Chapter 459 - 459: Submission, Spare Their Lives, Didn’t I Say I’m the Lord of Glory? (2)
Chapter 459 - 459: Submission, Spare Their Lives, Didn’t I Say I’m the Lord of Glory? (2)
At this moment, Xhakas, who were silent since all this while, raised his head with a serious expression.
Ji Chen narrowed his eyes, a hint of admiration flickering in them.
Without delay, he extended his index finger and began to draw a floating contract in the air. As his fingertip moved, the contract text gradually appeared.
With a gentle push, it flew in front of Xhakas.
Without the slightest hesitation, Xhakas immediately signed his name on the contract.
The text containing the rules dissipated in the air, and Xhakas felt a certain connection between himself and Ji Chen, an inexplicable sense of awe and subservience rising from the depths of his soul.
With just a thought from Ji Chen, his soul would instantly dissipate.
Xhakas lowered his head again, showing profound respect, and said, “Thank you for your forgiveness, my Lord. 1 will do my utmost to assist you in controlling the entire Starshine Islands.”
Ji Chen nodded. “Rise.”
Xhakas straightened up, supporting himself with his arms, but his waist remained bent, his face filled with respect and awe.
This turn of events left Kieran and Herman dumbfounded. They hadn’t expected Xhakas to be so decisive. Did he have no sense of noble honor left?
Having held high positions for a long time, they understood very well that if a person lost their utility, the price of their life would plummet.
In short, it seemed that they no longer had much value to Ji Chen.
In an instant, Kieran and Herman felt a sense of impending doom looming over them.
“My Lord, I’m also willing!”
“Please grant us another chance, and we are willing to sign the Master and Slave Contract!”
Ji Chen looked at the two who had belatedly come to their senses. There was no emotional fluctuation in his eyes as he gestured for the Naga Guardians following him to deal with them.
Witnessing this scene, Kieran and Herman turned pale and collapsed on the ground.
At this moment, the sea clan warriors, wielding double-edged swords, appeared to be demons of doom in their eyes.
“My Lord, I think we can spare their lives.”
However, at this moment, a voice as if from the heavens granted them a reprieve.
Ji Chen furrowed his brow, his gaze turning toward Xhakas, who had once again knelt down. He slowly raised his hand, instructing the Naga Guardians, who served as executioners, to halt.
“State your reasons. I won’t keep those who have no value.”
Feeling the immense pressure, Xhakas took a deep breath and spoke in a concise and articulate manner.
“The Thirteen Council Families have occupied the Starshine Islands for hundreds of years, gradually cultivating their respective industries.
For example, under my banner, there’s the Radiant Commerce Guild, which is the largest guild in the Starshine Islands, controlling the largest trading fleet and possessing a comprehensive system for both domestic and foreign trade. Through the Radiant Commerce Guild’s fleet and a skilled workforce, we can import goods from the Western Continent at the fastest speed, and, of course, export goods to the Western Continent.
In addition, the Radiant Commerce Guild has multiple offices in coastal cities of the Western Continent. Apart from handling commercial affairs, they also gather various news and intelligence.”
Ji Chen’s interest piqued, and his brow relaxed slightly. “Continue.”
Seeing that Ji Chen’s tone had softened, Xhakas cleared his throat and continued.
“Kieran is the largest agricultural producer in the Starshine Islands, and he owns several large food processing factories. These factories can produce and process a large amount of food, practically sustaining the entire food supply of the Starshine Islands.
Herman, on the other hand, possesses a large shipyard, the only one within the Thirteen Council Families capable of manufacturing steel warships. He has a significant reserve of alchemical technology and even a large alchemical cannon manufacturing plant, capable of producing various alchemical cannons and shells.
So, instead of killing them, it might be more beneficial to grant them a chance at redemption. They can use these industries and advantages to serve you better. This way, my Lord, you can have better control over the Starshine Islands and gain greater benefits.
