Chapter 581: 581
Chapter 582-Driving Out!
A few hours ago, the Island Masters of the Broken Islands would never have thought of the current situation.
These believers of money were good at using the magic wand called trade and wealth to command the creatures who worshipped money to dance. They seized wealth and exploited value. They relied on the charm of money to protect their armor and become an independent force that played a decisive role in the world.
They claimed to be believers of the Goddess of Wealth. They were used to using economic means to solve problems. They imposed embargoes, they hyped up prices, they caused the economy of an area to collapse, they made kings bow their heads, and they made nobles bow their heads. They had done too many amazing things, so much so that their arrogance grew and gradually became arrogant.
Now, they had encountered a situation that was difficult to understand and imagine.
A single person had merely taken a single round around the Broken Islands and said a few words, yet the prosperous scene of the Broken Islands had been shattered, causing an unprecedented panic.
This scene would definitely be remembered in history and become another humiliation for the Broken Islands.
Historians would probably call it the White Ship Incident.
When the Knight Astolford left, leaving only a pile of flesh and blood in the Pioneer Square, the silent Broken Islands finally erupted.
Rich people and tourists from all over the world crowded the port in an instant, demanding to leave immediately by boat. The ticket prices rose again and again. No one was willing to stay here because Kant had been here before.
Not long ago, this person from Aurora had thrown a forbidden spell near the Broken Islands. Even though it was extremely far away, the tsunami caused by the forbidden spell had given the entire Broken Islands a cold bath. For a lunatic with a criminal record, who could guarantee that he would not be thrown directly in the middle of the Broken Islands this time?
The tourists wanted to run, and so did the merchants.
The various merchant associations and offices in the Broken Islands also tried to leave. The entire Broken Islands was shrouded in a panic, which was even worse than the Forbidden Spell incident nearly a month ago.
The crime rate soared, fights continued to be banned, low-end alcohol was sold out, and shipping tickets were hard to come by. The rich wanted to escape, while the commoners who couldn’t escape squandered wantonly. Those who had spent all their money stole, robbed, and cheated. The Broken Islands, known for its prosperity, freedom, and dreams, instantly became a frenzied demon cave. They tore off their dream masks and revealed their ugly and ferocious faces.
Chaos was everywhere in the commercial district, the civilian district, and the dock area, but this godforsaken place also showed a strange dichotomous nature of order and chaos. On one side was the increasingly chaotic public security, and on the other side was the well-equipped island guards who were ready and ready to fight. They guarded the core industries, high-end residential areas, and private islands of the island owners, killing anyone who dared to cross the red line.
Therefore, the nobles on the island stood behind the French windows of the luxurious private villas and looked at the chaotic scene of rising fireworks. They despised and scolded the lowly people in disdain.
He also arrogantly declared that the noble would always be the noble, and there was a reason why the commoners became commoners. They were born to be lowly and degenerate, just like now.
The rich tourists were also well protected. They would not be attacked or hurt.
However, everyone knew that Kant valued equality the most.
Even if they had a safe residence and elite guards, these were not enough to make the nobles of the Broken Islands feel at ease. In fact, they were as afraid as the commoners. This was because the strong fortresses and powerful guards could block the attacks and looting of the lowly, but they were not enough to block the peerless forbidden spells that destroyed everything.
They stood on the high ground and looked at the lowlifes, but Kant stood on the clouds and looked at them.
The Star of Destruction descended, and all living beings were equal.
“I told you! This is a declaration of war!”
In the secret meeting room of the underground fallout shelter of the central island, the images of the twelve island masters were projected here through magical means and appeared on the chairs.
There were men and women, old and young, and they were the representatives and controllers of the twelve interest groups that controlled the wealth, power, and strength of the Broken Islands. Their economic power could create a terrifying crisis in a medium-sized country, causing the country’s royal family to lose their reputation, causing the country’s economy to decline, turning the nobles into bandits, and civilians into beggars. They could cause a terrifying riot in the entire country.
