Chapter 534 Meeting
10:00 PM.
Hell's Kitchen, Helserem Tower.
In the towering office building of the Administration headquarters, the Director's office window overlooked the bustling nightscape of Hell's Kitchen, its lights dotted in the darkness like stars.
Xia Xiu sat at his desk, a full-length window behind him. The night outside shone like a jewel in the abyss, dazzling and dazzling.
Before him, the various virtual projections of Whisper Plaza spread out. Every document, every report, was a chess piece in his hand, and every move influenced the entire situation.
The paper documents in his hands documented the entire process and initial results of the "Seven-Point Operation," demonstrating the Administration's precise strikes and strategic application against the Protean Workshop family.
In addition, there were also the family's strategic layout points and defense maps sent by the new leader.
"Mira Change is even more astute than I thought," Xia Xiu said with satisfaction, looking at the layout map in his hand.
The Protean Workshop family's strategic layout is located in the north, west, and east wings of Whispering Square. These defensive areas partially overlap with those of other families.
This means that the Administration can infer the defensive points of other families through the Workshop family's strategic layout and defense map, which is crucial for the Midwinter Purge Plan in a few days.
[The new leader of the Protean Workshop family has conveyed a message to the Administration, expressing their willingness to accept Administration operators stationed in key locations of the family—]
[Adam] At this time, a prompt came, and Xia Xiu stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, his gaze piercing the endless night.
"Now is not the time for Authority operators to station in Whisper Square. I'm not just targeting the strategic location of a single workshop family. We've already won over those we can, and the other families aren't as friendly to the Authority as the workshop families."
Among the eight major families, with the exception of the Protean Workshop family, the others are indifferent, dismissive, or even hostile toward the Authority.
The Star Gift family always maintains an aloof attitude, claiming to be the children of the gods who watch over the sky. They look down on everything, even in the New World, as if all developments have nothing to do with them.
The Shadow Weavers, on the other hand, view the Authority as an enemy. Their invisibility and transformation techniques are the source of their arrogance.
The Winged Night Symphony family and the Dream Weaver family both maintain an aloof attitude, focused on their art and dreams, unwilling to be disturbed by the outside world.
The Lonely Voices family, denizens of the deep sea, also hold a hostile stance. Their secrets lie hidden beneath the sea, unwilling to be easily discovered. They maintain a mysterious connection with Atlantis.
As for the Dragon's Breath Alchemy family, their vigilance keeps them at arm's length. Although their alchemy and mystical connection to the scaly deities have earned them a place in the world, they remain cautious.
Finally, there's the Phantom Traveler Inn, which offers more than just travel services; it showcases a curiosity and vigilance about the unknown. Their attitude, like the services they provide, is filled with mystery and unpredictability.
"The plan now moves on to the second phase. Let the Moon-gazers of the Bright Moon Rabbit continue to try to divide the remaining non-hostile clan members. If they accept the Administration's friendship within these four days, I guarantee they'll have a comfortable Midwinter Festival. If they don't..."
Xia Xiu's golden eyes gazed out the floor-to-ceiling window. He extended his right hand, his five fingers gently touching the cold glass. His golden eyes seemed to gather all light, gleaming with a cold and profound radiance.
Those golden eyes resembled both a dragon ready to devour all obstacles and a king looking down upon all beings from a height.
"Then let them suffer the fate they deserve—they can't trample on the Administration's shoulders in Hell's Kitchen and expect us to allow them to do business there. Free trade and the free market must also adhere to order and rules.
Honestly, I've been very restrained. After the Municipal Administration was established, I issued them rectification approvals, established new market regulations, explained new management items, and asked them to sever ties with the esoteric cult. I offered them the Administration's friendship."
"But they turned a blind eye to the Administration's friendship."
"Everyone has only one destiny, and every family has only one fate."
He clenched his open fingers into a fist, and the nightscape outside seemed to be crushed by his clenched fist.
"Have Tours and the three special operators report tomorrow. I need to follow up on the progress of Phase Two."
