Peaceful days are always short-lived, and the news that the Principality of Orton has been poisoned by orcs soon spread.

A principality didn't even have a decent resistance, and the defense line was directly torn apart by the orc army, and Hudson was already powerless to complain.

Perhaps this is the price of "swords and soldiers are put into storage, and horses are put in Nanshan". A comfortable environment is always easy to let your guard down.

It is another story if the national mobilization had been carried out early, rather than relying on the Principality of Moxi for its own safety.

The changes in the Principality of Orton also affected the expeditionary force, and the destruction of the country was imminent, and the officers and soldiers of the expeditionary force were panicked.

No matter how flustered you are, it is useless, far water cannot quench your thirst. What's more, in the face of the main army of orcs, even if the expeditionary force is pulled up, it will be the fate of being hammered.

originally wanted to appease the morale of the military, but in the end Hudson chose to let it go first. It was also a silent test.

A capable officer will solve the morale problem of the army under his command by himself, instead of just bothering him as a commander with problems.

In a sense, the tragedy of the Duchy of Orton was also an opportunity for Hudson.

In a world with a high monopoly of knowledge, talent is almost always concentrated within the ruling group, and it is only when the country is ruined that there will be a spillover of talent.

In the past, digging the foot of the wall, it was estimated that there was little hope, but the homeless Orton nobles in the expeditionary force had the possibility of being subdued.

Now it's up to us to see how the situation develops. With the Duchy of Moxi and the Warhammer Kingdom in the way, the lands of the Duchy of Orton are no longer considered the front line. The problem of its own security is far less serious than that of the front line.

This time the situation was a complete accident. Under normal circumstances, the situation in the Duchy of Moxi should not have corroded so quickly.

Theoretically, as long as a relatively strong line of defense is built, the security of the Principality of Orton is still guaranteed.

This kind of security is not a good thing for the Orton nobles. This means that their land has a value worthy of being looked at.

The Terran Alliance helped regain the lost territory, and that also came at a price.

If you're lucky, you might be able to keep the name of the country, and everyone just opens some branches to get a piece of the pie; If you are too unlucky, you may be dismembered and divided by everyone.

In either case, it was cutting the flesh of the native nobles of Orton. There will always be a group of unlucky nobles who will lose their family inheritance.

Being able to be sent out to reinforce the Duchy of Moxie itself doesn't mix well in the Duchy of Orton. If you encounter this kind of tragedy, you will most likely become the first victims.

Aware of this, Hudson had deliberately begun to observe the reaction of the Orton nobles, preparing to select the available talents.

It's speechless to think about it, after several years, I don't even have a decent talent team.

When it comes to things, it is always Hudson's own decision. It's hard to find someone to talk to.

Hudson also put a lot of effort into recruiting talent, but the end result was very touching.

In addition to recruiting some basic talents, there is no real talent.

Even if it is a declining aristocracy, the first person to choose is the king, and then the great nobles in the country.

When it was Hudson's turn, he had already been screened countless times. It's normal if you can't meet it, but if you do, there will be a problem.

……

Emerald Palace

"Your Majesty, news has come from the front that Duke Aarondo was killed by a sneak attack by an orc master while he was out.

Around the same time, the Duke of Pias, the Duke of Argiellon, the Duke of Dias, and the Duke of Cavadia were also attacked.

At present, the four are strictly blocking the news, and the specific situation is not yet known.

Even Marshal Campbell, who was in the barracks, was assassinated. Fortunately, the old marshal was in good strength and was not succeeded by the enemy.

In addition, a number of front-line generals were assassinated by the enemy, and as many as seven people were killed.

The identities of the assassins are also varied, including human races, orcs, elves, dwarves, demons, and undead......"

After listening to the report of the Grand Duke of Ephiero, Caesar III's face instantly turned pale.

The assassination of one person may have been accidental, and it is absolutely impossible for so many people to be assassinated at the same time by accident.

Not to mention anything else, it is not so simple to control the whereabouts of so many people.

Unless it is internal and external collusion, it can be done at all

"Who is the Black Hand? And how did these assassins infiltrate? ”

Caesar III asked murderously.

