[To the Imperial Navy Command:

With the blessings of Saint Sis, I wish His Majesty the Emperor good health. Here, I report the preliminary findings during my stationing at Withered Wood Port on the Gana Continent.

Firstly, regarding alternative solutions to the supply issues, I have successfully contacted the local lord—Prince Colin.

This honorable gentleman is a true noble, whose noble character left a deep impression on me. Even though he and his family have been separated from the Empire for 500 years, his heart always leans toward His Majesty the Emperor, expressing genuine concern for our situation, even though his territory is also severely afflicted.

According to him, 500 years ago he was commanded to venture into the depths of the Vast Ocean, seeking new lands, but encountered a shipwreck, and subsequently settled on the Gana Continent, establishing a colony in the Northern Coast region and taking in those who met with the same unfortunate fate, until a sudden storm recently destroyed the barrier of Dragon God Gu Tafu, allowing him to reconnect with us.

Putting aside these trivial matters, through the introduction and assistance of His Highness the Prince, we have preliminarily drafted a plan to achieve a grain import agreement with the Gutaf United Kingdom. Although the relevant agreement is still under negotiation, according to Prince Colin, there should be no major issues…as long as we can solve the transportation problems, he will provide us with the grain we need.

And the reason I chose this plan is mainly as follows:

Firstly, this move can effectively alleviate the current food supply tension faced by Saint Yil Castle. By purchasing grain from the nearby Lizardman Kingdom, we can greatly shorten the supply route that originally required a long voyage across the Vast Ocean. This not only saves precious maritime resources, but also allows us to reallocate the surplus capacity to more important transportation of weaponry and strategic materials.

Secondly, through this grain trade, we can effectively gauge the real national strength and economic condition of the Gutaf United Kingdom. Previously, we knew very little about this suddenly rising Lizardman regime, and through large-scale trade exchanges, we can seize this opportunity to fully understand their production capacity, economic structure, and deeper political and military power, laying an intelligence foundation for the Empire's further actions in the future.

Thirdly, and more importantly, under the guise of trade, we can establish solid diplomatic relations with the Gutaf United Kingdom, driven by economic interests. According to my observation, the ruler of this kingdom is quite pragmatic, harboring a great interest in profit and economic development. If we can form an alliance with them, even if only as trade partners, in the future, whether facing threats from Hell or curbing other hostile forces, it will form a significant strategic advantage for the Empire.

Especially when Hell has also shown interest in this continent, I believe the Empire needs to enhance its military presence here.

The aforementioned benefits make this a move that kills three birds with one stone, and is also the most appropriate and stable strategy I can think of under the current circumstances.

Additionally, during this stationing, I was fortunate to witness the astonishing industrial capability of the Gutaf United Kingdom. Their achievements in the field of steam machinery have far exceeded my previous expectations.

Their mastery and utilization of steam engines have reached an almost magical level. Previously, our 'Grace' steam schooner's boiler was severely damaged in a storm, and it was at Withered Wood Port that it received repairs from Lizardman engineers. The exquisite mechanical skills they demonstrated were awe-inspiring, not only perfectly repairing the damaged boiler, but also greatly enhancing the boiler's steam efficiency!

Later, I brought the fleet to Withered Wood Port for repairs, and the final results proved that Captain Derek's sightings were not accidental—the scaly creatures indeed have something remarkable about them!

Considering the technical power they displayed, they are not inferior to the Empire's top mechanical workshops! Moreover, their application of steam technology is not limited to navigation, just as our application of magic, it has been integrated into all aspects of their daily life!

Including the production of grain!

Without a doubt, this situation warrants our high attention and further investigation and research, to ensure that the Empire can always maintain a technological advantage or at least not be surpassed.

I will continue to monitor the developments in construction and trade here, and report back to the Command once further findings are achieved.

—Sincerely, Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Coastal Fleet of the New Continent, Hammerdon!

]

...

The faint light of dawn crossed the highest step of the Sun Step Mountain Range, turning the serene Holy Lake into a shimmering gold.

As the sky just began to brighten, with morning mist yet to disperse, the clatter akin to that of Withered Wood Port already echoed among the ruins of Assam City.

A loud screech came from afar, cutting through the thick clouds.

"Just drop me off here."

Riding on the back of a Wind Lizard, Luo Yan gently patted the creature's nape. The lizard responded with a long screech, then descended into the milky clouds.

Luo Yan rose into the air, a gentle thought crossing his mind.

A soft breeze cushioned his body, bringing him down from thousands of meters above to the ground, until his boots sank into the soft grass by the lake.

Hundreds of miles of mountain road, crossed within the span of a single day.

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