CHAPTER 358: CHAPTER 317: CATASTROPHE_1

Yan Xing and Marquis Anderson were locking horns over the negotiation table, neither willing to give an inch. They both knew that the negotiations would not yield any results. The so-called discussions were merely a show for outsiders, paving the way for further military action.

Marquis Anderson was set on seizing this opportunity. If he could defeat Yan Xing and advance into Thunderous Swamp, then even if the Alchemy within was obtained by Cloud Tower, the portion revealed alone would be enough to make him a pivotal figure in the secular world. Retreat meant being wiped out by the Silvermane Principality at any moment. Only by pressing relentlessly forward could he carve out a path to survival in this desperate situation.

Count Theodore could afford to compromise. If the Silver Mane Duke regained control of Wildwind Highlands, the worst outcome for him would be a loss of power. He could return to his former domain, no longer involving himself in political affairs. He was indeed too old.

A meeting ended with Marquis Anderson and Yan Xing parting on bad terms. After several more rounds of talks, there was still no progress. The tone of both parties grew increasingly heavy, and the tense atmosphere thickened over the skies of Nuta City. If it were not for Count Theodore’s presence, the two sides might have already come to blows within Nuta City.

Yan Xing stood firm against Marquis Anderson, using an extremely tough stance to bolster the confidence of his supporters. On the other hand, all production units of the Eternal Domain were running at full capacity, manufacturing goods needed for war.

Lady Karol, having returned to Dawnspirit City, the capital of the principality, moved swiftly. The purchase agreement she brought back for ten Beak Eagle passenger planes reinstated her as a favorite of the Silver Mane Duke. The alchemical resources Yan Xing desired were easily arranged by the principality. Under Lady Karol’s personal supervision, a makeshift airfield was constructed in just three days.

When five Beak Eagle Transport Planes crossed over 1,000 kilometers of sky and flew over Dawnspirit City, the entire city went wild. Some fainted from fear, others knelt and worshipped, and yet others chased wildly after the shadows of the planes. The Ducal Court Gryphon Knight Regiment scrambled into the air, both to escort these five colossal steel alchemical flying machines and to guard against any potential attack from these foreign craft brazenly flying over the palace.

Duke Silvermane, protected by his attendants, stood atop a tower with activated magical defenses, watching the Beak Eagle Transport Planes flying overhead, his eyes filled with shock and longing.

"Karol, is this the gift you’re about to give me? Ten steel behemoths that can fly! If they were to drop alchemical bombs now, or spew burning substances, it would be an absolute disaster for Dawnspirit City. Now I believe you. Thunderous Swamp possesses Alchemy that surpasses the secular world. If Anderson gets his hands on this Alchemy, his appetite will no longer be limited to Wildwind Highlands."

Lady Karol, dressed elegantly, stood beside Duke Silvermane, her eyes equally excited as she watched the planes in the sky. The position she now occupied should have rightfully belonged to the Duchess, but the arrival of these five Beak Eagle Transport Planes had instantly revolutionized her status.

"My lord," Lady Karol whispered tenderly, leaning close to the Silver Mane Duke, "Lord Yan Xing has named these steel behemoths that can fly ’planes.’ It is faster than the aerial ships of Cloud Tower. It can fly from the Eternal Domain in Wildwind Highlands to your Dawnspirit City in less than a day without needing to land midway. Moreover, Lord Yan Xing has told me that the planes he is making for you are even bigger and can fly farther. Riding in one, you could inspect your territories starting in the morning without delaying your return to the palace for rest in the evening."

Bigger than these planes!

Silvermane Principality could not fathom how much larger they could be.

But he knew that with these planes, his control over his territory would reach an unprecedented height. Never again would there be an incident like the one in Wildwind Highlands. And his territory could grow larger still! The land beneath their wings will be my domain!

Thrilled with excitement, Duke Silvermane took Lady Karol’s hand and turned towards the tower’s staircase, eager to visit the airfield and see the five planes.

Four Beak Eagle Transport Planes, laden with alchemical materials and Gold, took off from Dawnspirit City’s airfield, heading back to the Eternal Domain. The remaining Beak Eagle, configured as a passenger plane, would undertake the task of establishing the air route between the Eternal Domain and Dawnspirit City. The delivery of the five Beak Eagles also included spare parts for aircraft maintenance, alchemical robot engineers, and provisions for ground services at Eternal Aviation’s Dawnspirit City airfield. In the future, more passenger planes belonging to Eternal Aviation would be stationed in Dawnspirit City, providing both passenger and cargo services to this capital of the principality.

Additionally, the Beak Eagles also brought employees of the Eternal Commerce Guild and a substantial quantity of Thunderous Swamp’s distinctive alchemical products. The Eternal Commerce Guild’s Dawnspirit City branch office was established and entrusted to Lady Karol for management. From now on, all of the Eternal Domain’s commercial activities involving Dawnspirit City would be handled by Lady Karol. Yan Xing placed his heavy bets on Lady Karol, fully supporting her bid to become the new Duchess.

Besides Eternal Aviation and the Eternal Commerce Guild, the Eternal Grain Bank and the Merchant Guild were also preparing to establish offices in Dawnspirit City. Currently, there was only an aerial connection between the Eternal Domain and Dawnspirit City. Only when the blockade of Storm City was lifted could food, personnel, and convoys reach Dawnspirit City.

After the ducal guards had thoroughly inspected the remaining Beak Eagle passenger plane, Duke Silvermane, accompanied by Lady Karol, boarded the aircraft. As it was a civilian aircraft, and an experimental model at that which could be replaced at any time, Yan Xing had not installed overly luxurious interiors.