After Milmos departed, Evelina and Garry couldn't help but discuss their puzzlement:

"Why did he suddenly leave like that?"

"I'm not sure, we're still unfamiliar with the internal affairs of the dragon kin."

…

After Milmos went out, the rat dragon responsible for protection immediately hunched over and dashed to the passage that Raphael had previously collided with outside, where the blood wyvern grand commander who had been expelled from the old clan was waiting.

"Let's go, follow my lead," Milmos said grimly, one claw holding a magic communication orb displaying the distance to the contacting dragon kin member.

"Lord Milmos, what brings you out here?" The blood wyvern grand commander curiously asked, because since this Interior Minister brought a large group of clansmen to Pillar Mountain, he had never left here.

"No need for questions, Mary," he clearly did not wish to elaborate.

The order of the superior is everything, this is the order within the dragon kins. The big blood wyvern then said no more, crouching down to let Milmos climb onto his back, while using his sharp rib bones to firmly grasp the two accompanying rat dragon guards. With a flap of his blood wings, he left Pillar Mountain.

The journey was smooth, a rare opportunity for Milmos to get out. Gazing back, he saw countless "ants" laboring across the towering peaks in the distance.

On the surface sprawled a series of fortresses under construction to defend the dragon territory of Mount Zhen from northeastern threats.

A long transport train steadily carried Pillar Mountain's food to the city district, before returning laden with construction materials for the engineering efforts.

"Excellent, everything proceeds according to plan," Milmos nodded in satisfaction at the steady progress of his initiatives. Once this infrastructure was complete, he could locally absorb human expertise and labor to unleash Mount Zhen's productivity.

"Speaking of which, it seemed there were signs of human fracturing before, with dwarven involvement…" he recalled Amelia's clandestine words to him.

"But why should I care about dwarven woes? I only need ensure Pillar Mountain's development pleases the Master!"

Milmos weighed it briefly but had no wish to divert focus. Pillar Mountain had just suffered another decimation by 6th-circle spells, losing many dragon kin and drastically reducing the labor force. With Raphael forbidding human or dwarven entry, maximizing the limited remaining workers already taxed his efforts.

The blood wyvern grand commander flew on until they reached the city district's airspace, the unsettled humans below gawking up at the massive blood wyvern.

"If only I truly understood human administration, the Master would never have subcontracted it to Shena and the others, no matter what," Milmos lamented, observing the city gradually restoring order.

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The ruined areas scorched by dragon breath had been largely cleared to make way for new housing and roads under meticulous redevelopment, resources, materials and populace flowing in an organized, unobstructed manner showcasing sophisticated management.

He knew his talents lay only in governing the straightforward, obedient dragon kins, lacking the faculties to handle the cunning complexities of human society.

"We're near, that wooded area over there."

After passing over the city district into the southern suburbs, Milmos cross-referenced the communication orb to indicate a small grove.

"No problem, I've already seen a little fellow." The blood wyvern grand commander's outstanding eyesight glimpsed a human shadow under the covering branches and glided straight over.

First deploying the two rat dragon guards to secure the area, the big blood wyvern then ushered over the two who had raised the initial alert.

"Brothers, what's the situation?" the guards asked after landing steadily.

"See for yourselves," a claw gestured toward where Alvis and his family had been situated in the shade, precious scrolls used to treat their internal injuries.

The guards took a few steps before recoiling in shock. Alvis feebly lifted his head with a wry smile. "Your equipment has grown so luxurious now? How did you fare against Morey's northern army?"

"Commander Alvis!" They never expected to encounter their former interior minister.

Milmos landed, immediately recognizing his former expeditionary companion but withholding any pleasantries to first inquire about the situation from the rat-dragons.

"It was like this - after the blood wyvern and I finished lunch in the city, we were heading back to the southern suburbs when I noticed some humans engaged in a dispute…"

As the rat dragon recounted events, Milmos's frown deepened as his gaze followed to the grisly scene in the grove - a pile of putrescent sludge with remnants of tattered cloth, fur and teeth.

"Darling, who are they?" Helen seemed on the verge of mental collapse from the upheaval, hair disheveled as she clung to her husband with one arm protectively clutching baby Heiss, while Misha hugged her shoulders tightly from behind, a single round eye peeking out unblinkingly at the macabre sight.

"Remember when I took you out, I mentioned they were dragon kin servitors under that red dragon we saw days ago? They once served under my command," Alvis gently consoled her, assuring there was no danger.

"They only communicate in Draconic, so leave everything to me. Nothing will happen."

Helen could only bite her lip and nod stiffly, her grip on Alvis's arm unrelenting.

After hearing the account, Milmos approached. "So we meet again. How did you end up back here? Deluca?"

"A long story," Alvis replied. "It seems your administration is quite competent to have mobilized a million former Morrey citizens to work for you in such a short time, while maintaining good productivity."

"Pay that no mind, it was a group of opportunists."

"Ah?" Alvis seemed surprised.

"Never mind, I'll explain another time. For now, I want to know - why have you returned? Did the human world become inhospitable, prompting you to embrace our Master's fold once more?" Milmos asked. "If you tell me you were simply passing through before this misfortune, I'll immediately release you and provide an escort."

Alvis fell silent upon hearing this, recognizing two paths now lay before him.

One was to proceed with his original plan of crossing the river into Ryton territory. Milmos would undoubtedly keep his word, having spent time together and harboring no ill will.

The other was to rejoin Raphael's forces. This region was now firmly under the crimson dragon's dominion with population, resources and martial preparedness - a fledgling regime just embarking on its trajectory. By rejoining, his prior achievements could facilitate a swift rise and possible prosperity.

But the human nations would never relinquish their claim, meaning any humans who defected to Raphael would eventually face retaliation if this territory was reclaimed.

"Even reaching Ryton, I'd only be an ordinary citizen."

"An intensely militaristic nation situated in the battleground of three wars - I'd likely just face conscription, with no idea what awaits Helen and the others…"

Milmos watched as Alvis's eyes tightened, seemingly grappling with a momentous decision, before a resolute voice emerged:

"I have come to pledge myself to Raphael, to assist in establishing a formidable military force against the humans."