"Well, I didn't eat breakfast in the morning... Can I start if there are no problems?"

In the center of the spacious and bright room was a large long table, on which was a map of the northern part of the fortress of Broken Mountain, and at one end of the long table sat the two existing "de Salion" in the fortress, and on either side stood the commander of the legion in the fortress, and the two vassals and the captain of the guard.

Like Conod's side, the deputy commander of the fortress, Ernst Dresis, was like an adjutant, motionless behind the Prince of Sackland's chair the whole time.

And a wizard advisor who was still yawning to His Royal Highness, Loren Turin, who had "just been released from prison", stood on Brandon's left side. The black-haired wizard's gaze, whose mouth twitched slightly, couldn't help but glance to the side, the position that should have belonged to the captain of the dead guard was occupied by a familiar guy.

Edward......

After the captain of the guard died tragically in the camp raid, this night watchman did not know how to become the commander of this flag regiment, and it was only natural that he shouldered the position of captain of the guard.

The indifferent Edward held his hands behind his back, as if he were not aware of the gaze passing by, while Brandon, who was yawning in his chair, still had an impatient expression, the fingers of his right hand constantly tapping on the table.

This was the third day of the group's arrival at the Broken Mountain Fortress, and Conod urgently convened a meeting - almost all of the people present were the top-level commanders of the Broken Mountain Fortress, except for Brandon's side.

The news of the total destruction of the search party in the north was no secret in Broken Boundary Mountain, but what most of the soldiers didn't know was that the watchtower in the Valley of Bones was also destroyed—if it was really a sign of a monster invasion, it was likely to prove that their forces were even the Valley of Blood.

From the Valley of Bloodbones to the Fortress of Broken Mountain, it only takes ten days for a small number of elites, and it only takes half a month for a large army, except for the outposts along the way, which are almost undefended; if the monster army is really about to invade, the empire must be ready to meet it immediately.

But it was clear to everyone present that the answer was no.

For some inexplicable reason, Connod did not report the invasion to the rear, and the news of the entire empire was still only when the monsters roaming the wilderness in droves invading the south, as in previous winters, rather than a large army that had a good chance of capturing the fortress.

At the same time, due to the fall of the watchtower and the total destruction of the search party, the cavalry of the fortress surrounded and suppressed the northern Saklan, harassing the iceborne werewolves on the fortress's supply lines.

In other words, they don't know anything about the situation north of the Valley of Blood!

That's why Conod had to convene an emergency meeting - even if Brandon could arrive at the fortress half a month or even ten days earlier, he would be more comfortable with the current situation.

At least... It will not be because of the panic in the fortress and the "truth" that is becoming more and more impossible to hide, so that he has to ask his own brother for help, forcing himself to the point where he has no choice.

Conod crossed his arms on the table with his fingers crossed, his expression still serious and resolute, completely ignoring Brandon's complaints: "How's the news from the rear?"

"After destroying the wandering werewolves, our logistical supply lines have been reopened, and the twelve fortresses in northern Sackland are ready to supply the Broken Mountain Fortress with sufficient supplies and supplies at any time. ”

Bowing slightly, Ernst, who was standing behind, stepped forward and pointed with his right hand to the territory between the Prince of Sakland's territory and the fortress of Broken Mountain: "Of course, it cannot be ruled out that a small number of monsters are still wandering, half of the cavalry of the fortress is patrolling the south, and reminding all towns and fortresses to take strict precautions. ”

"In the event of a siege, how many days can the fortress hold?"

"In the event of a siege, we can hold out for three months with our reserves – but that would mean abandoning the rest of the forts and fortresses, and they will not be able to hold out for more than a month if they are fighting on their own, and of course, these are the worst-case scenarios, and they should be able to hold out much longer. ”

"Keep the various forts and fortresses in contact at all times, send regular rangers to communicate information, and send messengers in the event of an enemy attack, and the cavalry who remain in the fortress must be on standby at all times. ”

"Yes. Ernst bowed slightly, his gaze swept over the faces of all the people around him at the long table, almost all of them suppressing his impatience and urgency.