The assassins are all big shots, and the security forces around them are definitely not weak. It is arranged by one's own family, and the possibility of being bought by outsiders is very small.

Except for the fact that Duke Aarondo was slightly normal when he was attacked by orc masters, the rest of the assassinations were all foggy.

"Judging from the current situation, the orcs are the most suspicious. However, with the hatred between the Terrans and the Orcs, they want to plant so many inside lines, and they definitely don't have this ability.

What's more, the identities of assassins are also varied, and the orc empire family is afraid that they don't have the ability to control so many people at the same time.

The most worrying thing is that these assassins, except for the undead who appeared suddenly, the rest are all slaves and servants, and they have already lurked in. ”

Archduke Efiero explained stubbornly.

Although the incident happened in the military, it does not mean that the military affairs department will be able to figure out the situation. The big nobles have their own private army around them, and their personal safety is also responsible for their own private army.

The information found by the Ministry of Military Affairs is the answer they gave, and the specific details of the assassination are only clear to these parties.

Especially the five earth snakes, except for Duke Aarondo, who is clearly dead, the remaining four don't even know whether they are dead or alive.

If you want to track down the murderer, it is not the Ministry of Military Affairs that has the final say at all. Without the cooperation of these big nobles, it would not have been possible to proceed at all.

It's not that everyone deliberately resists the investigation, but mainly because before the matter is clarified, everyone lacks the most basic trust.

It is estimated that at this time, they look at everyone like murderers.

Even if the crisis of confidence is eliminated, it will be difficult for the Ministry of Military Affairs to fully intervene. There is no way, everyone has a lot of black history.

It's okay if it doesn't explode, once the lid is lifted, it's a major political accident.

Even if there is no effort for internal fighting during the war, these black histories after the war are also the target of political opponents.

In this context, the five major families in Northern Xinjiang naturally preferred to investigate on their own rather than the involvement of the Ministry of Military Affairs.

"Humph!"

After a cold snort, Caesar III said angrily: "I don't want to hear so many explanations, the mastermind behind it must be found out as soon as possible."

Tell those guys in the north that either they will find out the murderer for me themselves, or they will fully cooperate with the kingdom's investigation.

There is also the issue of the front, which the Ministry of Military Affairs must pay attention to. With so many things happening at once, the orcs will definitely not give up this opportunity. ”

If there was a chance, Caesar III wouldn't mind knocking the five great families of Northern Xinjiang to the dust, but definitely not now.

No matter how much the five major families in Northern Xinjiang hate it, their military strength is real. They still played an important role in resisting the invasion of the orc army.

Without these few families as a barrier, the flames of war will soon reach the hinterland of the Alpha Kingdom, and the resulting losses are definitely astronomical.

……

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Archer, put!"

"Resist, give me everything!"

……

The flames of war eventually reached the territory of the Warhammer Kingdom. In the face of the menacing orc army, the defenders performed much better than the Ortons.

Although the defense line was still not completed, at least a lot of traps were dug against the orc cavalry, and many wooden fences were set up.

Defense is not as good as a castle fortress, but that's better than nothing. One improvised line of defense after another, failing to stop the orc army, slowed down their advance.

One legion was defeated, and another was on top, but unfortunately the fate was the same.

In the face of rising casualty figures, Warhammer Kingdom is also under great pressure.

"Marshal, you have seen the casualty figures at the front. If the current situation continues, I am afraid that it will not be long before the troops we deploy on the southern front will be wiped out! ”

Joseph II said indifferently.

It can be seen that his dissatisfaction with Marshal Borg has accumulated to the critical point of outbreak.

Kings are all realistic, and if the pillar of the kingdom is not able to turn the tide, then it is no longer a pillar.

Past achievements are not worth mentioning at all in the face of reality. If it weren't for the lack of a better option, he would have been replaced a long time ago.

Marshal Borg, who is the party concerned, is also angry. If it is caused by his strategic problems, it is just a matter of taking responsibility.

But the problem is that the strategy he developed did not go wrong. If it weren't for the strengthening of the front line of the Principality of Moxi, the enemy would have come in long ago, and there would be no need to make a long detour.

