Steampunk Era: Mad Abield

After eleven days, the Thanan fleet docked at Feodosia, in the southern part of the Eastern Kingdom. Along the way, Malin had come to understand just how much the world had changed—entire regions like the Middle East had disappeared during the initial moments of the Great Destruction, seemingly swallowed up by Earth, and relocated to some unknown place. As the fleet passed through what was once the Istanbul Strait, Malin gazed upon the former city of Istanbul, now the capital of the Church led by the Lord of Justice. The Holy Grand Cathedral with its soaring Gothic spires and streets adorned with countless flags reminded Malin of the rising demand and scarcity of silk.

To the east was the Endless Sea, stretching out of sight. From this point onward, heading south meant navigating vast expanses of open water. The fleet would try to hug the northern landmass while heading southeast. Many times, drinking water had to be replenished using spell formations, while as for food... the Thanans’ supply ships were equipped to grow crops and rear livestock.

There were only three supply points between here and the part of the human world occupied by the Thanans.

Malin could only exclaim that this situation was truly beyond imagining.

Feodosia had now transformed into a sprawling military base. To its east lay the Kerch Strait, where the former Sea of Azov had turned into land. At that location, human forces from the Eastern Kingdom were engaged in battle against Chaos.

When word of Malin’s arrival in Feodosia spread, someone significant from the Eastern Kingdom’s military appeared—the Crown Prince himself visited in person, inviting Malin to observe the front lines.

Malin couldn’t retreat, nor did he intend to; after all, the relationship between the Eastern Kingdom and Malin’s faction had greatly improved. Even if the Eastern Kingdom were to act irrationally, they had to consider the consequences of losing Malin’s assistance. Could they really withstand the nearly endless assaults from Chaos without it?

The fleet needed three days for resupply, during which they also passed along a considerable amount of equipment to the Eastern Kingdom. The Eastern Kingdom leaders, knowing Malin’s provision of essential resources, naturally wouldn’t dare to act ungrateful. When Malin and Mr. Meng visited the front lines, they were even assigned a small baron and his depleted battalion as a personal guard detail.

The young baron’s name was Kasdoff Moore. He didn’t appear to have a Slavic lineage, but given the prevalence of mixed heritage these days, figuring out one’s true ancestors was nearly impossible. Malin didn’t blame the fifteen-and-a-half-year-old, who had only recently inherited the title, for not being able to clarify his origins either.