CHAPTER 418: CHAPTER 357 ALLIES_2

"Don’t think your little tricks can fool me.

"It’s true that no reinforcements will arrive at the Royal Court within ten days, but my Imperial Guards can definitely hold out for a much longer time.

"Erelado, I’m giving you one last chance.

"Withdraw your troops, and I... will name you as my heir."

After hearing the words of the Elf King, Erelado burst into laughter.

"Father, your Imperial Guards hide inside the Royal Court and dare not face me in direct combat. I don’t need to force an assault on the Royal Court or damage the World Tree...

"No Elf understands the military system of Snowland better than I do.

"I have already taken control of all the roads and strategic locations surrounding the Royal Court. Any Elf who tries to come to the aid of the Royal Court will be wiped out by me.

"I will wait right here.

"Waiting for you to change your mind.

"As long as you hand over your throne to me in a legitimate way, I guarantee the safety of you and all the Elves."

The Elf King’s complexion worsened significantly at Erelado’s laughter.

The Royal Court’s Imperial Guards had never fought a battle, while Erelado’s forces had fought against both Orcs and humans on the Wildwind Highlands. Seeing that not a single Elf hero was willing to command the Imperial Guards to fight Erelado spoke volumes about the disparity between the two forces.

The father-son meeting ended with the Elf King leaving in a fury. Escorted by his guards, he returned to the Royal Court, still reluctant to give up his throne.

At this time, Erelado was gradually taking control of the key roads in Snowland, and the obstructed Eternal Domain mining convoys were allowed to pass. With the support of Thunderous Swamp and no worries behind him, Erelado intended to flawlessly accomplish the power transition in Snowland.

...

As Erelado entered the final stage of seizing power, Karol’s messenger also returned to Dawnspirit City on a Beak Eagle airliner from Eternal Domain.

Dawnspirit City had changed from its usual bustling harmony. The outbreak of war brought an atmosphere of tension, while the continuous stream of victorious reports added a hint of fervor. Minstrels played their harps in the squares and taverns, singing victorious ballads to the citizens, while also recounting Anderson’s risqué anecdotes.

Every war strives for a just cause, as its participants promote themselves as the righteous side to justify the sacrifices made by their people. The Duchy’s propaganda machinery was quietly at work.

Lady Karol had brought Beak Eagle bombers from Thunderous Swamp. Every so often, she staged formations that flew at low altitude over the city, receiving the cheers of the entire populace. This sound was even distinctly audible within the palace.

Now, Duke Silvermane and Lady Karol were almost inseparable, as affectionate as newlyweds. Lady Karol moved directly into the Duke’s master bedroom and even attended council meetings. She had, to all appearances, taken on the role of the Duchess.

Duke Silvermane and Lady Karol listened together in a heated room to the report brought by the messenger. Duke Silvermane also inquired in detail about what the messenger had seen and heard in Eternal Domain.

"Your Grace... I can hardly put into words the astonishment I felt in Eternal Domain.

"There, alchemy is present in every visible corner.

"The roads are full of vehicles crafted through alchemy. Wealthy individuals can buy four-wheeled automobiles, and ordinary people can afford two-wheeled motorcycles.

"Planes often darken the skies as they fly over the city.

"I’ve heard that Eternal Domain has an aircraft that can fly faster than sound. I don’t even know how fast sound is, so I can’t imagine the speed of such an aircraft."

At that moment, Lady Karol, who had her arm looped through Duke Silvermane’s, said, "My brother has told me about this aircraft. His Armored Gryphon can fly faster than the speed of sound.

"It’s just that the technology is currently too expensive, and the production cannot yet meet the needs of Thunderous Swamp.

"However, my brother tells me this technology will soon be applied to airplanes. When that time comes, it will certainly be sold to us first, and at a discount."

Duke Silvermane patted Karol’s little hand reassuringly. "Only you truly understand my thoughts."

Then Duke Silvermane asked the messenger, "I’ve heard that at night, the entire Eternal City lights up. Is this true?"

