Being in charge of the capital was supposed to be the emperor's responsibility, but Karl Franz felt as if he was sitting on pins and needles no matter how hard he tried.
He was very annoyed.
Based on the intelligence provided by Amadeus, it should be easy to repel the Chaos invasion this time. Two out of the three armies were already close to Auster. Although Austermark's army was unable to advance, it was more than enough to protect itself. It was estimated that apart from the main force of 150,000, the Chaos army only had about 10,000 soldiers left in the Nords territory. Prince Sigwald's Pernicious Army was about 40,000 soldiers in the Central Mountain Range. There were also the scattered soldiers of the Tzeentch Army and the Nurgle Army, which added up to about 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers.
On the other hand, the three reinforcements added up to 200,000 soldiers. With the addition of a large number of Sanctuary experts, Human elites, and the sturdiness of Wolfenburg, it wouldn't be a problem to stop the Chaos army north of the Tarabek River.
Moreover, if the Empire was fully mobilized, it wouldn't be a problem for a country with a population of 20 million to mobilize another 200,000 to 300,000 soldiers. Hence, as Amadeus said, the entire battle situation had started to favor the Empire.
Although the defense of Von Zhukov Castle suffered heavy losses, it greatly delayed the Chaos army's attack and depleted a large number of their soldiers.
The glorious results of the Battle of the Three Kings made Midden Territory have no worries about advancing. Karl-franz was even certain that the Orcs and Green Dwarfs wouldn't be able to leave the forest to raid villages in the next ten years. The Emperor hadn't received the detailed military report and formation map of the Battle of the Three Kings. However, the 76,000 Orcs and Green Dwarfs suffered a loss of 7500 to 86000. The Emperor was both happy and indignant when he saw it.
Karl-franz was envious of Laing's military ability and bravery, but he was convinced.
The Knight King's military and political skills were too brilliant. The Emperor was glad that he had established a good relationship with Laing. The Empire and Brittany were in the most peaceful era in a few hundred years. The Emperor was sure that if they hadn't signed a military alliance, the Brittany wouldn't have sent their troops so easily. Even if they had sent their troops, they would have asked for a large sum of money. How could they just provide military provisions? This saved the Empire a lot of money!
As for the removal of the siege of Beckarfen, the Emperor was also relieved. Now, the main forces of Chaos in Auster had actually fallen into a pocket formation. To the west was the allied army of Leon and Boris in Herzig, to the south was the elite army of the Southern Empire, and to the east was the allied army of humans and dwarves of Austermark.
So the Emperor could understand why Amadeus, the chief of spies, was in such high spirits, because the situation of the war had improved.
But the Emperor couldn't relax his frown and remove the dark clouds floating in his heart.
The reason was simple. To the Chief of Spies, this was a matter of intelligence.
To the Chief of Finance, this was a matter of financial affairs.
To Marshal Rick, this was a matter of war.
Only to Karl-franz, the Emperor had to consider political affairs.
Karl-franz, who had shown great talent in internal affairs, had to consider many issues. For example, in this fight against the invasion of Chaos, he had to consider whether the Empire could withstand the torment, how much political and financial benefits the Empire could gain, how much authority the Empire could gain and strengthen, how to fight the war, how many casualties, how to rebuild the army, how to replenish the soldiers after the war, how to reward, how to rebuild and compensate, how to restore production, and protect the people. These were all things that the Emperor had to consider.
This was the difference between a monarch and his ministers. The ministers only needed to consider the matters in their charge, but the Emperor had to consider the overall situation. Especially for a system like the Empire, without the Emperor's coordination, the entire palace would be difficult to operate.
Bureaucrats had a huge laziness and tended to do their own things. Only the Emperor could stimulate their vitality and strengthen their actions, making them move. It was true that some Empire bureaucrats did work hard for the country and the people, but the Emperor knew that he couldn't pin his hopes on the bureaucrats' own moral standards. The common preference of bureaucrats was stability over everything. Wasn't it better to drink coffee every day, read the newspaper, and get a salary? Wouldn't it be nice to be promoted for a long time without any problems?
Hence, Emperor Karl-franz preferred to stay with his army, at least with the soldiers who supported him. The Emperor didn't need to think so much. He only needed to win for the Empire.
However, the Emperor was still the Emperor. After a short period of being in a daze, Karl-franz had to continue thinking.
The north of the Empire had lost too many people in this invasion. According to incomplete statistics, at least two million people of the Empire and one million Mrs. Kiesler had died tragically in this invasion of Chaos. As the barrier of the north of the Empire, although Kislöw hadn't officially declared its downfall, it wasn't too far off. Oster, Ostermark, and Nord were all facing reconstruction. In addition to the shocking military expenses, pensions, and food relief, the Emperor could imagine how much trouble he would have to face after this war.
What about the benefits? What about the benefits?
This was why Karl-franz was so anxious. He didn't expect to get much from fighting Chaos. The key was to get enough political influence and the authority of the Empire. Just like Ludwig the Savior, he relied on this to complete the centralization of power and rebuild the Empire.
