715 Three Fronts (2/2)
Ye Qingxuan snuffed out the cigarette in his hand. ”I understand the specific situation.” He said calmly, ”We need not heed the first formation. Strengthen the defenses at the ports and leave them to their own devices. They don't have much time anyway.
”The Navy only needs to take care of the problems caused by the second and third formations. Later, I will ask Her Majesty to grant me the authority to wake the Royal Fleet of the first generation. After the maintenance of the Mountain of Nomadism is complete, I will return to the frontal battlefield, and I will solve the problem of the Stronghold on Sea.
”As for the rest, I'll have to leave it to you all. ”
The Lord High Admiral looked at Ye Qingxuan in a surprised manner. ”You mean... make it a fast battle?”
”Seven days.” Ye Qingxuan gave a number from estimation. ”This time around, I'm afraid that both sides have realized it. The war can't be dragged on for a long time, it must be resolved promptly.
”If I haven't guessed wrong, I'm afraid that it will be over within seven days.”
He paused and looked at the stunned look on everyone's face, saying calmly, ”In other words, we either annihilate the Asgardian fleet completely or Avalon will be burned to ashes by the Asgardians.
”There will be no third outcome.”
Half an hour later, Ye Qingxuan walked out of the closed conference room, took his coat from Lola, draped it on himself, and strode out of the Privy Council.
”Where are you going next?” she asked.
”To have an audience with Her Majesty.” Ye Qingxuan gave a wave of his hand and said, ”Go and contact Shi Dong, ask the fella to speed up the maintenance of the Mountain of Nomadism, I want to depart from the harbor before 6 o'clock tomorrow, and...” He paused and his expression became firm. ”No matter what method you use, contact Watson and tell him that I will give him five more days at most.
”After five days, if he has not succeeded, then Anglo may not exist anymore.”
…
”Before tomorrow morning?” In the workshop, Shi Dong took off his goggles and sighed resignedly. ”Actually, for the creatures termed as 'boss,' after having tasted the sweetness of exploiting their subordinates, they will treat their subordinates less and less humanely, no?” As he said so, he looked beside him. ”Your Excellency, this thing, can you finish installing it by tomorrow morning?”
Beside him, the middle-aged man who was so burly that he didn't look like a priest looked at the behemoth outside the suspended ladder and thought for a moment amid the rumble. ”I can.”
Apart from the two words, he mentioned nothing more. He was very economic with words.
”You hear it? Just report back to His Honor the same way.” Shi Dong waved, motioning for the subordinate to retreat. Finally, he turned back and looked up at the heavy steelwork that was raised from the ground by derrick towers. Countless cables hung from many of the connectors on it, making it seem just like a weird jellyfish.
On the cracked upper deck of the Mountain of Nomadism, a huge space had been cleared out. Dozens of musicians prostrated themselves on it, combing out the alchemy array intensively, opening up new slots and gaps for the equipment to be installed.
”It's just that this thing is really big.” Shi Dong gazed at the huge weapon on the derrick tower and sighed softly. ”It's really hard for me to imagine, Your Excellency, is it really as powerful as you said? Removing the Petitioners and use this to replace the main battery without conducting any tests, it feels a bit reckless no matter how I think about it...”
”With the Net of Aether to support it, there will be no problem.” The prelate's voice was flat, with no ups and downs. ”Bishop Shi Dong, you need not worry. It is the war weapon that we have recovered from the records before the Age of Dark. It is the most suitable weapon for the Mountain of Nomadism.”
Shi Dong laughed. ”I am afraid that Your Excellency is the only one at the moment who still remembers that I can also be considered as a bishop.”
The prelate did not speak but simply looked up silently, gazing at the huge weapon above him. The weapon was forged out of steel, with black gold as its core, made of countless precious materials and alloys, and named after the pagan god of flames—Hephaestus.