CHAPTER 558: CHAPTER 558. A CALL TO WAR

The discussion went on for some time. They discussed additional subjects and details of their cooperation. Although the envoys were rather unsatisfied that they didn’t get what they came for, they agreed that Amon’s proposal was in everyone’s interest. Xin Dhaije said he would bring this discussion to their Hierophant to decide what Oredolia would do.

After the two envoys left, Huang San asked everyone to stay and discuss the current state of the matter. He also called Ha Gild and Xa Jien over to join the discussion.

"A more detailed report has arrived from both fronts," Lao Zen reported. A stack of paper appeared in his hand. "I compiled the reports in this paper."

He proceeded to distribute the report paper among those inside the hall. Everyone read the reports while Lao Zen gave them the short version, "Like everyone had heard yesterday, it is confirmed that our invaders are from Khode and Farghous."

Hua Rong frowned as she read the papers. She uttered, "Our citizens are being controlled and used as sacrificial human bombs?"

"It turns out Khode having the most advanced specialized jobs is not a baseless rumor," Lao Zen sighed. "Against such an unconventional technique, General Jiang Tong didn’t know how to deal with it. He was currently honoring the ten-day truce proposed by the opponent while working on a solution."

"That is a mistake," Amon uttered.

"Why?" The others asked.

"Why do you think the enemy requested this truce?" Amon asked back. "From this report, the enemy is winning. Yes, they will suffer casualties, but it will be worse for us."

"Are you saying you know why they asked for this truce?" Xa Jien asked.

"I can’t say I know for sure, but I have a strong suspicion," Amon answered.

"What is your suspicion?" Huang San asked.

"To convert more of Bright Rock City’s citizens into their suicide army," Amon answered.

Everyone’s eyes turned wider upon hearing.

"That can’t be...," Hua Rong muttered.

"If we let them, Jiang Tong will face an even larger force than yesterday," Amon continued. "With so many troops ready to die to defend Bright Rock City, we will not liberate the city for a long period."

"So, what do you suggest Jiang Tong do? Proceed with the attack and murder all the citizens who have fallen under their control?" Xa Jien asked.

"That is better than having the entire city turn into their weapons?" Amon replied.

"I... I can’t order that kind of genocide...," Huang San faltered.

"That is the burden of ruling. You sometimes must decide whether you sacrifice one person to save everyone or do nothing and let everyone die."

"I chose to sacrifice no one!" Huang San exclaimed.

"Then everyone dies," Amon returned.

Lao Zen mediated, "Let’s not be rash. There may be a way to solve this without going to such extremes."

"Maybe," Amon said. "But it is not guaranteed we can find that solution in time. Time is not our ally in this matter."

Huang San clenched his fists. He knew the burden of the crown was heavy. He didn’t expect he would be shoved with such a difficult challenge right off the bat. He had the urge to send someone to fetch his father and ask his opinion. However, doing that would just prove he was not yet ready to be the king.

A hand gripped his arm. He turned and saw it was Yang Li. He felt much calmer then.

He gave her a grateful gaze before turning back to address the others, "We will honor the truce for now. Jiang Tong said he is sending his people to infiltrate Bright Rock City to learn what the enemy is up to. Perhaps we can get a better idea once he gains the information. After all, you said it yourself. You are not fully certain."

"You are the king," Amon said, respecting the decision.

"Your First Demon Army is ready to march, isn’t it?" Huang San asked.

"They are. I plan to move out tomorrow morning," Amon replied.

"That’s good, but I need you to do a detour for now."

"Where?"

"Bright Rock City," Huang San answered. "Your army is to march there, but you should move separately from your army. Move with haste to arrive at the city before the end of the truce. You are to help General Jiang Tong figure out a way to deal with this matter without excessive loss of our citizens."

"Hm... that’s a big ask," Amon uttered.

"There is never a big ask from the king. It is only whether we obey or not," Xa Jian remarked.

"If anyone can find a way, it is you," Huang San said. "I ask this of you because I trust your capability. I’ve seen firsthand how you faced impossible odds and came victorious on the other side."

Amon chuckled at the praise. He said, "In that case, I will want something in return."

Xa Jien was about to reprimand Amon for making such a demand, but Huang San spoke first, "I know you are going to ask that. If you can retake Bright Rock City, I will grant you control over half the army Jiang Tong brought to retake the city. You can take them from him and bring them for your campaign into the country of Khode."

"Hm," Amon smiled. He understood Huang San was trying to shoot two birds with one stone. With such a reward, he would be motivated to retake the city without causing too much loss to Jiang Tong’s troops. Even though he understood Huang San’s manipulation, he didn’t mind. It served his interest if he could grow his army out of this endeavor.

"Another issue," Amon said. "I will need Jiang Tong to acknowledge me as the supreme commander of this operation when I arrive there."

Huang San made a cringey expression upon the request. "This... I’m afraid I can’t enforce it. You will only get a command of half his army once Bright Rock City is retaken. You will have to make do with the ones you bring to deal with the matter. I will, however, instruct him to cooperate with you when you are there."

"There is no need to concern too much about him," Hua Rong said. "He might be the late Prince Huang Zi’s follower, but he is also a patriotic Echos soldier. I’ve known him for a long time. Though we didn’t always see eye to eye, he understood not to involve personal grudge over important kingdom matters. Furthermore, Prince Huang Zi is no more. He has no reason to be hostile to you. He will cooperate if he sees what you propose is for the good of the kingdom."

"Hm, let’s hope it is so," Amon said.

"What about the effort to retake Cinder Ash Town?" Ha Gild asked. He was still reading the reports given by Lao Zen. "From what I read here, our army engaged the enemy yesterday, and it also didn’t go so well on that front?"

Lao Zen sighed. "Yes, our enemies are more troublesome than we thought."

"That is to be expected," Amon said. "If my theory is correct, they have prepared for this for a long while. It will be strange if they devise a plan where we can defeat them straightaway."

"At least there is nothing out of the ordinary with the engagement at Cinder Ash Town," Hua Rong reread the reports. "They failed to defeat the enemy yesterday because the enemy’s number is more than we expected. There were also many powerful enemy combatants among Farghous’ forces."

"That is true, but I think we can be hopeful," Lao Zen said. "Princess Huang Er plans to execute another assault by utilizing a secret passage into the town."

"Secret passage?" Ha Gild asked.

"Yes. Sima Fang knew of a secret passage into the town," Lao Zen answered.

"Ah... I remember now. Cinder Ash Town is her hometown," Ha Gild said.

Lao Zen nodded. "With knowledge of the terrain, she can help our force retake the town. Hopefully, she can contact her clansmen. If our force can coordinate with the population inside, it will increase our winning chance."

"Let us pray then for their success," Huang San said.

"What about the army at the borders where the enemies enter from? Have we sent someone to check them?" Amon asked.

"We have," Lao Zen replied. "The forts where our border armies are stationed have been destroyed. We found no survivors."

"To be able to destroy the border army so swiftly without them being able to send a warning message, the enemies must have a much superior number," Amon said. "I don’t see an estimation of enemy soldiers inside the two occupied cities in these reports."

"This is because they haven’t seen the entirety of the enemy force," Lao Zen said. "Khode army mainly used our mind-controlled citizens as the bulk of their force, while Farghous fought our army while turtling inside Cinder Ash Town. The Farghous applied an advanced wall enchantment that prevented our army from charging into the town from the sky. Princess Huang Er was forced to lay a siege. If the operation using the secret passage is successful, they can enter from there and get a better idea of the enemy’s number."