But what was the impression that the current situation gave people?
Was it Kislöw's female Tsar's mistake, and Zedevka's defeat that caused the collapse of the nation?
Was it Örengrád's Hilawek Group that stood firm for dozens of days, and with the help of Kalad's army, they finally won the Örengrád Great Victory that shocked the old world? Was it the annihilation of the Noska Mountain Range army, and the Noska Supreme King, Aislin, was beheaded?
Was it Nord who stubbornly resisted the plundering of the Noska people?
Was it the glorious Battle of the Three Kings that broke the spines of the Green Skins and Orcs? Knight King Lionheart killed two Kings and shocked Drakoward. He killed the Green Skins and Orcs until they were cowering in fear?
Was it Oster who kept on fighting despite repeated defeats, and the soldiers and civilians of the province who suffered great hardships and still chose to defend Wolfenburg and wait for reinforcements?
Or was it that the siege of Becafen was finally resolved, and the Butcher King took credit for it?
Both.
Then the question was, where was the Emperor? Where was his army?
Karl-franz! Why are you just watching? Did you really betray us?
The Emperor thought bitterly. Didn't he want to send out his army immediately? But gathering an army required time. He wasn't Laing. Laing could gather an army easily, but for the Emperor to gather an army, other than his own army, he needed a lot of games, politics, and interest exchange. Even though Emperor Card was skilled in politics and righteousness, and it wasn't difficult for him to get an army from the nobles, it still required time.
That was why the Emperor was anxious. If he didn't rush to Oster to fight the Chaos army, he wouldn't be able to get any political capital. The Kurfürst of the Empire would definitely think that they had defeated the Chaos army with their own strength and allies.
Speaking of which, the retreating Kislöw army from Örengrád didn't choose to go south to Ostmark to meet up with Katarín. Instead, they chose to retreat to Kurona with the Brittany fleet? The Emperor picked up the second report.
Interesting. This was the last elite army of Kislöw. The remaining Winged Cavalry, Bear Cavalry, and Red Sea Army were all here. It seemed that Katarín was losing control of the army. That was why she publicly announced that the army would return to help the Emperor. Also, the letter requesting the Empire to speak up together had already been sent to the Emperor's desk.
What does it have to do with me? Solve your own problems by yourself. Go and negotiate with the Knight King Kingdom on the other side of the mountain! The Emperor who had a headache subconsciously thought.
Karl-franz put down the report. His attention shouldn't be on this now.
Knight King Laing, Lake Goddess Witch Morgiana, and Regent Lauren had all come to the Empire. His Queen Suria should be in charge now, right?
How would she handle it?
She would definitely find it troublesome, right?
Unfortunately, Emperor Karl-franz guessed correctly.
As the queen of the Knight King, Suria was indeed thinking about how to deal with the Kislöw army.
Old World, Brittany's capital, Kurona, Palace, King's Office.
In the middle of February, the winter sun shone through the glass window, through the countless irises and lake fairies on the glass, and into the King's office. The floor was covered with a thick carpet, and the magic lamps were slightly turned on. The furnishings in the room were very luxurious. The walls were filled with paintings of the legends of the Knights of the Holy Grail.
After Knight King Laing led the army on an expedition, his Queen Suria worked here.
There was a fireplace burning in the room. The Knight Queen was wearing a Brittanian royal embroidered shirt and a snow-melting fairy pleated skirt. Her long, curly platinum hair glowed with a dazzling light as it draped over her shoulders and scattered in the air. The Queen showed off her proud figure without a care in the world. Her voluptuous breasts stood erect, her slender waist line, her perfect figure, her creamy skin, and her exquisite face. Ever since she had advanced into the Saint-level, Sulia had become even more beautiful.
Of course, the most beautiful part was still her pair of gorgeous long legs with golden ratio and black silk feet. The small black silk feet stepped on the black suede red high heels with golden edges, pure white and delicate, snow-white skin, and the arches of her feet wrapped in transparent black aurora ultra-thin stockings. One of her beautiful feet was raised under the table, the tip of her foot hooked on the tip of the shoe, swaying gently. Her five pink toes were sometimes curled together, and sometimes gently stretched out, bringing a hazy light and shadow.
The Dark Elf maid, Laing's personal cotton-padded jacket, Olica, stood not far behind the Knight King. Olica was still wearing a black-and-white lace maid costume with white suspenders. A white headscarf was tied on her head, tying up her waist-long black hair. The Dark Elf maid had been dealing with internal affairs with Suria recently. Her face was calm and expressionless, but at the same time, she was vaguely paying attention to the situation around her. The Pale Queen's Urth Staff was placed beside Olica's hand, and a divine dagger — the Sign of Sorrow — was tied to her thigh.
Recently, the two female knights in Laing's backyard and the Dark Elf maid, who didn't get along very well, maintained a strange peaceful relationship.
After chanting a spell, Olica glanced at Suria, who was correcting documents, and many thoughts surfaced in her mind.
