127: Before departure

Star Sea Council

Inside the Star Sea Territory Council Hall, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

On both sides of the long Obsidian conference table, all core military and administrative personnel of the Star Sea Territory were present. On the left, led by Clay, sat generals such as Ocean, Karl, Shirei, and Angus; on the right were Morton, Elise, and several heads of administrative departments. At this moment, everyone's gaze was focused on the two new additions at the end of the long table—Payson and Yilman.

Regarding Payson's official joining, everyone's eyes showed undisguised excitement and welcome. This Young Lord of the Chamber of Commerce, who had assisted the Star Sea Territory through difficulties many times, had long been regarded as one of their own.

Linn sat at the head of the table, his gaze slowly sweeping over the resolute, wise, or loyal faces before him, a smile of contentment gracing his lips. This team was growing more mature and powerful as the Star Sea Territory expanded.

"Everyone," he cleared his throat, his voice echoing clearly in the spacious hall, "I've gathered you all today, first, to announce some good news."

He raised a hand, gesturing to the right: "My friend Payson, I'm sure you're all familiar with him. This is his uncle, General Yilman. From today onwards, both of them officially become members of my Star Sea Territory!"

Elise was the first to smile and applaud, her crisp claps ringing through the hall, followed by everyone else, their applause warm and sincere.

Payson rose and bowed slightly to the surroundings: "Thank you all. It is my honor, Payson, to work with everyone here. From now on, my uncle and I will do our utmost to build the glory of Star Sea together with you all."

"Good!" Ocean's booming voice almost lifted the roof, his slightly roguish face full of genuine joy.

Everyone echoed his sentiment, and the atmosphere grew lively. Several generals and officials introduced themselves one after another, their words full of acceptance and respect.

Linn raised a hand, signaling for silence, and the hall quickly returned to solemnity.

"Although Payson is a new addition, his capabilities have already been witnessed by you all," Linn's gaze fell on Payson, filled with affirmation, "And old General Yilman, with over fifty years of military career, is rich in experience and has achieved remarkable military feats. Their arrival undoubtedly adds even greater strength to the Star Sea Territory."

He paused slightly, his expression turning formal.

"Payson."

"Your subordinate is here!" Payson immediately stood up, his left hand clenched into a fist and placed on his chest, performing a standard Star Sea military salute.

"Now, in the name of the Lord of Star Sea Territory, I appoint you as the chief executive officer of Donghai City, fully responsible for the construction and trade planning of Donghai City, and for coordinating the development of the newly acquired thirty thousand square kilometers of land in the eastern Great Wilderness Forest," Linn's voice was steady and powerful. "Your goal is to establish a prosperous and stable human city on that wild land, making it the cornerstone of my Star Sea Territory in the eastern continent."

Payson shed his usual playful demeanor, his face serious, and he solemnly replied: "Your subordinate Payson will do his utmost to establish a foothold and expand the territory for Your Lord and the Star Sea Territory in the Great Wilderness Forest!"

Linn nodded in satisfaction, motioned for him to sit, then looked to the other side.

"Yilman."

Yilman, a Peak Earth Knight, responded and rose. Though missing an arm, the chilling aura of battle honed from countless wars remained sharp; he stood like a pine, his gaze like a torch. "Your subordinate is here!"

"I now order you to establish a new legion, named 'Army Breaker'," Linn commanded. "The initial prepared by is set at ten thousand men. The three major legions—Star Sea, Star Moon, and Star Shatter—will each transfer one thousand elite veterans to the new army, leading the new recruits to quickly form the army. legion commander Yilman, I hope you can forge another elite force for my Star Sea Territory in a short period!"

Yilman's chest heaved, and a fervent light burst forth in his eyes. For a general, the battlefield was his true calling, and forming and commanding a new army was undoubtedly the greatest trust and honor. "Please rest assured, Your Lord! Your subordinate hereby pledges that within three months, I will train a formidable army for the Star Sea Territory, living up to the name 'Army Breaker'!"

"Good!" Linn surveyed everyone, seeing their faces filled with invigorated pride, and continued to deploy.

"Payson, once General Yilman's new army is initially formed, you will go with him to Donghai City for your appointments. At that time, Angus and the Divine Arrow Army will also be stationed there to assist you." Linn's tone shifted, and he frowned slightly, showing some difficulty. "However, Donghai City currently faces a major problem: although the city's scale is large, it lacks sufficient population to fill it. We can't always drain the Star Sea Territory's foundations by continuously relocating people there, can we? Do you have a good plan?"

Upon hearing this, Payson pondered for a moment, and a flash of inspiration quickly appeared in his eyes.

