Trash Prince and Ice Queen 10th Re - Life-Chapter 169: Global Chessboard

"Blam," the map was spread across the table, revealing the state of the world with an accuracy that looked like a satellite view.

"Okay, now explain the current positions known to Baalbel, Xeria," Ard said.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," Xeria replied.

Without delaying, Xeria immediately marked the map using web-like threads to indicate the status of the conflict, which had effectively turned into a world war. Xeria explained that the Orthus Empire had already reached the northern continent; they had established a massive encampment in the southern region of the northern continent and were continuously bolstering their forces. Meanwhile, the world’s third-largest power, the Kingdom of Durnhill, had begun crossing into the eastern continent to attack Fredonia. However, they were moving back and forth rather than launching a frontal assault, as if they were being used merely to keep the Kingdom of Fredonia occupied so they couldn’t send reinforcements to the Kingdom of Ateras.

Currently, Ateras was only receiving aid from the Kingdom of Rellios—and even then, it was only the dragon knight units, because the land borders to the Kingdom of Ateras had been closed off by the Orthus Empire. Furthermore, the elves and vampires were busy assisting the Kingdom of Fredonia, which was being harassed by Durnhill’s hit-and-run tactics. Xeria also mentioned that the dark elves were not participating in the attack on Fredonia, claiming they had no conflict with the kingdom. Ard, Eva, and the others listened intently, thinking hard. Mirea looked visibly irritated and angry, repeatedly muttering Nikolai’s name with pure spite.

"Calm down, Mirea," Geoffrey said.

"Hey... you’re a prince, aren’t you? You should just be the king... this is so annoying! We’re supposed to be a peaceful kingdom, not one that loves war," Mirea shouted angrily.

Geoffrey remained deathly silent, but both of his hands were clenched into fists. Thorena, sitting beside him, rubbed his arm in an attempt to soothe him.

"Be patient, Mirea. My father in Fredonia won’t be baited by hit-and-run tactics like that, especially with my brother Alexis guarding the border. We aren’t having any trouble with that. What I’m worried about is the Durnhill Kingdom sending reinforcements to the Orthus Empire to help with the assault on the Ateras Kingdom," Ard said.

"Hmm... true. That’s a very high possibility since the Empire’s goal is definitely to topple the Ateras Kingdom. They will surely send dark elf troops to attack Ateras," Eva added.

"What if we attack two points at once?" Adeline asked, pointing at the southern part of the northern continent and the Durnhill Kingdom at the same time.

Everyone instantly turned to look at Adeline as if she had grown a second head. The room went silent, but then Ard smiled. He stood up and placed his hand on his sister’s head.

"You really are a genius, Adeline. I’m proud of you," Ard said.

"Hehe... you understand, right, Brother?" Adeline asked.

"Yes, I understand perfectly," Ard answered.

"What do you mean, Ard?" Eva asked.

Ard immediately turned to Valvir, then leaned forward and pointed at the southern part of the northern continent on the map.

"Valvir, ready our troops. We’ll enter from the western point of the northern continent and sweep through all the imperial forces in the south," Ard said firmly.

"Understood, Your Majesty," Valvir replied, so delighted that his grin spread wide enough to show all his teeth.

"Ah, that’s right."

Eva, who seemed to have just caught on, pointed directly at the capital of the Durnhill Kingdom. She then turned to look at Grethia and Thorena.

"Princess Grethia, Princess Thorena, may I ask for your help?" Eva asked seriously.

"Go ahead, Eva. And don’t call me Princess, because we’re both princesses here," Grethia answered.

"Sister Grethia is right. Just call me Thorena," Thorena added.

"Alright. Can you tell your fathers? We need help to conquer this kingdom," Eva said.

Grethia and Thorena looked at the map where Eva was pointing—right at the Durnhill royal palace. The two of them looked at each other and broke into wide smiles before turning back to Eva.

"Of course, it would be my pleasure," Grethia said with a wide grin.

"Yes, I’ll speak to Papa about this," Thorena added, her smile just as broad.

"Blam!" Suddenly, Geoffrey stood up and slammed his hands on the table. The room went silent instantly as everyone turned to look at him. He kept his head down, and they waited for him to speak. Then, Geoffrey looked up at Ard and Eva.

"Ard, Eva, let me join the attack on the Durnhill Kingdom," Geoffrey said firmly, his voice heavy.

"Same here. Please let me go too," Mirea said, standing up.

"Me too. I need to be part of this," Milia added, also rising to her feet.

"And I will help them," Alicia chipped in.

"No, no... Alicia, I have an important task for you. As for you three—" Ard turned his gaze toward Geoffrey, Mirea, and Milia. "I understand. You’ll be involved in the assault on Durnhill, which has requested aid from the Grimgrath and Tartagia Kingdoms."

"Huh... what? Grimgrath and Tartagia? Aren’t those two kingdoms just legends?" Durgat asked.

"You didn’t know? Those two kingdoms are very real. Le Rein Infernal is a real place; Baalbel has already proven it," Xeria replied.

"Oh... really? Why didn’t anyone tell me?" Durgat asked.

"Because you didn’t ask. Sit down, Durgat," Valvir said irritably.

"Ugh... fine," Durgat muttered as she sat back down.

"Thank you, Ard. I have many questions for the King of Durnhill," Geoffrey said.

"I know, but you have to come back," Ard replied.

"That’s a given. Don’t worry about Mirea and Milia; I’ll look after them for now," Geoffrey said, throwing his arms around the two of them.

"Ugh... let go!" Mirea and Milia protested, struggling to break free.

"Yeah, keep an eye on them for now, bro," Ard said, then turned to look at Alicia. "Alicia, I need you to go to the border of the Fredonia and Durnhill kingdoms with Pyria. I’ll write a letter to Brother Alexis so he can push inward to attack Durnhill, then immediately continue the assault on the Orthus Empire—the root of all the world’s wars."

"Oh, so that’s the plan. Alright, I get it. You okay with that, Pyria?" Alicia asked.

"Of course!" Pyria answered enthusiastically.

"But... how do we get back? Do we use the portal from earlier?" Thorena asked.

"Let me take you. I accompanied Baalbel there when I went to the Orthus Empire. I can open my lair directly in your kingdoms because I’ve been there before," Xeria answered.

"Alright, please do, Xeria," Grethia replied.

"Ready to serve, Your Highness," Xeria said with a bow.

"I’ll also go along to drop you off. It seems we need a representative to convince King Murmic and King Vogir; I’ll help persuade them and explain the situation on the surface," Eva said.

"Hmm... alright. What about you guys?" Ard asked, looking at Geoffrey, Mirea, and Milia.

"We’re coming too. Don’t worry, Ard," Geoffrey answered.

"That’s right, Ard. Eva is with us, so it’ll be fine," Milia added.

"We can definitely handle this," Mirea chimed in.

"Okay, I understand. The rest of us—Ainsley, Claudia, Irwin, Irina, Durgat, and Valvir—will lead the attack on the northern continent," Ard declared.

Suddenly, Adeline and Beatrice raised their hands. Rosalind immediately covered her face and shook her head.

"Then where am I going?" Beatrice asked.

"Yeah, exactly, Brother. Where are Beatrice and I headed?" Adeline asked.

"Princess Beatrice, Princess Adeline, this isn’t a game. This is war. Do you two even understand that?" Rosalind asked.

Ard immediately fell into deep thought, then turned to look at Eva, who was also thinking. The two shared a look before both turning their eyes back to the map. The room went silent, but then Ard suddenly looked toward Adeline, Beatrice, and Rosalind.

"Rosalind, please take them to the Rellios Kingdom," Ard said.

"Huh... what?" Adeline asked in protest.

"Hey... I want to help too. I’m not just going home," Beatrice added, protesting loudly.

"Understood, Prince Ard. That really is the best move," Rosalind replied, looking satisfied.

"Calm down, calm down. I’m asking you to go to the Rellios Kingdom for more than just a trip home. I want you to deliver my letter to Uncle Brutus," Ard said.

"Oh... I see. Then what else?" Adeline asked, still confused.

"Then you two stay there until the war is over," Eva added curtly.

"Huh... no way! We want to help!" Beatrice and Adeline shouted together, clearly annoyed.

"Don’t you worry, Prince Ard, Princess Eva. I’ll make sure these two stay in the Rellios Kingdom and don’t wander off," Rosalind replied, clearly feeling triumphant.

"Hey... whose side are you on anyway? You’re supposed to be on my side!" Beatrice shouted at Rosalind.

"Yeah, Sister Rosalind is being mean," Adeline added.

Before long, Beatrice and Adeline were noisily ganging up on Rosalind, who simply covered her ears with a wide smirk on her face. She looked ready to drag away the two spoiled princesses—who were actually around the same age, though only Ard and Eva knew that for sure. After that, the discussion shifted toward logistics, troop movements, and the timing of their departure, ensuring their surprise attack would have a devastating impact.