Chapter 118: The Little Fish Clinging to Survival Between the Big Fish (23)

"Luosen, I heard you conquered the Siren Queen?"

In the underground Magic Method Laboratory of Crescent Castle, Mentor Anna suddenly asked.

At this moment, it was the afternoon of Luosen's fifth day back on White Sturgeon Island.

At that moment, the tall, robust Baron lord was attempting to forge an ultrasonic artifact; upon hearing the words, his hand trembled slightly, but his face remained impassive.

"Mentor, where did you hear this news?"

"The maid told me, and she heard it from the fisherman who delivers fish to the castle. The fisherman said the sirens were talking about it everywhere."

"She also said that you are now not only the Baron of White Sturgeon Island, but also the true king of the sirens."

Luosen's palm steadied: "It's true; I defeated her, and then she acknowledged my ownership of Hank Island and the Triangular Sea region."

"Oh~~~ what a shocking news. I heard the Siren Queen is a tremendously powerful water mage; how did you defeat her?"

"I used 'Flawless Steel Dragon Body', which is the Six Rings spell you gave me, Mentor. You also know I have a special talent for combat and react quickly."

Anna nodded: "That's true, but such risks should be taken less often in the future. After all, you are a lord, not a frontline warrior."

She admonished earnestly with a solemn expression.

Luosen nodded: "Mentor, you are right, but this time it was still worth it."

"Besides a larger territory and many new subjects, I also obtained countless pearls and gold."

"Especially those pearls; if handled well, they can certainly amass great wealth."

Pearls are beautiful; they are occasionally used to brew magical pills and forge artifacts, but their main purpose is as ornaments.

Because they are scarce and popular among the people, their price is high, becoming a symbol of power and wealth.

Such items thus possess the nature of luxury goods.

For a lord, creating luxury goods is essentially a pocket‑picking trick that exchanges minimal cost for maximal return.

"No amount of money is worth a life. That said, this harvest was indeed enormous."

She paused, then glanced at Luosen: "I also heard the method of conquest was somewhat varied?"

Luosen's hand trembled again at an imperceptible level: "Mentor, the sirens have their own traditions, and I didn't want to force it, so I showed them respect."

"No wonder everyone says you are the King of the Divine Spear."

Anna didn't think this was a big deal; for a lord to expand territory, sacrificing a bit of personal reputation is perfectly normal.

She was just a bit baffled and very curious.

"I heard the Sun Warriors need a good one or two hours to subdue ordinary sirens. How long did it take you to subdue the Siren Queen?"

"Three days."

"Tsk~~~"

Anna's face was astonished, her heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably, and she almost demanded Luosen to demonstrate his heroic prowess on the spot.

After much effort she finally calmed herself: "Do you plan to develop a new route to Levinde?"

Luosen nodded: "Yes."

He added: "But this involves huge profits and will crush countless people's livelihoods. Once the new route leaks, it will inevitably attract countless strong foes."

"Therefore, before opening the new route, ample preparation must be made."

He could of course use the new route secretly, but the secret won't last long; once the news leaks, Aaron and the Dawn City Duke will jump into action immediately!

All sorts of tactics will swarm toward him like a storm.

Waiting for the storm to arrive before devising a response means it's already too late.

Preparing in advance and thinking holistically is what a competent lord should do.

Anna also possessed enough insight to understand the danger.

Needless to say about distant matters, the recent new route, which merely bypassed Dawn City, already sparked several small-scale naval battles in secret.

The power struggles among the major kingdoms behind it were astonishingly fierce, and countless lives were forever sunk into the deep sea.

She even grew a bit frightened: "Luosen, ahead lies the real storm!"

Luosen sensed a slight tremor in her tone, looked up, saw Anna's complexion turn pale, and knew she was scared.

On the sea, no captain can calmly face the raging waves.

Luosen couldn't either, but he is the captain! Even if towering waves crash ahead and his heart trembles, he must not show it.

If he panics or retreats, the legendary feat cannot be spoken of.

Thus, he set aside his work, stepped forward, grasped her hand, and comforted her in a warm voice.

"Mentor, you've always wanted to know how many rings my magical power has, right?"

Anna was startled, not understanding why Luosen said that, and turned her head to look at him.

Luosen raised his hand to indicate a number: "Regarding magical cultivation, I stand here, and one small step higher would be the ultimate of the magic rings."

