After some time.
In a royal court of the imperial capital, the Emperor of the Second Imaskan Empire and some mechanical nobles looked up at the sky. Under the guard of the royal court, they watched the silver dragon hovering above, their expressions incredibly grave.
"You may not believe it, but I come with good intentions."
The silver dragon lowered its gaze, looking down at the members of the royal court and said.
"This is not the scene I wanted to see."
Silence.
The Imaskan imperial nobility exchanged glances, seeing the disbelief in each other's eyes.
At the same time, they also saw the fear in the people beside them.
Under the shadow of the silver dragon in the sky, the capital of Imaska was even more powerless than before. When it first encountered an attack, the Second Imaskan Empire at least had the power to fight back, but due to the royal court being captured, they dared not act rashly out of fear of harming their own.
But this time.
The mechanical creations within the entire imperial capital almost instantaneously rebelled, becoming the enemy's weapons, and aimed their cannons at their former masters, including the legendary golem guards of the royal court, all of which lost control.
Ninety percent of the combat power of the mechanical nobles came from various mechanical creations.
After the rebellion of the mechanical creations, the current situation was self-evident.
It was as if the Second Imaskan Empire had its armed shell removed, completely exposing its fragile body to the opponent, who could ravage at will if they so desired.
"Everyone, don't be so tense."
"I am not some evil dragon."
Garon chuckled, his face splitting into a friendly smile.
But the more he spoke, the tenser the Imaskan royal nobles became.
Meanwhile.
Under the control of the Grandmaster of Mechanisms, one mechanical creation after another shut down their engines, stopped dead, and no longer threatened the surrounding mechanical nobles, but no matter how the mechanical nobles cast their spells, they could not restart them.
The control of these mechanical creations still lay in the hands of the Grandmaster of Mechanisms.
Immediately.
Under the tense gaze of the royal nobles, the dragon's body spiraled down, the shadow formed by blocking the sun gradually shrinking until it merged with its body, landing in the vast courtyard in front of the royal court, directly facing the royals.
At close range.
The royal nobles could feel even more the impact of the dragon's massive size.
With its limbs touching the ground and its agile body, the silver dragon, after landing, looked down from a high position at everyone, its shoulder height alone exceeding twenty meters, its massive body surpassing most of the buildings within the royal court, making the ordinary people of Imaska seem as insignificant as ants.
It seemed that even the dragon's casual breath could destroy everything they possessed.
Many of the less mentally resilient people of Imaska already felt difficulty breathing.
And this was with Garon having restrained all his draconic might.
It was just the natural oppressive presence of its size that was enough to put most of the people here into a state of panic.
This was also a clear weakness of the mechanical nobles.
Too dependent on mechanical devices.
Without mechanical equipment, their combat power would drastically decrease, and even their sense of security would disappear, but such a reaction was also within reason, as the entire empire of Imaska was based on mechanical creations.
"What, what do you want to do?"
"Why are you fixated on our Imaskan Empire?"
The contemporary Emperor of the Empire, a man whose demeanor seemed far less than that of the previous emperor who died under Garon's breath, his body trembling slightly, stepped out from the crowd and said.
Garon could hear the clear unease in his voice.
Garon turned his head and looked over.
This generation's emperor was around thirty years old, well-maintained at first glance appearing youthful, dressed in an imperial robe engraved with gear and machinery patterns, the body beneath the robe somewhat thin.
The dragon's gaze was like a tangible burden, putting immense pressure on this emperor.
Drops of cold sweat emerged on his forehead, his lips trembling slightly.
Seeing the performance of this emperor, Garon showed a faint smile, his voice deep: "What I want is for this empire to submit under my wings, to become my kin."
"I will grant you protection from a true dragon, and in return, you will follow my will and fight for me!"
As he spoke, Garon calmly observed the emperor's reaction.
A somewhat timid emperor was better to subjugate for Garon.
For an empire like Imaska that still followed the ancient system of bloodline, the royal bloodline controlled the source of mechanical creation, under the rule of the royals, the mechanical nobles born from the lower classes, even if they wanted to break this situation, were powerless.
