"Oh, big trouble."

Looking at the short message transmitted through the Celestial Starship's magic communication device in his hand, even Princess Serenity, with her tough mental faculties, understood that something major had occurred.

The captain's cabin was still the same cabin of the Celestial Starship. Tiran and his entourage were all gathered here for one reason – the short message that had just been sent through the magitech device.

As for how passengers were allowed into the captain's cabin... Firstly, it's because the long-range communication device is installed here, and secondly, ever since Tiran disappeared, Mo Yi had expressed a desire to interact with you as ordinary passengers, then changed his mind saying he is the major shareholder of this ship, and since the captain herself is not a very strict or formal person, she just let them all in.

"I never expected Maston to have hidden such a major weapon."

Shuma, with her chin held in her hand, furrowed her brows. Apart from her, the only person present familiar with military affairs and war was the retired naval captain. From the information in the short message, she quickly deduced the current state of affairs.

The previously balanced strategic deadlock had been broken, and the point that disrupted the balance was quite clear. Maston suddenly introduced an unprecedented war weapon, launching a massive attack during the night battle that destroyed the walls of Blackstone Fortress and caused heavy casualties among the defenders, directly leading to the breach of the crucial stronghold in the eastern frontlines, Blackstone Fortress.

The repercussions of breaching Blackstone Fortress were extremely severe. There was now a gap in the eastern defenses, allowing Maston's forces to advance and pose a direct threat to the two neighboring border provinces. When Maston's reinforcements arrived, they would penetrate even further.

"But come on, using airships is way too exaggerated, isn't it?"

Tiran pointed at the emphasized "war weapon" on the short message. It was a fleet of airships; mass aerial bombing was simply overpowered in this era compared to their own artillery! Perhaps, if he had spent some time teaching the military engineers about airship principles during the past, they might have developed something similar. After all, the technology behind these things is simpler than airplanes; they might have managed to create one.

"Where on earth did airships even come from...damn."

Suddenly, Tiran realized something important; this short message wasn't his first contact with airships in this world.

Yuan? That guy again?!

Tiran felt the vein on his forehead twitch, wondering what was going on with that mysterious character.

...Could it be that he, too, like me, came from somewhere else?

Such a thought unexpectedly popped into his head, making Tiran chuckle dryly, feeling a tingling sensation on his spine.

"I regret your country's misfortune, but I believe that with the wisdom and valor of your country's king, you will surely defeat the invaders..." Mo Yi, after reading the short message and spreading his hands out, "I won't bother with diplomatic pleasantries and will get straight to the point,"

"Prince Tiran, what do you intend to do?"

For a moment, all eyes were fixed on Tiran. Indeed, despite Princess Serenity seeming indifferent, this expedition to the east still followed Tiran's will as the guiding principle. If Tiran decided to return, even if it meant abandoning the journey to the Eastern Continent, they would immediately turn back.

"Just to make it clear, although our Highness Xiangling would greatly appreciate your assistance, personally, I am more than willing to accommodate you. If you decide to return to Milanía, the Celestial Starship can turn back immediately. However, I can't guarantee Highness Xiangling's attitude afterwards."

"Are you being helpful or making a threat with all this..." Tiran stared at the man with a smile on his face and rolled his eyes.

"Of course not, I'm just presenting Your Highness with two choices, although I personally hope that you can lend a hand to Duke Xiang Ling. However, the situation in Milanía is not optimistic, and you should care more about your homeland."

"Homeland?" Tiran chewed on the word for a moment, "Of course, I must return to Milanía—"

Suddenly, Mò Yì noticed a change in Tiran's eyes as they looked at him. Those beautiful emerald-like eyes now flashed with a sharpness akin to a sword, "But when I go back, I will bring forth a formidable army."

"An army... Well, indeed, it's no surprise coming from you. It seems Duke Xiang Ling made the right choice in choosing you after all."

Mò Yì brushed off his sleeve, clasped his hands in front of him, and performed a respectful bow familiar to Tiran from ancient times, "The Eastern Star will set sail at full power immediately, swiftly heading towards Tianan Port."

"...Full power?" The captain standing nearby sighed. It seemed he wouldn't be able to take it easy if they were going at full speed, but since it was the shareholder's wish, he could only comply.

Moreover, after roughly understanding the situation from the side, he didn't mind boosting their speed at this critical moment.

A formidable army? It did give this retired fellow a bit of vigor.

After tidying up his captain's uniform, adjusting his hat, the captain solemnly saluted, a sight not seen for a long time:

"As you command!"

...

On the Western Continent, outside the capital of Milanía.

The expeditionary forces had completely surrounded this ancient capital, but the frontline attacks were not going smoothly. Furthermore, news of the breach of the border defenses had caused some unease among the troops.

"Son, is this what you've been waiting for? Airships... Matson has indeed brought out something extraordinary."

