Volume 2: Empire Chapter 164 Starry Sky
The Glowing Gold Civilization, the Angel Civilization, the Purgatory Civilization, the Shadow Civilization, and the Dragon Civilization have all been keeping a low profile since the end of the ancient war. Except for the Glowing Gold Civilization, the other four ancient civilizations are all in seclusion.
Even the Shuojin civilization, which actively participated in secular trade, kept its distance from the governments of various countries and regions, and expressed profound reflection on launching ancient wars.
This time, the Shuojin Civilization sent an envoy to the capital of the Golden Shield Empire, and what they were planning must be very important.
And the Angel Civilization...
Since the Angel Civilization was conquered by the Golden Civilization during the ancient war, the Angel Civilization, which was once an ally, is not friendly to the Golden Civilization. However, the Angel Civilization, which is almost reshaped, is greatly influenced by the Golden Civilization, so it is not a big hatred for the Golden Civilization.
In the thousand years since the ancient war, angels have rarely left Sky City. This time, they even sent an envoy to the capital of the Golden Shield Empire. What they are planning must be very important.
The officials did not dare to express their opinions without authorization, so Viscount Iscolan asked, "My Lord Marquis, the delegations from the Shining Gold Civilization and the Angel Civilization are coming. What kind of etiquette should we use to welcome them?"
Luke said: "The delegation of the Golden Civilization can be given state treatment. After all, the Golden Civilization controls the World Bank, and the Empire is currently at war, so it needs money everywhere.
As for the Angel Civilization... the reception standards will be downgraded by two levels."
"Downgrade, downgrade by two levels?"
Viscount Iscolan thought he had misheard, and he suggested, "My Lord Marquis, the Angel Civilization and the Shining Gold Civilization are civilizations of the same level. We give the Shining Gold people state courtesy, but we downgrade the level of the Angel Envoys to welcome them. Isn't that too embarrassing for the Angel Civilization?
Downgrading to the next level... or the same level would be more appropriate."
Luke insisted on this welcoming plan: "One came with money, and the other came empty-handed. If the reception standards are the same, what will the Golden Man think? Only by making a comparison can I show how much I value the Golden Man's visit. If the Golden Man is happy, everything else will be easier to discuss.
Only when the angels lose face will they know how to deal with us."
Viscount Iscolan didn't know how the angel had offended the Marquis of Meteorite, but since the Marquis had made such arrangements, his subordinates just had to prepare accordingly.
"Yes, Lord Marquis, we will come up with two welcoming plans. May I ask why the Golden Man and the Angel are visiting the Empire at this time so that we can prepare in advance."
Luke replied, "Just prepare to welcome them. Miss Qingkong and I will be in charge of the specific matters to be discussed."
Qingkong then said: "Be polite to guests, but also show appropriate force."
"A show of force against the Shining Gold and the Angels?"
Viscount Iscolan was a little puzzled. This did not seem to be a friendly visit.
Luke said, "What Miss Clear Sky means is what I mean."
Luke looked at the clear sky, his tone and demeanor were exactly the same as when he was in control.
Qingkong noticed Luke's gaze and a barely noticeable smile appeared at the corner of his eyes, as if he was showing off his acting skills.
Quirky!
Viscount Iscolan knew that it would be best not to ask too much about the Golden Man and the Angel Envoy, so he nodded and replied, "I know what to do, please rest assured, Marquis."
Luke withdrew his gaze from the clear sky and said, "The reception of the delegations from the Shining Gold Civilization and the Angel Civilization has been finalized.
Next we have the spring campaign against Art County United."
On the conference table, a magic projection projected a map of the northern battlefield.
Now the main force of the Art County Alliance has temporarily retreated to the vicinity of the first line of defense built by the Empire in the north. There are fortresses and fortresses there, and because the Empire's northern army retreated too quickly and did not have time to destroy them, it is suitable for the army to stay for the winter.
The main force of the empire is near the third line of defense.
On the second line of defense, the Empire occupied Snow City and some of the surrounding fortresses, while the rest was occupied by the Art County Alliance.
Neither side was able to launch a new round of offensives in the severe winter, so they tacitly agreed to a ceasefire and actively added their respective mobilized soldiers to the army in preparation for the spring war.
In the spring, the Nutao City Armored Assault Division completed its reorganization, with all its equipment and weapons in place and possessing a certain level of combat effectiveness.
As the commander of the Armored Assault Division of the City of Fury, Shelley tells Luke about the landing plan.
