"Back in Monarch City?"
Ryan had recently been working on sending this batch of troops in his hands into the forest for trials of blood and fire. Those who survived would be the aces among aces.
The army here was the most important logistical support on the forest battlefield, while Monarch City's movements determined whether that logistical support could be provided in a stable and sustainable way.
Ryan needed to determine in a short time whether Hildegard could become his ally and become the ruler of the Holy Flame Empire.
Help her or kill her—these were both things he needed to consider. Higni would become that sword, and they only needed to wait for Hildegard to make her choice.
Ryan had thought this princess would witness her brothers' actions along the way, either helping or standing by. He had not expected her to return straight to Monarch City from the Earl City of Antes.
She was leaving it alone?
"Should we kill her?"
This woman was very hard to kill. She bore the blessing of the Deities, and now she had become a Grace Bearer of the Sun, but Ryan believed this was not a foolproof lifesaving charm.
"But replacing her with someone else would waste a great deal of time and effort stabilizing this world's order."
Ryan put down the intelligence on Hildegard and picked up the news on the other princes. Of these Augustus bloodlines, not a single one suited Ryan's wishes. If they became rulers, this world would fall into chaos and be unable to reach harmony in the short term.
For Ryan, that did not align with his interests.
"Let's add more fuel to her fire. If it doesn't work, then we'll have no choice but to force the palace."
Ryan sighed. This was the first