"It’s true..." the messenger, who had spent a night in Eternal Domain, was brimming with excitement as he spoke. "The entire city was lit up! Standing there and gazing up at the sky, I could barely see the stars because the light emitted by the city drowned out the starlight.

"That feeling... My lord, I know the rhetoric I’m about to use may seem irreverent, but I truly felt as though I were in Heaven. Even the most common households... their homes were brighter at night than your palace, much brighter!"

The messenger realized he had spoken too much and quickly knelt down in fear.

Duke Silvermane remained silent for a long time. He had heard many rumors about Eternal Domain; each person who had been there described it as if it were a divine realm. But Duke Silvermane always maintained a skeptical stance, believing that these people were exaggerating. This time, the court attendant who went as Lady Karol’s messenger to Eternal Domain was someone he deeply trusted.

If even he spoke thus... Eternal Domain really must be a place that, once visited, inspired both awe and yearning.

Lady Karol knew all too well what Duke Silvermane was thinking at that moment, and she gently said, "My lord... those glowing alchemical devices used in every household in Eternal Domain are called electric lamps. The city needs to lay down an electrical grid first, and then you can buy and use electric lamps for lighting.

"Eternal Domain is currently laying the electrical grid for Nuta City. Soon, Nuta City will become the second city that never sleeps, just like Eternal Domain.

"When my brother comes to Dawnspirit City, I will talk to him so that our Dawnspirit City can be the third city that never sleeps in this world..."

A city that never sleeps.

A city bright enough to overshadow the stars above.

Duke Silvermane longed for such a city, and with a smile, he said to Karol, "Only you truly understand me."

Then Duke Silvermane inquired of the messenger about the war between Eternal Domain and Storm City. This was also one of the important tasks of the messenger. He gave a very detailed account. Duke Silvermane listened with great seriousness.

...

After Yan Xing delivered all the hand grenades to the armory, he had no time to go to Heize City. He wanted to see the Nine-Headed Dragon impaled by a Crystal Spear, but the Goblin Gaga informed him through Chui Chui that the first air fortress had been completed.

Inspecting the air fortress was definitely more important than looking at the Nine-Headed Dragon. After all, that creature wasn’t going anywhere.

First, to see the superweapon.

Chui Chui’s main computational core accompanied Yan Xing to the airfield to witness the air fortress’s test flight. Meanwhile, her secondary computational core controlled an alchemical robot. Led by Laura, the first alchemical robot assistant in the Lord’s Mansion, this robot entered an underground base. The existence of this base was unknown even to Yan Xing.

"Master Chui Chui, all the data you transmitted, I’ve stored it in the ’Mysterious Cottage’ server mainframe," said Laura as an automatic door opened, guiding Chui Chui into a lab that exuded a sense of science fiction.

All the workers inside were alchemical robots, and they were alchemical robots that had developed souls and autonomous consciousness. The equipment here was also stuff that Chui Chui had slyly added to Yan Xing’s shopping list. Yan Xing didn’t understand the technology; he just knew to buy whatever Chui Chui requested.

Chui Chui moved forward, speaking to Laura who stayed by her side, "All of these are documents I copied from the Griffon Breeding Research Institute. Let all the bioengineering robots here download and study them. I feel that the ex vivo active embryo cultivation technology will greatly benefit our research."

"Yes, Master Chui Chui," Laura responded. "I will arrange for personnel to learn immediately. We all hope to obtain your guidance."

Chui Chui stopped at the door of a closed room and said to Laura, "My computational resources must prioritize serving my master. Currently, my master has given me a heavy task, so I don’t have the capability to provide computational power for this project. Hence, I picked you to complete this research for me.

"But haven’t you almost succeeded? You just need to solve the issue of keeping the bionic muscles and skin active outside of the culture dishes.

"There are many references in magical materials, and there’s also technology we need from the real world. What you need to do is find an organic way to integrate them and bring about what I desire."

Laura shouted, "Yes, Master Chui Chui! We will definitely help Master Chui Chui fulfill her wish to please our master!"