Edge of the Apocalypse

Chapter 1145: The New Phase of the Empire

The merchant ship landed at about 10 a.m.

The hillside dock of Ark Harbor was covered with colorful flags, and the winding mountain path leading from the dock to the city was emblazoned with the golden two-lion war flag that symbolized the royal family. A spacious open space was cleared on the dock, and the Ark Harbor's agents, the Orlando couple, the Allen Territory's agent, Dragon, Chamber of Commerce Chairman Roger, Holy Virgin Vera, and other influential figures all gathered together. When he saw Julian appear on the bow deck, Orlando gestured and released all the pigeons that had been prepared early in the morning. The white birds soared into the sky. The sound of wings flapping resounded above the dock. The birds chirped and the pigeons all flew out of the dock and disappeared from the sea outside.

Julian suppressed his excitement, though he acted calm and generous. He waved his hand to the people on the dock before walking towards the bridge connecting the merchant ship and the dock. After Julian's figure temporarily disappeared, other people appeared on the deck one after another. First was Prime Minister Nabott, then Julian's mother, Elaine, and the others. When Alan's figure appeared on the deck, Ruo La's breathing paused for a moment before she returned to normal. She saw Ellen smiling at her, and before that, Jorah had imagined how she would react when she saw him again. Happy? Sorrow? Awkward? However, it was only at this moment that she realized that everything was wrong. josei

The only thing she could do now was to be calm.

The past is like the wind.

She could feel the warmth of Orlando's palm, so she knew that Alan was already a part of her memories, and Orlando was her present and future!

Zora could finally face the man she loved calmly.

She responded with a resplendent smile and waved her hand in greeting, letting go of the joy in her heart.

It was the joy of reuniting with an old friend.

Seeing the smile on his wife's face, Orlando also smiled and kissed her cheek while others were not paying attention. The latter secretly gave him a gentle pinch, but his smile became even brighter.

"Welcome, Your Highness. Everyone in Ark Harbor feels honored."

Orlando touched his chest and bowed as Julian got off the pier. The others also bowed to Julian, and His Highness the Prince responded to the enthusiasm of the crowd with courtesy. When Alan and the others appeared at the dock, Vera, Roger and the others also welcomed them. It had been a long time since they had seen each other, and the empire had changed drastically. There were endless conversations between them. In the end, Orlando called for the carriage and invited everyone back to White Castle to talk.

The arrival of Julian at Ark Harbor also meant that the empire was officially facing off against the north. The confrontation may not end until either Hawson or Julian disappears.

After Orlando left with His Highness the Prince, the other people on the merchant ship, including the Copper Sharp Warriors, got off the ship one after another. These people naturally had other plans. However, not everyone got off the boat. Edward and Diego planned to rest at the dock for a while before heading to Violet Harbor by another boat and heading to Sur City by land. It has been converted into a starship dock where Diego will return to Earth aboard a starship.

After arriving at White Castle, Allen saw other people. Princess Naga, Princess Lily, Princess Shusha, and even Lily's half sister, Sana, were also in White Castle. They didn't go to the harbor to greet them. After all, it was better for the Naga Clan to not appear in the eyes of the public. They could also try their best to avoid some unnecessary troubles. Julian was not unhappy about this. Instead, he took the initiative to bow to the princess as a sign of respect.

The Orlandos led the way, summoning the large party to the hall, where a dusty banquet had been prepared. Lily waited for the honored guests of the Naga Clan to join the ranks. Princess Lily even went to Allen's side. The latter said, "You guys came really quickly."

"Of course, we have special marine tools." Lily said proudly. She did not exaggerate. The Naga Clan was originally the daughter of the sea, so the speed of sea transportation was naturally much faster than that of human ships. Moreover, as a royal clan, Lily still had an underwater palace in her hands. It was a huge sea beast, and they should be able to swiftly head south.

"If elder sister hadn't stayed in the palace for a while, we would have been able to hurry up." Lily yawned, "You don't know. We've been waiting for you at Ark Harbor for many days. It was a boring time. Elizabeth and Hoey worked together to send a message and sent the Imperial Navy out from the south. They didn't resist at all, so I had some fun."

Ellen asked in surprise, "Are you joining the defensive line of the Southern Sea Region?"

"Do you have any objections? Is there anyone on the battlefield more skilled than our Naga Clan?" Lily narrowed her eyes.

