CHAPTER 359: CHAPTER 317 CATASTROPHE_2

However, the plush sofa was so comfortable that Duke Silvermane couldn’t help but sigh with relief as he sat down.

Lady Karol sat down beside the Duke and said, "Marquis Anderson has gone too far. After he learned that I had reached out to Lord Yan Xing, he deceived Cloud Tower into sending him a large batch of Alchemical Weapons. By spring, the Wildwind Highlands Legion will definitely launch attacks on the Eternal Domain and Thunderous Swamp. If he wins... all the aircraft the Eternal Domain manufactured for you, My Lord, will become Marquis Anderson’s. What will he do then?"

Lady Karol’s words caused Duke Silvermane, who had been fascinated by the aircraft, to suddenly change his mood.

"Your concerns are also my concerns," the Duke replied. "Otherwise, I wouldn’t have risked offending Cloud Tower by selling so many supplies to the Eternal Domain. However... behind Anderson stands Cloud Tower, after all. What if Thunderous Swamp fails? What if Cloud Tower directs its anger towards us?"

For the kingdoms of the secular world, Cloud Tower represented an insurmountable peak. Lady Karol worried that Duke Silvermane would ultimately give in to the pressure from Cloud Tower and cut off trade routes with the Eternal Domain. Without the Silvermane Principality’s supplies, Lord Yan Xing, with his sparsely populated land, would hardly be able to withstand an assault from Cloud Tower.

"My Lord," Lady Karol continued, "from the moment Marquis Anderson accepted aid from Cloud Tower, he has had no way out. Nor do you. As long as Thunderous Swamp stands, Cloud Tower will not focus all its efforts elsewhere. With the Silvermane Principality’s military strength and support from Thunderous Swamp, we might not lose this battle for our nation’s destiny. And if we compromise with Cloud Tower... would a victorious Anderson remember the kindness you once showed him?"

At this point, Duke Silvermane and Marquis Anderson had no loyalty or affection left between ruler and subject. Given the chance, both would likely seize the opportunity to destroy the other with glee. Their conflicts had accumulated daily, and following the outbreak of the covert political upheaval in Storm City, there was no room left for reconciliation. If Duke Silvermane wanted to survive, he had to support Thunderous Swamp. He even had to marshal the full force of his nation to oppose Cloud Tower, to find a sliver of hope amid certain death. And if he won... by that time, he would have to wear a different crown!

Duke Silvermane summoned an attendant and ordered, "Send a message to Lord Yan Xing, promising that the Silvermane Principality will fully support him in defeating all his enemies. Soon, I will send a special envoy to Eternal City to sign an alliance with him. Send someone to Storm City and tell Marquis Anderson that Lord Yan Xing is my friend. He must immediately release the personnel and vehicles of the Eternal Merchant Guild and cease any obstruction of the Eternal Domain’s commercial activities in the future. Inform all ministers and the Speaker that I am convening a cabinet meeting. Notify my vassals to train their troops and prepare supplies this winter. Prepare for war!"

The attendant acknowledged the order and hurried out of the cabin.

Just then, a young woman in a flight attendant’s uniform emerged from the cockpit. She bowed to Duke Silvermane and Lady Karol, saying, "Respected Duke and Lady, the Spirit of Danling Aircraft has completed its pre-flight preparations. If you wish to experience riding the Beak Eagle Aircraft, we can take off now."

Lady Karol said, "We are sitting here precisely to experience the sensation of flying and to see how a steel alchemical aircraft takes off."

Duke Silvermane eagerly anticipated this flight. "I have ridden Griffons and traveled on the Silvermane Principality’s airships. This is my first time on an aircraft from the Eternal Domain. Take us for a few circles over Dawnspirit City."

"Yes, Your Grace and My Lady. Please have your attendants take their seats, as the aircraft will experience some turbulence during takeoff. It will smooth out once we are flying level."

Duke Silvermane directed his attendants to sit down, and the flight attendant closed the cabin door. The engines on the wings whirred to life, spinning the propellers, and the Spirit of Danling Beak Eagle Aircraft slowly accelerated down the runway. Outside, the knights protecting the Duke spurred their Battle Griffins to chase the aircraft, flapping their wings to ascend alongside it. As the ground receded further and further through the window, Duke Silvermane’s expression grew increasingly solemn.

