Chapter 370: The Scroll and the Crown

After discussing the Count’s fate, Cassius seemed to recall something, his expression showing intense curiosity.

"By the way, Langpu. Experience this new spell."

"Yes, Master."

The ogre obediently stood still, keeping a sharp eye on the surrounding fluctuations in the magic network, not daring to move an inch.

"Snap."

A crisp sound echoed.

Langpu saw the space before him ripple as the magic network fluctuated violently, yet it passed in an instant, almost imperceptibly. The red dragon had already appeared behind him out of thin air.

It wasn’t a teleportation spell but rather an acceleration of time, allowing pure speed to reach its pinnacle.

Yet, the spectacle was far from over.

Langpu suddenly felt the surrounding space and time freeze gradually, a suffocating sensation pressing in from all directions. Still, he resisted the urge to struggle or fight back, standing his ground.

[Eternal Stasis]

In that moment, it felt as if he were trapped in an invisible, eternal prison where time stretched infinitely, and everything around him came to a complete halt.

"No..."

"This feeling..."

Time seemed to drag on—without a point of reference, Langpu had no idea how long it lasted. Despair began to creep into his heart.

Suddenly, the invisible cage vanished, everything returned to normal, the air flowed, and Langpu found himself back in reality.

"Huff, huff, huff..."

Langpu gasped for breath, first looking down at his body in disbelief, then glancing around in astonishment, muttering, "This is... time stasis?"

"Master, you..."

His voice trembled, and drool nearly dripped from his mouth.

Time Stasis was one of the most practical and renowned ninth-circle spells, difficult even for legendary mages to cast.

For an archmage fascinated by researching spells and exploring the mysteries of the magic network, Time Stasis was a dream beyond reach.

Moreover, this was true, literal "time stasis."

Seeing the ogre’s awe-stricken state, Cassius smiled and said, "Thanks to those far-flung dragon slayers, one of them was a mage from the Tower of Time—allowing me to receive compensation from them."

The red dragon lightly waved his claw, and a delicate scroll appeared before him, its surface shimmering with prismatic threads like time’s tide rippling across it.

Langpu’s jaw dropped, his heart pounding wildly as he reached out with trembling hands to receive the scroll, barely able to hold it steady.

"This, this is..."

"A [Time Stasis] scroll crafted by a temporal dragon."

The ogre’s massive body knelt to the ground, tears of excitement welling in his eyes. "Master, this... this is too precious."

Cassius merely said flatly, "It is not a gift for you but for the Ministry of Magic to study."

"I want it classified as top secret, accessible only to the Kingdom’s most loyal spellcasters."

"Additionally, I expect to see research results within five years. Even if you cannot replicate a ninth-circle spell, use this to enrich the Kingdom’s knowledge of time-related magic."

"Yes, Master."

Langpu responded solemnly.

Treasures of this caliber would normally be hidden in the deepest parts of a dragon’s lair, unknown to anyone.

Yet Cassius casually handed it over and entrusted it for research.

Such recognition!

Such trust!

Tears streamed down Langpu’s face as he silently vowed to dedicate everything to the red dragon’s grand vision.

Cassius paid no mind to Langpu’s thoughts and continued issuing orders:

"Once the Northern affairs are entirely settled, it will be time for a second conferral ceremony. This war has produced many meritorious individuals. Make preparations."

"Yes, Master."

Langpu looked up, his face full of fawning smiles.

"But would you like to inspect the item you requested to be crafted first?"

"Alright."

"Heave-ho! Heave-ho!"

"Be careful!"

"This is something His Majesty values greatly!"

Several muscular ogres carried a massive metal chest into the palace with great effort, while Langpu carefully led the way.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

After bowing to the red dragon, the ogres quickly left under Langpu’s direction.

The ogre archmage, resembling a mountain of flesh, knelt down and enthusiastically reported, "Master, this is the equipment we poured all our resources and wisdom into creating—a treasure embodying the Kingdom’s greatest knowledge and materials: the Supreme Dragon Crown."

"Only such an artifact is worthy of you."

As Langpu finished speaking, the metal chest slowly opened, emitting a dazzling glow.

Even Cassius looked over with curiosity—inside lay a crown forged of orichalcum, entirely golden, adorned with fierce dragon motifs, and inlaid with dazzling gemstones where the dragon’s eyes would be.

[Supreme Dragon Crown]

Quality: Rare

Creator: Langpu

Description: This treasure was crafted under Langpu’s direction by the Ministry of Magic’s hundred spellcasters over several months, costing nearly ten thousand gold coins—a work of immense value.

"Spare no expense! Every detail must exude luxury! This is something His Majesty personally requested!" —Chief Minister Langpu

Effects:

[Indestructible]: Forged of orichalcum, this crown is difficult to damage in combat.

[Size Adjustment]: Enhanced with magic, the crown adjusts to the wearer’s size and can change shape.

[Calamity Alert]: Automatically issues a warning when detecting the wearer losing control or going berserk, attempting to restore clarity.

The crown’s "Rare" quality was entirely a result of immense expenditure.

Given the lack of legendary spellcasters at present, crafting a magical item of this quality was no small feat.

"Only Rare-level, huh..."

"Still, it’s quite decent."

Cassius lightly raised a claw, causing the crown to float into the air and settle atop his head.

With the crown’s magic, it fit snugly around his horns, merging seamlessly with his scales—not looking out of place but rather adding an air of luxurious majesty to Cassius’s fearsome visage.

He could feel the crown’s magical circuits continuously scanning the magic network, ready to respond at any moment.

Langpu’s excitement bubbled over as he flattered, "Master, even this crown pales before your magnificent presence..."

Yet Cassius was already pondering.

—Perhaps this crown could be enhanced further, even reaching legendary status.