In the silence on the long table, Thales exhaled.
No war is isolated.
Suriel's atrocities twenty years ago led to the resistance Exeter faced twenty years later.
Victory twenty years ago led to failure twenty years later.
The second prince once again thought of Old Crow’s words:
[Before you make up your mind to go to war, I wonder if you should first think clearly: Can this really achieve your goals? How many unexpected things will happen from this? What additional consequences will there be? In the longer term
What does the future mark? How should the impact on both of you be calculated?]
Soduo snorted and broke the silence:
"Just like that, supplies are not going smoothly and the troops collecting food are making slow progress."
"The siege was unfavorable, and the efficiency of the siege was repeatedly delayed."
"And the life or death of the Grand Duke of Longxiao City is even more unclear. Those who came back with the Dragon Spear flag still only had remnants of defeated troops, and rumors are everywhere."
Life and death unknown.
Thales tried his best to adjust his breathing.
After hearing about the bloody feud between Prince Suril and the Freedom Alliance, he suddenly realized that once Selma fell into the hands of the Freedom Alliance...
No.
Thales forced himself not to think about the worst possibility.
Soduo paused for a moment and motioned to the occult man standing aside to continue.
The latter nodded:
"After that, we made some inquiries and made some guesses: there should have been a quarrel among the top management of the Northlanders."
The important ministers looked at each other.
"The nobles guarding the city had the intention of retreating, but the proud Grand Duke of Qiyuan City, Kulikun Roni, had a tough attitude. He threatened the friendly forces not to retreat, claiming that he would once again mobilize troops from the country to assist the front line. If he failed, he would
Cheng Ren.”
"The generals are at odds with each other, and the quarrel between the two sides is ugly."
Thales's mind stirred, and another poem appeared from the fragments of long-standing memory:
【Snobbishness makes people fight, and the heirs will fight against each other.】
Soduo sighed and interjected:
"And this was their third mistake."
Perhaps it was because they had lamented before, but the ministers here no longer hesitated after hearing Exeter's stupid move.
The scar-faced man from the secret department said calmly:
"Until one day, the flag of the Camus Alliance was raised on the top of the city of the Freedom Alliance."
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was suspicious again.
"Commas?"
Gilbert spoke in surprise, then shook his head decisively:
"impossible!"
"Well, it seems impossible now."
Soduo nodded and frowned:
"But the news played its role: from then on, rumors of Comas' involvement in the war spread in the Northland military camp, and it was useless how the coach tried to suppress it."
"On the other side, the soldiers and civilians of Fort Liberty, who were struggling to support themselves, were encouraged and confident when they heard that help was coming."
"One is declining, the other is growing, the enemy is silent but I am revitalizing..."
Soduo slowly raised his head, his eyes flashing:
"A total defeat for the Northlanders."
"That's when it started."
Thales looked at the stalemate on the map and felt something in his heart.
The next second, Soduo's language became urgent!
"As rumors spread, a nobleman from the garrison city who did not want to take risks abandoned his camp early in the morning and retreated first."
"Perhaps he is just angry and wants to change the defense zone or change the land to collect grain. Of course, it is not ruled out that it is a spy trick..."
The white chess pieces moved under the hands of the military adviser and left the original area.
"However, following his example and thanks to the previous discord with Qiyuan City, a large number of the lords of the garrison city followed him to retreat without notifying the friendly forces, causing the entire battle line to deform."
Thales frowned tightly: with Freedom Castle as the center, the connected white chess pieces gradually spread out, revealing more and more gaps.
Just like the armor that has been hacked and slashed in hundreds of battles, it finally couldn't bear it anymore and cracked.
Thordor Red slapped his palm on the long table, his face ashen:
"This resulted in the Qiyuan City troops who were ten miles away and were on the front line of the siege, exhausted but still holding on, to unknowingly lose their flanking vigilance and support."
"Completely expose the weak points of the abdomen and back to the enemy's reach!"
As the war situation progressed, the ministers listening to the military situation were also serious and nervous.
"Maybe the miscommunication only lasted two hours, and maybe the Northlanders' window of vulnerability was only sixty minutes, but do you remember the Freedom Alliance's trump card?"
Soduo reached out and fished it out and retrieved the black knight from outside the field. When he let go of his hand, it had already appeared in front of white's battle line, as if it was haunted by a ghost.
