CHAPTER 1910: CHAPTER 1903: THE FULCRUM WAR

"You better know what you’re doing. If Gudelv recognizes me, he won’t care about international law," Yalunte said.

"Gudelv, being a politician, I think he knows when to be angry and when to smile," Luo’er said.

"Hard to say," Yalunte shrugged, "That old man is like a mad dog. Who knows what he will do out of line, especially when he decides to oppose Lipei. Our situation will be quite grim then."

"Precisely why I want you to protect Kali. Of course, if you feel you can’t do it, I won’t force you," Luo’er said, spreading his hands.

"Are you trying to provoke me?" Yalunte gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "Since I boast of myself as a Sword Saint, I won’t fear such matters."

"What I want is the absolute safety of everyone. If you feel uncertain, I can let Feng accompany you..."

Luo’er hadn’t finished speaking when Yalunte interrupted him.

"Unnecessary."

Yalunte said, turning his head to look at Feng at the door, waving his hand, "Little junior sister should stay here with you. I am enough alone."

"Are you sure you’re confident?" Luo’er asked with some concern.

"Haha, don’t forget, I have this," Yalunte smiled mysteriously and took out the pendant hanging from his neck, showing it to Luo’er.

Seeing the pendant, Luo’er showed a helpless smile and immediately felt relieved.

If Yalunte is strong, but even two fists are hard to fight four hands, then as long as Liseya joins, the situation will completely turn around.

Actually, this is also a little thought of Luo’er. In name, it’s to let Yalunte protect Kali. In reality, it’s just to borrow Liseya’s power.

After all, in recent years in the East Continent, Luo’er has no doubt about Liseya’s strength. Such powerful strength kept by his side is worth using.

"Time is of the essence, please set off soon," Luo’er stood up and said.

"I have a question."

Yalunte said, raising his hand.

"Please go ahead."

"My personal vendetta with King Gudelv is unresolved, so can I find an opportunity to eliminate him in private, in my own name?"

Yalunte squinted his eyes, his pupils flashing with a strange light.

"It’s best not to," Luo’er replied without hesitation, "During your mission in Odelanqi, you represent Lipei’s standpoint. I know there is a grudge between you and King Gudelv, but during the mission, personal grievances don’t exist."

"What if he wants to kill me?" Yalunte asked.

"Self-defense is allowed," Luo’er explained.

"Hmm, alright then," Yalunte shrugged and shook his head, "We’ll do as you say, Commander."

"The future of Lipei is in your hands," Luo’er emphasized again.

After seeing off the two, Luo’er had no chance to catch his breath because the people from the Church Court came to find him.

As the full representative of the Church Court stationed in Lipei, Fano had now become the focus of the entire Church Court, which made him feel immense pressure.

In the Commander’s Office, Luo’er sat in the office chair, his hand on the table, facing Fano who sat on a chair opposite him.

Since they were important partners, Lipei, including the previous headquarters, had given these Church Court personnel great respect.

Fano just sat down and bluntly said, "Luo’er, the Church Court has sent a message; Odelanqi has launched small-scale multiple batch attacks on Church Court-controlled areas. The Pope wishes to understand Lipei’s attitude."

Upon hearing this news, Luo’er instinctively paused for a moment but quickly regained his composure and said calmly, "Bishop should understand that Lipei is weak in strength. Even though I am striving to recruit, the total force is still less than a tenth of the opponent’s..."

"Are you saying you will just stand by and do nothing?" Fano questioned eagerly.

"What does the Bishop hope I do, send troops on a thousand-mile expedition for a surprise attack on Holy Heart City?" Luo’er tilted his head and asked.

"I need to see your sincerity."

"Sincerity is that we will provide all necessary weapons and equipment to the Church Court to help you resist the attack from Odelanqi. But, Lipei, as an important base, absolutely cannot make mistakes. Therefore, the Lipei Defense Force can only defend, not strike. Can the Bishop understand what I am saying?" Luo’er replied earnestly and seriously.

"Commander, don’t forget," Fano said, "Odelanqi also sees Lipei as an enemy. If inactive, once the Church Court fails to cope, Lipei will surely suffer."

"The Bishop clearly still does not understand the true meaning of this war," Luo’er smiled and shook his head.

Perhaps feeling Luo’er’s slightly contemptuous tone, Fano flushed and, after taking a deep breath, gritted his teeth and said, "I would like to hear more."

"This war is essentially a manifestation of the struggle between Earth’s two major forces, essentially an agent war..."

Luo’er spoke while slowly laying flat the map of Aels Continent on the table, using his finger as he talked, "Odelanqi seeks expansion in the Northern Continent from Yazhi City as its base. The Church Court seeks to maintain the status quo from Lipei as its base..."

"Look, the two key points in this war are not Holy Heart City, nor the Temple, but Lipei and Yazhi City. These two points are like water inlets, constantly injecting energy into this war. Therefore, the core of this war lies in whether both sides can secure their base while taking down the opponent’s base..."

"Thus attacking Holy Heart City is meaningless, losing the Temple is indifferent. The Church Court wanting to end the war, the best way is to seize Yazhi City, cut off Odelanqi’s military supply line..."

"However, given the current situation, your Church clearly has difficulty achieving this. If this is the case, why not retreat and consider holding your base?"

"Are you saying even if the Temple is lost, it doesn’t matter as long as the Church Court can keep Lipei?" Fano asked.

"Exactly!"

"Impossible," Fano frowned and shook his head, "The Church Court will not abandon the Temple. If the Temple falls, then the Church Court’s dignity will be shattered."

"Similarly, Lipei cannot fall," Luo’er said solemnly, "If Lipei falls, the Church Court will completely lose support from Earth, facing the endless war resources of Odelanqi, failure is only a matter of time."

After hearing Luo’er’s words, Fano fell silent again. He seemed to realize the key point of the problem: both the Temple and Lipei cannot fall, which means the two cannot aid each other.

"Now it’s just small-scale conflict, not yet escalated to large-scale war," seeing his reaction, Luo’er continued, "We will try everything to persuade both sides to settle through negotiations. If peaceful resolution is unattainable, Lipei cannot provide military support to the Church Court..."

"Weapons and equipment, you can have as many as you want, it’s just a matter of words. But wanting Lipei to send troops to assist, I can only say we are helpless. I hope you convey my point clearly; Lipei must remain safe."

"I understand," Fano said seriously after pondering for a long time, "I will relay your words to the Pope. In this perilous time, let us encourage each other."

"In this war, the Church Court maintains the upper limit, Lipei the lower limit," Luo’er continued, "We may be partners, but as long as Odelanqi does not take military action against Lipei, then Lipei will also not take military action against Odelanqi; let them know."

"I understand, thank you for the reminder."

Fano nodded, reminded by Luo’er, he seemed to have finally sorted out the context.

Indeed, as long as the Church Court wants to maintain its military force, it should not expect Lipei’s involvement in war. Even try to lower Lipei’s presence, ideally let Odelanqi focus wholly on the Church Court, thus overlooking Lipei.

Ultimately, it’s because Lipei is the Church Court’s supply lifeline.

Losing the Temple is at most a big eye on the Continent, but losing Lipei means cutting off the Church Court’s blood vessels. Facing Odelanqi’s army with endless logistical support, the seemingly powerful Church Court is slowly bleeding, with death being almost inevitable.