Chapter 269

Just then, a figure appeared in the distance, approaching from the sky.

"Empress Kachina".

Ryan noticed that Kachina's expression didn't seem good. This girl could smile radiantly when she was in a good mood, though she could also look like that when she was about to kill someone.

"It's strange. I've searched the City of Sin, but I still can't find where that Power of Desire came from," Kachina said, frowning. "I initially thought it was the people of the City of Desire, but I couldn't find any trace of them. Albert is very cunning, but he wouldn't dare to lie about something like this. I went to his castle, and there were quite a few dead people inside. Rider, do you know? There was even the Power of the Janus Path appearing. Isn't that strange?"

Ryan thought to himself that this was very strange; it was all the work of those damned guys from the City of Desire.

"Could it really be people from Gate of Janus?" Ryan pondered. "I heard in the city yesterday that the Archbishop of Gate of Janus seems to have run into trouble here. Maybe they want to take this opportunity to retaliate and, while they're at it, wipe out the City of Sin."

"Hmm... I've heard about that too. Cardinal Andeni, that guy was just someone the Cardinal Bishop, all talk and no action. It's no wonder he's dead. If that's the case, maybe it really was the Gate of Janus that did it. But that Power of Desire... never mind, that's not important. Rider, we can't go back to the Imperial Capital for now."

"What's wrong?"

"It's all because of Wildea's gang, huh! That acting Queen does have some brains, though, she actually launched a sneak attack on our army."

Ryan exclaimed, "Isn't that the end? Are the Empire's brave warriors alright?"

"The losses were quite heavy. More than a dozen officers, including Earl Williams, were killed. The entire lancer force was wiped out, and only three or four thousand others remained. We don't know where they were scattered."

With that, Kachina gave a soft snort, "That woman Elvian must be hiding in the army, otherwise the acting Queen alone couldn't have accomplished this."

"Oh, Earth Goddess above, those cunning Veldya people, they only dare to do petty theft, they can never be our match in a head-on confrontation!" Ryan said angrily.

"But petty thieves are the most troublesome, Your Majesty. What should the Empire do next? I heard from the people of City of Sin that Augustus and the Northern Federation have joined forces. With the two great imperial powers, plus Wildea, we..."

Kachina suddenly laughed, "Hehe~ Don't worry about Rider, our strongest force hasn't been deployed yet."

"The most powerful?"

"The Wilder army has already arrived at the Kazar Plain. They're moving very fast; they probably want to occupy this place and seize the initiative. However, the Empire's 100,000 troops will also arrive at Kazar this evening. Hmph~ They know how to launch a sneak attack, but do you think I don't? This time, I will personally lead the army to attack. If Elvian is really hiding in the army, Rider, what do you think it would be like if Queen Wilder was led around like a dog?"

"Uh... is it possible to catch it?"

"Of course. This time, Kachia sent 40,000 Watchers. As the Chosen of the Earth God, you should know how powerful the Earth Watcher are. In addition, there are 20,000 Rifle Cavalry and 40,000 Imperial troops. Taking down a mere 20,000 Wilderian troops is a piece of cake."

"I heard that reinforcements from the Northern Federation are also on their way."

"The Northern Federation? Rider, you really don't understand international affairs at all," Kachina said with a smile. "If the Northern Federation could be given ten years... no, even five years, they might become as powerful as Augustus. As for now, they're nothing but a rabble."

Ryan replied modestly, "I really don't know much about these things."

"It's alright. If you want to learn, I can teach you myself." Kachina said, taking Ryan's hand and winking. "After all, you are Prince I have my eye on."

Your Majesty, isn't this a bit inappropriate? I, Ryan, am not that kind of person!

"Your Majesty, may I accompany you? I also wish to see what a real battlefield is like. As a nation that worships the earth, I believe the prosperity of the Arcadia Empire is highly beneficial to the spread of the Goddess's faith."

"Oh? Of course." Kachina smiled smugly. As long as Ryan was interested, things would be easy for her. Next, she would impress Ryan with her heroic performance against Wilder's army, and after the war, she could go home and get married!

On the other side.

On a grassland in the Kazar Plain, lies the encampment of the Moonlight Knight Order.

Inside the tent.

"Avril, let's not rush into an attack. The Arcadia Empire's vanguard has just been defeated, and the main force, mainly the Watcher Legion, will be next. We can't possibly win against them with our strength."

Elvian pointed to the map and said, "The Watcher Legion is very strong. We are outnumbered, so we should try to avoid direct combat with them. The Moonlight Knight Order have the advantage of mobility and can use the terrain of the Kazar Plain to focus on raids and harassment."

