Chapter 104: Macro Layout

"Su Lai De, we must immediately restart the reconstruction of Norasien Port, and the speed must be fast."

The Dragon-man form Sakavi pointed his finger at the key port mark on the spread-out Grand Duke territory map, his tone unquestionable.

"The timing for intervening in the frontal war of the 1872nd Abyssal plane has been missed. But the coalition's time is also very tight now; they must transport the main legion here before the laws here stabilize again. Otherwise, all power above Demigod Rank will be rejected."

He raised his gaze, his eyes flashing with keen judgment on logistics and strategic bottlenecks.

"This means the coalition's supply line will become unprecedentedly long and fragile. They need a core transit station close to the Abyssal rift that has throughput capacity. At the same time, adventurers, mercenary groups, and free combat forces pouring in from all worlds must also have a forward base for reorganization, trading, and receiving missions."

His fist clenched, tapping lightly on the location of the former Norasien Port.

"Norasien is the best answer, and also a fortune-making opportunity we cannot miss. Whoever controls this place controls the logistics lifeline of the next stage of the war, and... the hub that gathers forces from all directions."

"Grand Duke, do you mean we will no longer participate in subsequent operations? Although the

"Su Lai De, I think you have misunderstood my intentions, and perhaps... also misjudged the nature of this war."

The voice on the throne slowed, yet carried a depth that saw through the chessboard.

"The Abyss is not an isolated plane, but a connected web of filth. Demons can surge out from countless rifts; repelled here, they will gather again elsewhere. To win such a war, one must suppress the main demon force in a short time and then completely seal the Abyssal plane passages."

He leaned forward slightly, the shadows deepening with his movement.

"If we rashly throw ourselves into the main direction of the coalition's attack now, we will only be consumed as the foremost cannon fodder, without gaining any real bargaining chips."

His fingers traced lightly in the void, as if sketching out another path.

"Our strength should be used where it can take root better. Rather than being treated as expendable material on the front lines, it is better to turn our blades toward those Abyssal layers that have been pierced by the coalition but not yet fully controlled. Go clean them, occupy them, and raise our own banners."

His voice became low and steady, as if stating an unshakeable law.

"Remember, in the Abyss, the land you truly occupy is yours. When others want to make us spit it out... they will find that our roots have already dug deep into that scorched earth."

"Sakavi, I must admit that in terms of strategic vision, you always see more clearly than I do." Her voice faded from its usual decisiveness, rarely tinged with a weary self-reflection. "This plan... was my mistake. I was too obsessed with calculation, and instead, I forced myself to the edge of a cliff."

She paused for a moment, as if chewing on the bitterness of failure.

"I not only nearly caused us to lose everything, but I also personally buried the seeds of the current factionalism. I take primary responsibility for this loss."

"Vilna, now is not the time to pursue who is responsible. If you had presided over the last meeting, I fear there would have been a civil war on the spot. I am not here to blame you for anything today; do not make decisions on your own in the future. I am still the one sitting in the Grand Duke's seat."

"I formally apologize for my previous selfishness and recklessness." Vilna's voice was low, carrying a solemnity that no longer hid anything. "In the current situation, we old-timers have instead become a minority that needs to huddle together for warmth."

Members like Prague who failed to break through to the Legendary Rank have been pushed to the edge of power where no one cares, in the current power structure.

"The manpower and resources we can actually mobilize at the moment... are already stretched thin. Sakavi," she raised her eyes, looking directly at him, "facing this situation of internal and external power imbalance and shaken foundations... how exactly do you intend to act next?"

"Self-interest, everyone has it. Once a force expands, factions entangle like vines, making them difficult to cut away."

Sakavi's voice was slow and deep, like magma surging from deep underground.

"In the short term, for you, me, or even Su Lai De to break through to the Demigod Rank... is not realistic. Since we cannot form an absolute suppression in terms of strength, the only remaining path is to seek a new balance."

He paused slightly, a cold, piercing light flashing in his dragon pupils.

"The most direct way is to introduce new races and forces. Let different interests and positions check each other to form a new equilibrium. But before that..."

He leaned forward, shadows shrouding the tabletop.

"What we need to do right now is to divert their attention. Find a target worth biting for those claws eager to expand, let them watch each other and consume each other, instead of pointing their spears at the crumbling throne."

