Chapter 254.1
It’s been 2 months since the negotiations with the goblins have fallen through . Blanche Ririnoie stood at the frontlines and confronted them, but the goblins weren’t showing themselves, so she just prepared her army to be able to move out at anytime .
Four cards have been laid down .
The Imperial Capital of Rishu (Shushunu Capital) behind her, the western frontlines, the Kushain Believers, and the southern frontlines .
“Now where is the joker?”
Based on the movements of the enemy tactician, the imperial capital of Rishu was most likely to be their target . They went out of their way to escalate hostilities in the western frontlines, and then even though they could advance in the south, they didn’t . Either move was meant to make her wary .
The Kushain Believers were allied to the goblins, but they were still second-rate as far as their military went . They could be a terrifying foe when they call for a holy war, but they haven’t been driven that far just yet . Queen Mira appears to be quite attached to Vilan Do Zul, but he wasn’t someone to be wary of .
That leaves Rishu .
Given the increasing burglary cases at the slave trades, the goblins probably intended to start a rebellion and then break through the border while she was preoccupied . The Kushain Believers will likely also be taking a long way around to attack . But if so, then there should be a way to resolve this .
It would be difficult to fight the entire goblin army, but by focusing her soldiers for a short period of time, she could break through the attacking enemies . A reenactment of that decisive battle at Gilgimel Plains .
During that time, she could leave the slave soldiers to maintain the frontlines .
They’ll be consumed in the process, but there’s a reason for them to fight so desperately . And if the archer knights and the sorcerer cavalry accompany them, they should be able to eliminate the forces coming from the Kushain Believers for some time .
Blanche fiddled with the cards she had and made a decision .
She was ready to expose herself in the frontlines .
It was precisely because she was in the frontlines that the enemy tactician was holding back . The same was true for the Kushain Believers . Ever since she came back from the minor nations, the enemy tactician hasn’t appeared in their attacks even once .
It was as if the enemy was certain that she was here .
Blanche had to praise the enemy’s intelligence network . The legacy of the Red King, an intelligence unit, was gradually being weakened, and now they were in such a poor state that they had to be reorganized .
But in exchange for that, her victories has been piling up .
Twice at the southern frontlines, once at the western frontlines in a large-scale battle; there’s even one from a small skirmish . Thanks to those victories, the forces opposed to her have been quelled, and now most of the domestic parties have come under her .
Being allowed to act as the head of the three great nobles in particular has given her much freedom . The Agarmua whose foundation stemmed from the south, and the Kushunora who languished at the destruction of their trade routes . Controlling these two fearful households, whom the goblins have stricken with fear, was not at all difficult .
“Just thinking about it irritates me . ”
Her efforts had been put to waste because of that shoddy attempt at diplomacy .
Because she had to prepare for another war with the goblins, the cards she held have been greatly weakened . She didn’t link the frequent attacks against the slave merchants of Rishu (Shushunu Capital) to the goblins without any reason .
The Kushunora specialized at trading people and goods, and they had also tricked the goblins . When she thought back to that moment when she told the present Kushunora head, Sharnei, that, a faint slime appeared on her lips . If it were the Agarmua House’s Barad, he wouldn’t have allowed that .
“The national army needs to be alert . ”
But the old Barad wasn’t her enemy . He failed to raise the next generation and ended up with a prodigal son . That was his weakness . That’s why he had no choice but to cooperate with her .
It wasn’t official, but Blanche still managed to bring together the Holy Shushunu Kingdom enough to be able to wield national power .
“In that case, the problem lies at home . ”
She might have to make some threats .
As her eyes grew sharper and a smile appeared on her face, she decided to push into the southern frontlines . With the construction of the trench camps complete, she set out with the archer knights, the lance knights, and the sorcerer cavalry .
Facing her there was Gi Ga Rax’s Tiger and Spear ArmyAransain and Gi Gi Orudo’s Twin-Headed Beast and Axe ArmyZeilduk, but as soon as they saw Blanche Ririnoie’s flag, they immediately made a run for it . They didn’t even fight . Like that Blanche forced the southern frontlines back .
“That was too easy . ”
If so, then they really must be aiming for the back, she thought .
They would bait her with victory, and then pin her at the frontlines, while they caused a rebellion behind her and forced Rishu (Shushunu Capital) to capitulate . Moreover, if she were to push the southern frontlines, the goblins will likely push from the western frontlines, bringing the war into a stalemate .
“Fortify the trench camps and maintain the front lines . I am requesting that the national army be dispatched . ”
Since she didn’t have any pawns in the inner palace, it was faster for her to reach out to them herself .
Because of that Blanche rode hurriedly back to Rishu .