"I’ve already secured the allegiance of Zimourman’s former subordinates, and now we have nearly a hundred warships. However, without a magical warship, we can never become a truly formidable fleet. I’ve devised a plan to attack Saint Michael Island and seize two magical warships from the Golden Rams Fleet. If you’re willing to join, come to Cappadocia."
Charlot read the letter and remained lost in thought for a long time. He never expected his senior, Menielman Soumet, to have forged such an influential maritime power.
If Menielman successfully claimed Saint Michael Island, she would undoubtedly transform into a force that could not be ignored across the Seven Seas.
The Golden Rams Fleet of Saint Michael Island boasted both an alchemical warship and an ancient magical warship, as well as a Saint rank warrior among their ranks. Their power was immense. Precisely because of their strength, assimilating them would propel Menielman to meteoric heights. No longer would she simply be the First Rose of the Empire; she would ascend to the Noble Class, rivaling even Count Ingrima and Count Fars.
But should he join her? That was the question.
Charlot hesitated to make an immediate decision.
He was aware, however, that since Princess May Guillaume’s arrival, Chloe Hadrian would no longer trouble him. A tacit confrontation between South Seraph and the Black Phoenix Dynasty seemed inevitable.
After all, the South Seraph region was an area of little strategic value, neither for the Fars Empire nor the Black Phoenix Dynasty. It was like tasteless food: not worth keeping, but too inconvenient to discard. Hughes had already led the South Seraph restorationists to Ferranden. Following a series of wars, this land had become barren, devoid of tax revenue, and lacking any strategic importance. The Black Phoenix Dynasty had no compelling reason to occupy it.
With no immediate conflict between South Seraph and the Behemoth Principality, a visit to Cappadocia seemed like a viable choice.
Charlot wasn’t particularly interested in Saint Michael Island. Instead, his sights were set on Cappadocia.
He was only two labyrinths short of completing fifteen. Cappadocia, with its abundant warships, was the ideal location to achieve this milestone.
Once one controlled over fifteen labyrinths, they gained access to a passage leading to the true Agmirlas Labyrinth!
However, failure to complete this task would cause Agmirlas to descend prematurely.
Charlot’s time was running out.
Nevertheless, he knew this decision required careful consideration. Placing Menielman’s letter aside, he embarked on a three-day retreat.
...
After three days, Charlot departed from Silver Dove Castle for Interlaken and then journeyed back to Sedona City.
The former capital and largest city of South Seraph had been Arcadia Port, but the war with the Black Phoenix Dynasty shifted the front line to Sedona City. Charlot’s West Wind Knight Order was stationed there.
Sedona served as the temporary capital of South Seraph, and Charlot managed its affairs efficiently.
Upon his return, Charlot resumed his routine of dictating documents. However, this monotonous life would soon end.
Princess May received an imperial edict from the Ingrima Empire, summoning her to return without delay. Before departing, she instructed Charlot to memorize the entirety of The Legend of the Lionheart King. She also tasked him with sending updates on two other books to Ingrima at his earliest convenience before leaving with Aurora Soumet.
Before Aurora left, she simply asked Charlot to write to her when he had the time and said nothing more.
With Princess May gone, Charlot gave his overworked document clerks a well-deserved vacation. Their unanimous cheers and prolonged applause reflected their gratitude.
Those days had been rough for Charlot.
For the document clerks, they had been worse than life as a stray dog.
Charlot ordered his team to gradually send the completed drafts back to Strasbourg in batches, rather than all at once. With that settled, he made up his mind to visit Cappadocia.
Perhaps gaining access to the true passage of the Agmirlas Labyrinth wouldn’t result in his death after all. Maybe he could simply choose not to open it?
But waiting for Agmirlas’s descent would certainly spell his demise.
Moreover, Menielman’s fleet of nearly a hundred warships would undoubtedly include many experienced sailors. Surely, among them, someone would have knowledge of the New Continent. Though Charlot couldn’t venture there himself yet, finding someone who knew about it could be a worthwhile alternative.
Charlot organized affairs in South Seraph and the Behemoth Principality, assigning competent subordinates to key cities. From Interlaken, he used a passageway to arrive directly in Cappadocia.
Charlot rarely used these labyrinthine passageways, even after leaving the Ingrima Empire. It was his first return to Cappadocia.
...
As soon as he appeared in the city, passing pedestrians noticed him, and one of them suddenly exclaimed in astonishment. Their face quickly lit up with joy as they sprinted away, shouting, "Charlot Mecklenburg has returned!"
"Charlot Mecklenburg has returned!"
In no time, a crowd formed around Charlot. Everyone who saw him seemed eager to reach out and touch him. Many wept openly, their affection and nostalgia evident.
Charlot raised his hands and said, "It’s me. I’ve returned. Could someone tell me where Cruse and Siman are?"
Someone immediately pointed the way and replied, "Lord Cruse and Lord Siman are at the City Lord’s Manor. Miss Aurora Soumet is also there."
Walking through Cappadocia, Charlot was surrounded by a throng of residents. It felt like a triumphant parade.
Charlot couldn’t understand what he had done to earn such adoration from the people of Cappadocia. Yet whenever he voiced such sentiments, he was met with even louder cheers.
In the end, he could only stay silent.
As he walked through the city, Charlot noticed significant changes since his last visit. The population of Cappadocia had tripled, bustling with activity. Numerous new buildings surrounded the city.
Upon reaching the City Lord’s Manor, he made even more discoveries. Strangers moved in and out of the manor, and when the cheers erupted, they initially appeared puzzled but soon recognized Charlot. Their gazes turned warm, filled with admiration.
Before Charlot could announce his presence, Menielman emerged, accompanied by a dozen subordinates, including Cruse and Siman. The two men clearly respected Menielman, their expressions filled with admiration. Upon seeing Charlot, they stepped forward with enthusiasm and respectfully bowed.
Menielman’s face showed signs of fatigue, though it softened slightly upon seeing Charlot.
Once inside the City Lord’s Manor, Menielman dismissed her subordinates, leaving only Charlot. She spoke, "I’ve tried many strategies and have clashed with the Golden Rams Fleet several times. The battles have been evenly matched."
"The only way forward is through internal collaboration. But I lack any allies on Saint Michael Island, so someone will need to infiltrate it."
Charlot asked, "Isn’t there anyone on Saint Michael Island who knows me?"
Menielman smiled faintly and replied, "Oh, quite the contrary. Many people know you."
"You have no idea how famous you truly are."