Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 829 - 710: Close the Door and Fire the Missiles!
"Hahaha..."
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Felicitations, Your Majesty!"
St. Cruz, Dome Palace, inside the Emperor's exclusive study.
Philip II held the urgent battle report sent from the front line at the "Holy City" Novigrad of the "Eternal Flame" Church and perused it repeatedly. After confirming that he hadn't misread it, he finally let out an exceedingly joyful laugh.
Standing beside him, the chief Great Wizard of the think tank, Anduin, wore an equally joyful expression, seemingly as delighted as Philip II, continuously offering his congratulations.
The reason was simple.
The Sirius Empire's internal religious reformation, filled with slaughter and bloodshed for a full three years, finally concluded today. The Sirius Empire and the "Tinder Sect" were the ultimate victors!
Though the direct casualties from this religious reformation might have approached 1.2 million, Philip II deemed that no matter how great the sacrifice, it was completely worth it.
Just now, as the Defender Knight Order was crushed by the Empire and the "Tinder Sect" coalition forces and besieged.
Several Tier 4 Holy Professionals, led by the Pope of the "Eternal Flame Original Sect," acknowledged defeat and made a covenant before God with the Empire's representatives and the Pope of the "Tinder Sect," Wycliffe.
Promising that the "Eternal Flame Original Sect" would no longer evangelize within any territory under the Sirius Empire and acknowledging the religious status of the "Tinder Sect," just like the other six God Churches.
Of course, the prefix "Original" was imposed upon their defeat; this group of Holy Professionals, once incredibly hostile to heresy, never acknowledged the existence of other factions of "Eternal Flame" faith besides their own.
Moreover.
After undergoing several fierce purges, neither the "Eternal Flame Original Sect" nor the "Tinder Order" were spared. The worldly church force of the True God "Eternal Flame" weakened unprecedentedly, while the royal authority of the Sirius Emperor inflated tremendously.
It can be said that in this movement titled religious reformation, truly a struggle between royal authority and religious power, the most robust and well-funded entity, the Sirius Empire, indisputably emerged as the final winner!
This Emperor of the Sirius Empire couldn't help but feel a bit smug. While the Empire's colonies spanned every continent, and the Invincible Fleet dominated every sea, the Empire eradicated internal troubles.
The immensely powerful Sirius Empire was already legitimately the foremost among human nations, and Philip II was already the most supreme monarch in the world.
However, he felt...this was far from enough!
Thus he turned to his confidant advisor, his tone barely concealing expectation:
"Lord Anduin, can my [Sea Sovereignty] be launched now?"
The Great Wizard was clearly aware of this Emperor's intentions and replied without the slightest hesitation:
"Your Majesty, the Legendary Battleship we 'Curse School' are responsible for constructing can be launched at any time, just awaiting your presence for the launch ceremony to officially activate it."
"Then, how is the execution of the plan you proposed when arriving at St. Cruz four years ago?" (Chapter 369)
Anduin, even with his head lowered, could clearly feel Philip II's burning gaze, cautiously and respectfully responded:
"Your Majesty, since three years ago when you married Her Majesty the Empress and officially ascended as Emperor, the power of the specially crafted [Golden Olive Triple Crown] you authorized us has been steadily increasing.
Rest assured, no one understands the power of mediums better than we of the 'Curse School.' After the Empire resolved its internal troubles, your authority has reached an earthly pinnacle, which shall become a celestial ladder leading you and your family to the utmost royal authority!"
As a monarch reaches the pinnacle of earthly power, the next pursuit undoubtedly is — eternal hegemony!
However.
Despite the Empire possessing four Titled Knights and five Legendary Battleships, strong compared to other nations, it lacks an overwhelming absolute advantage, incapable of perpetually overpowering all nations.
Anduin and the 'Curse School' behind him presented a strategy. With successful execution, everything achieves is no longer a dream.
In normal circumstances, the Triple Crown is exclusively the Pope's in the Material World, representing the earth as the first layer for subjects, the moon as the second layer for kings, and the sun as the third layer for popes.
Having crafted such a crown when ascending as Emperor three years ago, his ambition then became glaringly apparent; he was to become the sun illuminating the world!
Fortuitously, due to unforeseen delays, the construction of the [Legendary Battleship: Sea Sovereignty] completed at this moment, allowing the timing to finally mature.
For this Legendary Battleship built with witchcraft, not merely a symbol of national prestige, it covertly serves a monumental and undisclosed grand plan for the Sirius Empire to attain tremendous accolades, then utilize the [Golden Olive Triple Crown] to secretly execute said plan.
"If in this war in the New Continent, we capture the Phaletis Queen, monopolize the entire New Continent, the crown's power is expected to significantly amplify once more.
