Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1114: Section 694: Hope and Despair (Part 2)

Chapter 1114: Section 694: Hope and Despair (Part 2)

Following the coast all the way north, Malin gradually became accustomed to the city ruins. The most prosperous area of East Asia now remained only as ghostly ruins. According to the records of Bei Luo and Bixiu, this region was where East Asia resisted until the very last moment, and the last survivors summoned nuclear bombs more than once during the final moments.

This made Malin witness cities completely destroyed more than once. To this day, the enraged wraith soldiers continue to fight against Chaos, and the prolonged war with Chaos has twisted their minds. Malin knew it wasn’t their fault; it was the bravest manifestation that they still remembered their responsibilities.

"We are trying to reclaim these coastal cities, but there are countless wraiths among them. We know their identities, and it’s troubling; if we purify them, when Chaos’s troops invade, we’d have to use our lives to block the advance of Chaos northwards." Sage Lin’s words revealed the pain of the Thainan side—the southern region was one of the hardest-hit areas during Chaos’s invasion. Even today, a large amount of Chaos enters this world through known coordinates. It’s precisely relying on these eternal wraiths that the de facto southern control zone of Thainan can continue to develop.

"I find it quite good. If the Eastern Kingdom needs to give up half its territories to separate from the Dark Zone, I believe everyone in the Eastern Kingdom would wake up laughing from their dreams." Sostak No. 3 said this laying on the ship’s rail.

"But these regions are our homeland, and we have no way to liberate here... We feel ashamed for it, because we understand that we need its existence to protect more living people... When reason overrides everything, we can only watch." At this point, Sage Lin sighed deeply.

Malin patted his shoulder.

After a week of sailing north, Malin saw endless ruins until the morning of the eighth day when Malin saw a town by the sea, with smoke still rising from the village.

Standing at the ship’s rail, Malin gazed at the village, with children running to the seaside waving to the fleet.

"We have returned to civilized world." Sostak No. 3 exclaimed.

Malin understood his exclamation because during these nearly ten days, they had seen nothing but destruction, with the ruins of cities like painted scrolls stretching endlessly along the coastline.

"From here, going north for another three days will lead to New Hangzhou." Meng Quyi clearly recognized the place, and her explanation excited Jason and Sostak No.3—a city said to be the largest in southern East Asia.

"The sages from the haven established New Hangzhou, and it was precisely because of the persistence of New Hangzhou that they finally wrote the Sages’ Treaty of Governance in the alliance." Sage Lin appeared on the deck once again.

This time, he spoke at length, and under his explanation, Malin finally understood some of the incomplete parts of the knowledge he had acquired before—for instance, how the group from the Hangzhou sanctuary who were focused on maintaining Earth’s union eventually chose to face reality.

They emerged from the sanctuary and began rebuilding. They spent many years establishing New Hangzhou anew and even consolidated surrounding areas. During the Thainan Union’s negotiation in the reconstruction of Sosschina, they used their forsaking of power to push the formation of the Sages’ Treaty of Governance, and impressed by their ethos and strength, the remaining major forces agreed.

Since then, this compromise and recognition has become what Thanan are most proud of—the Thainan Union began to rapidly develop, with their integrated power far surpassing the previous fragmented state.

"To live up to the people’s expectations worldwide, each generation of apprentices in our Sage Tower must learn this piece of history. Those sages declared that one day humanity should unite again; only thus can we once again free ourselves from the bonds of gravity, and for the arrival of this day, we sages have never feared our own life and death nor glory and shame." Sage Lin noticed Malin’s desire to speak and smiled, making a gesture to allow him.

"What if someone disagrees?" Malin sat on the rail.

"Human history never lacks negotiation and war. Before the Union was born, we had already fought bloody battles with madmen and opportunists. The Thainan Union needs comrades who share similar ideals, not partners with different dreams. The new Earth Union will be the same." Sage Lin smiled and gave Malin an answer.

It greatly suited Malin’s taste.

"As long as you adhere to your beliefs, I believe my Carterburg will always be your best friend in the Western Human World, whether now or in the future."

"I certainly believe it, Your Excellency."

The two sages finished speaking and exchanged smiles.

......

In the following two days, Malin saw more and more fleets and maritime groups, as New Hangzhou, being the largest harbor in the southern region of the Thainan Union, possessed numerous ports. Every month, combat fleets and transportation fleets do several batches heading south.

When Malin’s fleet returned, they encountered a batch of fleet just left the port. As their ships passed each other in a single line, the bold sailors embraced and shook hands at the rail; some of them even jumped over to grab a drink before coming back.

Malin even saw some golden-haired and brown-haired sailors within the fleets from the rear boat tower.