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Chapter 998 - 998 127 The Times Have Changed

998: Chapter 127, The Times Have Changed 998: Chapter 127, The Times Have Changed The forging of the non-aggression pact not only alleviated the concerns of the Alpha Kingdom about attacks from behind but also unshackled the restrictions binding the Elf Race.

Without fear of ambush, the Elf Army sounded the horns for a campaign to the south, and the nations on their route immediately faced a critical test of life and death.

Rescue requests were sent one after another, yet the responses received were mere moral support from various countries.

Regret was pointless.

Previously, in the wars, these nations had reacted similarly to the front-line countries.

Aside from individual countries that symbolically dispatched some troops for aid, the others merely provided moral encouragement to their neighbors.

Now, it was their turn to endure the overwhelming “support” of moral encouragement, and they couldn’t stand it!

Meeting after meeting was held by the Human Alliance Council regarding the issue of military aid, yet no resolution was reached.

The reasons provided by each country were more sufficient than the last.

The Clergy: “We are aiding the Kingdom of Rusenia in repelling the Dwarf invasion.

We expect to reverse the unfavorable situation on the battlefield within the year, and we will definitely send support troops next year.”

Frank Kingdom: “We are currently clearing out the Half-Orc Tribe and will need approximately half a year to a year, so hold on for now.”

Black Forest Kingdom: “We are busy battling the Stone People Race and cannot determine a victor in the short term.

Once the situation on the battlefield improves, we will definitely send troops for support.”

South Coast Kingdom: “The Three-eyed Race is too powerful; we can only barely manage to hold them off.

We would like to send troops to support you, but our heart is willing while our abilities are lacking.”

Moxi Duchy: “We suffered heavy losses in the previous battles and are now defending against a counterattack from the Ancient Heritage Alliance.

We hope the Alliance can provide support.”

Alpha Kingdom: “With the invasion of Orcs, our northern line has been breached.

We are now unable to help ourselves; please, Alliance, support us with some strategic materials.”

…

Some were busy, some cried poverty, and others sold tragedy.

When it came time to provide actual support, none was forthcoming.

It is not that the countries lacked a global perspective; rather, the Elf Army was too formidable a force.

Especially, the reputation of the Elf Mage Group resonated throughout the Continent.

It might be an exaggeration to say that forbidden spells filled the skies, but a few are bound to be unleashed on the battlefield.

Unless all nations collaborated, no single Human Kingdom could afford such losses.

Under the current circumstances, only Frank Kingdom could spare any effort, and the Clergy at most could be considered half-available.

Due to their inclination to use the war for their own advantage, the Church Army’s performance on the battlefield was a complete mess.

If these two leading powers of the Human Race joined forces, defeating the Elf Race would not be beyond them; however, the losses incurred would certainly not be minor.

For a mere reputation, risking everything against the elves did not align with human nature.

In Lutesya Palace, Charles III, holding a pile of thick letters of appeal, was now greatly troubled.

Compared to other countries, Frank Kingdom’s excuses were terribly poor.

Everyone knew that their war with the Half-Orcs was nearing its end.

Using this as a reason to refuse sending troops clearly was unacceptable.

If Frank Kingdom were not the strongest nation on the Continent and did not possess such significant influence within the Human Alliance, then perhaps it would have been a different story.

Similarly well-off, the Clergy were not the least bit worried.

They already had a poor reputation on the Continent, so one more issue would hardly matter.

While Frank Kingdom could not afford to act, as the leaders of the Human Alliance, they still had to maintain some decorum; Charles III had to consider the political impact.

The most troublesome issue was that Frank Kingdom had an exclave in the Northern Continent that was exactly in the path of the advancing Elf Army.

Lords of that region had also sought help from their sovereign.

The duties of monarch and vassal were mutual; while a vassal swore loyalty to the monarch, the monarch must also protect the vassal’s interests.

Simply betraying a subordinate was not an option.

Once such a precedent was set, the loyalty of the nobles towards the monarch would surely be shaken, possibly destabilizing the entire feudal system of Frank Kingdom.

Even if survival was impossible, at minimum, a display of effort needed to be made to fulfill a monarch’s duty.

In terms of comprehensive national power, Frank Kingdom was not weaker than the Elf Race.

Had there been no other powers involved, launching a full-on war would have been feasible.

But now, with the adversaries located in the north and the south, it was a situation where: if they won, there were no benefits; if they lost, the losses would be devastating.

To fulfill his royal duties, he must provide military reinforcements.

If too few troops were sent, it would be akin to throwing lives away; if too many were sent, the Kingdom could not bear the losses.

“Now that no country is willing to make an effort and forming an Allied Force is out of the question, what do you all think we should do?”

asked Charles III, utterly at a loss.

Had he known it would be this troublesome, he would not have coveted the tax revenue and should have let the exclave on the Northern Continent become independent.

Now, there would have been no trouble.

“Your Majesty, the situation in the Northern Continent is now beyond redemption.

The Warhammer Kingdom has collapsed, the Three North Sea Countries have fallen, the Orton Duchy has been annihilated, and the Moxi Duchy has been greatly weakened.

Apart from the Alpha Kingdom still maintaining some strength, there is no longer a strong nation left.

A while back, the Alpha Kingdom had a temporary outburst, nearly crippling the Ancient Heritage Alliance, but that was just a fleeting moment.

After the Orcs initiated their invasion from the north, they had to concentrate their forces on defending the Northern Border and simply lacked the strength to stop the southward march of the Elf Army.

Ruilin Kingdom, Grint Country, Nardal Country are all small nations, and Columbia was long ago annexed by the Black Forest People.

There isn’t a single useful one left.

The remaining regions, apart from the Kingdom’s two exclaves, are all territories of major nobles.

From the current situation, they are evidently prepared to give up.”