[Yes—]
**********
The next day.
9:00 AM.
Strategic Meeting Room, Top Floor, Helserem Tower.
Sunlight streamed in through the panoramic windows framing the edges of the Helserem Tower's strategic meeting room, tinting the room with a warm golden hue. The spacious conference room's décor was simple and modern, with a long black conference table in its center, its surface reflecting the glow of data displayed on the screens.
High-definition maps of Hell's Kitchen and the surrounding area hung on the walls, but the most eye-catching feature was the massive strategic projection screen in the center of the room.
Specialty Operators Mole, Green Ox, and Moon Rabbit, along with Deputy Commander Turs, dressed in their signature uniforms, stood before the strategic projection screen.
On the screens behind them, dots of light and data flashed continuously, showcasing the Authority's deployment and operations across the vast area.
Xia Xiu stood in the strategic meeting room, dressed in a new, travel-appropriate suit. The black suit was exquisitely tailored. He still held his ornate silver cane, and his black hat was casually placed on the conference table nearby.
Xia Xiu's outfit was for meeting guests. He did, indeed, plan to go to Whisper Square alone after the meeting, as some of the "existences" in his second plan might require some unconventional methods to smooth things over.
However, the meeting was crucial.
He held the relevant documents for the Midwinter Purge Plan in his hands.
This document had been edited by Secretary-General Pansy Jane according to his instructions, with [Adam] responsible for any corrections.
Operation Codename: Midwinter Purge
Plan Launch Date: January 12, 1591 Terran Calendar
Main Operation Date: The night of January 16, 1591 Terran Calendar, the beginning of Midwinter.
Plan Purpose:
The Midwinter Purge is the Authority's complete takeover of the critically important district of Whisper Square. The plan aims to eliminate all Cabal forces, including Skaven and Ratlings, and suppress or eliminate any dissenting forces within the Eight Great Houses. Through this series of actions, the Authority aims to completely eliminate destabilizing factors in Whisper Square by the night of Midwinter, 1591 Terran Calendar, ensuring long-term stability and order in the area.
Phase 1: Reconnaissance and Information Gathering (January 12, 1591 - January 15, 1591)
Objective: To gain a detailed understanding of the distribution, strength, and activity patterns of various Cabal forces within Whisper Square. Collect information on specific individuals and organizations within the eight major families that may oppose the Authority's actions.
Action: Deploy reconnaissance units and informants, utilizing covert surveillance techniques and ground informants to gather necessary intelligence.
Outcome: Establish a comprehensive target database, including the leaders of the esoteric forces, their activity schedules, and key locations, while also identifying potential rebels within the eight major families.
Phase II: Strategic Deployment and Resource Allocation
Strategic Review Meeting
Date: January 13th
Content: Gather the Authority's senior leadership and strategic advisory team to review and determine specific action plans and strategies based on the intelligence gathered in Phase I. This meeting will also provide preliminary planning for resource allocation.
2. Resource Allocation and Integration
Date: January 13th to 14th
Content: Based on the decisions of the strategic review meeting, conduct detailed deployment and integration of resources such as personnel, weapons, thaumaturgic artifacts, and intelligence tools. Ensure that each task force receives appropriate resources based on its mission requirements.
3. Operational Unit Equipment Inspection
Date: January 15th
Description: Under the supervision of a Special Operator, conduct an equipment inspection of all operational units to ensure that equipment meets standards. Provide final guidance and confirmation to operators using the equipment and executing the mission.
4. Tactical Rehearsal and Adjustment
Date: The evening of January 15th to January 16th
Description: Conduct field tactical rehearsals, simulating potential combat scenarios, to ensure each operator is familiar with their role and mission. Adjustments will be made as needed after the rehearsal to improve operational efficiency and success.
5. Final Operational Preparation
Date: January 16th
Description: After all preparations are completed, conduct final operational preparations, including a communications check, final equipment confirmation, intelligence updates, and deployment of operational units.
