Magic Industrial Age

Lionheart Castle.

War Room.

In the spacious room, several magic crystal lamps are suspended, their soft light illuminating the entire space.

At the very center of the command room is a meticulously crafted, massive sand table, displaying the undulating mountains and vast plains in vivid detail.

Rivers weave through the land, and houses of varying sizes mark cities and towns!

The sand table is far more intuitive than a map, originating from the Habsburg Empire and widely adopted by various countries.

Directly in front of the sand table, a map hangs on the wall, differing from the sand table's focus on the Flower Collar.

This map depicts the entire Norman Duchy, even including some of its surrounding neighbors.

For example, the Silver Sea to the west, and the bordering Habsburg Empire.

If Loye wished, he could even find Auckland City on it.

However, with the sand table available, almost all military commanders prefer to strategize around it.

The feeling is intoxicating!

If the meeting hall was for mobilization, for informing all vassals and warriors that war was coming, and for rallying everyone's enthusiasm,

Then now is the time for specific war arrangements, and the upper echelons of the Flower Collar must devise a plan.

Currently, surrounding the sand table, besides Loye, are Oliveira, the Iron Knight Phil Zek, the Flame Swordsman Otto, and the Catastrophe Mage, Madam Palacios.

As well as the two Grand Knights of the Lionheart Knights, Alfonso Zek and Vincent Ackerman.

These are the commanders!

In addition, there is Lord Hick Cruz.

This official in charge of magic machinery has a worried look, as if the sky is falling.

The group gathers around the sand table, with the Grand Knight providing explanations.

Alfonso Zek, holding a slender baton, moves it slowly along the Ruhr River, until it points to the westernmost part of the Flower Collar.

He begins, "Sea Serpent Port, the most important foreign port of our Flower Collar, without question.

Compared to the slow and inefficient land transportation, the convenience of sea transport, especially coastal shipping, is undeniable."

"Therefore, Count Karl, defying all opposition, focused on developing Sea Serpent Port."

"To this end, we built shipyards, constructed seagoing vessels, formed the Lionheart family's fleet, and cracked down on pirates.

We besieged and killed two so-called Pirate Kings in those years, which made those Silver Sea pirates afraid to directly face the Lionheart banner."

"For safety, even the nobles of the entire Norman Duchy are willing to transport their products to Sea Serpent Port, hiring the Lionheart family's fleet to transport goods for them."

"As a result, the benefits brought to the territory are considerable, even accounting for a third, or more, of the entire territory's income.

To protect this benefit, Count Karl stationed a large number of combat forces here.

Grand Knight Saul Dean, the eldest of the Lionheart Knights, and the most powerful extraordinary knight, is stationed in Sea Serpent Port year-round.

Furthermore, Madam Palacios, her mage tower is built next to Sea Serpent Port, serving as a maritime lighthouse and guarding the safety of Sea Serpent Port."

As he speaks, almost everyone's gaze turns to the female mage beside them.

Madam Palacios nods slightly, saying, "After the castle incident, Grand Knight Saul and I discussed it and felt that someone must guard Sea Serpent Port.

Based on considerations of management and combat power, I ultimately came here."

Alfonso Zek takes over again, "According to existing information, this time, it was initiated by the Gloom Mist Pirate Group, which rallied many pirate groups on the Silver Sea to act together."

"They have only attacked villages outside Sea Serpent Port, using extremely cruel methods to kill those fishermen and shipwrights, and hang their bodies on the roads outside the villages."

"This is a very serious provocation, which has aroused the anger of a group of knights in Sea Serpent Port.

They demanded to go out of the city to hunt down these pirates and hang them on the docks."

"However, it has been suppressed by Grand Knight Saul.

Since the Earl has succeeded to the title, many knights have gone to Brussels, and the military strength of Sea Serpent Port is already insufficient.

At this time, if we divide our forces to attack, the outgoing ships will lack protection, and those pirates can take the opportunity to attack the fleet."

At this moment, Loye finally takes over, "But if we don't attack, those pirates can continue to land, attack villages, and even attack convoys transporting goods."

"Over time, what is lost is not only everyone's trust in Sea Serpent Port, but also the majesty of the Lionheart King."

"If those pirates are bolder, they might even dare to attack Sea Serpent Port!"

Loye's words echo in the room, but no one refutes them, and everyone's expression is serious, obviously knowing that his judgment is the truth.

However, Loye does not let the silence continue for long, but asks again: "Who can tell me about the Frost Moon Canyon?"

Vincent Ackerman takes a step forward, taking the baton from Alfonso, and uses the thin end to point on the sand table, all the way to the easternmost side of the Flower Collar.

The terrain there is very special, the Vault Mountains originally running east-west, but there, a section protrudes abruptly.

Thus, the original vast plain is divided into two sections, the western one belonging to the Raymond family.

And the eastern one is the territory of the Wick Earl family.

