Chapter 245: Chapter 172: The Ark People Are Too Complacent!

Lin Lan stood at the window of the office, gazing out at the scene by the port.

It had to be said, the visual style of the New Empire was indeed unique in the Age of Exploration. Wherever these people went, they came with exaggerated snowstorm effects...

The Ark Leader fell into thought.

The arrival of the Imperial people was much faster than he had anticipated... 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Osguta had just left not long ago, and Frost Falcon Duke had clearly stated that he did not wish to accelerate the exchange of information at the cost of human lives.

It was obvious that these people were not from Frost Falcon.

Lin Lan glanced at the Night Owl, idling in the corner of the room, and dismissed the idea of asking the Duke directly.

After all, the Empire’s communication technology was too abstract—whichever side proactively sent a message might become the executioner, indirectly killing the receiving side.

Unless absolutely necessary, Lin Lan did not intend to do something foolish that would worsen relations between the two nations.

Fortunately, these Imperial Legion Ships showed no signs of malice.

On the bustling dock, many sailors watched the Light-winged Warriors blocking the Black Dream submarines, their hearts nervously in their throats.

Centurion Glen loudly made a simple request.

The Ark Kingdom could not possibly scrutinize the Imperial warships arbitrarily; that was completely unrealistic. However, the Imperial warships had to undergo basic personnel and ship registration.

To everyone’s surprise, the Imperial people indeed complied with the Ark’s regulations!

The four Black Dream submarines were led to suitable positions by the Sun Warriors.

Inside the main ship’s command cabin.

Margaret stood before the organ-like Dream-Submerging Holy Artifact, her expression a bit tense, using the Mechanical Dream, she personally sent a message to the distant realm of the Empire.

"Lord Blood Vulture, I have arrived at Seagull Port in the Ark Kingdom. Please issue new instructions."

Although the other party was her own father, Margaret still maintained a respectful attitude.

After a moment, characters burst forth from the brass pipes atop the Holy Artifact, stably floating in mid-air.

Blood Vulture: "Very good."

"This message originates from the New Imperial City, current spatial structure stable, Mechanical Dream-Submerging Holy Artifact operating normally, text reliability: 97%."

Blood Vulture: "Next, your task is to secure as many benefits for the Empire as possible."

Blood Vulture: "Strengthened Ark Coins, warriors impervious to Celestial Calamity pollution, and new vehicles—we need everything. Do well, for this negotiation is also your trial."

A communications officer sat by the Dream-Submerging Holy Artifact, the complex wiring at the base connected to the back of the man’s head. As the text emerged, he showed a pained expression, blood slowly oozing from his eyes, mouth, and nose.

Margaret’s eyes were full of excitement.

This time, she was just following orders from the top echelon meticulously, and this was the first time Father had spoken so much to her!

She continued to type: "Lord Blood Vulture, I will find a way to conquer Ark Island for you!"

The Imperial Duke seemed to fall silent because of this statement.

After a while, a new message came through the Holy Artifact.

Blood Vulture: "Ambition is not a bad thing, but ’Seagull’ is an extremely dangerous hurdle. Remember, your task is not conquering, but merely cooperating with the other side."

Margaret was taken aback.

Her father, usually so stern and ruthless, why was he so cautious towards the Ark Small Island Kingdom?

Blood Vulture: "Do not disappoint me, Countess Margaret."

The communication was cut off.

The communications officer, insensible, collapsed, convulsing in pain. Soon someone dragged him away, another officer seated expressionlessly beside the Holy Artifact, inserting the blood-stained wires into the back of his neck.

Margaret stood in silence for a moment.

"Countess!" A soldier hurried over a moment later.

He respectfully reported, "We are now able to land on Ark Island!"

Elio quickly signaled to his subordinate with a glance, and Osguta, with a stern face, reluctantly opened the warship’s hatch for his proud female superior.

Under the curious yet fearful gazes of the crowd, a dignified face with a tear mole under the eye caught everyone’s attention.

The Duke’s Daughter stepped onto the dock first with her long legs, her fierce gaze unceremoniously scanning her surroundings, like a beast entering hunting mode.

The people subconsciously lowered their heads, completely not daring to meet the gaze of this Imperial figure.

Margaret’s gaze finally settled on the young woman handling the registration, and she frowned slightly, "Where is Lord Lin Lan?"

