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Chapter 949 - 949 110 Deep into Enemy Territory Alone

949: Chapter 110: Deep into Enemy Territory Alone 949: Chapter 110: Deep into Enemy Territory Alone The premature collapse of the various countries on the prairie directly affected the immigration work of the Alpha Kingdom, with countless refugees falling victim to the Orcs before they even reached their destination.

The number of refugees who successfully reached the Alpha Kingdom was less than half of what had been anticipated, especially for those who immigrated overland; their losses were the most severe.

Without a doubt, the coastal Nobles benefitted the most from this outcome.

With the advantage of maritime transport, they were the first to secure their share, leaving many other Noble Lords with nothing but envy.

In fact, now nobody has time to worry about the “refugee” issue.

With the collapse of the Bright Kingdom, the military pressure on the Northern Border provinces increased drastically.

Becoming neighbors with the Orcs once again, given the enmity between the two, it would be considered normal for the enemy to attack at any time.

The sudden change in the situation forced the Kingdom to convene another military meeting, and even Hudson, the expeditionary commander, was recalled to participate in the defense conference.

“The Northern Border Defense isn’t completed yet, what have those guys on the front lines been doing?”

Prime Minister Duke Newfoundland angrily reprimanded.

As early as when the rehearsals for the Continental War began, the Kingdom had restarted the construction of the Northern Border Defense.

The Kingdom allocated funding and materials for the construction, while the Border Nobles were responsible for implementation.

In this aspect, the Alpha Kingdom also had rich experience and had already summarized a set of experiences.

Those defending the line are protecting their own territories, so there’s no worry of a lack of effort from the participants.

Even if there are outliers among the Noble Lords, Governors and Prefectural Governors keep watch from above.

The Border Nobles of these regions are all pioneers of this generation, and their abilities are undoubtedly competent.

Regrettably, the progress of the defense line’s construction is still below expectations.

“Chancellor, we have all done our best.

It’s just that human resources are limited in the border area, and there is a lack of sufficient building materials nearby.

Stone materials, in particular, are extremely scarce, and in many areas, there are no quarries to be found.

We can only burn bricks as a substitute, which invisibly adds to the workload.”

Count Albert defended.

These are all real problems.

Hudson could attest that there really was a shortage of construction materials in the border areas.

But this was a situation for which the Lords themselves were to blame.

Taking advantage of the retreat of the Orc Empire, the Kingdom had repeatedly moved the border line northward.

However, after the Fief Nobles arrived there, they did an even more remarkable job.

Hudson wasn’t entirely clear about how much land they had specifically occupied.

But he had heard that the territory of a Baron from the Northern Border was larger than a Viscount’s Territory in the mainland, a Viscount’s Territory directly surpassed a Count’s Territory, and a Count’s Territory could match up to certain small provinces.

The most direct evidence is that the defense line, which was unfinished in Hudson’s hands, has now become the Kingdom’s third line of defense.

The region was already sparsely populated, and now, with such an expansion, human resources have become even scarcer.

Of course, this cannot be blamed on everyone’s greed.

Without the ability to predict the future, nobody could have known that the Continental War would break out so suddenly.

If the war had started several decades later, when the Prairie Seven Kingdoms had stabilized, these areas would have been the heartlands of the Human Race.

If Hudson were fighting in the Northern Border, he wouldn’t have given up such a rare opportunity for expansion either.

“Didn’t you receive laborers from us?

Besides, among the influx of refugees, you were the first to select people.

Now you complain about a lack of manpower, but what were you doing earlier?

If building materials are scarce, then construct earthen walls!

Incorporate some Magical Materials and set up Magic Formations, and the defensive strength will be on par.

Having taken so much budget from the Kingdom, now you’re running away and complaining, don’t you find that ridiculous?”

Marquis Delgado angrily criticized.

To raise funds for the front lines, the finance department had been tightening their belts.

With the results now below expectations, his mood was naturally sour.

Facing the questioning glances of the Kingdom’s powerful elites, the border Governors looked as deflated as frosted eggplants.

The lack of manpower and insufficient materials were just excuses, the real issue was that the Border Nobles were too poor.

No one dared to embezzle funds for the defense construction outright, but the misallocation of funds was not uncommon.

Early blind optimism delayed the project’s progress.

After the outbreak of the Continental War, everyone became active, but the massive construction project could not be completed in just a few months.

The most critical issue was the tight schedule, especially as the situation became increasingly tense, the Kingdom’s requirements for the timeline kept getting shorter.

“Let’s leave the issue of the defense line at that for today!

I suppose they didn’t do it intentionally, and the premature collapse of the Prairie Seven Kingdoms was unexpected by everyone.

Let’s adjust our strategy now, patch up the unfinished parts first with temporary defenses, and focus on strengthening the defense of key strategic nodes.

As a punishment for the inadequate construction, all the Noble Lords responsible for the construction will be enlisted to garrison along strategic positions on the line.”

Hudson said coldly.

He no longer had time to investigate the truth.

Whether the defense line was shoddy, those who used it knew best.

If there were cut corners, then it would be paid for with lives.

Once the war flames rise, all the problems will be exposed.

Hudson might look serious on the surface, but deep down, he was not panicked at all.

If the newly reclaimed provinces of the Northern Border were battered, the Five Great Northern Noble Families would take over.

From their territories all the way to the Capital, there would be fortress strongholds.

It’s only been a few years, and as long as the construction wasn’t a shoddy job, it should be usable now.

Moreover, after the outbreak of the Continental War, the Noble Lords along the way had also organized manpower on their own to maintain and reinforce the fortresses and Castles within their territories.

Even the Orc Empire at its peak would have lost a few teeth here, let alone the currently severely weakened Orcs.