"After a clever victory over Longxiao City, they reappeared after disappearing for a long time and seized this window."
The military adviser gritted his teeth, as if he was experiencing this war:
"The morning fog has not yet cleared. They cooperated with the remnant troops in Liberty Castle inside and outside to successfully launch a surprise attack."
Sodol's words were very concise, but Thales could only imagine the intensity and cruelty of that day.
"When the retreating garrison city receives orders from higher-ups, reacts, and forces the entire army to stop retreating," Soduo sighed, slowly stretched out his hand, and diverted the originally unstoppable white chess formation.
chaos:
"The demoralized Qiyuan City was attacked at its back and fought hastily. In the end, it was in decline and its defeat was irreversible."
After the words fell, there was silence.
"That's ridiculous!"
Viscount Connie couldn't help complaining:
"How can Northerners be so stupid!"
When Thales heard these words, he felt mixed.
"Because we are standing here, watching them." Duke Cullen said slowly, but his tone had a rare sense of solemnity.
Viscount Connie was speechless for a moment.
"Then what?"
The Financial Controller, Juke Man, pondered and asked:
"The army guarding the city is still intact. Although its combat power is not as good as that of Qiyuan City, it should not be underestimated. It was only a corner of the battlefield that was defeated. It should be..."
But Soduo's next words interrupted him.
"The leaders of the garrison city knew they had made a big mistake and were eager to make amends, so they made a decision."
"It's not about retreating and setting up defenses, stabilizing the front."
The military adviser was no longer bitter. He described the military situation expressionlessly and pushed forward the white chess pieces that represented the garrison city one by one:
"But go back to the battlefield and rescue your colleagues."
As soon as these words came out, some of the people present frowned in thought, and some suddenly realized it.
"It's about loyalty." Viscount Connie muttered.
Thordor Red suddenly raised his head!
He glanced at everyone:
"That was their fourth mistake."
Viscount Conney frowned.
Sodo lowered his head and gathered the black chess pieces in Free Castle and the knights outside the castle:
"The strategy of the Freedom Alliance is completely opposite to what it was twenty years ago: after they are victorious, when they pursue the enemy, they do not seek to kill more people. They only seek to be mobile and flexible, drive away the majority, and attack the elite."
"So, when the flag of the garrison city arrived on the battlefield..."
The next moment, Thales watched as the fallen white chess pieces were pushed together and swept towards the white chess pieces that were still standing.
An ominous premonition came over me.
"Most of the tens of thousands of defeated soldiers in Qiyuan City are still alive, but they all lost their armor and retreated or fled all the way. They were so majestic that they couldn't stop giving orders."
"They were like a flood after a heavy rain, irresistibly overwhelming the defense of the city."
Sodol's hand no longer moved the pieces accurately, but opened and closed widely, sweeping the chaotic white chess pieces toward the east.
"What's even more frightening is that under hunger and fatigue, the despair and fear of failure are like a plague. As the defeated troops spread to the defending city troops, they triggered blind obedience and camp roars. Many people died before even seeing the enemy.
Stomping on internal strife.”
Soduo's voice dimmed:
"In the midst of the chaos, Guard City, the last hope of the Northlanders, was defeated in a confused manner without even fighting a few decent battles."
"The Northlanders suffered heavy casualties. The entire army retreated in panic, fleeing day and night. They even retreated hundreds of miles without being able to stabilize the front."
"There were also unyielding Exeter nobles on the way, trying to gather their soldiers for a last-ditch effort, but Xiaoyong was unable to defeat the general trend and it was of no help."
Thales remained silent, as if he had returned to the Dragon Blood Night, watching the white-blade guards who knew they would die raise their swords for the last time, launched a countercharge against the Black Sand Territory's formation, and cut off the rear for him and Little Slippery.
For some reason, Exeter was an enemy country with a high threat, but seeing them defeated so helplessly, he felt indescribable chest tightness and discomfort.
It's like seeing a hero short of breath and a hero in trouble.
And he realized that he was not the only one who felt this way.
"How could this be?"
Gilbert spoke quietly, as if immersed in the past, feeling sad:
"The invincible Northerners actually... failed?"
But a deep voice quickly interrupted him, making everyone feel nervous.
"No."
"They are far from 'invincible.'"
At the end of the long table, the Iron-Fisted King revealed a pair of cold eyes in the backlight:
"only……"
"Invincible."