Operational Guidelines:
By the end of this phase, all operators participating in the Midwinter Purge Operation must be fully prepared for the mission.
Secretary-General's Note: The Director emphasized that details determine success or failure. The performance of each operator and the team's ability to coordinate operations will directly impact the success of the entire plan. Therefore, every detail of strategic deployment and resource allocation must be precise and in line with the Director's will.
——————
The plan was crystal clear, its main purpose unequivocally clear.
This was an operation to fully take over Whisper Square, a key hub district.
The Administration had clearly laid out each phase. The first phase, the "Seven-Point Action" targeting the Protean Workshop family, had already been a resounding success. Of the eight families, only this one could be won over to the Administration's side through a combination of hard and soft tactics.
The other families would have to resort to hard tactics.
At this moment, every member present was deeply absorbed in the plan meticulously crafted by Secretary-General Pansy Jane—the details of the Midwinter Purge unfolded page by page before their eyes.
Director Xia Xiu stood aside, his golden eyes like two searching beacons, gently scanning each participant in the meeting.
Moon Rabbit's face was filled with seriousness, her brow furrowed, revealing the pressure and sense of responsibility she bore as the head of intelligence work. Her fingers flicked through the pages of the document, meticulously scrutinizing every detail, as if mentally planning every move.
In stark contrast to her, Green Ox's eyes shone with determination.
As the head of the Management and Reorganization Unit and the newly formed Beast Taming Unit, his eyes gleamed with fighting spirit, as if he already foresaw victory in the coming battles.
Mole's gaze was particularly heavy, his hands tightly gripping the documents, the fingertips of his right hand turning slightly pale.
As the key figure soon to be responsible for the military's preparation, he was fully aware of the weight of his responsibility.
The three special operators were now being pushed to a higher level by the Director, and were sweating profusely.
Xia Xiu's gaze shifted from the solemn-looking operators to the Administration's Deputy Commander, Turs Corbett.
Turs sat in a corner of the conference room, his seemingly twelve-year-old appearance standing in stark contrast to the tense atmosphere.
His delicate features, a pair of fox ears slightly peeking out from his messy hair, and his sweatshirt, sweatpants, and white canvas shoes made him look more like an ordinary child about to go to the park than a human who had experienced countless battles and was over a hundred years old.
Turs casually flipped through the documents in his hand, seemingly distracted. But when he felt Xia Xiu's gaze, his eyes, which always seemed to be filled with a hint of smile, immediately lifted from the documents and met Xia Xiu's gaze for a moment before returning to his leisurely reading.
"A veteran."
Xia Xiu also muttered to himself.
Then, he gently pointed the end of his cane at the ground and slowly tapped it twice. The thumping sound echoed clearly and forcefully throughout the spacious and quiet room.
The sudden sound immediately captured everyone's attention. Eyes, previously riveted by the document's contents, lifted and turned to Xia Xiu.
"You three have all read the plan. Now, share your thoughts."
The Mole, the Green Ox, and the Moon Rabbit all had different expressions at the Director's words, but all revealed an unspoken seriousness.
"Mole, you go first," Xia Xiu said, looking at the Mole and calling on him.
"Logistics and control for this operation are handled by the Mole Science Society, which I lead. Following your previous instructions and the resources you allocated, the Society has now become a large-scale branch task force, numbering over 100 members. These 100 individuals are the caretakers of the mechanical vehicles you created. Each member of the Society has been equipped with the mechanical attribute [Spiritual Multi-legged Mechanical Backpack]. They are currently maintaining the [Soul Tanks] and other artillery equipment you created, which are mostly capable of maintaining.
If a large-scale cleanup of the Whispering Square is to be carried out, considering the intelligence we have received, this campaign will require the mobilization of all the elite forces under the Administration, including conventional combat units, special operations teams, thaumatologists, and mechanized forces. We need to design a firepower network to coordinate various direct and indirect firepower resources to create a firepower strike capability covering a specific area or target.
