Chapter 1320 - 1238: The Royal Court’s Battle Plan
"To all of the Northern Army, it’s been a tough journey from the Roaring Corridor. Well done." Serafe’s expression returned to one of compassion and maternal care as she clasped her hands over her lap, "First, let’s discuss the situation in the northern border."
As the primary leader of the Northern Army, Shanluan adjusted his collar before straightening up.
As an Ogre, he was one of the rare few who could articulate his opinions clearly.
"Your Majesty, most humans, Centaurs, and Dwarves in the Roaring Corridor region have submitted, but there’s still a small faction causing trouble.
They’ve even formed a coalition army with the help of that Archduke Alexei and the Holy Sect.
This month’s delivery of Blood Contract gun parts has suffered significant damage from them."
Stealing a glance at the look on Serafe’s face, Shanluan licked his lips, trying to portray a sigh.
"The Roaring Corridor is a truly barren place, nothing but grassland, and the soldiers’ blood food is running low. As for the Central Army over there..."
A vampire from the northern faction suddenly coughed, interrupting him: "In short, it’s difficult to fully seize the northern border in the short term."
Serafe did not respond but instead looked towards Lakunio.
Lakunio felt many red eyes watching him, an intimidating presence: "The troop losses are too great, reinforcements are still on the way, after all, we are on an expedition.
The soldiers are demoralized, complaining that this is stony and icy land full of blood, insisting on returning home."
He and Shanluan had agreed on this; some words Shanluan could say, some he could say.
Moreover, the soldiers’ dissatisfaction, in part, stemmed from him, so despite the risk, he had to speak up.
As these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.
The northern faction vampires all bowed their heads, yet their tense shoulders were evident.
This was a grievance that had been bottled up for too long, finally expressed through Lacunio’s mouth.
Serafe’s fingers lightly tapped on the throne’s armrest, saying nothing, but lifted her chin towards the right side: "What about the Southern Army? Any news from Leia?"
At the front of the Southern Army stood the leader of the Second Delegation, Carmela Sorrido.
She stood up crisply and her voice rang bright: "Your Majesty, there are new developments in Leia, King Jiji has ascended once again."
Serafe raised her eyebrows.
With the fall of Windmill Land, the situation in Leia became unstable.
Duke Omes fled, King Jiji, after marrying Charles VIII’s cousin, ascended the throne once more.
Perhaps with the threat of vampires and the internal and external strife over these years, a wave of reform had emerged among Leia’s nobility.
King Jiji turned out to be a skillful balancer of politics, reportedly recruiting many veteran soldiers equipped with Falan’s clockwork guns, to train new regiments.
As for the source of funds, he struck hard against the nobility again.
Duke Omes was a chaos, and the lands acquired by the noble and oligarchic merchants, seeking recognition?
They had to pay King Jiji all over again.
In addition, King Jiji even initiated a "land break" on River Island.
Which meant providing land to Robber Knights, vagabonds, and deserters, then registering them into households.
Moreover, this registration was akin to Moliat’s manorial knight system, which featured lifetime non-hereditary knight manors.
And this manor was managed by state-assigned stewards, with knights not participating in land management.
The origin of the land was – after several major upheavals, River Island had many deserted farming lands.
Although they were not ownerless, he could afford to overlook this.
Under King Jiji’s management, the nearly ruined River Island unexpectedly showed a vibrant, thriving scene.
"That Ginijis is indeed a talented person." Serafe supported her face with her right hand, seeming to utter a thoughtless comment that nonetheless tightened Lacunio’s heart.
"Falan and the Holy Alliance are uncertain, Leia is famously weak." Samuji couldn’t help but request battle, "Your Majesty, I am willing to deploy troops, in a month’s time I..."
"Samuji." Serafe’s voice, loving yet authoritative, "Summer is approaching, the sun is too intense, the days too long, not favorable for our actions."
Samuji, obediently returned to his seat immediately.
"The Southern Army’s plan will be postponed until autumn for execution, is there any issue?" Serafe continued to inquire.
Carmela immediately nodded: "No issue, we need time for reinforcements as well."
Serafe nodded approvingly, her gaze turning to Valerius.
