Chapter 61

In the new world, talking about dominating the seven seas is no easy feat. Considering the vast expanse and the complex situation, this is not merely a military issue but an extreme challenge testing organizational and governance capabilities to their limits.

You must understand that in the boundless starry sea alone, there are no fewer than twenty to thirty local powers like the Saha Fishman Kingdom. The other six seas are no less expansive than the starry sea. Even without considering the powerful and unshakable giants like the Gnome Empire, the Yaling Empire, and the Elven Federation, dealing with those arrogant local tyrants is enough to give anyone a headache. If establishing a new order over the seven seas is considered domination, even dedicating Luo Zhengdao’s entire life might barely achieve it. A moment’s thought reveals how unreliable this plan is.

In other words, plotting to obtain the霸者之证 (Bazhe zhi Zheng, Proof of Dominance) to resolve the荒神诅咒 (Huangshen Zuzhou, Wasteland God’s Curse) is several times more suicidal than eliminating the second Gnome Empire. If subduing the gnomes is as difficult as climbing a mountain, dominating the seven seas is absolutely as challenging as ascending to the heavens.

Before Luo Zhengdao could think through the cause and effect, the voice of the Grand Library’s librarian suddenly sounded in his ear, saying calmly:

“Alright, you should go back. Remember, the glory of the Magic Card Master cannot be erased.”

Hearing this, Luo Zhengdao was momentarily stunned and retorted:

“Hey, what do you mean by that?”

Suddenly, his vision blurred, and it felt as if he had been kicked out of the Grand Library. When he woke up from his dream and opened his eyes, he found himself still lying on the large bed in his bedroom. He took a deep breath, touched his forehead, which was covered in cold sweat, and his voice gradually rose from a low murmur to a loud roar:

“... The glory of the Magic Card Master cannot be erased? What does that mean? Damn it! I hate riddles the most in my life!”

.......................................................................................

“Rumble...”

A fiery light as intense as the rising sun flashed, and the low rumble of the explosion mixed with the sound of bricks and stones crumbling and collapsing, creating a grand spectacle that no Hollywood blockbuster claiming to be a visual marvel could match. The onlookers had no time to look around; at this moment, they could only scurry away with their heads down.

“The city is breached! Judy, close the door quickly.”

Huaiyang, a small port city on the eastern coast of the main continent, saw its majestic city tower, reminiscent of the old world’s Eastern style, collapse instantly. This thunderous sound, akin to an earthquake, not only unsettled the human residents but also prompted every household to close their doors and windows, fearing that they would be looted by the invaders.

Since the Gnome Incident, the attention of the second Gnome Empire’s several pursuit fleets was drawn to the warm southeastern waters, leaving the northeastern coast relatively undefended. Seizing this opportunity, Luo Zhengdao commanded the pirate fleet to set sail, circling the starry sea and suddenly turning to raid Huaiyang, a port city in the north. This strategy, known as avoiding strength and attacking weakness, is often simply called breaking into an empty house.

In name, the Gnome Empire has replaced the Light Dynasty in ruling the main continent, and no force dares to openly challenge their rule. However, the gnomes’ population is insufficient to completely replace humans in the short term.

Among the major lineages left by the first Gnome Empire, the most prolific are the common gnomes, or little gnomes. Their individual combat abilities are slightly inferior to those of human militiamen who have never seen blood. Although they are fierce, their poor physical condition limits them to being scouts. The bear gnomes, whose heads are full of muscle, are only fit for brute tasks. No matter how many there are, they do not significantly enhance the empire’s ruling apparatus. Therefore, in most cities left by the Light Dynasty, large gnomes are stationed in the inner city in regimental formations, monitoring the human civilians who have not yet been converted into serfs and laborers. They do not want to drive all humans out and turn them into slaves because without these laborers and consumers, the economy of the main continent would collapse.

Even without a deep understanding of economic theory, the desolate scenes of fallow fields and a depressed market are visible to anyone with eyes. To this end, the gnomes temporarily use puppet armies and collaborators to manage local affairs in areas where they cannot directly enforce slave rule.

Humans, now a subjugated class, can only live in fear and resignation on the land that once belonged to them, unsure when they will be sent to slave camps to live a life worse than that of pigs and dogs.