When the king spoke, he was not angry and powerful, and the ministers in front of him were speechless for a while.
Invincible.
Thinking of the truth behind "Dragon Blood", Thales felt sad.
If yesterday's news is still confusing and cannot be confirmed, there is still a glimmer of hope.
Then today, now, the detailed battle report in Ballard's room told him clearly:
The Northlanders were defeated.
Lost.
There is no room for change.
"Starlight."
Duke Cullen's eyes flashed and he thought about breaking the silence:
"I remembered that their strategy for dealing with the Yankees, including avoiding sharp edges and attacking logistical supplies, was based on the Duke of Star Lake's... Well, sorry, the Star Legion of the 'former' Duke of Star Lake."
Star Legion.
Everyone frowned, even the king.
Soduo turned his head and nodded to the secret agent.
The scar-faced man stepped forward again, bowed, and reported his news:
"According to the latest intelligence, the general who led the elite force to capture the coach of Longxiao City for the Freedom Alliance is named Ivan Borado. He is a young guest general who is not yet twenty this year."
Gilbert raised his eyebrows:
"Guest general? So young?"
The scar-faced man nodded and said:
"His father died in a political struggle in the North Sea Kingdom, and he had to flee to Freehold for refuge."
"And when Exeter's army was pressing down on the border, everyone in Liberty Castle was fleeing in panic, and no one dared to step forward to lead the army, Ivan Borado took the initiative to ask for help and was awarded his current position."
Hearing this, Thales remembered the message Duke Iris gave him last night:
[The Freedom Alliance, which is in desperate situation, is trying every possible means to survive, regardless of dignity and price. Regardless of origin, it urgently seeks people with lofty ideals from all sides to join in the just struggle. 】
"North Sea Kingdom..."
The king muttered:
"Is it that barren country north of Camas, where the country is in chaos, the king is tyrannical, and there is only an idiot son as heir?"
The secret agent bowed again:
"Exactly, Your Majesty."
The king nodded, thinking about something.
"North Sea Kingdom, Ivan Pollado."
"Although the country is small, it can still educate talented people."
Juke Man sighed:
"His defeat of Exeter in this battle will surely shock the Western Continent and make him famous in one battle."
Gilbert calmed down his emotions, smiled softly, and looked at Thales intentionally or unintentionally:
"It can be said that times create heroes, and heroes emerge from youth."
On the other side, military advisor Sodo once again spoke out to attract everyone's attention.
"But in my opinion, the most critical aspect of this battle is not Borado and his surrounding troops."
Sodor's palms passed over countless fallen or standing chess pieces, and gently covered the city on the map.
"And in Fort Liberty."
"It was the empty Fort Liberty, with its old and weak soldiers who had been drained of its elite, that held off Exeter's siege army. Finally, he led his troops out of the city, encircled them, and drove back the Northlanders."
"In a few months, they held back the strongest edge, withstood the fiercest attack, and attracted most of the enemy's attention, thus achieving this classic war in which the weak defeated the strong."
They didn't feel it at first, but as soon as Soduo said this, everyone in the Imperial Council felt that something was unusual.
Soduo looked at the scar-faced man from the secret department, who pulled out a few pages of information again:
"In Free Castle, the general who commands the defense is over forty years old, and he is a star man."
Everyone was startled.
Star people?
The scar-faced man raised his head and announced a name:
“Josh ‘The Anvil’ Kenya.”
The imperial meeting was quiet for a moment, everyone was confused.
Until the king suddenly spoke up.
"anvil?"
King Kessel raised his gaze:
"This nickname...sounds very familiar."
The secret agent was calm and nodded in recognition:
"Yes, Kenya was born as a private soldier of the Bright Star family. He was once one of the combat officers of the Star Legion and the former deputy of the flower of the fortress, Lady Sonia Satherley."
"He was also Duke John's personal bodyguard."
"And the fugitives from the kingdom."
As soon as these words came out, there was a small commotion in Ballard's room.
The second-in-command of the Fortress Flower...
Thales was confused and thought of the veteran Gerald who had served him.
"So that's the case, so the commander of the Freedom Alliance is the former general of the Star Legion."
Prime Minister Cullen's question was answered with a look of surprise on his face:
"No wonder this war has a familiar flavor from beginning to end."
But King Kessel frowned, his focus was obviously different:
"A fugitive? What crime did he commit?"