The number made Anna's eyes widen and her body tremble uncontrollably; she hadn't expected it to be so high! "This final step is extremely difficult to overcome, even I can barely see any hope of surpassing it."

"Therefore I firmly believe that in magical cultivation, no one in this world stands higher than me, and consequently no one sees farther than me."

Luosen applied slight pressure with his hand, lowered his gaze into her eyes, and said word for word:

"My height allows me to see the future of magic."

"Magic may lack great power for an individual, but it does possess it for a nation."

"This great power can move mountains, fill seas, lift cities into the heavens, and summon the sun to the mortal world!"

Anna, her heart stirred, asked: "Is this… possible?"

Summoning the sun to the world… that's… terrifying.

Luosen's tone was firm: "Mentor, trust me, it can be done!"

"The current continental kingdoms are far from reaching the upper limit of magic's great power."

"If we take the first step and seize magic's great power ahead of others, we can break through the storm and even become the storm in others' eyes!"

Anna's uneasy heart found great solace, and she said with feeling: "In ancient times, you should have been called a prophet, no, you should be called the Holy King."

Translation: Anna's uneasy heart found great solace, and she said with feeling: "In ancient times, you should have been called a prophet, no, you should be called the 'Holy King'."

Anna and the Holy King stood together, watching the sunrise.

Luosen picked up the sonic magical device again, smiling: "I'm just an island Baron."

Translation: Luosen picked up the sonic magical device again, smiling: "I'm just an island baron."

Luosen picked up the sonic magical device again, smiling: "I'm just an island Baron."

He paused, then said: "Instructor, don't tell Selena about this for now, at least not until the child is born."

Translation: He paused, then said: "Instructor, don't tell Selena about these things yet; at least wait until the child is born before speaking."

Instructor Selena advised the team to proceed cautiously.

Selena has been resting easy with her pregnancy, not worrying about anything, doing only the most basic magical training each day, and she looks plump and radiant.

Translation: Selena has recently been at ease nurturing her pregnancy, not worrying about anything, doing only the most basic magic cultivation each day, and she has become plump and radiant.

Her skin was plump and radiant.

Anna nodded lightly: "I understand."

Translation: Anna nodded lightly: "I understand."

At the same time, Luosen remotely controlled Puppet No. 2 and secretly summoned his chief intelligence officer, Stonard, in the government study.

Translation: At the same time, Luosen remotely controlled Puppet No. 2 and secretly summoned his chief intelligence officer, Stonard, in the government study.

In the government study, Chief Intelligence Officer Stonard inspected Puppet No. 2.

"How has your magical power been improving lately?"

Translation: "How has your magic power been improving lately?"

"The soul gem is very useful; it has helped me reach the intermediate level."

Translation: "The soul gem is very useful; it has helped me reach the intermediate level."

"Good, but it's not enough; I still need to keep striving."

Translation: "Good, but it's not enough; you still need to keep striving."

"Yes, Lord."

Translation: "Yes, Lord."

"Alright, now let's get back to the main topic."

Translation: "Alright, let's get back to the main topic."

Luosen leaned back in his chair, looking at the intelligence officer who had grown up with him: "I plan to implement a Pearl Storm plan."

Translation: Luosen leaned back in his chair, looking at the intelligence officer who had grown up with him: "I plan to implement a 'Pearl Storm' project."

Luosen is an intelligence officer who unleashed Pearl Storm.

Stonard immediately reached for his notebook to take notes, but Luosen waved him off: "There's not much content; just keep it in mind."

Translation: Stonard immediately reached for his notebook to take notes, but Luosen waved him off: "There's not much; just keep it in mind."

After Stonard was ready, he whispered: "I will craft a large batch of exquisite pearl magical devices, then smuggle them to various parts of Weilan Giant Island, selling them as quickly as possible at the highest price."

Translation: After Stonard was ready, he whispered: "I will craft a large batch of exquisite pearl magical devices, then smuggle these devices to various places on Weilan Giant Island, selling them as quickly as possible at the highest price."

He used a pearl magical device on Weilan Giant Island.

Stonard's eyebrows jumped: "Lord, this could be difficult; the northern counties are manageable, but the southern ones are hard to sell."

Translation: Stonard's brow twitched: "Lord, this may be difficult; the Northern Prefecture is fine, but the Southern Prefecture won't sell well."

Luosen nodded: "I understand."

Translation: Luosen nodded: "I understand."

"So, the lightning intelligence network I had you build earlier can now be put to use."

