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Chapter 948 - 948 109 Sudden Change_2

948: Chapter 109, Sudden Change_2 948: Chapter 109, Sudden Change_2 “From the current strategic situation, the Ustad Duchy and Fick Duchy still hold value.

We need them to buy time for Marshal Hudson.”

“The Department of Foreign Affairs might as well make contact with them.

As long as the two countries can resist to the end, we can promise to support their restoration.”

“The level of support will be linked to the intensity of their resistance.

As long as they can hold the Elf Army back for an additional two months, the Kingdom will support them with all its might.”

Duke Aefero unflinchingly drew a large circle in the air.

For a nation spanning hundreds of thousands of square kilometers, resisting foreign invasion for two months seemed effortless.

But that was just theory.

The Elf Race was racing against time, and they didn’t need to occupy every inch of land.

They only needed to capture the main strategic locations to continue their campaign.

To hold back the Elf Army, they could only block their essential paths and hold firm in their fortified cities.

“Your Grace, not to mention two months.

It would be miraculous if Ustad Duchy and Fick Duchy could hold on for another month.”

“Due to their proximity to the Elf Race, their military strength has always been suppressed, with a Standing Army of fewer than thirty thousand during peacetime.”

“The number of Strongmen is even more pitiful, with hardly any geniuses born.

If a few geniuses do emerge, they often meet with accidents quickly.”

“For the safety of their descendants, the Major Nobles of both countries usually send their promising young ones abroad for nurturing, allowing them to return only once they have reached a certain level of strength.”

“Faced with the current complex situation, they don’t even have time to relocate their descendants, let alone recall those who are abroad.”

Count Francis shook his head as he spoke.

Drawing a pie in the sky also required skill; if it was immediately obvious that the pie was unattainable, it would fool no one.

Moreover, “support” and “assurance” are completely different concepts for the two countries.

Supporting their restoration could involve actual actions or might just remain verbal.

Ensuring their restoration was fundamentally too far a stretch.

Dealing with national reputation, such open commitments must be fulfilled once made.

“Let’s proceed with it then!

No matter what choices Ustad Duchy and Fick Duchy make, our bottom line remains here.

Supporting their post-war restoration is possible, but a guarantee can’t be given.”

“Judging by the other countries on the continent, none are likely to offer such a guarantee.

The Department of Foreign Affairs should put in some effort to help them face reality sooner.”

“The Military Department will communicate this to Marshal Hudson, instructing him to expedite defeating the Ancient Remnant Allied Army.

The Kingdom doesn’t have much time left,” said Caesar IV, waving his hand.

To be frank, he had no desire to interfere with frontline command.

The increasingly complex situation was already suffocating him.

Regardless of his personal opinion of Hudson, right now, Hudson was the Kingdom’s hope.

The future of the Kingdom hinged entirely on the battlefront.

In the face of his ancestors’ legacy, there was no room for caprice.

Had it not been so, he would not have deliberately fostered a closer relationship with Hudson before the expeditionary forces set out.

Though it was just for appearances, having some relationship was better than none.

At the very least, it signaled to the outside that the relationship between the King and the Marshal was very close.

“Marshal, we’ve made contact with the resistance forces inside the Eastern War Hammer Kingdom.

According to the intelligence they provided, the enemy is gathering in Declaras Province.”

“An initial estimate reveals that the assembled enemy forces number no fewer than two hundred thousand.

More detailed information is still under investigation,” Tom reported.

Upon hearing Tom’s report, Hudson was visibly shaken and quickly located Declaras Province on the map.

After a brief pause, Hudson was speechless.

The enemy had been scared into such a state that they chose to gather hundreds of miles away in a mountainous province.

Cavalry is powerful in combat, but they are also very particular about terrain.

It is certainly easier for cavalry to fight in plains than in mountainous regions.

The enemy being fully prepared, launching another major surprise attack to severely damage the enemy forces was almost an impossibility.

