novelnext Chapter 804 - 440: Intelligence Three Years Later (2)
Chapter 804 - 440: Intelligence Three Years Later (2)
At the same time, he sold ores and intermediate materials to the Federation. Not by dumping entire shiploads, but by staggering shipments, in batches and through different ports.
Every contract was written as meticulously as a Church pact.
The Federation Commerce Association loved this approach, even willing to prioritize Red Tide’s goods at the docks.
Both sides knew that Red Tide was benefiting from both ends, yet both tacitly accepted it.
As long as Red Tide’s routes remained clear, warehouses full, and ships could sail on schedule, even if the Empire and the Federation put up a front, they would discreetly send gold coins to his accounts at night.
He didn’t need to choose a side between their banners, just watch from the sidelines.
"Let them fight." Louis thought to himself, "The day they officially start is the day Red Tide moves south."
[2: The national strength of the Southeast Holy Empire is steadily growing, and the power of the Calvin Clan is expanding in the region.]
Louis’s gaze halted.
Under the rule of Fifth Prince Lampard, the Holy Eastern Empire’s power had surged too rapidly over the past three years.
Taxes hadn’t significantly increased, yet military expansion continued relentlessly, and nobility obediently followed orders like never before without any noticeable purges.
The beliefs of the populace were steadily being replaced as well.
Orders from the Church were more effective in that region than even royal decrees.
And at the center of it all was Eduardo Calvin.
His third brother, now the Pope.
Hence, the Calvin Clan was no longer just a symbolic leader of the nobility; it now practically covered the power structure of the eastern territories.
The emblem of the Calvin Clan appeared frequently on castles, courts, and ports, like a silently spreading net.
Lampard’s military expansion, Eduardo’s influence, and the rise of the Calvin Clan in the east, in Louis’s eyes, were all within the realm of comprehension.
This was the expected expansion of a normal regime gaining additional resources and a foundation of faith.
Red Tide had seen these things before, and could deal with them accordingly.
The Holy Eastern Empire itself was not what truly troubled him.
The overseas Golden Feather Flower Church Country had been silent for three years, with spies from all factions unable to extract any useful intel.
Yet Louis had the Daily Intelligence System, and there was a word that kept recurring in the intel regarding the Golden Feather Flower Church Country: spread.
Since Eduardo was implanted with the Golden Thorn Feather Crown, it seemed the final piece of the puzzle had been completed.
Over the past three years, they had been spreading continuously, assimilating the people on the island, slowly and quietly, yet thoroughly.
Last month’s intel showed that over a quarter had already been assimilated.
Louis leaned back in his chair, gently tapping the armrest with his fingers.
This was no longer just a Church issue, but a presence more patient and dangerous than the Nest.
Coldness rose in Louis’s heart.
If left unchecked, it would eventually turn the whole sea island into a petri dish.
And it certainly wouldn’t be content with just the island; it needed a bigger stage.
And the Holy Eastern Empire was merely its most convenient stepping stone to set foot on the mainland.
A complete set of mature administrative systems, armies, ports, and a populace already accustomed to obedience.
He had already made a judgment; the shipbuilding technology tree of the Red Tide must be accelerated, it must be ahead of schedule.
Once the Jade Federation and Kaelin went to war, he would immediately move south to annex the entire Holy Eastern Empire and use it as a springboard to set sail and eradicate such aberrant creatures.
[3: Prince Balk of Black Reef, leader of the seven great pirates, has been fully controlled by the Dream Coral in the Broken Isles, his individual self entering a state of deep assimilation.]
Upon seeing this piece of intel, Louis’s pupils slightly contracted.
He didn’t treat this as an ordinary pirate problem.
Mind control, biological mutation—these characteristics were all too familiar.
The Nest, Burning Pain Vine Court, Ancient Dragon remains, and the Golden Thorn Feather Crown from the previous intel... just manifested in different forms.
There was a longing gently surging in his mind, the Primordial Heart was responding.
But Louis quickly suppressed this impulse, starting to ponder the relationship between this intel and himself.
