49: Ivy Osiana

Just as Iron Sand Island was buzzing with preparations for the upcoming investiture ceremony, Hogan's fleet, which had been out exploring for a long time, finally returned to the port of Iron Sand Island, travel-worn but carrying important news regarding the future direction of the territory.

Upon hearing the news, Linn immediately summoned all core members to the Council Hall.

Although Hogan looked weary, his eyes shone with a mix of excitement and gravity.

He stood before the map of the Storm Sea Region hanging in the hall and began his detailed report:

"My Lord, colleagues, we have been ordered to explore the Shattered Star Archipelago for two months, and we have finally lived up to the trust and clarified the main situation."

His thick fingers pointed heavily at a region of scattered islands in the north of the map.

"The Shattered Star Archipelago is indeed treacherous, with storms more frequent than in Saru, and it is densely packed with hidden reefs, but it is not without value. On its west side, there is a huge island, far larger than any island we have seen before. According to our preliminary estimates, it is about five thousand square kilometers, and it is the well-deserved core of the Shattered Star Archipelago, known locally as 'Shattered Star Island'!"

Five thousand square kilometers!

This number made everyone present gasp.

This was more than ten times the size of Iron Sand Island and all its affiliated islands combined!

Such vast land meant infinite potential.

"However, this island is not ownerless, and the situation is extremely complex."

Hogan changed the subject, his face becoming serious.

"We wandered around Shattered Star Island without daring to land blindly. In the reef cluster near the periphery of Shattered Star Island, we found a woman who was unconscious and seriously injured. My subordinate remembered that the Life Spring Water bestowed by the Lord had miraculous healing effects, so he tried to feed her a little. Sure enough, it pulled her back from the brink of death, and we brought her back. She only woke up yesterday."

With that, Hogan signaled the guards outside the door to bring the person in.

A moment later, a woman walked into the Council Hall under the guidance of the guards.

In an instant, the entire Council Hall seemed to brighten.

This woman was extremely beautiful, not much different from the Human Race, but her skin was more lustrous, and her facial features were as exquisite as if carved by an elf, especially those deep blue eyes, which were like the purest ocean.

And the three blue scales the size of fingernails on her forehead, arranged in a 'pin' shape, did not ruin her beauty but added a touch of mystery and nobility.

Even Elise, who was beside Linn, felt inferior.

Elise's appearance might not be much worse than this woman's, but her temperament was completely different.

Although the woman's injuries had not yet healed and her face was a bit pale, she carried an air of elegance and resilience in her demeanor.

She bowed slightly and said in a slightly ethereal but clear common language: "Thank you all for saving my life. My name is Aivi Ossiana."

"Ossiana?"

Linn's heart stirred, and he signaled that she need not be so polite.

"Young Miss Aivi, may I ask what your tribe is…?"

"We call ourselves the Children of the Sea, and the outside world usually calls us — the Sea God Clan."

Aivi replied softly. When mentioning the name of her tribe, a flash of pride crossed her eyes, which was immediately replaced by deep worry.

The Sea God Clan!

Linn and the Ocean beside him looked at each other, seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

They had all heard of this powerful race in books or rumors.

Legend had it that they lived in the depths of the ocean for generations, the ruling race of the vast kingdom composed of countless sea monsters in the central sea area — the Triton Sea God Kingdom, born as powerful water mages, possessing the power to control the ocean.

As Aivi narrated, a dusty history and a grim reality slowly unfolded before everyone.

It turned out that this branch of the Sea God Clan to which Aivi belonged was the orthodox royal Bloodline of the Triton Sea God Kingdom more than three thousand years ago!

Back then, the kingdom suffered a great upheaval, and a powerful Sea God Archmage used conspiracy and powerful magical power to steal the throne.

The orthodox royal Family was forced to embark on a long journey of escape, eventually hiding in the depths of the Storm Sea Region, which was then considered a forbidden zone for life with extremely harsh environments, and took root with difficulty on Shattered Star Island.

The Sea God Clan was born with a strong affinity and control over water elements, making them true natural mages.

However, this innate ability also came at a price — their reproductive ability was far lower than that of humans and other races, but their lifespan was three times that of humans.

After more than three thousand years of recuperation, the entire population was now only four or five thousand.

"Originally, although the Storm Sea Region had a harsh environment with constant strong winds and thunder, we could barely survive on Shattered Star Island by relying on our control over water elements."

Aivi's voice was bitter.

