The Queen’s Dire Strategy

Within a fortress on the southwestern border of the Kael Kingdom, Duke Ma’se sat in a chair. Before him, a document lay on the table.

The document detailed how Count Kael had colluded with foreign enemies, plotting rebellion, and had subsequently been eradicated along with his entire clan.

Duke Ma’se glanced at the document before him, letting out a soft scoff.

‘So he was the fish caught in this net? Colluding with foreign enemies?’ he mused. ‘If one lacks the power, they shouldn’t aspire to grasp authority that isn’t theirs. To make a move at such a critical juncture is simply asking for death!’

Still, Her Majesty the Queen’s methods remained as ruthless as ever. ‘An entire clan eradicated?’ he thought, a hint of admiration in his eyes. ‘Truly a throne forged in blood, exactly to my liking!’

Beside that document lay another, bearing the distinct impression of a large crown seal. This indicated its origin from the Royal Palace of the kingdom. Duke Ma’se’s brow furrowed slightly as he regarded it.

The contents of this second document were equally straightforward. It stated that Her Majesty the Queen intended to personally lead a campaign. The chosen battlefield was the southern border, the Dragon Race front.

The directive for the other two battlefields was clear: hold the line until the Dragon Race campaign concluded.

Duke Ma’se’s frown deepened as he read the missive.

He understood the Queen’s intentions perfectly. Of the three fronts, the Dragon Race battlefield was undeniably the most challenging and the most dire.

While the other two could still be held for a time, the Dragon Race had already breached the kingdom’s territory, with the outermost city having fallen. If their advance wasn’t swiftly halted, the losses for the Human Race would be unimaginable.

Moreover, if the Dragon Race were directly repelled, the other two races, without the Dragons’ intimidating presence, wouldn’t be able to assault the Human Race with such little caution. This strategy would significantly alleviate pressure on the other two borders, making their campaigns less arduous.

However, this approach would place immense strain on the other two border fronts. Should either of those battlefields fall before the Dragon Race campaign concluded, the entire war effort would be thrown into perilous disarray.

Naturally, this entire strategy hinged on the Queen’s personal campaign resulting in victory on the Dragon Race front. If it failed, then everything would be lost.

Duke Ma’se’s eyes sharpened as he gazed at the document.

“Hold until the Dragon Race battlefield concludes, you say? No problem at all,” he declared, a grim smile playing on his lips. “This old man shall keep those Winged Race bird-people occupied, awaiting Her Majesty’s good news!”

****

Simultaneously, within a fortress on the southeastern border,

Duke Kaer also received the same document. While he didn’t furrow his brow as deeply as Duke Ma’se, his expression still hardened slightly.

‘Hold until the Dragon Race front concludes? Merely delaying them presents no issue for me,’ he mused. ‘But will that old fellow Ma’se be alright on his end?’

The situation with the Beast Race here wasn’t as dire as with the Winged Race. Therefore, simply prolonging the conflict shouldn’t pose too many problems.

However, Duke Kaer harbored concerns for the Winged Race front. The Winged Race’s strength surpassed that of the Beast Race, and the southwestern border’s defenses were somewhat weaker than the southeastern’s. Considering these disparities, Duke Kaer worried about how long they could truly hold out.

After setting down the document, Duke Kaer cast a distant gaze towards the southwest border. His eyes held a complex mix of emotions.

‘Don’t you dare die, Ma’se,’ he thought. ‘For the kingdom and for myself, you cannot fall yet.’

After a long moment, Duke Kaer withdrew his gaze, his eyes now resolute.

“Someone! Summon all the Marquises and Counts!”

Having decided to focus on defense, a shift in strategic deployment was now imperative.

****

Inside the Royal Palace, within the grand hall,

Lisa sat upon the highest throne, her beautiful face radiating an undeniable majesty. Beside the throne, Jiu Hui stood quietly.

Below them, only a handful of Marquises and Counts remained. All of them appeared either aged and infirm, or bore the scars of past battles in the form of disabilities.