The four engines provided the Beak Eagle with abundant power. During the climb phase, the aircraft’s ascent angle was steep, and its speed steadily increased. Initially, the escorting Griffons could easily keep pace with the Beak Eagle. However, upon reaching a certain altitude, the Griffons began to show signs of fatigue. Meanwhile, the Beak Eagle continued to ascend with full power, leaving the entire Griffon Troop far below as it climbed ever higher.

The guards inside the cabin sensed something amiss. They stood up from their seats and, bodies tilted, began walking toward the cockpit. The flight attendant, unaware of their intentions, quickly intervened, "Please do not leave your seats while the aircraft is ascending. You may move around once we reach cruising altitude."

The guards stopped and looked towards Duke Silvermane. With just a command from him, the guards would immediately seize control of everyone in the aircraft’s cockpit.

Duke Silvermane calmly asked the flight attendant, "Why are you flying the aircraft so high?"

The flight attendant bowed to Duke Silvermane and answered, "Your Grace, the Spirit of Danling will level off at an altitude of 6,800 meters. At this height, there are no clouds, visibility is excellent, and most flying creatures cannot reach this altitude, making it much safer."

Fly to 6,800 meters, merely for safety! What remarkable Alchemy this is!

Duke Silvermane then inquired, "What is the maximum altitude this Beak Eagle aircraft can reach?"

The flight attendant replied, "I do not know the maximum altitude the Beak Eagle can reach. However, my master prohibits flying above 8,000 meters except in special circumstances."

Above 8,000 meters! Even if they exhausted themselves, Griffons couldn’t fly that high. The Alchemy Laboratories of the Silvermane Principality, attempting to imitate Cloud Tower’s airships, also couldn’t reach such altitudes. In the entire Silvermane Principality, only a few high-level, air-specialized Mages could pose a threat to this Beak Eagle aircraft. And this spacious cabin could accommodate dozens of Mages! It could attack any target within its range at will.

Duke Silvermane became somewhat agitated again. Thunderous Swamp’s Alchemy, capable of sending steel above 8,000 meters into the sky, indicates their enormous potential. Cloud Tower’s military action against Thunderous Swamp also proves this. Duke Silvermane felt more confident about the coming wars.

"Karol, you’ve done very well," Duke Silvermane praised Lady Karol profusely. "I have a mission for you. If you complete it, I will give you whatever you desire."

Lady Karol replied, "I seek no reward for serving you, Your Grace. As long as you are pleased, Karol is happy. If you are displeased, Karol is distressed all day. What is this task, Your Grace? Please entrust it to me, and I will dedicate myself to accomplishing it for you."

Duke Silvermane took Karol’s hand, gently caressing it. "Ah... in the entire Royal Court, only you understand me; only you are worthy of my trust. This mission, too, can only be best accomplished by you. The world has not seen a large-scale war in a long time. The princes of the Empire check each other, while external forces like the Orcs, Elves, Undead, and Hell all lack the strength to contest this most fertile land. It is this balance that has allowed all factions to develop relatively peacefully for so many years. Now, Cloud Tower’s involvement in secular disputes has shattered this balance. Anderson forces us to align with Thunderous Swamp. Once Thunderous Swamp’s weapons reach Dawnspirit City, it will trigger an even greater chain reaction across the world. You should know, the Empire has always been wary of me."

Lady Karol inquired, "Your Grace, do you mean... that other princes, perhaps even the Empire, will attack us?"

Duke Silvermane explained, "The world is changing, and everyone is caught in the tide. Thunderous Swamp lures me with Alchemical products, and they will use the same to entice others. Cloud Tower gave Alchemical Weapons to Anderson, violating their long-held principle of isolation; in the future, they will undoubtedly provide Alchemical Weapons to others as well. Alchemy, once beyond our grasp, is now readily accessible. For survival, everyone, whether willingly or unwillingly, will be drawn into this catastrophe. The losers will be crushed to dust, while the victors will usher in a brand new era. You will represent me, travel to various nations, and do your utmost to rally allies to my cause."