Princess's Struggle for Survival-Chapter 521: True Purpose

Feeling Amalia’s gaze upon him, Thomas still maintained his noble demeanor, his brown eyes showing no sign of unease.

"Your Majesty the Empress, your consideration is quite correct. Without organization, loosely gathered Arcanist mages are hard-pressed to face multiple opponents of equal strength."

First affirming the Empress’s suggestion as valid, Duke Thomas then moved to the main point he wished to discuss.

"However, Your Majesty, avoiding danger and seeking safety is human nature when facing strong enemies. At a time when the situation remains unclear, rashly mobilizing Arcanist mages originally stationed to protect their families may cause unnecessary troubles."

In Thomas’s eyes, Amalia’s approach was overly hasty, completely disregarding the thoughts of nobles like himself.

Looking across the four ducal families, apart from Duke Charles whose territory had been directly invaded, most held negative attitudes toward the proposal of conscripting Arcanist mages and implementing centralized wartime management.

The Velmont family had not declared their stance; Thomas and Duke Cassian had neither submitted formal consent nor revealed the specific deployment of their Arcanist mages. Other individual Arcanist mages not belonging to the four ducal families also had not publicly accepted the mobilization bill.

These actions were essentially a form of passive resistance. On one hand, having Arcanist mages taken by the Empress damaged the nobles’ personal interests. On the other hand, if the Kingdom of Velys broke through the defenses and widely used Arcanist mages for invasion, how could their personal safety be guaranteed?

Meanwhile, they also truly wanted to test the Empress’s attitude and to see what price Amalia was willing to pay to enforce this bill.

"At a time when the empire is busy with external affairs, internal unity becomes especially important. Removing Arcanist mages would undoubtedly greatly reduce stability."

Hearing Thomas’s words, Amalia’s gaze remained stern. She lightly supported herself with her slender arm, her pale white wrist emerging from the pristine trumpet-shaped sleeve, casually casting a glance at the man.

"So Duke Thomas thinks the same way?"

Without control over Arcanist mages, not only would the nobles’ personal safety be compromised, but their influence would also diminish. The underlying implication was that at this moment, imperial authority, held by the greatest noble, completely dominated all others.

It wasn’t just the Kingdom of Velys wielding the knife; if the Empress wanted to reduce their benefits, it would become much easier than before.

"You believe my orders will cause national chaos, and even at this very moment, you yourself might be part of that?"

The moment Amalia finished speaking, her mighty emerald eyes locked onto Thomas. With the imperial scepter in hand, her overwhelming presence blazed like the midday sun.

"Your Majesty, I meant no such thing." Feeling that familiar, domineering aura reminiscent of the previous Emperor, Thomas promptly expressed his loyalty while skillfully evading the trap Amalia had woven.

Passive resistance or lip service, certain matters couldn’t be brought into the open. At least officially, they were the Empress’s subjects and citizens of the empire.

"It’s merely that within the family, some may feel uneasy. Fear can easily spread, and this isn’t exclusive to the Redgrave family alone..."

First cleverly distancing himself, then vividly dramatizing the current situation.

No wonder he had risen to such a position.

Amalia inwardly sneezed, though her tone softened slightly.

"It’s true this mobilization bill easily causes concerns, but for the greater good, it is a necessary measure."

"The empire’s borders are relatively stable at present. The regent personally suppresses the plague, logistics are steady, and supplies are abundant. If the Kingdom of Velys fails to find a breakthrough within a short time and panics, they will certainly attempt to deploy Arcanist mages."

"At present, Grand Duke Charles and Marquis Charlotte guard the border in plain sight, one a mid-tier Arcanist mage, the other a mid-tier Crusader. Secretly, the royal family has also dispatched an early tier Arcanist mage. For the Kingdom of Velys to break through, they’d need to commit at least five Arcanist-level experts at once, possibly even more."

Although the Valeria Empire possessed walls and numerous defensive magic circles, their effectiveness in battles between Arcanist mages was extremely limited.

If their true goal was to reduce living forces rather than simply break the front lines, the empire would suffer heavy damage.

