Chapter 263 – Eastern Conquest Plan 4 (1/2)

Woohyuk didn’t forget to enjoy a meal with his young dragons.

“It’s a special dish made by the King of Cooks, Hans. Do you like it?” he asked.

“Wow, it’s really delicious!” Lia exclaimed.

“It’s different from the cooking that my aunt does!” Canelion added on.

“Hahaha… these girls…” Leifina awkwardly snickered with a guilty expression.

While Lia and Canelion were eating deliciously, Hans entered the room.

“If it’s not enough, feel free to tell me. Today, a lot of ingredients came in from the Rhine Kingdom,” he said heartily.

“Then, a little more. These kids’ stomachs are endless pits,” Woohyuk said proudly.

Even though they were polymorphed as humans, Lia and Canelion’s appetites were as active as if they had taken their dragon form.

It was probably because they were at a growing age.

When Woohyuk placed an additional order, Lia suddenly asked a question, “By the way, Dad, why are you entering the East country?”

“It’s for the peace of the continent. A monarch there has succumbed to madness and is about to wage a war of conquest on the entire continent,” he replied.

“You don’t need the help of dragons? If you want, I can give orders to the heads of the nine dragon tribes to give assistance,” Lia said, trying to be some help.

Lia acquired her Dragon Lord class, so none of the dragons of the dragon races could disobey her.

Her suggestion was appealing, but Woohyuk shook his head.

“The role of the dragon tribe is to protect Inotia. If you intervene beyond that, the Creator will do something else,” he gently answered.

“But wouldn’t it be okay for a few to participate in the war? Lia is busy managing the dragon tribes, but she wouldn’t care if I followed,” Canelion mentioned from the side.

Canelion seemed eager to fight, throwing a feeler out at Woohyuk.

“No, you need to help Lia by her side. She will need a friend to rely on when things get tough,” he replied.

“If you say so. I’ll do as you say. But where did Tinia’s mother go?” she asked, changing the subject.

“She left for the Norton Kingdom with her family. She probably won’t be back for a while.”

Originally, Tinia was supposed to be in charge of Canelion, but she was currently unable to do so due to the recent circumstances.

However, now that the dragon race was taking care of Canelion, it didn’t seem like any problems would arise.

After a while, once they finished their meal, Woohyuk stroked the heads of the two young dragons.

“I’ll see you both again soon. Take care, Lia and Canelion.”

“Take care, mom and dad!” Lia shouted out.

“Lia and I will guard the house during your absence,” replied Canelion.

For the two young dragons, Heavenly Island was their home.

“Please try this red tea. I added some of my own scent creations. I hope it suits your taste.”

During the flight, King of Cooking Hans served tea.

After sipping some of the offered tea, Woohyuk and Leifina looked at him with admiration.

“You’re very skilled and professional, Hans,” Woohyuk complimented.

“This is basic. Hahaha…”

Hans was planning to play an active part as Woohyuk’s exclusive cook during this expedition.

He didn’t want to rely on eating Leifina’s burnt, tasteless food anymore.

When they arrived at their destination, they saw the Eastern Conquest forces organized and lined up.

As Eleanora promised, there were about 300,000 soldiers.

Indeed, it was a huge army.

Woohyuk went up to the podium and started his speech.

“Today we are leaving to punish our enemies who disturbed the order and peace in the West.”

The soldiers fell quiet as they intently listened to his voice.

“Peace is never given freely. If we do not fight against our enemies, our territory will be devastated and turned into ruins. If you don’t want to face such dire consequences for you or for the following generations, follow me. A glorious victory awaits us at the end.”

“Yeah~!”

“Long live the Hero King!”

The soldiers’ shouts pierced the sky.

Woohyuk took the lead and started the campaign for the Eastern Conquest.

‘The Theresia Empire must have gotten wind of our movement. They’re probably scrambling right now.’

In the eastern part of the Theresian Empire, the demonic fleet was probably conducting their surprise raid. Most of the empire’s troops were probably focused on that eastern corner.

Hong Yuri would also soon move north with her vampire clan from the southern tip of the eastern continent.

‘There’s only the frost giants left now.’

He had already mentioned his plans to them when he encountered some of them last time.

Therefore, his existence and plans must be known to them to a certain extent internally.

He felt it would be easy to establish communications if he sent a messenger.

“Send this letter to the Chief Frost Giant of the Aizu Kingdom and bring me back his answer,” Woohyuk ordered Catsy.

“Nya~ong~! Okay!”

Catsy pricked her ears and disappeared with the letter Woohyuk had prepared in advance.

Shortly thereafter, she appeared again from the void and began to recite what she had written down.

“To the successor of Frost Queen Ariandne, we will always cooperate with your orders. If you need the help of our clan, just say the word. But before that, I would like to meet and talk in person. Please visit in the near future…”

In short, they were requesting him to come in person to the Aizu Kingdom to prove that he was Ariandne’s successor.

Woohyuk nodded his head as if he expected as much.

“I have to go see him,” he muttered.

“Meow! Then shall I go back now?” Catsy asked.

“No. You stay here and take over for me. Make sure to act the part,” he replied.

Woohyuk gave Catsy his Jester’s Mask and made her disguise as him.

Afterward, after turning Catsy into his own form, he used stealth magic to slip away.

‘There’s still some time left before the forces reach the Krobaichen Isthmus.’

If they crossed through the Strait of Isis, the travel time would be relatively quick. However, since he had a large troop, if they were to be caught in the middle, the entire fleet could be eliminated.

Furthermore, an amphibious operation was also a strategy that Marcus had tried unsuccessfully, so he possessed a blueprint on how to defend against a water-based crossing.

‘As for me, I think taking the Thunderbird will be better than utilizing the flying shuttle.’

Since the Thunderbird flew faster, it would be possible for him to get to and from the Aizu Kingdom very quickly.

When Woohyuk summoned the Thunderbird, he heard its cry from afar.

“Kya-Ah!”

“W-What was that?” a soldier asked nervously.

“Is it a flying monster?” another added on.

The soldiers stared at the sky in confusion.

Then Catsy, who was in Woohyuk’s image, reassured them.

“Meow, don’t trouble yourselves! That’s my Thunderbird!”

“Wow! That’s amazing!”

“To capture and domesticate such a legendary bird!”

The soldiers laughed and cheered as they saw the low-flying Thunderbird approach Catsy.

Meanwhile, Woohyuk quickly got on the Thunderbird’s back once it was close.

“Go on, to the Aizu Kingdom.”