Chapter 318: Preparations
"The three-thousand-strong unit of sorcerers integrated by the Imperial Court has now begun setting up the formation as planned. I'll link the array nodes I've previously established across various regions to form a grand atmospheric formation that blankets the entire nation. It will guide the flow of Yin and Yang energies through the country's ley lines, drawing from the mountains, rivers, and terrain to suppress Huodou's power to the greatest extent possible. But this is as far as the sorcerers can go. On the front lines… I can no longer contribute."
"Lady Kongming, you've already done an outstanding job. Based on our projections, your preparations alone should be enough to suppress at least sixty percent of Huodou's strength. With its power cut by more than half, this could very well be the key to victory!"
After offering reassurance to the heavy-hearted Kongming, Rita ended their voice transmission spell with a smile, then reached out to Durandal and Kiana.
"General Durandal, Lady Kiana, how are the troop movements and civilian evacuations progressing?"
"The 500,000 new troops are en route from their various garrisons. Currently, 80,000 soldiers are stationed around Qixing Lake, where the Yang energy is surging. I will defend the front lines with my life if I must, but compared to the vast shoreline, our numbers are still too few. Realistically, if the beast emerges from the lake, we won't be able to hold out for long."
"Stop talking about dying all the time! I hate that kind of talk! My little niece has already done the calculations. With her and the 3,000 sorcerers keeping Huodou in check, it won't fully manifest for at least two more days. That's plenty of time for our forces to assemble. Also, the Ministry of Ingenuity's reserve of 100,000 heavy Xuansteel armors and 200,000 spirit-steel arrows will arrive before then. Use them all freely… munch munch munch."
Kiana's reply clearly eased Durandal's worries, but at the same time, the sound of her gobbling down food over the long-range transmission was utterly exasperating.
Rita pressed her fingers to her temples, feeling a headache coming on.
"Lady Kiana, can you please be a bit more serious? This is a disaster-level beast we're facing!"
"Blah blah, how do you expect me to work without a full stomach? Chomp! Anyway, the civilian evacuation is going well. With help from the central command system, our mobilization and organization efficiency is leagues beyond what it used to be. Still, most people are on foot, so they can't move very fast. I've already commandeered every available vehicle, horse, and even livestock in the area. I swear the entire region will be cleared out within a hundred-mile radius before the fighting begins!"
"Understood. Then I'll leave it to you, Lady Kiana."
"You should be thanking yourself—burp!—I'm full now. Time to move out!"
"Huh? Lady Kiana, what do you mean? Where are you going?"
"I've already taken care of most of the evacuation logistics. What's left is just overseeing the execution. You can handle things from the capital. As for me… hmph! In all of Emberya Empire's military, the only ones who can fight on my level are Durandal. If not the front lines, where else would I go?"
"What!?"
Rita was shocked. This wasn't part of the original plan.
To face a Beast of Yang—even with the Empire's current strength far surpassing the past—Durandal was still risking her life. Kiana's claim that only she and Durandal were the Empire's top fighters was entirely true. But precisely because Durandal was already heading to the front, Kiana was supposed to stay in the rear. If anything were to happen to Durandal, or if even with all their preparations the battle against Huodou still ended in defeat, the nation needed someone strong to hold the line for what came next!
Yet Kiana ignored Rita's protests and addressed Durandal directly:
"I've assembled 3,000 elite fighters. We'll help the Ministry of Ingenuity with military logistics. Just set me up somewhere sturdy—we can handle it."
"Three thousand? From where? What's their combat strength? And when will they reach Qixing Lake?"
Durandal asked calmly and methodically. Unlike Rita, who had to consider the bigger picture, Durandal focused solely on victory. If they won, everything else would fall into place.
Kiana replied:
"Some are from the Inspectors' Division, some are my former retainers—they were willing to give me some face. But the majority are skilled martial artists from the jianghu, responding to my call to arms. You don't have to worry about their strength. With just a little organization, I guarantee they'll impress you. We'll reach Qixing Lake by noon tomorrow at the latest."
"So in other words, it's a motley force. Are you sure they can be trusted?"
"You still don't get it, Durandal. The previous emperor's court was barely better than the dynasty before it. There are countless patriots who were disheartened by an incompetent government—mobilizing them used to be almost impossible. But the world has changed. When I used the Central Core to call for aid from the people… General, the three thousand I have now are just the selected ones who were close enough to arrive quickly. Please trust them. They're capable, they're brave, and they won't let you down."
"Very well. Lady Kiana's force will serve as the forward flank and will be under my direct command. Is that acceptable?"
"I shall follow military orders without question, even unto death!"
"I'll be waiting at Qixing Lake. Have your forces bring full supplies by noon tomorrow. If there's any delay, I'll hold you personally responsible!"
"Understood!"
With that, Kiana and Durandal ended their conversation and cut the voice transmission spell.
Back in the Imperial Palace, in the Council Hall, Rita stood before the enormous strategy table, her hands folded at her chest, eyes closed as she took a deep breath.
"Acting on her own, willful and reckless! Absolutely absurd!"
Slamming both hands on the edge of the table, Rita scanned the current deployment plans, venting her frustration.
Yet… Kiana had done the right thing.
Rita had already read the call-to-arms Kiana had issued. Broadcast through the Central Core, it was visible to nearly everyone in the nation.
Three thousand martial artists—neither a small nor massive number in the context of a national war—but the real power of the call-to-arms went far beyond that. Barring any major surprises, tens of thousands of martial artists from all across the country would arrive at Qixing Lake before long. That kind of strength was formidable—even an uncoordinated charge from them would be terrifying.
Kiana had grasped the most powerful advantage they had all overlooked, which is the hearts of the people.
What Rita found truly absurd was that Kiana likely hadn't even realized the full scope of what she'd done—she really thought she was just leading a small force of 3,000 to the front lines!
Realizing this, Rita quickly sent messages to Kiana and Durandal, instructing them to prepare for the arrival of additional reinforcements and adjust their battle formations accordingly.
Then came the flood of other tasks: evacuating civilians, transporting supplies, managing civilian affairs, commerce, and policy shifts. As Prime Minister, Rita was like an ant on a hot griddle—constantly in motion, unable to rest.
…
Behind the great hall, atop the imperial throne.
Sigurd sat upright, watching Rita's tireless work and the synchronized efforts of the empire's entire administrative system. Slowly, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Beside the throne stood Fu Hua, dressed in pure white, quietly observing. Behind her, Senti clung to her back, resting her chin on Fu Hua's shoulder, her face full of satisfaction and peace.
"Do you think this nation can win?" Fu Hua asked softly.
Sigurd nodded.
"Yes. The only difference lies in the cost of victory."
"Then… based on their current performance, would you say they've passed the test?"
"The Central Core's efficiency is the key. But overall, yes, it's acceptable. Even if we let go now, things should continue running smoothly."
"…So, the time has come?"
Hearing Sigurd's words, Fu Hua showed a trace of surprise.
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