But now, the economic magic wand that they were proud of and had tried and tested had lost all its effect in the face of a new enemy. No, or rather, all their reliance had lost its effect.
The Broken Islands were the trade hub of the western seas. They controlled important nodes and earned gold coins from all over the world. It was extremely tempting, but they could maintain their independence under the watchful eyes of the elves, empires, and the Council. They even had businesses all over the world, and sometimes they even dared to compete with the Dragon Island.
What did he rely on?
People, relationships, and a network of interests.
The Phoenix King wanted to touch the Broken Islands? The Sunset Moon Council would object.
This was because there were many representatives in the parliament who enjoyed the private offerings of the Broken Islands. Some of them were even close friends of the island masters and core VIP customers of some islands. Other than that, these representatives and their families and interest groups had many businesses with the Broken Islands. They exchanged benefits and gold coins, and thousands of people relied on these trade routes to make a living.
It was the same for the Emperor and the Arcane Magic Council.
The Shattered Islands relied on their outstanding persuasion ability, money offensive, and ingenious diplomatic mediation to rope in three major powers as umbrellas at once. They even made them check and balance each other, ensuring the independence and integrity of this land of wealth and obtaining huge benefits from it.
Due to the intertwining of interests, the Broken Islands ‘market expansion and business expansion process were always successful. Even if they were forced to buy or sell, vicious competition, or tyrannical, the victims could only swallow their anger. Even if they wanted revenge, they would feel fear when they saw the complex interest network behind the Broken Islands. They could only bear with it.
They were so used to using the tiger’s might that the island masters had the misconception that they were very strong.
However, this tactic was useless against Kant.
What a joke, how many of you are there?
Among the countries in the world, who was stronger than Mu Yue?
I, the Skyquaking Dragon, killed five legions with forbidden spells, broke through seven lines of defense on land, and launched a sneak attack with the Red Maple and Lucerne Air Cavalry. I slapped Mu Yue with both my hands. The so-called Elf Butcher is nothing more than this. I killed so many Elves so efficiently that the Demon Generals called me an expert, and the ancient foreign tribes admitted defeat.
Among all the races in the world, who could be fiercer than a dragon?
I, Kang, killed dragons like drinking water. I killed the Red Maple Lucerne with my arrows. I killed the dragon delegation with my clever plan. I killed the fallen dragons with my good ship in the battle of the distant port. In less than two months, 30 to 40 dragons died directly or indirectly by my hands. It’s not an exaggeration to call me Conan of the dragon race.
Such a peerless and fierce person was like the male protagonist of the novel. He carried a halo of hatred and caused trouble all over the world. He killed elves on the battlefield of Songyue, messed with dragons on the world stage, cursed the envoy of the council in Goethe’s court, and made enemies with the Empire in Splendor Sand Town. He had offended all the top forces in the world.
What was even more terrifying was that this was only a small job he had done in the first few months of his debut.
The most terrifying thing was that he was still alive and kicking after doing all these things.
Furthermore, after the Battle of Distant Harbor, he directly captured the fleets of the three countries. Facing the three world powers, he actually held a strong position of taking the initiative to attack. He was full of energy. Before he could settle the aftermath of the Battle of Distant Harbor, he turned around and started to destroy the archipelago. He fought on multiple fronts without fear.
Facing such a fierce man, the Broken Islands ‘proud connections and benefits were indeed a handful.
Why would someone like me, who was always chatting and laughing with the world’s top forces, be afraid of the mere benefits of the Broken Islands? They should be afraid of the Broken Islands, as they had actually provoked such a lunatic.
As for their economic punishment, it was useless.
The huge loss in the war of grain prices had proven everything. Kant had his own channels, and they were delivered instantly. The Broken Isles had yet to figure out who had sold the grain to Kant.