The Machine Soul equipment you provided represents direct firepower. This requires a highly integrated command and control system to coordinate and manage different sources and types of firepower resources to ensure accurate firepower delivery and maximize efficiency.
Indirect firepower resources include infantry, artillery, armored vehicles, and air support. Here, we need to utilize a comprehensive approach to multiple firepower resources, enabling rapid adjustments to firepower deployment and strike focus based on changing battlefield conditions, demonstrating a high degree of flexibility and adaptability."
Mole spoke, his voice steady, his eyes reflecting the careful consideration of the plan's details.
After saying this, he added:
"All of the aforementioned firepower deployments require intelligence gathering as a prerequisite. We've already connected the Workshop Family with the local intelligence network, forming a comprehensive intelligence collection network. Moving forward, we'll quickly and effectively execute our action plans based on real-time intelligence and the decisions of the command center. We simply need to ensure that every link in your strategic network is flawless, and this battle is certain to be won!"
Xia Xiu nodded noncommittally at Mole's words. He also added a few more details to Mole's story:
"Right now, the entire Administration is proceeding according to the second phase of the plan's strategic deployment and resource allocation. The intelligence networks of other factions aren't just for show. Large-scale attacks within the Administration's personnel will inevitably cause panic among the other families outside, and their hostility towards the Administration is expected to become increasingly intense.
The methods for dealing with them need to be considered separately. The ratmen clans of Whisper Square are one aspect, the seven great families are another, and the forces behind the seven great families are yet another."
"Furthermore, this plan to fully take over a hub with a population of nearly 300,000 is itself a small-scale dimensional conquest war—our target is the [Boundary Wedge] of Whisper Square."
"The [Boundary Wedge] is the force of rules established by the plane's recognition of the laws of the [Golden Tree]. Whoever holds the [Boundary Wedge] is the master of the plane."
Xia Xiu raised his silver staff, his golden eyes filled with an inscrutable depth.
"This is only the early stages of the Ivy War. While the various realms suspended from the [Golden Tree] are fighting each other, the intensity hasn't yet risen. This war is still a ways off from a true war of all realms. The current losers haven't yet completely lost their minds. Even if they lose in a war of dimensional conquest, they won't destroy the [Boundary Wedge] and perish together. "
"Everyone still has a tacit understanding not to raise the intensity of the war to its highest level at the outset, so the intensity of attacks on other rival families will be tailored to the situation."
Currently, the Ivy Wars across the various realms are being conducted according to a special ritualized "meeting." The goal of the wars isn't to completely annihilate the other side, but simply to seize the [Boundary Wedge].
During the war, each realm and faction adheres to certain rules of warfare, such as resolving conflicts through single combat, respecting and providing appropriate treatment to prisoners, and allowing plane lords and "nobles" with control over planes captured on the battlefield to be redeemed rather than killed. In some cases, the victorious side may grant the defeated a certain fiefdom or official position across the plane to stabilize the situation, win over the people, or simply out of personal admiration for the defeated, making them its vassals.
According to the unspoken rules, realms cannot engage in undeclared war. Disputing parties can dispatch their armies for a large-scale, direct confrontation at an agreed time and place, with exceptional combat power. We can't intervene in the battle too early.
This almost plain-spoken war gave off such a strong sense of déjà vu that even Xia Xiu felt a little uneasy.
Of course, no one is truly pure, and battles are not the norm. The commanders of the Heart love to play tactics, and even undeclared wars depend on the circumstances.
The forces of all realms have their concerns and don't want to push the intensity of the war and the meta to T0 strength right now.
Everyone hopes and prefers to follow the rhythmic pattern of war: farming first, then fighting.
So, at the outset of the Ivy League War, the first thing they did was ban the Kingdom of Heaven.
With the Kingdom of Heaven's demise, the various realms would inevitably shift from a gentlemen's battle to a racial defense war, a war so intense that no one would dare to live in Bengbu.