Huaiyang, with one wall bordering the sea and two walls following the natural course of the river, resembles the old world’s Jiangnan water towns. The large gnome squadron stationed here was annihilated by the recent bombardment from the Yangwei. A few soldiers who managed to escape the cannon fire opened the inland city gate and fled. The gnomes are indeed fearless, but this does not mean they enjoy dying. Unwinnable battles should be abandoned. Needless to say, once news of the attack on Huaiyang spreads, the second Gnome Empire will launch a counterattack, and the gnome army will soon come to reclaim the lost territory. Luo Zhengdao can only raid and leave; it is a delusion to think of long-term occupation and resistance on the main continent with the current strength.

Stepping on the slope formed by the collapsed city wall, pirates armed with various weapons poured into the city. They wielded their usual curved swords, short spears, and hand axes. Zola Hegel, the boatswain, stood on the high wall and shouted:

“Move quickly, leave nothing for the green skins in the warehouses. Dalan, take a team and bring all the humans who collaborated with the gnomes. The captain has use for them.”

At this moment, Luo Zhengdao, who had been hidden behind the scenes, kept his face hidden under the hood of his cloak, almost losing his presence. The half-elf beauty by his side asked doubtfully:

“Will, are you planning to publicly execute those who collaborated with the gnomes?”

Hearing this, a mocking smile appeared on Luo Zhengdao’s face, which was half-covered by the hood. He said calmly:

“Execute? There’s no need. Why dirty my hands with such people? The gnomes need collaborators, and there will always be such fools. You can’t kill them all.”

Collaborators and traitors are a common phenomenon in any country invaded by foreign enemies. If people can tolerate opportunists in peacetime, it is natural that they would turn to suppress their own people for the enemy in wartime. For example, in the history of the old world, during World War II, China had millions of puppet troops and high-ranking officials who openly betrayed their country. This is a shameful fact, but the Chinese do not need to feel inferior. Such traitors are not unique to any country but are a common and disgusting phenomenon. There is no need to resort to reverse nationalism to belittle oneself.

The South Koreans, who often boast of their strong nationalism, also produced a large number of collaborators during the Japanese occupation. When the Americans came, these collaborators quickly switched to the American side. Where is their integrity? Sigh, do they even need it?

Many famous South Korean conglomerates and political families trace their origins to the first bucket of gold they earned by collaborating with the Japanese. In contrast, North Korea has more thoroughly purged collaborators and retained fewer former colonial officials, which is one of the triggers for the Korean War, a miniaturized version of World War III, involving dozens of countries.

As the saying goes, there are always people willing to risk their heads for profit, but no one will do a losing business. Collaborating is clearly a no-cost way to make a fortune, risking one’s life and honor.

No matter how terrifying the death threat, some people will still take the risk for profit. Cutting off a few heads will not solve the problem. Luo Zhengdao, who has applied his knowledge, has long seen through this.

Before long, the trembling collaborators were brought before Luo Zhengdao, kneeling in a row. Sharp swords and axes were ready, poised to behead them at his command. Cold sweat drenched their clothes, and they dared not raise their heads, fearing that the pirate leader would start with them. Before they could figure out who among them was the most guilty, a cold voice said:

“You are all collaborators!”

Luo Zhengdao knew the truth but did not need to reveal it all. The bound collaborators trembled even more under the threat of the blades. Hearing Luo Zhengdao’s words, their faces turned pale, and a few of the bolder ones looked at the unidentified pirate leader and pleaded:

“Sir, I had no choice! Please spare me!”

Smart people are not rare, and the cries and pleas soon filled the air. Luo Zhengdao, looking impatient, waved his hand and said:

“Take them away and imprison them separately. I will talk to each one individually.”

Thanks to the spy dramas and TV series he watched with his parents in recent years, Luo Zhengdao had seen many domestic spy dramas, even though most of them were of poor quality. However, they provided some useful information, such as how to interrogate and extract confessions.

Hearing Luo Zhengdao’s order, his subordinates laughed and took the captives away for interrogation. When it comes to torturing people, the pirates in the new world are quite professional. Methods like making captives walk on a plank, drag along the keel, and play with a nine-tailed cat dipped in seawater can make even a normal person feel as if their soul is leaving their body, an extremely intense and thrilling experience!