What worried Hudson the most was the possibility of the enemy not coming out for an open battle, but rather hunkering down in their fortifications to wear him out with time.

“Marshal, the enemy has been scared by you.

They probably won’t engage us easily from now on.”

Time was on the enemy’s side, for they merely needed to wait for the Elf Army to advance, and both sides would converge in the Orton Duchy.

Even the Ancient Heritage Alliance forces in Orton Duchy might suddenly turn and strike first, sandwiching Ustad Duchy and Fick Duchy along with the Elf Army.

“If the enemy is determined to delay, simply holding their cities, it’s going to be difficult for us to achieve any significant outcomes,” Jose analyzed, frowning.

Under the current circumstances, the Expeditionary Army was under immense pressure.

They had to inflict heavy damage on the Ancient Heritage Alliance while also racing against time.

“If the enemy won’t come out, then we’ll force them out.

Send the orders down, have the troops pack up, and depart at dawn tomorrow!

The Eastern War Hammer Kingdom might temporarily abandon a vast swath of land, but would they dare to give up their retreat route from the Allied Forces?

Moving behind the enemy lines, let’s see how long they can hold out in Declaras Province.

If they don’t learn their lesson, then we’ll just cut through from the Warhammer Great Plains all the way to Orton Duchy.

Since they are all enemies, taking care of their main forces there makes no difference!

Right after that, we can also see what the Elf Army is capable of,” Hudson said with feigned calm.

Though he spoke lightly, deep down he and Jose reached the same conclusion; the war was going to be tough!

The enemy would not dare to confront him until they had finished assembling their main forces.

If the enemy did complete their assembly, it would be Hudson who wouldn’t dare to seek death by going there.

No matter how elite his forces, they couldn’t possibly charge at a prepared camp of several hundred thousand soldiers.

The best opportunity in battle is always during movement.

The high mobility of the Cavalry is naturally suited for maneuver warfare.

Deep down, Hudson had already prepared for the worst-case scenario.

No matter how the situation unfolded, his first priority was to ensure his troops did not suffer a crushing defeat.

Rushing into battle hastily to gamble on luck was not his style.

After all, he had done his best, worthy of the Marshal’s title.

If the situation deteriorated, it would not be something he could control alone.

If he could not block the Elf Army at the kingdom’s gate, then at worst he would return for a defensive war on home turf; it was merely the border provinces of the Kingdom that would suffer.

Even with the inclusion of the Orc Empire, the war would not reach the Southeastern coast for quite some time; the safety of his stronghold was still relatively secure.

As long as the Elf Race did not obstinately focus solely on the Kingdom, with the Kingdom holding out until the Continent war ended, Hudson was still confident.

…

In Franterune Kingdom, after enduring a series of tough battles, they were forced to retreat their main troops back to New Harbor for a last stand.

“What, the Bright Kingdom has fallen?”

Philip the First exclaimed.

Franterune Kingdom and Bright Kingdom, being the strongest among the Prairie Seven Kingdoms, held out the longest against the invasion of the Orc Army.

Watching as one ally after another fell, only these two nations were still holding on.

Unexpectedly, he woke up to find the last ally gone.

Fighting alone, with no reinforcements, was truly a dreadful experience.

“Yes, Your Majesty!

The Bright Kingdom attempted a breakout last night.

How many escaped is still unknown, but their capital has fallen.

Across the entire Great Plains, only our Kingdom is still resisting.

If nothing unexpected happens, the Orcs will certainly intensify their assault on New Harbor next,” Prime Minister Delray answered bitterly.

No one likes a war they know they cannot win, yet they must continue fighting.

Compared to their unlucky allies, the situation in Franterune Kingdom was much better.

The capital was at the port, ready for evacuation at any moment.

The current fierce resistance was mainly about gaining political capital.

The critical point was: the Kingdom of Elf was not permitting them to evacuate early.

With their safety assured, they could fight slowly!

Since there was no remedy, they could still board ships and leave.

No matter how formidable the Orcs were, they couldn’t pursue them into the sea.