Chapter 532: The Campaign to Reclaim the Abruzzo Region

In the third week after Charlot Mecklenburg’s return to the Mecklenburg Duchy, he bid farewell to an important figure—his teacher, Juno Arthur. Before departing, Juno Arthur left Charlot a thick journal, detailing his lifelong experiences in exploring the path to godhood.

Though Charlot had no desire to become a vampire, he was deeply grateful to his teacher. Personally leading a group aboard the Dolmabahçe, Charlot escorted Juno Arthur. They watched as the teacher’s Swan Lake disappeared into the horizon before reluctantly returning home.

Five days after Juno’s departure, Charlot’s Ghost Fleet appeared magnificently on the horizon.

Fortunately, Mecklenburg had experience from the last arrival, and the populace was already informed about the Ghost Fleet through Charlot’s efforts. This prevented any major disturbances. Still, the sight of hundreds of ghost ships was undeniably alarming.

The return of this fleet significantly bolstered Charlot’s forces. Dividing the Ghost Fleet, Charlot sent portions to the front lines, which quickly brought good news: the army achieved seven or eight consecutive victories, and two more regions were reclaimed.

Only the Abruzzo Region and South Seraph Region remained unreclaimed in the entire Mecklenburg Duchy. Several forward units of the West Wind Knight Order had already begun surrounding these two regions.

At this juncture, Cresto sent Charlot a letter, requesting his presence at the front lines to oversee operations.

Charlot had been occupied with revitalizing Mecklenburg and the newly reclaimed regions. Confident in his subordinates, he had not yet gone to the front lines but was well aware of the situation there.

Meanwhile, three fleets had landed at Arcadia Port in the South Seraph Region, joining the New Continent Council, which significantly restored the strength of the New Continent forces.

Charlot had already dispatched all his Saint-rank followers to the front lines. Even Viggo, commanding the Dolmabahçe, was engaged in combat. Those brought by Annie, including Clair Bretagne and Ebner Soumet, were also at the front. This left Mecklenburg dangerously vulnerable, guarded only by Grandma Saint Karen, who might not be able to protect Annie if danger arose.

After careful consideration, Charlot decided to bring Annie with him to the front lines.

Charlot did not use the Radiant Holy Kingdom, the legendary warship now reduced to a golden ring worn alongside the Whispers of Fate on his hand. Instead, he chose the Emilia.

This legendary warship carried fewer wriggling demons, and with Gareth, Charlot, and Annie aboard, it resembled a family of three embarking on an outing.

Charlot had already explained to Annie the origins of Gareth, the Radiant Holy Kingdom, and the Emilia. Despite his efforts, Annie remained curious as she stepped aboard the legendary warship.

Naturally, Annie did not travel alone. As a princess of the Fars Empire and the grand duchess of Moldova and Mossred, she was accompanied by an entire entourage. Grandma Saint Karen, boarding the Emilia, was visibly anxious. She leaned close to Annie and whispered, “Your Highness! Never leave my side on this ship.”

Annie smiled gently and turned to Charlot. “Will you protect me?”

Charlot responded with a smile of his own. “Emilia! Protect Mama Annie!”

The Emilia joyfully replied, “As long as Mama Annie is aboard, no one can harm her.”

From the void, a slender silver tail softly tapped the Emilia’s back, causing the warship to stiffen. It took several minutes for it to regain control of itself.

The Emilia’s smile faltered slightly. Charlot noticed the oddity but could only assume that this daughter of his had merely agreed not to harm Annie.

Charlot resolved to keep Annie within his sight as much as possible aboard this ship.

The Emilia’s speed far surpassed that of ordinary ships, and it quickly reached a port in the Abruzzo Region, where it joined one of Charlot’s fleets.

This fleet, consisting of five magical alchemical warships—including the Dolmabahçe—was supporting the West Wind Knight Order in their assault on a port in the Abruzzo Region.

The Abruzzo Region, predominantly mountainous, had two narrow, fertile plains. One lay adjacent to the South Seraph Region, and the other was concealed within the mountains.

The Fars Empire had once attempted to invade the Black Phoenix Dynasty via the South Seraph Region but managed to seize only the first plain. Charlot had also fought there before, but capturing the entire Abruzzo Region was nearly impossible.

The second plain had only three entry points: two were land-based cities, and the third was the Doviliat Port. The cities included Limate, near the South Seraph Region, and Suni, closer to the Black Phoenix Dynasty’s interior.

Doviliat Port was uniquely situated in a gap between the coastal plain and surrounding mountains. The Black Phoenix Dynasty had built a massive city at this gap to block access. With a garrison of only a few thousand, it could repel a sea-land assault by tens of thousands. Unless all three entry points were under siege, the port could receive constant reinforcements and supplies.

This port was one of the Old Continent’s most renowned fortresses. However, since its two landward sides were within Black Phoenix territory, no major battles had ever occurred there.

Currently, the New Continent’s forces controlled both the South Seraph and Abruzzo Regions. Thus, Charlot’s forces could only attack Doviliat Port from Suni and the sea.

Charlot’s decision to bring his army to Doviliat Port was aimed at quickly reclaiming the Abruzzo Region, allowing him to focus his forces on South Seraph.

Reclaiming the Abruzzo Region was critical to encircling the South Seraph Region. Failure to do so would prevent a full encirclement.

Defending Doviliat Port was a man named Rovereto, a follower of the Flame Evil God Anururu. He had transformed the surrounding mountains into volcanoes. During battles, these volcanoes could erupt and summon Anururu’s avatars, thwarting repeated attacks by the West Wind Knight Order and Charlot’s fleet.

As Charlot gazed at the majestic port city, he remarked to Annie, “This scenery differs from Mecklenburg, yet they are both coastal cities. If I seize this city, I will rename it to Annie’s City.”

Blushing slightly, Annie softly replied, “Annie’s City sounds strange. Perhaps…”

“Hm…”

Unable to think of a better name, Annie fell into deep contemplation.

Just then, the mountaintops around Doviliat Port began to glow red, spewing thick black smoke. One peak even revealed a massive hand struggling to break free…

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