CHAPTER 239: CHAPTER 236 CONVERSATION_1

The banquet began, and Yan Xing exchanged a few polite words with Karol.

Then, the topic shifted to the warfare in the Wildwind Highlands.

Lately, Yan Xing had been preoccupied with matters concerning the Creed Intelligence Exchange and the Eternal Grain Bank’s issuance of Grain Tickets. Even his visits to the Lord’s Mansion to see Count Theodore had primarily been to discuss Nuta City’s loan applications to the Eternal Grain Bank. Consequently, Yan Xing knew little about the war’s specifics. However, judging by the old Count’s expression and weariness, the situation was clearly far from optimistic.

Indeed... The Duchy’s heartland hadn’t sent a single soldier to support the Wildwind Highlands Legion. Faced with offensives from both elves and orcs, the weekly recruitment of new soldiers barely offset the attrition. With manpower scarce, they had to seek solutions through armaments.

Recently, Count Theodore had placed large orders with the Goblin Alchemy Factory. Workshops throughout Nuta City also received numerous orders for war machinery. Magical Defense Shields, alchemical bombs, War Golems... trebuchets, ballistae, caltrops, armor, shields, crossbows, arrows... All workshops related to warfare were operating at full capacity to manufacture these weapons, and money was being spent as if there were no tomorrow.

Count Theodore was acutely aware of the consequences of borrowing from Yan Xing. But who else would lend him the money at this time? Who had the capacity to lend him the money?

If the war was lost, or if the Duchy sent someone to replace Marquis Anderson and himself by extension, he would be left with nothing. But as long as he could hold out until the war’s end, with Nuta City still in his hands, there would always be a way to resolve the problems that arose during the conflict.

Yan Xing, wary of dampening the old Count’s spirits, refrained from asking too many questions about the war.

Now that he was officially meeting Karol, he couldn’t help but ask more about the front lines.

Karol’s primary role at Rose Court was to gather war intelligence, seeking an opportune moment for the Duchy to regain control of the Wildwind Highlands Legion. Therefore, Karol had a fairly comprehensive understanding of the war situation.

The Wildwind Highlands Legion was in dire straits, with both fronts extremely precarious. Fortunately, due to the ferocious fighting early in the war, the elves’ recent offensives hadn’t been as fierce. This allowed the Wildwind Highlands Legion to shift a little more focus to the western front against the orcs.

The orcs on the western front, with Storm City almost within their grasp, launched exceptionally savage attacks.

Autumn had been underway for some time. Winter arrived early in the northern lands. Once the first snow fell there, the elves were highly likely to withdraw their forces. Then the orcs would have to face the Wildwind Highlands Legion alone. At that point, their retreat could be cut off by the human armies on the eastern front.

Therefore, the orc and elf alliance had to achieve a decisive result within a month. Beyond that, the situation would become increasingly unfavorable for them.

The orcs on the western front, aware of the Wildwind Highlands Legion’s depleted state, fought with desperation in every battle. The three fortress cities defending Storm City had been breached by the orcs multiple times. Had Marquis Anderson not personally led his family troops in counterattacks, these cities would have fallen long ago.

Yet, despite such desperate fighting, Marquis Anderson still refused to yield to the Duchy.

The Duchy’s army was already massing at the pass leading from the heartland to the Wildwind Highlands, merely awaiting the right moment to surge into Storm City and seize Marquis Anderson’s military command. This meeting with the Elf Envoys was to ensure the elves would act as an auxiliary force for the Duchy when it moved to seize military authority in Storm City.

As Karol briefed Yan Xing on the situation on the eastern and western fronts in the Wildwind Highlands, her mind inevitably wandered to her upcoming meeting with the Elf Envoys.

Yan Xing listened attentively. The state of the war in the Wildwind Highlands didn’t surprise him. What he couldn’t comprehend, however, was how the Duchy could remain so composed at such a time. Wasn’t she afraid of being too clever by half and having Storm City taken by the orcs in one fell swoop?

"As an outsider..." Yan Xing said after Karol finished speaking, "There are things Count Theodore dares not say, but I dare. The conflict between Marquis Anderson and the Duchy was initially the easiest to resolve; the longer it drags on, the harder it becomes. Now, Marquis Anderson must cling even tighter to his military power. With all of you exerting such extreme pressure on him, aren’t you afraid he’ll be cornered into handing Storm City over to the orcs?"

Karol hadn’t expected Yan Xing to so directly broach the subject everyone was aware of but tacitly avoided. She immediately understood he was clarifying his stance. Though he resided in Nuta City and managed his businesses there, he was acutely aware of his own position. An outsider, naturally, could say whatever he pleased. An outsider, naturally, could discuss whatever he wished.

Using Ice Jade Porcelain tableware even finer than last time, Karol savored delicacies she had never tasted before, while responding to Yan Xing, "After all, the Wildwind Highlands Legion is a front-line regular legion of the Duchy. Marquis Anderson’s authority is built on his resistance against the orcs and elves, and for this, the legion’s officers and soldiers respect and obey him.

"But they absolutely would not follow him in defecting to the orcs. At least, the vast majority of officers and soldiers would not betray the Duchy. In a crisis, the Duchy’s army is capable of taking control of the Wildwind Highlands Legion before the orcs can seize Storm City.

"Take Count Theodore, for example. He is now truly giving his all to gather supplies for Storm City. If Marquis Anderson were to genuinely betray the Duchy one day and declare independence, the Theodore Family might rebel alongside him. But if Anderson intended to let the orcs into Storm City, even if the old Count’s only two daughters were in Anderson’s hands, he would defend Nuta City to the death while awaiting the Duchy’s reinforcements."

Karol’s words made sense, Yan Xing thought. Following Marquis Anderson to establish an independent domain would make one a founding hero. But what would defecting to the orcs achieve? It would not only bring shame upon oneself and one’s family but also fail to earn any significant regard from the orcs.

Still, Karol spoke with too much certainty. War wasn’t something that would unfold according to one’s wishes. Storm City was a crucial strategic point; its security had to be absolute. How could they gamble it away in a power struggle? If reinforcements didn’t arrive in time and the orcs gained complete control of Storm City, could they truly expect to turn the tables with Nuta City alone?

Yan Xing believed a duchy’s strategists would never formulate such a risky plan. Karol must have other measures to both seize military control and secure Storm City. Of course, she wouldn’t reveal her trump card to him.

Although Yan Xing was curious, it wasn’t appropriate for him to press further.

"Since the Duchy can protect its interests in the Wildwind Highlands, then I am relieved," Yan Xing said, raising his glass to Karol. "My businesses in Nuta City are expanding, and I don’t want them to suffer losses from the chaos of war. I sincerely hope the Duchy achieves victory in this war."

Karol raised her glass to meet Yan Xing’s.

After finishing her wine, she coughed delicately behind her hand and then asked Yan Xing, "I can see that Nuta City has become somewhat small for you, Sir. Once the Duchy truly regains control of the Wildwind Highlands, there will inevitably be a reckoning for some individuals. As for you... it’s time to consider who you will need as friends in the future."