457: Chapter 66, Good News_2 457: Chapter 66, Good News_2 The situation only slightly eased after the Orcs invaded the Moxi Duchy.
But this relief is relative, as the Orc Empire still directs its main military force towards the Alpha Kingdom, which is bearing the brunt of the war pressure.
In the ongoing war, most of the territory in Hucksas Province has fallen to the Orcs.
The remaining fortresses are shaky under the orc’s onslaught.
“Have we reached this point again?”
Duke Arondo muttered.
In every full-scale invasion by the Orcs, the Alpha Kingdom inevitably resorts to the strategy of “buying time with space”, using the fortresses along the route to slow the advance of the Orc Army.
Compared to previous wars, this one is relatively better.
With another two under their pressure, the military pressure faced by Hucksas Province has significantly decreased.
Previously, Hucksas would fall within three to five months after the outbreak of the war.
This time, it’s been nearly ten months since the war broke out, and Hucksas Province is still defending, which is a record.
However, even the strongest city defenses will eventually be breached.
After continuous fighting, the front-line fortresses have been destroyed significantly.
Having just arranged a shift change, Duke Arondo has decided to retreat to his prepared refuge to fulfill his duty as a lord.
He planned to make a stand.
He’s doing this under duress.
Given the massive disparity in power, the defenders can only hold the castles and fortresses.
Launching a decisive strike is a low probability event, most of the time they are defending.
Since they are at a disadvantage, if they want to survive, they cannot keep their refuge in a crucial battleground.
Running away is not an option, as the Kingdom does not allow deserters, even if they are the Five Great Dukes of the North.
They must also abide by the rules of the game.
If a strategic shift is to be made after the city is breached, the frontline defenders would have suffered heavy losses by then.
In each great war, the noble lords of the North Border Region suffer heavy losses.
This is a consequence predestined since the beginning of the war.
Decades of accumulated power are eroded away in numerous battles.
This is the fate of generations of Northern Territory Lords.
In the dark of night, in an old rundown house hidden in a city corner, a dozen or so young men gather.
Such a clandestine meeting would surely be mistaken for a Cult organization if discovered.
In fact, it’s been that way from the beginning.
Since its establishment, the July Club has been labelled as a cult organization and has barely survived.
Unlike cult organizations, the July Club never practices blood sacrifices or propagates worship of the Evil God.
However, their propagated ideas are considered more frightening than a cult organization in the eyes of the rulers.
“Lord Longxi!”
“Lord Longxi!”
…
The crowd stood up one after another, greeting the newcomer.
You could tell that this was respect from the heart.
After responding with a smile to the people’s inquiries, Longxi took his seat at his assigned place.
“Now that everyone is here, let’s start today’s meeting in advance.
You all understand the situation in the city.
Half of the outer city has collapsed.
Even though the defenders promptly managed the breach, the harsh situation is still unavoidable.
According to the information gathered, our Duke Arondo is prepared to break out and leave.
Obviously, he’s heading to his clan’s homeland.
The opportunity to take revenge has come.
Since he is no longer taking on the responsibility of guarding Hucksas, we need no longer be polite to him.
We can take his head to honor our dead ancestors.
At the same time, we can clear away some obstacles for our human race.”
Longxi’s words brightened everyone’s eyes.
The July club was formed by fallen nobility and their hatred for the Five Great Dukes of the Northern Border was incredibly deep.
One could say that the brilliance of the five Great Houses in Northern Border was forged from the blood and flesh of the lesser nobility.
But as much as they harbor resentment, there are some principles they cannot afford to violate.
Trading with the Orcs on ordinary days is a minor matter.
To get involved with the Orcs at this critical moment would make them traitors to the human race.
Once branded like this, they would not be able to turn their fate around.
Everyone took risks to join the July Club just for revenge, not for betraying their race.
“Lord Longxi, Duke Arondo is a coward.
He’s always had many skilled fighters around him.
Even when he’s fleeing in panic, he would not lack guards.
If we want to ambush him halfway, the strength we hold might not be sufficient.
Unless we can get the Orcs to do our bidding.”
The man known as Hawkeye couldn’t help but suggest.
Having spent a long time in the Northern Border Region, he had plenty of dealings with the Orcs and had some contacts.
Although the war had temporarily suspended their communication, it wouldn’t be difficult to reestablish connections if they wished to.
“Hawkeye, I understand your eagerness for revenge.
But matters like these should not be rushed.
Secrets can’t be kept forever.
We can subtly leak Arondo’s whereabouts, but we cannot go as far as contacting the Orcs directly.
The brothers have not had an easy time.
We’ve waited for a chance for a long time and everyone is prepared to restore family glory.
We cannot risk it now.”
Longxi shook his head.
Hawkeye wasn’t disheartened when his proposal was rejected.
The July Club’s growth in the shadows is credited to this level of prudence.