Early Spring.

Galliot Duchy, Georgia Territory, suburban Army station.

Clockwork Billy drew two thin-bladed longswords from his waist, and his wrists twisted, transforming into a bright silver sword-blade storm.

He clashed repeatedly with Iron Bone William, who wielded two special scimitars while gliding rapidly through the air, capable of sharp maneuvers.

The latter was engulfed in Combat Qi Flame, rendering his self-created Secret Technique exquisite beyond words.

[Sessi Scimitar Technique: Secret Technique: Wind Return]

On the other side, Baldwin, who transformed into a humanoid shark, opened his mouth full of sharp teeth, and a special structure inside launched a snowy high-speed water jet forward.

Zip——!

[Magic-like Technique: White Wave Shock Wave]

Robert's body exploded with surging Combat Qi Flame, turning every inch of his skin into a dark iron hue, while he raised his longsword and charged straight at Baldwin.

[Military Swordsmanship: Extraordinary Secret Technique: Iron Stream]

In the current military system of the Duchy, aside from the Navy directly led by Princess Anita.

The Army, police forces, and the Duchy Tax Bureau Collection Department, the military chiefs: Robert, Iron Bone William, and Horned Shark Baldwin, have all successively broken through Tier 3.

With the help of Serra and Angie.

Skin-Wearing Baldwin has engraved the bloodline of Demonized Horn Shark into his genetic information, becoming an Extraordinary Race similar to werewolves, the Shark-men, breaking the shackles that prevented advancement for Skin-Wearing People.

As Aiven's various technical reserves improved, the mechanical modification of Clockwork Billy also rose with the tides, upgrading his physical, mechanical, and power components.

Relying purely on mechanical strength, he can already face Tier 3 Great Knights head-on.

As for Robert and Iron Bone William, the two physical-side Transcendents walking the orthodox Knight's Path, both chose the path of Humility (Loyalty) and ascended to Great Knights.

Centered around the Eight Knightly Virtues, each Great Knight chooses a path to follow for life upon advancement, unwavering until death.

During ancient feudal states, the most common paths for Great Knights were Humility (Loyalty), Heroism, and Honor; among nobility, Mercy and Justice were prevalent;

Among the Church's Holy Knights, paths focusing on Soul (Understanding the Divine), Sacrifice, and Honesty were most common.

Though as society evolved into the modern era, the feudal system gradually collapsed, and dependency between individuals waned, allowing diversity to flourish.

However, different path choices still lead to significant differences in treatment.

Resource allocation, promotion channels, and status in the suzerain's mind—all these influence a Great Knight's future.

Especially since both are halfway converts, prepared to tie themselves to the Duchy decisively, naturally unwilling to leave any blemish on their record.

Receiving towels from a servant, the military chiefs, having ended their daily routine training, gathered around the tea table.

Looking at the bustling construction site not far away, Iron Bone William couldn't help but show a bit of envy:

"Those Navy folks have it good! This sort of thing might sweep all the old-era sailing battleships into the trash bin.

Just imagining commanding this kind of steel battleship, immune to conventional cannon fire, domineering across the sea—it's mouthwatering."

Near the Army station at the port, under the hosting of a group of Wizards, a large shipyard and a prototype warship were being built simultaneously.

Clang clang clang...

Vulcan Metals Company and Mercury Shipyard divided portions, jointly establishing a new shipyard at Brunswick, Georgia's capital and deep-water port: Brunswick Naval Shipyard.

Their mission was simple: mass-produce 'Legendary Battleships' lacking [Legendary Battleship Skills]—[Dreadnought-class All-Heavy Cannon Battleship].

To reinforce the alliance's status and herald the era of 'Giant Ship Cannon.'

Meanwhile, the Far Sails Territory's Mercury Shipyard gradually shifted to civilian use.

For at least coastal fishing boats and "Flying Clippers," which retain sizable market share before related port facilities are fully built, a period of booming glory remains.

Yet, within the new 'Navy Shipyard,' the most striking feature is a mechanical statue flashing radiant Extraordinary Spiritual Light, belonging to the new god—God of Steam and Mechanics Mennon Watt.

Although successfully ascending [Truth Embodiment], the path of the Alchemy School has nearly reached its limit, yet a ready-made path naturally appeared before Watt.

After brief consideration, He accepted the Saint Angel's invitation, joining the 'Sea Monarchy' pantheon as a part-time God.

Times change.

With [Truth Embodiment] as a foundation, Watt equals godhood without restraint, able to advance or hold defensively. Even if losing divine status, he remains a powerful Tier 5 Transcendent.

Now, factory sites across the Tulip Alliance have introduced the God of Steam and Mechanics' statues, gradually helping Him consolidate an unprecedented new [Divine Position].

