Chapter 197

Chapter 197: Aether Stone

While Midi calculated various strategies in his mind, a voice suddenly rang in the young commander’s ear.

"Mr. Midi, long time no see!"

The speaker wore comically round glasses, sported drooping whiskers, and had bird’s-nest hair. This was none other than Master Norton, the alchemy expert.

Though now the second-most important technician in the Hawk Brigade after Mist Sorceress Alice, Norton remained as disheveled as ever. His once-fine alchemy robe appeared smoke-stained and discolored, adding to his messy appearance.

Even the composed Midi brightened upon seeing him: "Master Norton! How did you arrive so quickly?"

Only one week had passed since the Sea King Festival battle. While Midi had urgently reported the West Coast situation via energy-intensive magical communications, sea travel from Belmar couldn’t possibly take just seven days.

The explanation became clear – Norton must have departed before the war began.

"Miss Fina and Miss Alice’s orders," Norton replied, eyes gleaming as he rubbed his hands. "They found your letter ideas fascinating and wanted immediate implementation. So here I am! I don’t know what’s planned, but count me in!"

Midi’s lips curved upward at the thought of his two lovers. If anyone understood him better than himself, it would be that fiery-haired girl and raven-haired woman.

Patting Norton’s shoulder, Midi said: "Truthfully, the Empire’s attacks exceed expectations. Your timing’s perfect, Master Norton – we’ll have our hands full!"

After brief inquiries about Fina and Alice, Midi called an emergency meeting. Attendees included Hawk Brigade leaders like Norton, Dickson, and Kelvin, plus Midi’s West Coast recruits:

– Wells (Flying Sail Family) overseeing naval construction

– Randall (Lionheart Arena) training disciples despite no combat experience

– Tanius and Xena, Midi’s sole Dragonkin allies from Arad

Many maritime families and Arena factions had defected to Belmar Kingdom since the Empire’s brutal assault on Faero Bay. The hall now held family heads, Red Lotus Arena’s host, and various faction leaders.

Even young psionicist Liufeng from Xuzu Kingdom sat gloomily present. His mentor Mintai had died by Wiseman of the Hand of Nightmare’s schemes, making Xuzu irrevocably oppose the Empire. Midi welcomed every ally against the imperial onslaught.

Surveying the packed hall, Midi addressed the crowd: "We all know the Empire’s overwhelming strength since the Sea King Festival. Direct confrontation – especially on land where Belmar lacks troops – would be foolish. Our disciples and experts can’t match imperial regulars. Thus, we advance to phase two."

Murmurs spread through non-military attendees unaccustomed to war plans.

"We’ll withdraw from Faero Bay," Midi continued, "concentrating forces on the islands for defense."

Silence gripped the hall. Then erupted panicked objections – most leaders had families and businesses in Faero Bay.

They forgot this wasn’t Faero Bay’s council but the Hawk Brigade’s war room. These civilians survived under Belmar’s protection, their opinions irrelevant. Midi’s "consultation" merely maintained diplomatic appearances.

Grumbling attendees ultimately acquiesced. Facing the Empire meant dealing with "Hand of Nightmare" Wiseman’s cruelty, while Midi at least listened. Better harsh orders than becoming lab specimens.

However, though the orders were carried out, some still struggled to understand.

“Wasn’t the original plan to hold out for two more weeks?” Wells asked after the meeting, his brow furrowed.

As an accepted member of the Hawk Brigade, the sharp-featured young man knew the original timetable well. That schedule had been crafted by Midi using memories from his past life—memories spanning from the rift’s first appearance to Sky City’s full emergence. Followed precisely, it would let the Hawks seize every entrance when Sky City appeared, securing exclusive access to higher tiers for a full week.

Yet Midi, known for his iron will and tactical brilliance, had retreated without resistance. The decision left not just Wells confused, but Kelvin and Dickson too.

“We’re short on elite ground troops, but the sea is ours,” Kelvin argued, his reasoning polished. The magic scholar had clearly studied the battle situation closely. “Why not combine naval and land forces?”

Dickson added, “The ironclad ships’ cannons can reach most of Faero Bay. Those flimsy Dragonbone Warships can’t withstand our firepower. We could pressure their navy while backing our ground forces.”

Midi shook his head.

A single ironclad outclassed any Dragonbone Warship. But when the Empire mass-produced those vessels, the tide would turn. In his past life, a saying held true:

*One Dragonbone Warship loses to a five-masted ship. A hundred Dragonbone Warships rule the ocean.*

For now, the ironclads’ superior range and secret silver cannons kept the enemy at bay. But once the Empire’s fleet grew large enough, their warships would link into magical formations. Their attack range would double—no, triple. Midi remembered them striking from over two kilometers away, outdistancing even Fina’s Magic Beam. Worse, their combined magical assaults grew devastating.

In that previous timeline, the Delos Empire’s “invincible fleet” had dominated the seas around Sky City’s emergence. Only one thing had stopped them from conquering all of Arad—and Midi now held that trump card.

“Time favors the Empire. More Dragonbone Warships mean more danger. Sending ironclads to prop up failing ground forces?” Midi’s gaze swept across his commanders. “That’s marching into a swamp. In war, we cut losses. Trade territory for time. Focus on what matters.”

But what *did* matter in this retreat? Holed up on Southern Sea islands, guarding Deep Rock Island’s rift—what was the key move here?

Wells shrugged. Dickson scratched his head. Even Kelvin stayed silent.

The two Dragonkin women showed no interest. Sky City’s inhabitants cared only for winners.

Only Norton fidgeted, eyes bright with anticipation.

“True victory comes from overwhelming force,” Midi said. “To crush their ships and troops, we need one thing: innovation.”

He placed a gray stone in Master Norton’s palm. It shimmered, resisting gravity’s pull.

“Aether Stone!” the Dragonkin breathed.

Midi nodded. “This will let us build something new. A Skyship.”