In other words, the territories of both sides are divided by this extending mountain range.

Originally, it was considered peaceful, after all, the value of the mountain area was not great.

But until a certain generation, a jade mine was discovered here, and the result changed.

The two families fought fiercely for this mine, back and forth, passed down for generations, and it is impossible to say who is right and who is wrong, it is just a mess.

It is worth mentioning that during the reign of Earl Karl, although the Raymond family did not give birth to a true Lionheart King, the successful operation of Sea Serpent Port also greatly increased the family's strength.

Although the Norman Duchy has four marquis families, the nobles default to the five great families.

At this time, Earl Wick, considering his strength insufficient, even initiated a marriage request.

The Raymond family also agreed.

Therefore, there was that Daisy Wick, who possessed the bloodline of the Raymond family, and attempted to compete for the new Lionheart King.

Finally, the baton stops at the gap in the mountains, and Vincent Ackerman finally speaks: "Frost Moon Canyon is the gap between the two mountains, and also the most suitable place to pass through!"

"Occupying this place, whether going north into the Vault Mountains, or east into the territory of the Wick family, is the most convenient route, without question."

"As long as we occupy this place, whether it is us or the Wick family, it is equivalent to occupying the key point, and being able to use the Knights to threaten the other party's territory."

"No one would like the feeling of having a knife hanging over their heads, so this is a must-contend for both families."

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After a pause, Vincent Ackerman's words are a bit awkward, but he still says: "According to some information I obtained, before, Daisy Wick went to compete for the position of Lionheart King, and never thought she could really succeed.

Their minimum requirement is this Frost Moon Canyon, to take this place, to take the Frost Moon Jade Mine, that is considered a success."

"It's a pity that the Earl was born out of nowhere, and their calculations failed.

At this moment, they should think that the Flower Collar is declining, the timing is just right, so they directly issued a challenge."

"Of course, this generation of Earl Wick has insufficient prestige and general strength, so the reason for such fanfare is probably because there are people behind him."

Loye asks: "The Carlisle family?"

Vincent Ackerman nods slowly: "I think, at least the Carlisle family is involved, that Marquis Carlisle is quite a ruthless character.

As for whether other families are involved, it's hard to say!"

Loye nods: "Both the east and west are coming to trouble us, I want to hear, what are your opinions?"

Faced with his inquiry, the venue is silent for at least several minutes, and finally, Madam Palacios speaks first: "I can rush back to my magic tower first.

As long as I am in the magic tower, Sea Serpent Port, and within thirty miles of Sea Serpent Port, can be guaranteed safe."

"If the Gloom Mist Pirate Group doesn't come, that's fine, if they come, I can make them never return."

Her voice is very calm, but in the calmness, it shows full domineering.

A magic tower's enhancement to a mage is beyond doubt, not to mention, she is a fourth-order Catastrophe, and specializes in water magic.

With her in charge, she can set off dozens of meters high waves, and however many pirates come, their ships will be destroyed and people killed.

In those years, Earl Karl invited this one, and defying all opposition, built this magic tower, which has proven to be extremely correct in the past years.

As soon as she speaks, the Iron Knight Phil Zek also says: "With the current strength of the Flower Collar, it is still relatively difficult to fight on two fronts.

Therefore, I think it is best to distinguish the priorities, solve one, and then solve the other."

Alfonso takes over, saying: "If that's the case, I think the pirates are the most troublesome.

These people are like vultures, if they are not resolved in time, they will inevitably cause huge economic losses."

Vincent Ackerman has a different opinion: "Pirates are, after all, pirates, even if they land to rob, they only want some wealth and materials.

But the Wick family is different!"

"What he wants is our territory! It's the gemstone mine! Earl, if we really lose Frost Moon Canyon, it is equivalent to handing over the initiative of the war.

The Wick family, and those behind the Wick family, can march straight in whenever they want.

At that time, that is the real big trouble."

"But if we really let the pirates run rampant, then the banner of the Lionheart King will become a joke."

"If we really lose Frost Moon Canyon, we have to build a defense line on the plain, have you ever thought about how much consumption this is?"

"That's just a matter of spending money, but if the reputation of Sea Serpent Port is ruined, then the channel for making money will be gone?"

"Money, money, money, Knight Alfonso, you are a knight, not a businessman."

"Vincent, are you insulting my glory?!"

No one could have imagined that at this critical moment, these two in front of them would actually quarrel first.

However, before they could continue, Loye roared: "Shut up!"

Loye's voice drowned out all the noise, he put his hands on the sand table, his eyes scanned around, his eyes were calm, but there was a soul-stirring majesty.

Until everyone avoided his gaze, he slowly said: "I am the Earl of the Flower Collar, the new Lionheart King, naturally, everyone must listen to me!"

"In this battle, I already have an idea!"

"In this battle, we will fight a misplaced war!"

The second update will be revised again, there will be three updates tonight!

Also, dear readers, happy new year!