CHAPTER 550: CHAPTER 232: CONFUSION/DESPAIR

Gray Rock Fortress.

Above the newly repaired Flesh Wall.

The Third Prince, responsible for the fortress’s defense, stands atop this wall.

From here, he can see the distant camps of the United Army.

As time passes, it’s evident that the camps are expanding outward, indicating that time is slowly progressing and more forces are beginning to gather in support.

"Your Highness, the enemy launched another reconnaissance attack, but this time very cautiously, retreating once they realized there was no opportunity."

Remarked a Blood Race officer beside him.

The Third Prince nodded and silently sighed.

He still doesn’t understand why he was sent to guard such an important location.

In the past, only his second brother would have been qualified to defend this fortress.

What a pity.

Died too soon, in a place no one expected.

It’s said he died at the hands of their own brother.

Honestly, he felt a lot of pressure from this.

His eldest brother is now handling affairs in the Royal Capital.

He must admit, his elder brother, the Eldest Prince, is indeed very qualified to become the future king.

If such a future is possible.

His second brother, though reckless, certainly had enough combat power.

His younger brother, though once seemingly a wastrel and a dandy.

Turned out to be the most excellent among them, hiding his true capabilities all along.

Due to the cultists, intelligence from the outside world flows into their hands almost constantly.

Thus, they are very well-informed about the Night Watcher’s growth and expansion.

Perhaps Kana himself never expected that the Night Watcher would become a very important focus within the high ranks of the Blood Race. Even the current Blood Race King is constantly monitoring the Night Watcher’s growth.

This all stems from that Royal Palace assembly. The quarrel between his father and Kana’s mother.

Both were deceived by a newborn child.

Letting all the Blood Race know that Kana is a monster.

In such a display among siblings, he, as the third child, appears too mediocre.

Capable in all, but skilled in none.

"Tell me, why isn’t grandfather willing to redeploy some of the main forces back to defend the Gray Rock Fortress?"

He doesn’t understand.

If this fortress is retaken, the Blood Race Royal Court will never see a day of peace.

It will be slowly consumed until nothing is left.

Bear in mind that the Blood Race Royal Court has no real defensive line.

Once, the Safro Kingdom could exist in peace precisely because its defensive line was held by the Cohen Kingdom.

Furthermore, the Blood Race’s frequent incursions at sea have angered the majority of national powers.

The existence of the Blood Race has become a significant concern for many.

So why are they unwilling to send support to such a critical place?

This confusion isn’t only felt by the Third Prince but by many Blood Race officers as well.

They can see it clearly.

The Alliance Army doesn’t find it difficult to take the fortress; they just don’t want to pay the price.

Moreover, the United Army is not completely united, which gives them the semblance of advantage for now.

"Your Highness! Urgent information."

A soldier climbed up the wall in haste.

He handed the information to the Third Prince.

Seeing this, the Third Prince quickly took it, opened it, and his expression twisted into a frown.

The report showed that the United Army had somehow entered the national borders.

And successfully occupied an area, set a camp, and established defenses.

Slowly advancing outward and harassing various places.

Many important Flesh Factories, Transforming Grounds, and even laboratories have been attacked by the Night Watchers.

At the bottom of the report, there are requests for support.

He directly ignored them.

The current situation left him tense, his mind raced.

If more United Army forces rampage within the borders, can they stop them?

The answer is no.

The forces within the Blood Race Royal Court are not numerous; more are those production facilities.

The production facilities of the Blood Race Royal Court are different from normal life.

There are no villages and towns scattered throughout the entire border, only nodes centered around cities.

Because the Blood Race Royal Court doesn’t need to farm, and the land cannot be cultivated.

The citizens of the former countries either became new Blood Race members or were turned into stitched monsters or Ghouls.

This makes the Blood Race Royal Court a nation where, theoretically, everyone is a soldier.

But their advantage comes from this.

This is why the main forces, with large numbers, form fleets and strike everywhere.

And more Ghouls gather in the fortress for defense; otherwise, how could they manage to hold on and maintain some advantage?

This makes the entire Royal Court very empty.

The current Blood Race Royal Court can’t be called a country, only a military force.

"This time, His Majesty should deploy the troops back for defense, and then it will be our turn to defend," the Third Prince murmured to himself.

At least their defense of the Gray Rock Fortress would be somewhat easier.

Yet things didn’t go as planned.

Even under such circumstances, they are still unwilling to return the main forces but let them continue their rampage outside.

When this report returned to the Third Prince’s hands, he sat dazed in the command room.

"Why? Why do this?"

He can’t understand.

The United Army has already taken Lake City.

Which means if they want to, they can cut off the Gray Rock Fortress from the interior.

Turning Gray Rock Fortress into an island; trapping it wouldn’t take long before the fortress would face issues on its own.

Because the Blood Race needs to eat meat and drink blood.

Once trapped, their food source vanishes, and they can cannibalize each other.

This means that their only option besides an active assault is to stay and await death, with little difference between the two.

But why, even now, won’t they let the main forces return?

"Your Highness, new orders have arrived."

The Third Prince quickly rose to accept them.

Upon opening the letter, he nearly fainted.

Because the order was to retreat, to abandon Gray Rock Fortress.

Escape before the encirclement was complete.

Craziness, his grandfather had completely gone mad.

This was his first thought upon seeing the orders.

Once he calmed down and reconsidered.

He could only think of one possibility.

That the main forces outside had likely been decimated and had no chance to return and support.

Meaning there aren’t any main forces left.

Otherwise, none of these orders would make sense.

Looking at the officers present who gazed at him expectantly.

The Third Prince only felt a heavy pressure weighing down on him, making it hard to breathe.

What should be done?