"Your Lord, this matter is not without a solution," he leaned forward slightly, analyzing, "Although Donghai City is isolated on the eastern coast of the Great Wilderness Forest, its land is vast and resources are abundant. Currently, the two northern provinces of the kingdom are ravaged by war, and there are many displaced commoners. Why don't we send people to publicize that all Freemen willing to join the Star Sea Territory and relocate to Donghai City will receive free seeds and farm tools, and be allocated barren land by household for cultivation."

The more he spoke, the clearer his thoughts became: "We can plan village and farmland areas in advance, provide basic construction guidance, and let them build their homes and cultivate barren land themselves. At the same time, we can exempt them from taxes for the first three years. This way, we can attract a large population with minimal cost, rapidly develop the wilderness, and save a significant amount of labor and resources that would otherwise be invested."

"Furthermore," Payson added a crucial point, "we can establish a dedicated free transport fleet at the coastal port in Bandel Province, the northernmost part of the kingdom, to shuttle immigrants. Water transport efficiency is far higher than land transport, which can greatly reduce the difficulty of migration and attract more people."

"Bang!"

Ocean excitedly slapped the heavy tabletop, the loud sound invigorating everyone. "Brilliant! Young Lord Payson's mind is truly sharp! This idea is absolutely amazing!"

Linn glared at him in annoyance: "Ocean, can't you be a bit more composed? Always so jumpy."

Ocean scratched his head, grinning sheepishly: "My apologies, Your Lord! Your subordinate was just too excited!"

Payson was also amused, feigning displeasure: "General Ocean, you can't call me 'Young Lord' anymore. Now that we are colleagues and brothers, if you keep being so formal, I'll really get angry."

A relaxed laugh echoed through the Council Hall, and the atmosphere grew even more harmonious.

Linn raised a hand to quell the laughter, then said seriously: "Payson's strategy is indeed brilliant. The commoners in the two northern provinces are suffering from war, yet Donghai City can offer them a new home and hope. The kingdom's laws cannot prevent commoners from freely migrating, and furthermore, my Star Sea Territory is nominally still part of the Aolai Kingdom's vassal system, so this act is not overstepping. This matter will be entirely entrusted to you for implementation."

After speaking, Linn picked up an opened secret letter from in front of him, his expression turning grave.

"The latest secret report from the scouts states that the Kingdom's Allied Army and the Dwarf and Orc Coalition Army have begun negotiations and are preparing for a ceasefire," he said solemnly. "After a year and a half of bloody battle, both sides are exhausted and have paid a heavy price. The regular armies of Aolai and Fama alone have suffered over three hundred thousand dead, and the casualties among the Slave auxiliary army are countless. The losses of the Dwarves and the indigenous Orcs of the Great Wilderness Forest are probably even greater."

"Barring any surprises, this war will conclude with the two-kingdom Alliance seizing approximately five hundred thousand square kilometers of land in the eastern Great Wilderness Forest. Next will be the division of spoils," Linn's gaze swept over everyone. "The thirty thousand square kilometers of land we occupy will undoubtedly be counted towards the Aolai Kingdom's total war gains."

Angus frowned upon hearing this: "Your Lord, the royal family will never sit idly by and watch a viscount independently control such vast new territory. They will surely try to directly administer most of the land, or at least demand a division. Moreover, the Iris Family has old grievances with us and will certainly try to obstruct us, striving to reduce our share."

Everyone nodded, their faces filled with worry. A viscount title and thirty thousand square kilometers of land were simply mismatched; this was almost a public loophole in the rules that the royal family and other great nobles would never easily let go.

Clay suddenly stood up, his tone firm: "Your Lord, this land was bought with the blood and lives of the Star Sea Army; it must never be given away!"

"Precisely for that reason," Linn nodded slowly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, "I plan to go personally. At the final profit distribution meeting, I will make the kingdom, especially Via Alistair, completely shut up."

He paused, then uttered a name that invigorated everyone: "I will bring Destiny with me."

"Destiny?!" Clay's pupils suddenly contracted, and the image of that majestic and beautiful silver giant Dragon instantly appeared in his mind. "You mean... that Dragon Lord?"

"Precisely so," Linn's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable power. "The strength of the Star Sea Territory no longer needs to be, nor can it continue to be, hidden. If that is the case, it is better to display it openly before everyone."

The Council Hall fell silent, and a fervent light ignited in everyone's eyes. The appearance of a Dragon, a Legendary companion, would be the Star Sea Territory's most powerful declaration to the entire kingdom.

A war without smoke and fire was about to erupt at the kingdom's negotiation table. And the Star Sea Territory had already bared its sharpest fangs.