109: big event

The first ray of dawn in the dawn calendar year 31609 silently penetrated the grilles of the highest crystal window in Star Sea City's lord's castle. This year, Linn was thirty years old. Measured by the Lifespan of at least six centuries at the Earth Rank, his life was indeed like the rising sun, poised for action.

However, the external situation would not halt for an individual's youth or a territory's peaceful existence.

Inside the council hall, the long table was filled with the core figures of Star Sea Territory. The atmosphere was different from previous discussions about internal construction; it was solemn, with a tense feeling of an impending storm.

On the left side were the military generals led by Clay. His aura was more composed and sharper than a year ago, with Earth Rank within reach. Next to him were the various legion commanders and vice commanders.

On the right side were Morton and Ronald (Star Moon City chief executive officer), Fellan (Shattered Star City chief executive officer), Lawrence (Morton's deputy), Great Master Henry, and other government officials. Their expressions were serious.

The latest territory report was spread out before them. Shattered Star City had been completed as scheduled, and the road network connecting Star Sea City, Star Moon City, and even Shattered Star Port had been largely completed two years ago, thanks to the efforts of the Goblin Slaves and human Slaves captured from the Ocean, greatly increasing the efficiency of material and personnel flow within the territory.

Linn sat at the head of the table, his fingertips pressing down on a parchment scroll sealed with the Aolai Kingdom's wax seal. His gaze swept over every face present. Without pleasantries, he went straight to the point.

"Yesterday, an urgent mobilization order was received from the Royal Capital." Linn's voice was calm, yet it made everyone hold their breath instantly. "The Aolai Kingdom has officially mobilized, assembling a standing army of 500,000, and has ordered all nobles in the country to dispatch troops. The total number of allied forces is expected to reach 800,000. Over a million slave auxiliary troops will also be deployed. At the same time, the Fama Kingdom will also send a million troops."

The sheer weight of the numbers pressed on everyone's hearts. 1.8 million regular human troops! This was a terrifying force capable of changing the regional landscape of the continent.

"Their target is the eastern part of the Great Wilderness Forest, that vast and controversial land." Linn's fingertip traced across the dense forest area on the map, which was a huge forest located between the Holy Land Dwarf Kingdom and the two great kingdoms.

"And the Holy Land Dwarf Kingdom will never sit idly by as the human allied forces advance to their doorstep. According to intelligence, the Dwarf war machine is roaring, and armies are gathering at the border."

He raised the parchment in his hand: "And we, Star Sea Territory, due to our geographical location, have been given a 'special' mission." A smile, unreadable in its emotion, played on Linn's lips. "The Kingdom orders me to dispatch 5,000 troops to land from the sea on the easternmost coast of the Great Wilderness Forest, to clear out the 'alien races' entrenched there, and to establish a forward stronghold to tie down potential threats from deep within the forest or its flanks, coordinating with the main army's operations."

The order was clear, but its underlying meaning was worth pondering. Star Sea Territory faced the easternmost tip of the Great Wilderness Forest, which extended into the Storm Sea Region. The environment there was harsh, and alien races were entrenched. Sending them there to conduct amphibious landings and establish a stronghold seemed like reasonable flank coordination, but 5,000 troops on the flank of a million-strong battlefield seemed more like a probing stone, or... a chess piece that could be sacrificed at any time to draw fire.

"5,000 troops..." Clay frowned, speaking first. "Lord, our standing army has been expanded, and all major legions now number 10,000. It's not difficult to dispatch 5,000 elites. But venturing deep into an unfamiliar coast, facing unknown forest alien races and complex environments, with a long supply line, and having to deal with potential counterattacks from the Dwarves or the forest itself... the risk is extremely high." He didn't explicitly state the Kingdom's intentions, but his concern was evident.

Morton stroked his beard, musing, "Young Master, the Kingdom's move may be suspected of using a borrowed knife to kill. Nocturne and other nobles from the Storm Sea Region are all landing from Tianhai City to coordinate operations, but they're making us land alone on the easternmost side. Isn't this directly sending us to our deaths?"

Legion Commander Ocean calmly took over the conversation. "From a purely military perspective, cross-sea landing operations have difficulties in deployment, beachhead control, and subsequent supply. I have experience from when I led men to attack Goblin tribes. I also sent people to scout the easternmost part; many Pig-Headed People live there, and they are much harder to deal with than Goblins."

Other officials also whispered, some advocating for cautious responses and feigning compliance, while others spoke aggressively, seeing it as an opportunity to display military might and gain status before the Kingdom.

Linn listened quietly to everyone's analysis, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the rough edge of the parchment. When the discussions subsided slightly, he spoke again, his voice not loud, but clear enough for everyone to hear:

"We cannot openly defy the Kingdom's order, at least not now." He first set the tone. "But how to execute it, and to what extent, the initiative can be in our hands."

He stood up and walked to the large map, pointing to the area called "the easternmost part of the Great Wilderness Forest": "I had already guessed this military action; Earl Alistair must have manipulated things from within."

"But they underestimated us. They thought 5,000 troops were all our strength. Although the current Star Sea Territory cannot withstand a large-scale Dwarf assault, it does have the capability to establish a stronghold in the east."

Everyone instantly understood. Two years ago, when they sent people to inquire about Allen's whereabouts, Star Sea Territory's response was that they hadn't seen him, perhaps he had perished at sea. Clearly, they didn't believe this reason.

"We can send 5,000 troops. The continent is also a direction we must set foot in; this is also a legitimate opportunity to advance into the continent." Linn looked at Ocean:

"Ocean, tell us what you know."

Ocean stood up, walked to the map, and pointed: "The easternmost part is mainly Pig-Headed People, supplemented by Minotaurs. Together, the two races number at least tens of thousands. They are harder to deal with than Goblins. But with the current strength of Star Sea Territory, taking down the territories of these two races is not difficult; what we fear is that the Dwarf Kingdom will send troops to support them."

Linn pondered, then slowly spoke. "Hogan (Star Sea Legion Adjutant), you first lead part of the fleet from Shattered Star City to find suitable supply points. Fellan, you coordinate with Hogan to transport the main army's provisions to the supply points."

"As for dispatching troops, we're not in a hurry. We'll wait until the Kingdom's allied forces enter the Great Wilderness Forest and the Dwarf Kingdom responds before we land. Regarding troop deployment, every legion must contribute personnel; only through the crucible of war can the army grow stronger."

Linn finally looked at Morton, "Old Mo, you are responsible for all logistics, raising provisions from both sea and land routes and transporting them to Shattered Star City. This time, most of our army must be prepared for battle. If the Kingdom has a great advantage, we will seize the opportunity to completely take the eastern Great Wilderness Forest. If the Kingdom is at a disadvantage, we will withdraw to Star Sea Territory early."

"Clay, your Griffin Knights' main task is intelligence; there must be no errors. Contact my old friend Payson often; the information he has is far more than ours. Everyone, perform your duties and intensify training and logistics."

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone clasped their fists and accepted the order.