Chapter 1377 - 1293: The Holy Throne Goes to War

Chapter 1377: Chapter 1293: The Holy Throne Goes to War

If one were to compare war to a game, it would undoubtedly be a game with high randomness and a high drop rate.

But Horn never expected it to be this explosive.

At the beginning of March, the Northern region’s war slightly subsided, and once again, the Golden Plains erupted into intense conflict.

Having gradually adapted to the vampires’ assaults and purchased vast quantities of mortar fortifications from the Holy Alliance, the lines of defense from the Golden Fleece Beach to the Storm Cape were relatively stable.

Over fifty battles of varying scales erupted during this period. Though there were no victories, there were also no defeats; at least the forts and strongholds were held.

However, due to Charles VIII conducting a land survey campaign domestically, seizing properties of the opposing nobles, a Falan noble on the border chose to surrender with his city.

Originally, such surrenders were not uncommon in Falan, with several defensive lines still in place.

But unfortunately, like André, Konyaz was adept at seizing strategic opportunities.

He quickly identified the weaknesses of the Falan Army, such as their reduced strength and poor communication, and executed a strategic advance, retreat, and re-advance (literally), successfully breaching the critical Laurel Fortress on the Flower Hill border of Falan.

Even though the surrounding Falan Legion desperately organized counterattacks, Konyaz demolished them one by one, even managing to hold off until a significant reinforcement from the Royal Court arrived.

Under such circumstances, Charles could no longer proceed with his reform plans amidst a two-front war.

He had no choice but to negotiate with the old nobility and deploy foreign legions to the front.

By early April, good news and bad news both reached the ry Court Barracks.

The good news was that the Falan soldiers’ brave fighting was not in vain; they had delayed the enemy’s advance.

Charles then decisively rebuilt a second line of defense after the chaos, halting the vampires’ fierce attacks.

The bad news was that this second line of defense was less than a hundred miles from Huaqiu City, and it appeared to be on the brink of collapsing.

Yes, once again, Huaqiu City found itself besieged.

Why say "again"? Because the last time Huaqiu City was besieged was during the Hundred-Year War.

Back then, Huaqiu City was captured by vampires.

Upon receiving the news, Horn didn’t know whether to feel joy or sorrow.

Under such circumstances, even if Charles didn’t say anything, Horn knew he had to send reinforcements.

The only question was, whom should he send?

In the Stag Chamber of the ry Court Barracks, spring sunlight slanted in.

Besides the floor-to-ceiling windows and the intricately carved wooden long table, there were two rows of high monks in dark blue monastic formal wear, sitting upright and solemnly.

The Nine Cardinals, three Chamber Lords, Privy Counselors, four Battle Commanders, and three Saintesses were all present.

"Now that Huaqiu City is besieged, this is indeed a critical spring of life and death for the Holy Alliance," Madlan began by saying an inevitable statement. "We must render aid."

The siege of Huaqiu City seems unrelated to the Holy Alliance, but in reality, it is deeply intertwined with it.

In the Golden Plains region, excluding the Northern Army, which was essentially decimated, there are still at least 150,000 to 200,000 troops.

Of course, excluding the clan armies, the forces directly under Serafe’s command are only the 50,000 Royal Palace Guards.

The Northern Army originally had around 100,000, but they are either defending castles, entangled by André, or defeated by André, Dass, or Jeska, unable to recover for a year.

The fall of Huaqiu City by the Royal Court poses not merely the loss of territory but also the shrinking of markets!

The current economy of the Holy Alliance relies on military orders, new land development, and the shrinking imperial markets.

Once Huaqiu City falls, at least two-thirds of the territory would fall into vampire hands; then what of the Holy Alliance’s economy?

The industrialization of the Holy Alliance is not a mere castle in the air or a closed economy but is highly open externally.

All projects of the Holy Alliance require the imperial market, Falan investment, Norn manpower, and so on.

Indeed, if forced, transitioning to internal circulation and cutting through scissors isn’t impossible.

But unless absolutely necessary, Horn would not disrupt the current industrialization plans.

Moreover, losing Huaqiu City signifies the collapse of the entire Falan central system.

Even with a temporary Southern Court government, its administrative and military capabilities would not compare to the present.

By then, the Holy Alliance’s weaknesses would only grow.

Besides, it was agreed that the Holy Alliance would develop first, with Falan bearing the initial pressure, until the Holy Alliance was ready to support them in return.

Falan is on the verge of collapse; how can the Holy Alliance turn a blind eye?

The political reputation implications are enormous, setting a very bad precedent.

"So, aid is mandatory. The question is, how to rescue? Who will rescue?"

Soon, a monk spoke up: "The Southern Battle Army is in the Dawn Island area, quite close, perhaps..."

"Impossible." The words were immediately countered, "The Southern Battle Army is still reorganizing and replenishing, with severely diminished combat power. Besides, if the Southern Battle Army moves south, what about the Dawn Island line?"

"Then what about the Western Battle Army?"

"The Western Battle Army is currently stabilizing the situation in the Thorn Garden and cannot be spared."

As for the two north-east battle armies, no one even mentioned them.

They’re still building roads and fighting back and forth over points in the Shattered Stone Plain and Roaring Corridor, with no ability to be dispatched.

As for the domestic defense corps, there’s no need to mention them either; just equipping them properly is a major issue.

Otherwise, sending them to battle would only be sending them to their deaths.

Originally, the high monks of the Holy Alliance assumed that pulling the soldier count up to one hundred thousand was already a sizable number.

Surprisingly, when the time came to use them, there were so few; at this crucial moment, the Holy Alliance found itself unable to send much aid to Falan.

"Actually, the Holy Alliance still has a Mobile Battle Group," Horn reminded as he interlaced his fingers beneath his chin.

"You mean, the Central Battle Army..." a monk tentatively asked.

"What else?" Horn spread his hands, "Do we have any other spare troops? Who has spare troops?"

The Central Battle Army, composed of the Guard Battle Group, Black Crown Battle Group, Divine Punishment Battle Group, and Holy Grail Cavalry Group.

These four groups consist entirely of veterans, the most elite soldiers, many of whom fought since the Joan of Arc Castle era.

Using the most advanced weapons, eating cod can, training the most diligently, and updating tactics the fastest.

These proud and fierce troops are the most elite battle forces of the Holy Alliance, which almost no one could command but Jeanne and Horn himself.

The high monks never mentioned this obvious mobile battle army for a reason.

Not mentioning the capital defense issue, the most crucial point is—

"Shouldn’t the Central Battle Army remain at the ry Court Barracks to protect you?"

"Don’t you think keeping these twenty thousand gathering dust near the ry Court Barracks is a bit wasteful?" Horn countered.

With these words, the high monks understood internally, some feeling alarmed that His Eminence had come prepared.

He had even drawn the chief cardinal three months in advance to serve temporarily as regent.

Presumably prepared for this day long ago?

"Jia Li is pregnant, Jeanne is commanding the battlefield on the Dawn Island and Thorn Garden fronts," Horn said, propping himself up on the table, "Under these circumstances, I believe deploying the Central Battle Army is an unavoidable decision.

The Holy Alliance has no surplus commanders now, so I’ve decided to leave Madlan, the chief cardinal, at the ry Court Barracks to temporarily govern.

As for myself, I will personally lead the troops to Flower Hill to aid Charles VIII and Huaqiu City."

Horn straightened up, his gaze sweeping around: "Who is in favor, who opposes?"

"I agree!" the monks exclaimed one after the other, "We all agree!"

"Good, then..." Just as Horn was about to arrange the subsequent matters of state, a voice came from the corner.

"I oppose!"