Chapter 60 The Final War
Chapter 60
60.1
"Constance will ultimately choose to besiege and blockade Fort Cadlin," King Lucinda said.
The atmosphere in the large meeting hall of Kaderinburg was somewhat heavy.
The knight commanders in the meeting hall had not yet taken off their armor, and the smell of smoke, kerosene, and blood from the war still lingered on them. The meeting hall was very quiet, with only the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire in the fireplace.
Queen Lucinda changed out of the ceremonial robes she had worn for the ceremony and donned a light and convenient riding suit. She stood before a large hanging map and placed her finger on the map's location for "Kaderin Castle."
That's the center of the map.
Ella Island, where Kaderinburg is located, is located in the center of the Little Sapphire Sea.
To the north and south are the northern and southern borders of the Void Continent, two vast landmasses.
"Kaderinburg is the heart of the Wanzeta Empire, but not its flesh and blood," King Lucinda said. "Kaderinburg and Isla Island don't have many citizens. Only the royal family, the Knights, the Grand Administrator, the Grand Judge, and their families live here. There are no farms here, and few artisans. There are only a few fishermen, and most daily necessities must be purchased from outside the island."
King Lucinda paused, her gaze sweeping across the isolated island in the Little Sapphire Sea.
"Our food, firewood, and fodder for the Pegasus all rely on transportation from the north and south."
King Lucinda said this, turning around and gazing at the knights and counselors in the council hall.
Olidesi stood in the corner of the meeting room, looking at the huge map of the ethereal continent:
This map obviously has a certain history, and some of the writing on it has become blurred; or, in other words, those writings have been erased artificially.
On the Hollow Continent, the land north of the Little Sapphire Sea was once known as the "Kingdom of Arat," while the land south of it was known as the "Kingdom of Elton." A hundred years ago, the Wanzeta Empire, ruled by King Lucinda, won the war to unify the Hollow Continent. Today, these two lands are known as the "Northern Territory" and the "Southern Territory."
The lights in the conference room flickered, casting a flickering light on the map, reflecting the changes that had taken place on the thick map.
King Lucinda pointed to the north of the map:
"One of the two largest port cities in the North is called 'Karagalan City'."
The king said, twitching his lips. "The name tells you who rules it, doesn't it?"
A knight commander whispered, "Ravenmont, Karagaran, and Rivedale are all territories of the Karagaran family."
King Lucinda nodded calmly. "The port of Karagaran City is closed, and the shipping routes to another port are blocked by the ships of the Knights of Ravenmont. Currently, supplies from the northern ports have been cut off."
As she spoke, she moved her finger and pointed to the southern part of the map:
"Clare Harbour, the largest port city in the South, is controlled by Earl Alice Felix."
After a pause, King Lucinda shook her head slightly: "Countess Alice Felix and her sister Agnes Felix are allies of the Caragaran family. They are also involved in the blockade plan."
A high-ranking administrator stood up and said in a deep voice, "Hugh Karagaran and Alice Felix are fully prepared. Not only have they cut off the port, but they've also forced us all into Kaderinburg. With so many people simultaneously consuming Kaderinburg's food supply, we might only be able to hold out for two to three weeks. We don't have much time to respond."
A knight commander cursed under his breath, "Constance, he wants to trap us to death in the castle. We've been kind to him, but this man's conscience has truly fallen into the abyss."
Another Flying Knight Captain pondered, "Can our flyers try to deliver food from the air?"
The administrator listened and shook his head slightly. "We'll need you in the battle of Kaderinburg as well. You're few in number and your stamina is limited. Carrying too heavy a load would not only be dangerous, but would also limit your flight range. That's not a good idea."
There was a brief silence in the meeting room.
The fire crackled in the fireplace, and the flames danced, illuminating the densely packed text and markings on the map. The atmosphere in the meeting room was somewhat oppressive, and everyone's expression was solemn.
In such a low mood, Queen Lucinda clapped her hands gently.
"Right now," she said, "what we need most is time."
The king said, turning his gaze back to the map behind him.
"The largest city on the northern lands is Valdemore Castle," she said. "Valdemore Castle is garrisoned by a knight order led by Gray Wolf. Her knights are powerful, numerous, well-trained, and well-supplied."
