Chapter 201: Chapter 145: Empire’s Demands (Part 2)

Only the Imperial Warriors with the purest beliefs would resolutely choose to abandon their bodies, willingly stepping into narrow dreams, eternally entrusting their souls to the Dream-Submerging Holy Artifact.

Osguta originally thought the Ark Leader would give him the cold shoulder over this matter.

After all, the Night Owl Hunter invading Ark territory first was undoubtedly a provocation to the local Monarch.

Fortunately, this young King’s magnanimity was unexpectedly broad-minded...

"Continue discussing other conditions then."

Lin Lan took a sip of the steaming bitter drink, seemingly indifferent to whether his dignity was affected.

Osguta gathered his thoughts.

"Secondly, the Duke hopes Ark Kingdom can divert some energy to help the Empire successfully control the Nightmare Celestial Calamity lurking in the Extreme North Abyss."

He whispered, "Since you can touch and eradicate the invisible Blood Plague Curse, surely controlling the Nightmare isn’t too difficult."

Initially, Osguta had some doubts, but the Ark Leader’s effortless maneuver through the dreams completely dispelled the envoy’s concerns.

Lin Lan pursed his lips.

He knew for sure that Lord Frost Falcon, that Man, harbored no good intentions.

"Control the Celestial Calamity?"

The Ark Leader leaned forward, his gaze turning dangerous: "Do you know the essence of the Celestial Calamity?"

"No matter how bizarre and dangerous the Celestial Calamity is, we have reasons that compel us to do this, Lord Lin Lan."

At this moment, Osguta’s gaze became pure.

Facing the youth’s eyes, he candidly said, "Raven Duke stands guard at the forefront of the Extreme North Abyss, with countless warriors losing their lives to the Nightmare Demons every day and night."

"The curse from the Mad Emperor before his death amplified the Nightmare’s presence, allowing the Celestial Calamity in the Extreme North Abyss to reach the land; if not curbed, millions of Empire citizens living in the north will eventually be killed by overwhelming nightmares."

Osguta gritted his teeth: "For the Empire’s glory, we will never allow such a tragedy to unfold before our eyes!"

The moment he spoke of sacrifice and glory, the Imperial Envoy’s eyes distinctly shone with defiant spirit; this is the dignity of the Imperial People!

"And what does this have to do with controlling the Celestial Calamity?"

Lin Lan’s tone remained consistently calm.

"There are far more than Nightmare Demons lurking deep in the ocean; if we can control the Celestial Calamity, we won’t just save millions of lives, but bring civilization further!"

Osguta’s words came from the heart: "Join us; the New Empire has the ability to lead Ark Kingdom into an unprecedented golden age!"

Lin Lan pondered.

He silently observed the Imperial Envoy trapped in fervor and extremism before him, saying nothing.

"Lord Lin Lan, I believe the Duke’s proposed conditions are entirely reasonable for you."

Osguta’s tone turned sincere: "We would never be like the damned Alliance, promoting cooperation openly while secretly stabbing you, trying to exploit Ark Kingdom."

Lin Lan was non-committal, temporarily shifting the topic.

He curiously asked, "Why do you harbor such animosity towards the Alliance?"

"Because the concepts of the three parasites among the Alliance’s leadership inherently contradict the Empire."

Osguta’s tone instantly cooled: "Everyone knows the Alliance People wish to find an absolutely safe Sea Celestial Kingdom, ultimately escaping and abandoning this world."

With the Imperial Envoy’s narration, an understanding flashed in Lin Lan’s eyes.

The divide between the Empire and Alliance lies in the sea routes.

The Alliance People cherish freedom and romance.

The Alliance citizens are of varied races, the national power split into three, which, bluntly speaking, means extraordinarily chaotic management.

Thus, the direction chosen by politicians and chambers of commerce is to rely on opening sea routes to discover new islands; when the resources there are exhausted, the Alliance abandons that island and starts ’exploring’ the next target.

The way the commerce union treats Fortress Main Island shows that they can even abandon the main island when necessary.