She pointed her command pole at a small town at the easternmost end of the first line of defense in the North.
"The city of Minginsk has a population of 30,000 and a fishing port. Thirty kilometers to the north is Songta Port. Songta Port is an important deep-water port in the northern border of the empire. The railway starting from here runs through all the important cities in the northern border.
If we can use Minginsk as a springboard and land here to raid Songta Port, it will be equivalent to strangling the throat of the entire northern border. At that time, a steady stream of troops and supplies will be delivered to Songta Port by sea, and then we will attack along the railway. If the At County Alliance does not want to be blocked by us, it can only take the initiative to retreat and hand over the occupied imperial territory. "
Luke looked at the map and said, “Songta Harbor is so important. When the ice on the sea melts, the Art County Alliance can also use the port and railway here to supply their army.
This place should be difficult to capture, and Mingi Insk City should also be among the key defenses of our opponents. "
Shelley said, "Yes, after our early reconnaissance, Songta Harbor is heavily guarded by the Art County Alliance. They have been reinforcing their fortifications throughout the winter, and it is difficult to complete the landing by attacking directly from the sea.
However, the terrain of Mingiyinsk is flat and the geology is soft, making it difficult to build a heavy defensive offensive. As long as the Fury City Fleet can provide a sea blockade, the Fury Armored Assault Division can completely storm and capture Mingiyinsk."
Luke said: "Crossing the sea and landing must be based on sea control. Does the Raging Tide City Fleet have anything to say?"
Lady Tasia, who was specially summoned to attend the meeting, stood up and stretched out her hand to enlarge the sea area on the map.
"The At County Federation has built 14 Sea Lion-class all-metal battleships built by Harut Heavy Industries. An unknown number of Sea Lion-class ships have been launched, and an unknown number of Sea Lion-class ships are under construction. According to the intelligence sent by the Imperial Secret Intelligence Bureau, the Sea Lion-class ships are comparable to our main battleship Unit-01-class ships and have the same combat power.
However, a large amount of alchemical materials were used in its construction, and the cost was higher than that of Unit-01.
We have more battleships than the At County Navy, and the other side can only mobilize a large number of wooden warships to give us a numerical advantage.
If the Raging Waves City Fleet started to march towards Songta Harbor in the spring when the sea ice had just melted, the Art County Navy would certainly not dare to transfer the Sea Lion-class ships, which they were not familiar with, to Songta Harbor to engage in a decisive battle with the Raging Waves City Fleet.
The Nutao City Fleet can blockade Songta Harbor and create a safe landing environment for the Nutao City Armored Assault Division."
Since the beginning of spring, the Raging Waves Fleet has a huge technical and strength advantage over the Art County United Navy. If we don't take advantage of this time to land and send the Raging Waves Armored Assault Division to the North, and wait until the Art County United Navy's Sea Lion-class battleships have combat capabilities, landing again will be riskier.
Moreover, the fleet of Nutao City cannot defeat the navy of Art County with ease. If the Art County Navy is frightened and comes for peace talks, there will be no drama afterwards.
During this trip to Winter Capital, Luke could deeply feel that the war potential of Art County Union was far inferior to that of the Golden Shield Empire. The Empire had an advantage in population and resources. As long as the war lasted for a long time, the resources of Art County Union would be exhausted.
When the harvest came, they had no power to resist.
Therefore, this war must be fought at the proper rhythm, neither too fast nor too slow.
Just like cooking a delicious dish, you need to pay attention to details and be patient to make a delicious dish.
Luke agreed to the landing plan jointly formulated by Shelley and Lady Tasia, and wanted to hammer the Raging Tide City Armored Assault Division into a key position in the North as soon as possible so that there would be room for maneuver.
Next comes the affairs of the governance of Saint-Lun City.
A new official starts with three things.
If the officials of Nutao City want to make their positions legitimate, they must achieve some political achievements as soon as possible.
First, give the city’s drainage system an overhaul.
Then he reorganized the city's public security bureau and helped the city's residents recover from the panic caused by the palace turmoil as quickly as possible.
The last is economic development.
The officials who had been prepared for these issues answered fluently when asked by Luke. The plan was also very detailed and simple and clear at first glance.
In Nutao City, they were all officials in the City Government Hall. They came to Saint Lun City to do their jobs, so business issues were naturally easy for them to handle without any difficulty.
Therefore the meeting progressed very quickly.
But because there were too many things to do, the meeting lasted until late at night.
