King-Chapter 1443 - 8: The Pope Should Use Open Strategies_2

Upon hearing Hudson’s answer, Caesar IV’s brow furrowed even tighter.

In the vast Alpha Kingdom, the mobilizable forces amounted to only a few tens of thousands, yet he couldn’t find fault with it.

Whether defending against Different Races or preventing the resurgence of a Magic Cataclysm, the kingdom’s forces were constrained.

Even a few tens of thousands could only reinforce one allied nation. Splitting reinforcements could lead to sending men to their deaths.

Risking the core being exposed without solving the problem, it might be better to let each country withdraw their troops.

A Frankish detachment could disrupt the Clergy thoroughly, and as long as the Expeditionary Army was cautious, the problem shouldn’t be significant.

"Let it be, if any country proposes to withdraw its troops, let them."

Notify the Expeditionary Army Corps, advising them to be cautious. If the situation worsens, they are free to decide whether to stay or leave."

Caesar IV’s advice was evidently superfluous.

Over the past decade, the high-ranking officers slain in the kingdom numbered cumulatively over two dozen.

Several Major Nobles had fallen into decline.

The losses among mid- and lower-level officers numbered in the tens of thousands.

Such harsh survival of the fittest had already weeded out the inept.

The true purpose behind such words was a preemptive act of passing the buck. By extensively delegating authority, any problem would be the fault of the frontline Commander.

Incidentally, those involved in this action were all Private Armies of various Noble Lords, holding them accountable to their subordinates was only fair. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

"Your Majesty, perhaps we should consider negotiating with the Clergy.

With various countries withdrawing, it will only be us and the Frank Empire left.

Combining our forces to destroy the Clergy theoretically presents little issue.

Yet, the Clergy remains a deeply entrenched force within the Human Race’s legacy; their final backlash should not be underestimated.

Due to geopolitical factors, even if the Clergy regained strength, the first headache would fall upon the countries of the South Continent.

Rather than risking heavy losses continuing the strategy to destroy the Clergy, perhaps we should settle for some benefit."

Prime Minister Duke Delgado advised.

In politics, there are no absolute friends or foes.

The declining Clergy no longer posed a threat to the kingdom; the main conflict between them now rested on past hatred and religious orthodoxy struggles.

With borders not touching, these seemingly irreconcilable disputes could indeed be negotiated.

Essentially, the group represented the Alpha Kingdom nobility group, not the Northern Church.

For governance needs, merely posing as followers of the Lord of the Dawn was sufficient; overzealousness leads nowhere.

"Your Majesty, at times like this, it is indeed appropriate to talk to the Clergy.

If negotiations fail, then they are to blame for this Magic Cataclysm!"

Hudson calmly spoke.

How much benefit can be squeezed isn’t the key; initiating negotiations buys time.

The signal for peace talks also dampens the Clergy’s resolve for a last stand, creating opportunities for subsequent plunder.

Everything is for the Kingdom!

The reform has just begun, to reduce unnecessary troubles; those powerful Nobles are most appropriately kept abroad for now.

Fortunately, the Department of Foreign Affairs is under reformists, directly seizing negotiation initiative, allowing them to drag out the time as needed.

No one loses; reformists acquire the time they need, while the powerful Nobles can seize the chance to amplify their wealth.

Even if some interests are lost during reforms, they can recoup with interest in the Papal State.

The only one bearing the brunt is the Clergy.

The kingdom in its plundering continues extorting them incessantly.

Of course, it isn’t undue; over the years, the Clergy has extracted abundant resources from the Alpha Kingdom.

Now some of it is recouped; it’s far from fully recovered!

"Good!"

Understanding the implication, Caesar IV immediately replied.

This reform was his biggest political move since his ascension.

If the reform failed, even if he could shift blame onto ministers, it would still severely damage his Monarch’s prestige.

...

Holy Mountain.

Over the past six months, high-ranking members of the Clergy suffered immensely. Especially after the Battle of Holy Mountain, their anxiety reached the zenith.

The high echelons lived in hardship; the mid- and lower-tier couldn’t fare any better. Some aged Clergy members couldn’t endure the tense atmosphere atop Holy Mountain and directly went to meet the Lord of the Dawn early.

Even Shelter VII decisively took measures, prohibiting private discussions on related current affairs topics, yet failed to alter the "anxious hearts" prevailing conditions.

Ultimately forced to take risky moves that sparked a Magic Cataclysm across the Continent. As a consequence, the Clergy’s covert agents buried throughout the Continent were virtually wiped out.

Merely awaiting the withdrawal of the forces, people didn’t ease much. "Magic Cataclysm" only temporarily alleviated Clergy’s urgent peril; it didn’t imply the troubles were resolved.

The truth can’t be hidden; after accomplishing such a grand scheme, no matter how stringent the secrecy, traces remain inevitably.

Moreover, political issues once conclusions are drawn, evidence naturally materializes.

"We overestimated the Magic Cataclysm influence, misjudged various parties’ strength. Its impact didn’t reach anticipated magnitude.

Though countries began withdrawing forces, the two major Heresy leaders, Frank and Alpha, obstinately said: No!

The Holy Court’s crisis hasn’t been truly resolved yet. Should they unite, they retain the capacity to pose a lethal threat to us.

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