787: Chapter 54, The Change Triggered by Huge Losses_3 787: Chapter 54, The Change Triggered by Huge Losses_3 In comparison to conquering human kingdoms, which might lead to entrapment, attacking different races is much more comfortable.
No one will care about the means employed or how ungraceful the process looks.
The Dwarf Race that Blake is targeting is undoubtedly a fat piece of meat.
By monopolizing the trade of high-end weaponry, the Dwarf Kingdom has amassed substantial wealth.
The current issue to consider is this: the military power of the Dwarf Kingdom is robust, and the Clergy doesn’t share borders with them.
Initiating a war would require cooperation from others.
However, this isn’t something Blake needs to concern himself with.
After successive failures in political maneuvering, his only chance of turning things around is on the battlefield.
Fortuitously, the Judgement Knights are one of the strongest forces within the Clergy.
Compared to the political chess game, war is their specialty.
Strategically speaking, annexing the neighboring Kingdom of Rusenia would be most beneficial to the Clergy.
Yet, a civil war among humans would come with too many restrictions.
Even if a military victory is achieved, the interference from other kingdoms on the continent would make it hard to secure the benefits at hand.
By contrast, fighting against different races is more straightforward and easier to gain respect for.
“Captain Blake, our relationship with the Kingdom of Rusenia isn’t good.
Why would they cooperate with us?
Even if they agree to cooperate with us verbally, they could betray us at a crucial moment in the war and cut off our logistical supplies.
That would be a disaster!”
“In my opinion, we should find an opportunity to subdue the Kingdom of Rusenia first, install our preferred rulers and then strategize for war against the Dwarf Race.”
Gulay immediately opposes this.
Like the Judgement Knights, the Arbitration Knights also need war.
Everyone is part of the War Faction, yet this could still lead to disagreements.
Even though the Dwarf Race was a common target, by the time the strategic war plans were formulated, both parties were on opposite sides again.
“Legion Commander Gulay, there are many methods to solve problems in this world.
Apart from military means, we can also use diplomatic methods.
For instance, forming an alliance with the Kingdom of Rusenia for the time being and jointly scheming against the Dwarves.
No need to worry about them declining.
Currently, the Kingdom of Rusenia is rife with internal strife and is in dire need of external diversion.
If we propose an alliance, they won’t be able to refuse as long as our conditions are not too harsh.”
Blake said with absolute calm.
This plan was something he had discussed with his think tank in private.
First, use an alliance agreement to stabilize the Kingdom of Rusenia.
After the Dwarf Race is conquered, then look for an opportunity to deal with this “ally”.
“Blake, have you gone mad?
If we form an alliance with the Kingdom of Rusenia, how could we attack them in the future?”
Gulay harshly questioned.
Annexing an ally isn’t good for our reputation.
Should such a dishonorable event occur, the already not-so-good reputation of the Clergy would utterly stink.
“Gulay, we can’t use outdated notions to deal with issues.
If there comes a day when we can annex the Kingdom of Rusenia, the political landscape of the continent would have undergone drastic changes by then.
By that stage, all the small countries on the continent would have been divided up and a new era of powerful nations would have begun.
All the original rules would be overthrown.
What do we have to fear then?”
Quietly listening to the debates among his subordinates, Pope Shelter VII fell into deep contemplation.
Originally, the Clergy didn’t need to rush to wage a war.
However, this operation was a failure.
Despite the massive amount of manpower and resources deployed, it wasn’t successful and a considerable sum of money was lost.
Don’t just consider the three million gold coins that the Alpha Kingdom profited; the Clergy’s loss was much more than that.
Even the Clergy couldn’t bear such a huge loss.
The Clergy is for everyone, not just one person.
As the Pope, having such a major incident happen under his watch, it was important to provide an explanation to everyone.
Especially those who had been pushed out of the power center.
They wouldn’t miss such a great opportunity to revolt.
To avoid exacerbating internal conflicts, the best choice would be an external war.
Regardless of the losses incurred in this operation, they can all be balanced through war gains.
“To be on the safe side, we should first send someone to negotiate with the Kingdom of Rusenia.
If they are willing to cooperate, a temporary alliance may be negotiated.
The Dwarf Race is not easy to provoke; gathering more cannon fodder is certainly not a mistake.
If everything goes well, we might be able to use this opportunity to drain the strength of the Kingdom of Rusenia.
As for the future, we will cross that bridge when we get there.
At least before the extermination of the Dwarves, we are not enemies yet!”