203: War Zone

Half a year passed in a flash amidst intense and efficient integration, purging, and construction.

The frequent pressure and harassment from the 600,000-strong Orc army under Wolf King Jokic on the northern border of the Fama Kingdom became the most precious external cover for the Star Sea Territory's new regime. The Fama Kingdom was forced to direct a massive amount of energy toward the north to deal with those Orc Wolf Riders, who came and went like the wind and were unafraid of death. For this land in the east that had just undergone a "change of dynasty," they could only temporarily adopt an attitude of vigilant observation rather than direct intervention.

This precious breathing space was fully utilized by the military and political systems under Linn's command.

Bloody purges of the nobility were carried out simultaneously across the three major war zones. Yilman, Angus, and Ocean, the three war zone commanders, faithfully executed Linn's iron-blooded orders. Countless noble castles with legacies spanning hundreds or even thousands of years were breached, their private armies forcibly incorporated or disbanded, and their accumulated wealth confiscated. Those who complied were allowed to retain their titles and most of their fiefs after handing over their private armies and a portion of their liquid assets, but their political privileges were drastically reduced. Those who resisted met with pitiless destruction—their families were struck from the records, and their territories were reclaimed. The deeply entrenched noble forces of the old Aulai Kingdom suffered heavy blows during this tempestuous reorganization, clearing the obstacles for a new centralized power.

The purging and integration brought immediate results: the Southern War Zone Navy, after incorporating the private armies and some sailors of the southern coastal nobility, swelled to a scale of 600,000; the Central War Zone Army, situated in the most prosperous region, absorbed the most private troops, reaching a staggering 800,000 men; although the Northern War Zone had relatively fewer nobles, its territory was vast, and after integrating the local garrison forces, it also commanded an army of 600,000.

By this point, not counting Clay's 100,000 Holy Imperial Guards and the special units under Linn's direct control, the total number of regular troops in the Star Sea Territory had reached a massive two million! This figure had already surpassed the overt standing military strength of the Aulai Kingdom during its peak, and after reorganization and rigorous training, their organization and combat effectiveness were on a completely different level.

Clay led the 100,000 Imperial Guards to garrison Holy Radiance City, serving as both a deterrent and a symbol of glory. The administrative team led by Payson also used Holy Radiance City as a temporary hub, from which government orders were issued and reached all directions. Although the national title had not changed and the name "Aulai" was still temporarily used, all subjects knew that the master of this land was already that Duke of Star Sea from the Eastern Sea.

Linn himself, after the situation had initially stabilized, took the Orc Legion, the core Magic Corps, and the main force of the Floating Fleet to quietly return to the true heart of the Star Sea Territory—Star Sea Island—via a teleportation array.

Inside the Star Sea Hall in Star Sea City.

Chief of Staff Payson, who had just teleported back from Holy Radiance City, looking a bit travel-worn but also carrying an irrepressible excitement and a deeper trace of worry, found Linn standing quietly on the Star-Gazing Platform.

"Archduke," Payson bowed respectfully and then cut straight to the chase, "The military and administration of various regions have been initially sorted out, the people's livelihood has begun to recover, and trade routes are gradually opening. However, there is one matter concerning the Foundation of the state that remains unresolved and requires your personal decision, Archduke."

"What is it?" Linn turned around with a knowing smile on his face.

"The location of the royal capital," Payson said bluntly. "Currently, the administrative center is temporarily set in Holy Radiance City. This city is, after all, the old capital; it is grand in scale, fully equipped, and located in the center of the continent, making it easy to govern in all directions. However, the Foundation of our Star Sea Territory is on Star Sea Island. If we set the capital there, it would be far from the continent, causing significant obstacles to administrative efficiency, material transport, and military response. I ask the Archduke to weigh the pros and cons of both locations."

This was indeed a crucial choice facing the new regime. Establishing the capital on the continent was conducive to controlling the new territories; establishing it on Star Sea Island was safer and better showcased the unique origins of the Star Sea Territory, but it would also face the governance challenges of being "suspended overseas."

Linn's smile widened upon hearing this. He walked to the edge of the Star-Gazing Platform, gazing out at the vast blue ocean beyond Star Sea Island and the scattered subsidiary islands.

"Old friend," he said in a relaxed tone, "I have already considered this matter thoroughly. Do you know why Destiny never appeared throughout the decisive battle on the continent?"