The scar-faced man picked up the information, glanced at it, and then stopped talking.
Until Gilbert coughed and lowered his voice:
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten?"
"After you were crowned king, Josh Kenya acted rebelliously. Not only did he disobey your orders, he also blatantly made false accusations, saying that the real murderer of Duke John was..."
He didn't say any more.
All the ministers also bowed their heads and kept silent.
The king thought thoughtfully:
"oh."
The scar-faced man from the secret department coughed and got over this embarrassment as quickly as possible:
"In short, we are investigating Kenya's behavior in recent years and the reasons for its sudden appearance in this war."
Kessel nodded.
"So, this is what the battlefield looks like?"
Sodo breathed out a heavy breath, as if to expel all the depression this war had brought to him.
"That's right."
The military adviser snorted lightly, and he casually threw away the last white chess piece in his hand, which seemed to be ironic and unwise, but also seemed to be angry:
"Qiyuan City was betrayed and defeated in disgrace."
"The tactics of guarding the city are wrong and it is difficult to save the situation."
"Longxiao City has lost its backbone early, and its military morale has been weakened and cannot be used for any purpose."
Thales lowered his head, pretended to massage his forehead, and closed his eyes at an angle where no one could see him.
Little slippery head.
Selma.
The Grand Duchess of Longxiao City.
The Lost Rebellion Army.
Life and death unknown.
Before his eyes appeared the girl who was walking cautiously towards the throne, but could not even lean on the armrests of the seat.
The young man felt a pain in his heart.
He sent her to this position.
But the situation is so corrupt, the reality is so broken, and the fate is so cruel...
Thales' fists clenched unconsciously, whimpering at the same time as his heart.
Who can save her?
Can anyone help her?
Who can...
Protect her?
"Then, on the battlefield," the king's voice sounded faintly, as cold as before, which made Thales' already unbearable mood cool down again:
"The situation is over, the Northerners are retreating steadily..."
Thales rubbed his forehead, demonstrating his sadness, and just wanted this royal meeting to end as soon as possible.
It was unbelievable that while he was here worrying about such ridiculous things as party glasses, his friend was in trouble and suffering a terrible fate.
Thinking of this incident, he couldn't help but feel guilt and pain in his heart.
But the king's voice continued to sound, making people irritated:
"How did they end up..."
"What about the one who turned defeat into victory?"
Thales suddenly opened his eyes!
At that moment, his thoughts even froze.
Wha, what?
Northerners, turning defeat into victory?
how……
Prince Thales gently put down the fingers that were rubbing his forehead.
He raised his head in a dignified manner, his face expressionless.
I saw that at the imperial meeting, everyone present was not surprised, but they were also puzzled by this issue.
They weren't surprised.
That means……
That is to say, the result of the war...
Thales controlled his breathing and pressed his knee firmly with his left hand, not looking at Gilbert's worried expression.
"certainly."
Thordo Red nodded solemnly. He stretched out his hand and moved towards the pile of white chess pieces that were lying in a heap.
Thales' gaze was fixed on his hand.
It seems that there is truth in the world there.
The military advisor gently picked up a white chess piece.
Put it back on the chaotic map, in the most conspicuous position.
At that moment, Thales suddenly recognized:
That's one...
White Queen.
"The Grand Duke of Longxiao City who was separated in the rebellion and whose whereabouts are unknown."
Thales' breathing stagnated.
"Thelma Alex Walton."
At the imperial meeting, everyone present listened carefully to the words of the military adviser and the latter's tone of surprise and emotion.
"We don't know what happened."
Soduo gritted his teeth, as if it was difficult to understand what he was about to say:
"But when she appears again and miraculously turns the tide of the battle..."
"No matter the army or the people, no matter the enemy or our own people..."
"Everyone calls her -"
In the Ballard Room of the Renaissance Palace, the royal family's military adviser Thordo Red looked at the white queen's diamond standing proudly on the map, with unspeakable fear and solemnity in his words:
"Blazing True Dragon."
The voice fell.
At that moment, under everyone's doubtful eyes, time seemed to have stood still.
Blazing blood...real dragon?
Thales stared at the white chess piece blankly, unable to regain his consciousness for a long time.
No, Thales, you ridiculous fool.
You are mistaken.
This white piece...
A small voice sounded in the heart of Duke Xinghu, as if to laugh at his stupidity and self-righteousness: