"My Lord, Knight Ed is outside the manor seeking an audience. He says he has an urgent matter to report."

Just as Marquis Oscillate was speaking with Valentino, a messenger entered and announced.

"Mm, I understand. Let him in," Marquis Oscillate nodded.

"In that case, I will take my leave. May you be well."

Hearing the messenger’s voice, Valentino knew the Marquis’s work hours were about to begin. She then stood up, held her helmet, and saluted the Marquis.

"Yes, you may go. And give that matter some serious thought," Marquis Oscillate nodded.

Valentino blushed and nodded. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"I will."

...

After watching the injured Knight being carried away, Knight Ed had ridden his horse here at a full gallop.

Although he didn’t know where the Golden Fortress was, nor why a fortress would be so important, judging by that Knight’s expression, if he didn’t report it, the man might have died with regrets.

After being granted entry, Knight Ed followed the guiding guard into the manor. On the way, he ran into Valentino, who was wearing her helmet.

"My Lord, good afternoon." Knight Ed was brought before Marquis Oscillate.

He wasn’t uncomfortable at all. Even his old man would have to respectfully greet the Marquis with a "good afternoon" if he were here.

"Didn’t you have an urgent matter to report? Ed, a true soldier doesn’t care for such formalities. Military intelligence is paramount," Marquis Oscillate lectured.

Of course, this was just something he said to his subordinates, mainly to put on a show for outsiders. This boy, Ed, had been personally mentored by Marquis Oscillate.

If not for that, Ed would have long since been sent to join Count Offman, thanks to the machinations of his stepmother’s family.

The struggles between families had always been vicious, especially within an Earl Clan. With great power and assets, everyone would fight with all they had for the top position. Anyone deemed a threat was a target for elimination.

Of course, lecturing was one thing; it didn’t mean Marquis Oscillate practiced what he preached.

"Yes, My Lord!"

"Today, a Knight suddenly flew in from the north of the city with a message."

"According to him, the Golden Fortress has been breached. The Beastman leading the charge is Golden Tier, the main force is the Beastman Corps, and there’s also a large-scale Thunder Eagle Legion," Ed said.

"What place?" After hearing this, Marquis Oscillate stopped drinking his tea and looked at Ed with a frown.

Ed flinched. It was the first time he had ever seen Marquis Oscillate frown.

"The Golden Fortress, My Lord," Knight Ed said.

Marquis Oscillate set down his teacup, his brow furrowed for a long moment.

Ed didn’t understand the terrain, but the Marquis knew it like the back of his hand. A competent Commander-in-Chief should have a clear understanding of his own defensive zone.

"Someone, inform the Mage Corps. Tell them to communicate with O’Neil Fortress and get the latest information," Marquis Oscillate commanded.

The Marquis then stood up as well. He didn’t know if the news was true or false, but if it was true, they were in big trouble.

The Marquis was well aware of how much effort the royal family had invested in Prince Noah. Politics, diplomacy, military affairs, territory—in every aspect, Prince Noah was already deeply entrenched in the kingdom’s political landscape.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that Prince Noah couldn’t command anyone on the Western Front right now. That was because he was trying to mobilize the entire defense line’s army at once. Let alone Prince Noah, not even Marquis Oscillate could guarantee that everyone would follow him to their deaths.

But in the Royal Capital, Prince Noah was still a figure who could command the wind and rain. In previous years, he had been studying in the Algeria Kingdom, and for years there had been rumors about him and the Princess of Algeria. A marriage alliance had long been on the agenda.

For the past few years, Prince Noah had been representing the King, speaking at the Human Council to seek resources...

...

After giving his orders, Marquis Oscillate went directly to the usual conference room. Often, the most decisive meetings for the entire Western Front were held here.

Staring at the map on the wall, Marquis Oscillate’s mind raced, considering the worst-case scenarios.

A knock came at the door.

"Enter!" Marquis Oscillate looked toward the door.

It was a Mage wearing a black Magic Robe.

A chill went through Marquis Oscillate’s heart.

"Magical communication with O’Neil Fortress has been cut off! His Highness Prince is in danger! We must act immediately!" The Norria Court Mage strode into the room, reaching Marquis Oscillate in just a few steps.