"Once the empire suffers severe damage, not only will it lose vast defensive positions, but morale will also take a serious blow."

"Moreover, if the Kingdom of Velys deploys Arcanist mages, it means they’re making their final move. This war will fundamentally change its nature."

It will shift from commoners fighting and dying below, to us, the power-holders at the top, engaging in real, bloody combat.

"I believe Duke Thomas understands well that the Kingdom of Velys’s goal was never merely to plunder wealth. Their aim is to destroy the empire and occupy all its land."

Here, Amalia gently pursed her lips. Her slender silver heel tapped the ground, producing a sound that struck at the heart.

The Kingdom of Velys’s original plan might have been to seize land and ease internal conflicts, but when the war reached this stage and both sides’ nobles faced life-threatening danger, stopping became impossible.

History has taught everyone: once one sinks into the quagmire called war, it’s nearly impossible to pull out.

"Your Majesty’s foresight truly commands my admiration," Thomas said, then suddenly shifted the tone.

"Yet not everyone possesses such deep strategic vision."

In theory, it sounds reasonable, but execution is far from simple. If reasoning alone could resolve worldly conflicts, the two nations wouldn’t have gone to war.

Nobles needed tangible benefits, conditions that could reassure them.

Otherwise, even if Amalia used imperial authority this time to squeeze their living space, avoiding bloody conflict, they would be deeply buried.

Once the nobles realized the new Empress brought them no benefit but instead diminished their power in various ways, Amalia, branded as a tyrant, would face an even harder road ahead.

Hearing this, Amalia didn’t immediately respond. She merely narrowed her eyes, her expression grave.

"..."

After a moment of silence, Amalia seemed to soften slightly, speaking in a calmer voice.

"I’ll consider Duke Thomas’s suggestion."

"But that bill will still be issued."

Thomas opened his mouth as if to speak, then hesitated.

"Your Majesty... This could..."

But in the next second, Amalia lifted her gaze towards him. Even a duke felt a sense of suppressed discomfort under her overwhelming aura of supremacy.

"Duke Thomas, this is the final judgment of the Valeria Empire’s Empress."

"You may offer advice, but know your limits, won’t you?"

"Or are you... threatening me?"

The base of the imperial scepter lightly tapped the floor, accompanied by the sharper sound of high heels. Backlit by sunlight, Amalia’s golden hair cascaded down, her petite frame casting a large shadow from the angle, covering the porcelain plate and the tablecloth embroidered with intricate patterns.

Facing the new empress’s dignified and awe-inspiring expression, confronting the sudden accusation Amalia had leveled at him, Thomas couldn’t help but feel some pressure. A fine layer of sweat formed on his back as he quickly spoke.

"I spoke too much and caused Your Majesty’s misunderstanding."

This luncheon had originally been summoned by Amalia, a meal meant to serve as a subtle warning.

Seeing the duke who now appeared submissive, Amalia gravely shifted her gaze, her fingers gently caressing the imperial scepter in her hand.

After several minutes, Amalia spoke softly.

"It seems Duke Thomas indeed meant no ill will."

"Let us eat."

She touched the bell on her right. A group of maids in black-and-white maid uniforms entered the dining hall, systematically serving dishes to the Empress and the duke.

Feeling the pressure ease slightly, Thomas watched Amalia place the imperial scepter beside the table. As her delicate white hands picked up the silver fork and knife, he let out a quiet breath of relief, only beginning to eat slowly after she had taken her first bite.

Valeria noble etiquette included a rule of silence during meals, but this didn’t mean complete silence throughout. Rather, it forbade speaking with food in one’s mouth, as mumbled words were considered impolite to listeners.

After eating a few bites of meat, Amalia continued the previous topic, her tone gentle.

"The bill will be issued on schedule, but after hearing Duke Thomas’s words, I plan to make slight modifications to its contents."

"Specifically defining the necessary conditions for mobilization, the purpose, the corresponding defense gaps, as well as rewards and compensation."

