Chapter 404 - Analysis

Chapter 404: Chapter 159 AnalysisUnder Caesar’s assistance, Lu Hong and his companions were quickly brought back to the Empire’s temporary residence.

Mage Xie Zhongxing dropped a few people in front of him and turned to leave, probably to hunt the Naga Queen.

Xie Zhongxing looked at the youth whose complexion was not very good and said with a smile, "So you must be Baron Yitian, right?"

Although Lu Hong had never appeared in the Empire’s court and had almost never shown his face at Imperial social occasions, and was not even on Imperial territory, this did not prevent the Empire’s nobility from being familiar with him.

"I am Tu Kulu, it’s better for Mage Xie to call me Little Tu." Lu Hong stood up straight. The old man in front of him posed no threat but deserved respect. If it were not for him, the Empire’s defenses would have probably collapsed. He was the true hero who saved the Empire from imminent peril.

"Haha, you’ve come at just the right time. I heard from Caesar that you have quite an understanding of the Sea Tribe. I’d like to hear your thoughts on our counteroffensive against them," said Xie Zhongxing as he pulled Lu Hong through the crowd to the sand table.

Lu Hong first looked around. The heads of several mercenary factions were present, and commanders from all sides, including Silver Wind, were crowded into the tent.

As Lu Hong’s gaze swept over, familiar friends nodded in response. Yan Xinghe and Bai Baiwan, with the relief of having survived a catastrophe, gathered around Hu Fo, whispering to each other but their topic was unclear.

After nodding to Silver Wind, Lu Hong’s gaze returned to the sand table, a high-level holographic 3D imagery constructed by magic.

Due to the special environment of the ocean, the sea surface and seabed can almost be considered a dual battlefield. Focusing only on enemies on the surface could mean being caught off guard by surprise attacks from beneath. Therefore, Xie Zhongxing dispatched extensive reconnaissance and, using the island as a center, continually built an actual model of the sea area.

"It’s too small," Lu Hong shook his head, "Mage Xie, you should withdraw these people."

Without arguing, Xie Zhongxing instead asked, "Can you explain?"

"It’s simple, the ocean of Divine Grace is too vast. Even if you extend the radius inside by thirty thousand li, you are still far from the Sea Tribe’s forward outpost," Lu Hong continued. "Actually, it’s not wise to counterattack the Sea Tribe now. I think you should know that."

To tell the truth, Lu Hong did not agree with Mage Xie’s scorched-earth policy, but he also understood the compulsion behind the campaign. It was a matter of a nation’s pride, their bottom line. Without a counter, the nation would eventually face extinction.

"The Sea Tribe has extremely strong characteristics. They have almost endless Magic Power in the ocean. Once we enter into a war of attrition, we will be at a great disadvantage," Lu Hong startlingly pointed out, causing Xie Zhongxing’s face to suddenly turn grim. Although they had been fighting the Sea Tribe for a long time, the Empire’s intelligence system was completely unable to penetrate them, only analyzing based on encounters.

Analysis of their Magic Power reserves suggested they far exceeded humans but should eventually run out.

The concept of endless Magic Power meant that as long as they could not be killed, every member of the Sea Tribe was a mobile canon, an infinite source of firepower.

"Are you sure?!" Xie Zhongxing found it hard to believe.

"Yes," Lu Hong said. "Although there are millions of Sea Tribe races, they are all creatures born of the ocean, and this ocean of Divine Grace is, in fact, the Sea God. So, you can simply think of these Sea Tribe members as the Sea God’s children. This is why the ocean has such a strong affinity for them. While water mages can exert 150% of their power in the ocean, the Sea Tribe can exert 200% of their power. Of course, affinity to water is their advantage, but also their weakness. The closer you get to the edge of the ocean, the weaker the blessings they receive, and the Sea Tribe cannot stay away from water for long. This is also why they have not reared their head since the Era of the Gods."

Lu Hong shared all the information he knew. With a big battle looming, the more they knew about the Sea Tribe, the easier it would be to deal with them.

"Why would the Sea Tribe suddenly think of attacking land now?" Before Xie Zhongxing could speak, Lando squeezed his head through the crowd and asked.

"This,..." Lu Hong gave a bitter smile and glanced at Lando in the corner, "During the Era of the Gods, the Sea Tribe lost the Tidal Orb, so they could not control the ocean and thus lost their dominion over land. But now, the Sea Tribe has found their Divine Artifact again. With the Tidal Orb, the Naga Queen can freely control the waves of the sea. Thus, the ocean can submerge the land, burying the entire map of Divine Grace beneath the sea."

