CHAPTER 1579: CHAPTER 290: IAN: I THINK THIS IS A BIT TOO EXTREME

Now, Ian and Marquis Barton are uniting their forces for him. With the achievements the Grant Family has made in the southernmost part of the South Ridge over the years, perhaps in a while, the entire Great Redwood Forest Zone and the Southern Archipelago will become part of the Grant Marquisate.

This was the glory and future promised to the Grant Family by Inega II decades ago... and it will soon become a reality.

All through the hands of Ian.

"It’s time to set off now."

Standing up, for having survived the assault of the Fiery Flame Land, Marquis Barton now looked as if he were twenty years younger—he was very satisfied with his choice of Ian. If he were the one to face the Great Demon Mourning Bell, the best outcome would be a half-hour standoff before being swept away by the opponent.

And now? He and Ian have both received commendations from the Empire, and without any surprises, each of them should receive a Golden Dawn Medal, and taking advantage of this stepping stone, while he can’t become a Fourth Energy Level himself, his son or successor will absolutely have no problem reaching the Fourth Level as long as they continue to follow Ian.

And now, they have even entered the decision-making level of the Empire’s high command... they can proceed to the Western Territory and participate in the prelude to the Empire’s counteroffensive.

Marquis Barton knows the details of the counteroffensive but cannot tell Ian.

He believes that even the Prophet would be surprised by this.

Soon, a skyship arrived at the lift behind the Governor’s Mansion, and the two boarded the skyship heading to the Western Territory.

Looking down from the sky, the land below was nothing but desolation.

The land traversed by the demon army was always scorched earth; at best, it was barren. The original yellow-green vast grasslands on the Golden Plains could now only reveal large patches of grayish-yellow rocky layers.

West of the Golden Plains, at the junction of the two provinces, order was already restored around the Ground Hurricane Bridge.

The fortress that was once bewitched by the Heartbewitcher was nearby.

Ian thought that if the demon legion retreated in disarray after being hit by the celestial fire, it would be perfect for a scene of ’the demon legion perished here!’ However, who knew the demons’ fighting spirit was so strong, managing a 100% casualty ratio without retreating, a mythical war achievement, with General Sorrow Bell fighting to the very end.

Oh, this here is indeed a fantasy world, nothing out of place.

Upon seeing the skyship from the South Ridge, adorned with the Governor and Silver Peak crest, the fortresses on the ground saluted by flying the Empire’s flag—they were unaware that it was Ian who orchestrated the rescue by the Heartbewitcher, but they knew if the Silverpeak Domain hadn’t led the South Ridge coalition army to victory and annihilated the demon legion locally, their fate would have been to become the demons’ restorative fuel.

There were many such fortresses along the way, each raising their flags in salute as well.

Whether Ian and his party saw it or not, they were genuinely grateful to Ian, the ’Southern Hero’.

And such heroes have appeared across various battlefields of the Empire lately.

On the line before Steep Ridge Fortress in the Northern Territory, Klar Ellen, the eldest son of the Ellen Family, performed outstandingly in the defense at Iron Hammer Pass. As Yisen Gard’s brother, he displayed astonishing capability and charisma, leading the Northern nobility coalition to completely annihilate the Seventh Special Armored Brigade at Steep Ridge Fortress through artificially induced landslides.

On the Eastern Plains, Frostwind Butterfly, the 27th-generation descendant of Governor Bai Ji (Frostwind Butterflies breed rapidly), ventured deep behind enemy lines, pinpointing the Azure Sky Royal Court’s mobile fleet’s maintenance point, leading cannon strikes to seriously damage one of its mobile fleets.

In the Western Territory, there were many Imperial soldiers who held their ground under demon attacks—some replaced fleeing local nobles, leading the people in tenacious resistance as local Sublimators, while others valiantly defended their territories as local nobles.

In summary, each one was a hero template, each possessed extraordinary courage and insight, and each achieved remarkable battle results.

But even so, Ian’s accomplishments were the most fearsome among them—while others were still resisting, fighting back, or annihilating a few regular troops, Ian had already annihilated a third of a demon legion.