"Since nobles worry about Arcanist mages being temporarily reassigned, losing personal safety protection, the empire will focus on compensating in this area."

Hearing Amalia’s words, Thomas nodded.

"Your Majesty’s actions will surely calm some hearts."

But it was still far from enough.

Amalia took a sip of wine, then spoke.

"In five days, I will invite the other three grand dukes, excluding Grand Duke Charles, to the palace for discussions."

"The topic will be the specific effectiveness and scope of application of this bill."

After saying this, Amalia continued using her fork and knife to gently cut the steak before her, analyzing the pros and cons with Duke Thomas and clarifying her thoughts.

When the luncheon ended, Duke Thomas, having received the Empress’s promise, left the dining hall and exited the palace under the escort of attendants.

Along the way, Thomas kept reviewing the details of his conversation with Amalia, vaguely sensing something was off.

At the table, Amalia had clearly told him that the Empress would not directly command Arcanist mages, but instead assign tasks, such as regional guarding or supply transport.

Meanwhile, Arcanist mages belonging to respective noble factions would prioritize maintaining order within their own territories. This task-based approach granted Arcanist mages a significant degree of freedom, and largely prevented the Empress from bypassing lords to directly command mages cultivated by the nobles.

Thus, lords retain considerable control over their Arcanist mages, with the Empress only gaining unified command rights when the war reached an emergency state.

In addition, what made Duke Thomas slightly uncomfortable was Amalia’s requirement that part of the Arcanist mages must go to Grand Duke Charles’s territory as a contingency plan against the Kingdom of Velys’s desperate moves.

But compared to the previous bearing over and harsh bill, this seemed trivial.

"..."

Could this be Amalia’s true intention?

Thinking carefully, if Amalia had always intended to mobilize Arcanist mages to strengthen the northern border, then first prejudice a bill unacceptable to the nobles, then gradually making concessions until reaching her actual desired state, seemed far more reasonable.

This not only greatly reduced the nobles’ resistance, but also created an image of an Empress willing to listen to noble advice, make appropriate compromises, yet still maintain a non-negotiable bottom line.

More importantly, the seen publication of this bill could also be seen as a beginning, a gradual, frog-in-boiling-water attempt, much like the curriculum reform at Elizabeth Academy of Magic.

Standing at the palace gate, the carriage was already ready. Duke Thomas entered the carriage and closed the curtain, blocking the blinding sunlight from hitting his back.

First, use imperial status and authority to dominate the conversation. Then, use logic to justify one’s actions. Finally, display a willingness to compromise despite being Empress.

Amalia Valeria... truly bears the shadow of Hibbort Valeria...

The latter, due to accumulated prestige, appeared more forceful, while the former was slightly more tactful, yet equally difficult to outmaneuver. Given time, this petite empress might not fall short of her father.

Let us hope that after the war ends, her talents will be used to govern the nation, not target the nobility.

Inside the regent’s palace, Amalia, having achieved her goal, relaxed slightly as she sat before an easel, dipping her brush in paint to leave colors on the canvas.

Astrid had once said: to achieve a goal, first proposes a more extreme and unacceptable demand.

For example, if a room is too dark and you wish to open a window, most people will oppose it. But if you first propose tearing off the roof, they’ll accept settling for just a window.

What Amalia wanted was for the nobles to accept compromise, agreeing to open the window. Otherwise, demanding the nobles’ most precious human resources all at once, even as Empress, she could never swallow it.

At least for now, getting non-royal Arcanist mages to take positions along the border was already Amalia’s ideal outcome.

Even if the Kingdom of Velys went completely berserk, her arrangements would be sufficient to respond. At worst, Arcanist mages could retreat safely, the front line could withdraw reasonably, and the empire’s regent would remain unharmed.

Where the brush touched, the black skirt fluttered like butterfly wings across the paper, the high heels encasing delicate feet rendered vividly, even the intricate golden patterns on the shoe surface perfectly recreated.

Amalia gazed at the woman on the canvas, studying it, then switched to another brush, lightly dabbing silver onto the painted hair, adding glimmers of brightness.