After banning the Kingdom of Heaven, to prevent it from going berserk, they tacitly agreed to station some of its angels in the border area to prevent the other realms from "counterattacking Terra."
However, Heaven couldn't afford to abandon the war. Heaven's lower-ranking substitutes, the Administration, and Heaven's Fourth Sword-Bearer did participate in the war, and many angels were also secretly interfering in the Ivy War.
Xia Xiu's current purge plan, well... could be described as a return to Heaven's true colors.
Not only did he intend to wage war without declaring war, but he also used the pretext of purifying Whisper Square and maintaining central authority as a war of annihilation consistent with [Human Supremacy].
Of course, Xia Xiu felt the Administration had a legitimate reason, and he didn't intend to exterminate all eight major families.
To do so would truly change the nature of the situation.
He also didn't want to raise the intensity to its highest level all at once. Since everyone preferred to farm first and then beat the shit out of them, he was willing to follow that pattern.
At least for the past five years, whether it was the inland nations of Terra, the outer realms, or even Heaven, they had all been accumulating their strength, unwilling to let a single local incident lead to a full-scale collapse. The Great Fission.
A Supernatural World War is inevitable, but it definitely won't happen in the next five years. Terra can't afford to explode in these five years, no matter what.
Now all the main conflicts have shifted beyond the boundaries. Let's start with a wave of World Wars there to warm up the situation.
According to Terra's old tradition—first a localized hot war, then a full-scale cold war, and finally a Supernatural World War.
And no matter what, Xia Xiu must capture Whisper Square.
From a strategic perspective of future wars.
Whisper Square is the starting point for his future agricultural development, the campus of the Third Heavenly Kingdom School, the primary implementation area for the Heavenly Kingdom Five-Year Plan, the key achievement in his official promotion to a Decider, the main economic sector of the hub region, and a base for cultivating students' diverse thaumaturgic cultural prowess...
The Operations Management Bureau must capture Whisper Square.
After the Mole finished his report, Xia Xiu looked at Bright Moon Rabbit, who had already begun to shift the team's focus to espionage.
"Katarina, what do you think?" "
Hearing the Director call her name directly, Moon Rabbit reacted with remarkable speed.
She rose gracefully from her seat, walked with determined steps to the strategic projection screen, and began her report. As a graduate of the Oretin Imperial Military Academy, Moon Rabbit possessed more systematic military skills and command capabilities.
"Modern thaumatological and scientific warfare typically requires a command system based on pedigree scheduling to provide real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data, ensure accurate transmission of commands, and support decision-making. Command and control systems are key tools for operational command in modern thaumatological armies, enabling commanders to rapidly respond to battlefield changes and effectively deploy and manage resources.
We have [Adam] on the communications equipment and data processing center front. We are currently analyzing and processing the vast amounts of data we have collected to support decision-making. However, if we want greater flexibility, wartime surveillance and reconnaissance equipment is particularly important." In the actual military operations of the Oredin Empire, the [Mobile City] serves as the largest observation post, protecting machinery from interference from ethereal radiation. This allows the Empire's drone swarms to freely navigate battlefields with high ethereal radiation without relying on machine spirits. For this reason, the Oredin Empire's drone swarms are known as the Eyes of the Empire.
The lineages carried by the Empire's thaumaturges are personal terminals integrating communications, computing, information processing, and lineage network technologies.
Olitin's soldiers, supported by city-state think tanks, enable the Empire to effectively deploy military forces to different locations on the battlefield and, when necessary, mobilize them to key locations to achieve tactical and strategic objectives.
What we currently lack are eyes that can provide us with a specific 'view' of the war. If we intend to fight in the Nexus, we must consider their internal anti-modern technology thaumatological devices and the Nexus's defense against radiation. Unlike the mole's detailed account, which focused on logistics and firepower output, the Moon Rabbit's report came from a completely different perspective—that of the Moon Watcher Intelligence Team.
