When the first ray of sunlight shone on the North, Caesar opened his eyes. It was rare for him to use a normal human's biological schedule. Luna, who was sleeping, was dissatisfied with his departure and turned over. She pouted and mumbled in her sleep. Caesar kissed her forehead and played with Luna's little wings a few times before leaving.
Putting aside the various sacred meanings, mating was a beautiful thing, whether it was for him or Luna. However, it did not mean that they should indulge in it. As time passed, as long-lived species, they had plenty of time to spend together. Caesar returned to his original size and walked into the palace.
Black Dragon's good mood did not last long.
"Your Majesty, without any warning, the central city-states have cut off all trade with us. At the same time, the Hejian Kingdom, including Drington, Farley, and Este have all blocked all information exchange with the Empire. Although the Three-Castle Kingdom in the swamps has an unclear attitude, it seems that they intend to follow suit." Rennes held a stack of parchment and reported the recent situation on the continent to Caesar.
After a country had developed to a certain extent, the flow of capital and assets was an indispensable part. However, controlling the flow of capital within a region was not enough to support the development of the Empire. Therefore, foreign trade was a very important part of the Blackwing Empire.
Currently, the Blackwing Empire's trade was very complicated. It traded with the Three-Castle Kingdom for gems and ores, with the trading city-states for silk, cloth, and people, and with the eastern countries for food. At the same time, the Blackwing Empire also imported large quantities of raw materials from other countries and then exported assembly line industrial products. Not only was the volume of trade huge, but there were also many types of trade. If one had to record them all in detail, it would take a day to finish writing.
The nature of the countries in the continent could be roughly divided into three types: the distribution countries at the top of the pyramid, the manufacturing countries in the middle, and the energy countries at the bottom. The Blackwing Empire had already broken away from its original status as an energy country where the countries in the north relied on simply selling food, fur, minerals, and other raw materials. Under the various policies of the Black Dragon Emperor, it had transformed into an industrial manufacturing country. Such a transformation obviously allowed it to earn more profits and allow its economy to develop faster. However, a country in such a position needed to participate in trade. Cutting off its trade network was equivalent to cutting off its lifeline.
Ever since the establishment of the Blackwing Empire, it had never taken the initiative to provoke any other countries. It also maintained a low-key and friendly attitude toward other countries. Thus, it had always been smooth sailing when it came to establishing diplomatic relations, trading, and a series of other national affairs. It had not encountered any major setbacks. The trade network had already been formed for a period of time. Logically speaking, it was impossible for it to instantly disappear into thin air.
"Unless, this is an attack with a leader, a plan, and a purpose." Caesar stared at the huge map hanging on the wall and thought.
Tiamat?
That was not very likely. The Blackwing Empire's trading nations were mostly made up of humans. As a Dragon God, the Evil Dragon Mother could not possibly possess such great power.
Quilquizzad?
This God of War might have the ability to do so, but he was currently too busy to take care of himself. He could not get rid of Tiamat's entanglement. He should not have the time to care about the matters of the prime material plane.
Marat?
Forget it. The God of the Hunt really did not have any cards to play in Airadia.
Caesar could not think of any other enemies he had offended who had the ability to do such a thing. The Black Dragon was silent for a while, then said, "What other news is there?
The shapeshifters we have planted in various countries must know more. "
The relevant information was too little. Caesar could not find anything useful in his memories. However, he had a premonition that what they were about to face this time was not as simple as a fight. He needed more information to make a comprehensive judgment.
"The Alien Threat Theory."
"What?" Caesar did not understand and asked in return.
"On the 145th day of the third era of Airadia, 1665, that is, two weeks ago, the ruler of the empire where the sun never sets, Enrico Laklahan, issued a public speech, pointing out the urgency and necessity of guarding against the alien threat. It has now been widely circulated and is known as the 'Alien Threat Theory'," Rennes explained with a bow.
He then used magic to place a crystal in the palm of his hand, "Your Majesty, we have obtained the video and written records of this speech. Do you want to take a look?"
"Give it to me," Caesar said thoughtfully, then opened the video record without hesitation.
"… Humans have no way of knowing what dragons, giants, and other species are thinking, what they want to do in the future, where their desire to kill and invade ends, if there is an end.
The Titans once ruled the land, the Dragons once ruled the land, and the Orcs once ruled the land, but without exception, it was a dark era full of blood and bones. We must not let this happen again … "
Enrico was a charming and majestic monarch. Everyone knew that this great emperor had been on the throne for a long time, but he still maintained his youthful appearance and vitality. His crown was a simple and bright silver crown, inlaid with large diamond-shaped rubies. Although he was a skinny southerner, he was even taller than the northerners. His golden eyes and golden hair made him look very majestic. It was said that the blood of the Sun God flowed in his body.
"I see."
Caesar did not show any anger or impatience. He quietly listened to the whole speech, and then smiled in a low voice. Although the whole speech did not mention the "North" or "Black Dragon", in fact, this so-called "otherworldling threat theory" was actually aimed at the Blackwing Empire. So, the cause and effect of the whole incident made sense. The Unfallen Empire was the well-deserved authority and hegemony of Airadia. When it spoke, other countries had to be cautious.
If it was an ordinary dragon, whether it was a Chromatic Dragon or a Metallic Dragon, after knowing that they had been set up for no reason, they would probably roar and give a bloody lesson to the rebels who offended the dragons. But Caesar did not. He just calmly held the image crystal in his claws, and then leaned on the throne and pondered.
After learning that the Never-Setting Sun Empire was in charge of everything, Caesar instantly figured out the cause and effect. It was reasonable and logical for the Never-Setting Sun Empire to come from the Never-Setting Sun Empire. Moreover, it was almost inevitable. Although the Blackwing Empire did not have any grudges with the Never-Setting Sun Empire, the ruler of this overlord country would not allow the Black Dragon's strength to grow so quickly. Looking at it from another perspective, even if Caesar were to become the overlord of Eladia, he would not sit by and watch another force that was not under his control grow.
Of course, after knowing who the opponent was, the whole story was no longer important. The most urgent thing now was that if the status quo was maintained, the Blackwing Empire would quickly weaken, and in the end, it might even face the serious consequences of collapse and disintegration. He had to find a way to break through the blockade of The Rising Sun as soon as possible.
There was no way to fight. Not to mention that the Blackwing Empire was unlikely to defeat The Rising Sun, which had developed to its peak, once the Blackwing Empire took the initiative to attack the South, it would confirm Enrique's "otherworldling threat theory". At that time, the human countries would fear the North like a tiger and hate it like a snake. Unless the whole of Airadia was defeated and conquered, there was no way to end the situation. With Caesar's current ability, he could not do that, so he had to think of another way.