Translation: "So, the lightning intelligence network you built earlier can now be used."

"I want you to find a way to discreetly contact the wealthy merchants of each county, preferably those newly risen, bold, adventurous commoner merchants. This group of merchants is the emerging bourgeoisie of society, the strongest in average ability of this era."

Translation: "I want you to find a way to discreetly contact the wealthy merchants of each prefecture, preferably those recently risen, bold and daring civilian rich." This group of merchants is the society's emerging bourgeoisie, the strongest in average ability of this era.

We need to keep as one line. Let's produce: "I want you to find a way to discreetly contact the wealthy merchants of each prefecture, preferably those recently risen, bold and daring civilian rich; this group of merchants is the society's emerging bourgeoisie, the strongest in average ability of this era."

"At the same time, it is a new social force that the noble lords are gradually losing control of."

Translation: "At the same time, it is a new social force that the noble lords are gradually losing control of."

"If it's the southern counties, arrange for them to prepare cash in advance; if it's the northern counties, it can be cash or goods."

Translation: "If it's the Southern Prefecture, have them prepare cash in advance; if it's the Northern Prefecture, it can be cash or supplies."

"When the pearl ornaments arrive, settle in cash and quickly recoup the money."

Translation: "When the pearl ornaments arrive, settle in cash and recover the funds as quickly as possible."

Stonard listened carefully and asked: "Lord, if pearl ornaments flood the market, the price will drop."

Translation: Stonard listened carefully and asked: "Lord, if pearl ornaments flood the market, the price will drop."

Luosen smiled: "Indeed it will drop, but the market's price response has a lag."

Translation: Luosen smiled: "Indeed it will drop, but the market's price response has a lag."

"As long as we are fast enough, we can sell the most goods at the best price."

Translation: "As long as we move fast enough, we can sell the most goods at the best price."

"The speed of the market's price response depends on the speed of information transmission, and in this era the main means of information transmission are still word of mouth or fast horse and pigeon post."

Translation: "The speed of the market's price response depends on the speed of information transmission, and in this era the main means of transmission are still word of mouth or fast horse and pigeon post."

"Thus the market's lag in response will be very severe."

Translation: "Thus the lag in market response will be severe."

"Now, Luosen has built an intelligence network using telegraph communications, and by leveraging that network to create a secret sales network for pearl goods, he can thoroughly reap excess profits before the market reacts."

Translation: "Now, Luosen has built an intelligence network using telegraph communication, and with that network he can construct a secret sales network for pearl goods, allowing him to reap a wave of excess profit before the market reacts."

"Laralethris's pearls are of exceptionally high quality on average and abundant, so this wave of excess profit will be astonishing."

Translation: "Laerte Lis's pearls are of exceptionally high quality on average and abundant in quantity, so this wave of excess profit will be astonishing."

"Meanwhile, pearls may look good but aren't very useful; their main component is calcium carbonate, yet they can be exchanged for real gold and silver."

Translation: "Meanwhile, pearls may look good but aren't very useful; their main component is calcium carbonate, yet they can be exchanged for real gold and silver."

"The more he sells, the more he earns!"

Translation: "The more he sells, the more he earns!"

"Stonard is a smart person; after thinking it over, his eyes lit up: 'I now know what to do, Lord.'"

Translation: "Stonard is a smart man; after thinking it over, his eyes lit up: 'I know what to do now, Lord.'"

"Good, go ahead with the preparations; I'll start preparing the pearl ornaments right away."

Translation: "Good, you go ahead with the preparations; I'll start preparing the pearl ornaments right away."

"After Stonard left, Luosen's gaze turned to a document on the desk."

Translation: "After Stonard left, Luosen's gaze turned to a document on the desk."

"The document contained a string of statistics."

Translation: "The document contained a string of statistics."

"'Current territory: three major islands plus the triangular sea area, land total 5,500 square kilometers, sea area 41,000 square kilometers.'"

Translation: "'Current territory: three major islands plus the triangular sea area, land area totaling 5,500 square kilometers, sea area 41,000 square kilometers.'"

"'Most of the farmland on the islands is mountainous; if fully opened, it would exceed 1.5 million mu, mainly planting potatoes, using bird droppings as fertilizer, assisted by volcanic ash from Saint Anna Island; at a yield of 2,000 kg per mu, annual output could exceed 3 million tons.'"

