System vs Rebirth

Chapter 1589: The Enemy Was Coming

Zaecuria Kingdom.

The king couldn’t help but furrow his eyebrows. ”So, there is no civil war or anything in the Atracaeca Kingdom?”

”Yes, sir. Over the past one and a half months, nothing happened. It looked like they were able to withstand the impact, but the big problem was that the Grand Protector had yet to reveal himself the whole time.”

The king’s expression darkened. ”We should assume that the Grand Protector is dead.”

”!!!” Everyone widened their eyes. They didn’t want to believe it, but this possibility had been in their minds for quite some time.

If the Grand Protector were still alive, he would show himself as quickly as possible to reassure the populace.

While the assassination was terrifying, it didn’t change the fact that preventing unrest in this period was the most important.

”So...” The king squinted his eyes. ”...what happened to the rest of the Atracaeca Kingdom?”

”For the time being, there is no major crisis. The leadership is given temporarily to the second prince, Ramuer.

”We are speculating whether this is Noel Ardagan’s arrangement or not. After all, he once clashed with Noel Ardagan and was forgiven by him. It might be a puppet sovereign or something.”

The king squinted his eyes. On the one hand, it was one of the possibilities. On the other hand, Noel didn’t have such a personality.

Hence, the king asked, ”How about the first prince? If I’m not mistaken, the first prince is also quite capable.”

”For some reason, the first prince has never shown himself after the assassination.”

The prime minister suddenly interjected. ”Your Majesty. Please forgive your subject for being presumptuous, but if I read Noel Ardagan correctly, this is not his arrangement. Instead, the assassination might be related to the first prince.

”The Atracaeca Kingdom is a unique kingdom. They might revere strength and treat slaves quite badly, but they have a rather conflicting belief, which is filial piety and union. Even in dire situations, they are taught to put that revenge for later and join hands in order to survive.

”If the assassination is the second prince’s scheme, he might seize the throne, but he won’t be able to control the court as much as this is. After all, people are bound to find out about it and mess with him because he has broken one of the largest taboos in the Atracaeca Kingdom.

”However, if the first prince was the culprit and the second prince ended up inheriting that seat, the ministers had no other choice but to accept him as a temporary leader, which would lead to the union within the kingdom.

”Noel Ardagan should know that this kind of union wouldn’t be possible if he arranged everything.”

The king squinted his eyes. ”Well, it doesn’t really matter. If they are able to unite just fine, we shouldn’t worry too much about them, right?”

The prime minister nodded. ”Yes. It looks like the Atracaeca Kingdom has asked for support. The Muivell Kingdom has sent their Demon Banner Army Commander Oscar. The Ardagan family doesn’t send any experts, but they are lending airships loaded with supplies and weapons.

”With Oscar and their resources, it will be possible for them to hold the incoming beast wave. However, it still doesn’t change the fact that the Atracaeca Kingdom is currently at its weakest moment.

”We still have to keep a close eye on them.”

The king crossed his arms. ”Indeed. What do you think about the current situation?”

The Minister of Defense nodded with a serious expression. ”We have prepared a massive battle fleet ready to face the demons. Since there is a possibility that the enemy will be coming from the sea, we will have to face them head-on. Several lines of defense have been arranged on the land, so you don’t have to worry.

”Our two admirals have their respective jobs. One admiral will be tasked with maintaining the defense line, while the other will be dispatched to either the Atracaeca Kingdom or the Greenwood Kingdom.”

”Greenwood Kingdom?”

”Yes. If they attack from the sea, the Greenwood Kingdom has its own share of sea, so it might impact them as well. However, our biggest priority will be the Atracaeca Kingdom, so I place him near the Atracaeca Kingdom.”

The king nodded. He was satisfied with the preparation. ”What about our citizens?”

”There is some unrest, but it’s not something we can avoid. Rumors are spreading fast, but they can’t really run away because all four kingdoms might get attacked. They have no choice but to fight.

”If push comes to shove, we will expect them to fight to the very last man.”

The king pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn’t really want to sacrifice too many civilians, but it didn’t seem he could care.

And they knew the attack was imminent due to the assassination of the Grand Protector.

”I guess the biggest battle will be in the north...”

”Yes. It’s normal for the enemy to attack the Ardagan family even though they know about Noel’s fortification. They simply have no choice because if Noel roams around, the demons will be helpless against him.

”Although I don’t want to admit it, he is our greatest hope. Equipped with powerful strength and unmatched talent for strategy, he can turn around the battle by himself. That’s why it’s necessary for him to be kept in check.”

The king’s expression darkened. ”I have two last questions. Do you think we can win this war?”

All of them suddenly fell silent. The War Minister clenched his fists and said, ”Our ancestors survived this kind of war in the past. I’m sure we have the blessing of our ancestors to defeat our enemy.”

The king closed his eyes for a moment. The moment he opened his eyes, he stood up and asked the last question. ”Ministers. I ask all of you. Are you going to fight to the very end with me?”

Before they could answer, a soldier suddenly slammed open the door and shouted, ”Your Majesty. Emergency. The Big Wave has come! It has swept over 30 cities and reached all the way to Gunan!”

*Thud!*