Clear Sky's awakening time was over long ago, and after the meeting she rode a carriage back to the museum under Luke's control.
However, Qingkong, who was in the background, was still able to communicate with Luke.
"Hey! There's something that's bothering me."
Luke's consciousness asked, "What is it?"
"You are Clear Sky now, and when I awaken, I will also be Clear Sky. How should I distinguish between the two Clear Sky?"
Luke was confused by this question: "Do you think it is necessary to distinguish?"
"Of course it's necessary. When you were controlling the clear sky, you were dull and had the same expression all day long. You didn't look like an elf at all. But I am a real elf, a passionate grassland elf."
Luke said: "To me, Qingkong is just a tool and a weapon. Most of the time I ignore her race and gender and won't do anything extra."
"But not now. I am a living being with emotions, anger, sorrow, and joy. Naturally, I have to be different from tools."
"How do you want to distinguish them? Should I give you a new name? Qingtian, everyone has the last name Qing."
"Clear Sky is a good name. You created me, and you gave me the name. I won't change it.
Why not add a ☆ in front of the clear sky to represent me, meaning my awakening. "
"This..." Luke imagined the clear sky and said, "What's the point of this? I can tell the difference between the two of you."
"It may not make sense to you, but it does to me. I will leave a mark in your heart that distinguishes you from the tool Qingkong..."
Luke couldn't stand this kind of sensationalism: "Well, since you think doing this will help improve your self-awareness, I can accept it.
Starry sky."
"It's not Xing Qingkong. You have to think it in your heart, not read it out loud. You can use the ancient golden language, and turn it into a language that you and I know, a resonance point of thought."
The complicated request made Luke feel helpless, but he still followed ☆Qingkong's request and used the grammatical techniques of ancient Shining Golden Language to read out "☆" in his mind.
In an instant, Luke felt that a channel had been opened up by himself, and his consciousness was connected to another consciousness.
Different from his boundless pure spiritual space, this consciousness space is a starry sky. The brilliant Milky Way runs through the sky, and the shining stars are like pearls embedded in the sky.
A full moon hangs beside the Milky Way.
One can vaguely feel the great power emanating from the stars in the sky converging towards the galaxy and then all gathering on the moon.
The moonlight poured down like a silver screen, and standing in the silver light was the clear sky.
It's a clear sky.
She closed her eyes, quiet as if in meditation.
Luke called out her name.
☆Qingkong opened his eyes and a smile appeared on his lips.
"I didn't expect you to come so quickly. It seems that we two really have a good understanding of each other!"
Luke looked up at the starry sky and the full moon beside the Milky Way and asked, "You didn't come out of nowhere with the awakening of the clear sky. Who are you?"
☆Qingkong smiled and said: "Come here... as smart as you are, you should be able to guess the answer."
Luke speculated: "You are the real Moonlight Queen!"
"That's right, but not completely." ☆ Qingkong stretched out a finger and shook it: "It is the moon and this starry sky that shaped my soul, and my soul exists by relying on your spiritual power. This is actually an extension of your consciousness. This starry sky belongs to you, and also to me...
The real Moonlight Queen is just one of your titles. I am the authority of the Moonlight Queen."
Luke was a little confused by the clear sky: "Why choose to tell me now?"
"Because the Shining Gold People and the Angels are coming. No matter what their excuse for coming to Saint Lun City is, it's all for the World Tree. This is the only extraordinary species in existence that can possibly evolve into a divine weapon.
They are unlike any opponent you have faced before.
To deal with them requires not only wisdom but also sufficient strength."
Luke asked, "I have been working hard to improve my strength, and I am also researching ways to evolve the World Tree into a divine weapon."
"But it's too late, isn't it?"
☆The clear sky floated up, circled around Luke, and then stopped in front of him.
Luke asked: "Do you have a way to increase my strength in a short period of time? Or do you have a way to evolve the World Tree into a divine weapon?"
☆The clear sky showed a teachable smile, but said: "None at all!"
"But why?"
☆Qingkong shrugged: "I just want to invite you to take a look at this world that belongs to you and me. By the way, I want to remind you..."
The routine is really hard to guard against!
Luke's face darkened.
☆Qingkong suddenly took his arm, pointed at the sky and shouted excitedly: "Look, it's a shooting star, it's a shooting star!"
Luke looked up and saw a bright meteor streaking across the sky.
Luke said calmly, "I want to see the comet."
☆Qingkong snapped his fingers: "Arrange!"
A comet was coming from the distant sky, leaving a long trail.