Upon hearing about the Tidal Orb, Lando’s face instantly turned deathly pale. He must have thought back to Tuzhui City - when his son had forcibly called him back, and the Black Ancient mercenary group was carrying out the bounty mission released by Tai’e to find the Tidal Orb!

In that case, he was the principal culprit behind the Sea Tribe’s chaos in Divine Grace.

"I,..." Lando trembled, trying to say something.

"It seems that Commander Lando is feeling unwell. Silver Wind, help him out to rest a bit. It’s probably too stuffy and hot in here," Lu Hong guessed early on that it was Lando who had found the Tidal Orb, but back then, he was powerless to prevent it. Even if he had spoken up, who would have believed him? On a deeper level, he had hoped the Tidal Orb would be found; only then would it align with the game plot, advancing the world, and perhaps providing him with a way back. However, the Tide of Naga in this world was much more savage than in the game, and Lu Hong felt a sense of guilt. Nonetheless, there was no need to burden Lando with all the blame. If word of this responsibility spread, Lando’s name would likely be inscribed on the Empire’s pillar of shame. As long as the Empire stood, Lando would never find peace, even in death.

Silver Wind nodded, though he didn’t know why, but executing the boss’s command was mandatory.

Lansar didn’t want to leave, "If you do the deed, you carry the burden," he tried to say more, but was glared back by Lu Hong, "Out!"

Lansar’s lips trembled, "I... "

Silver Wind forcibly dragged him out of the tent.

The rest had odd expressions on their faces; they vaguely guessed something. Xie Zhongxing frowned and coughed loudly, "The urgent matter at hand is how to deal with the sea creatures, what’s with all the daydreaming!"

Xie Zhongxing’s reprimand brought everyone back to their senses, and they all stared at Lu Hong.

"Uh... " Collecting his thoughts, Lu Hong continued, "The best way to deal with the sea creatures is to deploy overwhelming force. We must not get into an attrition war with them. Inside the sea creatures, there are many racial factions. The shell-armored sea creatures have astonishing defense, but lack offense, typically serving as the vanguard to attract firepower. The carnivorous species are usually the middle force and are the largest in number among the sea creatures, but they are not the main force. The real powerhouse is the Naga race, the race of the Naga Queen. They are different, born from the conscious creation of the sea god, similar to the lion-hearted royal family in the Beastman Empire."

"Naga race... " Xie Zhongxing nodded. After a long battle with the sea creatures, other than the Third Transition powerhouses who commanded their forces, he had never seen ordinary Naga soldiers. Perhaps, as Lu Hong said, the sea creatures’ elite troops had not yet been deployed.

At that thought, Xie Zhongxing’s complexion grew worse. According to Lu Hong, doesn’t that make the sea creatures invincible?

"Baron sir, if the sea creatures are so terrifying, then what should we do now?" At this moment, a general stepped forward and bowed to inquire.

All previous wars had erupted along the empire’s defensive line, which was the edge of the ocean. According to Lu Hong, the closer to the deep sea, the stronger the sea creatures become. How could they even fight this?

"That’s why I said a hasty counterattack is not appropriate. But since we are here, don’t fear, I will teach you how to deal with the sea creatures." Lu Hong’s tone grew increasingly chilly, "You always think that sea creatures fear lightning magic, but that’s a misconception. The sea creatures’ Divine Artifact, the trident, possesses both lightning and water powers. Earth magic is not their weakness either."

"Is it the curse series, then?"

Suddenly, the tent flap was lifted, and a familiar voice came from outside, a familiar figure entered Lu Hong’s view.

"You came?" Lu Hong smiled slightly.

"Coming back without even looking for me." Lando rolled her eyes, "Faithless wretch!"

"Miss Lando, please come in and speak." Xie Zhongxing gestured for the crowd to make way, clearing a path.

"Miss Lando, hello."

"Goddess Lando, hello."

The surrounding generals extended their friendly greetings; these men had long been won over by Lando’s selfless help in defending the empire against the sea creatures.

As one of the top combatants beneath the Tower Master, though Lando had never appeared on the main battlefield, she had stopped a large number of top-tier sea creatures for the empire. The battles she faced were far crueler than those at the front line.

"I was planning to look for you. Caesar dumped me here, I couldn’t help it." Saying this, Lu Hong took Lando’s delicate hand and held it tightly, showing no reluctance to hide the nature of their relationship.

"What the fuck?!"

The surrounding generals’ eyes bulged out, astonished. They could hardly believe that the Baron was involved with Lando of the Hell Sect, and it seemed they had been connected for quite some time.

With that in mind, could it be because of the Baron that Lando broke away from the Hell Sect to support the empire?

Thinking this, everyone’s gaze toward Lu Hong was filled with admiration. No wonder he was a Baron of the empire, proactive, prudent, and awesome!