A minister in a dark gray military uniform hurried into the palace.
He ignored Oscar and walked straight up to the Emperor, reporting gravely, "Your Majesty, the latest dispatch from the front. The Sika Kingdom has broken through at Bloodstone Mountain on the northern section of the border defenses and has launched a massive invasion into our territory."
"Bloodstone Mountain?" The Emperor's eyebrows twitched as he asked, "Isn't the terrain there extremely treacherous? A large-scale assault should be practically impossible. There are also numerous heavy weapons, and even Wizards would not dare take the risk. With elite troops stationed there, how was it suddenly breached?"
"According to the military dispatch and reports from the fleeing soldiers, the enemy suddenly appeared from behind and launched their attack. I suspect the Sika Kingdom dug tunnels and used them to carry out a surprise attack and transport follow-up forces."
"They dug tunnels?" The Emperor narrowed his eyes. "Digging tunnels at Bloodstone Mountain would not be easy. It certainly could not have been done in a short time.
If they truly invaded through tunnels, then they must have prepared for a long time and planned this long ago. It seems they are unwilling to accept the current state of affairs between our two nations at the border."
After a pause, the Emperor looked at the minister in military uniform and asked, "How far have the Sika Kingdom's vanguard forces advanced?"
The minister in military uniform pulled a miniature map from his sleeve, unfolded it, and pointed it out to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, the foremost Sika cavalry units have already captured Qatar City and are burning, killing, and looting. They released the city's condemned prisoners to serve as guides and are expanding north, east, and west, attempting to create even greater chaos. We have