Inside the office of the Special Defense Command.
Adjacent to General Ross, a woman in a staff uniform was in the middle of a briefing when the black door to the room was pushed open with a forceful arm by the young guard standing watch outside.
A messenger hurried in and saluted, “Reporting, General. This is an urgent dispatch from Krupp. They indicate that their air force will pass through our airspace around nine o’clock local time tomorrow morning. “
The woman, who had been reporting in the Mutao language—which contained many gliding syllables—paused. General Ross reached over and tugged the document from the messenger’s hand, saying, “Next time, just take this kind of matter next door to the Air Command Office. “
“Yes, General. ” The young man continued, adding:
“However, within this document, there is a classified intelligence sharing from Krupp. It contains flight routes planned by several Mist citizens involved with the World Ark. “
Ross flipped deftly through a few pages with his fingers and then spotted the contents on one particular sheet. It was a sketched map of several cities, with dash-lined arcs extending from the rectangular symbols representing those cities to other cities.
Some of those dashed arcs were short, connecting neighborhoods hubs, while more of them were longer, linking towns further afield.
“What does this mean? “
If it was a strategic map, these lines would typically represent units’ designated advance routes, yet this map lacked other military arrows.
Ross was a bit confused, then frowned.
The lady from the General Staff by the table focused her gaze on the paper. After a moment’s thought, she said:
“General, is Krupp’s sharing of this map intended to convey a willingness to share information with us? After all, this is a plan devised by the Fog People. “
Heard this, Ross immediately raised his head to instruct the messenger beside him.
“Call someone from the new office next door. Also, no matter what, allocate some manpower to investigate where the information about the Air Force command authority, which our Defense Command just obtained, has been transmitted during this time. “
Upon hearing this, the messenger immediately realized that General Ross might be referring to a leak.
He quickly acknowledged and hurried out. Soon after, a youth in an army uniform rushed out from the small study room that was being cleared next door and ran into General Ross’s office. “General. “
“This is the Air Force flight route for Krun planned by your fellow townsmen. Help us decipher it, and also… ” Ross said.
“I suspect Krun already knows that all Air Force command authority of Haven Zirk has fallen into the hands of the Defense Command. Investigate the transmission path of this information within your ranks. “
“This… “
The youth with pointed ears took the page thoughtfully, pulling out the folded map that Ross had torn off from the stapled document. After just one look, he gasped.
The lady from the staff department and Ross both turned to look.
Sensing their gaze, the youth glanced at some of the text and route markings on the map, paused, and then said:
“Sir… If this map indeed points to aircraft, then it’s very common in our world. “
“Huh? How so? ” The two opened their eyes wide, their gazes betraying a glint of questioning curiosity.
“Well… ” The youth hesitated, thinking about the implications, and then gave a tentative explanation:
“Unless there is some special hidden message, this map simply indicates the flow of people between cities. In our world, tens of thousands of passenger flights take off every day, flying to and from various cities, and even across the entire world. “
Ross pondered for a moment, then quickly moved his arm to pull a file over, flipping it to the back. He grabbed a pen and rapidly scribbled: Plants cold, animals migrating abnormally, unafraid of high temperatures.
Then, after thinking for a moment, he wrote below that line: Light a campfire, gather together.
Afterwards, he put a small ‘X’ after both words and continued writing: Artillery fires to repel, aircraft’s extreme heat trails.
In the end, with some hesitation and a frown, she added the words “between cities… ” then crossed them out and briskly wrote down, “exchange between gatherings. “
Rose stared at the handwriting and murmured, “Gatherings without casualties, too, will be attacked. “
This is newly emerged intel from the past two days, but for now, it is limited solely to wild animals.
The good news is that large-scale peaceful gatherings of people have not yet triggered attacks from the doomsday vines that are already rampaging across the world. Furthermore, “heat ” can still prevent the onset of doomsday catastrophes—or even cause them to… actively retreat. This is an exceptionally unexpected piece of intelligence.
Coupled with the “route ” map just delivered at this moment…
Both the young man and the female staff officer heard General Ross’s speculative murmur.
“Could this be… what will appear today during the day… “
He did not speak the rest of his thought aloud, but what churned in his mind was the memory that had shaken him in that guest room when he had touched the Key.