In the meeting hall, the counselors were startled, their eyes all looking towards the location of Valdemo Castle.
It is located on the vast plains of the north, along the river, neither far nor near from the port city.
King Lucinda said in a deep voice, "Of all the knights sworn to the crown, I wholeheartedly trust the knights led by Gray Wolf. I've already sent a secret letter. If she leads the knights south and attacks Ravenmont, we can break through the port blockade."
Euridice looked at the location of "Valdemo Castle" on the map and realized the problem.
She whispered, "However, even if we travel day and night, it will take at least five to seven Sundays to get from Valdemo Castle to Ravenmont. However, the food in the castle may not last until then."
Queen Lucinda curled the corners of her mouth.
"Yes," she said, her voice calm. "That's what Constance relies on."
The emperor's voice was very calm, and his rationality almost made people feel cold.
"If Kaderin Castle collapses or is breached before the Gray Wolf arrives to help, no matter how powerful the Knights of the Gray Wolf are, they will not be able to reverse our defeat or save our lives."
The meeting room fell silent again, and the air was filled with an uncontrollable sense of pessimism.
However, Queen Lucinda did not fall into such silence. She looked calmly at the end of the meeting room, where the flag of "Sun and Moon Nine Lights" was hung and the stone wall where her weapons were hidden, and suddenly smiled slightly.
"Have you ever noticed?" she said, "the initials 'H.H.' carved into the wooden bow."
Olidisi was slightly startled and looked at the wooden bow.
She didn't know who the abbreviation "H·H" referred to, and some of the counselors in the meeting hall also expressed confusion.
King Lucinda smiled.
"'H.H.' is me," she said. "In the war a hundred years ago, they used to call me 'Heart of the headwind.'"
Olidesi was startled, and many of the counselors were also stunned: "Nifeng's heart..."
King Lucinda said calmly, "Because of my wisdom, strategy, and cooperation, I have led the Wanzeta Empire to victory in many unfavorable wars on the Void Continent. Many times, I have triumphed against adversity, and so they call me 'Heart Against the Wind.'"
Euridice listened quietly. King Lucinda smiled and said, "Although we are outnumbered by the enemy, our wisdom and strategy, our mutual trust and cooperation, will enable us to win this battle to defend the city."
The Queen's tone was very calm, almost casual; however, within that casualness, there was a wonderful tenacity and strength.
"Trust me, we can hold Kaderinburg," she said.
60.2
"Do you believe that King Lucinda can defend Castle Kaderin?" Ross Good asked Euridsi.
It was a mid-month Sunday, with only a cold, white moon in the sky. The night wind, carrying the damp, fishy smell of the sea, swept over the tall walls of Kaderinburg.
Rose Goode, the aged High Chancellor, stood on the wall of Kaderinburg with her hands clasped behind her; Euridice stood beside her.
On the city walls, the armor of the defending knights made a slight sound in the night. Even though it was already late at night, the knights were still patrolling with full concentration and nervous energy.
This was already the third Sunday of the siege of Kaderinburg.
The Knights of Ravenmont did not attack Kaderin Castle again, but the food reserves in the castle were almost exhausted; although the counselors tried desperately to find ways to prolong the time, the faces of the knights defending the city still showed uncontrollable anxiety and fear due to hunger and exhaustion.
Euridice and Grand Judge Ross Good stood at the corner of the battlement, gazing at the dark horizon in the distance.
In fact, the horizon is not dark.
Not far from Kaderin Castle, the attacking Knights of Ravenmont set up their tents.
In the distant, pitch-black night, the fires flickered, little by little, in the darkness. Occasionally, the neighing of a warhorse carried on the night wind, and Oulidsi could almost smell the smoke from the burning fires.
Grand Judge Ross Goode watched this scene and suddenly asked Euridice, "Do you believe that King Lucinda can defend Kaderinburg, Euridice Aquitus?"
Olidisi was stunned.
"Or," the judge smiled, "do you love her? Are you willing to give your life for her?"
Olidesi was silent for a moment, and did not give his own answer. Instead, he asked: "Do you love her, Your Excellency? Are you willing to give your life for her?"