Even if it was the threat of the southern front, he had raised it early, but the problem was that the kingdom's strength was limited and it was not capable of taking care of so many places at the same time.

Limited resources should be distributed over unlimited defense zones, and no matter how they are deployed, vulnerabilities will appear.

Even if the line of the Principality of Orton is defended, the enemy will have to make a detour of a few hundred miles. The allies don't give their strength, so that the enemy can sweep all the way, what can they do about it?

There are not enough fortifications in the city, just some simple facilities, to stop the pace of the orc army, the army on the front line is not crushed at the slightest touch, it is the result of everyone's life.

"Your Majesty, what are you going to do?"

Marshal Borg said expressionlessly.

They are all tempered lords, and as the old minister of the kingdom, he will not come out for no reason to carry the black pot.

It can't solve the problem, it's a matter of the strength of the kingdom. The current situation is erosive, and it is not caused by his blind command, so there is no need to be weak at all.

"The total strength of the orc army coming from the south is only 100,000, of which 30,000 are ordinary wolf cavalry, and the real elite is only 70,000.

Don't look at the orc army all the way, the losses they have paid are definitely not small. At present, the total number of troops is only about 90,000 at most.

Concentrate the forces of the southern and central provinces of the kingdom and slowly maneuver with them, waiting for an opportunity to fight a decisive battle! ”

Joseph II said unhurriedly.

This strategic plan was the result of a long period of deliberation by his think tank.

Theoretically, with the full mobilization of the southern and central provinces of the Warhammer Kingdom, an army of six or seven hundred thousand can be organized.

With several times the enemy's superiority in strength, it is completely capable of fighting. Don't expect a quick victory, as long as it drags on for a while, this orc army will be the turtle in the urn.

"Your Majesty, you are too optimistic.

The nobles of the southern provinces did not think at all that one day the enemy would come out from behind, and their preparations were seriously insufficient.

The conscription order has been issued for so long, and the mobilization of the provinces has not been completed, I am afraid that the orcs will be killed before the army gathers.

Even if we can assemble a large army, we will not be able to stop the orcs in their way.

As a lone army, they are originally responsible for causing trouble, and they will not fight us in a decisive battle at all.

Tear a hole at random, and the enemy will kill all the way from south to north. The enemy was mostly cavalry, and ordinary armies simply could not catch up with them.

In a simple cavalry duel, the kingdom's military superiority is not so obvious.

Busy concentrating forces to fight a decisive battle with the enemy will only lead to a faster rout. It is better to let the nobles from all over the world rely on the castle fortress and constantly harass the orc army.

If necessary, we can also shrink our forces and retreat to the western part of the kingdom. Since the enemies of the Great Plains of Warhammer want it, give it to them first.

As long as the strength of the kingdom remains, we can still get back the territory we have lost now. ”

Marshal Borg said solemnly.

If possible, he also did not want to give up the Great Plains of Warhammer. But there is no way, the true strength of the Warhammer Kingdom is not as strong as it seems.

If it was just a lone army of orcs, he was still sure to defeat it. The problem is the military pressure they need to withstand, as well as the Northern and Eastern Fronts.

The main forces of the kingdom are all pinned, and with only a gang of rabble, what can they do to fight the orcs?

The decision to abandon the Great Plains of Warhammer and retreat to the mountains west of the kingdom is a difficult one, but it is the best option to resolve strategic passivity.

"Your Excellency, do you know how much it will cost the kingdom to abandon the Great Plains of Warhammer?

Nearly seventy percent of the kingdom's population lives on the Great Plains of Warhammer. There is simply no way to evacuate in a short period of time, and once we retreat, we expose these populaces to the butcher's knives of the orcs.

Your territory is in the west, which doesn't have much influence, but what about the nobles of the Warhammer Plains? ”

In the face of Prime Minister Gay's angry questioning, Marshal Borg sighed and replied with a solemn expression:

"I'm not blind, I know what Warhammer Great Plains means to the kingdom. But the problem now is that the orcs are eyeing us this time.

Among the three northern kingdoms, the Principality of Moxi has no danger to defend and is not a place to live for a long time.

The Alpha Kingdom is so powerful that they won't be able to eat it for a while.

