Four Hundred Years of Enmity (I)

Kingdom of Stellara, Northern Coastline

"Your Excellency, didn't His Majesty say he would personally come to command the battle? Why haven't we seen him yet?" (Defense Minister)

After glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, the Prime Minister leaned close to the Defense Minister's ear and whispered, "Old friend, I received news from the palace yesterday that Sonia has appeared in the palace!"

"Huh? What... Doesn't that mean... (Defense Minister)?"

Upon hearing the Defense Minister's half-finished sentence, the Prime Minister closed his eyes and nodded, tacitly acknowledging his guess.

"What... what should we do?" (Defense Minister)

"Now, there is only one way left: to organize forces to fight against the Erus Kingdom while awaiting His Majesty the King's return. (Prime Minister)"

"Sigh! There's nothing we can do about it!" (Defense Minister)

Just as the two had decided on their strategy, a rapid alarm sounded outside the tent.

"Report!"

"A large number of warships from the Erus Kingdom have appeared on the sea!"

"Continue monitoring! (Defense Minister)"

"Yes!"

After sending the messenger away, the Defense Minister said to the Prime Minister, "Brother, you stay here and keep watch. I'm going to check on the situation of the defense line."

"Okay! Go ahead!"

After the Prime Minister finished speaking, the Defense Minister emerged from the tent and went to inspect the defense line.

Gazing at the magnificent island ahead, Acting Commander-in-Chief Princess Diphiya asked the person beside her, "Swann, is that the Kingdom of Stellara?" (Um... why is Diphiya acting as the acting commander-in-chief? Because they are currently setting sail, and the former commander-in-chief is busy clearing out his own inventory, so this is how it turned out.)

Upon hearing the acting commander's words, the Beautiful Leg Mage, who was staring at the silver waterfall hanging on the ship's side, hurriedly turned her head and replied, "Your Her Highness the Princess, the Kingdom of Stellara is just ahead!"

Noticing the strange behavior of the three people beside her, Commander Diphiya mentally cursed her useless older brother before saying coldly, "Swann, you haven't forgotten what happened in Kushen City, have you?"

Upon hearing the Her Highness the Princess's reprimand, Swann and the other two immediately knelt on one knee and replied in alarm, "Your Majesty has spared our lives, and we swear to serve you to the death!"

"Yes! It's good that you remember! (Diphiya)"

After reminding the three, Princess Diphiya handed over command of the warship to Ghost Dragon Heavenly King, and then slowly walked to the side of the ship.

"I'll poke!"

Reaching out her finger, she poked the large silver ball on the ship's side. Seeing that it didn't react, Princess Diphiya complained, "Hey! Bro, can't you be a little more reliable? You've been throwing up for so long, and you're still not done!"

After forcibly suppressing the urge to vomit, His Majesty the King managed to say, "Do you think I wanted to hang myself here? But every time I get on a vehicle I just... vomit!" (The scene here is too graphic to describe in detail, so as not to spoil your pleasant mood.)

Diphiya patted His Majesty the King's back considerately, then advised, "Brother, I think you should work on this aspect in the future, otherwise it will become your fatal weakness!"

"Do you think I don't want to train? But this is a side effect of using Dragon Slayer Magic, and there's no cure for it. Otherwise, how could Lucy and the others have taken down that monstrous Black Dragon? (Old Suo thoughts)"

After mentally grumbling, His Majesty the King nodded with difficulty and said, "I understand, I will make time to train!"

"Crunch"

Just as Diphiya was about to offer a few more words of advice, the warship suddenly stopped.

After regaining her footing, Commander Diphiya hurriedly asked, "Uncle Kaldiz, what happened? Why did you suddenly stop the warship?"

"Girl, we just received a report that a large number of Water Magic Mines have been spotted ahead, and the warships are unable to advance." (Water Magic Mines are modified versions of sea mines.)

Upon hearing Kaldiz's reply, Commander Diphiya and the revitalized His Majesty the King rushed to the bow of the ship to check the situation.

"Holy crap! With such high density, if a warship tried to break in, it'd be blown to bits!" (Old Suo)

"Looks like... um? Brother, you're alright? (Diphiya)"

"The ship has stopped, so of course I'm fine!" (Old Suo)

Hearing His Majesty the King's matter-of-fact answer, Diphiya retorted speechlessly, "Brother, I'm speechless about your constitution!"

After concealing the cascade of sweat and black lines on his forehead on the back of his head, His Majesty the King said aloofly, "What time is it now, and you're still in the mood for jokes!"

Just as Diphiya was preparing to retaliate, Kaldiz arrived late and interrupted her actions.

"You naughty boy, now that you're back to normal, hurry up and figure out how to get rid of these things!"

"Okay! Let me think of a way!"

After speaking, His Majesty the King boarded a blue-white wind-borne boat and flew towards the sea ahead.

Looking down at the densely packed, widely distributed water-based Water Magic Mines, Old Suo felt a chill run down his spine. (Phew! Thank goodness it wasn't Great Owl facing this scene, otherwise my trypophobia would definitely escalate.)

