Chapter 93 : Threat (3)
Threat (3)
Ernest, appearing as calm and relaxed as Gregory usually was, explained to Alessandro in a composed manner.
"If it's that, it's simple. Now, we just need to go help the twilight knight order."
Alessandro felt frustrated at Ernest's words. It was as if everything he had believed in thus far was being overturned. He just couldn't comprehend what Ernest was really trying to say.
Perhaps sensing Alessandro's feelings, Ernest first tried to calm him down.
"For now, stay quiet. I'll take all your questions at the end."
Everyone focused their eyes on Ernest. They were partly enchanted by his confident tone, and also sincerely wanted to check what method he had, if indeed there was some clever solution to their predicament.
Ernest continued speaking.
"In any case, I was able to glean a clue from what Gregory said. If Breton is acting to reap excessive profits, and kept their promise with the Blandi Kingdom without heavily depleting their own forces, then it would be more stable to first block the rear, make an agreement with Breton before anyone else, and then defend against the front later."
Walter raised his hand and interrupted Ernest.
"Hold on, I think we need to clarify some things first. If the knight orders at the front withdraw, then what happens next? If the Blandi Kingdom realizes this and stages a desperate resistance against Arme, won't the front collapse in an instant?"
It seemed Gregory had sensed something and spoke in place of Ernest.
"It's not just our kingdom that's in a hurry. Anyway, breton will just wait for our kingdom to collapse. Everyone here knows well enough about what strategic advantages Arme holds that there's no need to mention it, right, Ernest?"
Gregory looked at Ernest and asked again. Ernest felt a strange sense of pride, thinking Gregory had seen through his plan. And since Gregory did not seem to have any objections, he became confident.
Surely, if there was any problem with the strategy, Gregory would have pointed it out and made them choose another one immediately.
This must have felt like a golden opportunity to demonstrate his own strategic skill.
"Yes, that's correct. Blandi Kingdom's request for Breton's cooperation was to disrupt the kingdom's order."
"I somewhat agree with that. Please, go on."
"In that case, we have a method: using deception to intimidate the Blandi Kingdom."
Walter rested his chin on his hand, listening to Ernest. In a battle of this scale, using deception would have been impossible except with a truly groundbreaking strategy, but up to this point, it just seemed endlessly confusing.
Still, Walter was interested in Ernest's strategy, so for now, he decided to keep listening.
"Deception, you say... What method do you mean?"
"If that logic holds, then the Blandi Kingdom is in the same position. By entering through support from another kingdom into Arme—if they're stationed at the front, would they want to wage all-out war?"
Ernest's continued, logical rebuttal struck a chord with everyone. If they wasted their troops recklessly, the front would collapse instead. And, in that case, Arme could actually benefit.
"That's a good point... What they really want is to take the land and grain of this Arme, to win back public support, so they won't want a full-scale war with another kingdom. Since they've already taken the uncertain road of war, they'll choose the lesser evil."
Walter agreed with Ernest. Just as Ernest said, it felt like this could lead to a solution.
"Yes, but that alone may not be enough. Those who have nothing left to lose are incapable of reason. The real issue is to keep them from even approaching before they try to attack the castle."
At this point, garneth started to feel suspicious about the plan. So Garneth asked frankly.
"Wait, before that, shouldn't we be asking how feasible this operation really is? Suppose support does come from Arme—how can we be sure they'll actually fight at the front? For that matter, is there even a kingdom nearby willing to fight against Blandi Kingdom?"
Gregory respected Garneth's conviction. Whatever happened, it wasn't too late to act after things became certain. In fact, that argument was logical and struck at the core of the matter.
Ernest answered Garneth with what seemed a well-prepared reason.
"You don't need to worry about that. Just consider Arme's record so far."
"Their record...?"
"Arme Kingdom, as a neutral nation, has always maintained friendly relations with other kingdoms. They've carried out active exchange, and whenever news of support requests came, they responded sincerely and without hesitation. Now, what about the Blandi Kingdom?"
Garneth thought for a moment and began to sense the depth of Ernest's reasoning.
"Authoritarian, severe isolationist policies... and only when they themselves are in dire straits do they put on an act of virtue toward others."
"Exactly. And yet the Blandi Kingdom has continued to grow. They steal strength from neighboring lands, and if that's not enough, they even cannibalize themselves, desperately trying to inflate their power."
Garneth, usually suspicious by nature, did not dismiss it as nonsense, but instead engaged in serious discussion—a clear sign that Ernest's plan had persuaded everyone.
The Blandi Kingdom had such a brutal reputation that many more opposed them than supported them.
Therefore, this meant that while the Blandi Kingdom was the target of widespread criticism, there were many allies who would wholeheartedly support Arme.
Garneth, finding Ernest's strategy intriguing, asked again.
"Are you suggesting that Breton or Tarierre's cooperation in the war is perhaps insincere or merely for show?"
The flow of discussion grew deeper and more urgent. The hypothetical scenario was turning into an accepted reality. Everyone was being moved by Ernest's captivating explanation.
"That's right. Once trust is lost, it takes several times as long to regain it. Before that happens, we will negotiate with Breton and get them to betray the Blandi Kingdom. In war, isn't the greatest victory to win without fighting?"
Even so, garneth hesitated. Ernest's argument was based entirely on assumptions, and the information could not be completely trusted.
At that moment, Gregory applauded with admiration.
"I had the same thought. This is a strategy that can definitely succeed. In the end, what it means is, we only need to think about how to stop the Blandi Kingdom."
Everyone, enchanted by his applause, stood up as well and joined in. Garneth felt reassured seeing how Gregory was so certain that the plan would work.
Like a master of war, Gregory's strategies always succeeded in mysterious ways; he realized just how daring Gregory's plans to save the kingdom had been.
If Gregory believed it was possible this time as well, then even if he had his doubts, garneth decided to go along with Gregory's lead.
There was nothing but praise, and Ernest, for some reason, felt embarrassed at receiving such compliments. On top of that, knowing that Gregory had thought the same way gave Ernest a peculiar sense of validation.
Alessandro answered with a bright smile.
"Ernest! You really are such a smart man! I never realized it before. But I have a question: during a war, is it okay to act on your own and disobey the higher command's orders?"
This time, Walter seemed to think it was his turn, and cleared his throat.
"Ahem. That's within my authority, so don't worry. Gregory already got permission from the Radiant Order's leader. As long as I give my approval, he can carry out the plan."
"Objectively, this might seem like a haphazard plan, but thank you for accepting it so willingly. Now that we have your permission, it's our turn to research how to prevent the Blandi Kingdom from making a preemptive strike against Arme."
Perhaps sensing the resolution of the incident, Walter's mood grew more relaxed.
"We're ready to sacrifice ourselves to protect the kingdom—who could dare stop that? And as for the plan, let's take more time to think over it calmly. We still don't know how far the attacks at the rear have gone, or how severe they are. Maybe we don't even need to go and can still hold them back?"
"When I think of it that way, it does make sense. As expected, the commander's insight surpasses my own."