War regarded courage as a crown.
Warriors regarded bravery as a virtue.
Yet the losers of war were often not lacking in courage, and the victors would never see it as the main reason for victory. The true victors were the stronger side, those who planned farther ahead, the race with greater endurance and resolve for war.
"Even though the propaganda slogans call for the whole population to fight for their lives and bravely enlist, this doesn't look like something prepared in the short term. How long have you been preparing for this? Did it start three years ago? Or even earlier—back during the Nirvana Plan?"
The wooden statue, now carrying a portion of Old Liu's will, answered with a smile.
"Earlier than that."
"Earlier? Twenty years ago?"
"Hehe. More than fifty years ago."
Fine, you bastards were impressive. You really knew how to hold back.
At that moment, Lu PingAn finally understood.
From beginning to end, the Old Liu and Oboro Moon Lord he had seen had never moved. Oboro Moon Lord had long since completely fused with Dragon Moon Island, gradually turning the island into his own flesh and body.
"Back then, in countless war-game simulations, whenever the Eastern Kingdom faced disaster, Dragon Moon Island was either the first to fall or the last to fall."
The seemingly contradictory statement made Lu PingAn pause, but after thinking it over, he realized it did make sense.
The reason was simple. It stood alone at the southernmost edge of the sea. Whether it was the "first" or the "last" depended mainly on the direction from which disaster came.
If it was not the first place attacked, it would very likely become the final fortress for fleeing civilians, and naturally be the last to fall.
"...Don't blame the Ministry of National