"How's the news from the north?" Conod asked coldly.

"After the destruction of the watchtower in Bloodborne Valley, there was no new information - the soldiers at the nearby watchtower only spotted a small number of iceborne werewolves wandering, but did not attack. Ernst immediately spoke: "Based on past experience, it is very likely that the spearhead of the monster army is scouting our garrison. ”

"Let's go on, from today onwards, the sentries of all fortresses and fortresses will be doubled, and the night rotation will be doubled, and once there are ice werewolves approaching the fortress and watchtower, the number is small, and they can be hunted directly without reporting!"

"Yes!, then, today's topic......"

"His Royal Highness Crown Prince Connaught ——!"

An almost thunderous roar interrupted Ernst, and the entire map room fell silent for a moment. The dark-haired wizard squinted his eyes with a faint curiosity, and his gaze shifted to the source of the sound.

It was a knight in heavy armor, a burly figure that even Ernst was thin in front of him, and the exaggerated Holy Cross pendant on his chest was enough to prove his identity.

"Church of Broken Mountains, Your Excellency Naze, Chief Knight of the Church. Slowly raising his cold eyes, Ernst read out the identity of the other party without emotion:

"This is a legion meeting, you should make a request before you make a letter to Your Highness, are the knights of the church as rude as you?!"

Almost as soon as his words fell, several knights behind Naze, who were also dressed in white robes and wearing the pendant of the Holy Cross, stood up at the same time, while several officers on the other side of the long table, who were also fully armed, also pressed the hilt of their swords at their waists.

It seems that the Broken Mountain Fortress is also not a monolith... The black-haired wizard who looked at this scene silently thought in his heart.

"It is precisely because of the respect for His Highness, the respect for the Empire and the glory of the Holy Cross, that we will stand here and repay His Highness with all our blood. Naze, the knight of the church, waved his hand and stopped the knight behind him:

"Because we firmly believe that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince always has the Empire and the Holy Cross in his heart!"

"So, you rudely interrupted the meeting because the church thought I wasn't religious enough?"

The crimson pupils were cold, and Conod, who was staring at the other party, slowly spoke:

"Or... You think I'm disloyal to the Empire?"

An imperceptible smile slipped across Loren's mouth.

It's such an interesting sight.

"In the name of the Holy Cross, I assure you that the Church of the Holy Cross has no intention of doing so——!"

Every word of the church knight was sonorous and powerful, and he didn't need to think about it to know that he was a Sakran, and his bronze bell-like eyes were round: "But isn't there something more important in the current Broken Boundary Mountain Fortress besides arming and fighting?!"

Saying this, the church knight Naze's right hand suddenly stretched out, until Brandon, who was still yawning as he sat there: "I think everyone here should know very well what His Highness Brandon de Salion came to the Broken Mountain Fortress for!"

"Alas... Why did you suddenly get involved with me?"

Brandon was stunned for a moment, and a sly smile slipped across the corners of his mouth: "Didn't you all pretend to be like each one just now? I almost thought you couldn't see me!"

"No one ignores you, Brandon. Sighing in a low voice, Conod stared at him solemnly: "The reason why I didn't mention you is because there are more important things to deal with, so ......"

"I'm sorry, but allow me to interrupt you again!"

The Knight of the Church, Naze, stood up again, interrupting Conod with an expression of almost fanatical and pious expression: "But at the moment, there is nothing more important to the Broken Mountain Fortress than the intelligence of the Bloodbones Valley!"

"Now that His Highness Brandon is here, let's start discussing as soon as possible when to send a new patrol north to scout information and avoid ......"

"Wait!" Brandon suddenly raised his right hand.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait......" Brandon stood up from his chair limply, looked at the church knights, then at his brother Conrad, and at the group of officers, and said lazily:

"When did I promise you that I would like to patrol the North?".