Burn This Prison!

"At this point, a total of three tons of Yilan-Tai'er material has been delivered to the Azure Fleet."

In the conference room, A Fu's report was delivered in a crisp and powerful voice.

All the core members of Shogunate present looked at Kang De.

Kang De pondered for a moment, then asked, "Has the Azure Fleet disappeared?"

A Fu replied, "There is no sign of them setting sail and leaving."

Kang De then looked at Tina.

Tina replied, "The demand for the Azure Fleet to immediately withdraw from the Broken Sea was not agreed upon by the Council. According to Councilor Aokexindun, the Azure Fleet will only withdraw from the Broken Sea after retrieving the captured naval soldiers... and the ransom issue has not yet been settled."

Kang De frowned, then asked, "Do they think our price is too high?"

Tina replied, "They not only complained that our price was too high, but after the agreement on the trade of the relics was reached, their attitude became much tougher. Not only did they refuse to accept our ransom terms, they even demanded that we release the prisoners unconditionally... Their words were quite rude and unreasonable."

Kang De thought for a moment, then laughed.

"There's a ghost among them."

He immediately sensed the problem from the negotiating minister's unusual attitude.

"The ransom we offered for the prisoners was indeed high, but compared to what they paid for the relics, it's nothing. The Council paid such a high price, they won't mind paying a little more for scraps. After all, their big plan isn't finished yet, there's no need to create unnecessary trouble, unless..." The Fire Thief snapped his fingers, "They're just causing trouble and stalling for time."

Hong San said, "They want the Azure Fleet to continue lingering in the Broken Sea."

"Yes." Kang De nodded, then sighed. "That's the problem... They've already achieved their goal of obtaining the relic material, so why are they still letting a main force of their navy roam right under my nose? Even if they think I won't use Forbidden Spell, they don't need to be this arrogant, do they?"

The Imperial Tutor Dong Tianming, who had remained silent until now, spoke up, "Unless this fleet still has a great use."

Kang De turned and glanced at the map. "The Council obtained the relic material, and their top priority now is the secret underwater operation. However, that task will be handled by submarines. Why is the entire Azure Fleet still lingering in this area? What use is the naval fleet for this underwater operation?"

A Fu answered crisply, "To provide backup."

"A small fleet could easily provide support for two submarines; there's no need to deploy the entire main fleet at the front lines, unnecessarily increasing suspicion and danger, unless..."

Kang De slowly exhaled. "Unless the Council believes that what is unearthed from the Yilan-Tai'er Ruins is of considerable scale, enormous size, and extremely high value, and may even provoke my intervention, thus requiring an entire fleet to receive, transport, and protect it... otherwise they won't feel at ease."

Such inference is reasonable and highly probable.

The senior retainers of the Shogunate exchanged glances.

The Parrot, which had been silent until now, slowly opened its mouth, its golden mask reflecting light, its tone distorted.

"Then our most absurd deduction about this matter seems to be gradually becoming a reality," she said. "If it were merely the inheritance of some Civilization's essence, it wouldn't warrant such a large-scale operation. Even if it were something excavated from underwater ruins, it wouldn't require an entire fleet to transport it. Moreover, given the size and technological capabilities of those two submarines, they probably lack the ability to excavate large objects at a depth of two thousand meters."

Tina looked at Kang De and whispered, "So?"

Regarding the doubts and speculations about this matter, everyone here is intelligent and already has some guesses in mind, but it is the leader's authority to raise these guesses and make definitive statements.

Kang De paused for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "We now formally correct our previous intelligence analysis. The Arcane Council's submarine force has ventured deep into the ocean for covert operations. What they are searching for in the Yilan-Tai'er Ruins is very likely the... last vestige of this era's Civilization."

The ministers present fell silent for a moment.

The descendants of Civilization from a previous era, isolated from the Mortal World in the deep sea, were they self-sealed or imprisoned and exiled? After countless years, having escaped the great upheaval of the world, what is their current state, and what does their prison look like?

