Game World: I Can Share Talents

Chapter 352 - 4: The First to Ascend Leads the Latecomers

Now that the situation was developing as he’d hoped, Westheid saw no reason to feign modesty.

After all, the persona he’d cultivated was that of a great hero—selflessly devoted to serving the country and its people!

So, after Rozana delivered her message, Westheid immediately summoned his elite troops.

The core Qinghui Guard was a must. They were Duke Qinghui’s direct lineage unit, and he usually brought them along to gain experience. Relying on only the Yonglan Knights for his Legendary combat power would be... awkward.

Next were the Yonglan Knights. He decided to leave the other Knight Lords behind, as they only fulfilled their basic feudal obligations. Instead, he would take a portion of the Gale Heart Knight Order. This worked out perfectly, with Yolanda leading the Qinghui Direct Lineage and Mephit commanding the Yonglan Knights.

And, of course, the indispensable Casters of the Ring of Clear Skies. When fighting the Demons rampaging through the Land of Rhythm, how could one go without Demon Practitioners?

The Half-Elf Maid watched Westheid maneuvering his troops and couldn’t quite hold it in:

"You might not need so many troops. The Royal Court is unlikely to tolerate so many foreign legions entering."

Westheid smiled. "It’s alright. Such worries and doubts are understandable. However, we will only be garrisoned in the Yuanshi Territory. I imagine the Yuanxi Palace won’t mind such minor details, will they?"

Rozana thought for a moment, then nodded and said:

"The Yuanxi Palace... yes, they truly won’t be too concerned with these matters."

The Chaos Corruption within the Imperial domain had been mostly purged, with only reconstruction work remaining. This freed Westheid up to lead his well-prepared forces to the Yuanshi Territory.

The Qinghui and Yuanshi Territories were never far apart to begin with; they had only been separated by a Chaos Domain. But after the Expeditionary Army’s thorough sweep, that domain stood no chance of surviving. The two territories had long since established a railway that connected them without relying on a Star Gate. Given the current strain on resources, it was one of the few logistical channels deemed worthy of the significant military effort needed to maintain it.

In Westheid’s plans, the Southeast Mutual Protection alliance was always intended to be a tripartite pact between the Qinghui Territory, the Yuanshi Territory, and Reiya’s personal domain under the Royal Family. It was only natural that they should help supply one another.

Traveling by rail, even without Star Gate Teleportation from a Floating Battleship, they crossed the vast distance in a very short time and arrived at the main city of the Yuanshi Territory.

The train, which traveled over water, came to a slow stop in the main city. The troops brought by Duke Qinghui disembarked in perfect formation. They were well-trained elites; even upon arriving in a completely foreign place, their first action was to make contact with the local Yuanxi Legion, who then guided them to a prepared encampment.

Even though the factions within the Southeast Mutual Protection were close, they were not, in the end, a single entity. Necessary procedures still had to be followed. This was especially true for the Yonglan Knights, who could not be allowed to wander the Yuanshi Territory carrying their weapons.

Westheid himself, however, faced no such restrictions. He stepped onto a Wave-Breaking Ship on the lake and looked up at the scenery of the Yuanshi Territory’s main city. It was, in fact, his first time here as well.

The view that greeted him was one of magnificent and delicate architecture built upon a great, crystal-clear lake. Fantastical structures of every kind floated on the water’s surface, creating a beautiful and dazzling scene that felt like something out of a fairytale kingdom.

The clean and prosperous streets were bustling with people. Although the Yuanxi Guardians had cordoned off some areas, there were still many onlookers. It was clear that this place had enjoyed a long period of peace and that Luyetan’s rule was a gentle one.

"So this is the Yuanshi Territory... The scenery is completely different from the Qinghui Territory."

"Brother, you have the nerve to say that? You completely bulldozed the natural landscape of the Purity Forest. Now, isn’t every inch of it just the same old Ideal City layout?"

Yolanda immediately retorted, still holding a grudge against Westheid’s urban planning. He had shown no sentimentality at all, eradicating all the old districts and the forest to give the Purity Forest a complete and total makeover.

Aside from the core Holy Land within the Purity Forest, vast tracts of woodland had been converted into Ideal City, brutally steamrolled into shape by the machines of the Celestial Vault Kingdom.

"You can’t build something new without tearing down the old..."

Westheid smiled faintly and looked toward Mivana, who was crouching by the ship’s rail. The wolf-eared maiden seemed fascinated by the clear lake water. She dipped a fingertip in to create a ripple, then stuck out her tongue for a taste. Her golden eyes lit up.

"West! The water here is so sweet!"

Westheid nodded. "The very land and water of the Yuanshi Territory are nourishing."

Or rather, any lake in the Land of Rhythm was like this. They were perpetually maintained as absolutely pure and sweet, drinkable without any filtration, and without the slightest impurity.

This was the [Clear Melody], a manifestation of the Law of [Emperor Qianlu].

’For the Yuanshi Territory to receive such a blessing... It’s practically no different from the Royal Court’s City in the Lake. The favoritism is blatant. The Law of the [Radiant Holy Tree] can’t be widespread, but the Law of [Emperor Qianlu] can, is that it?’

"The Yuanshi Territory has many scenic spots and local specialties. There will be plenty of time for all of you to enjoy them later."

As soon as she disembarked from the train, Rozana automatically switched to the role of a guide. She elegantly bowed to Westheid. She had even changed out of her maid uniform and into a more refined long dress, though it did nothing to hide her lewd figure.

"Duke Qinghui, and everyone, please follow me."

The Wave-Breaking Ship sailed through the lakes that served as streets, heading straight for the High Court at the center of the main city.

Elven-style architecture was rarely this tall. Westheid knew without even thinking that this must be Luyetan’s personal preference. He and his group followed Rozana up to the High Court, which was so luxuriously beautiful it was insane. They had barely taken a few steps into the grand hall before they met Luyetan, who had come to welcome them.