"… There's also the war in the east. Although Fanzin has always been on good terms with the Wild Elves of Erranta, isn't it too rash to remove the barrier in the east of the kingdom and send the army to the great glacier just because of a prophecy?"
"The situation in the ten cities has also begun to deteriorate. The Barbarians have invaded Golden Anchor Harbor from the north. The two dukes of the Tenor and Harjord families have expressed concern about the military situation in the north. The Trade Union wants to expand the strength of the mercenary corps, but this proposal has been put on hold until today …"
For a moment, the buzzing in the hall rose again. Although the courtiers did not stand up to argue this time, the private discussions fell into Pedian's eyes. This made the supreme person of the Empire frown.
He looked at Bishop Chargusti, who was the first to stand up, and replied:
"It was His Excellency Asebanto's idea to send the Order of the Silver Horse south to support the people of Cruz."
This sentence was like a spell that made the entire hall quiet down in an instant. This sudden silence was even weirder than before. It was as if a cold north wind whistled through the palace, freezing everyone's breathing.
As everyone knew, Pedian III was the current Pope. In Fanzin, the Pope held both the divine and royal power of the Empire. It could be said that he was the most supreme figure. But before he ascended to the throne and was crowned, his teacher, Asebantu XI, was even more famous. Even though he was already a dignified Pope today, in front of the previous Pope, he was just a child who had just started to wield the scepter.
Asebanto XI was the Pope who had experienced the Holy War. Most of the politicians and emperors of his generation, including the famous emperor of Cruz, had already died. As a king who walked out of blood and fire, this Pope had enough reason to make anyone tremble in fear.
It would be the same even if he added the word "Qian" in front of his title.
Pedian III seemed to have expected the reaction of his courtiers, so he added: "Moreover, the Order of the Silver Horse is not going to support or rescue the eldest son of Cruz, but to support the people of Cruz."
"Support the people of Cruz?" The courtiers looked at each other, wondering if this was a high-sounding excuse to intervene in the internal affairs of the people of Cruz.
Pedian III stood up from his throne. His tall and burly figure made everyone present feel a little breathless. He looked at everyone present and said: "The war of Cruz is far more complicated than you think. My courtiers, this war concerns all of us. The Order of the Silver Horse's movement is just the beginning. I have to explain this to you, because next, I need all of you to unite with me and face's with me."
As he spoke, his face darkened. "Be it for the Empire or the Holy Church, the coming days will be the most difficult. I hope that you can let go of your hatred and pick up the sacred oath from a thousand years ago. If anyone is unwilling to do so, or even tries to obstruct us, then what awaits you won't just be my anger."
Pedian III's voice echoed in the hall, and the chilling intent contained in it made everyone shudder. The courtiers could not help but look at each other for a moment.
"Your Majesty …" Bishop Charagust was stunned for a moment before he asked, "Are you sure about all this?"
Pedian III nodded.
"This is an oracle."
In an instant, there was a great uproar in the Winter Solstice Palace.
…
In the dark mountains to the west of Mehotofen, bonfires were rising like stars. Looking into the distance, with the help of the faint light of the Golden Moon, one could see that there were still winding troops on the plains entering the mountains.
Since the defeat in East Metz, the remnants of Cruz's army fled from Fathom Port and the north of Ludwig. Some of them went south into the Evergreen Corridor, and some passed through the Mehotofen Basin and went west into the mountains.
After the Crystal Army swept through the whole of Metz, they did not pursue further. This gave the Black Legion and the allied forces of the local nobles of Metz a chance to catch their breath. However, the good times did not last long. According to the reports of the scouts who came down from the front line, it seemed that after a short pause, the Crystal Army showed signs of continuing to move east.
Kacha, kacha …
The Knight's heavy footsteps could not draw Veronica's attention away from the military map spread on her legs. The light from the bonfire shone on the face of the former commander of Cruz's army. Her eyes were shining. There were many people patrolling back and forth around her, but among the messy footsteps, one was particularly clear. It stopped in front of her.
"Teacher, the scouts have sent back information. Those terrifying monsters have passed through Fathom Port. It is not clear if they have gone south, but at least some of them are heading towards Mehotofen."
A somewhat tired voice sounded.
It was only then that Veronica lifted her head, her eyes reflecting Vahina's figure. This student of hers had always given her a headache in the past. Even though Vahina was very talented and had great comprehension in both magic and swordsmanship, her bad temper was truly unflattering. Veronica knew very well that her student was known as a demoness in the Imperial Capital.
