417: Chapter 52, Expeditionary Force Commander_3 417: Chapter 52, Expeditionary Force Commander_3 “It could be the Alpha Kingdom, or the Warhammer Kingdom…or even us.”
Chancellor Jacob said gravely.
The tragedy of a weak nation was on full display at this moment.
The heavy defeat of the Expeditionary Army revealed the true strength of the Orton Duchy, right in front of the Orc Army.
If the Orcs chose to break through them, even a single side division’s invasion could be too much for the Orton Duchy to handle.
“Alright!”
One short word, uttered as if it exhausted all the strength in Orton XIX’s body.
Similar scenes were replayed in several of Moxi Duchy’s neighboring nations.
With the realization of the impending danger, they all went into a mode of nationwide mobilization.
Serfs were continuously conscripted into the army; corps after corps were constantly formed and trained.
Overnight, all Northern nations started national mobilization.
Regardless of their combat power, their number inflated significantly, as if only quantity could reassure them.
If each nation had put a little more effort into supporting the Moxi Duchy earlier, even just a third of the current mobilization, they wouldn’t be in such a desperate situation now.
…
In Lutesya, upon receiving the news of the failure at the Battle of Dachias, the usually noisy councilors, unusually, settled down to contemplate.
To be precise, they were waiting for the decision of the power holders backing them.
The situation had deteriorated too rapidly.
The previous delay tactics couldn’t keep up with the current developments.
The more nations involved, the lower the decision-making efficiency, and the weaker the resulting execution.
As those in power, these issues had to be taken into account.
Even if the support plan was initiated immediately, it would take until the next year for the reinforcement troops of various countries to assemble.
In such a long period, anything could happen.
If the Northern nations could hold out, it would be good.
But if they all suffered heavy losses like the Moxi Duchy, it would be disastrous.
The power of the Northern nations represented almost a fifth of the Human Race.
If they suffered losses, the suppressed different races would probably all jump out in succession.
The prospect of a solo fight against all the races was hair-raising to contemplate.
The Human Race’s dominion over the continent relied only a third on military strength; the remaining two thirds were all politics.
Dividing, weakening, and instigating conflicts among the races have always been the core strategy of the Human Alliance.
Unfortunately, after the Human Race secured its dominion over the continent and continuously squeezed the living space of the other races, they gradually became public enemies.
These political tactics seemed increasingly ineffective.
No matter how well spoken, it ultimately depended on what was done.
As the ‘black history’ increased, the relationship between the Human Race and the other races grew more and more delicate.
Up till now, it has evolved from three parts military and seven parts politics, to seven parts military and three parts politics.
A continental dominator led by military measures must always maintain a strong position.
Any signs of decline could trigger a new continental war.
“Councilors, as you can see from the news from the North,
After these years of development, the strength of the Orc Empire is much stronger than during the last conflict between our races.
Looking at the power comparison, the Orc Empire has crossed the threshold, posing a serious threat to our dominant position.
Now, besides discussing how to drive the Orcs back to their origin, we also need to consider how to suppress this potential threat.
We don’t expect to annihilate them completely, as the other races wouldn’t allow us to do so, but we must at least severely damage the Orc Empire, preferably defeating them utterly.
Councilors, peace has lingered for too long.
Many different races have forgotten the majesty of our Human Race.
Now is the time to choose a target, establish our authority, and show the might of our Human Race, to deter all the races on the continent.”
The words of Charles III instantly caused an uproar.
Without lifting the lid, everyone was oblivious.
Now, after careful consideration, they realized that the power of the Orc Empire has reached 20 percent of the Human Race, and there’s even the possibility it could be higher.
Undeniably, in the diverse Continent of Aslante, this ratio has reached the warning line set by the Human Race’s forefathers.
No matter what race it is, even if the relationship is good, as long as the power exceeds 20 percent of our Human Race, it must be suppressed.
Especially now that this power is held by the Orcs who harbor extreme hatred toward the Human Race, there’s absolutely no room for negotiation.
The councilors, who were originally waiting for their own factions to weigh the pros and cons and make a decision, suddenly realized that they might not need to waste time.