Payson was startled. Destiny, the Archduke's Silver Dragon contract partner and a powerful Epic dragon, was indeed a trump card that had not been used in the continental war. He had originally thought it was to guard against a more powerful external enemy or as a strategic hole card. Could there be another secret?

"Could it be that Lady Destiny... had a more important mission?" Payson asked tentatively.

Linn nodded, his eyes shining with an almost fanatical, magnificent light: "Correct. She, along with Aivi, High Priestess Sea Song, Great Master Henry, as well as the top Formation Masters, Runemasters, and Geologists of our Star Sea Territory, have been working on an... unprecedentedly great project for the past half-year."

His voice was low and full of power: "Payson, you should know that Star Sea Island and its thirty-six surrounding subsidiary islands are no ordinary islands or reefs. They are the fallen cores of ancient stars. The parts submerged beneath the sea contain unimaginably vast stellar energy and ley line Magnetic Force."

Payson's breath hitched slightly, as if he sensed he was about to hear something shocking.

"The project Destiny and the others are working on is to use these thirty-six islands as the base and the undersea stellar cores and ley lines as the source to construct an unprecedented 'Heavenly Star Floating Formation' that covers the entire Star Sea Archipelago!" Linn turned around, his eyes burning as he looked at Payson. "We are going to make the entire Star Sea Archipelago—leave the surface of the sea and rise into the Sky!"

"What?!" Even though Payson had weathered many storms, he couldn't help but cry out in surprise. His eyes widened, and his face was filled with unbelievable shock. To make an entire archipelago... float? As the royal capital? This was a scene found only in myths and legends! In an instant, his mind conjured that image: dozens of islands carrying cities, mountains, and rivers, bathed in sunlight and a sea of clouds, suspended in the Sky above the center of the kingdom... What a sight that would be, what a miracle, what a deterrent!

"This... what kind of great power would this require? Can it really be done?" Payson's voice trembled slightly.

"By human effort alone, it might be difficult," Linn said calmly, but the content of his words was even more earth-shattering. "But what if we add... Mythical power?"

"Mythical..." Payson was completely stunned. The level represented by this word had already surpassed the military and political scope he handled daily.

"Ten years." Linn held up one finger, his tone resolute. "Give me ten years. Within ten years, the Star Sea Territory will surely give birth to our own Mythical-level existence! At that time, with Mythical power as the lead, combined with the Star Formation, the ascension plan can be truly launched, foolproof."

Another piece of heavy news sent Payson's heart racing, making it almost impossible for him to think. Ten years to give birth to a Mythical being? This meant the Archduke had absolute confidence in himself, or in a certain powerhouse under his command (likely the Silver Dragon Destiny, or himself), to break through to that Legendary Realm!

"So," Linn patted the old official's shoulder, pulling his thoughts back to reality, "the current task is not to rush to establish a capital, nor to immediately hold a national founding ceremony. It is development! All-out development!"

His voice was firm and full of vision: "Heal the wounds of war, encourage childbirth to increase the population; vigorously develop magic industry, agriculture, and commerce; establish diplomatic and trade relations with other forces on the continent and even distant countries on other continents; accumulate wealth, cultivate talent, and solidify the Foundation."

"A sword is forged in ten years. Ten years from now, when the Star Sea Archipelago, supported by Mythical power and the Star Formation, truly becomes the 'Sky Capital' suspended in the kingdom's heavens, that will be the day we hold the founding ceremony and announce the birth of the new kingdom to the entire world!"

"That will no longer be a simple establishment of a new dynasty; it will be the beginning of a new era, the birth of a Legendary nation that stands in the Sky and looks down upon the continent!"

Payson was speechless for a long time, the surging emotions in his chest difficult to calm. He finally understood his lord's far-sightedness and vast ambition. Where the capital was located was no longer an issue. What they were going to build was an unprecedented kingdom that soared in the Sky!

He took a deep breath, suppressing the shock and excitement in his heart, and bowed deeply: "This subject... understands! Please rest assured, Archduke, the Administrative Council will do its utmost to lay the most solid Foundation for the Sky Capital ten years from now!"

Linn nodded with satisfaction, his gaze once again turning toward the boundless starry Sky and ocean. The ten-year promise was set, and the blueprint had been drawn. Next, it was time to be down-to-earth, accumulating that power sufficient to shake heaven and earth, quietly waiting for the birth of a myth, waiting for the archipelago to ascend, and waiting for an era belonging to the Star Sea Territory to truly arrive.