Alan hurriedly waved his hands and said, "No, please don't misunderstand. I didn't mean to question your naval warfare abilities. It's just that I'm a little surprised that the Naga Clan would actually participate in human affairs."

'"Do you think we're thinking? If we don't support Julian now, it would be a disaster for our Naga clan to let that prideful bastard like Hawson take over the throne. I'm afraid we'll have to completely withdraw from the empire's territory, isolate the sea, and live in seclusion. It'll be even more boring."

Ellen frowned, "Hawson wants to hurt you?"

'"What do you think? After he declared himself king, the first decree was to abolish the protection of the Naga race. Then he went to the palace and asked her to tell him the exact location of our race. From what he said, she deduced that he wanted to touch our Spring of Immortality! How could this damned little bastard, Tangerio, give birth to such a son?" Lily gritted her teeth and said.

Alan finally knew the origins of the Naga Clan's participation. Normally speaking, the internal strife in the empire was something they would be happy to see. This way, humans wouldn't have time to pay attention to them. Now, Hawson was trying to dip into the Immortal Spring, instead forcing these sea outsiders to Julian's side.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the banquet hall. Orlando did not make a big fuss. There were only a few long tables in the hall, and the guests at the banquet included a few dozen people, including Julian. Under their arrangement, Julian, Ellen, and Lily sat at the main table, while the others took their seats at the side seats. After the guests have taken their seats, the dishes and drinks are served. The guests can eat while chatting, and there is no need to be tight.

After tasting an onion roasted duck, Julian asked Allen and the others what they were most concerned about: "What's new with Oliska now? We've been at sea for too long, and we don't know what's happening to the empire."

Orlando gently wiped off the wine stains from his mouth with a napkin and looked at Julian, "Something really happened."

"Hawson gave an order after His Highness and the rest of you went out to sea. In return, he allowed an important member of the lords' family to have permanent residency in Olisga. Hawson called it a supreme honor, but to put it bluntly, he only wanted the Lords to send him a hostage to prove his loyalty.

Julian shook his head and said, "The imperial family's dignity has been ruined. How could the loyalty of the Lords be guaranteed in this way when his father was around?"

"But he is not His Majesty, and Hawson has little weight in the hearts of Lords everywhere. No wonder he used this method to consolidate his rule. It was just that he was too anxious, which not only caused the Northern dignitaries to complain, but even Old Marshal Roderick had specially returned to Oliska for this. However, it was said that the two of them seemed to be in a very unpleasant situation. "In the past, Hawson didn't dare to contradict Roderick like this, but now he has something to rely on." Orlando paused for a moment, giving everyone time to think.

Ellen sighed, "Is it that Stark?"

Orlando pointed at Alan and said, "Lord Alan, can't you let me sell this for a little longer?" Orlando nodded and said, "That's right, it's Stark." This person had appeared from nowhere and was so strong that he was in a complete mess. The reason why Roderick rushed back to meet Hawson was because the family that Hawson had named ignored the hostage plan. Then, a few days later, a group of important figures died from those clans, causing some clans with insufficient resources to send hostages to the imperial capital one after another.

"But Hawson did this, even Roderick can't watch. As he said earlier, Hawson was unusual towards this old marshal, which made Roderick very angry. There were also some clashes, as if the Stark had confronted Roderick in an imposing manner. However, the two of them did not fight in the end. Instead, they ended with Roderick leaving the city overnight. The day after Roderick left, Hawson announced Stark as the new prime minister. "However, we don't know much about this Prime Minister. Apart from His Highness knowing that this person was the culprit behind the attack on the Great Emperor, even the Boleyn Family can't find his background, past and other information."

Alan secretly shook his head. Of course, Elizabeth could not gather Stark's information. He came from outside Heaven Planet. No matter how powerful the Boleyn Family was, they would never be able to obtain any information.

The former prime minister, who had just taken a piece of fish and sent it to his mouth, shook his head. Nabott looked at Julian and said, "Now that you have to be a prime minister with Saint realm combat prowess, no wonder I have dismissed our new king."

Julian laughed, "Strong combat power can't solve anything. If the ability to govern a country can also be converted into combat power, I guarantee that Stark will not be able to catch up with you."

Nabott laughed and whispered in a voice he could only hear himself, "Strong men are indeed not omnipotent, but they can at least solve most things. And what we need most now is a strong man with the power to control the country, not an old man like me, right?"