"The first step to steadying the rudder in a storm is sometimes not to reinforce the hull, but to... skillfully guide the direction of the ship so it isn't smashed by the waves."

"In that case, you already have a complete plan in mind?" Su Lai De's voice was not loud, but clear and steady, carrying the calm texture of someone who has weathered storms. "Then, please clarify, what exactly do you need Vilna and me to do next?"

"First, you must stay here and guard Agrik." Sakavi's voice was unquestionable. "The grain fields of the Bohe Plains must be restored to vitality as soon as possible; that is the foundation of everything in the future."

"And the reconstruction of Norasien Port must be pushed forward immediately. It will not only become the lifeline for the transport of grain and ordnance, but also the frontier where various forces converge."

He paused slightly, his dragon pupils flashing with the shrewdness of a ruler.

"Soon, the tentacles of various guilds, merchant groups, and even the Church will reach there. While they are eager to gain a foothold, let them first pay real gold and silver to purchase the land-use rights of the port area."

He deliberately slowed his speech. "Then use the funds they prepay to drive the construction of the port itself. Let their ambitions become the bricks and stones for our city building."

He specifically emphasized the last sentence.

"Especially the Golden Glory Temple Guild under the Bailong Sect; give them appropriate attention, but also make them pay a 'corresponding' price. They are the key; used well, they can pry open more things."

"While you are there, you must control not only the rhythm of the reconstruction but also the pulse of these 'sponsors'."

"I understand. But both of these things require specialized personnel."

Su Lai De pondered for a moment and responded steadily. He did not question the mission but went straight to the execution level.

"The demon's erosion of the land goes deep into the Law Layer. I need a well-established Druid team, preferably one that can move high-level members of ancient sects like the Heart of the Woodland or the Root Guardians. Only they can thoroughly purify the soil, awaken the ley lines, and let the plains grow clean grain again."

He raised his gaze and continued to state his second requirement, his tone steady but firm.

"As for Norasien Port, in the initial stage when various forces flood in, there must be a sufficiently weighty military force that only takes orders from you to act as a deterrent. It does not need to be large in number, but it must be elite, eye-catching, and able to let everyone with ulterior motives see clearly from the first step they take into the port: the order here is guarded by the shadow under the dragon's wings."

"Very well. I will allocate three thousand 'Wings of the Black Dragon' to your command, under the unified command of Aiquilong. They are enough to establish an order in Norasien Port that cannot be provoked. But remember, their primary mission is deterrence and defense; do not get involved in local trivialities unless necessary."

When mentioning the Druids, his tone softened slightly, carrying realistic considerations.

"As for the Druids to purify the land... I will have Vilanse try to contact them through her channels. But this cannot guarantee results; those ancient sects have their own principles and prices for their actions."

He looked at Su Lai De, his gaze sharp. "Be prepared; if they are willing to act, the price will definitely not be low. Money, rare materials, and even certain 'promises' may all become part of the transaction. What we can do is offer conditions of sufficient weight."

"Sakavi, then what about me? Am I going with you to Abyssal Plane 1872?"

"Sakavi, then what is my mission?" Vilna stepped forward, her voice returning to its usual steadiness and sharpness. "Is it to accompany you to Abyssal Plane 1872?"

"That's right." A glimmer of expected dark light flashed in Sakavi's dragon pupils. "That place will gather forces, ambitions, and blades from many worlds—a 'lively' scene never seen before. I need you there to be my eyes and to sort out those intricate intelligence threads."

He paused slightly, his tone revealing deeper considerations.

"Of course, this is also the best reason to send an 'invitation' to the leaders of the various factions here to go together. Let them shift their attention from the narrow chessboard of Agrik to the broader and more dangerous Abyssal battlefield."

His tail tone lowered, carrying a long-term implication.

"Be prepared, Vilna. We will... stay there for quite a long time."

"I knew it... nothing can escape your layout." Vilna leaned back into her chair, letting out a soft laugh mixed with admiration and self-mockery. "This long-term plan was probably simulated countless times in your mind before the war even started, right?"

She shook her head, looking at the black shadow on the throne with complex eyes.

"When I saw you sitting still at the beginning, I secretly speculated, thinking you were reluctant to part with the mountains of treasure piled up in your lair, and didn't dare to throw yourself into this seemingly dangerous but profitable Abyssal conquest..."