Chapter 1736 - Blitzkrieg (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Snowfrost City, The Lord’s Castle, The War Council.

Constance stood before a massive battle sandbox, and next to her was Duke Owen who was being given a second round of treatment by Rheia. Surrounding the sandbox were Hao Ren and his team plus Charlemagne and Awenna. Aside from them, there was no one else around.

Most of the front line commanders were down south, and it would not be possible for them to rush back to join the impromptu unofficial meeting. Constance used her mind link to be in two places at the same time, becoming a bridge to pass on information from both ends.

“The main combat zone is around here.” Constance moved forward, her rapier pointing at the sandbox. That was the edge of the Northern Realms, the borderlands between the six northern provinces and the heart of the empire. There were no mountains there, mostly running hills and small plains. There were no distinct advantages to the attacker or the defender. “The Army of the North has already completed engineering works in this area, but their advance was greatly stymied, and part of our lines were even pushed back. We used the element of surprise to gain an advantage, but once we got into the heartlands, we encountered savage counterattacks from the Ebon Blades and the imperial army. Now, with the appearance of the monster armies, things are not looking good.”

“The good news is that the Ebon Blades cannot afford to totally focus on us,” Duke Owen pointed to the south of the sandbox, “Count Naaem of the south has already answered our call with Greymountain as his base of operations, and the Empire has to shift some of the knights to take on the Army of Greymountain.”

“A pincer attack from the north and south may sound good on paper, but the real situation is far from easy,” Constance said with a grim tone, “The combat prowess of a mutated Ebon Blade is far stronger than expected, and common soldiers would need to swarm them to even hold them at bay. And the only ones capable to face them are the Broken Blades, but the numbers of Broken Blades are far lesser compared to the Ebon Blades. With the gap of ability and numbers, it is difficult enough to even hold fast, much less attacking the imperial city.”

“And based on the latest reports, there were sightings of mutants in the imperial army corps.” Duke Owen added.

“So the mutation is not only limited to the Ebon Blades now huh…” Vivian frowned, “And it is spreading to the common folks…”

“So in every Turn of the Era, the Annihilation will always infect the strongest leader, and turn his empire into its minions…” Rheia said as she hugged her arm, “So Emperor Berentine is the conduit of Annihilation this time around, and as long as we take him down, everything will be resolved right?”

Constance raised an eyebrow, her voice chilly, “Did you not hear what we had just said earlier? Our situation now is pretty much a stalemate. And indeed, just as you say, as long as we are able to take the imperial city, we will be victorious, but we can’t even go into the heartlands.”

“The White City Federation can provide assistance,” Charlemagne suddenly interjected, “While the World Scar is between us, the Federation has the largest fleet of civilian skyships, and can work as military transports, and send men over. We have contacted our father, and he is willing to help.”

It seemed like after spending a night contemplating, Charlemagne and Awenna had steeled themselves.

Hao Ren waited for Charlemagne to finish, and just as he saw Constance starting to ponder, he spoke, “Don’t bother with the war planning just yet. After seeing the Basilica of the World Tree’s military might, I’m sure you’ll have new ideas.”

“The military might of the Basilica?” Constance, as expected gave Hao Ren a doubtful look. “You had mentioned them before and had confirmed that the army will arrive very soon. But where are they? And when can they appear before me?”

Hao Ren picked up the MDT and had a look, before looking up with a smile. “Your timing is just nice. They have arrived, but they need a wide enough space to land.”

“Is it a skyship fleet?” Constance had a look of realization on her face, “Snowfrost’s upper platforms…”

“No, they are many times larger than a skyship and even larger than your upper platforms.” Hao Ren waved dismissively… “Forget that, I don’t think this city has any place for them to land. I’ll have them land on the plains outside the city. Want to come and have a look with me?”

Constance and Duke Owen exchanged glances, but they did not have any objections on the matter, and in fact, nodded at the same time.

“And there’s another thing,” Hao Ren added, “How… are the nerves of the civilians in Snowfrost?”

Constance did not understand what this odd question actually mean, but she guessed that the army of the mysterious Basilica of the World Tree probably had some terrifying forms, and this she could totally understand: The heritors had inherited ancient knowledge from an ancient era that had already been lost, and these objects, with a massive technological gap, will normally inspire fear in the commoners, just like how the Gorgons in the ancient era were seen as ‘demons’.

“Don’t worry, the northerners have sturdier nerves that you would imagine.” Duke Owen laughed heartily, and after Rheia’s second treatment his spirits were in much much better space, “And we had been fighting against so many types of ‘ancient relics’ all this while, you think anything could faze us?”

Hao Ren did not explain further and merely smiled. “That’s for the best.”