Chapter 115: Strategy

As the chaotic year of warfare gradually subsided, following the suppression of the last resistance in the southern territories, the royal court dispatched envoys to the north. Representing the coalition of city-states, the royal court commanded the newly established Aditxu Principality in the north to submit and relinquish control over the vast eastern and western regions. Traditionally, these two domains had been closely tied to the royal court, historically considered its vassal territories.

Yet, King Adis of the Aditxu Principality flatly refused this demand. Consequently, the world’s previously stabilizing balance once again teetered on the brink of conflict. The royal court and the Principality of Aditxu stood opposed, a reality that instilled both dread and a stirring sense of anticipation within many hearts.

By now, the global situation was unmistakably clear: the final victor would emerge from these two powers. The surviving nobility had largely pledged allegiance to either side. Regardless of the outcome, the winner would claim dominion over the entire world, restoring the ancient glory of the royal court, a prospect that made countless stakeholders uneasy.

On one side stood the royal court, the ultimate victor of the previous century, inheritors of an ancient legacy and supported by the salvific ancestor god, Crisia. On the other was the newly risen Aditxu Principality, rapidly established in the north and backed by the enigmatic deity of nature.

As time passed, the collision between these two powers became inevitable. Following the autumn harvest, the royal court launched troops from the northern borders, and a great war loomed.

With the outbreak of battle, both sides felt unprecedented pressure. The royal court, as the world’s legitimate authority with millennia of heritage, boasted the strongest knights and warriors on earth. Compared to the foes the Principality had previously faced, the royal court’s forces were more elite and vastly numerous—enough to suffocate any adversary.

Conversely, the Aditxu Principality, heavily supported by King Adis, wielded powerful bows and crossbows augmented by divine magic, capable of inflicting severe hardship. The vigorous promotion of the nature deity’s faith had fostered many magic-wielding priests. Though most were not high-ranking white-robed clergy, their sheer numbers rivaled the royal court’s vast knightly orders. Combined with diverse magical tactics and the fervent battle will sustained by zeal, the Principality’s forces struck terror into the attacking royal army.

Both sides proved tenacious and formidable, turning the conflict into a grueling ordeal.

Initially, facing the royal court’s fierce assault, Nadir, the Principality’s chief legion commander, ordered a steadfast defense. Yet, as the strain grew, defense became more difficult. Following King Adis’s command, Nadir began a strategic retreat, aiming to leverage the northern domain’s vast depth to wear down the enemy.

Meanwhile, beyond the northern region, battles simultaneously erupted along critical defensive lines in the eastern and western domains. The previously calm situation was once again ignited by the flames of war.

Within the royal palace of Aditxu City, King Adis frowned as he read a dispatch from the front lines.

“Another defensive line lost?” he murmured, eyes scanning the report.

Before him, a knight suddenly knelt, face pale with fear, yet dared not offer excuses.

“It’s all right. Rise,” Adis said, shaking his head gently.

After the knight withdrew, a burly man with thick hair emerged—Karter.

Noticing Adis’s distracted gaze, Karter bowed slightly. “Your Majesty, there’s no need for undue worry. Though the royal court is overwhelmingly strong, we are not significantly weaker. With the full support of the Church, we can hold our ground in the current situation.”

Adis nodded silently. “How are preparations on the front lines?”

“All ready,” Karter replied. “Most residents of the frontier settlements have already been relocated. With the priests assisting, the progress has been swift.”

“Hm, that is commendable,” Adis acknowledged.

A faint golden light shimmered in his eyes, radiating a subtle yet imposing aura that pierced the soul—growing ever more apparent, scarcely concealed.

Sensing this majesty, Karter’s heart sank, and he lowered his head deeply, unwilling to meet Adis’s gaze.

“Is the Nature God finally awakening?” he wondered.

This was a recent development. Since the war began, an indescribable change had befallen Adis, as though something within was stirring to life.

Even within the palace, a profound majesty enveloped the space; mere presence near the palace brought an overwhelming pressure, compelling one toward kneeling in reverence.

This stirred Karter and fellow devout followers of the Nature God, who believed their deity was awakening at this critical juncture.

Yet, in the next moment, the aura vanished abruptly. Adis turned calmly to Karter. “Once the relocation is complete, order Nadir to withdraw.”

Karter hesitated. “Your Majesty, we have nowhere left to retreat.”

“If we retreat further, the enemy will reach Aditxu City itself,” he added, bowing with uncertainty.

“Then let them come,” Adis replied softly. “We will meet them here, at our newly built city.”

With this command, the fierce battles in the northern region shifted once again.

Nadir continued the retreat over several days, abandoning long-held defensive lines.

But when the royal court occupied these lands, intending to plunder extensively, they found scarcely any settlements left. The northern domain was always a vast, sparsely populated frontier—the least developed and least inhabited, frequently troubled by demonic beasts and marauding tribes, thus the weakest region.

Thanks to Adis’s foresight, most of the northern populace had been moved to the rear, leaving only empty defense lines.

The royal court had anticipated this. After breaching these lines, vast armies surged forward, mobilized to strike at Aditxu City in the north.

At this stage, both sides’ strategies lay bare.

The Aditxu Principality sought to lure the enemy deep into their vast strategic depth, relying on the sturdy defenses of the capital to exhaust them. The royal court aimed directly for Aditxu City, intending to annihilate the principality in one decisive battle.

Aditxu City, as the capital, held immense significance. Should it fall to the royal court, nearly half the northern domain would be lost, and the already annexed eastern and western regions would likely rebel, virtually guaranteeing a catastrophic defeat.

Thus, all eyes were fixed on the newly constructed city, ready to witness an unprecedented clash.

While the battle raged on the earth, elsewhere, another confrontation was about to unfold.