Chapter 385: Encounter of Two Heroes (13)
“Are you unable to surround one measly group!?”
“How long will we leave the security of the kingdom in the hands of foreign mercenaries!?”
Strong criticism arose, centered mostly around the commoners who suffered due to Elizabeth’s strategy.
That wasn’t the end of it. The fortified cities also made an official demand for a solution. The cities were inundated by the influx of refugees who had been driven away by the pillaging and burning. The public order and environment of these cities rapidly deteriorated trying to shelter these people.
Why should our city’s resources be drained to support non-citizens of the city? With rural migrants turning into beggars and thieves in the alleyways of our city, how long does the central kingdom intend to stubbornly pursue this war of attrition? The fact remains that the current state of affairs, where a foreign power holds authority, is far from normal…….
Elizabeth’s position was attacked as all sorts of complaints came pouring out.
The Sardinia royal family found themselves in a difficult position. It wasn’t as if they were eager to engage in a war of attrition either. With the fall of Pavia, the surrender of Piacenza and Parma, the surrender of La Spezia, and the capture of Genova, a series of misfortunes had occurred. The royal family lacked the capacity to carry out another pitched battle.
They had to stall for time until the foreign reinforcements arrived. A war of attrition was the best option they had to avoid the worst possible scenario. However, how was this any different from simply announcing that “We will be temporarily abandoning parts of our territory except for key points.”?
Regardless of who proposed the war of attrition, they had to face overwhelming criticism. This was probably where Elizabeth stepped in. ‘I am a foreigner anyway, so there is no political standing I can lose even if I were to bear the burden of criticism. I will take on the people’s complaints on behalf of our alliance…….’