Chapter 75: Overview of the Soluo Archipelago

"Jiske, how has the cleanup work been going in the last five months? If possible, I will order the dispatch of lizardman troops to transform the plane."

"Report to the Duke, thanks to the day and night fighting of my army, we completed the cleanup mission last week and are currently searching for remaining wanderers. As of now, we have killed three hundred and twenty Soul Weavers, as well as thirty Death Knights, fifty skeletal giant spiders, and one hundred gargoyles."

"Not bad, your performance makes me very satisfied."

"Uh, Duke, I discovered a problem during the cleanup. After losing the mental control of high-level undead creatures, they gradually recovered their pre-death consciousness and improved their strength. Can we conduct secondary cultivation on them? Their talent is quite good."

"This is an interesting thing. Take me to see it. I will decide based on the value they provide."

Led by Jiske, Sakavi saw three skeleton archers. After simple questioning, he learned that they had gradually regained their pre-death memories and awakened ranger profession talents during long periods of no control. However, because their soul and body strength were not enough, and they lacked systematic learning methods, they were stuck at the Initial Rank.

Sakavi felt it was necessary to experiment to see to what extent they could really grow. However, wanting to enter his own system was absolutely impossible. These skeletons of unknown origin and not very controllable could not be trusted at all. Those who could break free from shackles were probably not good people, and he had no need to take that kind of risk.

"Hand these few over to Weilna, let her take them back to the Duke's territory, and I will study them slowly there. In the next ten years, you will be mainly responsible for the security issues here. Do not let other forces destroy the situation here."

"Ah? Duke, am I not going back to participate in the war against demons? Why stay here?"

"That side is mainly large-scale group warfare, which Sha Lu Te and Wu Ge Lu are more skilled at. Besides, others originally intended to use demons to drain our blood so they could divide the benefits with one less person. If everyone is concentrated there, if any accident happens, wouldn't there be no chance of a comeback? Don't forget one thing, the Lawful Good hasn't treated us as one of their own."

"Then wouldn't I have no chance to participate in the war? Duke, how can you look at me like that? I also came out of the Fang Legion. My large-scale group combat level is no worse than that stupid pig, and my combat experience is richer."

"There will be rotations when the time comes. If I find you are even stupider, you'll see what happens."

"Please rest assured, Duke, I guarantee I won't let you down."

"Duke, Iguluo is back. He found a new foothold and has already taken photos of the local natives."

"Very good, Aikuilong, complete the handover mission of those two golden dragons as soon as possible. We have things to be busy with."

…………

"Iluoge, don't just focus on eating, tell me about the specific situation of the archipelago you mentioned." Looking at the red dragon gnawing on a roasted whole cow, Sakavi felt very helpless. This was already the third one, and he didn't know how he could eat it.

"That place is called the Soluo Archipelago because it produces a kind of giant crab called the Soluo crab. The main island, Hamodo, is about 500,000 square kilometers. Including the five subsidiary islands, there are more than 800,000 in total. Whether it is really like this, I don't know, anyway, that's what the people there say."

"Then did the local people not cause you trouble? This island doesn't look small; it's unlikely it wasn't occupied by local forces. How did you solve this problem?"

"I say Duke, you consider too much. Isn't it fine to just go and roast the local residents? At that time, humans were at war with the mermaid kingdom in the sea. I burned their fleet along with the port, so they had to tacitly accept my occupation of the archipelago."

"Then it seems that high-combat power needs to be stationed there later, and the local situation sounds a bit complicated. But we currently cannot spare too much combat power. Iluoge, do you have any good ideas?"

"No ideas, but there is a candidate. When I was in the Duke's territory, I knew a green dragon dragon-beast. Not only is he full of bad water, but he also especially likes to scold people. I beat him up quite a few times. I think he is definitely a true dragon, and now he should be at the Master Rank. Sending him there to be stationed is just right."

"What is his name? I will ask Aikuilong to call him over right now. It seems I need to find time to go back and pick out the fakes in the Dragon-Beast Academy one by one."

"Woli Ge, or ask which guy is the most annoying. He is also quite unpopular over there."

…………

The Soluo Archipelago is located in a strange deep-sea area known as the "Silent Sea." The ancient magical rift "Sea Abyss Trace" on its east side releases eternal energy, which leads to a mild climate, complex ocean currents, and an extremely high concentration of magical particles in the archipelago area, breeding extraordinary ecology and civilization.

The New Moon Bay port area is located on the southwest side of the main island and is a natural deep-water harbor surrounded by two peninsulas. The bay is calm, and the outer side has scattered reef islands as natural barriers. Thanks to the warm ocean currents blowing from the west, the climate here is pleasant.