Most of the capable Marquises and Counts had been dispatched to the various battlefields, leaving only those advanced in years or those who had sustained injuries in previous conflicts.

Lisa surveyed the individuals before her and spoke, “I believe you have all received the news. Indeed, I intend to depart today, leading a portion of the remaining royal city troops to the Dragon Race battlefield.”

Although a ripple of surprise went through the gathered officials after Lisa finished speaking, it quickly subsided into minimal astonishment. Just as Lisa had stated, they had all been informed beforehand.

Jiu Hui, however, standing beside the throne, was genuinely startled. ‘But I didn’t know!’ she thought. While she was aware Lisa intended to lead the campaign personally, she hadn’t known it would be so soon. Furthermore, Lisa hadn’t mentioned it before they came here!

Unaware of Jiu Hui’s surprise, Lisa continued.

“Upon my departure, the royal city will have significantly fewer troops. Therefore, the safety of the capital will rest in your hands. I am aware that many of you possess private forces. At this critical juncture, I hope you will not be stingy.”

“I will not tolerate news of chaos in the rear while I and our warriors are fighting on the front lines. Should that happen, do not fault me for being merciless!”

Lisa’s voice, though calm, carried a distinct chill that echoed through the grand hall. A shiver ran down the spines of the Marquises and Counts below. They had, after all, recently heard the news of Count Kael’s fate—an entire clan eradicated. The mere thought of such a thing befalling them made their hearts tremble.

From among the assembled officials, an elderly Marquis stepped forward a few paces. He bowed deeply and declared, “Your Majesty, please rest assured. While you lead the campaign on the front lines, the royal city in the rear shall remain absolutely safe!”

Upon hearing this, the other Marquises and Counts quickly echoed his sentiments, all vowing to do their utmost to ensure the royal city’s security.

Lisa observed the scene without much comment. She understood these individuals well: they wouldn’t mind acting to appease her if it didn’t harm their own interests. However, if their personal gains were jeopardized, they wouldn’t lift a finger.

Therefore, her purpose in speaking those words was to make it clear that if they failed to act, not only their interests but even their very lives would be at stake.

This way, they would at least contribute some effort, if only to prevent her from finding fault with them.

“Very well, that is all. You may return,” Lisa said, waving a hand to dismiss them.

Seeing this, the officials swiftly departed. Under the intermittent pressure emanating from Lisa, they had grown increasingly nervous.

After everyone had left, Lisa rose from the throne. She let out a soft sigh, then turned to Jiu Hui, who stood nearby. “Let us go too,” she said.

Just then, Jiu Hui grabbed Lisa’s arm. As Lisa looked at her with a bewildered expression, Jiu Hui spoke.

“I’m coming to the battlefield too!”

Lisa looked at Jiu Hui, whose eyes shone with unwavering determination, and let out a soft laugh. “I never said I wouldn’t take you,” she replied. “I wouldn’t feel at ease leaving you alone in the royal city without me.”

Jiu Hui paused, slightly taken aback. She had been prepared to pester Lisa, even force her, to agree to let her join the campaign. She had never expected Lisa had intended to bring her along from the very beginning.

However, Jiu Hui then caught the underlying meaning in Lisa’s words. “Alone?” she questioned, a hint of confusion in her voice. “You mean…”

“Precisely,” Lisa said with a light chuckle. “Xiao Lü and Xiao Lan are certainly coming. While they may appear to be mere maids, they are both powerful combatants!”

Jiu Hui was momentarily stunned. She had never imagined that those two seemingly harmless, beautiful maidens were actually formidable forces, recognized as such by Lisa herself!

Lisa smiled at Jiu Hui’s astonished face, then took her hand and led her out of the hall.

“Come now, don’t overthink it. Go back and prepare yourself. The battlefield is nothing like the Palace; it will be arduous.”

Pulled along by Lisa, Jiu Hui snapped out of her thoughts and followed behind. Listening to Lisa’s words, a knot of nervousness tightened in her chest.

‘The battlefield…’