"But in the last hundred years, for some reason, the weather in the Storm Sea Region has gradually moderated. Although it is still more dangerous than the outer sea, it is no longer an absolute forbidden zone. This 'improvement' has brought us a catastrophe."

Everyone was curious about what Aivi's tribe had encountered, so Linn asked: "How did you get injured?"

"The change in the environment attracted invaders from the Western Continent — the Great Wilderness Forest to Shattered Star Island, which was previously difficult to approach."

Aivi's expression began to turn bitter.

"Nowadays, there are three major forces occupying Shattered Star Island."

Aivi pointed to the west and north of Shattered Star Island on the map.

"The west side of the island is occupied by the Minotaur tribe from the Great Wilderness Forest. They are burly, possess infinite strength, have a violent temperament, and number about ten thousand. Their tribe has three Gold Rank powerhouses, and the leader is a High Gold Rank."

"The east side of the island is occupied by another Orcs tribe. They are more bloodthirsty and warlike than the Minotaur, and their individual strength is stronger. Although the total number is only about three thousand, they possess five Gold Rank powerhouses, two of whom are High Gold Rank!"

"Our Sea God Clan originally lived mainly in the coastal areas of the southern part of the island. At first, we could barely resist the invasion of the Minotaur by relying on the terrain and magic. But since the Orcs also came to the island decades ago, they actually united with the Minotaur and continued to launch attacks on us!"

Aivi's eyes were red.

"Years of war have caused us heavy losses, and our clansmen are constantly decreasing… Now, the total number of warriors in the whole clan is less than three thousand, and the old, weak, women, and children are forced to pick up the Staff. The situation is precarious…"

The Council Hall was silent, and everyone was shocked by this cruel war of survival.

A descendant of a once-glorious royal Family was forced into such a desperate situation.

Aivi raised her head, looking at Linn with hopeful and pleading eyes: "Benefactor, you possess such magical Life Spring Water, and your subordinates are such elite warriors, you must be a powerful and kind lord. I… I beg you, please save my people! The Sea Song clan will surely remember your kindness forever!"

She performed the most solemn etiquette of the Sea God Clan to Linn deeply.

Linn did not answer immediately; he needed to assess the risks and benefits.

He pondered for a moment and asked: "Young Miss Aivi, thank you for your trust. I would like to know, what kind of power does the Sea God Clan still possess today?"

This was related to whether they were worth helping, and how much power needed to be invested.

How could Linn not be moved by the three thousand square kilometers of land that was close to the continent and very suitable as a springboard for advancing to the continent?

Aivi answered immediately, her tone carrying a trace of the Family's remaining pride: "The core of our Sea God Clan's power lies in magic. My father was an Earth-Grade mage. He was the previous Clan Chief, and he died with an Earth-Grade Orcs in the battle against the Orcs invasion thirty years ago. He only had me in his later years. Now, I have succeeded as the Clan Chief. I possess Gold Intermediate Rank strength, but my Origin is damaged, and I don't know if it can be recovered."

Aivi continued bitterly: "In addition, we have a High Priest, Lady Hai Ge Ossiana, who is High Gold Rank; and the Archmage, Head of the Mage Corps, Kyle Wave-Chaser, who is Gold Intermediate Rank. This is all our current Gold Rank combat power."

Everyone present was greatly surprised!

It turned out that Aivi was their Clan Chief, no wonder she was so elegant.

Even Hogan was startled.

He had saved a Sea God Clan member, and it turned out to be a royal, and the Clan Chief of the royal Family at that.

Three Gold Rank powerhouses, one of whom was a High Gold Rank, this kind of high-end combat power configuration was not weak, and could even be said to be very strong.

But facing the united Orcs Alliance which had eight Gold Ranks (three of whom were High Gold Rank) and occupied an absolute numerical advantage, it was indeed difficult to support alone.

Linn's fingers tapped the table gently, his gaze sweeping over his generals.

The Ocean's eyes were burning with Battle Intent, Clay remained steady, and Karl and others looked grave.

The situation on Shattered Star Island was more complex than imagined, and even more… tempting.

A Sea God Clan with an orthodox status, decent high-end combat power, but in urgent need of external aid, was undoubtedly the most ideal "key" for them to open the situation in the Shattered Star Archipelago.

Risks and opportunities coexist.

Helping the Sea God Clan meant facing the military edge of the two major Orcs tribes.

But once successful, what would be gained would not only be a powerful ally, but also a legitimate opportunity to intervene in Shattered Star Island and march into the continent.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Linn, waiting for his decision.