"Lord Lin Lan is busy with official duties and is unable to come out to greet guests. We ask for your understanding."

Though nervous inside, the young woman responded with a polite smile, "I will take you to the main administrative building, please follow me."

Recalling her father’s advice, Margaret suppressed her displeasure and followed the young woman’s steps.

She observed her surroundings carefully, shaking her head slightly.

So backward...

No wonder the ports of the Ark are being destroyed one after another by the Alliance. How could a wooden dock withstand the enemy’s artillery fire?

If I had the chance to take over the dock, all these shortcomings would undergo major changes!

The group headed towards the direction of the main administrative building.

Beside the dock, a middle-aged captain lifted his head, still shaken.

He sneaked a glance at the back of the Empire’s Countess and muttered subconsciously, "God... if my wife had those wonderful long legs, I’d surely die in bed..."

"Shut up!"

The navigator beside him widened his eyes in horror and instinctively backed away a few steps: "Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"

"..."

·

Count Elio opened his eyes wide in astonishment.

The moment he set foot on land, the snowstorm around them slowly began to fade.

It was as if some eerie force was swallowing the never-ending frost wind.

Looking back, the snow-swept sea and the town beside him were as distinct as two worlds forcibly pieced together.

Though his entire body had been replaced by mechanical prosthetics, Elio relished the rare warmth of his mechanical body, stretching the mechanical arms behind him and exhaling with comfort.

Honestly, such fluidity still felt somewhat unfamiliar.

Elio squinted his eyes; the Ark Kingdom, capable of facing the Celestial Calamity, clearly had something extraordinary, no wonder the two Dukes valued this small island nation so highly...

Beside him, Margaret was continually frowning.

She noticed that most of the citizens wore relaxed smiles, seemingly preparing for a joyous celebration.

The Ark People were just too laid back!

They should be like precise gears, working tirelessly, not stopping for a moment.

Margaret examined the tall warriors around her, and her mood slightly improved.

Having risen from the frontline of Celestial Calamities to become a Count with real power, she could easily spot the excellence in these warriors.

Disciplined and resolute, they stood unwavering even against the bitter snowstorm.

No wonder the Ark Kingdom could repel the Abyss Celestial Calamity...

How on earth did these warriors train their perseverance?

The Duke’s daughter curled her lips.

She brought enough stakes this time to buy them; she believed it wouldn’t be long before these excellent warriors would shine brightly under her command!

·

Margaret’s smile didn’t last long.

Her good mood shattered the moment she saw the Ark Leader...

The young man before her was clearly younger than herself; Lord Lin Lan had messy hair, clad in simple, loose robes, the hem even stained with small oily fingerprints.

Was this guy really the leader of the Ark?

How could someone so sloppy possibly lead this island well?!

"Welcome to Seagull City, friends from the Empire."

Lin Lan looked over the woman in front of him, rubbed his dark circles, and surfaced a friendly smile: "Currently, the Ark Kingdom is short on resources, so I haven’t prepared any welcome banquet, but that..."

"That’s completely fine."

The Duke’s daughter waved a hand coldly: "I also don’t wish to waste everyone’s time on such meaningless pleasures."

Everything about him just seemed so displeasing.

Damn it! Stand up straight! Change into appropriate clothing! Comb your hair properly! A leader must establish their authority!

The Ark Leader in front of her looked half-awake, reminding Margaret of those decadent Imperial nobility.

She pursed her red lips, striving to suppress her urge to lecture.

The Duke’s daughter took a deep breath, fixing her eyes on the Ark Leader: "My name is Margaret, a Count under the Blood Vulture Duke. I will be leading the upcoming cooperation negotiations."

"You’ll lead them?"

Lin Lan raised an eyebrow.

How to put it... The girl in front of him seemed quite vibrant.

"Rest assured, the Imperial People are not like those greedy leeches of the Alliance; we come with enough sincerity."

Margaret sat in front of Lin Lan, habitually crossing her slender legs: "My ship is loaded with Imperial craftsmen; they can start work first thing tomorrow morning. We will do our utmost to help the Ark Kingdom grow."

"But..."

She crossed her arms, unabashedly stating her thoughts: "I don’t think you have the capability to lead the Ark Kingdom to strength!"