It was right at the junction of the Northern Territory and Gray Rock Province.
Once signs of an outbreak at sea began to appear, the first wave of impacts would fall here.
This wasn’t speculation but the inevitable result dictated by geography.
If left unchecked, it would ultimately draw such things right to Red Tide’s doorstep, forcing a costly response once fully established.
Thus, this matter couldn’t wait; it had to be dealt with.
Moreover, Prince Balk was an aptly chosen target.
As the head of the seven great pirates, his reputation was loud enough, the threat tangible enough, die at sea, and no one would question too much why they were at least eradicated.
This way, the seaway could be smoothly taken over, and the ports along the coast would begin to actively lean towards Red Tide.
As for the deeper issues, the Dream Coral, the source of assimilation, and the will behind it must be immediately annihilated.
Louis closed the intelligence interface and stood up.
The pale blue light screen folded up and extinguished, like a thin layer of ice shattering in the depths of his consciousness.
Instead of standing up immediately, he sat cross-legged with his back straight, breathing slowly.
This was a daily routine, the cultivation of fighting energy and magic.
He closed his eyes, letting his consciousness sink inward.
The body was the first to respond, blood rushing through the meridians but without a hint of noise.
Muscles, bones, and organs each rested in the most stable positions.
This was the result of long-term refining with various resources and constant rinsing by the Primordial Heart, the power no longer spilled over but was firmly locked within the body.
Last month he reached the peak of the Initial Stage Knight, and moving forward would require an extremely long time to hone each step.
His body had already approached the limits of the mundane, and any slight improvement would magnify into a burdensome multiplier.
Louis could clearly feel this, so he wasn’t very anxious.
After cultivating the fighting energy, the world on the spiritual level unfolded slowly.
The pathways of the Primordial Meditation Technique operated automatically within the sea of consciousness, without verbal recitation or deliberate guidance.
His spiritual power surged and swirled like tides, covering every corner.
This was not the mage’s common focus, but an entire sea.
Now when casting spells, he didn’t need calculations or external aids; just a thought, and the structure would naturally form.
The dual cultivation of fighting energy and magic, along with the Primordial Heart and those three peculiar sources of power, turned him, at a young age, into a super strong individual.
In his heart, he made a judgment: "There aren’t many people left in this world who can kill me."
This was a conclusion reached after long-term quantification of power.
After the meditation ended, he slowly opened his eyes.
As soon as his vision cleared, he sensed something amiss.
The bedding on the left moved slightly.
Sif, at some point already awake, was propping her chin while watching him, her eyes bright, with a slightly under-slept yet enthusiastic spirit.
A subtle change in breathing came from the right.
Emily opened her eyes too. She didn’t get up immediately, but just turned her head slightly, her eyelashes gently fluttering in the morning light, as if silently confirming if his cultivation went well.
Louis paused for a moment.
The clarity brought by cultivation had not completely dissipated, yet fatigue crept in afterward.
It wasn’t physical weakness but a weariness from sustained high exertion.
He exhaled softly and was the first to speak, his tone very light: "There are important matters to attend to this afternoon."
This was true; the southern seaway, shipbuilding plans, and the line he had already targeted were not suitable for handling in a relaxed state.
Sif blinked, not replying, just smiling and moving forward a little.
Emily then slowly sat up, tucking stray hairs behind her ear, her tone still composed: "There’s still time."
Louis glanced out the window.
The sky was still early, the wind and snow kept out by the constant temperature barrier, leaving the room quiet and enclosed.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say more, but finally just sighed inwardly.
The reason had already been used and was clearly not accepted.
A warm sensation came from the left side.
Sif had already leaned in closely, her arms naturally wrapping around his shoulders, her palm warm with the residual heat of the morning, irresistibly yet rightfully so.
Almost simultaneously, the bed on the other side slightly sank.
Emily wasn’t in a hurry to speak, simply placing her hand on his wrist, her fingertips gently tapping the pulse, also silently expressing her stance.
Two completely different sensations settled simultaneously.
Louis closed his eyes: "Alright then."