CHAPTER 396: CHAPTER 344 LAST PREPARATIONS_1

Behind the sleek and transparent large glass window, Lady Karol sat in a wicker chair, holding a glass of red wine and watching as a formation of five Gryphon Fighter Jets flew past above the Lord’s Mansion, her eyes filled with awe.

The urban planning and architectural style of the entire Eternal Domain, as well as the clothing and demeanor of its people, made her feel as if she were in another world. The vitality and vigor that filled this place could not be found anywhere else.

The Eternal Domain’s Lord’s Mansion had undergone continuous improvements in sealing and temperature control, successfully maintaining a comfortable internal temperature. Lady Karol had shed her heavy coat and was now wearing a thin set of loungewear.

Touched by what she saw, she turned to Yan Xing, who was sitting next to her, and said, "Every moment here, I am filled with a sense of worship. The speed of development here is too fast, the changes too rapid.

"It feels like it was only two months ago that I last visited the Eternal Domain, and now I can hardly recognize it.

"You have continuously created miracles, and I believe you will keep this miracle going."

"The miracles belong to Thunderous Swamp," Yan Xing responded with a slight smile to Karol, his confidence buoyed by the power unleashed after the unification of Thunderous Swamp.

Lady Karol thought Yan Xing was referring to the Alchemy of Thunderous Swamp. With a nod and a hint of excitement, she started recounting to him her experiences from her travels through various nations.

When Lady Karol flew on the luxuriously decorated Beak Eagle Transport Planes over the airspace of those nations and noble territories, they all welcomed her with the etiquette reserved for the most important guests, regardless of their attitudes towards the Silvermane Principality. This also enhanced Karol’s international influence.

Because the Silvermane Principality had long been battling the Barbaric Orcs, and even on the Wildwind Highlands, it forced the Orcs and Elves to retreat while fighting two against one, military strength has always been its hallmark. Now that the Silvermane Principality had acquired Beak Eagle Transport Planes, capable of rivaling Cloud Tower’s airships, its military deterrent power had been further enhanced. This also allowed the human nobles who witnessed the Beak Eagle Transport Planes firsthand to directly appreciate the Alchemy of Thunderous Swamp.

Lady Karol’s tour of several nations, achieved by merely flying there once, served as a highly effective promotional campaign for both the Silvermane Principality and Thunderous Swamp. Many countries and noble territories expressed goodwill towards the Silvermane Principality. They also hoped Lady Karol could facilitate connections, allowing them to establish friendly relations with Thunderous Swamp.

"During my visits, the Empire was not idle either," Karol continued. "There were several times when Imperial envoys and I arrived in the same noble territory simultaneously. The war preparations of the Silvermane Principality deeply provoked our Imperial Emperor, and all lords and nobles are amassing military forces. The Silver Mane Duke hopes that you can supply more weapons to the Duchy’s Army. If he were to see these little planes in the sky, I bet he would want some as well."

The kingdoms and noble territories that Lady Karol visited had mostly not declared their support for the Silvermane Principality. After all, it was clear to everyone that the surface conflict was between the Silvermane Principality and the Gryphon Heart Empire. In reality, however, it was a competition between the forces of Cloud Tower and Thunderous Swamp. Betting had to be done cautiously.

Actually, the fact that these countries and noble territories wanted to sit on the fence was the diplomatic victory of Lady Karol’s visit. The Silvermane Principality only needed to focus on a few known enemies. However, they still needed to be wary of those waiting to see how the situation unfolded. After all, by gathering troops, they were also preparing to potentially join the war. The Gryphon Heart Empire held the moral high ground, and Cloud Tower’s influence far exceeded that of Thunderous Swamp. Potential enemies were still numerous.

Yan Xing considered the Silvermane Principality’s recent request to purchase weapons and equipment. Previously, the Eternal Domain had completed the delivery of a secret arms sale agreement order: ten Beak Eagle Transport Planes. Given the alchemical skills of the Silvermane Principality, a bit of reinforcement and adding some offensive and defensive capabilities would make them formidable aerial combat platforms. In addition, the Eternal Domain had secretly sold the Silvermane Principality over two thousand rifles and two hundred infantry cannons, along with a batch of ammunition. These were already part of what the Eternal Domain had squeezed out of its own military armament process to support its allies. Selling more weapons to the Silvermane Principality would undoubtedly affect the pace of armament for the Eternal Domain’s own troops.

Spring was not far away...

After much consideration, Yan Xing said to Lady Karol, "The weapons I sold to the Silvermane Principality are sufficient for the Duchy’s Army to face the initial stages of the war.

"Marquis Anderson is supplied weapons directly by Cloud Tower, so I must prioritize the Wildwind Highlands battlefield.

"Of course, I won’t let you return empty-handed.

"I cannot offer you the firearms and cannons currently in use by the Eternal Domain’s active forces. However, I can supply the single-shot smoothbore guns and cannons I used before.

"And using these two types of weapons is also beneficial for you. Not only are they simple to maintain, but you can also produce your own gunpowder and bullets..."

Smoothbore guns and cannons don’t require rifling. Seamless steel tubes, easily sourced from the real world, can be used for their production. A similar formula for gunpowder could be produced by any Alchemist. There were no strict requirements for bullet size. A farmer could be trained for a few hours and become proficient in shooting with a smoothbore gun. Of course, to execute volley fire tactics effectively, more disciplined militia or Archers would be necessary.

After hearing Yan Xing’s proposal, Lady Karol thought of the type of musket she had seen at Rose Court. Back then, it was the Werewolf Warriors guarding Rose Court who used these muskets to repel the mercenary onslaught.