He raised his head, his gaze burning like a torch as it swept over everyone. "But what if... his main force, or at least a detached force with enough weight to matter, has already used this smokescreen to quietly march south by some route we don't know about... straight for the relatively undefended Royal Capital?"
"The Royal Capital was only plundered last year. It still hasn't recovered its vitality. Its city defenses have been strengthened, yes, but the people are in a panic." Richter picked up the thread, his face pale. "If the Sauron really brought siege equipment, and had insiders as well..."
"And," Brendan added, his voice dry, "those lords in the Royal Capital, along with our 'wise' Empress Dowager and the young king, must have all their attention drawn by the 'great army' at Blackstone Pass right now. They'll desperately urge Eisenberg to go out and fight, or transfer troops from elsewhere to reinforce the Eagle's Nest line... The Royal Capital's own defenses may instead be neglected, or... deliberately weakened."
The War Room was as silent as a flock of crows with their mouths sewn shut, leaving only heavy breathing. This deduction was too bold, too horrifying, but if it proved true, the consequences would be unimaginable. The Goldflower Kingdom might truly face a calamity that blotted out the sky.
"This is only the worst-case guess." Karl's voice rang out again, carrying a forced calm. "We need evidence. But we can't wait until the evidence is delivered right before our eyes. By then, it will be too late."
He straightened, his gaze turning sharp and resolute once more. "No matter what Harald's true target is, with his army gathered at the border, for Carnford, it is both a threat and an opportunity. Eisenberg has become blind and deaf,