Avril nodded. "I know. I won't let the Moonlight Cavalry confront the Watchers head-on. We've already defeated Arcadia's vanguard, so we've accomplished our mission. Now it depends on how far Augustus and the Northern Federation go. On the front lines, let them draw fire first, while the Moonlight Knight Order, as the damage dealers, will focus on preserving their strength."

"Once this war is over, the tax burden that Wildea places on Augustus will be greatly reduced, giving us room to accumulate strength. Currently, Augustus and the Northern Federation are fighting each other, and with the conflict between the two major regions of Arcadia and the Northeast, we in Wildea can take this opportunity to quietly develop and wait for the chance to counterattack."

Elvian smiled with satisfaction, "That's right, Avril, you're slowly growing into a qualified Queen."

Elvian was very happy to see Avril grow up.

See that, Ryan? Even if you make me submit, you won't make Wildea submit. One day, Avril will trample you underfoot in my place!

"Um?"

Elvian discovered that the relic in the storage bag used to contact Monica had lit up.

Of course, it wasn't Monica contacting her, but Ryan; the keepsake had already been taken by the latter.

"Avril, you go ahead and do your work. I have some things to take care of." She didn't want 'Avril' to know about her secret meeting with Ryan. Although she had long lost her dignity as Queen, she still wanted to cover up the last bit of shame.

"OK."

After 'Avril' left, Elvian took out her belongings.

"Ryan, what's up?" she asked coldly.

"Not happy to see your fiancé?" Ryan's figure appeared in the tent, looked around, and laughed, "Where is my lover, Miss Avril?"

Elvian said calmly, "Avril is now the Queen of Wildeia. According to the agreement between the two countries, you have no right to interfere in her affairs."

"Don't get excited, I was just saying." Ryan smiled and spread his hands. "Avril still a bit naive, she can't compare to Queen Elvian."

Elvian's lips twitched slightly. "Did you come here just to annoy me?"

"Of course not... Well, that's enough catching up. Where's Wilder, the runner-up?"

Why are you asking this?

"Of course, we're preparing a surprise attack on Arcadia's main force."

Elvian's expression changed slightly. "Ryan, Wildea is a vassal state, not a slave state! Do you want Wildea soldiers to go and die?"

"Sigh, do you know why you lost? You got too easily agitated. When did I ever say we were just sending them to their deaths?" Ryan was speechless. "Since I let you take the lead, I was naturally confident of victory. Do you really think that Wildea's defeat would benefit Augustus?"

"How could I not be excited? These Moonlight Cavalry are Wildea's last resort." Elvian's expression softened slightly. "What are your plans?"

"Tell me first where Wilder is."

"This..." Elvian pointed to the map, "We haven't been in Kazar for very long."

Ryan glanced at it and found that it was about twenty miles northeast of the City of Sin.

"Alright, lead your troops here before 7 PM tonight and lie in wait. I'll contact you later for more details."

"Relying solely on Wilder?" Elvian frowned. "Are you really confident?"

Ryan smiled faintly, "Want to take another gamble? If I lose, Wildea will never have to pay taxes to Augustus again. But if I win, you'll have to wear the clothes I prepared for you next time we meet and make a good impression."

"..."

Elvian was stunned. She knew perfectly well what Ryan meant. This guy was definitely a chosen one of lust, no doubt about it.

"Do you have that right? Wildea's fate is in Empress's Vainay. Even if you have some influence in Augustus, how could you possibly persuade her?" Elvian was indeed very tempted. If they didn't have to pay taxes, it would only be a nominal vassal state, and Wildea would not suffer any real loss.

"Don't worry about that. I, Ryan, always keep my word."

"Good!"

Elvian considered it for a moment.

If she loses, at most she'll just have to wear some weird clothes, but that means the Moonlight Knight Order's attack will be victorious!

If she wins, then Verdea will no longer have to pay taxes to Augustus.

She always makes a huge profit!

"Then, see you later."

This way.

Ryan put away the belongings, already starting to think about what kind of clothes he should choose for Elvian.

He was currently on a plain southeast of the City of Sin, at dusk, when Kachina left to meet up with the Arcadia army.

He lay in the tent and opened the game for a while. There was nothing going on with Adele; she was just leveling up by AFK. However, the Holy Blood Army's fleet had already sailed out of the Southern Continent and entered the sea.

I estimate that in another five or six days, we will reach the port of Solbia in Arcadia, and then we can launch a landing operation to attack Arcadia from behind.

This was not a long sea voyage, but the sea environment was indeed much worse than Ryan had imagined. Not to mention the bad weather, sometimes people would get sick and plagues would break out. It was only because the Holy Blood Army was physically strong that they could survive. Otherwise, if an ordinary army had rashly entered the sea, half of them would have died before they even reached their destination.

Establishing colonies in the open seas is no easy task. No wonder the Old Emperor gave up after a cursory attempt. Crossing the seas to the Southern Continent would be a huge problem in itself.