During this period of time, Suria had been handling the affairs of the Knight King Kingdom. Olica could see that Suria was actually a natural power animal. She not only handled the affairs of the kingdom in an orderly manner, but also enjoyed it.
And since Laing began to let his queen handle the affairs of the kingdom, Suria had accumulated a lot of experience in this regard. After Laing set the general framework, he left a considerable amount of autonomy, and the queen was able to understand Laing's will very well, maintaining and implementing his policies.
But in any case, Laing and Suria were ultimately two different people, and their thinking and understanding of some issues were ultimately different, so naturally, there was a difference in the way they handled the affairs of the kingdom.
Sometimes, Olica would "kindly" remind Suria what Laing would do, and Suria would combine Laing's ideas and evaluate them again.
Suria could not ignore Olica's opinion because she represented Laing.
Suria also glanced at Olica. She thought for a moment, then took out a document and handed it to the dark elf. "Olica, take a look at this."
"What is this?" Olica took the document and found Laing's seal on it. "This is the content of the Kislöw letter from Master. Hmm … Female Tsar asked us to rescue the Kislöw army and immediately send them to the Empire to save the king? She really has the face to ask for this. "
"Where is our fleet now?" Suria frowned slightly, and her feet that were wrapped in black silk trembled slightly. "Olica, how do you think we should respond?"
"The Poseidon Fleet is already in the open sea." Olica thought for a moment and said, "We paid so much to rescue this army, and no matter what, we can't send them to the Empire. First, we will suffer a huge loss, and second, if this Kislöw army goes to save the king, I'm afraid they will end up dead. If they don't die in the hands of Chaos, they will die in the hands of their own people. It's not worth it, and there is no benefit to us doing this. Who would dare to go to Master in the future? Madam, we definitely can't agree to Female Tsar's request. Master must think so. "
"I'm also aware of this." Suria nodded. The female knight certainly understood what her husband meant. Laing was pushing the matter to Suria. On one hand, he did not directly appear to give the matter room to turn around. On the other hand, he wanted Suria and Olica to think of a solution. After all, Laing's attention was now focused on the war against Chaos.
"Madam, actually, the simplest way is to kill Female Tsar." Olica smiled sweetly. The Dark Elf maid made a knife-hand gesture and licked her lips. "What do you think, Madam? Simple, clear, and fast. I will personally make a trip. Even if Female Tsar is very strong and has a unique bloodline, I am at least seventy to eighty percent confident. Even if I fail, no one will know that I did it. They will all think that it was the Skaven Ratman Assassin. "
"If Laing won't agree to the decision, I won't agree to it either." Suria looked at Olica calmly. She knew that this was just a bait thrown by the Dark Elf. It was a trap in her words. She would not fall for it. The female knight thought for a moment and said, "Olica, Duruzi's politics cannot be forcefully applied to the human world. The human world's politics is more similar to that of the High Elves. Everyone eats at the same table. It's like cutting meat with a blunt knife. If there is a problem that can be solved by removing the plate, no one will directly …"
"Directly flip the table? If the dog food bowl is overturned, no one can eat it? "Olica smiled sweetly." I understand. Perhaps you have a better idea? Madam, why don't you tell us so that we can consider it? "
This was another ball being kicked to her. Sulia was calm and composed, but she also felt that this was interesting. She could learn new things every day by interacting with the Dark Elves.
She put down the quill in her hand. The queen did not have a good solution for the time being. Fortunately, there was no rush. Laing's move gave Suria a lot of time to think. She gently put on her black suede shoes and stood up. "There's no rush. Olica, it's time for the monthly meeting. Do you want to join me?"
"Of course, madam!" Olica's eyes lit up. The Dark Elf nodded excitedly. This was rare for a Dark Elf who was always smiling.
Thirty minutes later, in a secret room in the Kurona Palace.
A three-meter-tall golden-armored giant stood guard outside. The secret room was completely silent. Sulia pulled her son, Devenhill Jr., and Olica to stand in front of a large mirror.
The Knight King brought his son Devenshire Jr. and the Dark Elf maid and knelt in front of the mirror.
"Princess of the Empire, Queen of the Knight King, Duchess of Musillon, Countess of Glamorgan, Suria Kumani Antrel de Vanford, Crown Prince Devenshire Antrel Macado, and …"
"Master's personal maid, Olica Haayi Corundia." The Dark Elf maid took a step forward.
"Greetings, Father!"
"Greetings, Imperial Grandfather ~"
"Greetings, Father!"
The figure of the King of Humans appeared in the large mirror. He was talking to the three of them in the throne room of the Holy Terra. The scene in the mirror made the magnificent Kurona Palace look ridiculous.
It was insignificant.
It was so magnificent, so luxurious, so solemn and holy.
But compared to the face of the King of Humans, everything paled in comparison.
"Get up and sit down." The voice of the King of Humans sounded far away on the other side of the universe, but it also seemed to be lingering in the ears of the three of them. There was nothing left in the room except humility and respect.
"Yes."
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