassius, had finally arrived at the grand military parade!
"Cassius above!"
"Praise Cassius!"
"He... he really came!"
The imperial citizens in the audience seats gazed up at the sky, looking at that figure. Each and every face was filled with devotion and fanaticism.
They clasped their hands together, closed their eyes, and murmured prayers, as if they were witnessing the descent of a god with their own eyes.
"Bahamut above, what is this..."
Hidden among the crowd, Adroville couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of saliva. No matter what, he had never imagined seeing such a colossal red dragon.
As a mature silver dragon, he was not even half the size of this emperor. In comparison, he was practically a wyrmling.
No wonder he had been able to defeat his esteemed uncle. Such a dragon had already surpassed the boundaries of an ordinary dragon.
"Ugh..."
At this moment, Janesis was still clutching her chest, seemingly unable to recover from the shock.
She dazedly lifted her head, her heart pounding wildly. In those blue-gray eyes, reflected within the firelight, was the majestic figure of the great dragon.