Chapter 1089: Chapter 1086: Punishment Order Chapter 1089: Chapter 1086: Punishment Order Fire Dragon Leo dived headfirst into the magma, having not absorbed volcanic super magic for many days, it was desperately eager, and the mere Dragon Medicine – Fire Dragon Elixir was not nearly enough to satisfy its appetite.

Following that, Li Si Te began searching for natural nodes around the volcano.

Each natural node is related to super magic incidents and may hide something significant, such as deposits of metal ores, dragon skeletons, gemstone veins, or remnants of divine objects. However, after scouring the area within a three-hundred-kilometer radius of the volcano, he did not find any natural nodes.

“It might be due to the scarcity of super magic incidents on Legendary Continent, which would explain why there are so few natural nodes. The Flame Islands and Shell Sea were the sites of ancient wars of yore, hence the abundance of natural nodes there.”

Eventually.

Two days later, he discovered a natural node near a city located five hundred kilometers to the northeast. Unfortunately, it was close to a human castle, making it impossible to mine any resources, if any were there. However, it was enough for the Formless Dragon Bard to use it to traverse.

The Eagle Kingdom would be his sooner or later, and then he could comprehensively inspect all the natural nodes.

“Big brother, are we going back now?” Ach had been accompanying Li Si Te; she was able to enjoy sightseeing while putting her work aside on the first day, but by the second day, she was already missing the laboratory.

She had several experimental projects in her hands, waiting for her to oversee.

Li Si Te shook his head helplessly: “Since you can’t wait to go back, then let’s return. But remember, Ach, truth is boundless. While some truths are discovered, there may be more waiting to be explored… We must learn when to stop; we still have lives to enjoy.”

“Ach knows. Big brother, don’t worry about Ach. We both have long lives ahead, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy.”

“Four to five hundred years may seem long indeed, but short nonetheless; we should still enjoy the moment.” Li Si Te smiled, knowing it was hard to persuade Ach. The Little Sea Monster had long been lost in the ocean of magic, beyond the point of self-extraction. He would have to intervene with external force.

He must take the time to “disturb” Ach’s magic experiments in the future, forcing her to relax and enjoy life.

“It would be a great pity to have only magic for company in life. It was I who led Ach into the ‘magic’ detour; I have the responsibility to bring her more beautiful life memories.”

…

Not long after Ach returned to the laboratory, five mermaids who had been roaming the seas finally came back.

Marquis Fisherman – Gulvig, Marquis Aquamarch – Tibidais, Marquis Sea Trench – Sharivara, Marquis Fugitive – Viswinti, Marquis Lost – Coquelix.

Li Si Te did not receive them immediately; instead, he arranged for Duke Salty Sea – Brubossi and Marquis Great West – Eternia to prepare the ennoblement ceremonies for them at sea. He would meet the five mermaids at the ennoblement ceremony and arrange their duties.

“Your Majesty is dissatisfied with you, no, with all of us as well,” Eternia conveyed Li Si Te’s attitude explicitly, “The King released us from our seals, granted us new lives, and kindly allowed us to explore. But our return to him was delayed.”

“We only wanted to understand the current seas better; why would His Majesty be angry? I am of course grateful that he rescued me, and I will work for him, manage the seas, but as a follower, I also have the right to control my own life,” said Sharivara.

“This is no longer the era of mermaids, Sharivara.”

“But the seas ultimately need us mermaids to manage them, don’t they?”

Eternia glanced at Sharivara: “I think it’s because we’ve slept for too long and failed to keep up with the changes of the times. That’s why we mermaids have lost the proper reverence for the human King. Or perhaps His Majesty has been too kind to us, making us lose our proper judgment.”

Gulvig tried to mediate: “Eternia, could you be more explicit?”

Originally, Eternia only intended to convey Li Si Te’s attitude and was not planning to kindly remind the other mermaids–mermaids are not social creatures. Besides the relations for breeding, all of them are relatively independent individuals. Even in the ancient times, the kingdoms of mermaids were constantly at war with each other.

