Chapter 303

Chapter 303: Into the Stormy Region

With fourteen directors and the chairman of the Rothschild Guild surrendering, Victoria smoothly became the new leader.

Under the decisive leadership of this brilliant businesswoman, the Guild quickly stabilized after brief turmoil. Now Rothschild’s resources shifted focus—no longer just for trade, but heavily directed toward military expansion.

Massive alchemical factories and laboratories rose alongside sprawling shipyards. Practitioners from the Belmar Kingdom, Delos Empire, and Windstream were reorganized into squadrons and armed with cutting-edge weapons.

A new power led by Midi had emerged.

Though still named the Hawk Brigade, this force dwarfed its original Arad Empire version in strength. Sharper, stronger, and technologically superior, its ambitions burned brighter.

Yet for Midi, this was only the start.

On the very day the faction formed, he turned to his true goal:

Conquering the Stormy Region!

Normally cautious, Midi wouldn’t rush this plan. Practitioners from different regions needed break-in time, the lone Wind King Warship couldn’t be replicated yet, and rival Sea of Clouds factions demanded attention—either through alliances or force.

Ideally, they’d wait for Emil to recreate the ancient warship, build a full fleet, secure the Sea of Clouds, then explore the Stormy Region from a stable position.

But time had run out.

The Dusk Graveyard battle had exposed their trump card—the Wind King Warship—to the Blue Truth Sect. Already, the sect’s temples across the Sea of Clouds assaulted the Rothschild Guild. Without its new military might, the Guild would’ve collapsed: trade routes halted, shops destroyed.

Midi knew the sect’s Star Ocean headquarters now mobilized at full speed, expanding armies and fleets unchecked in their resource-rich, isolated core. War had begun—and time favored the enemy.

While Midi struggled to build one replica fleet, how many would the sect forge? Ten? Twenty?

His only choice: strike first. Enter the Stormy Region, seize a foothold in the Star Ocean, and fight for its resources.

After regrouping at Green Crystal Floating Island, the Wind King Warship departed, carrying the Hawk Brigade’s elite. Their mission: pierce the Black Cloud Circle, breach the Ice Cloud Circle, forge a new route, and claim a floating island stronghold at the Stormy Region’s heart.

The ancient warship’s speed made the vast Sea of Clouds feel small. Within days, the Stormy Region loomed. No cautious pathfinding or Spice Route needed—the warship plunged like a white arrow into the Black Cloud Circle’s gloom.

Its navigation systems ignored the chaotic magnetic fields. Periodic black storms that threw ordinary Skyships off course barely nudged the colossal Wind King Warship. They crossed the Black Cloud Circle faster than the Narwhal ever had. The Ice Cloud Circle fell just as easily.

The climates of the heavens and the Demon Realm were far more treacherous than the mere chill of the Ice Cloud Circle. The ancient warship boasted formidable resistance to extreme temperatures. Even after days of navigating through the Ice Cloud Circle, the interior remained as warm and pleasant as spring. Cold air drawn through the vents was steadily heated by the magic array, rendering it harmless.

As for the cloud beasts, the Wind King Warship’s overwhelming firepower proved more than sufficient. With Midi aboard, handling these dim-witted, lumbering creatures became effortless.

Pressing deeper into the Ice Cloud Circle, several Ice Soul Pearls fell into Midi’s possession. Rather than auctioning them, he had Emil immediately craft them into equipment.

Advancing through biting frost and hunting cloud beasts, the Wind King Warship breached the Ice Cloud Circle without hindrance.

To humans from Arad, this seemed natural. Midi, Reinhardt, and Wiseman were adventurers who thrived on challenges. Risking life and limb to progress was their way.

Yet to Sea of Clouds natives, this bordered on impossibility. Countless heroes had attempted crossing the Stormy Region over centuries, yet none succeeded—at least openly. Now this legendary feat unfolded before them, stirring undeniable exhilaration.

Gradually, the white icy mist thinned. External temperature gauges crept upward.

As pale gloom yielded to darkness, the Wind King Warship pierced through to the Stormy Region’s core.

Star Ocean.

No azure skies, white clouds, or sun greeted them—only void-like expanse. Yet total darkness didn’t reign, for countless stars blazed across the nighted dome. This magnificent starscape evoked pure awe, dwarfing all other thoughts.

While most crewmembers crowded viewports or decks to marvel, Midi remained focused. He ordered immediate acceleration to locate anchorage.

Floating islands here were scarce but massive. Soon they identified an isolated landmass in Star Ocean’s remote corner.

"An intact green crystal vein!"

"Feather Ink Stone deposits!"

"A magic vortex surrounded by rare herbs!"

"Radiance of Light crystals as large as fists!"

Explorers exclaimed at every turn. What counted as priceless rarities in the Sea of Clouds lay abundant here—treasures considered extinct on Arad.

Star Ocean’s pure magic density dwarfed both Sea of Clouds and Sky City. This peripheral zone alone resembled a cornucopia. What unimaginable riches might central islands hold?

Even typically dispassionate Emil sparkled with excitement. Resource-driven Reinhardt practically vibrated.

Yet their exhilaration carried sobering realizations about their adversaries’ advantages.

"The Blue Truth Sect’s headquarters lies deep within Star Ocean, yes?" Avril murmured, unusually subdued. The dark elf gazed starward without her customary flirtations, eyes clouded with unreadable emotions.

"Correct." Midi gestured vaguely. "Our destination lies yonder—but remains beyond current reach."

Even the Wind King Warship couldn’t assault the sect headquarters. Midi’s experience suggested four Magic Griffin warships could overwhelm any ancient warship.

Their priority became establishing an undetected forward base. Resources here proved plentiful, and with Sea of Clouds’ premier alchemist Emil overseeing construction, a functional outpost swiftly took shape.

Next came resource gathering and warship development. The Wind King Warship would ferry supplies from Sea of Clouds, supported by Victoria’s Rothschild Guild network.

Emil anchored Star Ocean operations while the warship bridged both realms. Midi’s blueprint unfolded despite risks—discovery meant catastrophe, but haste necessitated daring.

Once the base stabilized, Midi discreetly departed via eight-meter engineering vessel.

Their faction developed rapidly—yet not rapidly enough. Midi sought one final catalyst to push growth beyond current limits.