Three months ago, the Imperial Palace in Austin.

The hall was empty and quiet, except for Austin VII sitting alone at the head of the long dining table.

Even though Austin VII's pouring of wine was already very light, the sound of wine bottles smashing on the table still echoed in the empty hall.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded in the main hall.

"Coming back?" Austin VII glanced at Riel, who was sitting next to him.

"Hmm." Riel answered the glass that Austin VII handed over.

"How's it going?" Austin VII asked.

"As of today, I have supervised the refurbishment of all the army's equipment and supervised the increase in the number of training 'exercises', and the major main combat corps can fight in a subversive state at any time." Riel said.

Austin VII nodded.

"The hoarding of weapons and equipment and grain and grass has been prepared, of course, I secretly asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to negotiate with several major chambers of commerce to hoard weapons and equipment and grain and grass." Austin VII said.

"Ten years have passed in this blink of an eye...... We have been preparing for ten years, and the Ryan Empire, which has been preparing for an unknown number of years ahead of us, should have enough troops to attack our two countries in ten years, but they still haven't done it for a long time. We are continuing to expand the army and collect weapons and equipment......"

"Difficulty: Are they still ready to sweep the continent in one go?" Austin VII said.

"Hmph...... Sweeping the continent, for thousands of years, only Austin I did it! Thirty more years of preparation for the Lane Empire is not enough! Riel snorted.

"What does the Etéo Empire say? After all, they will be fighting on their turf when the time comes. Austin VII asked, it had always been Riel who was in charge of contacting the Eteo Empire.

In fact, in the past ten years, not many people know about the private actions of the Austin Empire, and on the surface it is still peaceful, but there are more military exercises, more food and equipment purchased by the official every year, and the city guards are busy with training tasks......

"Of course, Etéo V is very sincere, after all, other people's swords are going to reach his nose. We in Austin have only formed an alliance with them because of the 'cold lips and teeth' principle, and they are under a lot more pressure than we are. Riel said.

"During the Alliance, the troops of our Austin Empire were free to enter and leave the cities of the Eteo Empire. The gates of the Empire of Eteo will be wide open for our army. Riel said.

"Oh...... Eternal V, that old fellow's heart is really big enough, aren't you afraid that we will bite back......" Austin VII joked.

He and Riel both knew very well, and Ateo V knew even better, that it was impossible for the Austin Empire to counterattack the Auteo Empire at this time, because at this time, for the Austin Empire, the Auteo Empire instead played the role of a shield.

Hastening the demise of the Eteo Empire is nothing more than exposing the Austin Empire itself to the attack range of the Ryan Empire's army.

Of course, if the rulers of the Austin Empire are mediocre and greedy for small profits in the near future, so as to attack the Iteo Empire, which is wide open, then the Ateo Empire can only be unlucky.

Those who have achieved great things have never said that they will do one thing, and they will be 100% sure.

A lot of times there will be a lot of messy and even ridiculous reasons for things to fail.

They can only work hard to increase the odds of results.

Just like this time, the Auteo Empire chose to "absolutely trust" the Austin Empire, which is actually a gamble, and no one dares to say that the Austin Empire will not bite back. It's just that the odds are relatively small.

"Well, no matter why the Ryan Empire is delaying the attack, we are ready anyway, although we can launch an attack!" Austin VII said.

"But I need to go to the Nuhas Forest first...... Rare laughs.

……

Another two months passed.

A month ago, it was the same hall again, and Austin VII was alone at the table.

"Coming back?" Austin VII glanced at Riel, who was sitting next to him.

"I finally understood what it was like for our father to look at this group of brothers under us." Austin VII's face was bitter, drank the wine in his glass, and then raised his hand again.

"Born in the Austin family, born to enjoy a higher salary than others, and get so much, of course, there is some price to pay." Riel said with a frown.

"Okay, let's not talk about this, how are you preparing here?" Rare said, looking at the other party.

Austin VII deserved to be the ruler of an empire, just rubbed his face, and the next second came out of his melancholy mood.

"Almost, ready to start." Austin VII said.

"Okay, I'll leave now, just to come and talk to you." Riel said.

"Leaving now? Didn't you just come back from the Nuhas Forest? Why is it in such a hurry? Austin VII said in surprise.

"To be on the safe side, I'll have to meet an old friend."

……

This month ago was also the third month that the Austin Academy of Magic Academy team had embarked on a journey to the Baconir Empire to compete in the competition......

Austin on the journey, on behalf of the team, did not know ......

At this time, in the shadows of the empire, a big move is being planned!

……

Austin Empire, Austin Palace.

Today is the monthly "big regular meeting" held by lords and city guard generals from all over the country when they come to the imperial capital.

It's just that today, after everyone reported on the work in various places, Austin VII did not wave his hand lightly and smile as usual, "Thank you for your hard work."

At this time, Austin VII slowly stood up on the throne and glanced at the ministers below with a serious expression.

The ministers below obviously also felt the solemnity in the air, and closed their mouths very tacitly and waited for the following.

"Everyone!" Austin VII's breathless voice echoed through the hall.

"I have to tell you the bad news!"

In the main hall of the council and above the regular meeting, it has always been a serious place, and the things that can be said in the regular meeting are all major national affairs. And being able to make Austin VII say it so solemnly is definitely not a trivial matter!

"Bad news?!" The ministers below looked at each other.

"That's right! Bad news! Austin VII affirmed.

"To the east of our country, the 500,000 elite troops of the Lane Empire, or even more troops, are ready for battle, and the blade of the sword is aimed at us Austin!" Austin VII spoke in a solemn tone, looking at the ministers below, obviously observing the ministers' reactions.

"The Ryan Empire?! How can it be? Aren't we separated by the Etéo Empire to the east? "Surely no one who can become a minister is a fool, and almost everyone thinks of the main problem.

But no one spoke.

Because what they thought of, Austin VII certainly could think of!

Austin VII had already thought of a question, so why should they remind him? Maybe Austin VII was deliberately tempting them? Or maybe this is purely to find a reason to send troops, or maybe they have not thought about sending troops at all, and simply want to increase military spending?

The ministers had a lot of thoughts in their hearts, but on the surface, they all looked at their noses and noses, and their eyelids were lowered and they didn't make a sound......