Firefly Journey

Chapter 287 The Storm is Coming (2)

“I think Nell is right,” Hugh replied. “Mond’s disappearance is indeed strange, but it’s also an opportunity for us. As for where he went and what he’s going to do, I think I can guess a little.”

"Oh? Tell me."

Hugh analyzed, "It's true that the Empire gained an advantage and plundered some resources during its northern expedition to the tundra, but overall it wasn't a smooth journey."

In recent years, the Imperial Army's campaigns against the northern tribes have slowed, indicating internal disagreements and divisions regarding a continued attack on the north.

Hugh's analysis makes a lot of sense. It's obvious that the Empire has slowed down its offensive against the northern tribes. A direct attack isn't working, so they've started using a softer approach.

The previous actions, such as kidnapping journalists, planting spies within various tribes, and bribing tribal leaders, indicate that the empire has changed its strategic policy, shifting from burning, killing, and looting to gradual encroachment.

"So, in your opinion, where did Mondstadt go, and what is the Empire's next move?" Cassius asked Hugh, having already figured things out.

Xiu remained calm and said, "Since Henry I came to power, the Debasa Empire has been constantly waging war against foreign powers. It seems that they want to kick everyone they meet, but in reality, they are only targeting two forces."

The northern tundra and the Chu state to the east.

The tundra has countless industrial raw materials, where they can sustain their war effort, better expand their army, develop industry, and thus consolidate their position on the continent.

As for the State of Chu… this is even clearer. The Church's high-level combat power needs the support of faith, and the State of Chu is a 'no man's land.' If they could gain the support of the people there, the Fierce Battle Hall's power would likely become even stronger, perhaps even surpassing the Holy See of Light and becoming the new leader of the Ancestral God Church.”

After Hugh said those words, the expressions of the people present varied.

The orc brothers were puzzled because they heard a new term: the power of faith.

Cassius was surprised.

The fact that a demigod needs the power of faith to ascend to the status of a true god is something that very few people on the mainland, apart from the high-ranking members of the Ancestral God Church, know.

Cassius knew it was because he was exceptionally gifted and diligent in his studies, and had seen it in ancient books.

Xiu has an ordinary background and mediocre talent, so his knowledge of such secrets must be due to some extraordinary encounter.

Of course, this alone wouldn't have surprised Cassius. What surprised him was that Hugh actually thought exactly the same thing as him; he also believed that Mond's departure meant the Empire was once again turning its attention to the Chu Kingdom.

Over the years, his students have been required to report their whereabouts periodically. Even when he was not in St. Louis, or by any of their side, he never forgot his responsibility as a teacher.

Not long ago, Lin Yuanran went on a diplomatic mission to the Empire, and Lü Jianming was about to marry the daughter of an imperial nobleman. It seemed like a marriage between two families, but beneath the calm exterior, there were already turbulent waves.

You can't believe a single word the empire says.

It's unclear whether the Chu leadership considered this point.

However, Cassius couldn't proactively contact the Chu Kingdom and accuse the Empire of having ulterior motives. After all, it was just speculation, and he couldn't provide any evidence.

“That analysis makes a lot of sense, and I think so too.” Cassius affirmed Hugh’s statement, and then instructed, “Neil, inform our spies in the Empire, and make sure they find out why Mondl left the North.”

Also, contact Afra and tell her that the time has come to reorganize the trolls, and we will cooperate fully and provide military support if necessary.

Nell said "Yes" and left with his brother, the crocodile-man Nell.

Hugh was about to take his leave when Cassius, wanting to say something, finally spoke up: "I realize I still don't know you well enough."

Xiu smiled and said, "It's alright, I can't see through you either."

With that, Xiu left the main tent.

……

……

The sky was a clear, blue expanse, with white clouds drifting lazily by, creating a peaceful scene.

A dragon's roar suddenly echoed from the tranquil sky, and from the layers of clouds, enormous dragon claws and wings appeared one after another.

The colossal dragon blotted out the sky, as if it wanted to trample the world under its feet. With a flap of its enormous wings, two surging streams of wind shot out, leaving trails in the air.

A few minutes later, the dragon's body floated downwards, its claws landing on the ground, and it let out a few soft roars.

With a bang, the once enormous ancient dragon vanished instantly, and where its claws had stood, stood a girl with wings on her back.

Paninger stretched and stood on the edge of the land, looking down at the world below.

The floating city has a unique design. Rather than a city, it is more like an isolated island floating in the air, with its edges connecting with the clouds. When viewed from above, everything appears tiny.

Through training, Paninger has gradually awakened his dragon bloodline and can now freely switch between dragon and dragon-human forms by his own will.

“People came to the church today,” said Fay, who was leaning against the wall not far away.

Paninger flapped his wings and flew over quickly, getting closer and saying, "Don't people come to the church every day?"

“Okay, I think I didn’t explain myself clearly.” Fway shrugged. “They were from the Fighting Arena, and they left after a short while. The city lord personally received them.”

This wouldn't have been a big deal, but Xia Zuo happened to overhear part of the conversation and then told me. You know, Xia Zuo is a stubborn guy; he can't keep secrets and tells us everything.

However, this eavesdropping seems to have become a church secret. The people from the Fighting Hall seem to be encouraging the city lord to join forces and bully others.

"Huh?" Paninger didn't react for a moment.

The Floating City is a secluded place, ranking among the smallest in the Church of the Ancestral God. If the Deathwhisper Grove hadn't been gone for so long, it would probably be firmly in last place.

The Papacy and the Fierce Battle Hall rule over the two strongest nations on the continent and their surrounding regions, so the amount of faith power they can harvest is self-evident. Other lesser churches, such as the "Underworld Covenant" and the "Nature's Blessing," though located on the periphery, also have no shortage of believers and are developing steadily.

Next in line are probably the "Dark Temple" and the "Floating City." One controls the southern part of the continent but has few resources, and its territory is mostly inhabited by non-intelligent creatures like magical beasts.

The floating cities are even more extreme, catering to aerial races, resulting in very few believers.

Even if the Floating City doesn't discriminate based on background, most extraordinary individuals who want to join the Ancestral God Church will definitely choose the nearest option; who would bother climbing all the way up to the sky...?

Furthermore, before learning the flying oracle of the Floating City route, transportation also becomes a problem. In short, due to various factors, the Floating City is the lowest-ranking city in the Ancestral God Church.

The city lords of all generations were aware of this, and they always guarded their own small territory. They never expected that there would be a day when they would have to launch an attack.

"Who are you going to bully?" Paninger asked.

Fay's expression was strange; he wanted to laugh but felt he couldn't.

"Who else could it be but Lü Jianming? The Chu Kingdom has always been a tempting target for the major churches. The Fierce Battle Hall must have promised the city lord a lot of benefits, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to persuade him. What exactly is it? Let's inform the teacher first."

"it is good."

Several days later, the two were stunned after reading the message from the little clay figure.

It turns out that it wasn't just the Sky City; the Fighting Arena had united everyone it could, including many small churches, making all sorts of promises, all for that land in the East.