The First Magic World War

Chapter 528: 494, Charles, who had to use a false identity Chapter 528: 494, Charles, who had to use a false identity Charles never expected that his fleet would bring such chaos to Aegean Island; he looked at the ships crazily rushing out of the harbor with a bit of speechlessness.

It wasn’t his fault, though.

While in the Fars Empire, Charles had always had an official identity, and now he was even Duke Mecklen.

As long as he flew the Mecklen Family’s flag, no one was unaware of this noble newcomer of the Empire.

Nowadays, Charles’s reputation was so significant in the Old Continent that it could truly be said to be widely known.

Charles casually pointed out one of the Undead Saints.

Nearly all of the eleven ancient magical Ghost Ships he had taken over were commanded by Undead Saints, who naturally became part of the fleet as well.

Charles usually treated his subordinate Saints—whether it was the voluntarily allied Black Dragon, Agon, the former trio of the Royal Knights Order allied by agreement, the coerced Vigo, the contract-bound Herolf and Qiudelo, or the unexpectedly allied bigwigs Gareth and Andreas—with complete respect, showing not the slightest bit of arrogance in his attitude, nor using these Saints for any trivial matters in daily life.

With these Undead Saints at his disposal, Charles felt confident and haphazard in ordering them around.

After all, they were not human.

An Undead Sacred level being rose into the sunlight and flew above the harbor of Aegean Island, speaking with a hoarse voice that carried an undertone of fear, “The Fars Empire’s newly risen Duke Mecklen is passing through this area to resupply, not to conquer Aegean Island, nor will there be any war.

Please, everyone, there’s no need to worry.”

“With the strength of Duke Mecklen’s fleet, there’s equally no need to tell any lies!”

The Undead Saint’s figure was backlit by the direct light of the sun, appearing as if a Grim Reaper had come to guide the living to paradise.

Though everyone heard and understood his words and knew that such a powerful fleet had no reason to deceive, still, everyone panicked, and no one could stay calm.

Seeing this, Charles could only sigh helplessly and summon the Undead Saint back.

He first ordered all ghost ships to sink into the sea to make them less oppressive, both because the ghost ships were indeed uncomfortable under the sun and to make the fleet appear less threatening.

Despite the sinking of five to six hundred ghost ships, leaving Charles’s fleet with just three Legendary Warships and seven Magical Alchemy Warships, which seemed rather “lonesome,” it did nothing to erase the panic in the hearts of the Aegean Island residents; the situation didn’t improve at all.

Charles simply sighed and said, “Let’s wait a few days!

After a few days, they should regain some reason.”

All of the Saints under Charles had gathered on the Holy Light Divine State Title.

They didn’t even need him to call them together for a meeting; they all preferred to stay on this Legendary Warship, rather than return to their own achievements.

Even those “upright gentlemen,” like Kratos, enjoyed spending their time on the Holy Light Divine State Title.

Charles, after all, was a person from Earth.

He didn’t own the Dolmabahçe Number for long before changing his flagship.

Therefore, he hadn’t had time to do much on the Dolmabahçe Number, but on the Holy Light Divine State Title, he had created various entertainment facilities only found on Earth, such as maid cafes, bars with female singers and dancers, and a club for playing card games where every club had Great Act Devils transformed into charming anime girls serving, turning the Holy Light Divine State Title into an all-encompassing entertainment venue.

With such complete entertainment facilities, along with abundant coffee, fine wine, and food, interspersed with anime girls and anime guys roaming the ship, this Legendary Warship took on an added allure, making the officials of the Mecklen fleet fall in love with whiling away their time on board.

When Charles announced a temporary stay, his high-ranking officers scattered, each to his or her pleasures, while the officers responsible for logistics lowered dozens of small boats and approached Aegean Island to go ashore for supplies.

Although Charles had brought very ample supplies, they had been delayed many times and for too long along the way, so a substantial restock was still needed.

Charles summoned Andreas and Agon; the three of them took a small boat as well.

He wanted to go ashore to check what exactly was the situation in the town of Tony Stark.

The Elephant-man Agon didn’t mind, but Andreas, the elder, wasn’t keen at all, constantly grumbling during the journey, “Isn’t it wonderful on the Holy Light Divine State Title?

What could this rundown island have to offer?”

Charles couldn’t help but ask, “You’re getting married soon, aren’t you?”

Andreas spoke with a touch of pride, “My father has gone to Byron, I am now a noble of the Fars Empire; no one can control me anymore.

Whether I get married or not, even the old man can’t tell me what to do.

No one is to rush me.”

After reflecting on it, Charles realized this was indeed the case.

Constantine had allied with Byron and was now Byron Nobility.

Andreas had allied with him and was a noble of the Fars Empire—there was no reason for the Byron Nobility to chastise or control a noble of the Fars Empire.

Being Andreas’s overlord, Charles could not allow such a thing…

Well, he still had to take the blame for Andreas.