Inside the frontline camp, Granzon repeatedly read the reports from the border and his face showed a mix of emotions. After the loss of the Blackstone Fortress, Yang Xi led the remaining troops to retreat to the nearest town to regroup for resistance. However, due to the unfavorable geographical position, Matson, while maintaining the attacks on the Blackstone Fortress garrison, could bypass and continue to invade the heartlands of the kingdom and subsequently attack the remaining two eastern defense lines.

The most troublesome part was that with airships and Magic bombs imbued with Fire Elemental Runes, Matson was unstoppable on the battlefield. The frontline reports were almost the same every day, and the combat zone continued to extend further inland.

It was said that the researchers in the City of Magitech, who always claimed to be the best in Magitech technology, were astonished when they learned about the existence of airships. Initially indignant, they started clamoring to bring out a fully-armed flying warship to challenge their arrogance, and then secretly planned various means of covert attacks and kidnapping to capture an airship for study.

"Just leave it to us. In just one week, we will definitely devise an anti-aircraft system to counter these things."

This was the response from the City of Magitech regarding the assistance agreement obtained by Tiran's visit there.

However, one week? With the current strength on the eastern front, losing several provinces in a week would lead to widespread suffering and misery among the people. Granzon had no intention of solely relying on others.

"Your Majesty, there's a reply from Prince Tiran."

"How is young Tiran's tone?" Granzon asked eagerly as Delia entered.

Delia, with a complex expression, showed the original document of the letter copied through the device to Granzon.

"Stop daydreaming, I believe you can hold on. I'm going to the East Land first to conquer their princess. When I ride back on a rainbow cloud to save you, remember to cheer me on. Fighting! Ollie Ollie Oxenfree."

This style of speaking is definitely my own daughter's.

Granzon covered his face, not knowing what to say.

"Your Majesty, this..."

Delia also didn't know how to comfort the king who looked very hurt.

"It's okay, I was just informing her of the situation here." Granzon shook his head, stood up from behind the table, and walked straight out of the tent. The guards standing outside immediately stood at attention and saluted.

"Dispatch orders, the three southern provinces and two western provinces are to immediately activate reserve training. The central army stationed locally from the first, fourth, and seventh corps, and the local elite guard forces, are to immediately support the capital. The central army stationed in the north, apart from the second and third corps, is to mobilize to establish defensive lines in the province of Wolfte and the Kent Mountains."

"The Dawn Spear Corps of the Punitive Force is to stay put, and before the reinforcements from the south arrive, they are to nail down that brat, Brad. The rest of the forces are to assemble and prepare to march east to reinforce the eastern front."

After a pause, Granzon turned back to the tent and took down the sword hanging on the wall. "I will personally lead the troops."

Oh, little Tiran, even though I may have gained this throne through warfare, you can't just look down on me like that.

Indeed, I've been too comfortable for too long, but that doesn’t mean I can't lift a sword.

...

The speed at which the Eastern Star navigates is unmatched by any human vessel. Originally, it would have taken seven days to reach East Land, even with a delay of three days due to a mini-world called The Realm of some eastern wizard, it still caught sight of the coastline of the Eastern continent on the morning of the scheduled sixth day.

Although many passengers had complaints about deviating from the original schedule—after all, they missed out on more than a day of luxury cruise—the captain's mention of a malfunction due to attacks from sea monsters and terror-claw birds sent them back, as passengers didn’t dare to joke about their lives.

As for passenger complaints and potential economic losses, the captain didn't care. After all, he was on a salary, and any responsibility from the council side would be taken care of by himself.

"As for the current outline you see, the tallest mountain is the highest peak in the southwest region of the Eastern continent, called the Gate of Heaven Peak. This is East Land... that's the term you Westeners use, we usually call it Shen Zhou. On top of it is the largest immortal sect in the south of Shen Zhou, called 'Lingxiao.' Your Highness may not be very familiar with sects, but that's..."

Someone who is currently taking "responsibility" seems completely unconcerned, introducing the upcoming port and region to Tiran at the top floor.

"No no no, to be honest, I'm quite familiar..."

Of course, she had seen everything from the heavenly network novels to the various gods and demons of immortal cultivation. Tiran waved her hand feeling somewhat strange, wondering if she had smoothly transitioned from a magical world to a cultivation world.

"Well, I won't say much more then.” Mo Yi was not annoyed by being interrupted, as he was quite used to Tiran's style. "By the way, would you mind if I asked Your Highness a question?"

"What question?"

"I admire Your Highness's resolve, but your country... the war situation must be tough, right? Even Prince Xiang Ling can't say when he'll ascend to the throne. Are you really confident that Milania can hold on until then?"

"Hold on? What are you talking about?"

Tiran blinked, "My old man is not the kind of useless king. Even if he acts silly most of the time, he has a reputation as the God of War. By the time I return, he might have already sent Maston packing."