Valerius was a slender vampire, dressed in a gubernatorial-style purple and red feathered robe, belonging to the Tedis family.
He spoke first, his voice tinged with caution: "To Your Majesty, the governance of the windmill lands is currently being absorbed quite well.
The public security in several cities like Dam City and Gwo City has been stabilized, but... the Black Legion is a bit troublesome."
The Black Legion is a major issue.
As vampires massacred the remaining populace, the refugees were either frightened into fleeing to Falan or joined the Black Legion.
The Servant Army has attempted several sieges, but was repelled each time, including once even with the regular Vampire Army’s participation.
They also established a small navy named Sea Beggars.
Every day, they maneuvered swift merchant ships to attack the Royal Court’s fleets, causing significant trouble to the Royal Court.
Serafe propped her face, her gaze seemingly focused on the distance, remaining silent.
But those familiar with her knew she was pondering, and no one dared to interrupt.
"The Black Legion must be eradicated at all times. It’s imperative," she finally decided, sitting upright. "Valerius, I give you two missions, plus 5000 troops from the Northern Army. Can you remove this thorn for me?"
Valerius’s spirit was uplifted; two Royal Palace guard missions and one regular regiment—this could definitely do the job.
He immediately stood up and bowed, saying: "As you command."
Seeing the atmosphere in the hall slightly relaxed, Serafe then ordered red tea to be served, allowing everyone to unwind a bit.
But Serafe wasn’t willing to waste time during this brief pause.
"Let me share some good news." She seemed to be talking about something insignificant, yet all the vampires present were tense, "We have completed the construction of three flesh furnaces domestically. Starting next month, we can mass produce blood gun soldiers.
I plan to expand two to four more missions to replenish the losses in the Immortal Stone Field and the Northern Frontier."
The hall became lively instantly.
The commanders of the unilluminated factions like Cataloni and Samuji had their eyes gleaming.
More of Lilith’s blood meant more blood gun soldiers, allowing their forces to advance another tier.
The governors from the Northern and Southern clans silently lowered their heads, gripping the armrests of their chairs.
Something major had happened, something significant.
It’s obvious. If defeated, Serafe might strip them of their armies.
Yet if their forces fought too hard and suffered high casualties, the Royal Court might integrate them into the new missions.
At that point, as clan leaders, they’d be left in precarious positions.
It was a dilemma from both ends.
Serafe noticed their reactions, her smile unchanged: "The soldiers for the new missions will be selected from Royal Court’s domestic forces, not drawn from existing troops."
The governors visibly breathed a sigh of relief, even Valerius himself nodded slightly.
"Alright, the upcoming tasks consist of two things," Serafe stood up, her purple robe fluttering amidst a blood mist, "First, have Clara oversee the proper distribution of the happiness potion, scatter it across Golden Horn Bay, and the cities in Leia as much as possible, first to erase the humans’ will to resist.
Second, have Valerius cooperate with the Northern Army to swiftly besiege the Black Legion, while we have yet to deploy within the Empire, let’s clean up the backyard first."
She walked to the center of the hall, her gaze sweeping over everyone: "Come autumn, we will take Leia, and rendezvous with the Northern Army.
Then proceed south to Falan, annex the Holy Alliance, and turn the entire Empire into a realm of the Blood Race.
Please believe in the Eternal Lord’s intention, that day isn’t far."
"As you command!" Everyone stood up, half-kneeling on the ground, their voices uniform.
After the meeting, the vampires gradually left the sail hall.
Valerius was the last to go, leaning on a whale bone cane, he glanced back.
The purple robe trailed on the ground, the Priestess Queen Serafe stood in the hall center, still lost in thought.
Her skin smooth like an egg, her hair as radiant as a golden waterfall.
If not for the dried husk of Governor Sarlanka at her feet, this scene would have been picture-perfect beauty.
The old vampire suddenly felt a bit curious.
Serafe is so young, has plenty of time to slowly conquer the Empire, why is she always in such a hurry?
She isn’t human, with a mere few decades of lifespan.
From unifying the Royal Court, attacking Xilan Island, to now hurriedly expanding missions and spreading the happiness potion...
She seems to be racing against something, afraid of something, what could make her crave and fear?