Chapter 1516: Chapter 271: All Assistance Beyond Substantial Help
"No, not exactly."
Ian was very clear that the āDark Keyā of the Thousand-Star Beast was likely some kind of last resort similar to Terraās Dead Hand System. Without the Empireās presence, Terra would have no reason to exist. They were truly crazy enough to press that button.
Therefore, when Marquis Barton suspected that Ian had āprophesiedā the existence of the Thousand-Star Beast, he couldnāt help but be shocked by such a futureācould it be that the Empire had lost to such an extent that it would drag the entire world down with it?
Itās just like Earthlings knowing their future involves pressing the global nuclear button: shocking, yet not entirely impossible.
Even if the Dark Key couldnāt destroy Terra due to the intervention of the Four Great Orthodox Churches and other factions, dragging hostile forces like the Fiery Flame Land, Azure Sky Royal Court, and Steep Ridge Fortress down would certainly not be an issue.
"Thatās good."
Marquis Barton also breathed a sigh of relief. Ian even knew about the Thousand-Star Beast; even though bound by an oath he couldnāt disclose the secret, his heart felt much lighter: "Although the progress of the Fiery Flame Landās Demon Legion exceeded our expectations, resulting in us not evacuating those armed civilians, we do indeed have countermeasures at our disposal."
"Although itās unclear why the Artificial Demons of the Fiery Flame Land can evade the automatic purge system of the Voidrealm Machine God, our research on the Domain of Void is sufficient to manipulate the Machine God, holding key fortresses to suppress themāas for how to turn defeat into victory from a disadvantage... the answer lies in the sky."
"The sky..." Ian thoughtfully raised his head, looking at the sky above Xiahui City.
Though it was daytime, with the support of Foresight View and the Rites of the Star Gods, Ian could vaguely see the shadows above the Firmament.
The Dragon Island, orbiting Earthās equator, always passes by South Ridge.
"I think I understand," he said. "No matter the skies, I can roughly understand... so how long do we need to hold out?"
"Two months."
Marquis Barton solemnly stated, "Two months, Ian."
"The Empire has been victorious for too long; it no longer has any sense of crisis."
"Just like those citizens in your city, when faced with another attack similar to a skyship crash, they will no longer feel fear... The Empire has overcome too many crises and formidable enemies, and the people have forgotten the taste of defeat."
"Even when the former Emperor Inega II passed away during the An Moon unrest, the Empire remained unshaken. Our Majesty even maintained all his territories, with no enemy daring to invade."
"People have grown accustomed to victory, so victory has become meaningless."
At this, Marquis Barton sighed, "His Majesty... His Majesty Akseir, has always regretted it."
"When he talks to me in private, occasionally he shows vulnerability just like decades ago... He murmurs, saying he always regretted that he successfully guarded all the territories back then."
"He should have let go of a few, or more. As long as the core areas remained intact, those little insignificant places on the borders shouldāve been allowed to be occupied by other powers."
"That way, though his own reputation might suffer slightly, everyone would be stifled, hating those enemies who brought them shame and defeat, becoming united in heart and spirit."
"These two months is a necessary humiliation. Without humiliation, the slumbering Imperial People wonāt awaken."
Is that really the case... Winning so much that thereās no sense of crisis? But those who died... it all boils down to arrogance.
Ian pondered Marquise Bartonās words, feeling that the other was exaggerating somewhat. The Empire surely had deeper considerations.
However, the two-month duration was enough for him to roughly restructure the management system of South Ridge, to forcibly spread the terminals and the Heart of Terra to other noble territories.
By that time, two months later, regardless of whether the Empire succeeded in counterattacking, the Fiery Flame Land would be unable to infiltrate South Ridge as it had before.
Yes, from this angle, the Empireās theory was correct. This group of foolish minor nobility in South Ridge, if not eradicated in the previous attacks, Ian and capable people like himself couldnāt grasp the power firmly held in their hands.
"What else do you need, Ian?"
Marquis Barton said, "The Empire can give you all the support except material assistance."
"This is enough."
Though āall support except material assistanceā sounded amusing, what Ian needed wasnāt resources but a ānominalā: "Marquis, I need you to announce in the name of the South Ridge Governor, that South Ridge will completely transition into wartime military control mode."
"And, under the slogan of āpreventing infiltrationā, declare that South Ridge must go onlineāvia the āNanling Province Mutual Assistance Networkā sponsored and developed by Silver Peakās Lord."
"Thatās all I need."