Just like the original Imaskan crown, it could suppress all mechanical creations, which was
a power created by the royals to consolidate their rule.
The royal family had many such things in their hands.
Although none today were as powerful as the Imaskan crown, they were sufficient for use.
Thus, while the Emperor of Imaska was of the highest status in this empire, it did not mean his ability was also the highest. Due to having the best educational environment and resource tilt, the Emperors of the Imaskan Empire were generally excellent, but there had also been several generations of incapable emperors.
"Imaska will never."
Under the abyssal pressure, the emperor hesitated, and the final words were difficult to utter.
The Second Imaskan Empire, inherited from the ancient Imaskan Empire, carried the will of the ancient empire.
In the ancient Imaskan Empire, there was a maxim.
Imaska never compromises.
This represented the spirit of the Imaskan Empire.
The emperor wanted to calmly say the words Imaska never compromises.
But under the indifferent gaze of the silver dragon, he felt as if his heart was being squeezed by an invisible hand, and the last two words stuck in his throat, unable to be spoken.
As the current emperor, he was very aware of how the previous emperor had died.
That dignified and wise father, beloved by the citizens of the empire, had turned to ash in front of everyone after refusing the dragon's words and uttering Imaska never compromises.
The current emperor actually didn't feel much hatred for the calamity's shadow.
The emperor had many offspring, and if not for the calamity's shadow, his many siblings, much more capable than himself, would not have died, and the emperor's throne would not have come to him.
After all, he even had to thank this powerful dragon.
"Initially, father's death ignited the fighting spirit of the royal court's mechanical nobles."
"But now, this dragon has returned with even greater power, and this time, having the will to fight doesn't change the situation."
"Given the calamity shadow's initial behavior, the so-called good intentions are definitely false."
"If we submit, we can still preserve the lives of the citizens of the empire, allowing the Second Imaskan Empire to escape calamity."
"However, does the spirit of never compromising, inherited from the ancient Imaskan Empire, end with me?"
"Yet, if the Second Empire is destroyed, Imaska will be completely erased from the annals of history, ceasing to exist."
The emperor's heart was tumultuously active, his expression one of struggle.
On the other hand, the silver dragon looked down with a lowered gaze at the emperor, who was sweating coldly and appeared hesitant and struggling. The dragon did not urge him, just silently watched, its gaze seemingly bottomless, gradually submerging the emperor's will bit by bit.
Seeing the hesitation and struggle of the other party, Garon knew that this emperor was obviously afraid of death.
If he were like the previous emperor, who was not afraid of death, he would have refused without hesitation, never compromising, and all the so-called thinking and weighing of pros and cons were just excuses to justify his own fear.
Moments later.
The emperor made his final decision and said to Garon: "For the future of the empire, for the lives of countless imperial citizens, I am willing to bear the name of a traitor alone and lead the royal court to submit under your shadow."
After speaking with difficulty, the emperor breathed a sigh of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
The oppressive presence from the dragon seemed to disappear suddenly.
Hearing the answer, Garon's gaze shifted slightly, then looked around at the other royal nobles.
Most of the royal nobles showed a look of disappointment towards the emperor, but at the same time, there were some who were relieved, with only a small number stepping forward immediately, sternly saying: "Your Majesty, you have forgotten the previous emperor."
Before they could finish speaking.
Hiss!
A chill turned into an ice spear, casually shot out by the indifferent dragon, piercing through the heart of the adviser.
The surrounding royal nobles all changed their expressions.
What about coming with good intentions?
That certainly can't be trusted!
"Making the right choice, you are a good emperor."
"As long as you submit to me, I assure you, your emperor's throne will be as stable as the seven heavens."
Hearing the dragon's words, the emperor was momentarily stunned, then his expression turned ecstatic.
The dragon stepped forward, surveying the surroundings with its gaze.
"Now that I've spoken, who agrees, who opposes?"
Wherever Garon's gaze passed, the royal nobles dared not meet his eyes, intimidated, and lowered their heads.