Lord Anduin, the contributions you and the 'Curse School' made over the years have not gone unnoticed. When Sirius' supreme royal authority illuminates the world, granting 'Curse School' a vast land for independent nation-building poses no issue.
Especially for you as the prime contributor, whatever you desire, just speak!"
Receiving numerous favorable news today, Philip II was in excellent spirits, extending generous promises.
The Great Wizard Anduin was indeed extraordinary, remaining composed despite the circumstances, humbly saying:
"It's my honor to serve you!"
Simultaneously, he bowed deeply, ensuring that the excited Philip II couldn't see the gleam in his eyes.
'Ha, what I desire, you have already given me, my esteemed Majesty! The ultimate creation of the school... will definitely be realized in our generation!'
...
Time flew by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already the deadline stated in Hilus's final ultimatum.
East of Phaletis Navy's Dierben Castle base, twenty nautical miles out on the sea. The Flame Banner fluttered in the wind, the sails forming a white cloud, almost covering the vast ocean, as the massive fleet arrived on schedule.
Meanwhile.
Despite his reluctance to abandon the "Halfway Strike Plan," Aiven continually monitored this large fleet that inadvertently revealed its tail.
However, after consecutively losing two Seagull "Elves" and three Demonized Swifts created by the [Creator's Blood], along with a large group of ordinary sea fish... he was ultimately compelled to give up this rare opportunity.
And through the information provided by the well-versed, hundreds-year-old snakehead-like Serra.
He discovered that the inconspicuous old fellow was actually the leader of the Cabraal Region's Black Wizards, the chief wizard of the "Curse School", and even a Tier 3 Peak Great Wizard!
Immediately, he regarded him as the primary enemy in this national war, and took precautionary measures, also reaching out for all possible external assistance.
"Although they've determined that the assassination of the Prince is related to us, judging by their current stance, they clearly have no intention of negotiating..."
Sitting on the bridge of the [Crown of Miracles], Major General Aiven found himself stroking his chin and murmuring softly.
At this moment.
All high-end combat forces, besides those among the Great Knights fulfilling their respective duties, had already concentrated on the [Crown of Miracles]. Mainly including: mother-in-law Nymph, Snake Witch Serra, his sister, Olivia, Angie, and three Peak Official Wizards from the "Mechanical Immortality School".
To prevent any accidents, Queen Liweina, decked in custom "Venom" armor and wielding the [Rose Thorn Sword], led the court lady Linda to also appear here.
Upon hearing Aiven's murmur, Liweina couldn't help but inquire:
"Was it truly the work of the Ancient God's followers?"
"Almost certainly."
Back in the [Dark Side of the World], Aiven had captured an insectoid who knew Ilya Military Swordsmanship. Olivia failed to extract information, but his mother-in-law managed to pry open the insectoid's mouth through the Dream Realm.
However, the "insectoid", bound by the harshest contract, was completely unable to betray Yellen, and was killed by the power of the contract before he could reveal his identity.
Serra, however, had reported to Aiven the investigation results in the "Broken Star Islands".
Although most of the Ancient God's followers fled before the supporting wizards arrived, they left some clues behind. Despite the scant evidence, it wasn't difficult to piece together the identities of these masterminds.
During the previous counter-rebellion, the "Black Wing Order" had blatantly partnered with the Ancient God; the cunning asset owner had no need to guess who was backing them.
Yet now, Hilus Empire's focus clearly was not on the cause of its own Prince's death, their aggressive stance unmistakably signaled a direct attack without further ado.
And Phaletis was already fully prepared.
Against Hilus Empire's invasion, Tulip Alliance certainly couldn't sit idly by, but even after assembling all military forces, they still paled in comparison to Hilus's might.
Although Phaletis boasted the strongest military force in the New Continent.
Including Aiven's "Storm Horn", they only offered nine battleships above Level 4. Adding the Galliot Marquisate's "Dragon Cavalry," with two formidable heavy cruisers "Venus" and one Level 4 battleship "Belief," they totaled eleven ships.
Due to differences in focus and national strength, the combined colonial power of the other member states on the New Continent did not even equal half of Phaletis's, leaving their capabilities rather limited.
They managed to gather a fleet of twenty battleships above Level 4, with Vice Admiral Gustav boarding the [Storm Horn] as the commander of the regular fleet.
The already exposed [Crown of Miracles] openly confronted the opponent's seemingly gold-cast [Flame Bright Light] from afar.
Not bothering to send a messenger for a perfunctory gesture, the flagship of the opposing fleet already hoisted the signal flag, challenging the alliance to battle.
"Who the hell is stupid enough to go head-to-head with you directly!"
Aiven sneered and ordered the Ship Spirit Mei dressed in the attendant officer uniform beside him:
"Come on, shut the door, release the missiles!"
