On the deck of the First Floating Fleet's flagship, Velin leaned against the railing and looked down at the vast city below.
The Royal Capital of the Okra Kingdom covered 135 square kilometers, housed over a million people, and contained more than a thousand manors.
Streets crisscrossed the city, but its former bustle had vanished, replaced by desolation. There were no vendors or pedestrians, only patrol soldiers occasionally passing through the alleys.
Large numbers of troops were stationed near the walls, ready to reinforce the City Defense Army at any moment.
Thousands of archers and crossbowmen stood behind the battlements.
The gates were shut, the drawbridges raised, and the moat rippled in the wind.
"How long until the Second Corps arrives?"
"Tomorrow afternoon."
"Pass down my orders. Starting tomorrow, the Floating Fleet will attack for three days. After that, the army will storm the city. I want it taken within a single day."
"Yes, sir."
The Low-rank Gold Knight standing behind Velin acknowledged the order, then headed aft, taking another Floating Battleship down to the First Corps' camp to deliver it.
After one final glance at the city that held thousands of years of culture, Velin turned, raised a hand to open a passage into the Cecilia Demiplane, and stepped inside.
Seeing this, Kyle closed the Magic Book in his hands and followed.
Inside the Cecilia Demiplane, Velin walked beneath the Life Tree Seedling and sat cross-legged. He placed his hands behind his head and leaned back against its trunk.
Looking at the vibrant spring scenery before him, Velin slowly said, "Do you think I should establish a kingdom straight away, or take it step by step—establish a duchy first, then turn it into a kingdom once I have enough Legendary figures?"
Kyle did not answer immediately. He walked over