Tying this great being tightly to the alliance's chariot!

And as the Armored Knight completed sea trials, having witnessed the power of this new weapon, alliance countries began accelerating adjustments to naval armaments.

No matter what the Lowland Republic and Evil Gods plan, on this side, vigorously climbing the tech tree and enhancing strength from both Transcendent and mundane angles is assuredly correct.

In this prospect map of the navy's development under the new situation,

the first issue faced is the gradual elimination of outdated sailing battleships, to be replaced by more efficient and powerful equipment that meets the strategic and tactical requirements of the new era.

The main battleships that can join the [Legendary Battleship] battlefield and decide the victory of wars must be streamlined and enlarged, with an unwavering commitment to building the largest model battleships that funding permits, to ensure the deterrence of the "Sea Monarchy."

Once the [Dreadnought-class Battleship] is gradually launched to form a system, the goddess's powers will also undoubtedly take another step forward.

"It's worth exchanging the position of Chief for a captain!"

"That's right, I'd be willing too."

All three military chiefs, who have served in the navy, expressed their real-name envy.

"Hehehe, you three unlucky guys can only watch.

The first batch of captains is said to be selected first from wizards.

And I! Mr. Billiver, who is most valued by His Majesty, has already been granted the qualification to board the ship in advance. I will be the second officer and chief engineer of the first [Dreadnought-class]."

"Clockwork Man" Billiver arrogantly announced this news that inspired both envy and jealousy.

Glare!*3

"Do you know why?"

Seeing the three of them shifting their envious gazes over, Billiver, whose vanity was greatly satisfied, continued mysteriously:

"Because my ass is bigger than yours...."

Whoosh——!

Two knives and a sword had already slashed towards him.

Now.

The physical side Tier 3 extraordinary of the duchy already include Prime Minister Marquis Duke, Minister of Defense Gel, the three military chiefs, and Clockwork Man Billiver.

The ones closest to Tier 3, Jasmine and Gary, are also near at hand, and the extraordinary echelon will soon enter a positive cycle, thus the Galliot Duchy will no longer be a top-heavy empty shell.

...

In the [Witchcraft Garden], an environment that is always in optimal condition.

"Cough cough..."

Aiven, in a loose robe, lay on a recliner, bathing in the Radiance of the "Spirit Realm Sun" filled with spiritual power.

This is both a process of repairing spirituality and a process of re-precipitation.

It allowed Aiven, who had been running forward on the extraordinary path since stepping on it, to finally slow down and carefully experience many changes that he hadn't realized before, like a mental cleansing.

Through the [Mind Network], he watched the vitality of both his disciples and subordinates, a smile appeared on his lips. The return from injury, the fact that it spurred them to strive and forge ahead, could be considered a pleasant surprise.

It saves them from thinking they can get by leaning on a big tree all day long, the prosperity of this country clearly cannot be pinned on one person.

Beside Aiven were Olivia and Anita, dressed in the same white chiffon loungewear and wearing white oak slippers, although without makeup, they appeared stunningly beautiful.

During this time, the two of them, along with Angie, took turns staying by his side without leaving, which gradually led Aiven to develop the lazy habit of waiting for clothes to be handed to him and meals to be served.

It's so... comfortable.

Aiven slowly stood up, and the two girls quickly supported him from both sides.

"Alright, I'm not a porcelain doll. I've almost fully recovered after resting for so long."

With the treatment from the Saint Angel and the cleansing from Olivia's [Moonstone], there were no sequelae left even after being hit by a demigod's attack.

However.

Although after experiencing the rescue of the "God of Opera," those Evil Gods seemed to have completely disappeared, Aiven still felt an unease.

After some recuperation, the promotion to "Crowned Wizard" has become urgent.

The "Life Tree School" has accumulated a knowledge reserve for an era, allowing its members to autonomously gain [Divinity] in the "Divinity Realm" once they promote to "Crowned Wizard."

The "Banyan Tree" and "White Ash" grown by those two Tier 4 "Crowned Wizards" in the past, despite possessing immortal [Divinity], dissipated over the long years.

But in times when enemies are everywhere, becoming a divine creature capable of barely contending with Evil Gods adds a certain confidence.

Meanwhile, Aiven turned to look at his sister's stunning and heroic profile.

The bloodline of the Upper-Rank Sea Emperor Dragon is gradually maturing, and even without the rank of Titled Knight, she is about to become an adult Tier 4 Giant Dragon.

The strength is enough to support Anita in completing the nurturing of the [Titled Sacred Artifact]!

Soon, the days of being easily humiliated by a mere "God of Opera" will be gone forever.