"What? That group of lowlifes actually declared war?"
Prince Michael Pelopoulos furiously grabbed the messenger by the collar, gritting his teeth with hatred.
"Those damned fools! They’re asking for death! Someone, bring the map!"
The nearby guards hurriedly ran out and soon returned to the Military Department’s war room with a yellowed map.
The prince took the map, swept all the miscellaneous items off the desk onto the floor, and spread the map open.
He grabbed the messenger and stuffed a charcoal pencil into his hand.
"Mark on the map every watchtower, pass, and supply station that you’ve just reported as fallen!
If you mark even one wrong, I’ll cut off your head!"
The messenger, trembling, began to draw crosses on the map. In no time, half the map was almost covered with crosses.
The prince kicked the messenger away in his anger, pressing his hands on the table with an uncertain expression.
"It seems these pointed-eared bastards have a sense of awareness. They’ve recaptured all the mountainous forest areas that the Empire has occupied over the years.
None of the outposts or passes outside the jungles have fallen.
Not even attacked, let alone the six strongholds on the border.
Indeed, it is unwise to battle the elves in such terrain."
"Father, we must fight this battle."
Michael’s son Bander clenched his fist: "The entire nation is watching, and the dignity of the Imperial Family cannot suffer any more setbacks.
Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable."
"You think I don’t know that? Damn it... Who would have thought we’d be embarrassed by the elves someday!
Shameful! So shameful!
It’s all because of those parasites of the Empire! Instead of strengthening defenses at the border, all they think about is their own gain!
The entire southwest of the Empire, how rotten has it become?"
The prince slammed his fist on the table. The current state of the Empire wasn’t good.
First, due to the incident with the First Imperial Princess Vanessa, the Imperial Family was disgraced, and now the Holy Light Church has directly removed us, leaving the entire Empire in panic.
And at this time, a sect of the Flesh Sea God suddenly emerged along the Empire’s coastline.
Their proselytizing was rapid, effective, and the believers were extremely fervent.
A large portion of maritime trade was blocked by this strange cult, causing a financial strain on the Empire.
This southwest, originally the Empire’s granary, was also the production area for many magical materials by the Truth Workshop!
With this interruption, internal workshops would have to halt on a large scale.
The national strength we barely managed to raise would once again decline.
Even causing unemployment waves and breaking economic chains, leading to ongoing domestic panic and rising public dissatisfaction.
People naturally think that the Empire’s continuous disasters and people’s suffering are due to the loss of the Holy Light Goddess’s protection.
And the main culprit of all this is the Imperial Family.
What the future holds, we dare not even imagine!
"Fight! We must fight! This region is critical to the Empire’s economic development foundation! We cannot let those damned elf bastards take it!
Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable."
The prince looked at his military subordinates who’d come from the Imperial City: "How’s the integration of the border troops?"
"Reporting to the Prince, we’ve completed the initial reorganization!"
"Order the City Lords of the other five border cities to assemble their troops and set off as soon as possible. The target is the outpost closest to the city gate!
We must reclaim our territory."
In the war room, almost everyone knew that this area used to belong to the elves.
But since His Highness the Prince said so, regardless of the truth, it had to be accepted!
Staring at the map on the table, the prince frowned deeply.
Just a couple of days ago, the Empire’s capital received anonymous intelligence indicating that the Elf Clan was preparing to attack.
Though the entire upper echelon didn’t believe the intelligence, Prince Michael felt it necessary to be cautious.
After his persistent insistence, his elder brother, Pedeplos III, agreed to his request, approving his trip to the border to inspect defenses.
Almost everyone thought he was just making an excuse to come to the lucrative southwestern border to gain benefits.
But only the prince knew that the indescribable unease in his heart was not baseless.
As expected, two days later, war broke out!
"Is the army assembled?"
"Reporting to the Prince, the army is fully assembled and ready to march at any time!"
"Father! Let me lead the troops!"
His son Bander quickly stepped forward: "You must command the headquarters, and be ready to direct the other five armies.
Besides, as the commander-in-chief, how can you join the initial expedition?"
"...Alright, Bander, you lead the troops. But remember, be extremely careful."
The prince looked at his son, worrying in his heart.
He had only this one child and had personally mentored him from a young age. Fortunately, Bander performed excellently in every aspect.
But since Vanessa’s death, it seemed the child harbored unrealistic fantasies about the throne, which led to a more impatient temperament, a great cause for concern for the prince.