What are their demands? What are their plans after they escape?

These mysterious and unknown thoughts are enough to evoke endless reverie, stirring up emotions in everyone.

Just then, Malegith suddenly said, "It might not be the remnants of the era; it could be the entire underwater city. Use the relic materials to activate the lost city, causing it to rise to the surface or even float in the air."

Kang De thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "That's impossible. The entire city rising to the surface would be too overwhelming; I'd definitely discover it. And if I did, I'd certainly take a share. After all, I have Forbidden Spell in my possession. At worst, I'd smash the plate. No matter what kind of underwater or floating city it is, a single Mass Projection would level it. Forget the Azure Fleet; even if they sent out their entire navy, they wouldn't be able to stop me..."

"Therefore, if it were an entire city, the Starry Sky Council would clearly realize that this operation could not be carried out in secret, and they would not endure humiliation and spend huge sums to buy materials from me. They would be open and honest, cooperate with me, and split the benefits 50/50, instead of sneaking around like this..."

"Therefore, the possibility of them being remnants of an era is greater. Only these descendants of the last rays of Civilization have enough value to warrant the Arcane Council's involvement. They are numerous, but flexible enough that the Azure Fleet can be used as cover..."

The senior retainers of the Shogunate nodded in agreement.

The Parrot gave a barely perceptible hum.

"So, things are getting complicated." Kang De scratched his head. "Damn, it's actually true."

"Then, my lord, you should make a decision."

Dong Tianming stroked his beard and said, "The Council made contact with the remnants of the Epoch in a way we didn't know and carried out a rescue plan. In other words, the descendants of the Doomsday Tribe of Yilan-Tai'er must identify with them and feel closer to them than we do, and they are emotionally willing to Council."

"They carry the legacy of the Civilization of Yilan-Tai'er. If they join the Council, it will cause the already formidable arcane arts and national power of the Mage Kingdom to leap forward. Considering their disharmonious relationship with Distant Harbor, this is clearly not a good thing... So, my lord, should we stop them?"

As he said this, the Imperial Tutor of Cathay looked at Kang De with a questioning and scrutinizing gaze.

The others also held their breath in silence.

Only Kang De himself could make such commands and decisions.

Because this involves almost everything from war to peace.

If we pretend not to know and let the Council take away the remnants of the era, nothing will happen, and everyone will be happy.

However, if they intervene and cause the Council fail in its efforts, the Starry Sky Council will be extremely furious, and it could even become the fuse for war.

"There's one more thing," Hong San noticed his mentor's gaze and spoke up, "If we intervene or even rob them, we're forcing and coercing the Yilan-Tai'er people to join us. Given their clear allegiance to the Council, such behavior... Your Highness, please consider this carefully."

Dong Tianming glared at his disciple, then looked away.

He was waiting for Kang De's answer.

"... Hold."

Kang De slammed his hand on the table. "To hell with it, let's launch an attack first, stop them first!"

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but some couldn't help but sigh.

Dong Tianming said softly, "My lord, how do you intend to treat the remnants of the Yilan-Tai'er? Will you force them to join the Distant Harbor and serve you? Or...?"

Kang De looked at the Imperial Tutor, spread his hands, and said, "Try to reason with them."

This answer was completely unexpected by the old man—"What for?"

"To be fair, those people in Yilan-Tai'er were holed up at the bottom of the sea, suppressed and guarded by that sea monster and its descendants. If I hadn't used a big firework to wipe out that sea monster's entire family, those bastards in the Council wouldn't have been able to rescue them for eight hundred years. So, I deserve at least eight out of ten credits for these remnants of the era being able to escape and regain their freedom."

Kang De crossed his arms and said proudly, "They should repay me, both morally and logically."

Dong Tianming pondered for a moment, then his eyebrows relaxed, and he exclaimed, "Wonderful!"