……
During the daytime, a certain faction utilized the signal coverage of the World Ark’s airship broadcast system to announce that in the inheritance plan of the Kimber Legacy Operation, the radiation protection measures were, in fact, utterly useless.
Moreover, they co-opted the… Campfire Plan, which Blackwen Zircon had only begun to push forward at midnight that very day, using it as evidence-like justification for the whole world.
Consequently, in an instant, it caused an uproar across the globe. The news spread like a deathly wind sweeping across the world.
Even the refugees who had sought shelter within the scorched cities, exposed to the radiation cover, gradually caught wind of this news.
Because several airships were already hovering above the major shelter cities of the scorched lands.
Even in refuge areas without these airships, due to the presence of certain radio stations and the Fogfolk, a single exclamation of shock could spread like an unstoppable flame on a heap of cotton, rapidly diffusing into the overcrowded scorched-city quarters.
It stirred up an indescribable sense of betrayed despair and resentment.
Blackwen Zircon and the “Kimber Legacy. “
Buried under an avalanche of accusations, they who once brought hope to the people were instantly dismissed with hatred and contempt, as if they were the enemy.
Just imagining this scene that hasn’t even happened yet made Ross feel somewhat suffocated.
“For now, Chairman Yang has temporarily resolved the World Ark’s issues, ” Ross murmured to himself.
He’d heard the report regarding the ‘Pledge’ to the signal source at the World Ark from that Haili girl on the airship. The report must be with the First Prince by now.
But never mind, now wasn’t the time to worry about her.
On top of dealing with the ‘Greatest Crisis’—of which nothing compared to the ‘Iron Thistle Eruption’—Yang’s behavior was already starting to feel like a ‘bladebelly scrape’**{_’
After all, the World Ark hasn’t lost its signal right.
There’s just a good chance there might be a different announcer.
“I wonder if Krohne will keep up the pressure. “
Ross murmured to himself, before beginning to consider how to face the greatest crisis, one that had now gained yet another piece of concerning news.
As the master of this land, what would become of his dignity if he left everything to the Fogfolk? Besides, having any advance warning at all today was thanks to those who caused so much trouble—some fellows—in this world.
He couldn’t afford to fall behind the Mistpeeps.
……
“My Big Baby Koni! “
Back on the signal ship at Rolling Tide, Yang Zicang strutted through the cabin, cheerfully pulling and spreading the documents in his hands and smacking two big, loud kisses onto them!
“Awesome! “
**Three people sitting behind him at the transceiver machine gave different reactions: one offered a thumbs up, another applauded in congratulations.
“Boss, just how much Radiance will we birth this time! “
“Those Fogfolk natives in the areas where our airships are stationed can temporarily abandon causing trouble for our rival on behalf of the operation plan and our airships. “
……
Knock, knock!
“Enter! “
The general’s office door—a deep wood panel—was rapped twice with knuckles and then swiftly pushed open.
“Reporting, Mr. Ross. Not good. There’s trouble in Marlenlint Fort City to the north. “
The young messenger with the square face looked extremely flustered, his tightly buttoned coat skewed and pulled aside from running, without even a moment to straighten it.
“What happened? “
Gasping for breath, the newcomer glanced at the two people beside him.
“Just speak plainly. “
“Yes, sir. Reporting to the General, a suspected team of Fogfolk or Blood Collectors has taken a refuge area of over three thousand people hostage on the outskirts of Marlenlint Fort. “
“What?! ” The exclamation came from the disguised “Fog Man ” youth standing beside the messenger. The female staff officer beside him also gasped.
“Are you talking about a hostage-taking? ” General Ross asked sternly.
Under the pale orange glow of the office lights, the newcomer finally caught their breath and spoke with a dry throat and tongue.
“Yes, they proactively reported this information to the Marlenlint Fort Shelter Management Office. Currently, the news has not spread. Their goal is to demand Chairman Yang Buchen exchange the item known as the ‘Key’ in his possession for the hostages. If it is not delivered within three hours, or if there is any aggressive movement, they will carry out… immediate executions of refugees from other countries on site. “
The Key!
General Ross was so enraged by the words that the very surface of his brain seemed to tremble as he shot to his feet, slamming his hand hard on the table with a loud bang.
“What do they think they’re doing at a time like this!! “
The roar made the hurried footsteps passing by outside the door pause momentarily, then quicken again, slightly softer as they rushed toward the other end of the corridor.
