Shadowed Gaze: The Highserk War Saga - Chapter 44

“So it has come to this… a failure, alas, a truly regrettable loss of a valuable talent.”

Having received the report from a spy, Hugo, the Foreign Minister of Libertoa, leaned back in the chair he was seated on.

He was alone in the tightly sealed room, an environment well-suited for undisturbed contemplation of the situation.

The spies, tasked with providing information and executing assassinations, were precious assets. Their training began from a young age, incurring significant costs. Losing one in a strategy akin to sacrificing a pawn was indeed a tragic loss.

The Crest-led retrieval operation had failed early on, along with the poisoning in Felius and the assassination ordered by Hugo.

“With the ramparts, fortress, Highserk soldiers, Demon Fire, Gerald, and the addition of the Three Heroes, this battle… we’re likely to lose.”

The numbers of the Four Nation Alliance Army, which once exceeded 60,000, had dwindled to 32,000. Though numerically they could rival twice the Highserk army, they had been unable to penetrate the outskirts of the Highserk Empire’s territory and were severely beaten.

Victory could have been theirs had they conquered the ramparts. In Hugo’s homeland, the Libertoa Trade Federation, in a desert roamed by powerful magical creatures like the Red Scorpion, black waters surged.

A sufficient amount of this black water, essential for intermittently burning down the Sarajevo fortress, had been transported from the homeland. Large trebuchets had also been installed in the conquered ramparts. All of this was ruined by the total assault initiated by the surprise attack of the Demon Fire user.

“We can’t outfight them conventionally. The only option left is… the Demonic Territory.”

Hugo knew there was no chance of victory against the steadfast Highserk Imperial Army at the Sarajevo fortress with conventional forces. He shifted his gaze from the fortress and pointed towards the largest Demonic Territory located at the center of the continent.

Although they had lost the large trebuchets, the black water of Libertoa, safe in transit by boat across Lake Selta, was intact. It was an opportunity not to be missed.

Transporting barrels of black water from the largest and most formidable Demonic Territory would cause casualties even among their troops. But when weighed against a forceful approach, the decision was clear.

There was enough to set the forest in the Demonic Territory ablaze. All that remained was to inflame King Felius’ desire for revenge, burning with the vengeance for his brother, and to whisper sweet enticements to Crest, who would be desperate after suffering a significant blow of losing one of the Three Heroes.

However, without implementation, these were but theories. Hugo’s mind conjured the image of the young girl who succeeded her father as Queen of Mayard.

Though inexperienced, she was a patriot concerned for her country. Mayard would likely not be convinced. However, Hugo smirked, thinking that if it came to three against one, the remnants of Mayard would be powerless.

The rest would follow its course. Fortunately, the Libertoa troops, compared to Felius and Crest, had sustained fewer losses and still possessed the largest number in terms of manpower.

Whether it succeeded or failed, they would be able to deal a significant blow to the Highserk Empire.

Having consolidated his thoughts, Hugo summoned his servant to give instructions. Returning to the homeland without achieving anything was never an option for Hugo.

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“Are you serious about burning the demonic territories on the outskirts of Mayard?” Rita Mayard’s voice, tinged with anger, echoed in the heavily guarded tent. Although she only controlled the Selta region and had the smallest military force in the four nation alliance, and her influence was limited due to her young age, she was still a representative of a nation. Knowing that her land would be ravaged, Rita couldn’t remain silent.

“Even so, do we have any other method to dislodge the Highserk Empire’s army entrenched in the Sarajevo Fortress? If we burn the demonic territories, the displaced monsters will attack the Highserk soldiers. Of course, there will be some casualties among the people of Mayard, but they are necessary sacrifices,” said the foreign minister of the Libertoa Trade Federation, with a self-serving argument.

Rita, filled with loathing at these words, tried to calm herself, knowing that reacting emotionally would be playing into the old fox’s hands.

“Are the other two countries in the alliance also in agreement with a strategy that sacrifices the people of a fellow ally?” she asked.

In the tent were the King of Felius and, representing the Crest Kingdom, the commander of the Rehazen Knight Order. Responding to Rita’s query, the commander of the Rehazen Knights spoke.

“Sacrifices are a part of war. Our Crest soldiers have paid a heavy price, even though we were the invited country. Isn’t it Mayard that needs to show dedication to the cause now?”

Then, King Felius declared, “Felius has also made significant contributions, both military and civilian. There is no other way to bring down the Highserk Empire to hell. Burning the demonic territories of Mayard will also bring sacrifices to the Kingdom of Felius. We are prepared for that!”

Rita, sensing madness in his eyes, realized that the death of the King’s beloved younger brother in battle was influencing him. She, too, had lost a great father and her homeland in the Battle of Aidenberg. She understood the sweet temptation of revenge. But as a ruler of a nation, she could not condone it.

“However!”

Before Rita could raise her voice further, Hugo interrupted her, his voice strained with the effort of holding back emotion.

“If we allow Highserk to continue its rampage, they will conquer us one by one. Once Highserk has engaged an enemy, they cannot resist annexing them. That nation is aggressively expansionist under the guise of defensive warfare. If we cannot break through the Sarajevo Fortress, Highserk will regain its strength and mobilize more troops from its territories. I hate to say it, but Mayard will be the first to fall.”

The foreign minister of Libertoa, feigning concern for Mayard, coldly stated the plan to burn Mayard’s demonic territories.

Rita continued to argue, but the situation was moving towards her worst fears.

“As per our prior agreement, the direction of the war will be decided by majority vote, correct?” King Felius rushed to a conclusion, presenting the very proposal Rita dreaded to hear.

“Indeed, it has been agreed upon in the alliance documents,” came the confirmation.

“Then let’s vote. My Crest Kingdom casts a vote in favor of burning the demonic territories.”

“…Mayard votes against.”

“The Kingdom of Felius votes in favor.”

“The Libertoa Trade Federation votes in favor.”

“With a 3 to 1 decision, it’s settled. We will burn the demonic territories on the outskirts of Mayard.”

“That land is a Pandora’s Box, even the three great nations dare not touch it, filled with monsters of the S and A ranks. It is not something humans can handle!”

Rita knew that by agreeing to this plan, she would be exposing her people to great danger. From the civilians’ perspective, she would be the one blamed for allowing it to happen.

“We will employ adventurers to burn the demonic territories. Adventurers who have been exiled from their homelands have agreed to help. How dedicated the people of Mayard are! Let us pray for success.”

Rita clenched her fists as everything proceeded just as the Libertoa foreign minister had planned. A powerless nation could never choose its fate. Rita looked up at the sky in her own sense of powerlessness, but all she could see was the lining of the tent.