141: Turn the tables on them

Half a month later, the main hall of the Lord's Castle in Star Sea City.

Sunlight streamed through the towering stained-glass windows, casting mottled shadows on the polished obsidian floor. Linn sat in the main seat, flanked by military generals led by Clay on the left and right, and government officials led by Morton. On both sides of the hall, twenty Guard Army soldiers stood as still as statues, their sea-blue armor glinting coldly in the light.

The hall doors opened, and a man in a royal messenger's uniform walked in, led by guards. A roaring lion emblem of the Aolai royal family was embroidered on his chest, and he held a scroll case sealed with gold thread, his expression respectful yet unable to hide a hint of nervousness. Clearly, before coming here, someone had "reminded" this messenger about the uniqueness of the Star Sea Territory.

"Respected Count Linn," the messenger stood still in the hall and bowed, "by order of His Majesty the King, I deliver the royal decree."

"Rise," Linn's voice was calm. "Read it."

The messenger opened the scroll case, took out the parchment sealed with royal wax, cleared his throat, and began to read:

"To the Guardian of East Sea Prefecture, Lord of Shattered Star Island, and Count of the Kingdom, Lynn Star Sea:

We hereby commend your achievements in pioneering the eastern part of the Great Wilderness Forest, expanding thirty thousand square kilometers of territory for the Kingdom, building cities, and settling the people, all of which are outstanding merits.

The Kingdom's new province, Brussels, has been established, but the Great Wilderness Forest is vast, and much territory remains unsettled. To demonstrate the Kingdom's pioneering spirit and strengthen the connection between East Sea Prefecture and the interior, your forces are hereby ordered to expand westward from the coastline of East Sea Prefecture after next spring.

Goal: Open a land passage from East Sea Prefecture to the former territory of Count Lonsen (now Laixi Deep Province), connecting the two regions into a single contiguous area. This move will benefit the integrity of the Kingdom's territory and facilitate trade and troop movements.

All newly pioneered lands, upon verification by the Kingdom, shall be incorporated into your fief with the right of autonomy. Furthermore, to show royal support, fifty thousand gold coins, a thousand sets of fine armor, and various Magic Materials (list attached) are granted, which can be withdrawn from the Holy Radiance City Chamber of Commerce.

May you continue your efforts and live up to the King's grace.

Signed by Alaric Olei, King of the Aolai Kingdom."

After reading, the messenger respectfully presented the scroll.

Linn took the scroll, his face as calm as water, but Clay, Payson, and the others standing beside him keenly noticed a flash of cold light in their lord's eyes.

"Expanding westward from the eastern coast to Laixi Deep Province..." Linn spoke slowly, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his chair. "Even if we only advance along the coastal plains without going deep into the heart of the Great Wilderness Forest, the straight-line distance exceeds a thousand kilometers, and the land involved could be seven to eight hundred thousand square kilometers. For such a large-scale expansion, will the Kingdom send troops to advance eastward from Laixi Deep Province to meet my forces and shorten the front line?"

Fine sweat beaded on the messenger's forehead as he replied stiffly, "Lord Count, this... was not mentioned in the decree. Perhaps His Majesty has other arrangements, or perhaps the Count is required to scout the path and clear obstacles first before the Kingdom's main army follows."

These words were euphemistic, but everyone present understood! The Kingdom did not intend to send a single soldier.

Linn nodded and stopped questioning, instead showing a fitting "loyal" expression. "Since it is a royal command, the Star Sea Territory shall comply. Please reply to His Majesty that Linn will do his utmost to clear the way for the King."

The messenger, as if granted a great reprieve, hurriedly said a few flattering words like "the Count is loyal and brave, a pillar of the Kingdom," and left in a hurry. He didn't want to stay in this place for a single moment longer; the gazes of the generals in the hall were like knives.

As soon as the messenger's figure disappeared outside the hall doors, the atmosphere inside changed abruptly.

"My Lord!" Clay was the first to step forward, his brow furrowed. "This is suspicious! An expansion of seven to eight hundred thousand square kilometers, and it's not 'deep'? There's no telling how many Orc tribes and dangerous swamps are in the coastal plains alone! Not to mention, once we advance more than three hundred kilometers west, we will inevitably enter the Dwarf Kingdom buffer zone designated in the Wolf Fang Armistice Agreement!"

Payson was even more agitated. He grabbed the copy of the decree from Linn's hand and scanned it quickly, his face turning increasingly grim. "How is this a pioneering order? This is clearly a death warrant! From East Sea Prefecture to Laixi Deep Province, we must pass through the territory of at least three large Orc royal courts, as well as the Dwarf mining outposts in the eastern mountains! Once war breaks out, the Dwarf Kingdom will have every reason to believe we've torn up the peace treaty and attack in force!"

He pointed at the text on the decree, his voice trembling. "Look here! 'All newly pioneered lands, upon verification by the Kingdom, shall be incorporated into your fief.' Verification? Who will verify? When? Will the Kingdom wait until we and the Dwarves and Orcs are both exhausted before sending a 'verification team' to claim the fruits of victory? At that time, they can easily claim we 'expanded borders without authorization and destroyed peace,' pushing all responsibility onto us, and then seize the opportunity to strip your title and annex the territory!"

Payson grew angrier as he spoke, fire almost spitting from his eyes. "This is a poisonous scheme by the Ellis and the Golden Peacocks! There's no doubt about it! They want to use the Dwarves' blade to get rid of us!"

The hall was in an uproar. The generals all looked furious, and Ocean's fists were clenched so hard they cracked, wishing he could lead his troops to the royal capital immediately.

Linn remained silent. He picked up the decree again and read it word by word, as if trying to see the hidden killing intent behind the flowery words.

After a long time, he slowly raised his head and swept his gaze over everyone.

"Payson is right." Linn's voice was calm, but it instantly silenced the hall. "This is a move to kill with a borrowed knife. The royal family, or rather certain people within it, wants us dead."

"Then are we still accepting this decree?!" Ocean roared. "At worst, we'll just rebel! We have airships, hundreds of thousands of troops, and Dragons. Why should we fear them?!"

"Ocean!" Clay barked, signaling him to calm down.

Linn waved his hand, indicating it was fine. He stood up and walked to the huge map hanging in the center of the hall—it was a detailed map of the eastern part of the Great Wilderness Forest and the coast, drawn by the Star Sea Territory over several years, far more precise than the Kingdom's official maps.

"Rebelling... now is not the time." Linn's finger pointed at the location of East Sea Prefecture on the map and slowly moved westward. "But we will not be lambs led to the slaughter either."

His finger finally stopped at the Dwarf Royal Court.

"Since the Kingdom has no place for me, we cannot sit and wait for death. Order Barton to send a caravan to the Dwarf Royal Court, saying that our Star Sea Territory will engage in trade cooperation with the Dwarves. And I will personally go to the Dwarf Kingdom to discuss the details."

Payson instantly understood the intention. "The Dwarves have wanted to buy our Mithril and the Elemental Ore of the Star Sea Territory several times. Are we going to use these to exchange for peace with the Dwarves?"

Linn nodded. "Inter-racial cooperation for profit is not impossible. Once the Dwarves are stabilized, we will only face the Orc Coalition Army. For us now, that pressure is not great."