To this, Ian had a simple view.

These people indeed had genuine skills... it could even be said they earned their merits through their own capability.

But the Empire’s current fervent publicity was undoubtedly a step that had long been part of a planned strategy!

Two months ago, the Empire faced a comprehensive offensive, with major provinces invaded from all directions, as if the entire nation was enveloped in darkness.

And just when people hoped for heroes, yearning for heroes to emerge, heroes appeared.

These heroes... including Ian himself, were undoubtedly those who, after scrutiny, were truly ’loyal’ to the Empire. At least the Imperial people believed so.

If it were the Ian from before, he might not have noticed... but having become a Fae, Ian acutely sensed that the entire Empire’s Domain of Void was gradually transforming.

A transformation orchestrated by someone.

With Ian’s research on the Domain of Void, he could only see the change but couldn’t discern what the change really represented. In fact, Ian’s level was already among the highest in the whole of Terra; to be higher, only the City of Knowledge and places like Fairy Dragon Island would suffice.

Speaking of which, Ian recalled that the Frozen Fish Tutor had remained after helping relocate the Southern Sea’s Fairy Den to the Great Snow Peak... and he also had some guesses about Spirit Energy like ’Reincarnation of the End’ which he wished to discuss with the Fairy Clan thoroughly.

By then, he’ll also discuss the ’Imperial Ethereal Realm Change’ topic together with them.

"Change comes through war, suffering begets change. Suffering creates heroes, heroes guide the tides of thought."

With such thoughts, Ian murmured softly, "Marquis Barton, don’t you think that those doing this are simply too arrogant?"

"You have no right to speak of His Majesty."

Marquis Barton lowered his gaze; he understood what Ian was implying, and he didn’t want to hide it from him: "Even though I don’t know what His Majesty intends to do... at least, for now, the Imperial people have awakened."

"It’s just like how the Southern Ridge people are now so fervent in placing their hopes on you and have developed an ingrained hatred for the Fiery Flame Land—Isn’t that a good thing? Many of your reforms, many changes, must be built on such fertile ground."

"Ian. The Former Emperor said he didn’t want to sacrifice anyone; he wanted to grasp the era’s tides by his own hands... but you know the result."

Ian could only sigh.

Everything Inega II did indeed paved a way for those who came after; his reforms could all be attributed to Inega II’s guidance, and this brought him the support and recognition of people like Master Gossay.

However, his failure also created Ian’s current dilemma.

That is, almost everyone disapproves of the values and choices represented by Inega II.

Because it failed. It proved difficult to achieve. It showed the people that mere support could not help the Monarch overcome his challenges.

Therefore, Terra’s Monarchs have grown more self-willed, focusing more intensely on outcomes rather than processes.

After all, this is a world unlike Earth.

With such a sigh, Ian’s resolve only grew firmer.

At this point, he was already walking his own path, he was not Inega II, nor was he Protector Axel—his leadership and the society he aimed to create would be unlike anyone else in Terra.

And Marquis Barton, silently observing the side profile of the young lord before him, also let out a slight sigh.

Soon enough.

The skyship glided through the sky and the earth, bringing Ian and Marquis Barton to the Western Territory.

Upon Ian’s arrival in the Western Territory, he immediately noticed that there was an unexpected addition at their destination—a city.

A city mounted on an enormous black platform, armed to the teeth with multi-riveted steel and cannon towers!

And then it happened... just as Ian was curiously surveying this peculiar city made of steel that had unexpectedly appeared in the Western Territory, a voice as loud as thunder erupted from the city’s core.

Subsequently, under the impetus of the azure inscription circuit flowing throughout the city, amid the rumbling thunder, as Ian widened his eyes, his expression filled with bewilderment and disbelief, it started to move... or rather, it began to float up!

Buzz——

Terra Year 775, July 24th, 7:35 a.m.

As the sun slowly descended, a black city rose steadily from the earth.

Signaling the arrival of a new era of war.