Broken Star City is the largest city and port. The buildings mostly use white coral stone and dark wood. The wharf area extends for several miles and is full of ships, merchants, and adventurers from all over the world. However, now there are charred traces everywhere, as if it had just been looted.

Extending inland from New Moon Bay is a fertile alluvial plain. Several rivers originating from the central mountain range, such as the White Water River and the Golden Spike River, meander through it, irrigating ten thousand hectares of fertile land. This is the granary of the archipelago, filled with human villages and farms. The largest inland town, "Spike Grain Town," is located here, which is the distribution center for agricultural products and inland resources.

Stretching across the middle of Hamodo, the towering Blade Ridge Mountain Range is the main geographical boundary on the island. The north slope of the mountain range is steep, and the south slope is relatively gentle. The mountain top is covered with snow all year round, and the meltwater is the main water source on the island. The Echo Canyon running through the mountain range is the main passage, excavated and guarded by dwarves, which is the only safe land route connecting the north and south.

The Shadow Forest covers most of the area north of the mountain range. Because the mountain range blocks the moist airflow from the south, the climate in the north is cooler and more humid. The forest is filled with ancient trees, the light is dim, magical fog permeates, the terrain is complex, and it is full of ancient mystery. This is an unexplored primeval forest, where a large number of magical beasts live. It is both a paradise for adventurers and a nightmare for nearby villagers.

Located in the northeast corner of the main island, the Dust Bone Wilderness is a relatively dry wilderness and badlands. The land is barren, filled with wind-eroded rock pillars and deep rifts. It is rich in mineral resources but also full of dangers. Kobolds live tenaciously here and provide various ores for humans.

Located in the southeast of the main island, the large wetland at the river estuary. Mangroves, reed marshes, and foul-smelling mudflats are intertwined, and inexplicable whispers echo in the air. This is the private territory of lizardmen and mud-toads. Lizardmen often transport captured sea fish upstream to sell to human towns.

Flint Island is about 80,000 square kilometers. It is a mountainous volcanic island with fertile soil but steep terrain. In the center is an active volcano with rich geothermal resources. Dwarves established "Black Rock Fortress" inside the mountain. They mine rare metals and gems here, forge famous magical weapons and armor, and trade with the main island by sea.

Gray Leaf Island is about 70,000 square kilometers. It is completely covered by dense forests, with undulating terrain, filled with clear streams and waterfalls. There is natural fog around the island, and outsiders are easily lost. Trolls have lived here for thousands of years.

Shell Cliff Island is about 60,000 square kilometers. The west side of the island is a steep white cliff, formed by billions of years of shell deposits, while the east side is a gentle beach and lagoon. The surrounding sea area has the most beautiful coral reefs in the entire archipelago. Fish-man villages are scattered in the beach area.

A magical beast called the Sea Wing controls the inland plateau, cliff tops, and the entire sky of Shell Cliff Island. They resemble a combination of albatross and sea eagle, with a wingspan of up to five meters, feathers in a gray-white gradient, and beaks and claws like black jade.

Their eyes flicker with the light of wisdom and can use a language composed of chirps. Due to the huge territorial dispute between the two sides, fierce conflicts often break out, which just happens to inhibit the number of fish-men who breed too fast.

Split Scale Island is about 50,000 square kilometers. It is a dry, rocky island filled with canyons and caves. Vegetation is scarce, mainly drought-tolerant shrubs and cacti. There are several poisonous sulfur vents on the island.

Ogres, gnolls, hobgoblins, and other "evil" or neutral races live together here. There is no unified regime here, but rather territories divided by various tribes. They are an unstable factor in the archipelago, often looting merchant ships, and often fighting each other. The busy shipping lanes nearby provide the necessary conditions for their survival.

Mist Island is about 40,000 square kilometers. The island is shrouded in thick magical fog all year round, and the coastline is ever-changing. The internal terrain is said to be constantly changing, full of supernatural wonders and dangers. This is an abandoned colony of mind flayers, and aboleths often appear in this area. Even the boldest adventurers dare not step in.

Sitting in the Viceroy's office, Sakavi, after carefully reading this detailed information about the archipelago, had a complete understanding of why this place was the naval base of the Xierte Kingdom. It turned out that this was their overseas colony. The humans on the island were descendants of pirates or populations looted. Later, the pirate leader accepted the imperial decree and transformed into the naval Viceroy.

Since this is the case, there is no need to worry about anything when taking this place. Anyway, the destroyed navy was also pirates changing professions. In these years, they must have often played their old trade. It seems that Iluoge's handling of things is quite reliable. ===== CHAPTER 76 =====