The Western Island Countries did not lack strength; in fact, their overall power was considerable. The problem lay in their tangled web of internal factions, as their various powerful leaders were unwilling to play second fiddle to anyone. This tense standoff often served as the spark that ignited civil wars.

Only in the face of a major event threatening their collective survival, like a full-scale invasion by the Gulad Empire, would these normally fractured powers break the deadlock. They would temporarily set aside their internal conflicts and unite into a single force to resist the enemy.

However, this alliance forged from a shared crisis was extremely fragile. The moment they confirmed their own island was no longer in immediate danger, they would shamelessly betray their allies and resort to covert sabotage. They wouldn’t even hesitate to step on the wreckage of their former partners to seize greater power and status for themselves.

Moreover, this region in the Lord World was a place where pirate culture was deeply ingrained. The majority of the local populace were not only extremely skilled at plundering but also revered it as a way of life. They frequently raided cities on the West Coast of the Gulad Empire, wantonly massacring the innocent civilians within.

Worse still, they even raided and harassed one another. Their actions amounted to nothing more than robbery, murder, and abducting women—despicable and barbaric deeds no different from the Mountain Bandits that infested the Gulad Empire and the Kingdom of Ventecenia like common monsters.

The only anomaly was that they never attacked Divine Chosen Lords. It was precisely for this reason that the system designated them as a neutral faction with a white nameplate. Lord Players could freely enter and exit their territory, and even settle down within its borders.

Tsk.

’This is a bit troublesome.’

’If I don’t kill them, they’ll never change. With their pirate-like raiding habits and their nature to backstab and fight amongst themselves, they’re completely unsuitable to be brought under my command.’

’But if I decide to eliminate them, it will not only cost a great deal of time and resources, but the Lord Players who have already allied themselves with the Western Island Countries will likely complain. It won’t be easy to placate them.’

Beyond that, Qin Feng now occupied more than half of the Lord World’s territory. Through the tales spread by Wanderers and the songs of Wandering Poets, all the Native Creatures in the world knew him as a Merciful Lord who loved his people and his soldiers as if they were his own children, one who would grant everyone a chance at a new life.

And those natives who had sought refuge in the Holy Empire and now lived there were enjoying a happiness that far surpassed their past lives, feeling as if they were in a paradise on earth.

Under these circumstances, if Qin Feng chose to use direct military force against the Western Island Countries—especially if he eliminated the troublesome pirates who made up the majority of their population—the public image he had painstakingly built and the reputation he had accumulated over time would inevitably take a significant hit.

After all, in the hearts of the people of the Western Island Countries, plundering and their pirate identity were by no means contemptible habits. They were an ancient cultural belief passed down through generations. Its importance and sanctity were like the Forest Sub-humans’ need to regularly worship their deceased ancestors—a spiritual mark etched into their very bones.

Trying to make them change their beliefs and traditions to become law-abiding, peaceful citizens would be tantamount to roasting their parents on a pyre.

Sigh.

’So this is the burden of being at the top.’

’No wonder leaders in the Real World always have to weigh every pro and con, never daring to make a decision lightly.’

With that thought, Qin Feng selected an envoy from the Extraordinary Dragon Cavalry and ordered him to ride a Flying Dragon to the Western Island Countries to open negotiations.

His objective was clear: first, to make these tangled island kingdoms submit and pledge allegiance; second, to force them to abandon the raiding and pillaging they were so skilled at and so fond of. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

If they refused to comply, there was no need for further words. Once the Holy Empire had dealt with the Void Gate in the Central Region, it would bring its Divine Chosen Army to initiate a formal, just, and open "King’s War" against the various small island kingdoms under the banner of the Western Island Countries.

At that point, those from the Western Island Countries who surrendered would have only two options.

One, they could genuinely accept the Holy Empire’s governing philosophy, renounce their piratical ways, and willingly become a ’Farmer’ living a peaceful life, thereby gaining citizenship in the Holy Empire.

Two, if they stubbornly clung to their pirate beliefs and refused to change, they would be judged as criminals of the empire. They would then be imprisoned in jails across the Holy Empire and forced to contribute their labor to the great Holy Empire.

If all else failed, he would simply eradicate them, leaving only the Divine Chosen Soldiers who had been thoroughly brainwashed by the "Riding and Cutting system" and were absolutely obedient.

Although doing so would undoubtedly cause the remaining forces of the Western Island Countries to spread rumors and smear his name, causing the reputation he had worked so hard to build to plummet.

But Qin Feng could think of no other way.

He had to both ensure a decisive victory in the "King’s War Event" and make these pirate folk, who could rebel at any moment, completely docile and keep them under control.

Even if he exiled all the troublemakers from these island nations to remote lands, their belligerent nature meant they would sooner or later regroup and establish new, smaller powers. This would ultimately prevent Qin Feng from achieving true victory in the "King’s War Event," as he would always be just shy of completing it.

Therefore, he had no other choice. He had to harden his heart and make a decision.

After making the arrangements, Qin Feng dispatched an envoy from the Dragon Cavalry to handle negotiations with the Western Island Countries. At the same time, he personally mounted a Winged Dragon Beast and flew to the Kingdom of Ventecenia, which was under the Hafke Alliance, to have a special audience with their sole rightful monarch, Queen Yugudora.