Chapter 1393 - 1264: Awkward Kachi

"Hahaha, what was I thinking at that time? Just what was it, just..."

In Tulip Castle, the fresh breeze lifted Count Kazi's garments, yet the sweat beads on his forehead were distinctly visible under the sunlight.

Standing before him were the king, Charles, with his arm in a sling and a playful smirk, and the Pope Horn with his lips tensely shaped into a V.

The battle was won, but after the joy subsided, Count Kazi remembered what he had said to Charles before the battle.

He said Charles was a foolish king, that he'd rather forsake his title and complain at the former king's tombstone, and if he survived, he'd have to slap his face...

Now thinking about it, Count Kazi wished he could go back in time and slap his own face.

In just three days, Count Kazi went through a complete cycle of regret, fear, and the fantasy of time travel.

Turns out the supervisory military officer was meant to oversee the execution of orders, there was support from airships, and the Holy Alliance Army could arrive within a month.

It was even Grand Duke Saranto who misunderstood that order.

Back then, he thought he would die, believed Charles mistreated those who merited honor, and in reality, it was the heart of a petty man judging a gentleman's belly.

Though he won, he won in a way that left him with a stomachache.

When the Saint's Grandson and Charles arrived simultaneously, he still couldn't figure out what to say.

So he could only stammer in front of Charles.

"What do you mean? Isn't it literal?" Charles VIII smiled insincerely at him, "You want to slap my face at my father's tombstone?"

"No, no, no, no, no..." Count Kazi flailed his hands like a frantic moth, "I misunderstood your and the Saint's Grandson's intentions... Your Majesty, listen to my excuse."

"I'm listening!" Charles said expressionlessly.

Count Kazi, whose mind could handle numerous battlefield affairs, now seemed about to burst: "What I just told you, what I was saying...

Just saying why I am saying what I am saying, having this conversation with you? Because we are saying what we are saying, really!

Your Majesty, truly, just saying what we are saying, please don't leave, don't leave, I can explain... just saying, please don't go, alright..."

Disregarding Count Kazi's explanations, Charles clasped Horn's arm and walked forward.

If the recent Falan counterattack was a storm, then clearly there were two storm eyes.

One is the northern Mot Mountain, the other is the southern Tulip Castle.

Walking on Tulip Castle's ramparts, one can see traces of the fierce battle that occurred here.

Flags were torn by stray bullets, drooping on flagpoles, the crenellated walls bore bullet hole dents and shattered bricks.

Many bluestone pavements were stained with blood again and again, now turned black.

As for the moat and ground outside Tulip Castle, they were pockmarked and battered by shellfire.

Seeing this scene, Charles, who once harbored resentment toward Count Kazi, was now relieved, even somewhat guilty.

Actually, in this battle, he did not play a very significant role.

He only sat there, preventing the Falan Army from casually retreating.

If not retreating, they could only bravely face the battle head-on.

Additionally, the weaponry and armor, along with the dependable staff officer team transported by the Holy Alliance, truly succeeded in defeating the clan coalition army.

Another reason was because Horn defeated the clan army left in the north, forcing Konyaz to abandon the crossing and return to River Island.

However, Falan's victory was not a major victory, because the troops' quality and weaponry were significantly behind the Royal Court Army, so it was truly a pyrrhic victory.

Regardless, after paying nearly a one-to-one casualty ratio, Falan's hundred thousand troops were reduced to less than eighty thousand.

While the opposing vampire clan army also lost about twenty thousand, the northern clan army saw a complete loss of twenty thousand.

In this Flower Hill great battle, approximately fifty thousand troops of the Royal Court were annihilated piecemeal.

Even for the Royal Court where everyone could be soldiers, this was not a loss that could be ignored.

Although it was not yet summer, it is foreseeable that before the autumn arrives, the vampires would find it difficult to initiate large-scale offensives toward Falan.

Similarly, Falan basically can't pursue and expand the battle results either.

"It's a pyrrhic victory indeed." Horn looked toward the distance, "But at least Huaqiu City was preserved."

