King
Chapter 567 - 567 124 The Struggle for Command_1

567: Chapter 124, The Struggle for Command_1 567: Chapter 124, The Struggle for Command_1 Canglan City.

When the news of the arrival of the Alliance reinforcements and the retreat of the Orc Army, along with the message that the extraction mission was completed, arrived at the Royal Palace, not a hint of a smile showed up on any of the nobles’ faces.

Instead, their expressions were all horribly gloomy.

Although everything seemed to be developing favorably, the casualties reported didn’t allow any of them to relish the moment.

Almost six hundred thousand troops were forever left on the Orc Prairie, causing significant damage to the vitality of the Alpha Kingdom.

Tears were shed in every noble household, and white sails of mourning were hung from every home.

Just like previous wars, the kingdom’s fortunes and military power accumulated over several decades were depleted overnight in the war.

“Why is everyone suddenly silent?

You were all crying and clamoring for a breakout before, is this not what you wanted?”

Caesar III said gruffly.

Obviously, he had not entirely put the past incident of the officials pressuring him behind him.

No one dared to approach the angry king.

Everyone’s mood wasn’t great, and they couldn’t find a scapegoat to blame

Marshal Campbell had died in battle, pushing the blame onto him would not be accepted by Caesar III.

As the instigators, the five major families in the north wielded considerable influence in the court.

Making them assume responsibility would lead to endless bickering.

They couldn’t afford to offend the Human Alliance.

Making them take the blame would lead to international conflicts.

The easiest target to bully, Hudson, had just helped everyone out.

To push the blame onto him now would seem too unfair.

Everyone had dignity, and it was necessary to show some restraint when dealing with issues, to ensure it wouldn’result in awkward meetings in the future.

With no scapegoat, they could only curse the orcs.

But there was no need to be so crude in a royal meeting, they could curse later when propagating to the public.

“Your Majesty, the Orcs are known for their cunning.

Who knows when they might strike back.

Now that the mission has been completed, we should hurry and have the army retreat!”

Duke Efiel spoke up with his suggestion.

The heavily damaged Alpha Kingdom could no longer endure such torment.

Regardless of the situation, they had to preserve the remaining elite forces of the Kingdom.

Compared to past wars, during this war, the Alpha Kingdom underwent the shortest passive defending period.

It reclaimed more lands, and the loss of civilians and domestic economic loss were at an all-time low.

If they managed to preserve the elite forces, the Kingdom could regain its strength in just a few years.

If they could restore the newly reclaimed provinces to production, the national power could even rise further than before.

Despite the heavy losses, among the various human states in the north, the Alpha Kingdom remained the strongest.

If the Human Alliance could chip in a bit, and cripple the Orc Empire, the Alpha Kingdom would have no foreign threats for decades to come, allowing them to peacefully focus on farming.

From a broad strategic perspective, despite the severe losses in this war, the Alpha Kingdom was still a winner.

It’s just that the price they paid was steep, making them appear on the brink of collapse.

“Let them retreat then!”

After giving it a slight nod, Caesar III said.

There are priorities in everything.

Emotions could arrive at any moment, but matters of the army and the Kingdom must be handled immediately.

Not letting emotions influence decision-making was a key factor allowing Caesar III to firmly control the state affairs.

Even after losing one of his pillars in the military, it did not sway his position.

“Your Majesty, the reinforcements of the Human Alliance have set out, they will soon enter our kingdom, and then it will be our turn to counterattack.

Considering geographical reasons, continuing to defend Purple Gold Pass and Helan Fort would not meet our wars’ requirements moving forward.

With the first batch of reinforcements from the alliance and the aid of the Moxi Duchy, we should consider setting up defensive lines and stockpiling resources in the seven newly reclaimed provinces of the north as preparation for the counterattack!”

Prime Minister Duke Newfoundland proposed.

Originally this wasn’t in the plan.

According to the previous idea, the Northern Expedition Army would follow those “Old Sir Knights” and cause chaos in the Orc Empire.

Unfortunately, the mental state of those old knights wasn’t good.

Upon learning that the Bimon Emperor had died from the backlash of the Longevity Method, they all lost their composure.

Except for those who were originally from the Alpha Kingdom and remained in the army, the rest were all busy with their own affairs.

It’s a known fact not to mess with someone who’s about to die.

Even knowing these people breached the contract and screwed over the Northern Expedition Army, the Kingdom could only swallow the indignation.

The rampage in the Orc Empire’s Hinterland was not fruitless.

The orcs that were slaughtered along the way numbered in the millions too.

The most crucial point was that they had damaged the position of the Five Royal Clans in the hearts of the orcs, laying the foundation for the upcoming civil unrest in the Orc Empire.

“Chancellor, to restore the defensive line of the Seven Great Provinces of the Far North is not something that can be completed overnight.

The amount of human, financial, and material resources needed are astronomical.

Additionally, we need to consider the enemy’s possible disruptions.

If we’re not careful, the construction site would turn into a battlefield.

Destruction is far faster than construction!

Given the current financial state of the Kingdom, we simply cannot afford such a large-scale project.

As for advancing the defensive line to prepare for the major counterattack, I suggest we postpone it.”

Delgado firmly declined.

It’s not that he lacked strategic vision, but the Alpha Kingdom was just too poor.

At this stage of the war, the national treasury was so empty it could house rats.