The female staff officer quickly said, “Admiral, please calm your anger. This should just be a dispute among the Fogfolk over some strange treasure in their possession. “
Ross, wagging his finger, wanted to shout “Bullshit, ” but he resisted mentioning the preciousness of the Key. After all, the lady herself was just trying to comfort him.
If there was any magical item in the world that could fill his heart with wonder, then the key he touched tonight—which could reveal events in the near future—was among the most supreme treasures.
The greater a person’s power and the larger their dominion, the more profound an impact it could create.
“No matter who it is! ” Ross said to the messenger without a moment’s hesitation, “Anyone who threatens to trigger a doomsday attack must be completely annihilated! “
“But, ” the messenger exclaimed in shock, “there are still so many civilians… “
“And what if they have other people with hostages elsewhere? ” the young man beside him also said.
Ross waved his hand, dismissing the two, and said to the female staff officer, “Have Captain Rives come see me. “
The three of them withdrew together.
Ross quietly pondered the matter, easily recalling the memory of the Hellfire Sect symposium he had himself attended just hours ago.
Thinking this over, he straightened his posture, let out a breath to steady his nerves, and reached out to ring the black telephone on his desk.
Soon, the call connected.
After reporting to the Eldest Prince on the other end, the receiver offered a moment of thoughtful silence before a faintly questioning voice emerged.
— “Admiral, have matters truly come to such a stage? “
“Because these kidnappers threatening the kingdom might leave Marlenlint Fort in a way we can’t track. So the area must be sealed off before that. “
— “A refuge area for three thousand people. Can we mobilize them in time? “
“Although… although it might be a bit cruel and risky, ” Ross pondered, “if we gather refugees from other countries nearby to come… “
“No. ” A voice came through the phone. “This is about the reputation of our Kingdom of Blackwenite. “
The voice of the Great Prince on the other end of the phone was very serious. “Under no circumstances can this matter spread further. This is the bottom line. “
Ross hesitated for a second, then immediately straightened up and replied, “Yes. ” Goerthmos’s conversation must have made the higher-ups aware of the gathered intelligence about the population situation.
“Very well. General Ross. You have shouldered a heavy burden, and you are a hero to our nation and the world. You must handle this matter wisely. Regarding the deployment of those supplies, the five members of the Praetorian Guard will be dispatched immediately to you on my orders, headed for Marlenlint Fort. “
Ross understood that the five men could only be used at Marlenlint Fort.
Acknowledging the order, he heard a soft “rat-a-tat ” knock at the door.
The call ended crisply from the other end. Ross put down the receiver and called out “Come in. ” The middle-aged guard pushed open the door, his steps hurried as he entered the room, which was, incidentally, free of tobacco smoke for once.
“General Ross, ” he said, his breath rapid, clearly having rushed over from somewhere at top speed.
The General said, “There’s something that needs immediate handling. Hold off on the operations on your end for now. “
Upon hearing this, a subtle change flickered in the other man’s eyes.
Ross held the man’s gaze and continued:
“All aircraft need to be used immediately for transporting some living cargo. The target isn’t far, but this is something we’ve never attempted before. It requires exceptionally skilled pilots and a rapid, efficient redistribution of supplies. “
“Pilots… Hmm, alright, ” Riley murmured, a pang of regret stirring within him. “But how long do you think this will take? “
He could hear inner murmurs from some markers.
“Someone has taken three thousand people hostage to demand a Key. ” Ross’s voice broke through the train of thought, sparking a flicker of realization in Riley’s eyes.
“They’ve only given us three hours, ” Ross said. “We must resolve this matter within one to two hours at the latest. “
……
The vast, dark expanse of the runway was ablaze with light.
“Turn right! “
“Veer this way! “
Beside the rows of aircraft, pilots who had rushed over urgently were preparing to board. Some planes, already pre-heated, began to taxi.
On the edge of the runway, more massive gray and yellow airframes gradually began to spin their propellers, the buzzing roar of wind rising and falling in the night.
“I’m ready. Can we start now? ” a pilot shouted from inside an aircraft’s porthole, fastening his seatbelt securely.
“The control tower reports clearance for takeoff. “
But just then, a voice cut through, accompanied by the roar of an emergency vehicle engine.
“Wait! “
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