However, looking at the possibly few mermaids in this world.

She ultimately let out a deep sigh: “Purifying the ocean is our wish, yet it requires the aid of Lord Acherloides, and Your Majesty can directly influence Lord Acherloides… Another point, Your Majesty is not only benevolent.”

She paused for a moment and then continued: “Your Majesty is a self-made king among humans, his greatness lies not only in his kindness to his followers and subjects but also in his cruelty towards enemies. Merely two Dragon Knights have perished by Your Majesty’s hand, I do not wish for the mermaids to incur Your Majesty’s wrath.”

“Is that really necessary?” Tibidais asked somewhat awkwardly.

“Who knows? I only hope that everyone can adjust their attitude, so that such a possibility does not occur,” Eternia shook her head, “The ennoblement ceremony is at the end of this month, and the Pioneer Mandate will soon arrive. I believe it’s time for the mermaids to take action.”

Gulvig is still quite loyal to Li Si Te; she would have died long ago due to the corruption of the Cursed Dragon’s power if not for the help of Li Si Te and Ach.

She stated plainly: “What action should we take, Eternia?”

“It’s quite simple. The Iron Dragon Warships are not fast enough, and the Magic Power Ships have not been put into service yet. After the Flame Kingdom issues the Pioneer Mandate, there will be a need to transport vast quantities of materials. This is precisely the area we mermaids excel in. I believe each of us can control the water currents to aid the fleet’s progress.”

The speed of the mermaids is incredibly fast, reaching 500 kilometers per hour in the sea without an issue. Even towing the entire fleet, they could manage a speed of one to two hundred kilometers per hour.

From Mind Island to the coast of Eagle Kingdom is at most a distance of seven or eight hundred kilometers, which is just a matter of four to five hours.

Relying solely on the speed of Iron Dragon Warships and Fire Dragon Cargo Ships, it takes five to six days to make a round trip. Once mermaids participate in transportation, any amount of materials can be brought back. Most crucially, the Flame Kingdom will also be able to send more manpower and resources to participate in the Pioneer Mandate in Eagle Kingdom.

Mermaids are not stubborn or foolish creatures. After carefully considering the pros and cons, everyone agreed to participate in the Pioneer Mandate, to properly showcase themselves.

Subsequently.

Eternia reported the matter to Li Si Te.

“Well done, Marquis Eternia, the mermaids’ involvement in the Pioneer Mandate greatly aids the war effort. I will remember your contribution,” Li Si Te approved of Eternia’s performance; properly utilized, mermaids can be a powerful force, but the prerequisite is that they must serve his purpose.

Only those who understand the times are truly great, and the same applies to the mermaids.

…

Flame Era First Year, August 6th.

Using the pretext that “Dragon Knight Alonso Xiankelai of Eagle Kingdom attempted to engage in conspiracy within the Flame Kingdom,” the Flame Kingdom officially issued its very first war command.

It was not labelled as a “Pioneer Mandate.”

Instead, it adopted the term “Punishment Order.”

Sapphire Duke could describe his actions as “pioneering,” but for a king like Li Si Te, pioneering was somewhat lacking in status; “punishment” better suited his current position–as punishment is a means through which the strong impose on the weak, akin to an adult instructing a child.

“After this campaign, the inland along the coast of Eagle Kingdom will be utterly desolate. The next Punishment Order requires careful planning; we need to decide from where to plunder,” mounted on Formless Dragon Bard, Li Si Te quietly arrived above the warzone, silently watching the Knight Orders below charging into battle.

Even without Dragon Knights to breach the walls, the Knight Orders of the Flame Kingdom still overwhelmingly crush most of the feudal knights.

There’s no special reason; the Beast Taming Contracts brought a large number of Magical Beast mounts to the Flame Kingdom, and knights mounted on Magical Beasts charge into battle with impressive bravery.

“Invincible in battle indeed…”