As he pondered, Ryan vaguely heard the sound of synchronized footsteps.

He stepped out of the tent and saw a majestic and solemn armored army approaching from the horizon. Every soldier in this army was armed to the teeth, holding a long spear larger than a lance. They didn't look like soldiers; they were clearly steel fortresses!

Because of their superior equipment, ordinary soldiers really do seem like children in front of them.

Ryan was somewhat amazed. There was indeed a reason why Arcadia could become the overlord of the Eastern Continent. It was DLC, after all. Paying money really does make you awesome.

"Rider." Kachina floated down, a smug smile on her face. "See that? This is the main force of our Arcadia."

"That's amazing!"

Behind the Watcher Legion were Rifle Cavalry and regular Imperial soldiers. Although the latter were not as famous, their combat power should not be underestimated as part of the Imperial regular army.

Well, at least they're much stronger than the hastily assembled army of the Northern Federation.

Soon, the 100,000-strong army was stationed on the plain. Immediately afterwards, Kachina convened an emergency meeting and announced that they would set off to attack the Wilderya army after midnight that night.

Ryan was invited by Kachina as a 'special guest' and stood next to Kachina.

"Your Majesty, we have a rough idea of the location of Wilder's army, but they have also strengthened their defenses, and our men dare not get too close."

"Don't worry, Wildea only has a little over 20,000 people. The disparity in strength between us and the enemy is enormous. They can't possibly move before the people from the Northern Federation arrive."

"So tonight should be the best opportunity; they have no idea we've already arrived in Kazar overnight."

As he watched the group of Arcadia generals and officers having a lively discussion, Ryan pondered to himself.

When the Pot of Greed takes effect, who knows how much of its power the Empire's renowned Watcher Legion will still be able to muster... Oh praise to the God of Desire, this is truly wonderful!

That should be all for today. I need to rest this afternoon and then go get an IV drip~~~ What's wrong with me lately? I'm always sick, ε=('ο`*))) Sigh

Chapter 162 The prevailing trend of Slaanesh is like a raging flood, harming the soldiers of the Empire! [7k5]

An hour later, the operational meeting officially ended.

"Rider, this is General Mok of the Watcher Legion."

After most people left, Kachina introduced Ryan to a middle-aged man with short blond hair, a rough beard, and sharp, piercing eyes.

"Hello, Rider. Ryder," Moke greeted Ryan first.

He had noticed it during the meeting earlier; Kachina's attitude towards Ryan was clearly quite unusual. They also knew that the former had been searching for Prince. Considering the possibility that Ryan might become Prince in the future, Moke naturally needed to be careful about his attitude.

In the Arcadia Empire, the Twin Emperors held absolute prestige, possessing far greater authority than their Your Majesty in most other countries—a stark contrast to the situation in the Kingdom of Lotte.

"Hello, General Mok." Ryan smiled and nodded.

"You guys chat, I'll go check on the situation. Moke, you should also make arrangements for the Watcher Legion later. We'll set off in an hour."

Kachina gave a few instructions. She trusted the Watcher Legion, but the other armies might cause some trouble. This was a crucial battle for her to defeat Wilder's army and capture the Queen who might be hiding among them.

Although Empress Kachina may seem unreliable at times, she is quite responsible as an emperor. It's just that her personality makes her less patient than Kachia, who sits on the throne and holds meetings every day.

"Mr. Rider, would you be interested in taking a look at our Watcher Legion? We need to prepare for an attack anyway."

"Will this trouble General Mok?"

"If Mr. Rider isn't interested, then..."

"Oh, of course I'm interested. As the most devout follower of the Earth Goddess, I also want to see what the Empire's most powerful Earth Transcendent Legion is like."

By the time Moke realized what was happening, Ryan had already reached the tent exit. He turned around and said, "What are we waiting for, General Mok? Time is of the essence."

"Oh, of course, I'll be going now."

Moke thought to himself that the person Her Empress Your Majesty seemed quite interested in military operations.

The stars hung in the sky, and the bright moonlight enveloped the earth.

On the grass under the moonlight, the Watchers soldiers, clad in golden armor, stood in neat rows, as solemn as statues. You should know that wearing such heavy armor and carrying such heavy weapons, an ordinary person would get tired after running just a few steps.

They not only had to march, but also sprint and fight. Ryan couldn't imagine how they were trained.

"Aren't they allowed to rest?" he asked curiously.

"It's alright, they're used to it." Moke chuckled. "We have our own methods to keep the Watchers soldiers in a good combat readiness at all times. As long as it doesn't exceed a day, there's no need to worry about traveling or fighting."

One day? This must be the effect of a superhuman skill; otherwise, ordinary people couldn't possibly achieve this level.