Chapter 59

It was January 5, 1165 of the Red Moon Calendar, and the decennial Land Management Conference convened again this morning. Compared to past sessions, this one featured many new faces—half the members were graduates of Agrik’s academies, and after years of practical experience, these young faces were no longer the inexperienced novices they once were.

“Gentlemen, I, Sakavi, personally preside over this management conference. Through your relentless efforts over the past thirty years, our land’s administrative structure has been fully stabilized, and all foundational construction tasks have been completed ahead of schedule. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all—the rewards are ready and will be delivered to your doors by the Black Dragon’s Wings after this meeting.”

“Over the next decade, our construction focus will shift toward the transcendent. So far, our land’s cultivation of the transcendent system remains incomplete. Of course, I do not deny the achievements of your teaching staff over the past decade—in fact, you took on this responsibility under dire circumstances, with severely limited experience, yet still produced such outstanding students. Your attitude and capability are commendable.”

“Yet we must acknowledge that our mature experience in cultivating transcendent beings extends only to the mid-tier. Beyond that, one must attain enlightenment through personal insight, even through the crucible of war. In other ancillary fields, only herbal cultivation, refinement, and rune engraving are well-developed. Other areas—such as magical weapon forging and special scroll production—remain stuck at the low tier.”

“I intend to establish the Edict Court, primarily responsible for researching magical weapon manufacturing, scroll inscription, new magic development, and large-scale battlefield tactics in the Abyss. This department will not handle military deployments or weapon forging—it will focus solely on research. I will personally serve as its Grand Director. Does anyone have additions or differing opinions?”

Luo Ge: “My Lord, over the past decade we have frequently encountered chaotic management of magical items—for example, the Regeneration Furnace, which many of our warriors rely on for repairs. Currently, it is held by the Trade and Culture Department, which clearly violates its mandate. Similar issues plague other magical weapons; requisitioning often requires visiting multiple departments, and some have even been seized by military legions.”

“This chaotic management must change. I propose establishing the Armaments Department to centrally coordinate all supplies. Its subordinate offices are as follows:”

“Clearance and Production Office: responsible for inventory, registration, and record-keeping.”

“Storage Office: responsible for managing all warehouses and daily maintenance.”

“Allocation Office: responsible for receiving applications, approving them, and issuing supplies.”

“Standardization Office: responsible for formulating and updating equipment standards and liaising with R&D departments.”

Sakavi: “This proposal is sound. Does anyone else have differing opinions?”

Su Na: “My Lord, the Education and Trade Department can no longer adequately handle both advanced magical instruction and external diplomacy. I propose relocating all mid-tier and higher transcendent cultivation academies, along with research and archival departments, under the Edict Court. The Education and Trade Department should focus solely on basic instruction.”

Sakavi: “Excellent. Then, gentlemen, any further additions?”

Luo Sen: “My Lord, according to our records, our land’s population has reached five million, nearly two million of whom are minors. We can no longer sustain a larger army. Currently, we maintain fifty thousand regular legions, nearly ten thousand garrison troops, and seventy thousand peacekeeping units.”

"If we include all grassroots management personnel, our non-productive population exceeds seven hundred thousand. We cannot afford more soldiers. Our only arable land is the Bohe Plain, and our food supply remains entirely in the hands of the Luo Sen Empire."

Mo Ge: “My Lord, I fully agree with Director Luo Sen. Over the past decade, our fiscal surplus was one million gold coins. Though that sounds substantial, we spent exactly that amount forming the Cast-Iron Legion and disbursing pensions. We cannot exhaust our reserves—no one wants to see a stable land under a powerful Black Dragon collapse from financial ruin.”

Sakavi: “I will carefully consider your words. Regarding whether to expand our military further, I must weigh external circumstances before deciding.” At that moment, a drow elf rushed in and whispered something into Sakavi’s ear. “I see,” Sakavi waved his foreclaw, signaling everyone to remain calm.

Luo Ge: “My Lord, if this matter is urgent, should we suspend the meeting?”

Sakavi: “No. The situation remains under control. No need for alarm. Proceed with your reports.”

In the following time, each department took turns reporting data from the past decade and their plans for the next. But Sakavi no longer had the attention to listen—he merely nodded after each report, indicating no objections.

