186: Entering the outlet mall

Linn's gaze swept across every face in the hall—some excited, some steady, some eager—as his clear and firm voice echoed through the Star Sea Hall:

"Atos's royal decree might seem like he's driving us to pull chestnuts out of the fire for him, but in reality, it's the perfect 'entry ticket' we've been waiting for to officially intervene in the kingdom's chaos and seize benefits! Since he has handed us the righteous title of 'suppressing rebels by royal order,' how can we fail him?"

He turned and pointed his finger heavily at the northernmost region of the Aolai Kingdom on the map: "Jokic, Wade!"

"Present!" The two Legendary werewolves stepped forward.

"Immediately assemble the main army of the Eastern Desolation Kingdom and march into the northernmost Brussels Province. Remember, the primary objective is to clear out local armed forces and defensive powers within Brussels Province that might be loyal to Atos, but large-scale slaughter of civilians and destruction of towns is strictly forbidden! Our purpose is control and deterrence, not destruction!"

A cold light flashed in Linn's eyes: "At the same time, keep a close watch on the neighboring Fama Kingdom. If the Fama Kingdom dares to take this opportunity to fish in troubled waters and reach for the northern territories of the Aolai Kingdom... then the next target for the Eastern Desolation Kingdom's army will be the Fama Kingdom's border! I want the Fama people to understand that they have no business meddling in the affairs of the North!"

This order was intended to distract Atos from the north, preventing him from moving more northern troops south, and also to lay the groundwork in advance to prevent the Fama Kingdom—a neighbor that had always eyed Aolai's territory—from profiting, ensuring that the Star Sea Territory could "receive" the entire Aolai Kingdom intact in the future.

"Send orders to Vaughan and Hogan!" Linn's finger moved to the Storm Sea Region. "The Hanhai and Zhenhai Legions are to immediately end their 'exercise' status and transition to level-one combat deployment!"

"Vaughan's Zhenhai Legion of sixty thousand will continue to garrison the Saru Archipelago and the Storm Province. The tasks are: first, ensure the absolute safety of the route from the Storm Sea Region to the Saru Archipelago, making it a stable rear base and springboard for our army; second, closely monitor the movements of Count Aldrich of the Tianhai Province and other coastal nobles—if there is any unusual activity, you may act first and report later! Third, be ready at any time to respond to the main fleet's call and join the Laixi Deep battlefield!"

"Ocean!" Linn looked at the naval supreme commander.

"Present!" Ocean stepped forward, his body as straight as a spear.

"I appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the 'Eastern Expeditionary Force,' leading the Star Sea, Fuhai, and Hanhai naval legions, totaling one hundred and eighty thousand naval soldiers. All main warships are to weigh anchor and set sail today. The target—Laixi Deep Province."

Linn's palm slapped heavily onto the long coastline of the Laixi Deep Province: "Your task is: with thunderous momentum, seize all important ports, coastal towns, and strategic points in the Laixi Deep Province! Annihilate all forces of the Golden Peacock Family and its vassals who dare to resist! This battle is not a feint or a distraction, but a true conquest and occupation! I want you to establish a solid coastal base and firmly take root in the Laixi Deep Province, making the main forces of the Marquis Golden Peacock unable to return home, and ensuring the influence of Atos and the kingdom can no longer reach this coast!"

"Understood! Ocean will not fail your trust, my Lord; I will surely turn the Laixi Deep coastline into the inland lake of our Star Sea Territory!" Fire burned in Ocean's eyes as he took the order in a deep voice. The advantage of one hundred and eighty thousand well-trained, well-equipped naval elites against the Golden Peacock Family's defenders scattered along the long coastline was self-evident.

"Yilman!" Linn finally looked at the supreme army commander.

"Present!" Yilman stepped forward, his aura as a Legendary Expert as steady as a mountain.

"I command you to oversee all army units of the Rhine and Scott Provinces, totaling the Pojun, Xingyue, Donghuang, and Longlin legions—two hundred and forty thousand field elites. Enter the highest state of combat readiness immediately and secretly assemble at the northern border of the Laixi Deep Province!"

Linn's finger moved from the southern border of the Scott Province to the northern heartland of the Laixi Deep Province: "Your task is: while the navy successfully establishes coastal strongholds and draws the attention of the Golden Peacock Family's main force, your army of two hundred and forty thousand will be the heavy hammer that decides the outcome! Stay on standby; once the time is right and you receive my order, immediately march south with the force of a mountain to strike directly into the heart of the Laixi Deep Province. Advance in coordination with the navy from east and west to completely crush the Golden Peacock Family's rule in the Laixi Deep Province and point your sword toward the kingdom's core regions further south!"

"Remember," Linn's gaze was as sharp as a blade, "your actions must be as swift as lightning and synchronized with the navy's rhythm. The task in the Early Stage is deterrence and pressure, creating panic and splitting the enemy forces. The specific time of attack will await my final command! But before then, I want to see an iron torrent ready to launch a devastating blow at any moment, stationed at the northern gate of Laixi Deep!"

"Yes! The two hundred and forty thousand soldiers of the army are ready. At your command, my Lord, we shall trample Laixi Deep and water our horses at Holy Radiance City!" Yilman's voice was powerful and full of absolute confidence.

"What about Batu and Augus?"

Linn looked at the two leaders of the Orcs.

"You will lead ten thousand Silver Warriors of the Orcs as the trump card and head to the Saru Archipelago first. Wait for Clay to finish his seclusion. When the time comes, you will form a sharp blade to harvest the entire battlefield at any moment!"

The two rose: "We've been waiting for this day. What 'Ace Imperial Guard'? Our legion will surely tear them to shreds." Batu's Legendary pressure erupted, his eyes gleaming with ferocity.

One after another, orders filled with Killing Intent yet interlinked were sent from the Star Sea Hall, quickly spreading in all directions via magic communication and fast ships.

The Eastern Desolation Kingdom began a large-scale mobilization of troops, and beacon fire rose in the North; the whistles of the warships in the Storm Sea Region changed, filled with a chilling air; at the ports of Star Sea Port and the banks of the Rhine River, hundreds of large warships raised their full sails, loaded with soldiers and supplies; at the border of the Scott and Rhine Provinces, the massive legions began to move quietly, like a sleeping giant turning over, making the earth seem to tremble slightly.

The Star Sea Territory, a war beast that had been lying low for a long time, finally stopped concealing its sharp fangs and the shadow that covered the heavens and earth. Using the banner of 'suppressing rebels by royal order,' it would launch a determined, all-out offensive from the north, east, and south against the already crumbling Aolai Kingdom!

Linn stood before the huge window of the Star Sea Hall, watching the fleet gradually gathering into a massive formation outside the port, his eyes reflecting the shimmering sea and the forest of masts.

"The prologue is over," he whispered to himself, as if announcing to the era that was about to be turned upside down, "Now, the main act... begins!"