Chapter 652
I airstep over to the meeting taking place in the mansion that still bears the rubble and blood of the king and queen on the main hall's floor.
My double has already received a detailed update from Bri and Rodrigo about the progress in the 8 Great Regions and their restructuring of the contracts and trade routes.
However, as I arrive, I have fresh news to share.
"We're going to be creating many more crimson domes... This is how we're going to do it, and this is what I need from you."
Marcus, the Red Core A-Class hunter, trembles in silence throughout my entire explanation to Bri and Rodrigo. As they nod and take out teleport crystals, I speak one last time to the overseers of the 8 Great Regions.
"Very good. The plan here on Palmyra stays exactly the same. I'll have it ready for you with tens of thousands of loyal citizens once you return. There are roughly 70,000 on this island; my guess is more than half will submit. The ones that don't will be free to go wherever they wish once this is all over, but for now they're staying here. I know this is a lot all at once, but we have four days left to prepare for what could potentially be the Second Great War."
They disappear in a flash of white light, back to the Apex Region, to prepare the citizens in each major city to hear the Flame Emperor speak on a nationwide tour as the trade routes are established.
It wasn't my initial plan to personally show up to each site, but this will be the most organic and efficient way to group many citizens together and give an opportunity to form links of loyalty with me in exchange for varying trade benefits.
Meanwhile, I turn to the Red Core and pull out the drinks I bought at the bar, levitating them over to his trembling hands.