However, at this moment, the arrogance and willfulness of the past could not be found on the face of the little princess of Flower Leaf Ridge. Instead, it was replaced by maturity and determination. Vahina was wearing a Knight's armor that was rarely seen on her. A sword was hanging on her waist. Her fair face was covered with a layer of dust, and there were a few scratches on her forehead.
However, the biggest change was the look in her eyes. Her pale blue eyes were like the sea. At this moment, there was a calm and steady light in her eyes.
Sometimes, Veronica could not help but think that if this nightmare did not happen, she would be relieved to see her student again.
Unfortunately, hypotheses were only hypotheses.
The war in East Metz had become the biggest nightmare for everyone who had experienced it. Even for Veronica, who had experienced the Holy War sixty years ago, it was the same. Sometimes, she would compare her experience in the Holy War with what she had been through these days. However, every time, she could not help but think of the scene where Cruz's army collapsed under the impact of the Crystal Cluster Sea.
In that battle, Cruz's army witnessed the suffocating dragons falling one after another in front of their eyes. Then, they were defeated and lost all memories of the battle.
However, Cruz's army was defeated, but they did not die. The dead had fallen into eternal slumber, but the living still had to struggle for survival and hope.
Veronica only nodded silently at Vahina's words. She frowned and drew a line on the military map with a charcoal pencil. It marked the latest movement of the Crystal Cluster Sea.
It could be seen that at least in the Bankdale region and the entire Metz region, the Crystal Cluster Sea's army was unstoppable. Although they had not yet moved south, the south of the Evergreen Corridor had just experienced the devastation of Jorgendy Ridge and Toquinin. The Empire's only strength was the Red Legion that was still in the Wilderness of the Four Territories.
It was not that she did not think of going south to join the Red Legion, but the journey was too far. More importantly, the noble army in East Metz had lost their morale. If it was not for the fact that the Empire's enemy would not give them a chance to surrender, these people would have collapsed long ago.
She could bring the remnants of the Black Legion and the Azure Legion to the south, but the Empire's strength was so weak that these noble legions could not be abandoned.
As for the Cloak Bay region and Anzeruta, there was still no contact. Although Veronica did not know that the disaster of the Fallen Moon had torn apart the southern part of the Sublime Inland Sea and permanently changed the terrain there, she thought that those places would not be spared.
If the Crystal Cluster Sea's army could move west from the Bankdale region, they could naturally go south as well. Although the Cloak Bay region still had the Empire's navy, it would be difficult for them to resist those terrible monsters.
In other words, the remaining strength in her hands and the Red Legion in the Wilderness of the Four Territories might be the only strength left of the Empire.
When did the kingdom left behind by the Flame King Gretel, one of the most powerful empires in the human world, fall to such a state?
Lenarette, who was sitting next to Veronica, looked a little gloomy. However, the eldest son of the Emperor quickly calmed down, and the depression on his body was swept away. He turned around and asked.
"What should we do now, Lady Veronica?"
Vahina also stared at her teacher.
Veronica frowned slightly. The Crystal Cluster Sea's army had already overflowed Fathan Port. It was no longer possible to turn back and go south through the Evergreen Corridor. There were only two paths in front of them.
One was to go north into Fanzin and ask for help from the Templar. However, the people of Inir were the enemies of the Cruz people. The hatred between the two was even deeper than the conflict between the Cruz people and the Wind Elves. Moreover, they had to go north through the most dangerous part of the Alkash Mountains, which was close to the Great Glacier region. It was difficult for the army to pass through.
In comparison, both Vahina and Lenarette were willing to choose the second path, which was to go to the southern foot of the Alkash Mountains. The low hills there were much easier to walk on than the steep ridges and mountain paths at the edge of the Great Glacier. After passing through the Golden Forest, they could enter the Wilderness of the Four Territories. There might be a chance to meet up with the Red Legion.
However, they would have to face the possible pursuit of the Crystal Cluster Sea's army. When they thought of the defeat in East Metz and the terrible enemy they would have to face, even the most courageous Knight of Cruz had to remain silent.
While they were hesitating, there was a sudden commotion in the crowd. Veronica was just thinking about what the little Count from Erouine would do in such a situation. At this time, she looked up and saw a group of people had separated the crowd and came to the bonfire.
"Buga people?"
Vahina, who was standing at the side, was slightly stunned.
…
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