King
Chapter 946 - 946 108 Conspiracy Strikes_2

946: Chapter 108, Conspiracy Strikes_2 946: Chapter 108, Conspiracy Strikes_2 As a leader, he was very clear about the complex psychology of those in power.

Usually, it’s like this: they want their subordinates to be capable, but they fear them being too capable.

No need to go as far as “when the hares are caught, the hounds are cooked,” but “when the birds are gone, the bows are put away” will definitely happen.

The more they hype themselves up, the more severe the backlash will be in the future.

Once a conflict arises between the two sides, no matter who wins or loses, it will weaken the power of the Alpha Kingdom.

If it’s like the Warhammer Kingdom where a civil war breaks out outright and the kingdom is forced to split in two, then it would be even more perfect.

In order to achieve his goal, even the reputation of “the strongest warrior on the continent” was something Shelter VII was prepared to give up.

A reputation demands effort.

The title of the strongest warrior on the continent doesn’t just bring fame; it also brings trouble.

For example: when an unstoppable demon leader appears, it’s the turn of the strongest warrior to step up.

With a status like that, it’s often impossible to shirk the responsibility.

If one were truly the strongest on the continent, then so be it.

But Shelter VII felt insecure, as his claim to being the continent’s strongest was greatly exaggerated.

Without the two Inherited Artifacts, he was just a Meat Shield with thick blood, his true combat ability far less than that of several Dragon Knights.

If one day a foolhardy strongman challenges him as the false “strongest warrior of the continent,” that would be awkward.

“Your Majesty, brilliant!

Without expending a single soldier, just by relinquishing some empty fame, you have planted the seeds of internal strife within the Alpha Kingdom…

It’s truly…”

Listening to his subordinates lavish him with praise, Shelter VII couldn’t help but smile slightly.

When it came to manipulating the human heart, he was a professional.

…

In Augustusburg, the bloody scenes had been washed away.

Only the collapsed city walls and ruins scattered everywhere continued to narrate the cruelty of the great war.

The guards, who had survived the ordeal, had become more ferocious after facing life and death.

Just standing anywhere would seem to make the temperature around them drop.

Having finished expanding their victory, Hudson had the Expeditionary Army pulled back for rest and reorganization.

A good Hunter never lacks patience.

They only fire the crucial arrow at the critical moment.

“Marshal, something terrible has happened!”

“Last night, the Elf Army broke through the Capital of Canterloo Duchy, and all high-level officials of the duchy, including the King, were unfortunately killed.

Ustad Duchy and Fick Duchy have issued severe warnings, declaring that if no help appears, they are going to surrender to the Elf Race!”

Rakel said in a panic.

The current situation was very clear—the fall of Canterloo Duchy had terrified the upper echelons of Ustad Duchy and Fick Duchy.

When faced with life and death and seeing no hope, the leaders of the two duchies were resorting to the threat of surrender.

Once the barrier of the three great duchies vanished, the Elf Army could join the Ancient Remnant Allied Army at any time.

If the two Different Races teamed up, that would be unbearable for anyone!

Upon hearing this news, Hudson hesitated.

He had just gained a bit of strategic initiative from the battlefield, but now he had to give it up?

He faintly realized that the blunder was on him.

In the war up to now, massive surrender had only occurred during the Battle of Augustusburg.

Ustad Duchy and Fick Duchy’s threat to surrender was clearly influenced by the Elf Race sending them signals to defect, along with certain promises made.

If there were no prisoners left by the opponent, why surrender at all?

They would definitely fight to the death!

“Rakel, immediately send someone to notify the Capital, telling them to strengthen intelligence gathering on the Elf Army, especially to verify whether they are currently engaging in large-scale racial slaughter!”

Always leave room for maneuver, so that there may be a chance to meet in the future.

If the Elf Race changed their tactics in their struggle for dominance on the Continent, the nations of the Northern Continent might not even have a chance to struggle.

People are pushed to fight to the death only when they are left with no other choice.

If there’s a glimmer of hope, how many would choose death?

Perhaps some Nobles, for the sake of glory, might choose to fight to the last.

But most people, when facing death, would still shrink back.