After all, someone familiar with these affairs can better leverage their value.”
Finishing his explanation, Xhakas cautiously observed Ji Chen, feeling a bit apprehensive.
However, when he saw a hint of approval on Ji Chen’s face, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, his heart swelling with hope.
Ji Chen couldn’t help but admit that Xhakas’ words had indeed convinced him.
At the same time, he hadn’t anticipated that these Council Families did have some redeeming qualities.
For instance, Xhakas’ Radiant Commerce Guild.
While the Ocean Crown had gained the expertise of seasoned merchants like Raymond, its position in commerce and trade was not very strong. Welcoming a well-established guild like the Radiant Commerce Guild could greatly enhance the Ocean Crown’s ability to export goods to the untouched Western Continent.
On the other hand, Kieran’s agricultural production and processing were quite impressive. Food was an essential daily necessity, and often the market demand for it was the greatest, with a tremendous utility.
What caught his attention the most was Herman. He hadn’t expected that his shipyard could manufacture steel warships, something he had always dreamt of.
For Ocean Crown to face increasingly powerful enemies in the future, products like these, containing the crystallization of alchemical technology in this world and capable of traversing the vast oceans, were indispensable.
“Very well, 1 will give you another chance.”
Ji Chen didn’t hesitate and drew up two sets of master and slave contracts, pushing them in front of the two men.
This time, Kieran and Herman didn’t hesitate for a moment. They immediately signed their names.
The contracts were now established, and a hint of melancholy flashed across their faces, but they quickly accepted it.
Although becoming slaves felt a bit awkward, the fact that they could survive was already a good thing. Moreover, according to Ji Chen’s intentions, they would still have control over their own industries. They just had to acknowledge there was someone they needed to serve.
Seeing the contracts signed, the three remaining council members of Starshine City also submitted. Ji Chen wasted no more time.
He led the three of them out of the prison and into the council chamber.
He immediately issued his orders to them.
“Starting today, the Starshine City Council is dissolved, replaced by the Ocean Crown Starshine Islands Office. The highest authority belongs to Ocean Crown, and the supreme ruler is me, Ji Chen.
Besides your own industries, you three need to take control of the properties left behind by the deceased council members as soon as possible and coordinate all available resources.
The regular city and private armies of Starshine City will all be disbanded. They can only join the newly established Starshine Islands Guard after passing several rounds of assessments. During this time, defense duties will be handled by the Coral Palace troops. Oh, by the way, the Coral Palace is an affiliated force of Ocean Crown.
As for the sea beast carcasses, you don’t need to worry about them. The Glory Lords will be responsible for their disposal. For now, maintain the previous policies regarding the Glory Lords and avoid excessive interference. They just need to adhere to the order here.
The buildings and facilities on the southern islands of this archipelago, destroyed by sea beasts, will also be prioritized for repair…
In addition, you need to spread the news that Starshine Islands have successfully repelled the sea beast tide. This place needs new blood injected by those merchants…
Oh, by the way, the slums in Starshine City need to be demolished and rebuilt as soon as possible. Don’t let the food in the warehouses go bad either. Allocate some of it to help the residents. At least ensure they all have warm shelter and enough to eat…”
The numerous decrees were delivered one by one, and the sheer quantity left the three of them feeling a bit overwhelmed.
However, having previously served as council members, they possessed some administrative capabilities and could grasp the meaning behind these decrees.
“I understand, we will take action as soon as possible.”
Xhakas respectfully replied but had a question on his mind, “My Lord, I have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Your domain is named Ocean Crown? It sounds similar to the names of those Glory Lords…”
Ji Chen looked at him strangely, “Did 1 ever say that I am a Glory Lord? Hmm… I don’t think 1 did.”
Xhakas and the others stared blankly, their faces filled with disbelief.
A storm of shock surged within their hearts.
The Lord is a Glory Lord!?
How is that possible!