“This meeting is adjourned. I hope you will continue to work in unity and mutual support in the days ahead. Dismissed! Luo Ge, Su Na, Tali, Sha Lu, Wu Ge, Jisi, and Wu Er, come with me to the Black Scales Hall.”

………

“Have you all seen this intelligence? This is a provocation. If we do not respond with firm, forceful countermeasures, tomorrow countless opportunists will come to plunder us. This time, I will make them pay!” Sakavi, enraged beyond measure, shattered every decorative item in the room. Even the usually composed Luo Ge offered no objection to this hardline stance.

According to the Veil’s Eye, Grap in Noaeter had been captured by the Light Church’s Radiant Sect and publicly sentenced to execution. No one needed to guess—another faction was using the Church as a blade to provoke war between the Light Church and Sakavi. Even if this was a trap, we had no choice but to walk into it. If we did nothing, the entire land’s morale would collapse.

If this were the domain of another chromatic dragon, it would not matter—they never treated their subjects as people. But here, it is different. No matter what Sakavi thought, the people truly regarded him as one of their own. Moreover, our combat system depends entirely on the land’s support—we cannot simply flee with the money. Despite our severe combat deficiencies, we must still face the enemy head-on.

Sakavi would never attempt a jailbreak—it was too absurd. But letting the Church execute Grap was equally unacceptable. We must show our internal personnel our resolve and our external rivals our strength. The simplest solution: capture a Church bishop. After they execute Grap, we will hang our bishop on the city wall—then we will be even.

“Luo Ge, place the land under martial readiness. Cease all foreign trade and screen all suspicious individuals within. Su Na, Tali, Sha Lu, Jisi—you will accompany me. I will purge the Saint Novan Cathedral.”

Su Na: “Sakavi, the Dofeng Republic has five half-gods guarding it—not counting those of the Light Church and the Just Church. Isn’t this mission too risky?”

Sakavi: “We are now a Duke of the Luo Sen Empire. Burning the Light Church’s cathedral? That will be blamed on Senide. The Emperor already despises Luo De. He has always viewed us as unstable elements—giving him something to deal with is perfect. It keeps him from plotting to drive us out.”

Sha Lu: “Master, Dofeng’s defenses are formidable. We will be intercepted even with legitimate credentials. Why not have you personally serve as Trade Ambassador under the pretense of negotiating the trade of a Nest Brain Heart? That item is scarce enough to justify the visit.”

Su Na: “I can arrange it. We can depart the day after tomorrow. Information transmission requires time—is there any issue?”

Sakavi: “Good. Departure set for the day after tomorrow. All cargo personnel will be members of the Black Dragon’s Wings. Return and prepare.”

………

“Sha Lu, I’m frantic, and you’re still eating? When was the last time you ate?”

“Tali, panicking won’t help! Our Master is over there drinking coffee—why can’t I eat my bread? Besides, this jam-covered baked good isn’t even sold back home!”

“Learn from Su Na. Look how she’s spent our Lord’s money since arriving—everyone in Aomoster knows she’s rich. We’re officially here representing Luo Sen—we must act with confidence, not like thieves.”

“Aren’t we here to kill and burn? You’re enjoying yourself? If Grap gets burned alive, all this will be for nothing!”

“Call him Uncle, Tali. How many times have I taught you? Where is your manners? Grap is your elder, don’t you know? Go buy yourself some fine clothes. Remember—let everyone know you are Sakavi, Duke of the Black Dragon’s daughter.”

“Why? We have more important things to do! If everyone knows we’re here, how can we act? Are you senile?”

“Do you think being careful will keep us hidden? They already know our combat strength is crippled—what’s one more detail? You’ll understand why soon. Do as I say.”

“Master, there’s a place over there that looks good. Can Sha Lu and I stay there tonight?” Jisi walked in, holding a pork knuckle, and grinned at Sakavi. The place was tempting—but not to Sakavi. Over the years, he had encountered humans, elves, succubi—all of them. He had long lost interest in such common establishments.

“Go ahead. I plan to visit the Grand Library. Be back early tomorrow morning—we depart for the Gray Mist Valley in the afternoon.”