889: Chapter 89, Strike First to Gain the Upper Hand_2 889: Chapter 89, Strike First to Gain the Upper Hand_2 How much can be returned depends entirely on everyone’s integrity.
Even if it’s returning people, it will only be a group of old, sick, and disabled who have lost their ability to work.
Disputes and wrangling in the future are almost inevitable.
Even interfering with the restoration of the Five Countries of the Prairie to hold onto the benefits at hand, isn’t out of the question for the kingdom.
“Your Marshal, you have only talked about the civilian issue just now.
What about the military forces of the Five Countries of the Prairie?
We are all clear about the current situation; the Five Countries of the Prairie cannot hold out for long.
Every human nation is preoccupied with the war on the continent and has no capacity to provide them with more material assistance.
Even if the orcs don’t launch an attack, the defending army will collapse due to lack of supplies before long.
Once strategic resources are exhausted, evacuation becomes the inevitable choice.”
Marquis Landry asked with concern.
Compared to the lowest class of serfs, the bigwigs are obviously more focused on the military.
These are investments from the major powers behind the Five Countries of the Prairie, and no one wants them to go to waste.
The most practical problem is that restoration requires strength.
If you don’t have troops in hand, even if you drive the orcs out, a single king cannot control the region.
“Your Excellency the Marquis, when the time comes that the Five Countries must evacuate, the continental war will also have reached its most critical moment.
It can be said that every portion of military force is precious to the human race and naturally cannot be left idle.
Considering that the Five Countries of the Prairie need to preserve their seeds for later restoration, the high and middle-ranking aristocratic military officers can leave with their families, but the ordinary officers and soldiers must stay.”
Hudson said with the appearance of being considerate of others.
If one didn’t know that these soldiers were to be absorbed by the Alpha Kingdom, one might actually believe it was out of righteousness.
Wanting to retort but stopping himself at the last moment was Marquis Landry.
The matter had already spread throughout the Human Alliance Council, and if the Five Countries of the Prairie continued to retreat with a large number of troops, the discussion of “deserter’s crime” might be brought up on the agenda again.
If he couldn’t bear such a stigma, then the number of evacuees had to be controlled.
At the very least, it had to seem like they were lucky to breakout, not running away.
The forces that were doomed to be abandoned landing in the hands of the Alpha Kingdom was also a good choice.
It was preferable to the situation in the Northern Continent collapsing suddenly and affecting the strategic layout of the Frank Kingdom.
“Your Marshal, high and middle-ranking officers are not enough, we must leave some guards for the five monarchs to maintain appearances, right?”
Marquis Landry said with a smile.
If one were attentive, they would notice his fingers moved slightly, as if hinting at something.
Hudson didn’t directly answer, only smiling without a word.
He naturally knew the kingdom’s bottom line but would never reveal it in advance.
What results could be negotiated depended on the diplomatic wrangling between both parties in what follows.
After seeing Marquis Landry off, before he could gather his thoughts, he was pulled into a meeting in the Royal Palace.
“The Church Navy Fleet intends to move north!”
Always focused on the war with the orcs, the kingdom’s naval power was mainly from the private armies of coastal nobles, and the Kingdom Navy could be seen as an “Existence Fleet.”
Fighting pirates occasionally posed no problem, but facing off against the Church Navy was a different story, with a significant discrepancy between them.
Even with the coastal nobles’ forces added, there was still a gap between the two parties.
Of course, if the Church Fleet really came over, as the local rulers, they would not be completely without the power to strike back.
Gathering the kingdom’s naval forces and bringing in some experts, there was a chance to deal a heavy blow to the Church Navy.
Moreover, a distant campaign consumes a great deal, and the Church has its own maritime interests that require protection by the fleet, which cannot linger near the kingdom’s coasts for long.
Even during the worst periods of their relationship, the Church had never assembled an expedition fleet to come over.
In an instant, the idea of “military extortion” surfaced in Hudson’s mind.
The Church’s move was obviously in Enjoy reading on NovelHub - your free online novel platform.
After all, this kingdom was filled with the descendants of high-ranking Church officials, unlike other countries that, though with significant backers, were mostly side branches of various families.
“The Church has communicated that they are combating pirates and want to deploy forces to help us clear the Ghost Ships in the Misty Marine Region to ensure the safety of the shipping lanes.”
Count Francis’s words had barely hit the ground when everyone’s faces turned sour.
Although there was no concept of maritime hegemony on the Continent of Aslante, spheres of influence were tacitly acknowledged, and the Church’s actions obviously crossed the line.
“A mix of hard and soft tactics, they’re forcing the kingdom to make concessions!
However, it’s the time of the continental war; the Church shouldn’t dare to start a civil war among the human race on its own.
The operation to hunt down the Ghost Ships must be accelerated.
If they cannot be found promptly, then the search operations should be suspended.
The negotiations with the Five Countries of the Prairie cannot be affected.
As for threats, if we compromise once, there will be countless more to follow.
If the Church Fleet wants to move north, then let them come!
The Alliance Council is watching; even if the shipping lanes are clear, would the Bright Kingdom really dare to flee?”
Prime Minister Duke Newfoundland said with a sneer.
Allowing the Church into one’s sphere of influence was a great humiliation for the kingdom, but humiliation, no matter how severe, was better than direct compromise.
In the absence of war, the Church Fleet could do very little besides flaunt its might.
“Chancellor, are we not going to counterattack?”
Caesar IV asked annoyed.