Chapter 1515: Chapter 271: All Assistance Beyond Substantial Help
"No more. The Nineteenth Legion and the South Sea Fleet together have ten armored squads, totaling forty-one armors with backups, yet they canât hold the Golden Plains."
Recently, Marquis Barton has been overwhelmed with dutiesânot just coordinating with the Mountain Peopleâs military enhancement but also managing wartime production with various factions. This is why he transferred power to Ian; he had long foreseen the outcome of Fiery Flame Landâs full assault, hence delegating the tasks to Ian.
"Thatâs enough."
Ian assessed that forty armors were already considered a large force for a place like South Ridge; any more drivers would probably fall short. The Empireâs productive capacity far surpasses its ability to train drivers, which is why they initially introduced AI-assisted armors at the Imperial Capital.
Right now, Ian could fully modify these forty armors, linking them with the Heart of Terra for precision high-accuracy operations. He could also gather combat data from the armors to expedite the automation of armor driving technology in the Heart of Terra.
When the time came, he would forcibly take control of the munitions factory near Nauman City. At that point, every armor produced would be piloted by Heart of Terra, replacing all drivers with artificial intelligence. If Fiery Flame Land dared, they could try a one-to-one exchange; even a four-to-one exchange would be a loss for them!
Of course, the idea was appealing, but Ian couldnât think of any ways other than killing to forcibly seize the munitions factory. Those factories belonged to the military merit nobility of the Nineteenth Legion, where Marquis Barton was merely the largest manager. Even if he had absolute authority, it was impossible to make that group give up their holdings, even just for âborrowingâ.
Because they feared that a loan would never be returned.
Indeed, Ian had no intentions of returning it.
Furthermore, he was genuinely contemplating how to eliminate these bothersome Empire personnel to seize power himself.
"Killing is unnecessary."
But Marquis Barton seemed to perceive what Ianâs silence implied. Although he couldnât guess Ianâs objective of the munitions factory and Alchemy Workshop in Nauman City, he could completely grasp that this young Earl intended to tighten his grip over South Ridge, forming a strong fist to face the encroaching Fiery Flame Land.
And to form a strong fist, something must be crushed.
With a laugh, he said, "South Ridge facing such severe assault is clearly the responsibility of the Nineteenth Legion, including the officers at the forefront, like my son, who will face military tribunal hearings over the next two months."
"Although the final outcome will likely not be an issue, since it truly isnât related to them, within these two months, weâor rather, youâwill make the decisions."
"Alright."
Satisfied with the answer, Ian succinctly responded, "That saves a lot of unnecessary talk."
But he still frowned, asking, "But Marquis, do you mean the Imperial Capital will really just sit by?"
"Since Fiery Flame Land has infiltrated us to such an extent, penetrating both South Ridge and Western Territoryâs supply lines, weâve also likely infiltrated them substantially."
"The Demon Legion isnât new to me, and I dare say that the Spirit Wisdom Institute has mastered similar technology, just that the research direction varies. The Empire hasnât enacted any preventive measures?"
"Youâve already prophesied it." Marquis Barton sighed, "So you should know, the Imperial Capital requires such a âcrisisâ condition."
"So where are the morale-boosting measures post-crisis?" Ian asked, "Just like when Fiery Flame Land bombarded my capital with a skyship, yet I intercepted it with the Shelter Arrayâwhat I say now is like a decree from God."
"The Imperial Capital must think similarly, so where is their âshelter arrayâ?"
"...The City of Knowledge."
After a pause, Marquis Barton seemed to weigh whether he could disclose this information to Ian, but he ultimately decided to spill it, "The Empire and the City of Knowledge began an in-depth technical collaboration twenty-five years ago, the confidentiality of which was second only to the alliance with the Canaan Moore Sustenance Faction."
"What collaboration?"
Finally extracting some information from the old fox, Ianâs eyes lit up, "Let me think, the research strengths of the City of Knowledge include Domain of Void and pre-era civilization mechanical technology, alongside cutting-edge alchemy, Ether Furnace Core... Could it be the Voidrealm Machine God? Or..."
"We each paid a tremendous price, and both parties achieved satisfactory results..."
Marquis Barton did not directly answer Ianâs inquiry; he merely said slowly, "As for the specific content, Ian, you cannot know for now. We know you wonât reveal it, but on our side... there are issues. I canât speak of it."
ââSoulâs Steel Seal? Or Oath Magic Array?
Ian believed Marquis Barton wouldnât tease him like this. He genuinely couldnât speak it.
As for maintaining such a high level of confidentiality...
"Thousand-Star Beast?"
Ian lowered his voice, "Is it research related to the Thousand-Star Beast?"
"You?!"
This time, Marquis Barton was truly astonished. Even through the communication array, he could sense his shock, "How do you know that? Did you hear it from Clear Moon Tower Master in Canaan Moore... Wait."
Considering Ianâs identity, Marquis Barton soberly stated, "Does this mean weâve indeed used it in the future? Is the situation that bad?!"