"Holy crap! Yanimus has brought out all his resources, hasn't he?" (Of course! At this critical moment, what does he care about? Of course he'll go all out against you.)

After frowning and pondering for a long time, a bright yellow light bulb finally appeared above His Majesty the King's head.

"That's right! Although I can't clear all the Water Magic Mines, I can use Space Magic to move Water Magic Mines away within a certain range, creating a safe path for the fleet!"

After praising his own cleverness, Old Suo was about to get to work when a brand new problem popped into his mind.

"Move them? Where am I supposed to move these flammable and explosive things?"

The His Majesty the King, glanced up and spotted the perfect spot to store a bomb.

"Oh dear, my thoughts were so impure! How could I even think of taking someone else's things? I'm so sorry to my teachers who taught us to return lost property since we were little!"

After speaking, His Majesty the King began to mobilize Space Magic to cleanse the sea below.

Kingdom of Stellara, Coastal Defense

"Report!"

"Prime Minister, the observation post has just discovered that the fleet of the Erus Kingdom is stuck in a minefield."

"Yes! I see it, but we can't yet... (Prime Minister)"

"Call out"

"Boom!"

Before the Prime Minister could finish speaking, a series of ear-piercing whistling sounds came from outside the fortress, followed by deafening explosions all around.

"What happened outside?"

Upon hearing the Prime Minister's question, a disheveled soldier rushed in and exclaimed in alarm, "Prime Minister, just now, a large number of Water Magic Mines suddenly rained down from the sky, killing and injuring many of us."

"What?"

After exclaiming in surprise, the prime minister hurriedly ran to the lookout post to check the situation outside.

"Boom"

The prime minister had just approached the lookout point and hadn't had a chance to observe it closely when he was jolted back by an explosion caused by a Water Magic Mines that had landed near the lookout point.

"Thump!"

Seeing the prime minister collapsed on the ground, the people in the fortress hurriedly surrounded him.

"Prime Minister!"

"Prime Minister!"

Looking down at the safe zone, large enough for three warships to pass side by side, His Majesty the King took a deep breath.

"Call!"

"Fortunately, my magical essence was fused, otherwise I might not have been able to clear such a wide area in one go."

"Hmm! That should be enough, right?"

"Okay! Go back and call them over!"

After speaking, His Majesty the King steered the windboat back to the warship.

"Cough cough"

"Whoosh"

As fresh air entered his nasal cavity and lungs, the Prime Minister coughed violently.

After his body adjusted, the Prime Minister slowly opened his eyelids. At that moment, a dark shadow wrapped in dazzling white light entered his eyes.

Where am I?

Upon hearing the Prime Minister's question, the shadowy figure said, "Old friend, you're finally awake! You scared me to death!"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, the Prime Minister instantly recognized the figure in black.

"Old friend, what... what happened to me? (Prime Minister)"

"You were just thrown by the blast wave, hit the rock wall, and passed out." (Defense Minister)

Upon hearing his Old Friend's words, the Prime Minister instantly remembered what had just happened.

"How's the defense line? Where are Erus's troops now? Have they broken through the Water Magic Mines's blockade?"

Just as the Defense Minister was about to tell the Prime Minister that everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about, a cry of alarm broke into their ears.

"My lord, something terrible has happened! Erus's fleet has broken through the Water Magic Mines's barrier and is heading straight for us!"

Upon hearing this, the Prime Minister struggled to his feet and, panting, roared outside, "All troops, immediately take your battle positions and prepare to engage the enemy!"

Seeing the Prime Minister limping away, the Defense Minister hurriedly chased after him and helped him up.

"Old buddy, leave things outside to me. You should stay here and get some rest!" (Defense Minister)

"No! You're all risking your lives out there, how can I... Hiss! (Prime Minister)"

After wiping the cold sweat from his old Old Friend's forehead, the Defense Minister said forcefully, "Old friend, if you don't listen to me, I'll have you carried to the back!"

"You... (Prime Minister)"

"What did I do wrong? Tell me! (Defense Minister)"

"I am the Prime Minister. His Majesty is not here now, and I am the supreme commander. You dare to do anything reckless!"

"Heh! In other places, you might have more power than me, but this is a battlefield, under the jurisdiction of my Defense Department. So, as the Defense Minister, I am the supreme commander. If you don't listen to my advice, then I'll have no choice but to resort to force!"

"You dare! (Prime Minister)"

Looking at the Prime Minister, whose neck was ramrod straight, the Defense Minister did not argue with him further, but instead turned his head and shouted towards the outside of the room, "Guards!"

"Have!"

"You must immediately escort the Prime Minister to a safe location!"

"Yes!"

When the Defense Minister got serious, the Prime Minister immediately lost his tough stance.

"Wait! I'll do as you say, just don't send me away!"

After achieving the strategic objectives, the Defense Minister issued a new order.

"The previous order is hereby rescinded. You are now ordered to take good care of the Prime Minister!"

"Yes!"

After making arrangements for the prime minister, the Defense Minister hurriedly left the room to direct the battle.