After listening to the Moon Rabbit's words, Xia Xiu nodded in agreement:
"Even on Terra, where the prevalence of pedigree is extremely high, battles sometimes rely on the most primitive gladiator-like fighting. The reason for this is closely related to the Three Laws of Thaumaturgy and the Aether Ocean—their existence has led to the belief that 'animism' has become a truth on Terra. In modern thaumatology, animism is the largest branch of ether technology, bar none. "
In this magical land enveloped in ether, all things in nature possess spirits or life. Not only do humans and animals possess souls, but trees, stones, mountains, celestial bodies (or, in Terra's other academic term, celestial bodies, the so-called Star Gods), and even manufactured objects may possess their own spirits or consciousness.
Every part of nature is considered a living being with a will, capable of influencing human life and well-being.
Therefore, people need to communicate and coordinate with these natural spirits through rituals and sacrifices to ensure natural harmony and human well-being.
The old-fashioned Mechanicus is deeply aware of this. Their every action bears the imprint of generations of rituals and sacrifices. Technology has become superstition in their hands, and they are particularly afraid of and repulsive to the technological innovations of the new era.
Xia Xiu's own mechanical blueprints for the [Way of Conquest] were designed to adapt the machines to ethereal radiation. Therefore, he ignited some of the bestial machine spirits and also inserted many materials that seemed completely meaningless in traditional structural science. Go up.
From the moment these [Way of Conquest Machines] were created by him, the [Om Messiah], they became, like a lineage, a technological black box.
Once a technological black box becomes widely accepted and integrated into daily life and workflows, its complex internal mechanisms and manufacturing processes are often ignored or hidden. People focus solely on its inputs and outputs, without needing to understand its inner workings.
Users can use technology to accomplish tasks without understanding how it works.
This is one of the reasons why the Cogwork Orthodoxy embraces tradition. They prefer to explore technology rather than develop it, primarily because of the black box barrier.
As technological systems become increasingly complex, the maintenance and development of these systems increasingly relies on experts in specific fields.
This situation exacerbates the phenomenon of technological black boxes and increases the average user's reliance on experts. Experts like to tell you that these are all instructions from the God of All Machines, and that simple manipulation according to rituals can operate the equipment. Who would bother studying the sub-disciplines of etheric technology, modern thaumaturgy, or modern science? Modern Thaumaturgy Mechanics.
All one needs to do is learn to appease the Machine Soul, and rely on it for all work.
Now, thanks to the existence of the Lineage and the Think Tank, most thaumatologists receive a highly refined education.
Xia Xiu couldn't help but wonder: if the Lineage were ever to collapse, Terran thaumatology would face an unprecedented discontinuity and setback.
Thaumatologists would face two extremes: deification or demonization.
However, the Lineage is unlikely to collapse, as long as the Aether doesn't suffer an irreparable flaw. If the mouth is opened, the genealogy will not collapse.
Who now can tear an unhealable rift in the ether?
Even the Four Lords and the stars combined might not be able to do it. Even if the Transcendental World War blew up Terra, it might not be able to tear a rift.
Xia Xiu should be thinking about developing new blueprint ideas. He currently has four blueprints for the [Way of Conquest]:
[Blueprint: Mecha God's Wrath - Titan (First Edition)]
[Blueprint: Steel-Forged Behemoth - Soul Tank]
[Blueprint: Beast of Urban Fighting - Cerberus] [Blueprint: Fire Coverage - Basilisk]
He created several models based on these blueprints and handed them over to the Mole Scientific Society. The primary responsibility of the task force brought by the Mole was to maintain these steel beasts. Every member of the Scientific Society was required to learn the [Mechanical Language (Machine Soul Version)] term and [Holy Prayer (Mechanical Version)]. He also ordered the Mole to compile a "Mechanical Practical Manual" for the Scientific Society.
Although the practical manual compiled by the Mole was imbued with a strong "holy scripture" flavor, it was indeed practical. Since they didn't know about the skills, Xia Xiu wouldn't assign any additional tasks to his subordinates.