At the same time, some of the royal nobles glared at Garon without showing weakness.
However, the result of meeting Garon's gaze was that their spirits were specifically shattered by the dragon's might, falling to the ground with a blank and vacant expression.
"People call me
the Dragon of Eternity and Time, the Time Dragon God."
"Being able to become my kin, actually, is an honor for your empire."
Garon spoke evenly.
At the same time.
The pupils of the royal nobles present contracted, shocked by the news revealed in Garon's words.
Busy with post-disaster reconstruction, during the Glory War, the Second Imaskan Empire had never left their main material world, and there were no traces of dragons or elves here, therefore, they were unaware of the Glory War between dragons and elves.
The Dragon of Eternity and Time, they were hearing this for the first time.
But this did not prevent the word god from shocking them.
Pretending to be a deity in a world with divine beings, creatures that impersonate deities do not end well.
They did not believe the dragon in front of them was pretending to be a deity.
"Dragon God above, Imaska will henceforth follow you and fight for your glory."
The Imaskan emperor was the first to kneel on the ground, expressing his loyalty and submission to Garon.
Having chosen to betray the empire to secure his own life and stabilize his throne, the emperor's greatest support now was only the dragon in front of him, even if it was a false dragon god, it had to be treated as a real one.
Seeing the emperor humble himself and kneel before the silver dragon, the rest of the royal nobles also followed suit.
They repeated the emperor's words, swearing loyalty to Garon.
Afterward, Garon shrank his body, turning into the size of a seemingly harmless young dragon, and then entered the royal palace surrounded by the royal nobles.
The Imaskan emperor yielded his throne, actively leading the harmless young dragon to occupy the throne.
"Later, I will send my divine envoys, some legendary dragons, to descend in various parts of the empire."
"Your first task is to cooperate with my divine envoys, to build temples for me, cast statues, spread doctrines, and gather the power of faith."
Garon looked down at the royal nobles below and said solemnly.
The Imaskan emperor thought for a moment and said, "My lord, the empire's citizens still have reservations about you."
"This is something, even we cannot easily reverse."
Garon smiled faintly, gazing at the Imaskan emperor and said calmly, "From now on, strictly monitor all information channels, erase all negative information about me from all empire records."
"Strictly prohibit any defamatory speech against me, giving generous rewards to informers."
"Also, compose ballads and biographies, extolling my greatness, praising my glory."
"."
"In a few generations, in the eyes of the citizens of the empire, I will become the object of their utmost reverence and admiration."
Faith indeed cannot be forced.
But the environment for faith can be actively created.
Given the experiences of the ancient Imaskan Empire, there were no temples within the Second Imaskan Empire, and they were a nation that did not believe in deities.
But this was actually a good thing for Garon.
Because it was equivalent to an unexplored fertile land of faith.
If there had been faith in other deities, changing the imperial citizens' impressions of himself in this way would definitely provoke the wrath of other deities, as faith is the most inviolable baseline for deities, being the foundation of their divine power.
Garon's voice paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the royal nobles including the Imaskan emperor.
"As for you, those who perform outstandingly will have the chance to ascend to the Eternal Divine Realm, no longer troubled by birth, aging, sickness, and death."
To better make the royal family work for him, Garon offered benefits.
"Great Dragon of Eternity and Time, as you wish."
The Imaskan emperor's eyes lit up, and he immediately responded.
In the Second Imaskan Empire, the technology for eternal life was still very immature.
The souls of the imperial family in the Angel of Destruction were many souls merged into one, actually becoming a new intelligence, and other mechanical nobles who integrated individual souls into mechanical bodies also faced various restrictions, many of which ended in madness and death.
"These are long-term tasks."
"Besides, you still have one other thing to do."
Garon looked at everyone and said, "Of course, this will be within the area of expertise of your mechanical nobles."
Under the puzzled gazes of the royal nobles, Garon stretched out his dragon claw, easily tearing open the dimensional barriers, and constructed a teleportation circle to a metal world using mechanical runes.
As he spoke, a kind of bracelet-like exquisite metal object continuously appeared from the teleportation circle, quickly accumulating into a small mountain.