Rubbing his hands together, Andreas said, “Charles, you might not like this sort of thing, but you have to realize, those Great Act Devils, transformed into girls based on your illustrations, are truly unparalleled in beauty, and they’re very good at learning…”

“Mhm, let’s not talk about learning for now.”

“In short, I think even when we return to the Fars Empire, you should keep the Holy Light Divine State Title docked at the port, so everyone can come up and play freely.”

Charles was silent for a moment, then said, “I will create a system that allows only members of the Westwind Knights to board the Holy Light Divine State Title, and according to their rank, they will have different levels of authority.”

Since she couldn’t contain it, Charles came to terms with it and thought there was nothing wrong with giving the Westwind Knights an additional cohesion factor.

Andreas frequently looked back, apparently still reluctant to leave the Great Act Devils on the Holy Light Divine State Title, but once he set foot on Aegean Island, his demeanor completely changed, and he regained the imposing aura of the youngest Sacred-level knight in the former Black Phoenix Dynasty.

At that moment, the shore was the stage of a standoff between two groups of people: one was Charles’s subordinates, and the other consisted of the bravest people of the island, who were ready to fight to the death to protect their homeland.

Charles’s subordinates did not want to fight, but the people of the island were aggressive; with their families, homes, and spouses, children, parents, and friends behind them, they were all in, and no one was willing to back down.

Charles understood the emotions of these people and greatly admired these brave people.

He walked over with Andreas and Agon and placed himself between the two groups, loudly saying, “Please, could a leader come out and speak with me?”

A very gracious man with a longsword hanging from his waist came forward and said, “I am not a leader, but whatever you want to say, you can say to me.”

Charles gave an Empire salute and said, “I am Duke Mecklen of Fars.

May I ask who you are, sir?”

The man’s expression remained the same, but he replied indifferently, “I am familiar with Fars’s nobility but have never heard of the Mekren surname, let alone a Duke of such stature.”

Charles was a bit embarrassed and could only say, “Sorry, that is my nickname.

My real identity is the Empire’s fifth-level Clerk Chief, Fars Empire’s special plenipotentiary war envoy to the New Continent!”

Charles was at a loss—explaining the back-to-back rebellions of Redmir and Brittany was tricky enough, not to mention explaining his crucial role in the rebellion of the Old Earl of Brittany, being the first to support the new Emperor’s ascension, and, additionally, being the Emperor’s son-in-law…

Better to just concoct a false identity on the fly.

Indeed, this new identity was easily believed by the other party.

With the magnificence of the Mecklen fleet, and Charles’s apparent high status, the title of fifth-level Clerk Chief certainly fit, and the role of a diplomatic envoy with full authority was consistent with the fleet’s actions.

The man with the longsword said, “My name is Temple Robin!

I’m the captain of the island’s militia.”

Charles nodded slightly.

The Agres Sea belonged to no nation, so the political systems of the various empires were not evident here.

Although Golden Island had a city lord, their power was not significant, they could be easily captured and killed by the residents.

Aegean Island had six towns, one port, and obviously no unified management—the captain of the militia could be considered one of the island’s leaders.

Charles smiled faintly and said, “I would like to obtain some supplies in a fair trade.”

Temple Robin took a deep breath and replied, “On behalf of the residents of Aegean Island, I’m willing to offer drinking water and some supplies, but please, once you’re resupplied, leave immediately.”

Charles laughed and said, “If I chose to, I could take Aegean Island by this evening.

However, we’re not here for war; we’re just passing by.

Thus, we wish to deal amicably with the island’s residents.

But your aggressive stance seems like a challenge.”

“Please trust us, with just those three Legendary Warships, there’s no need to play any tricks or strategems with you.

Can’t we have a peaceful and equal dialogue?”

Temple Robin took a deep breath and said, “But you are too powerful, and the pressure you bring is too strong; everyone can barely handle the stress.”

Charles smiled slightly and said, “Everyone will get used to it in time.”

“After a few days, when people see we pose no threat and have no intention of waging war, they won’t be so worried and scared.”

“By the way, Temple, are you a Farsian?

What is your relation to Duke Robin?”

Temple Robin’s expression slightly darkened as he said, “I have shamed that surname; I’d rather not talk about the past.”

Charles nodded and said, “My quartermasters would like to begin procurement.

Most of them aren’t carrying offensive weapons, just some swords and firearms for the guards.

May your militiamen allow them to pass?”

“As an exchange, I will allow your people to be present during each procurement team’s operations.”

After a long talk with Charles, Temple Robin indeed believed that Charles had no intention of attacking Aegean Island.

He went back to discuss with the militiamen for a while and agreed to Charles’s proposal.

Charles smiled faintly and said, “I’d like to walk around Aegean Island at will, may I know if Temple could act as my guide?”

Temple Robin took a deep breath and replied, “I have no problems; I will be responsible for your safety on the island.”

Charles laughed!