After all, forcing Mole to write down the practical skills exactly as the textbook suggested, it would be extremely difficult for a Mole from an Orthodox background, and he probably wouldn't be able to write fluently.
So, if it had a strong religious flavor, it wouldn't matter. With Adam and I watching over it, and the Administration still having a secretariat, the religious views of the Science Society's operators would always be healthy.
"Don't worry about the battle vision. I will provide the Administration with a swarm of drones capable of traversing the battlefield before the operation."
Xia Xiu promised Bright Moon Rabbit. Then, looking at Bright Moon Rabbit, he asked.
"Have you learned the [UAV Remote Sensing Techniques] of the Orlitin Empire?"
Moon Rabbit instinctively straightened her back and replied:
"I was once the 202nd holder of the Amber Eye at the Empire's Seventeenth Celestial Academy. She added, "For the soldiers of the Empire, once an enemy is gazed upon by the Eye of the Empire, their fate is like insects, spiders, or plant fragments encased in resin, gradually suffocating and dying, like amber. Hence, the Eye of the Empire is also known as the Eye of Amber. The Imperial Army, Military Academy, and other relevant departments will award physical amber to those with the most outstanding vibration sensing technology."
"Really? How many drones could you control on the spot?" Xia Xiu continued.
"Twenty-one," Moon Rabbit replied honestly.
"How many drones does the Oretin Empire maintain in its regular drone fleet?" Xia Xiu continued.
"The Empire believes in network-centric warfare, generally using nodes as units. Thousands of drones are deployed simultaneously on a single node. If a [Mobile City] is deployed, tens of thousands of nodes would be deployed. Many of these drones would act as "killer bees," carrying out suicide attacks. If the [Mobile City] is supplemented by the Imperial Guard and urbanization strategies, its power could rival that of the [Crown]. "I can imagine that scenario," Xia Xiu said, stroking his chin.
As one of the two anomalous nations, Oletin has taken a rather extreme path toward militarization. After the opening of the New World, it was rumored that Oletin's Purple Emperor had dispatched a [Tyrant] and several [Mobile Cities] to participate in the Ivy War.
He might encounter the Orletin Empire's iron torrent at some point in the future. He felt the probability of such an encounter was greater than 90%. The Thirteen Heroes of Heaven and the Orletin Empire had many grievances to discuss.
The emperor and his imperial guards bombarded His influence extends beyond his own Imperial Senate; he also bombarded Heaven's [Mobile City Utopia].
During the 72-Hour Crisis, the Purple Emperor colluded with the Daeva Empire to provoke Heaven in the war zone, waging a fierce conflict.
The Purple Emperor's hands are stained with the blood of Heaven's heroes and knights, and the hands of Heaven's heroes and knights are stained with the blood of the corrupt lords of the Oredin Empire.
The number of Oredin Empire's imperial guards killed by the Knights and the number of floating cities liberated is enough to make the Purple Emperor The Emperor hated the Kingdom of Heaven to the core.
Furthermore, Oletin wasn't the only Terran nation involved in the war for Miracles, the Golden Law, and the Divine Dynasty.
Other nations throughout Terra had also staked their bets on the Ivy League War to varying degrees.
The Administration, led by Xia Xiu, couldn't possibly confront every nation head-on. He planned to seek allies in the war within the Central Alliance faction.
After Deer Academy settled down in April, he would likely seek a strategic alliance with his alma mater.
Even if Deer Academy decided to merge with the Edici Federation... He will also seek an alliance.
From the current strategic perspective, if certain forces within the Edici Federation don't cause trouble, the Administration would have no disadvantages in forming an alliance with them.
The so-called New Alliance's three giants are themselves an alliance organization—even if there are many constraints and few benefits, they are still half-allies.
If he were to swallow up Whisper Square, it would also bring many benefits to the New Alliance.
The other two giants within the New Alliance—the Edici Government and the Mayflower Foundation—have no control over Whisper Square.