Translation: "'Most of the farmland on the islands is mountainous; if fully opened, it would exceed 1.5 million mu, mainly planting potatoes with bird droppings as fertilizer, aided by volcanic ash from Shengan Island; at a yield of 2,000 kg per mu, annual output could exceed 3 million tons.'"

"'In the triangular sea area, setting aside other resources, let's just talk about food.'"

Translation: "'In the triangular sea area, setting aside other resources, speaking only of food:'"

"'With sustainable development through gentle exploitation, an estimated annual harvest of 2 million tons of seafood is expected, of which at least 1 million tons are various sea fish.'"

Translation: "'With sustainable development through gentle exploitation, an estimated annual harvest of 2 million tons of seafood, of which various sea fish amount to at least 1 million tons.'"

"Of course, this cannot be done now; it's merely potential."

Translation: "Of course, this cannot be done now; it's merely potential."

"But once development succeeds, based on an annual consumption of 300 jin per adult, it could feed over thirty million people!"

Translation: "But once development succeeds, based on an annual consumption of 300 jin per adult, it could support over thirty million people!"

"It could even cover the entire food consumption of Weilan."

Translation: "It could even cover the entire food consumption of Weilan."

"This is the territory's development potential."

Translation: "This is the territory's development potential."

"Then comes the current population of the territory."

Translation: "Then comes the current population of the territory."

"'Human subjects: 135,000, of which original Bai Zhu Island residents 29,000, forest spirits 37,000, Bohemian duchy refugees 22,000, northern Weilan mountain folk 36,000, and demons 11,000.'"

Translation: "'Human subjects: 135,000, of whom original White Sturgeon Island residents 29,000, Forest Spirits 37,000, refugees from the Bohemian Duchy 22,000, northern Weilan mountain folk 36,000, and succubi 11,000.'"

"'Among them, a full 80,000 possess basic magical ability.'"

Translation: "'Among them, a full 80,000 possess basic magic power.'"

"'Fishfolk subjects: 370,000. Among them, ordinary fishfolk 340,000, higher-caste spellcasting fishfolk 30,000, and the fishfolk queen 700.'"

Translation: "'Fishfolk subjects: 370,000. Among them, ordinary fishfolk 340,000, advanced spellcasting fishfolk 30,000, and the fishfolk queen 700.'"

"'Ordinary fishfolk are the best laborers; higher-caste spellcasting fishfolk, with a little training, make excellent marine battle mages.'"

Translation: "'Ordinary fishfolk are the best laborers; after a little training, advanced spellcasting fishfolk make excellent marine battle mages.'"

"'People are still few; given the current island situation, adding several hundred thousand more would pose no pressure.'"

Translation: "'People are still few; given the current island situation, adding another several hundred thousand would pose no pressure.'"

"'We still need to continue immigration.'"

Translation: "'We still need to continue immigration.'"

"'The Azure Blessing also needs development and improvement, so that subjects can live not only on the islands but also in the sea.'"

Translation: "'The Azure Blessing also needs development and improvement, so that subjects can live not only on the islands but also in the sea.'"

"Next is military strength."

Translation: "Next is military strength."

"'The navy has 160 anti-fishfolk warships, 5 refitted warships, a total of 3,200 naval personnel, 1,400 battle-qi warriors, and 1,800 battle mages.'"

Translation: "'The navy has 160 fishfolk‑countering warships, 5 modified warships, a total of 3,200 naval soldiers, 1,400 battle qi warriors, and 1,800 battle mages.'"

"'Added are 3,000 elite fishfolk underwater soldiers and 20,000 fishfolk patrol soldiers.'"

Translation: "'Added are 3,000 elite fishfolk divers and 20,000 patrolling fishfolk warriors.'"

"Looking at this report, Luosen thought to himself: 'With the fishfolk, patrols around the island's surrounding seas are already thorough; there's no need to worry about sneak attacks.'"

Translation: "Looking at this report, Luosen thought to himself: 'With the fishfolk, patrols around the island's surrounding seas are already thorough; I need not worry about surprise attacks.'"

"'But fishfolk have poor brains, their combat ability is very limited; for major wars we still need to rely on the human navy.'"

Translation: "'But the fishfolk are not smart; their combat ability is very limited, so major wars still rely on the human navy.'"

"'The navy has many personnel but few ships, insufficient long-range capability, short weapon range, and weak direct combat ability.'"

Translation: "'The navy has many personnel but few ships, insufficient long‑range capability, short weapon range, and weak direct combat ability.'"

