Chapter 1440 - 1349: Feigned Negotiations

Chapter 1440: Chapter 1349: Feigned Negotiations

"Your Majesty, this isn’t right."

"How can Lakunio serve as Chief of Staff?"

"Previously, Lakunio serving as Chief of Staff was forgivable, but now there are many stronger and more experienced candidates, so why still him?"

The twelve Angel Envoys seated around the long table almost unanimously spoke up in opposition.

"He has lost too many battles, Your Majesty." The newly appointed third envoy leader, Micelo Brack, couldn’t help but speak.

Even though Samuji died in the war against the Holy Alliance, the rebuilt third envoy was still led by the Brack clan.

In a certain sense, this was also a reflection of the Royal Court’s political dual allegiance, wherein Micelo and Samuji, these vampires, must be loyal to both their clan and Serafe.

Within the Royal Palace Army, loyalty to Serafe outweighs clan allegiance, while the clan army is the opposite.

Faced with everyone’s opposition, Serafe looked to Konyaz and asked, "Konyaz, what do you think?"

Perhaps because of the long periods of campaign and battle, Konyaz’s face had grown much darker compared to before.

He cast a deep look at Lakunio: "Before that, I would like to first hear Lord Lakunio’s plan."

Facing the united gaze of the twelve Angel Envoys, Lakunio remained unfazed and calmly laid out the map on the table.

"In my view, there are three possible routes." Lakunio began indifferently, "The first route is to take the western line to Cock Castle, awaiting reinforcements, and attack southward immediately once they arrive.

The second route is to take the eastern line, first plundering enough population to replenish blood food and zombies, and then move south.

The third route is to return via the original path, directly crossing the Muddy River southward to engage the Holy Alliance."

As Lakunio drew on the map, the three attack routes were already apparent on paper.

The first route is easy to understand, relying on Cock Castle to first deplete the enemy forces, with the Western Battle Army moving south, inevitably leaving the Thorn Garden line empty.

Therefore, a portion of the army can be sent northward to advance and attack the Holy Alliance soldiers around Thorn Garden, potentially rescuing fifty thousand prisoners to bolster manpower.

The second route is somewhat riskier, as it involves first plundering surrounding villages and towns to accumulate some strength before moving south.

The third route seems the most dangerous, as it lacks any of the above benefits but possesses one unique and most important advantage, which is speed!

So fast that the Holy Alliance can’t respond, so fast that Horn can’t withdraw.

Indeed, it is sometimes wise to feign inability when able; the Royal Court appears to fear pursuit by the Holy Alliance but actually hopes for it.

Thus, they must choose a rapid southern advancement before the Holy Alliance can react.

Serafe wants to launch a blitzkrieg!

"Are they all attacks?" Konyaz asked flatly.

The eleven Angel Envoys who were seriously listening to Lakunio’s plan immediately turned to look at Konyaz seated at the end of the long table.

Before Lakunio could answer, Serafe frowned first; this question was particularly jarring.

In fact, as the first Angel Envoy, she had already explained the stakes of this battle to Konyaz.

Against this backdrop, Konyaz still insisted on retreating first, even abandoning the plan.

This made Serafe suspect whether Konyaz was reluctant to leave this life, fearing facing witch heaven she created after the apocalypse.

Actually, Serafe never revealed the truth to these Angel Envoys precisely because of this fear.

Konyaz is her first Angel Envoy, in the past, Serafe trusted him the most, for he is a devout believer.

But now, as the battle situation continuously turned unfavorable, he became somewhat beyond her control.

Sometimes Serafe even suspected if Konyaz was indeed the deep sea!

Unfortunately, the Witch’s powers have not fully revived yet.

When the Eternal Fire extinguishes the world, abilities like Moliat’s mind reading or Jeanne’s lightning will become hers.

By then, she would be able to hear everyone’s inner voices, avoiding such dilemmas.

"Given the current circumstances, we are already surrounded; apart from attacking, there seems to be no alternative, right?" No one dared answer Serafe’s retort.

Yet Konyaz spoke up again: "The Western Battle Army has moved; previously weakened by our forces, our ninety thousand men can first head north to unite with the fifty thousand prisoners, or simply head west to unite with the northern troops.

If Horn is not foolish, he will surely pursue north, thus allowing us to grasp the battlefield initiative.

If we wish to go north, we can unite to the north; if we wish to go south to meet the enemy, we can head south..."

"What if Horn flees? The Holy Father’s son would not remain in peril; having learned his lesson this time, would he really stay on the frontline?"

"Your Majesty, if he can come once, he can come a second time." Konyaz sincerely looked at Serafe, "Please, Your Majesty, have a longer-term view; there will be many opportunities for decisive battles. This time, it’s too rushed."

"You know why I’m in haste!"

"You have at least a year; I promise within the year..."

"Silence!" Hearing terms like "at least a year," Serafe became infuriated.

Such talk is permissible in private but should never be spoken at a meeting.

Once out, if leaked, the entire army’s morale would be shaken.

Wait, is he trying to force me into agreeing with his plan?

"Lakunio, what do you think of Konyaz’s plan?" Serafe calmed herself and turned to ask Lakunio.

The eleven Angel Envoys, all turned their eyes again towards Lakunio standing beside the head of the table.

Lakunio, however, spoke frankly: "Lord Konyaz’s plan surpasses any of my three proposals, its only flaw being it gambles on whether Horn will fight or flee."

Lakunio, direct and unbiased!

Serafe nodded slightly and again looked to Konyaz: "Lord Konyaz, do you have any further thoughts on Lakunio’s incumbency as Chief of Staff?"

"None." Konyaz knew he couldn’t persuade Serafe but still risked speaking, "But Your Majesty promised me that matters of the battlefield be under my control until I achieve victory."

Serafe had no reaction: "Of course, I am aware, and I would not break my word, but I also hope you understand who defines victory!"

From the start of the war to now, Serafe had not meddled in front-line affairs whatsoever.

Even this perilous pursuit battle, risking ending up in Horn’s hands, she gritted her teeth and agreed to Konyaz’s plan.

The risks were taken, faces were lost, and over ten thousand soldiers were sacrificed; now being told not to fight, the plan being scrapped!

Even having to retreat to before launching into warfare, is this a joke?

Not only are you not moving forward, but you want to move backward?

Your Konyaz talks of surrendering half a victory; but for her, Serafe, it’s already all or nothing.

For Konyaz to win the final battle, yet she, Serafe, dies, or Horn escapes, what meaning does this victory hold?

Konyaz is confused about priorities; it seems she must intervene.

However, Serafe this time self-aware, wouldn’t intervene in front-line battles anymore, only to set the strategic direction, leaving the rest to the officers.

Isn’t that how Horn operates?

Konyaz fell silent, glancing at Serafe, then at the other Angel Envoys, without expressing opinions, merely silent.

The deathly silence lingered for quite a while like an unspoken protest.

"Or perhaps..." The second envoy leader, Camilla, cautiously spoke up, "Us talking in circles here is pointless, why not send an emissary to pretend to negotiate with the Holy Alliance."

"Pretend to negotiate?" Cataloni immediately responded, ensuring this hard-earned dialogue didn’t fall flat.

"Yes." Camilla glanced left to Serafe, right to Konyaz, "We’ll say we want to negotiate, see if they plan to retreat or continue the attack. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

If they plan to retreat, we can adopt Lord Lakunio’s plan; if they continue attacking, we adopt Lord Konyaz’s plan. What do you all think?"