The Alliance navigators are striving to pursue the Genesis created by the Gods.

The Empire, however, is a large, strictly ordered entity.

The Northern Border continent has nearly ten billion people; this ’island’ isn’t something that can be casually abandoned, and faced with the pressure of the Celestial Calamities, the Empire can only choose to resist to the very end.

This resistant determination gradually transformed into uncontainable ambition.

The Dukes want to have everything tightly in their grasp.

In the eyes of the Imperial People, the Alliance leadership are all greedy parasites, polluting the archipelagos, then walking away to leave an untouched mess around the Empire in the end.

Their positions dictate their thinking.

The fundamental conflict between the Alliance and Empire lies here...

"Surely you’ve witnessed it."

Osguta said coldly: "Alliance People are experts in using ideals and unity as banners to pillage the sea archipelagos recklessly; the unlucky ones targeted by them won’t be left with anything in the end."

Lin Lan offered no evaluation.

The Alliance and Empire are inherently enemies, so politicians enhancing themselves while vilifying opponents is their most common tactic.

As the Ark Leader, Lin Lan decided not to favor either side.

He has his own path to follow.

"Ark Kingdom can help you fight against the Celestial Calamities, saving those Empire citizens who find themselves in danger."

Lin Lan said flatly: "But under no circumstance could we assist you in ’controlling’ the Celestial Calamities; any intent to control the sea is delusional."

"You shouldn’t..." Osguta opened his mouth in anger but quieted down under the Ark Leader’s icy gaze.

"You only need to convey my opinion to Lord Frost Falcon."

Lin Lan locked eyes with the man: "Tell him that if the Empire leaders continue in their folly, you all will ultimately march towards ruin in your stupid and distorted ambition."

Osguta became silent.

If the Kings of other small islands dared to humiliate the Empire’s Duke in such a way, he would certainly rage and choke the opponent until they swallowed back their insulting words.

But looking into the Ark Leader’s eyes, Osguta deflated.

The newly arisen Ark Kingdom was able to defeat the Abyss’ Celestial Calamity solely because of Lord Lin Lan’s formidable strength, an indisputable fact.

The Imperial People have always respected true power.

Osguta entirely recovered from his fervent state.

The envoy lowered his voice to propose the final condition: "Lastly, Lord Frost Falcon hopes Ark Kingdom can assist the Imperial Military in locating the sunken Plumbum White..."

"This matter is non-negotiable."

Lin Lan swiftly interrupted him; he wouldn’t make any concessions on this matter, tied as it was to the sole offspring of the Mad Emperor, Princess Valentina, and the new Dungeon Card.

On Osguta’s rugged features, a hint of a wry smile finally appeared.

He understood that today’s firmness from the Ark Leader ultimately stemmed from that new sea route...

The Alliance’s resource blockade was thus rendered a joke, and now Ark Kingdom has become a coveted treasure by navigators.

The Empire’s timely support turned into an added luxury; undeniably, the defeat of White Oak Main Island wasn’t favorable for the Empire either.

Those navigators in the Alliance are indeed a bunch of incompetent fools!

Osguta slandered inwardly.

"This ends today’s meeting, Osguta."

Lin Lan glanced at the system time: "I have other matters to attend to next."

"By the way, Lord Lin Lan, in fact, yesterday, I noticed you had a conflict with the Angsak Kingdom’s Royal Family."

Being an observant and excellent envoy, Osguta tried to seize this opportunity: "If you nod, the Empire can entirely reverse the Golden Kingdom’s view of Ark Kingdom."

"Conflict?"

Lin Lan was momentarily perplexed, feeling amused: "There was never any conflict, for Ark Kingdom, Angsaks’ technology was unimportant from the start."

The next moment, the daylight outside suddenly flickered.

The Imperial Envoy turned his head, bewildered, seeing a blinding solar waterfall descending from the sky, pouring straight into the large steel plant outside Seagull City!

Lin Lan came to the window, wearing a smile akin to a farmer rejoicing in harvest.

Vera’s ’Deep Space Probe’ was already functioning!