Charles's eyes were complicated, he merely leaned against the wall, gazing into the distance, before speaking moments later: "I heard, Dawn Federation and New Gem Federation are both preparing to form battle armies?"

"Not forming yet." Horn corrected, "It's led by the Holy Alliance, both sides contributing personnel, forming a Narran Battle Army, mainly to hinder the Royal Court's advance."

Narran Battle Army is actually meant to free up the Western Battle Army, joining the Summer Great Counterattack against the Roaring Corridor.

As they say, golden horns, silver edges, and grass bellies; in major strategic directions, unless there's overwhelming superiority, it's undoubtedly main attack and feint.

The main attack direction is indeed the north; blocking the Royal Court's land route, then the joint Imperial navy of Norn and Falan equipped with clockwork cannons can sever the vampires' sea route.

Under such circumstances, the Royal Court might either choose to retreat or gather enough strength for one big gamble.

It's still Horn's old tactics; he doesn't actively seek out decisive battles but forces the enemy to actively seek decisive battles with him.

Only this way can he grasp the initiative in the war.

"I understand." Charles nodded, "The empire's armed merchant ships have basically regrouped, and I estimate by summer, upon capturing Storm Cape, we'll have a stepping stone to harass the vampire navy."

In this era, the standing navy is only part of the formal navy.

Most of the time, civilian armed merchant ships can take military and royal orders, the cost is working for the royalty during warfare.

But Falan and Norn's mobilization work has been too slow, coupled with local coastal nobility neglect and administrative efficiency issues, it's only barely complete now.

"If the summer great counterattack succeeds, it'll either be this year's autumn or winter as the final moment."

"Hmm, I know."

After exchanging these words, both fell silent simultaneously.

Because they know, although fifty thousand Royal Court troops have been wiped out, the opponent's power remains formidable.

Despite the fact that the Royal Court Army's overall quality is inferior to the Holy Alliance, its numbers are more than three times greater than the Holy Alliance, comparing to Falan they have quantity, they have quality.

If it were a normal monarch, after the summer great counterattack succeeds, it's highly likely they'd choose to retreat back to the Royal Court.

But Serafe, Horn vaguely feels she absolutely won't do that.

Lifting his head, looking far into the distance.

Further ahead are row after row of military camps, with billowing white smoke rising, that's steaming potions and bandages.

Horn brought to Falan not only a command system suited for Falan, but also advanced medical technology.

Falan once was a highland of medical and herbal sciences.

Now even it has to import new technology from the Holy Alliance, of course, not for free, the Holy Alliance will also transfer herbs and medicine from there.

However, this knowledge will flow into the Holy Mechanism Court University Medical School and Celestial Maiden City Medical University, being systematically researched and summarized.

With the help of Alchemy, Divine Art, and Spells, the Holy Alliance's research in the field of medicine is quite rapid.

Therefore, as long as the entire empire doesn't collapse too quickly, the Holy Alliance will always be on the road to advancement.

Having set a rough plan, Charles VIII finally turned his head, looking at the apprehensive and once again resigned Count Kazi.

"You steadfastly defend Tulip Castle, in the final moments daring to directly sally forth to battle against vampires, which is meritorious." Charles looked at him, "My talents are insufficient, and the kingdom needs me, unable to stay out for a long time, I've nominated you in the Noble Coat of Arms Institute, to entitle you as Duke, what do you think?"

Count Kazi's family lineage, in the Clove Corridor is still quite high, belonging to prominent clans.

But in the Huaqiu City, where counts abound and dukes aren't as esteemed, it's somewhat less visible.

However, he has cultivated in the army for decades, his prestige and qualifications are sufficient, the only thing lacking is the title.

Now Charles fills in the title gap for him, meaning is quite obvious.

"This, are you asking me..." Count Kazi suddenly felt somewhat dizzy.

"Grand Duke Saranto, due to anxiety disorder, is unable to command for long periods, has requested resignation, transitioning to the role of Chief of Staff." Charles looked at him, "Before resigning, he recommended you to me, do you have confidence to temporarily take on the role of acting commander-in-chief at the frontline as Marshal?"