"This is, a No-Distance Thought Control Device."
A mechanical noble recognized the bracelet, showing a surprised expression.
The No-Distance Thought Control Device was also produced in the Second Imaskan
Empire, but because it was too intricate, due to technical limitations, it was difficult to manufacture on a large scale, and generally, only high-ranking mechanical nobles had the capacity to create it.
However, for the Grandmaster of Mechanisms, this was just child's play.
From obtaining specific blueprints to starting the design of the assembly line, and then to formal production, it only took a very short time.
"Take note of the mechanical runes used to construct this circle."
"Later, you can take No-Distance Thought Control Devices as needed."
Garon closed the circle and said.
"Next, you will control mechanical soldiers through no-distance remote control to participate in a bloody war for me."
Bloody War.
Upon hearing this, many of the royal nobles were inwardly shaken.
The Second Imaskan Empire had a rich heritage, and even before the Day of Catastrophe, had visited many main material worlds and outer planes, and had heard a little about the bloody war between the Nine Hells and the Abyss.
This could be said to be the most terrifying battlefield in the multiverse.
In the never-ending Bloody War, the endless blood and bones buried therein could fill countless main material worlds.
However, although the Bloody War was terrifying, not using their actual bodies to participate, the mechanical nobles of the Second Imaskan Empire had nothing to fear; participating using remotely controlled mechanical soldiers, for them, it was more like a grand war game.
This kind of game, the mechanical nobles deep inside actually quite liked it.
"You don't need to tell the citizens of the empire that they are fighting for me."
"How to get them actively involved in the Bloody War, I believe you have suitable reasons."
Changing the impression of Garon in the minds of the citizens of the Second Imaskan Empire was difficult to achieve in a short time; if it were said that they were fighting for him, it would inevitably breed a lot of resistance.
"My lord, I will not disappoint you."
The Imaskan emperor solemnly said.
Garon looked at him and said calmly, "It's best that way."
The royal bloodline of the Imaskan Empire had distinctions of rank and status, generally quite numerous.
If this Imaskan emperor turned out to be too inadequate, Garon would not mind replacing him.
Even knowing that he had to be a puppet, the status of being below one dragon but above ten thousand people still held immense allure.
Especially after knowing that Garon was actually a dragon god.
Loyalty to a deity is not considered a disgrace.
Afterward, Garon left a dragon scale with the Imaskan emperor, engraved with magical runes that allowed cross-dimensional contact and also possessed a certain level of protective power.
In the metal world controlled by the Grandmaster of Mechanisms, mechanical soldiers were already prepared and waiting in strict formation.
No-Distance Thought Control Devices were also continuously being produced.
Garon returned to the planet Kala, where he also taught the Alpha Fire Mages how to obtain the control devices, and at the same time learned that a team of high-ranking Fire Mages, led by a legendary Fire Mage, had gone to the Plane of Air.
The Plane of Air was quite vast, and the young Fire Mage who died had not had time to tell the Fire Mages the coordinates of Storm City.
Cities similar to Storm City were numerous in the Plane of Air, and many had the same name.
The Fire Mages, following the connection between their bloodlines, also needed some time to search.
As for flying under the banner of Garon the Dragon God and arriving at Storm City, whether they could successfully take away the person who had killed the young Fire Mage in the Air Mages was still uncertain.
After Garon chose his army for the blood war, he returned to the Eternal Hall for a brief rest.
At the same time, a soul in two bodies, Divine Garon, went online again and headed to the Afnas Hell.
This time, Divine Garon did not go directly to the Five-Color Divine Kingdom, but to the native plane of Hell.
Through the strings pulled by the Immortal Dragon, Divine Garon had already scheduled a meeting with a devil lord of Afnas Hell to discuss the specifics of a blood war contract.
The Blood War is the war between Hell and the Abyss.
Outsiders who want a share, if they do not want their armies shredded by demons and devils alike, need to establish a blood war contract with one side, representing that side in the war.
The contents of the contract vary according to the power levels and needs of both sides, generally differing.
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