The only thing left for the Orc Empire is the kingdom.

Maybe they can't hold the Warhammer Great Plains even if they get it, but the western mountains are different. As long as they eat it, they are likely to digest it.

If the kingdom concentrates its strength to hold on, with the advantage of terrain, it can also block the orcs' troops.

If you fight the orcs first, and then want to stick to the western part of the kingdom after defeat, it won't be so easy! ”

Marshal Borg has not suffered a major defeat since his debut. Even if you suffer a small loss in the early stage, you can make up for it later, relying on this caution.

It's just that this time the situation is obviously different from the past. Abandoning the Great Plains of Warhammer has surpassed the bottom line of many people.

Even if you know that this is the option with the highest winning rate, you have a reason to refuse. The loss of the kingdom is secondary, and the key is that everyone's family inheritance is in the Great Plains of Warhammer.

Once the plains fall, even if it is only for a short time, the price that everyone needs to pay will be heavy.

The most important thing is that now that he has made sacrifices and become rootless, he also does not have enough confidence when he divides the spoils after the war.

"Your Excellency, the plan to retreat to the western part of the kingdom has been put on hold for the time being, and the situation has not yet reached that point.

For now, let's think about how to stop the orc army!

With your previous deployment, this plan to resist and slow down the orc army is now clearly out of place.

The kingdom needs to adopt a more active strategy and tactics, rather than blindly retreating.

Hasn't the Terran Alliance declared war, and when will reinforcements from various countries arrive? ”

Joseph II decisively vetoed.

Like many great nobles, the royal family has its roots in the Great Plains of Warhammer. Although there are also royal territories in the western region, they account for less than one-fifth.

Giving up the foundation and moving the capital to the west, the royal family's advantage over the domestic aristocracy no longer exists, and the final right to speak is not as good as that of the big nobles in the western region.

Even if the lost territory can be regained after the war, it will be a major political reshuffle. The western aristocracy, which has the advantage, will definitely take the opportunity to expand its strength in the east.

When it comes to the core interests of the royal family, there is naturally no possibility of compromise. Even though he knew that a decisive battle with the orcs was risky, Joseph II still had no choice.

Instead of jumping out directly and accusing Marshal Borg of a conspiracy in his plans, he showed his last respect for the marshal.

"Your Majesty, the speed of the Terran Alliance's actions this time is a little faster than expected.

The council has approved the first batch of military aid programs, including 100 magic crystal cannons, 3,000 magic crossbows, 50,000 armor pairs, 30,000 war horses, and 20 million pounds of rye......

However, it was the Mossi people who were the first to receive aid, and their family took 60 percent of the quota.

Among the remaining material quotas, the Alpha Kingdom has a monopoly of thirty percent of the quota, and the last ten percent of the quota will be divided into the Ortun people before the kingdom belongs. ”

Foreign Minister Cassidy said indignantly.

Although these aid materials are not taken for free, and they will still need to pay a cost price in the future, it is very rare to be able to obtain affordable strategic materials in wartime.

It is understandable that the Alpha Kingdom cannot be snatched, the strength of the two sides is there, and the right to speak in the alliance is not the same.

What's more, the Alpha Kingdom has also dragged down most of the orc army and borne the heaviest military pressure, so it is understandable to take one more.

Losing to the Duchy of Moxi, Cassidy was not convinced. As soon as the Terran Alliance meeting made a decision, representatives of the Warhammer Kingdom protested.

Regrettably, the protest was accepted by Parliament, but the final result remained the same.

The question is: the Duchy of Moxi needs help even more.

There is a lot of nonsense, and there are deputies who directly accuse them of inaction in the war and did not play their due role.

On this issue, Cassidy could not do anything either. The strategic problems of the kingdom were not something that he could change as a foreign minister.

"Why?

When I'm in Warhammer Kingdom, am I easy to bully?

What does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs do, and how can it tolerate the injustice of the kingdom? ”

Faced with the king's questioning, Cassidy secretly complained to himself.

As soon as the material aid plan was proposed, it was approved by the parliament as soon as it was proposed.

Even if you want PR, you have to have time.

(End of chapter)