The former is due to the Hub Autonomy Act, the latter due to the free market.
Whispering Plaza, a country within a country, neither pays taxes to the Federation nor injects vitality into the free market.
Now that the Administration has taken it over, it will fall under the control of the New Alliance.
As for taxes, according to the New Alliance treaty, Xia Xiu will pay a small amount—not much, but he intends to pay.
As for the free market, he originally intended to develop the commercial value of the Whispering Plaza hub and would naturally allow outside market access, though he would maintain a visible hand to control the market.
In this comparison, the Administration's takeover of Whispering Plaza is truly a just war to maintain the authority of the New Alliance central government and purge the local cancer.
No matter how you look at it, the New Alliance will say the Administration's actions are justified.
At this moment.
After confirming that he would provide the War Vision gadget to Moon Rabbit, Xia Xiu chatted with Bright Moon Rabbit for a few more words. Then, he set his sights on the final operator, Green Ox.
Green Ox was a massive figure, standing over two meters tall. His sturdy frame exuded immense strength, and the pair of horns on his head was particularly striking.
Unlike the other operators, Green Ox had not received specialized, systematic higher education, which made him somewhat uneasy during such strategic discussions.
Xia Xiu noticed Green Ox's uneasiness; he understood how to communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and personalities.
Thus, when his gaze fell on Green Ox, his expression lost its previous sternness, embracing the friendliness of a friend. With a gentle smile, he addressed Green Ox:
"Evan, it's your turn. Tell us what you think."
"I..."
Green Ox's voice initially sounded hesitant and unsure, but he quickly adjusted himself, his voice gradually firming.
Though he wasn't adept at complex strategic terminology, practical experience and a direct understanding of the situation were equally important.
"Air supremacy. We're considering air supremacy over Whisper Square. When I was reading the intelligence earlier, I was particularly concerned about this: the Dragon Breath Alchemy family has the support of the dragon clan. While I don't know why the dwarves were able to secure this support, if we were to take over Whisper Square, a dragon-dominated sky would be extremely detrimental to the Administration."
His analysis was concise and direct, yet it hit the key point in strategic planning.
Green Ox's concerns were justified. The involvement of the dragons would undoubtedly introduce enormous uncertainty and risk to the operation to take over Whisper Square.
"Indeed, our war with Whisper Square is essentially an urban battle. We're fighting in city blocks, fighting for buildings, controlling underground systems, and utilizing the city's fabric for both defense and attack. Dragons can easily multiply the damage to urban infrastructure during combat, which could have long-term consequences for post-war recovery and the lives of the people."
Xia Xiu nodded affirmatively, then raised his silver cane and tapped the ground. "The dwarfs' access to the dragons' support must be connected to the Golden Court's [Scaly Pantheon] and [Dragon Pantheon]. Their reach is long and swift, and they've already planted their seeds in the New World so quickly."
"However, this is Terra after all. Extending your hand too far will easily lead to being chopped off. I'll handle their affairs."
His golden eyes gleamed with a cold glint.
"I once had an unpleasant memory. A friend of mine passed away because of a reptile and a mediocre writer. Although I later slew that reptile, that mediocre writer continues to write his disgusting pieces in a corner. If I had the chance, I'd chop off his head as well, just like I did that reptile."
As Xia Xiu spoke, the murderous intent emanating from him made everyone present shudder. Fortunately, the killing intent faded quickly.
"I'll be responsible for dealing with those dragons. Terra, a nation renowned for its dragon-slaying skills, is inherently hostile to the two pantheons of the Golden Court. Their supernatural institutions should be happy to assist me."
As the Director of the Administration finished his words, Turs, who had been on his vampire-hunting journey alongside him, couldn't help but recall three of the young man's many titles.
The Crimson Triple Crown—Dragon Slayer, God-Contractor (God-Player), and Regicide.
Visiting a nation mastering the art of dragon slaying as a dragon slayer would undoubtedly be a favor to them. After all, they, too, needed "dragons" to bolster their military might.