When he first heard Kang De say that reason is essential, he even thought he had misheard—in the interactions between these two nations and peoples, one can use strength to bully the weak, use both kindness and force, and engage in deception and fraud, but one cannot reason with them.

Just kidding. In reality, there's no such thing as reason. Might makes right, shamelessness makes right, the poor and domineering makes right, the many and powerful make right—everything has its reasons. So what doesn't?

There is no such thing as reason without reason.

But Kang De said, "I want to reason."

I want to tell these remnants of the past that I have done you a great favor, and you must repay it.

--What are you asking me?

You know that sea monster, right? It was Forbidden Spell and destroyed. I did it, and my whole family was wiped out.

That's brilliant.

Kang De smiled at him and said, "That makes sense. With Forbidden Spell, you can earn money while standing up."

Dong Tianming burst into laughter.

"In that case, our strategy is settled. Does anyone have any objections?"

Kang De waited a few seconds, and seeing that the ministers had no objections, continued, "Then let's discuss the specific strategy. The relics have been submitted, and the submarine operation Council could succeed at any time, and it's time for us, the opportunist, to make our move—"

"In addition, the four ministries also need a plan for dealing with the diplomatic, economic, and military retaliations and pressures that the council may face after the Council."

Meanwhile, Tula Xiaye.

"The three types of Yilan-Tai'er substances have completed the activation process according to the instructions and guidelines."

The Starry Sky Council members listened to the report, "The essence of activation was extracted and transmitted to the two submarines via the Warpstone. Five minutes ago, all the purified essence was successfully transferred."

One lawmaker said, "So what are they waiting for?"

The Grand Speaker said calmly, "Wait for our final orders and arrangements."

He stepped off the floating platform and looked at the most powerful figures in the country. "This exciting plan is about to enter its most crucial phase. We need to announce this good news to our future allies and ask them to prepare to return to the sunlight. But before that, there is one more important thing."

He pointed, and the elemental disc rippled, outlining the shape of the Broken Sea: "Just now, our allies informed us that the Shelter's escape system will be activated after the seal is broken."

"The remnants of the era will use escape devices to quickly traverse the dark, heavy waters two thousand meters deep and reach the surface. The Azure Fleet will rescue them and welcome them into the warm family of the Council. The great mage kingdom will welcome a new member, and the path of arcane magic will leap forward... But there is a problem."

His tone turned somber. "This sea area was occupied by Kang De."

The name seemed to possess Magic Power, instantly shattering the expectations of the councilors who were full of daydreams and looking forward to the future, and everyone's face turned sour at a visible speed.

"We have to consider the worst-case scenario: that the evacuation operation attracts the attention of the Broken Isles garrison and ultimately provokes Kang De's intervention..."

The Grand Speaker's expression was also rather grim.

The possibility was too terrifying for him to even contemplate.

"We need to develop a plan for this." Even though he didn't want to think about it, it was still his duty. He said in a low voice, "If Kang De discovers that the remnants of the Yilan-Tai'er are trying to take a share, and even takes explicit threats of force, then we..."

"--Your Excellency the Speaker."

Just then, a member of parliament stood up and interrupted his speech.

The speaker looked displeased. "Congressman Luo Bei'er, is there something you need?"

A greedy warmonger, he shared Aokexindun's savage ways and disliked this hawk.

Congressman Luo Bei'er readily stated, "In fact, regarding your concern about how to prevent the Cathayan from interfering with our relief efforts in the worst-case scenario, Congressman Aokexindun has proposed a plan."

A cold glint flashed in the Speaker's eyes. "Aokexindun's plan? Why didn't he submit it directly to the Starry Sky Council? Did you contact him privately?"

Representative Luo Bei'er said casually, "The council doesn't seem to forbid private friendships among members, Speaker."

The Council's ruler snorted coldly.