The judge paused and curled the corners of his mouth.
"I loved her intensely," Ross said, "and at the same time, I was extremely afraid of her."
Oledsi was slightly taken aback. Ross said calmly, "If I do anything that harms the well-being of the Hollow Continent, if I harm innocent creatures there, then Queen Lucinda has the absolute power to bring upon me the most brutal punishment in the Hollow Continent—no evildoer can escape her judgment. She possesses both the means and the power, as well as a cold and hard heart. If a relative, a loved one, a friend, even someone closest to her, impedes the well-being of the Hollow Continent, she will chop off that person's head without hesitation."
The judge paused, then spoke slowly, "I fear her from the bottom of my heart. I fear her iron fist and her cold heart. I cannot develop any close or intimate feelings towards her. But, precisely because of this... I also love her."
Olidisi gradually understood what she meant.
She whispered, "Precisely because Queen Lucinda possesses such means and power, she protects all living beings on the Ethereal Continent and serves them all equally. You know you are being protected by her, and you know she is fighting for your well-being and justice. Therefore, you love her."
Rose Goode smiled and said, "Yes. I fear her, but I love her at the same time. She is both cruel and kind. I cannot develop a close relationship with her, but she has my absolute support."
The Grand Judge spoke, his gaze gradually drifting away. "My mother is a commoner. In the academy, I must outperform all the noble children to obtain what I desire. Without Queen Lucinda's selection of talents, perhaps I would forever be a servant of those foolish nobles... I don't wish to live in such an ethereal continent, and I don't wish for my children to do so either."
Olidisi said, "I understand."
Ross Good looked at her and suddenly smiled: "Eurydsey Arquitas."
"Um?"
"Your actions at the celebration inspired me. If we can hold Kaderinburg, I will propose two new professions to the judges' council after the war."
Olidesi was startled, looking at the judge in front of him with some surprise: "Me? Celebration?"
Ross Goode smiled and said, "Yes, at the celebration, you defended Prince Richard and used your potion to restore his innocence."
Prince Richard's clash with the assassin George Blier at the celebration—even though it had clearly happened a few months ago, it felt like something from a previous life. Euridice was in a trance for a moment, and heard Ross Goode say:
"If we can hold Kaderinburg, if I survive, I will propose the creation of two new professions: the first is 'Advocate'."
Euridice was startled. "Advocatus, 'advocator'."
The judge smiled and said, "In our current trials, both the accuser and the accused are allowed to defend themselves. However, if an innocent person lacks clear logical skills and debating eloquence, and has not received a college education, is he at an unequal disadvantage? Will this hinder the fairness of the law? If people can be defended by a 'defender,' perhaps it will be a legal advancement."
Oledsi thought thoughtfully: "So, what about the second career?"
"The second one is 'Forensic Evidence Examiner'."
"Oh," Euridice understood the meaning of this word. "Now, many alchemists have taken on the responsibility of verifying the authenticity of the evidence presented in the trial."
"That's not all," the judge said. "I heard from Adelaide that you've developed a chemical that can identify human blood. I think if we can systematically utilize these chemical and methodological methods and train experienced 'forensic evidence examiners,' we can restore the truth of many incidents and further advance legal justice."
Grand Judge Ross Goode said this. Olidesi was silent for a moment before sighing, "You are a true judge and a promoter of law, Ross. Even in this crisis of war, under siege, you are still able to think about improving the legal system of the Ethereal Continent."
Ross Goode curled the corners of his mouth.
She said, "If we cannot hold Kaderinburg, if Queen Lucinda does not win this war, then the establishment of these two professions will be meaningless: Constance and the nobles will never uphold equal laws. They want to write a rule that benefits them, and they will not even respect the Code of Hydebot."
Euridice was silent. Ross Goode said calmly, "Euridice Aquitus, please support Queen Lucinda, please support us. We need everyone, every talented person like you, to stand firmly with us and fight for the Ethereal Continent we desire—we must defend Kaderinburg."
Olidesi's lips moved slightly, and he was about to say something when someone on the wall of Kaderinburg suddenly said loudly:
"Breaking news! Breaking news—"
"Outside of Ravenmont, a knight group suddenly appeared to fight against Duke Karagaran!"
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