Faced with a sea densely populated with mines, Ryou directly dispatched Yamato and Shimakaze.
In the face of the two ship girls' unparalleled detection abilities, hundreds of mines had no place to hide. With a precise shot—boom!—a mine was immediately detonated.
Under the efficient mine-clearing operations of Yamato and Shimakaze, more effective than professional mine-sweeping ships, a safe route was quickly cleared.
On land, a newly produced batch of mortars was put to use. Under intense firepower, even over 100,000 Kabane could only be ruthlessly annihilated on the spot.
With the road cleared, the rest was easy.
The coastal defense guns and temporary fortifications were taken out one by one by Yamato's sniper-like precision shelling. Then, after a round of demonstrative bombardment near the shore, the last major city officially raised the white flag and surrendered.
Now, the entire Taiwan Island was in Ryou's hands.
The population under his rule suddenly expanded to over 2 million. The system immediately sent a notification:
[Ding!]
[Campaign Successful!]
[Campaign reward evaluation in progress…]
[Base reward level: C]
[Number of infected: 19]
[Number of casualties: 586]
[Battle damage ratio: less than 1%
Evaluation upgraded by one level, current level: B.]
[Captured or annihilated at least 95% of the enemy: Evaluation upgraded by one level, current level: A.]
[Time taken exceeds 24 hours: Evaluation remains unchanged.]
(Evaluation levels: E, D, C, B, A, S-, S, S+, EX)
[Calculating rewards…]
[Congratulations, Host, you have received 500,000 energy points.]
[Leadership proficiency increased by 10%.]
The energy points surged again, and combined with the reward points from killing a massive number of Kabane, there was no problem sustaining the activities of Yamato and Shimakaze.
However, Ryou did not become complacent. The energy points needed for sustaining activities were only a small portion; the key lay in the upgrades for the two ship girls, which would require a significant amount of resources.
Ryou estimated that the second upgrade for Yamato would require over 10 million energy points. The upgrade for Shimakaze would require slightly less but would still be in the millions.
The only regret was that there were no additional chances for a Gacha draw. Judging from the evaluation level, it seemed that only by reaching S- or above would there be a chance to obtain a Gacha draw.
Given the experience with the Capital City, although two more cities and over a million people were suddenly added, the church efficiently began to operate. The management systems of the two cities were completely dismantled, and his clerical personnel were installed.
In the early stages of the occupation, some small, hidden figures attempted to stir up trouble, but he swiftly executed hundreds of them, and the unrest was quickly quelled.
Half a month later, everything began to fall into a smooth rhythm. A large number of clerics trained by the church began to preach the doctrines of the Christian Religion to the citizens of the two cities. Various types of schools were also gradually established. While part of the army maintained order within the cities, a significant portion began slowly clearing out the Kabane on the island.
...
"Natsume."
Ryou called out softly.
Swoosh!
The air wavered slightly, and a small figure dressed in a black ninja outfit appeared, half kneeling before him.
Over the past year, due to prolonged exposure to extraordinary forces, Natsume had gradually revealed a terrifying talent far beyond that of ordinary people. She constantly exuded a chilling aura, and her physical abilities had begun to surpass human limits, slowly approaching the supernatural.
"Kill him," Ryou said coolly. The identity of "him" was self-evident.
"Yes, My lord," came the cold reply.
Before the words had fully left her mouth, Natsume's figure had already vanished.
Ryou showed a satisfied smile.
In just a year, not only had Natsume made rapid progress, but the ninja army she trained had also begun to take shape.
Of course, as part of the church, they naturally couldn't be referred to as ninjas, so someone with a penchant for mischief named them the Brotherhood.
He explained to the informed high-ranking members of the church and the ninja army: "Walking in the shadows but with hearts towards the light, all followers of the Cross are brothers and sisters, hence the name Brotherhood."
Of course, the true meaning of the name was probably only known to that certain someone.
With Natsume handling the matter, Ryou felt at ease.
As expected, news soon arrived that the ambitious prince had accidentally fallen into the sea while drunk during the voyage.
Everything was done flawlessly. Although some of his old subordinates had suspicions, the prince had indeed slipped into the sea after drinking, in full view of many.
There were sailors on the scene, as well as two servants and several concubines who served him—dozens of eyes saw it happen.
His old subordinates could only attribute it to their lord's ill fate.
In reality, even if these people had suspicions, they wouldn't be able to stir up any trouble.
Under Ryou's rule, any clergy member of bishop rank or higher had to be personally appointed by him and could only assume office after a ceremony at the church.
