As Hank bent slightly to work, the miniature bomb collar briefly exposed at the back of his neck glinted beneath the sunlight with a cold, piercing sheen.
It was a masterpiece carefully crafted by Germa, and its effective control radius perfectly covered the entire bustling, complicated city of Karon.
Like an invisible shackle, it reminded everyone of its existence at all times.
At the same time, deep inside a narrow, shadowed alley, several suspicious figures were secretly exchanging contraband.
Their eyes darted warily in every direction, afraid that someone might discover them.
But just then, the blue-uniformed figures of a patrol squad flashed past the corner in the distance.
In an instant, the shadowy figures reacted as if they had been struck by lightning.
They immediately raised both hands, plastered flattering smiles across their faces, and shouted,
"Officers, don't shoot! We're recycling reusable waste!"
Their voices were filled with panic and desperation, trying to use that excuse to cover up their crimes.
High in the sky, Reiju's magnificent airborne fortress slowly lowered a massive projection from the clouds, like a moving castle casting its shadow over this sinful city that had been reborn after years of decay.
Inside the fortress's advanced command center, a huge holographic screen continuously scrolled through the detailed progress data of the day's urban renovation.
An encouraging ninety-eight percent of former criminals had successfully completed occupational registration and were gradually integrating into normal society.
The once-rampant black-market trade had plunged off a cliff, dropping by nine hundred and ninety-nine percent compared to the previous period.
At the same time, large numbers of new jobs were springing up like mushrooms after rain, injecting fresh vitality and hope into the city.
In one unremarkable corner, Old Cole, the former "King of the Black Market" who had once commanded wind and rain and held terrifying power, stood there in silence.
The years had carved deep lines into his face, and his eyes now carried complicated emotion.
With trembling hands, he slowly threw the slave contracts he had treasured for years—symbols of his former glory and power—into the roaring incinerator.
The flames swallowed the yellowed paper in an instant, crackling loudly.
Then he solemnly put on a brand-new name badge that read:
Senior Activity Center Administrator.
The firelight danced, reddening his wrinkled face and illuminating the freshly painted slogan on the wall.
New North Blue. New Life. New Order.
That slogan was a declaration, announcing that this city was about to begin a completely new chapter.
When night descended silently like black silk, the ancient lighthouse of Karon Harbor lit up with blue-and-gold radiance for the first time.
The dazzling beam pierced through the thick sea fog like a sharp blade, and it also pierced through the darkness of history that had settled here for hundreds of years, bringing the first glimmer of hope to a city that had once been trapped deep in the mud.
In the sky, a magnificent airborne fortress hovered like a colossal beast, carrying countless mysteries and overwhelming power.
Its observation deck offered the perfect vantage point.
The morning breeze was gentle.
Reiju leaned elegantly against the newly gilded railing, which shone with brilliant light.
Her dreamlike pink hair fluttered freely in the wind, every strand seeming to tell a lively story.
Sunlight fell over her, outlining her graceful figure and making her look like a fairy who had stepped out of a painting.
Slowly, she lowered her head.
Below her, the airborne fortress had already completed its gorgeous transformation.
The entire fortress had been carefully painted in the Eternal Divine Kingdom's blue-and-white colors.
The vivid yet solemn combination gave off a unique authority and nobility.
Once, this deck had been filled with war machines and the atmosphere of tension and killing.
Now, what moved busily across it were no longer cold, merciless combat weapons, but trade delegations from various islands.
They wore different clothing and carried unique goods from their homelands, along with full sincerity, engaging in friendly and enthusiastic exchanges and cooperation.
Reiju raised her hand slightly.
In her delicate wineglass was amber-colored wine.
As she gently swirled the glass, ripples spread through the clear liquid, reflecting the North Blue's new appearance.
In the distance, the airship Peace cruised leisurely among clouds as white as cotton, like a giant silver bird.
Its figure gleamed with metallic luster beneath the sun, giving off a feeling of technology and peace perfectly fused together.
On the sea below, pirate ships wearing dual badges escorted merchant convoys in neat order.
Their existence was no longer a symbol of threat and fear. Instead, they had become a solid force protecting the safety of trade.
Even the seagulls flying freely through the sky seemed to sense the peaceful atmosphere of these waters, gliding with greater ease than before.
Sometimes they dove into the sea to hunt, and sometimes they flapped their wings and cried happily as they soared upward.
"Father was right…"
Reiju murmured softly, her voice carrying a trace of emotion and thought.
Just then, the wineglass in her hand gently touched the railing, producing a crisp, pleasant sound.
That sudden note broke the silence around her and startled several white doves that had been resting on the cannon barrels.
They flapped their wings and quickly flew into the sky, disappearing into the distance.
The corner of Reiju's mouth slowly curved into a complicated smile.
There was satisfaction with the present in that smile, but also something difficult to describe.
Behind her, the beautiful wings of Poison Pink appeared faintly, ready to spread at any moment.
"Conquest without bloodshed. Rule without war…"
She lifted her head slightly and slowly poured the wine in her glass toward the sea glowing beneath the morning sun.
The crystal-clear liquid traced a graceful arc through the air before falling into the sparkling water below, scattering into tiny splashes.
"This is… the true art of war."
Her voice was firm and confident, yet it carried a trace of mystery.
And in the lowest level of the airborne fortress, there was a secret laboratory known to very few.
The atmosphere there was cold and silent.
Five hundred new-model clones slept quietly inside their cultivation pods.
Their bodies were surrounded by precision instruments, with data cables and tubes connected to them, providing the energy and support needed to sustain life.
Although their electronic eyes had not yet activated and could not see the wonders of the world…
The badges on their chests had already been branded in place.
They were a completely different model from the ones recorded in the World Government's files.