"Underworld Races sighted. Blood Moon County under threat."
The nobles of Southeast Province who received the news immediately completed their military mobilization at top speed and rushed straight to the Blood Moon Defense Line.
Their efficiency was so high that they arrived even before the Kingdom government's summons.
While Hudson was attending meetings in the Royal Capital, Blood Moon County's defenses fell directly into Governor Pierce's hands.
Standing atop the city walls and gazing at the faintly visible Underworld Races in the distance, Pierce smiled slightly.
Great generals were forged in the fires of war.
Compared to the immaturity he had shown while commanding the suppression army more than a decade ago, Count Pierce now possessed some of the bearing of a renowned commander.
"Count, this is the summons issued by the Kingdom, ordering us to—"
Before the captain of the guards could finish, Count Pierce waved him off.
"Tell the Kingdom government that Southeast Province has completed its military mobilization and is currently deploying defenses along the Blood Moon Defense Line.
"We have the ability to keep the enemy outside our borders. There is no need to draw reinforcements from elsewhere. Let them support other regions first!"
Behind that arrogance was confidence. As the kingdom's largest tax-producing region, prosperous Southeast Province had seen its military strength soar after completing its military reforms.
Two great noble houses had emerged within the province, possessing the kingdom's most elite private armies as well as its finest commander.
Though it appeared to be only one province, its overall strength was fully comparable to that of five or six ordinary provinces.
Of course, the key reason they so decisively rejected the kingdom's reinforcements was the hidden "Magic Crystal Mine" beneath Blood Moon City.
Many things could be done in secret, but once exposed to