Upon hearing this news, Marquis Oscillate’s heart leaped into his throat.

"No! We still have a chance! The most important thing now is to secure Airelle Port. We must secure a breakout path for the Prince!" The speaker was Viscount Illiman, a trusted subordinate of Marquis Oscillate.

"Perhaps we can dispatch the High Mountain Griffin Knight Order. They might be able to rescue Prince Noah." This was Count Noeman.

"The Griffin Knight Order? What are you talking about? The enemy’s Thunderhawks and Cloud Lions combined outnumber us four to one! Do you understand? And that’s just near O’Neil Castle!" Norria retorted.

"Furthermore, magical communication with Airelle Port has also been blocked! The entire magical network along the defense line near O’Neil Castle has been severed! I can’t break through!

Oscillate, you know what this means!" Mage Norria stared at Marquis Oscillate.

The hope that had been suspended in Marquis Oscillate’s heart finally died.

Of course, he knew what it meant. Mage Norria was an old fixture of the royal family. With Mages, the older they were, the more valuable they became. Mage Norria was among the royal family’s most elite Mages, a level 8 Magic Master.

To block Mage Norria’s magical senses required at least a Great Mage. And for someone of that level, there was a more common term: a Legendary Mage.

"I know, of course. You should return for now. I will send someone to inform you tonight," said Marquis Oscillate.

In truth, there was more news he hadn’t told Norria. According to the latest reports from the front, at least three Beastman Infantry Corps had already landed at Airelle Port. The sky was so thick with Thunderhawks that they had to rely on ground-based scouts to gather intelligence.

The enemy’s ability to mobilize troops so quickly certainly meant they had ships in the port. The initial deduction was that some aquatic species had entered the battlefield—whether it was the Naga or murlocs was unknown.

This was a complete steamroll. The Beastmen’s reinforcements were already on their way, and their nation had fully transitioned to a war footing. The Beastmen didn’t want to wait any longer, so they sent three Infantry Corps to seize a single fortress.

Right now, intelligence reports were pouring in from every fortress along the Siriel Defense Line, but it was impossible to tell whether they were facing the enemy’s elite forces or just cannon fodder.

The Western Front was in such a state that it couldn’t even cover all its bases.

If he told all this to Mage Norria, there was no telling how the protective old man would react.

Even though he knew the situation was critical, Marquis Oscillate could only maintain the facade of having everything under control.

"Oscillate, you know that the boy Louis is very displeased with you...

What about Prince Noah’s initial call for reinforcements? No one responded...

You know... remember those decrees. The pain of losing a son in old age... I don’t think Louis will bear it alone..." Mage Norria threatened.

Marquis Oscillate raised his head, his gaze meeting Mage Norria’s directly.

"I said, return for now. I will send someone to inform you tonight," Marquis Oscillate repeated.

...

"My Lord, it will be dark soon..."

"Marquis, you’ve been sitting here for two hours. The military situation is urgent..."

Listening to the inquiries of his adjutants, Oscillate pulled his gaze away from the map and mentally reviewed all the information one more time.

"Send the order. Assemble all Cavalry units in Devil City. We move out tonight to retake Airelle Port," Marquis Oscillate said.

"Who will be the Main Commander?" asked Count Noeman.

Marquis Oscillate opened his mouth, then closed it again.

"I will go myself..."

"What? This... should we recall the Guard Knight Order?" Count Noeman asked.

"No... there’s no need..." Marquis Oscillate refused.

"This... isn’t this too risky?" Count Noeman said with a frown.

"There’s no other way... The central line is completely unprepared for a retreat.

The Human Council doesn’t convene until January of next year."

"Noeman... how many years have you followed me?" Marquis Oscillate suddenly asked.

"Forty-seven years, My Lord. I remember it was just outside the Royal City," said Count Noeman.

"Listen carefully to what I’m about to say.

From this moment on, all fortresses and strongholds on the defense line are to enter a state of emergency. Prepare for a long war of attrition...

Blue Dragon Fortress, Black Cliff Fortress... these positions are to gradually withdraw to Devil City and the other cities.

Leave the matters in the east to Earl Wei Man. He will handle them.

If anything major happens, then you can come find me."

"Yes, My Lord."