"'Speedboats are fast, able to dash across the sea like a wolf pack, but they can only deal with weak opponents.'"

Translation: "'Speedboats are fast, able to dash across the sea like a wolf pack, but they can only deal with the weak.'"

"'When encountering regular navy warships, it's very hard to get a grip on the opponent.'"

Translation: "'When encountering a regular navy warship, it's hard to get a grip on the opponent.'"

Others push their defenses to the limit, recklessly charging forward, and can break through the maritime defense line constructed by fast boats.

"On land, we must reinforce with large numbers of coastal defense weapons, build solid fortifications, to prevent enemy amphibious landings."

"'In the navy, the role of shield ships is lacking.'"

"In short, the island navy currently can wage guerrilla warfare, but lacks the capability for decisive frontal battles."

"After examining the new situation of his territory, Luosen continued reading."

"However, these are the newly gathered statistical information of various countries by the Intelligence Bureau."

"Without considering the whole situation, one cannot plan for a single region! To open a new route and profit from it, rather than suffer a sudden demise, one must consider the overall impact."

"Especially, one must know the strength of one's opponents."

"'Weilan's 15 southern counties, Aaron's marionette, population 19 million, land area 360,000 square kilometers.'"

"'The Dawn Storm Fleet has eight 1,000-ton warships, with an average of one 1,000-ton warship per county. Total warships of 1,000 tons or more: 23.'"

"'Aaron, population 110 million, land area 1,030,000 square kilometers.'"

"'The Lion Fleet has 153 warships of 1,000 tons or more, among which 45 are 2,000-ton Lion Giant Warships, and construction has already begun on 4,000-ton Lion Heart Giant Warships.'"

"'Aaron's royal authority is centralized, the nobility is weak, and the rise of the new class is truly a terrifying behemoth.'"

"Next, look at Kao."

"'Population 130 million, land area 900,000 square kilometers, Black Rose Fleet, warships of 1,000 tons or more: 69.'"

"'Although the fleet is somewhat lacking, Kao's army is extremely formidable; the Red Moon Knight Corps ranks first in alliance strength, positioned to the northeast of Aaron.'"

"'Kao and Aaron have always been at odds, with frequent friction along the border. It's a pity the king is already old, his ambition gone.'"

"Otherwise, Kao would be an excellent ally to restrain Aaron."

"Next, look at Levinde."

"'Population 90 million, land area 1,100,000 square kilometers, Golden Fleet possesses 130 warships of 1,000 tons or more, among which 30 are 2,000-ton Golden Warships.'"

"'The fleet's strength is not much different from Aaron's, but Levinde lies in a corner of the eastern Golden Coast, its main maritime trade partners being the Radiant Empire and its vassals, with little major conflict within the alliance.'"

"Besides the Three Great Kingdoms, the Natural Alliance also has six great duchies."

"Weilan is one of them; the other five are located on the White Continent."

"Weilan is the largest duchy in area, also situated overseas, and thus somewhat independent."

"The other five have no extra thoughts; they are entirely vassals of the Three Great Kingdoms."

"After reading the documents, Luosen drew the conclusion: 'If the new route is opened, Levinde will welcome it, Kao's attitude will be relatively neutral, and Aaron and Weilan's southern counties are the greatest enemies.'"

"But although Aaron is strong, he also has many opponents."

"The greatest opponent is the Radiant Empire dominating the southwest of the White Continent! It occupies over 5,000,000 square kilometers and has a population exceeding 500 million, a tremendous behemoth."

"By its own strength, it suppresses the entire Natural Alliance to the point of being unable to breathe, a terrifying existence."

"'Although Aaron's Lion Fleet is fierce, about half of it is engaged in naval clashes with the Radiant Empire's navy in the Stormy Ocean. The fleet deployed in the Gilded Sea Strait also needs to deter Kao and suppress Weilan.'"

"'Therefore, in the short term, the opponent I truly need to face directly is Duke Weilan and the 15 southern counties!'"

"In other words, if the news of the new route spreads, the worst-case scenario is that a Southern United Fleet of 23 warships of 1,000 tons will come north all the way to attack him."

"After viewing the overall situation map, Luosen let out a long sigh."

"'Now I am somewhat stronger than before, but I am still merely a small fish struggling to survive in the crevices of big fish.'"

"'The first step goal for improving my navy is to take the Weilan Southern United Fleet as an imaginary enemy.'"

(End of chapter)