"Rita, what do you think is the greatest problem facing the Holy Kingdom?"
Rita thought for a moment.
"The divide between north and south."
"Correct. Then what is the root cause of that divide?"
"The economic gap, cultural barriers, conflicts of interest..."
"Those are only surface phenomena."
Higashino Makoto cut her off.
"There is only one root cause. Northern soldiers are bleeding for the people of the south, while the southerners sit at home counting money. The northerners feel they are being used as shields, while the southerners believe the north's sacrifices are only natural. Unless that mindset changes, the north and south will never truly unite."
Rita's eyes widened slightly.
"You mean..."
"Let the people of the south see with their own eyes how northern soldiers die."
Higashino Makoto's gaze fell upon the scrying mirror. On the battlefield within it, a southern knight was using his body to shield a northern soldier from incoming arrows.
"Only when they have shed the same blood will they truly understand what a 'community of shared destiny' means."
Rita fell silent.
At last, she understood Lord Amon's plan—it was not cold-bloodedness, nor was it cruelty. It was treatment.
Using a cruel method to treat a deeper wound.
"Then Her Majesty the Holy Queen..."
Rita hesitated for a moment.
"Does she know of your plan?"
"She does not need to know."
Higashino Makoto's tone remained calm.
"She only needs to do what she should. Stand there and wait. So long as she does not retreat, this battle cannot be lost."
"What if she retreats?"
"She won't."
There was no hesitation in Higashino Makoto's voice.
Even if she did retreat, Higashino Makoto would still act.
But who the Holy Kingdom would ultimately fall into the hands of was another matter.
Looking at his profile, Rita