The Decaying City of Guardianship

Seeing the extreme gravity on Roland's face, Reff was startled. Wondering if he had spoken too harshly, he quickly tried to reassure him:

"Your Majesty, although neither the City of Guardianship nor the Northern Great Plains can be relied upon, there is still the peace treaty. The Beastkin Empire should not tear it up lightly, so for now, we will not have to face their threat directly."

"For now?"

Roland's eyes narrowed. Ever since learning from Reff that the Northern Great Plains and the City of Guardianship could offer the Sacred Co-Prosperity Kingdom no protection whatsoever, his mind had been racing, considering how to keep the Beastkin Empire beyond the kingdom's borders.

As for relying on a peace treaty? They would not even know how they died. Not to mention that in less than seven years, the Arcane Empire would be preparing to tear up the peace treaty and attack the Elf Empire.

Once the Arcane Empire made its move, how could the Beastkin Empire possibly remain quietly in the north and do nothing? The very thought was impossible.

Besides, placing the hope of a nation's survival on an enemy honoring an agreement was laughable to begin with.

After a long silence, Roland finally raised his head and asked in a grave voice:

"Reff, how many men would you need to stop an invasion by the Beastkin Empire while also ensuring the safety of the kingdom's other important defensive lines?"

"Don't say two million. You know that's impossible."

"Your Majesty, at least 1.8 million." Reff answered through gritted teeth.

"1.8 million?!"

Roland's expression grew even heavier. That was still an astronomical figure.

Autran, Storm, and Cardina might deploy armies numbering in the millions at the drop of a hat, but more than half of those forces were raised by the