Shifting the Blame Was Also an Option...

Vanriel's capital, White City.

Hall of Freedom.

This was the political heart of the Fire Nation, as well as its center. But now, everyone walking through the palace looked deeply worried. Some hurried through the corridors with armfuls of documents, while others spoke in hushed voices. The air was thick with tension and unease.

Even in the corridors, the noisy arguments from the council chamber could be faintly heard.

"This is an absolute nightmare!!"

A councilor slammed his hand against the table so hard that it turned red, yet he did not seem to notice.

"Fifty thousand troops!! Fifty thousand troops!! Fewer than thirty survivors!! How are we supposed to explain this to the citizens, General Duke?! Tell me, what exactly happened?! You were merely sent to wipe out a group of Demon Beasts, and an army of fifty thousand was completely annihilated? Am I dreaming, or are you?"

He was not the only one. Most of the councilors present looked livid. It was not simply because fifty thousand soldiers had been wiped out, but because many of those soldiers had been children of noble families.

After all, the Fire Nation valued seniority and accomplishments. At this point in time, there were no wars across the continent. Thus, in order to earn military merit, many families had sent their children into this army to collect some achievements and add a bold stroke to their records.

After all, opening up an unexplored land was a rare opportunity. That was why the Fire Nation had been able to deploy fifty thousand troops this time. Everyone wanted a share of the benefits, and exterminating Demon Beasts did not seem particularly dangerous. Thus, many families had sent their rising stars or favored heirs along.

But no one had expected that this army would be