Emerald Palace. As they looked over Hudson's plan for conquering the grasslands, both the conservatives and the reformists fell silent.
It was a good plan, just far too expensive. Yet no one could refute it.
Even the Seven Grassland Nations, backed by numerous powers, had failed to withstand the Beastfolk counterattack. The noble lords granted fiefs there would fare even worse.
The best option was to advance steadily, building fortresses all the way. Even if the Beastfolk counterattacked, they could rely on those cities and strongholds for local defense.
But that would push the required spending on money and provisions far beyond what anyone had expected.
"Your Majesty, slow down the eastward advance!
The Orc Empire has suffered a crushing blow and will not recover its peak strength for decades. We still have time.
Starting now, we can push the border a hundred li eastward every five years, gradually squeezing the Beastfolk's living space.
We can use this rare period of peace to advance steadily and wear the enemy down bit by bit!"
Count Francis proposed with a solemn expression.
There was no helping it. The people at the front were all demanding outrageous sums. The initial investment alone could bankrupt the Kingdom's finances.
The figures were right there. No matter how much they economized, the money and provisions required would still be an astronomical amount.
"Expand eight hundred li eastward and turn Snow Moon Lake into an inland lake of the Kingdom." It sounded exhilarating, but reality would not allow it.
In terms of territory alone, this region was nearly as large as the Near East Region.
The Near East Region had the Ice and Snow World above it, Snow Moon Lake serving as a barrier in the center, and the Cursed Land in the lower reaches.
As long