Instinct told Hudson that the likelihood of such an event occurring was very high.

The Elf Race was never one to revel in slaughter.

If they were to embark on a path of relentless killing, I fear the mental state of many elves would collapse.

Understanding this, Hudson was no longer willing to remain silent.

Without a chance for battle, he would create his own opportunity.

The Ancient Remnant Allied Army was converging; if he took the initiative to strike and annihilate the armies of a few tribes, it was still very possible.

“Crossing the Warhammer Kingdom, march directly into the lairs of the various tribes in the World of Ice and Snow, forcing them to return to aid.”

No sooner had this idea arisen than Hudson dismissed it.

In this season, many areas in the World of Ice and Snow had already begun to snow.

Cultivators are indeed more resistant to the cold, but lacking logistical supplies, to barge directly into enemy lairs would be fraught with risk.

There were no such precedents on the Continent of Aslante, but with so many negative examples from his previous life, Hudson knew all too well the fearful power of harsh winter.

“Marshal, there’s no need for a specific investigation.

The Elf Army isn’t engaging in widespread slaughter; they only kill all able-bodied adults and then expel the elderly, women, and children from the controlled areas.

A substantial portion of the refugees flowing into the duchy are those driven out by them.

Because of this, the duchy even convened a special meeting to analyze the situation, concluding that this was done to weaken our war potential.

Take our duchy as an example, providing the basic needs of the refugees within our territory costs at least a thousand tons of food and supplies each day.

This is already due to a large number of refugees dying on the way; otherwise, the consumption would be even higher.

The duchy simply cannot afford such huge consumption of supplies.

Whether or not to rescue the refugees has been a topic of endless debate among the upper echelons.

It wasn’t until Your involvement, promising to open our borders to receive refugees without limits, that the situation slightly improved.

Now that the Canterloo Duchy has fallen, the number of refugees to follow will surge, and the difficulties ahead are daunting.”

Rakel’s explanation pulled Hudson back to reality, and he took a sharp breath.

The actions of the Elf Army, while seemingly marginally better than wholesale slaughter, actually hid more venomous intentions.

We won’t mention those who died on the way.

A refugee group comprising solely of the old, weak, women, and children during a time of scarce resources is nothing but a massive burden.

To receive refugees is to consume a great deal of supplies; to ignore them would harm the localities.

Once people are driven to extreme hunger, all moral boundaries cease to exist.

At this moment, Hudson understood why the Moxi People agreed without hesitation when he proposed to take in refugees.

In times of war, the least valuable thing is human life.

Thankfully, the Continent of Aslante has a different definition of “old”, or else it’s feared that no men would be seen among the refugee ranks.

Faced with an unhealthy population ratio, Hudson had no idea how to proceed.

Perhaps the “European Romance” of his prior world was the result of post-war effects.

“If that is the case, then there’s no time to waste.

Rakel, arrange for the preparation of dry rations immediately.

The dry rations should mainly consist of jerked meat and cheese, with half a pound of salt per person.

If possible, prepare some sugar as well.

The fodder must be top-quality concentrate…” Hudson immediately ordered.

Since it was a long march, the Expeditionary Army couldn’t carry much with them.

Now that they were in Moxi Duchy, logistical support would naturally depend on the Moxi People.

Elite Forces must have elite treatment.

In the underdeveloped Continent of Aslante, supplies were also monotonous.

Especially “sugar”, which had become a luxury.

Due to the lagging production processes, sugar production on the Continent of Aslante was extremely limited, and the price was even higher than gold, usually a privilege reserved for nobles.

It was Hudson who first suggested that sugar become a strategic supply for the military.

The Kingdom’s sugar production was so low that the Mountain Domain’s annual output of three thousand pounds accounted for one-tenth of the Alpha Kingdom’s total.

It wasn’t that Hudson wasn’t trying; the sugar production techniques were just lacking.

With the total output stuck where it was, even snatching from the nobles’ mouths, there wouldn’t be enough to go around for the soldiers.

“Marshal, all other supplies are negotiable.

Even by scraping together resources here and there, we can manage, but sugar…

If we report to the Capital, perhaps we could scrape together about one hundred and eighty pounds for You.

It’s just that the front-line…”