It was not the Council, the Empire, the Elves, or even Goethe who had opened up a treasury. Perhaps it was a small country. The powerful intelligence network of the Broken Isles was searching for the bastard who had supplied Kant with food. Be it a country, an organization, a family, or an individual, they swore to find him and punish him with the harshest punishment and revenge!
But that was all in the future.
The imminent threat was right in front of him.
Kant had arrived on his battleship and given them a tight slap in the face. He had also issued a war warning that if they did not submit, they would perish. There was not much time left for the Broken Islands.
This was because they had discovered to their dismay that their hundreds of years of management, connections, foundations, and power were completely useless against Kant. Furthermore, Kant was essentially a single person!
“There is a riot on our island! We are losing customers! The tourists were clamoring to leave, and the merchants wanted to escape from this area because they believed that the flames of war would ravage this place! They don’t think we can win! That damned Kant!
He only said a few words!”
In the remote meeting of the island masters, a well-dressed middle-aged man pounded the table and shouted,” That’s a forbidden spell! Forbidden Spell! We must do something! Or escape as soon as possible!”
Even after hundreds of years of construction, a large number of coastal fortifications and fortresses, impregnable defenses, the construction of underground shelters, secret escape routes, life-saving scrolls that were bought at a high price, and the hiring of experts…These preparations and arrangements could even make the elves ‘most powerful fleet pay a heavy price and still be unable to completely occupy the Broken Islands. However, the reappearance of the Forbidden Spell had broken the pattern of the war.
As the actual controllers of the Broken Islands, after the Forbidden Spell was cast a month ago, they immediately sent professionals to conduct a close-up assessment and investigation. The answer was terrifying.
Even the sturdiest shelter on the island could not withstand the bombardment of a forbidden spell.
Now that death was near, they finally understood how terrifying Kant was.
No matter how powerful, how wealthy, or how powerful they were.
He could kill you like a dog.
It would definitely not be any harder than killing the beggars on the roadside.
“Do something!” The middle-aged man shouted with a slight breakdown,” At least let’s leave this place first…”
“No.”
The shadow sitting in the host’s seat opened his old eyes and glanced at the middle-aged man.
“Whoever leaves will be considered to have given up on the position of the island master. All the wealth and power they possess will be divided among the remaining eleven families. We will place an order with the Brotherhood Alliance to permanently reward all the members of their family until the other party’s bloodline is severed…This is a punishment for betrayers.”
The middle-aged man’s expression froze.” Then why didn’t you ask the Brotherhood to assassinate Kant?!” he snapped.
” Kant has long been on the Brotherhood’s list of not to be killed. He is on par with the kings of various countries. When he was in Valentan, the master of the Brotherhood paid him a visit. These assassins are also natural businessmen and opportunists. Don’t think of them as idiots who are fearless for money and so-called professionalism.”
“They know better than you who they can’t offend,” the old man said indifferently.
The middle-aged man wanted to say something, but the other party shouted,” Abandon your meaningless fantasies. This is the cruelest war. We can only resist and fight by ourselves!”
” It’s not a matter of war now. It’s a matter of survival.”
Another shadow spoke. It was a young man who was about fifteen or sixteen years old. His lips were red and his teeth were white. His eyes were pure. He adjusted his bow tie.” The problem now is that we will collapse on our own before Kant even takes action. The merchants will start to flee, and the tourists will lose faith in us…”
” Merchants are profit-seeking dogs. They will wag their tails at whoever gives them money. They will run away from risks and approach benefits. But as long as we win, they will run back with their tails wagging. That’s all.”
The old man replied,” But because of this, we don’t have to be polite with them. Merchants have no backbone or dignity, so we can offend and use them as much as we want now. Anyway, no matter how much we humiliate them, as long as the war is won and business opportunities still exist, they will quickly forget all the unhappiness and continue to wear polite and hypocritical smiles as they try to continue doing business with us…Isn’t it?”
The island masters fell silent.
They heard the unspoken meaning of a desperate attempt.
If the Broken Islands lost, if their foundation was destroyed, if they died, then what did it matter if they offended more people?
