Chapter 1698 - Secrets of the Empire (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Hao Ren found it challenging to understand how a vast kingdom like the Dragon Empire managed to remain efficient and stable. The direct rule of the long-lived species over short-lived species could produce many hidden dangers as well as troubles. If the emperor had really inherited the soul of the dragon and become immortal, his way of thinking would inevitably tilt toward that of the long-lived race. He would accumulate tremendous wisdom and incredible experiences, but that was precisely the reason why an insurmountable gap appeared between him and the short-lived people.

Take for example when an eternal ruler decided to implement a millennial plan for the benefit of his people, who would only live a hundred years at most and no one in the first ten generations would get to see the benefit of the plan. How could people understand and support the idea?

Hao Ren had not personally seen such a thing, but similar examples were aplenty in the database.

Nevertheless, the Dragon Empire seemed to be running well.

People probably held high regard for the Dragon Soul Emperor as his majestic sculpture in black armor was everywhere in the city. The people of the Empire regarded the emperor as their eternal protector, and obedience to the emperor was a natural thing to do. It seemed that no one had ever questioned any order from the imperial capital. In the history of the empire for the past thousands of years, there was less than a handful of turmoil, and every time a disturbance occurred, they could quickly subdue it.

At least, this kingdom appeared to be stable.

That was the impression of the empire that Hao Ren got from what he saw on the scenes outside and what he heard from Awenna. Since he had just arrived in the kingdom, it would take some time before he could get a grasp of the real situation.

The caravan quickly found a place to settle for the night in the town. It was a semi-government-run inn popular among the caravans. For reason of their identity, Awenna and Charlemagne had rarely come out in the outside world, but they apparently had excellent common knowledge. With the help of the bodyguards, who had a good understanding of how things worked in the Dragon Empire, everyone settled down in the inn without a hitch.

Once inside his room, Hao Ren came before the window that had inlaid diamond-shaped glass and rose pattern. He pushed it open. Since the building he was in was tall while the civilian buildings outside were low, Hao Ren had a vantage view of the town scenery.

Dark-colored buildings were dominant in the empire. Buildings of different heights spread out in Hao Ren’s field of vision with the Gothic spires, eaves and small towers giving the town a strange, mysterious vibe. The town was by no mean large nor rich, but it was neat and tidy. Apart from the inns, uncluttered shops and mills also lined on both sides of the avenue that passed through the town. Alchemy props, the making of magic instruments and accommodation were the main trades and sources of income for the town, and the customers were usually the passing travelers and merchants. There was an airfield nearby. It was not large but bringing a lot of traffic.

At this moment, the setting sun was shining its golden rays on the town. Roofs and towers glimmered, and the churning of the machine from the mills could be heard. All this gave the town a pleasantly warm atmosphere.

Suddenly, there was a rush of hooves coming from Bluestone Avenue, where there were fewer pedestrians now. Curiously, Hao Ren looked in the direction from where the sound came and saw a few knights in black armor and black sword on their waists passing by below on horseback. The leading knight was holding a blue flag with a double-sword pattern.

Pedestrians, who apparently feared the knights, quickly gave way.

Was this the legendary Knight of the Ebon Blade? Hao Ren frowned.

A few moments later, footsteps were heard outside the door and accompanied by a rhythmic knock. It was not Lily; Hao Ren knew it. Lily would have taken down the door and swaggered in by now had it been her.

Sure enough, he heard Awenna saying, “Mr. Hao Ren, may I come in?”

“The door is not locked,” Hao Ren said.

The door opened, and Princess Izzo, who had a pair of beautiful light gray eyes, stood outside the door accompanied by her elder brother, Charlemagne.

Hao Ren invited them to come in and looked at them curiously. “Is there any problem?”

“We are here just to see how you are doing,” Awenna said. She appeared poised and totally devoid of the pride and arrogance of a typical royalty. “It can see that this inn is a far cry from your ship. I hope you don’t mind.”