The First Magic World War

The New World Conference was not in complete agreement. While some individuals ruled supreme in the New Continent and sought to establish their own factions upon returning to the Old Continent, the majority were common people who merely wished to live peacefully and avoid war.

Not long before, Charles had captured a large number of New Worlders and handled them in a manner deemed "fair."

Though Charles had confiscated everyone's property, he established criteria for its return, and impartially distributed housing and land to everyone, even arranging jobs for most. Should they perform well, there were opportunities twice a year to apply for the return of their property, with each successful evaluation allowing them to reclaim about one-twentieth of their possessions.

In other words, as long as one acknowledged Charles Meklen's rule and abided by the laws, worked hard, they could secure a stable life and even have the chance to regain their own property.

Due to the vast number of captured New Worlders, this information was hardly a secret and quickly spread to Southseraph. Many New World immigrants felt that living under such a lord's rule wasn't so bad.

Even earlier, Anne, when the war had started, had prioritized the evacuation of the duchy's residents, sparing them from the ravages of war. This act greatly endeared her to the New World immigrants, painting her as a saintly ruler in an era where such protection was rare.

After parting with Charles, the Red Hawk struggled for a long time and managed to secure only two ships, a far cry from regaining her former power.

The greatest challenge Red Hawk faced was Menilman, who dominated the Whale Sea!

After acquiring his own fleet, Menilman constantly raided the pirates in the Sea of Giant Whales, subjugating them and taking control of their operations and also established his own trading vessels, making it difficult for Red Hawk to return to her old ways or convert to a merchant fleet as Menilman had occupied both roles.

Moreover, Menilman was not only a naval officer under Fars, but his base was also on Saint Michael Island in Inglima, maintaining excellent relations with the Inglima navy. While Byron's naval forces had suffered defeats in several major sea battles and had receded, even though they had secured the allegiance of Duchess Meisu, she would certainly not dare to antagonize Menilman.

The Black Phoenix Dynasty was no more, and the Lionheart Dynasty maintained its neutrality...

After some time, Red Hawk finally realized that this era no longer belonged to pirates like her!

However, she had considered that if she now sought refuge with Charles, she might not secure a favorable position, but if she could bring a large group of people with her, Charles would surely regard her differently.

With a swift series of chained sword strikes, Red Hawk forced Andreas back and asked, "Do my words deserve a victory?"

Without hesitation, Andreas turned and "fled," landing on the Holy Light Divine State Title ship, where he recounted Red Hawk's words in their entirety.

Charles smiled slightly and said, "Andreas! You truly are a pillar of support for me!"

Although he had lost a battle, Charles was not in the least disheartened. Indeed, with the power of the Labyrinth, he transported a thousand rather defiant prisoners who refused to surrender from Cappadocia. As for whether they were New World immigrants, Charles did not have the patience to choose, and immediately dispatched a ghost ship to transfer these people.

Romios then sent a Sacred level figure, and this time, Charles had Agon confront him.

This top talent of the Beast Tribe, due to his proud and unruly nature and unwillingness to submit, had found himself with little standing when he later sought refuge with Charles. Thus, he declined, achieving no notable military accomplishments but became good friends with Andreas and had a great time on the Holy Light Divine State Title.

Agon did not disappoint in this battle and easily defeated his opponent, even capturing him alive.

Charles comforted Agon briefly and, with a smile, released the Sacred-level prisoner. As agreed, Romios also sent over a batch of women, children, and the elderly.

Romios was probably "ashamed," and even sent an extra two or three hundred people.

Charles showed no discrimination towards the women, children, and elderly. Although these people could not fight in battles, they were strong enough to cross three vast seas—the Golden Sea, the Agres Sea, and the Sea of Giant Whales—and return to the Old Continent. If nourished for a while, they could engage in productive activities, proving to be valuable workers.

Charles warmly greeted these people and offered several resettlement options, letting them freely choose which major region of Duke Mecklen's land to settle in. These immigrants from the New World were apprehensive when handed over, and although Charles had a great reputation, hearing is not seeing. Once Charles had arranged their new homes, the immigrants relaxed and let Charles send them to their chosen regions.

In the next seven duels, Charles won four, and the New World Conference won three. Romios sent over six thousand people but still felt he had gotten the better deal.

The people Charles sent were almost all qualified soldiers who held grudges against him, making them suitable for integration into the military. The New World Conference's contributions were seen as "burdens," alleviating logistic pressures.

Having a taste for it, Romios requested more duels, which Charles gladly accepted. After five or six rounds of continuous dueling, Charles was running low on prisoners from Cappadocia, and had to use Great Act Devils to make up the numbers. Romios also "cleared out" all burdensome populations, feeling that Arcadia Port was revitalized. He only wished he could swap the entire population of Southseraph, keeping only the strongest.

The most injured in these series of duels was the Female Pirate, Red Hawk...

Both sides tacitly called a halt to the duels and began testing battles on the sea.

As Charles and Romios fought at sea, Kresto led the main force of the Westwind Knights to lay siege to Sedona City, the site of many fierce and tacit battles Charles had in his days, one of the longest battlefields he had known against Chloe.

At the time, Chloe refused to surrender and was imprisoned by Charles. She was moved several times, from Sedona to Fars, and later transported to Black Phoenix City...

Currently, this "old friend" was still in the dungeons of Black Phoenix City.

Charles had not yet dealt with her.

Kresto was a genuine Radiant Knight who had served as the head of Fars' Royal Knights Order, and a former high official of the Empire who was adept at leading troops in battle.

He and two deputy commanders, who did not wish to serve Earl Brittany nor join the rebels following the establishment of the Brittany Dynasty, ended up staying under Charles's command.

As for whether it was because of an old oath or something else?

No one knew.

The New World generals in Sedona were no match for Kresto, who, powered by the Power of the Evil God, turned the city into a "monster," preventing the Westwind Knights from advancing beyond the gates of Sedona…