The old man thought for a moment and made a decision.” Send someone to put the merchants under house arrest, confiscate all their goods, and prohibit them from leaving. Conscript their guards. If they refuse to accept or resist, arrange for the mobs and robbers to kill them to intimidate the dissatisfied opponents. You know what to do.”
The island masters nodded slowly.
Instigating the guards to open a gap, hinting to the rioters, and even sending people to disguise themselves as robbers. This level of small tricks was simply a normal competition method in the Broken Islands.
Everyone was very familiar with it.
“What about the tourists?” the young man asked.
“We can’t let the tourists go either, including those big shots!” The old man’s eyes flickered.
This time, everyone was moved and revealed a surprised expression.
“They’re different from businessmen. Many of them are powerful and influential…” The young man frowned.
“Precisely because of this, we can’t let them go.” The old man said,” The more important figures like them there are, the less likely Kant is to cast a Forbidden Spell.”
“This is no different from kidnapping.” The young man questioned,” This will make these big shots and their friends have a bad impression of the Broken Islands, causing us to lose many precious customers.”
“No, you’re wrong. We’ll never lack such precious customers.”
The old man’s weak eyes flashed with two rays of light. A private island that is like a paradise. It conforms to the most primitive desires of the living beings. It is a rebellious, evil, soul-piercing, supreme, pleasure, and depraved happiness…”
“Our paradise is built on the desires of the living. As long as the evil darkness doesn’t disappear, we will never lack customers. Because only the Broken Islands can provide them with this kind of private and ultimate service that will never be known by outsiders. It allows the high and mighty figures in the outside world to throw away the shackles of morality and secular supervision and devote themselves to the supreme enjoyment brought by money and power!”
“-so you’d better get your priorities straight.”
The old man’s voice became sharper.” Now is the key to life and death. We have to use all means and open all services to important guests. We have to do everything we can to make them stay on the island in peace. If they insist on leaving, let them leave. Then…”
“Arrange for Kant’s navy to sink them,” he said calmly.
The entire place was silent. Then, the island masters slowly nodded.
” Do your best to appease and persuade those big shots. Let them put pressure on our country, persuade interest groups, and persuade other countries to interfere with Kant’s atrocities. Since you know what time it is now, do your best to save yourself. Everyone, even if you can’t get these powerful people to interfere directly, you should at least put pressure on them to ensure that Kant won’t use the Forbidden Spell no matter what.”
“Do you understand?”
” As long as Kant doesn’t use any forbidden spells, we have a chance of winning. The fortresses, coastal defenses, and defense systems that we have been operating for hundreds of years will definitely be able to stop Kant’s half-baked army! The longer we block him, the more flexible our space will be, and the more obvious the turn of events will be!”
” So, use all your connections, methods, and resources.
” Ask for external help, request for interference, and appease our internal business partners. Let our important clients and business partners believe that Sunset Moon, the dynasty, and the council are on our side! The situation is very stable, and the countries are extremely dissatisfied with Kant’s atrocities. There will be interference and condemnation soon. We must let them understand this!”
“Maintain stability! Stable!”
The old man emphasized that the island masters were united in their determination to protect their homeland.
Goethe’s West Coast, Ocean Tidal Manor, meeting room on the third floor.
“Your Highness!” Hong San pushed open the door and entered with the commanders of the three countries.” The three countries have responded!”
Kant slammed the table.
“Are the fleets ready?” he asked.
“Standing by, Your Highness!”
The generals of the three countries received clear instructions and answered without hesitation.
” Let’s go!” The Skyquaking Dragon pointed at the location on the map.” Then let’s set off for the Broken Islands!”
“Yes, sir!”
” Yes, Your Highness.” The soldiers agreed without hesitation.” May I ask what our mission is?” Cavisaron asked. Should we attack or block the route?”
“Neither.”
“Then what for?”
Kant sneered.
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[PS 1: Upgraded…] Finally, it rained, and it was a little cooler.