Military Conference
The high-level military meeting was held in a room with a charcoal fire burning.
The room was simply furnished, with a round table in the center surrounded by several chairs. Behind the main table, on the wall, hung a military map of the Northern Frontier. If there was anything special about it, it was that a portrait of His Majesty the Emperor of the Gorseflower Empire also hung on the wall.
Five people were sitting in the conference room. Count Danton, the commander of the First Army who had a falling out with Bai Xiaowen, was among them.
Prince Nicholas sat in the main seat, while the Count Danton sat to his right, signifying his special status.
The waiter led Bai Xiaowen to a seat facing Nicholas.
"Welcome, Lady Cecilia, Baron Dio," Prince Nicholas nodded. "Please allow me to introduce myself..."
Bai Xiaowen bowed and stood up. Every time Prince Nicholas introduced a person, he would glance over and nod slightly in greeting.
Of the four people sitting next to Prince Nicholas, three were introduced: Count Danton, the commander of the first infantry phalanx, a chief of staff, and a magic advisor, all of whom were Nicholas's confidants.
The last person who wasn't qualified to be introduced by the prince was an Standard Template clerk, who, although a confidant of the prince, held a low position.
When the Count Danton was introduced, this tall and robust earl, unlike his aloof attitude at the ball, walked over with a smile and patted Bai Xiaowen on the shoulder.
"Baron Dio, I apologize for my remarks at the ball. I must admit, you were right."
Bai Xiaowen blinked, looking bewildered.
"Hahahaha..." Count Danton laughed. "Dio, do you think that Prince Nicholas and I are a bunch of fools who can't see reality?"
Bai Xiaowen quickly shook her head. "I wouldn't dare."
"The situation in this war is indeed dire," Count Danton said seriously, his smile fading. "However, it's enough for us decision-makers to keep this in mind. If it becomes public knowledge, it will shake morale and fighting spirit. Moreover, the nobles of the Northern Frontier might flee prematurely, and the residents of Blackrock City might also have to flee."
After a pause, Count Danton continued, "Most of the nobles attending the ball were unaware of the enemy's strength, but a small number were aware of it. However, for the sake of morale, they did not stand up to expose it, but instead went along with the crowd and appeared optimistic."
Count Danton's implication was that only a hothead like Bai Xiaowen would step forward and risk offending people to expose the truth.
"It was my recklessness. Please forgive my impetuousness, Your Highness and Earl," Bai Xiaowen said.
Nicholas waved his hand and smiled, "It's alright. When I was your age, I also said whatever came to mind without thinking too much."
In fact, Bai Xiaowen had guessed that Nicholas wanted to stabilize morale, otherwise he wouldn't have held a ball during such a tense time. However, he still chose to express his different opinion, which, to put it bluntly, was for two words: to gain influence.
Today, most nobles disdain Bai Xiaowen's minority opinions, but when the Remnants regime truly gain power and Blackrock Fortress feels the pressure, they will remember Bai Xiaowen's wisdom.
As for Prince Nicholas's opinion, Bai Xiaowen's minority speech will not diminish his standing; on the contrary, it will create the impression of someone with high intelligence but low emotional intelligence. While showcasing his military talent and foresight, he also reveals certain interpersonal deficiencies—such talent is always favored by wise and enlightened rulers, the advantages of which are difficult to explain in a few words.
The door opened, and a waiter led in a tall, thin old man in a red priest's robe. Everyone present stood up to greet him, including Prince Nicholas.
"Let us welcome Archbishop Arlo with the warmest applause. Without his powerful forbidden spell, the outcome of this battle would have been uncertain." Prince Nicholas led the applause, and scattered applause filled the small conference room.
Archbishop Arlo's face was somewhat pale. He nodded slightly, acknowledging those present. "This is the glory of God; I am but a humble supplicant. Moreover, this is inseparable from the tireless assistance of my colleagues in the Holy Light Cleric Order."
Bai Xiaowen had already heard about the battle on the main battlefield from Cecilia, and how Archbishop Arlo's forbidden divine spell "Light of Creation" was the key to turning the tide of the battle. However, judging from his weakened state after casting the spell, Archbishop Arlo probably didn't have the energy to cast it a second time.
"Alright, now that everyone for the military conference is here, let's speak freely. According to the reconnaissance cavalry's report, the Sinlands Remnant Coalition Army have mobilized their entire force this time, even the elderly, women, and children have been forced to participate. Children who are not even as tall as a cartwheel have also joined the logistics troops..."
Prince Nicholas said, "In terms of numbers, the Remnant Allied Army is no less than our Human Allied Army. As for combat strength... I believe everyone here already has a certain understanding of that."
A collective gasp rang out.
Count Danton cursed, "These barbarians have no morality or virtue whatsoever; they even force their children into the army."
Bai Xiaowen shook his head inwardly. It was a matter of life and death, a battle for survival for their race. The Sinlands Coalition would definitely be going all out. If they won, they could march south and occupy large tracts of fertile land on the Kane Continent. If they lost, the best outcome would be being driven back to the Sinlands Desert.
Bai Xiaowen had already learned that the Sinlands Desert was even more desolate and cold than the most barren territory in the Northern Frontier, and was completely unsuitable for human survival. Even the Remnants subspecies with strong vitality probably did not have a high survival rate.
Therefore, the Remnant Allied Army took a desperate gamble in this war, unlike the Gorseflower Empire, which had not yet paid enough attention to it and had only stationed a legion of a few thousand men in the Northern Frontier.
As for the arrival of Prince Nicholas and Archbishop Arlo, it was merely a coincidence. While investigating the Necrotic Plague in the Northern Frontier, he discovered the signs of the Remnants's attack. Ignoring the advice of his subordinates, such as Count Danton, he stayed at Blackrock Fortress and sent people back to the Imperial Capital to request reinforcements.
Bai Xiaowen's second main mission requires him to hold out for ten days, which, according to Bai Xiaowen's estimation, should be the time when the reinforcements sent by the Empire arrive at Blackrock Fortress.
After condemning the unethical actions of the Sinlands Coalition, the topic returned to how to fight back.
"Dio, your speech at the ball showed that you are Clarity aware of the strength of the Remnant Allied Army. I wonder if you have devised any resistance strategies?" Prince Nicholas asked.