Chapter 440: Legendary Warship vs. Legendary Warship

Andreas fell silent for a moment before speaking, “How about you give it a try and wipe out the Northern Fleet of Duchess Mesu?”

Charlot Mecklenburg glanced approvingly at Andreas and replied, “That’s an excellent idea!”

After allying with Byron, Duchess Mesu poured her family’s accumulated wealth over the years into rapidly expanding and reviving the Northern Fleet, restoring a fraction of its former strength.

At present, the Northern Fleet included the legendary warship Fontainebleau, along with eight alchemical warships imbued with magic. Counting Duchess Mesu herself, the fleet boasted thirteen Saint ranks and an uncountable number of Transcendents.

Even in the Northern Fleet’s weakest days, Duchess Mesu’s influence was on par with that of Earl Bretagne and Minister of War Gallanord.

It could be said that without Duchess Mesu’s defection to Byron, Prince Redmir Axel would not have usurped the throne, nor would Earl Bretagne have rebelled.

But alas, there is no “what if” in this world.

From the Royal Saints’ siege of Zimourman Axel Robin, which forced the Imperial Chancellor and several royal Saint ranks out of politics, to the wars with Byron and the Black Phoenix Dynasty that led to Duchess Mesu’s defection, the Empire’s decline appeared sudden but was, in reality, a gradual progression.

The Axel dynasty suffered from too many inherent flaws and had already reached its end. Even without Earl Bretagne, its collapse was inevitable. After all, Duchess Mesu herself might have rebelled sooner or later.

...

Standing tall on the deck of the Fontainebleau, Duchess Mesu gazed toward Sesath with a surge of emotion. If she could reclaim Sesath, she would regain control of the Northern Region and restore the glory her family had enjoyed before leaving it.

“Only by mastering the Northern Region can the Mesu family’s Northern Fleet live up to its name.”

“If I seize Sesath and control the Northern Region, the Mesu family can rise again.”

“With the Fontainebleau under my command, I can explore the Furious Sea. If I uncover that secret, no family on this continent will be able to rival the Mesu family.”

Brimming with confidence, Duchess Mesu dismissed the notion that Sesath could stand in her way. Not only was it currently guarded by her family’s own Merime, but even if Merime harbored any rebellious thoughts, he could never resist the Northern Fleet at full strength.

Duchess Mesu even envisioned further conquests. After securing Sesath, she planned to lead her fleet ashore and claim as much territory as possible. Although she could not unify the Northern Region with her duchy, trade between the two regions via her fleet would be entirely feasible.

A Saint-ranked subordinate descended from the sky and whispered, “Your Grace! Sesath has changed its banner!”

Duchess Mesu raised an eyebrow and asked, “Whose banner?”

The Saint rank replied, “It’s the banner of Charlot Mecklenburg!”

Frowning slightly, Duchess Mesu remarked, “Ah, the son-in-law of the Bretagne family.”

Turning to her daughter, she ordered, “Ardosa! Go and tell Charlot to step aside. Sesath is my target.”

A young woman answered promptly, “Yes, Mother!”

Her full name was Ardosa Mesu, the duchess’s only daughter. Ardosa had been showered with her mother’s affection, trained in martial arts personally, and later excelled academically, rivaling geniuses like Zimourman Axel Robin and Menielman Soumet. Although she was four or five years younger, she had progressed rapidly during a different era.

Ardosa was curious about Charlot, who had become a man of renown across the continent.

Without even carrying a weapon, Ardosa flew toward Sesath, not expecting Charlot to engage her in combat, as they were technically allies.

Charlot, prepared for a showdown with the Northern Fleet, reflected on his journey. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have had the strength or confidence to confront Duchess Mesu openly. A year prior, during a magical item auction, he had been a nobody in her eyes.

Even now, Duchess Mesu likely didn’t remember crossing paths with him.

But Charlot had grown significantly. Now leading a formidable group of more than ten Saint ranks, he was a force to be reckoned with. Although he had not yet reached the peak of the seventeenth rank, he was unafraid of any major noble.

Ardosa streaked through the sky as a black light, landing atop the walls of Sesath.

Charlot, surprised, noticed her use of Dark Combat Energy, a technique exclusive to Sheffield University alumni. He instinctively called out, “Which senior or alum is this?”

“Sheffield University, Black Moon Class of Year 33 graduate Charlot Mecklenburg is here.”

Caught off guard, Ardosa steadied herself and responded, “I am indeed your senior. Call me Senior Ardosa!”

Charlot obediently greeted her, “Senior Ardosa! Are you here to negotiate on behalf of Duchess Mesu?”

He added pointedly, “Let me make it clear: His Majesty Emperor Bretagne has decreed that all conquered territories will belong to the Mecklenburg estate. I will not surrender this vast expanse of land. If Duchess Mesu harbors any unwarranted ambitions, I advise her to abandon them promptly to avoid disgrace.”

Ardosa was unbothered by his bluntness, smiling faintly as she said, “Our Mesu family has thirteen Saint ranks.”

Charlot raised a finger and commanded, “Rise up, and let Senior Ardosa see!”

Ten of Charlot’s Saint-ranked subordinates, along with four newly allied nobles, ascended into the air. Charlot, visibly pleased, remarked, “I happen to have one more!”

Ardosa was genuinely shocked. Though she had heard rumors about Charlot, her family’s distance from the Fars Empire due to their alliance with Byron had left them with limited intelligence. She had no idea Charlot commanded such a formidable assembly of Saint ranks.

Recovering from her surprise, Ardosa remarked, “Even with such numbers, we have the Fontainebleau! As a native of Fars, you must know its power. Especially in my mother’s hands, it is unmatched.”

Charlot removed a golden ring from his hand and hurled it into the sea. As a high-level Transcendent, the force of his throw was immense. The golden ring flew far before plunging into the water.

Ardosa was initially puzzled by Charlot’s actions but soon froze as she realized the ring’s impact. It stirred the sea into towering waves hundreds of meters high, as though a mountain had fallen into the ocean. The collision of sea and mountain was as powerful as a divine fist splitting the waters.

The Northern Fleet, stationed in the distance, was forced several kilometers back by the surging waves. It took the combined efforts of several Saint ranks to stabilize their vessels.

Amid the turbulent seas, a legendary warship emerged unshaken.

It was none other than the Radiant Holy Kingdom.

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