189: personally taking part

Above Haige City!

Thirty airships hovered in the clouds like steel peaks, their massive shadows enveloping the entire city. Sunlight was blocked by the hulls, casting large, eerie shadows across the streets of Haige City.

"Gods above... what is that?"

"Ships flying in the Sky... ships from the Star Sea Territory!"

"How is that possible... how can ships fly?"

The civilians in the city looked up at the Sky, their faces filled with terror and awe. Many knelt on the ground, praying to the heavens! In their limited understanding, giant ships capable of flight were nothing short of a miracle.

On the terrace of the temporary headquarters, generals like Ocean and Yilman had long been waiting. When the "star vault" slowly landed on the cleared space in the harbor, the vibration of the hull hitting the ground made the entire city tremble.

Linn stepped out of the hatch, his black Duke's robe snapping in the wind. His gaze swept over the generals coming to meet him, and he nodded slightly.

"My Lord!" everyone saluted in unison.

"Let's talk inside the headquarters."

...Temporary Headquarters, Strategy Room

On the massive magic sand table, the terrain of the Aolai Kingdom was clearly visible. Red markers represented the allied forces of the Marquis Golden Peacock and the Southern Army, blue markers represented the Royal Capital's defenders and Monk's reinforcements, while silver markers representing the Star Sea Territory densely occupied the eastern coast.

Yilman was the first to report: "My Lord, the current assembly of our forces in Laixi Deep Province and the surrounding areas is as follows: 180,000 Navy troops, having completely secured the coastline; 240,000 Army troops, deployed at the northern border of Laixiao; plus the 20,000 Air Force, 5,000 Magic Corps, and 20,000 Imperial Guards you brought, the total strength is nearly 500,000."

Linn stood before the sand table, his finger lightly tapping the location of Holy Radiance City: "What is the status of the battle at the Royal Capital?"

Ocean stepped forward: "The latest intelligence indicates that the Southern Army reinforcements led by Usachi arrived outside Holy Radiance City two days ago and merged with Marquis Golden Peacock. An allied force of 300,000 launched a general offensive on the Royal Capital, but..."

He paused and gave a cold smirk: "Monk's reinforcements arrived at the same time, launching a flank attack on the allied forces. The two sides fought fiercely under the city walls for a day, and the allied forces suffered heavy losses. Marquis Golden Peacock and Usachi have merged their forces and are leading a remnant of about 150,000 in a breakout. They are currently retreating along the Southern Highway toward Bandel Province."

A sharp glint flashed in Linn's eyes: "The two of them retreated together? That makes things easier."

"Exactly. Although the Royal Capital's defenders suffered significant casualties, Monk's reinforcements also need to rest and did not pursue with full force. Currently, the retreating remnants of the allied forces are still orderly, and they are expected to enter Bandel Province within five days."

Linn suddenly laughed, his laughter echoing in the strategy room.

"They want to retreat to Bandel Province to rest and start over?" He shook his head. "By the time they arrive, I'm afraid the flag of the Star Sea Territory will already be flying over the walls of Tianhai City."

He turned, his gaze as sharp as a blade: "Ocean, hear my command!"

"I am here!"

"Immediately lead 60,000 elites from the Star Sea Legion, set out by sea, and land on the southern coast of Bandel Province. After merging with Clay, Batu, and Vaughan, the 150,000-strong army will be under Clay's unified command."

Linn's finger pressed heavily on the location of Bandel Province on the sand table: "Your mission: capture Tianhai City before the allied remnants arrive, and set an ambush on the Southern Main Road. I want you to capture Usachi alive; he is a talented general, and if he is willing to submit, he can be used by the Star Sea Territory."

A cold light flashed in his eyes: "Marquis Golden Peacock must die. The Golden Peacock Family and the Star Sea Territory are deeply estranged, and there is no possibility of reconciliation. Once captured, execute him immediately without needing to ask for instructions."

"Understood!" Ocean replied in a deep voice. "What if Usachi refuses to submit?"

"Then kill him as well and reorganize his remnant troops." Linn's voice was devoid of emotion. "Remember, Bandel Province must be completely under our control. After this battle, I want Laixiao and Bandel to be connected, becoming a solid base for the Star Sea Territory in the eastern part of the Aolai Kingdom."

"Yes!"

Linn looked at the messenger next to the magic communication array: "Connect to the private channel with Gordon."

With Linn's help, Gordon had broken through to the Advanced Legendary Grand Magus. This magic communication was a secret contact method established by the two Grand Maguss.

A few seconds later, the magic crystal lit up, and Gordon's voice came through: "My Lord!"

"Gordon, what is the situation with the Second Prince?"

"The Second Prince is gathering all the forces he can mobilize. Earl Ellis suggests he negotiate with the First Prince! The Second Prince is wavering!"

"Then help him make up his mind," Linn said calmly. "In your own way, incite the Second Prince to launch a decisive battle. Tell him that you were once the Chief Mentor of the Royal Magic Corps. At the critical moment, the Magic Corps will defect."

"Understood! I will make the Second Prince believe it!"

The communication ended.

Linn looked around at the generals in the room: "Everyone, the moment for the final battle is approaching. The remnants of the Golden Peacock and the Southern Army are cornered beasts, and while the Royal Family won, they suffered heavy casualties. This three-way struggle for supremacy—"

He pressed his palm onto the center of the sand table, his fingers slowly closing.

"It's time for us to bring it to a close."

"Order all armies: Level 1 combat readiness. Command the Wolf King Jokic to make a show of heading south. Let Monk stay to guard the Royal Capital. Let those two brothers of the Royal Family fight like dogs in the south."

"Furthermore, assemble all forces to the west. We will take Holy Radiance City during the decisive battle in the south. Once we capture Holy Radiance City, the entire northern part of the Aolai Kingdom will be under our control."

"Yes!" The generals' response made the walls hum... On the same day, at the border of Bandel Province.

Clay stood on a high ground. Through his telescope, the outline of Tianhai City was clearly visible. This key town, located in the center of the province, had walls twenty meters high and a wide moat; it was indeed a place easy to defend but hard to attack.

But the number of defenders... Intelligence showed there were fewer than 20,000.

"General Batu."

"Here!" the Orc leader replied in a muffled voice.

"Lead the Orc Legion as the vanguard. Launch a feint attack in one hour to test the city's defenses."

"General Vaughan."

"I am here!"

"The Zhenhai Legion will outflank them from both sides, cutting off all land connections between Tianhai City and the outside world."

Clay finally looked at the Commander of the Griffin Knights beside him: "How is the aerial reconnaissance?"

"There are indeed not many defenders in the city, but at least twenty magic crystal cannons have been found deployed on the walls. Additionally, a cavalry unit of about 3,000 is stationed in the south of the city, likely a mobile reserve."

Clay nodded: "Order the Guard Army to advance with my central army. The Griffin Knights will prioritize destroying the wall's artillery batteries when the general offensive begins."

He looked toward the southwest—the direction where the remnants of Marquis Golden Peacock and Usachi were retreating.

"We must take Tianhai City within one day."

...By the time Ocean arrived in Bandel Province with the Star Sea Legion, Clay was already drinking wine in Tianhai City.

He told him about Linn's deployment: to set an ambush and wipe out the allied forces of Usachi and the Golden Peacock Family.

Clay immediately began to carry out the deployment.