No matter how skilled someone was at disguising themselves, nothing could remain hidden under the system.
As the saying goes, to unify the world, Ryou had to ensure absolute dictatorship.
Therefore, loyalty came first, followed by talent.
After entrusting the silencing task to Natsume, he no longer paid attention to it.
When he was finally alone in the room, he opened the system panel, and a notification immediately popped up.
[Ding!]
[The host has discovered a clue to the core truth of this world (5%).]
[The hidden core main quest of this world has officially begun—The Truth Under the Shadows.]
[Quest Hint: Investigate the Forbidden City.]
[Quest completion reward: Unknown grade Noble Phantasm (based on the quest completion evaluation).]
[Quest failure: No penalty.
Note: This quest exceeds the host's current level; proceed with caution. (Displayed in bold red text.)]
Staring at the scarlet text on the system panel, Ryou was taken aback. This was the first time the system had warned him in such a manner.
It seems that the previous instances were just appetizers, essentially beginner's dungeons, provided by the system god to give him practice.
The system's alerts were never given lightly.
He immediately focused all his attention.
For now, all his territories were developing steadily according to his earlier plans.
Completely solidifying control over the country wasn't something that could be done overnight. According to his estimate, it would take at least a year.
This period was not suitable for all-out offensives.
Although the fuel reserves were running low, he continued to proceed methodically. He had to fully bring the country under his control and stabilize it before beginning his campaign in the South East Asia.
This relatively short waiting period would be the perfect time for him to focus on something more important.
Since the system indicated that the quest difficulty had surpassed his current level, he needed to enhance his strength.
Thus, Ryou's daily routine became more regimented.
After dealing with administrative affairs during the day, he would, in full view of everyone, apply the Seraphim effect to himself and then fly away.
His destination was a remote mountainous area.
Though calling it remote might not be entirely accurate.
Roar!!!
With a roar, countless golden-red lights flickered, and then the earth began to tremble.
In less than a minute, an innumerable horde of Kabane burst out from the forest.
Plop!
Ryou threw a blood bag on the ground as bait, causing blood to splatter and a thick scent of blood to spread.
The Kabane horde, already charging towards him, now acted as if they had collectively taken stimulants. They surged towards him at a speed no less than that of Usain Bolt, crazed and frenzied.
With a calm expression, Ryou raised the long katana in his hand and charged directly at the horde.
...
Half an hour later, covered in blood, he shook the blood off his katana onto the ground.
None of the blood on him was his own. With his ability to withstand small artillery shells, the Kabane couldn't even scratch him.
His purpose for being here, aside from clearing out the Kabane, was primarily to use real combat to deepen his understanding of the katana.
Then, at night, he would directly enter the dream trial and face off against the illusion of Sasaki Kojiro.
Since his first entry into the dream trial, unless there was something extremely important, he had never interrupted this training method.
He had long since lost count of how many times he had died at Sasaki Kojiro's hands.
However, the progress was evident—from dying tens of thousands of times each night at first, to thousands, and now, as long as Sasaki Kojiro didn't use his secret move, Tsubame Gaeshi, Ryou could duel him for an hour.
Ryou thought as he opened the panel, looking at the words [Advanced Cold Weapons Mastery (99%)].
For half a month now, whether in dream trials dueling with Kojiro or in reality honing his combat skills against the Kabane, his skill proficiency hadn't increased at all.
Ryou had hit what's called a bottleneck.
Moreover, every time he fought Kojiro, there was a strange feeling in his heart.
Even though his combat experience kept increasing, the katana in his hand felt more and more awkward.
It was as if an invisible shackle had been placed on his wrist.
That night, he entered the dream trial once again.
The familiar scenery that he had grown sick of greeted him.
"Yo! You're here."
Sasaki Kojiro stood at the steps of the temple gate with his arms crossed, greeting him.
The long katana was slung casually over his back.
Ryou nodded. Eager to verify a certain matter, he skipped the pleasantries and directly drew the identical katana from his back and charged forward.
"Geez, such an impatient young man. After all, I could be considered half your master. Can't you at least listen to me finish speaking?"
Even as he spoke, a silver-white lightning bolt came slashing down from above Ryou's head.
It was as if Ryou had anticipated this, blocking the attack with his katana.
Sparks flew as the two blades clashed.
Only then did Ryouy smile and speak.
"A warrior like me only needs to communicate with the sword in my hand. Wasn't it you who said that?"