"Please forgive his rudeness. Aokexindun has his reasons. This plan is not aboveboard and does not please you, especially since it involves Commander Nixiyasi, which will only provoke your displeasure. However, Aokexindun has a clear conscience. This is for the benefit of the Council, and every member of the Council has an obligation to sacrifice and make contributions for it, and Commander Nixiyasi is no exception."

Congressman Luo Bei'er smiled and said, "Just as Mr. Aokexindun said... it only requires a small sacrifice."

The speaker suppressed his anger and sighed inwardly.

Luo Bei'er didn't need to tell him; he could guess Aokexindun's wicked plan.

It's simply a matter of using Nixiyasi again, finding a way to get her to stop Kang De's investigation.

He despised this behavior and was extremely disgusted by Aokexindun's proposal, which was not only an insult to a loyal and decorated soldier, but would also shake the morale of the army if it got out.

But he was not a monarch with absolute power and unquestionable authority.

Just as he couldn't prevent Nixiyasi from being put on the negotiating table as a bargaining chip in a deal with Kang De, the Speaker's power is not supreme. He cannot go against the so-called "national interest," and ironically, what that "national interest" is is entirely determined by the core members of the council.

So this time, he knew the outcome.

"All right."

He said coldly, "Tell me Aokexindun's damn plan, and I'll..."

Just then, the chief of the think tank in the southeast corner of the council chamber suddenly changed his expression. He had been given the important task of communicating with Yilan-Tai'er. At this moment, a concise and powerful phrase appeared on the resonant crystal plate.

Take action now!

The think tank's chief exclaimed in disbelief, "Your Excellency the Speaker!"

His outbursts and violent mental turmoil alarmed the lawmakers.

Amidst the surging winds and thunder, almost instantly, the Speaker arrived before the chief of the think tank. He glanced at the crystal panel; after several days of study and exploration, he was now able to read Yilan-Tai'er's text normally.

"What happened?" he asked in astonishment. "What's going on?!"

Long lines of text and images appeared one after another on the crystal plate; this was the final and most crucial step in injecting the extract essence and unsealing the Shelter.

The speaker's eyes flashed with lightning, etched with memories, before he shouted, "Ask!"

The think tank chief picked up his pen with trembling hands, about to ask a question, when suddenly his expression changed drastically, because the magical light on the top of the resonant crystal plate vanished with a bang!

He shouted with difficulty, "Connection interrupted! Fault code 503... It's due to external damage!"

The speaker's face turned ashen, and he hesitated for less than a second.

He declared decisively, "Give the order and begin the operation!"

The message was transmitted to the two submarines hidden in the deep sea through the Council's most advanced magical communication technology. The two captains confirmed and compared the orders, Council's and even the most advanced underwater ships in the entire other world began to rumble and prepare to set sail.

Their movements were immediately detected by the bow sonar of the Knight Astolfo.

"Dad!" A Fu immediately informed Kang De, "The submarine has moved!"

Kang De was in Distant Harbor, peeked out and covered Tina's collar. "Damn, damn, they're here!"

Deep in the ocean, in the final Shelter of Civilization from a previous era, beneath a blood-red Spark, menacing dome, a dark crimson world is filled with furious roars.

"Traitor!"

"Disrespectful person!"

"This is the punishment of the gods!"

"We are not qualified!"

"Do not tarnish our repentance!"

"Kill them! Kill them! Kill them!"

A cacophony of voices surged from all directions as fanatical creatures, wielding crude and bizarre weapons, surrounded the rugged yet sturdy safe house. Then, these enraged beings reverently parted to make way, and a golden-armored figure, seated atop a war crab and holding a scepter, arrogantly approached.

"Things have come to this..."

Inside the room, a woman with blue curly hair, holding a trident, slowly stood up. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, looked at her companions and clansmen gathered around her, and raised her arms in a shout.

"Let us storm the Eternal Tower and burn down this sorrowful prison filled with lies!"