As soon as Simon walked to the side of the Hall of Deliberation, a loud crash of a table being overturned erupted from inside, followed by the chaotic clatter of countless objects scattering.
He lost the battle line against the Eastern United Kingdoms?
And now you want to borrow Simon from me?
Yes!
A light, almost mocking laugh rose from Alexia.
Are you insane, or am I?
There was a hint of sick madness in her voice.
To answer Her Majesty the Empress, I am serious…
If the Blood Knights under Knight Commander Simon can join the war, then I am absolutely certain we can end the stalemate with the Eastern United Kingdoms by the end of the year.
So you think I’m not taking this seriously enough? Hmm!
Alexia’s voice suddenly rose several pitches.
These past years, the money you asked for, I gave every coin.
The people you wanted, I gave them as well…
Even when you went a whole year without bringing me any good news, I didn’t question it.
But it seems you’ve gotten a bit too bold, Therese.
Just listening from outside, Simon could feel the tension inside the Hall of Deliberation reaching its peak.
He immediately stepped inside.
There weren’t many people in the hall.
Aside from Alexia, there were only three others—Therese, responsible for the war with the Eastern United Kingdoms, and the Ministers of the Imperial Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
When Alexia, seated in the main position, saw Simon enter, her posture noticeably relaxed, as if she now had something to rely on.
Simon walked around the overturned table and went straight to Alexia’s side.
Therese looked up at Simon, then continued to speak to Alexia with unwavering determination.
I am merely presenting the best option.
If Her Majesty the Empress is unwilling to adopt it, then there is nothing more I can do.
To enter the Hall of Deliberation armed and armored—such an honor belonged to Simon alone.
Even a general commanding the border armies, like her, had to disarm and leave her weapons outside.
However, even knowing Simon’s weight in Alexia’s heart, Therese still had to try to secure the optimal solution from her.
The war with the Eastern United Kingdoms had completely stagnated.
If a surprise move wasn’t made, breaking the deadlock was nearly impossible.
According to reports from scouts, the Eastern United Kingdoms were forming a special, high-combat knight order, clearly intending to use them for an offensive.
If the Eastern United Kingdoms broke the deadlock, the Empire’s defensive lines would suffer a massive blow.
The potential losses were a lesser concern—if they collapsed outright, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Therefore, she wanted to borrow a powerful knight order to aid the front lines and hopefully end the stalemate by year’s end.
And within the Empire, the most trusted and powerful knight order was none other than the Blood Knights.
But that was precisely the problem.
The Blood Knights under Simon’s command did not belong to the Empire’s standing military.
They weren’t under the jurisdiction of the military, but were a special force directly under the Empress herself.
Every action they took was equivalent to the Empress acting personally.
At the same time, they were also the main force responsible for protecting the Empress—a royal guard at Alexia’s side.
For the sake of her own safety, Alexia naturally couldn’t bear to hand them over to Therese.
Otherwise, given her reputation, the moment the Blood Knights left for a few hours, someone might attempt a coup.
And if Simon left, she truly wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.
Alexia turned her head to look at Simon.
Simon, what do you say?
Wherever Your Majesty points your sword, that is where I will strike.
I leave everything to Your Majesty’s judgment.
Simon’s answer was formal and official.
Alexia laughed softly.
Then my decision is no.
Unless the Eastern United Kingdoms are at the gates of the Imperial Capital, she would absolutely not deploy the Blood Knights.
She trusted no one in the Empire—except Simon.
I don’t know how to wage war, but I’ve provided ample supplies for your logistics, without a day’s delay.
If you can’t win or hold the line, that’s your problem.
Don’t give me so many excuses.
Your Majesty the Empress…
Therese was just about to speak when Simon suddenly interjected.
I have already heard of the situation in the east, and it is still far from the point where the Blood Knights need to be deployed.
Breaking the stalemate with the Eastern United Kingdoms is actually very simple.
All it takes is abandoning Arro City and its surrounding fortresses.
At Simon’s words, Therese frowned slightly, following his logic.
You want us to abandon the front-line fortress of Arro City?
Do you understand how difficult Arro City is to capture?
Once given up, regaining it would cost several times what it does now.
Simon explained.
Precisely because it is a difficult-to-capture fortress with an advantageous location, we should relinquish it.
To the Empire now, it is like a burning hot potato.
If the Empire insists on holding it, it would require multiple times the resources to resist a counterattack from the Eastern United Kingdoms.
That is no good for an Empire weary from years of war.
As he spoke, Simon turned to look at Alexia.
If possible, I humbly ask Your Majesty to grant the front-line soldiers a chance to rest.
They deserve to go home, even if just for a short while.
The Eastern United Kingdoms are different from our Empire.
Internally, they are riddled with conflicts of interest and not united under a single imperial will.
Once we relinquish Arro City, they will inevitably fight among themselves for control of the city.
This will at least buy us a short period of respite.
Therese said worriedly, I understand all that Knight Commander Simon has said.
But how likely is this plan to succeed?
And if it fails, how should we respond?
As the overall commander on the Eastern United Kingdoms front, she knew that even the best plan needed to consider its practical execution.
She did not believe Simon understood the eastern war better than she did.
About sixty percent.
Simon replied.
If it fails, I will personally reclaim Arro City.
In truth, a conflict within the Eastern United Kingdoms was inevitable.
Arro City’s location was excellent, lying at the crossroads of several nations, and the trade revenue from transit taxes alone was a huge sum.
The Eastern United Kingdoms were a loosely allied body formed under the Empire’s pressure, plagued by internal strife and mutual distrust.
Otherwise, so many kingdoms wouldn’t be united and still lose to a single Empire.
Alexia clapped her hands lightly.
I believe Simon is right.
Therese, proceed according to his plan.
As for the Arro City matter, I will discuss with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the Eastern United Kingdoms fracture over it.
And as for your mission, Therese…
Make sure to bring every front-line soldier back safely.
As for how to handle Arro City, do I need to say more?
Alexia walked up to Therese and drew a shallow scratch on her neck with her fingernail.
If, next year, I hear that you retook Arro City at the cost of massive casualties, make sure the Tenth Legion Commander replaces you—and brings your head to me.
Therese swallowed hard, her breath seeming to freeze.
There is no need for Your Majesty the Empress to worry.
I will do everything in my power.
For the Empire and for Your Majesty.