Imperial Crown

Anthony looked at the battle report in his hand, his brows knitted like lye knots.

He looked at the battle report again and again, hoping to see something different.

But as we all know, it is impossible to get different results by following the same steps.

So Anthony had to accept the fact -

The empire was defeated.

This is a public battle report certified by the royal cabinet and sent to the entire empire.

It said that just last year, in 1197, the imperial army had been triumphant. In just over half a year, it had penetrated 120 kilometers into the enemy's territory and acquired a large area of ​​land.

But on November 7, the cunning and insidious Insa people launched a wave of raids, shamelessly cutting off the imperial army's food supply, so that the front-line army was out of food.

Although the front-line commander Archduke Ferdinand underestimated the enemy and advanced rashly, he still showed excellent judgment at the critical moment and led the main force to retreat to the city of Majik.

In order to cover the retreat of the army, the commander of the main bloody rage corps of the empire, the imperial earl, and the 6th-level strongman "Zpenser" died heroically.

His Majesty the King said that this defeat was only temporary, and Insa's conspiracy and trickery could never defeat the upright empire.

It was just that the grain storage points on the front line were burned, and 800 million pounds of grain and grass, enough to feed 100,000 troops for two years, were burned out, so the whole country needed to work together to "fully support this war"!

Putting the war report aside, Anthony took a deep breath and stood up: "Follow me."

He said this to Ezio, because the war report was sent by Ezio himself.

The frivolous man with a mustache frowned and asked: "Governor, I have just been running day and night for half a month, you have to give me some rest time, right? For example, a few beauties..."

In response to him, Anthony gave him a cold glance. If eyes could kill, then Ezio might have been torn into pieces.

"Okay." Ezio spread his hands: "I didn't say I won't go - please lead the way!"

Anthony took Ezio to the conference room and immediately took down the original Nord Province map on the table and replaced it with a continental map.

"How did the Empire lose?" Anthony stared at the map and said: "The battle report hides a lot of details. Since you are from 'that organization', you should know the war situation very well."

"Draw this war on the map for me."

Ezio could see that Anthony was really anxious and even dared to mention "that organization".

"Of course, this is also one of my responsibilities." Ezio nodded, walked to the edge of the map, took out the war chess next to him and said: "Red represents the Empire, and black represents Insa."

The war chess has a full range of types, including cavalry and infantry, and different patterns represent different levels.

Three horizontal lines represent a level 3 legion, which is usually composed of local private armies with complex composition and limited combat effectiveness.

Two horizontal lines represent a Level 2 Legion, which can be incorporated into the Empire's battle sequence, but is mostly responsible for logistics and supply, and rarely deployed in field battles.

One horizontal line represents a Level 1 Legion, which is the Empire's main combat legion. It is well-trained and well-equipped, and is the main force in field battles and sieges.

There is no horizontal line, but the iron crown on the head is the Empire's special legion, also known as the "Title Legion". It is not only well-trained and well-equipped, but also has a complete and extraordinary combat power. The "Iron Legion" and "Blood Rage Legion" belong to this category.

Ezio played with the war chess and put them on the map one by one: "Before this great defeat, from September 28 to November 9, there was a period of stability. At that time, the situation was like this..."

This war took place in the northeast of the Keynes Empire.

The southern part of the battle line is the Empire's Blackwater Province; the northern part is the Naoyan Autonomous State of Insa.

Machik City, where the magic crystal deposits were discovered, is located in the northern part of the Blackwater Province, just a line away from the Naoyan Autonomous State.

Machik City has two Level 2 legions stationed.

On the border, two Level 3 legions were deployed as early warning to prevent small infiltrations from Insa.

50 kilometers to the north is the "Demeter City" newly built by Archduke Ferdinand, where 13 Level 1 legions and 1 special legion are stationed.

After putting down these chess pieces, Ezio took out 9 small flags representing fortresses from the side and placed them between the border and Demeter City. A Level 2 legion was placed next to each fortress.

At first glance, from the border to Demeter City, 9 fortresses and 1 city are connected in a line, and the distance between them is no more than 8 kilometers, so they are in a position where they can help each other at any time.

If any fortress is attacked, there are other fortresses that can quickly rush to help.

Anthony nodded slowly, his doubts growing stronger: "Continuously building fortifications and advancing step by step, this is indeed the style of Duke Ferdinand. Although this tactic is slow to advance, it basically won't reveal any flaws, and even if it fails, it will only be a minor defeat."

"It should be so." Ezio praised: "But since October 24, the war situation has changed."

As he spoke, he picked up the 12 red chess pieces representing the empire in the city of Demeter and began to advance northward until he stopped 70 kilometers to the north.

"Winter is approaching, and it is not wise to march and attack at this time." Anthony's eyes wandered on the map, his eyelids shrinking slightly: "Further 60 kilometers to the west, there is the capital of the Naoyan Autonomous State, 'Whirlpool City', where Duke Ferdinand Do you want the army to rush here and settle the battle once and for all? But this is not his style."

"And... where are Insa's troops?"

Ezio shrugged and did not answer the question. Instead, he picked up 5 black war chess pieces and placed them beside the city of Demeter.

"This is the problem. Although the empire made great progress in the first half of the year, it did not encounter any effective resistance. Insa's army never appeared and was always avoiding the edge."

"We only know now that on November 1st, five Insa level 1 legions bypassed our reconnaissance and penetrated directly into the city of Demeter."

"Although there are two level 1 legions in the city, and the legions stationed in the surrounding fortresses also spontaneously carried out rescue operations, but due to the lack of unified command, Insa surrounded the points for reinforcements and defeated them one by one."

"On November 7, with the help of Insa Druid, the city of Demeter was defeated."

"On November 9, with Insa's deliberate indulgence, the defeated troops brought news of the city's destruction to the 11 main legions on the front line."

"And at this time..."

Ezio pushed 12 war games with both hands and moved them to a place called "Marin Basin" 20 kilometers outside of Juche City, the capital of Naoyan Autonomous Prefecture.

On the periphery, there are 23 black war chess pieces, surrounding the red war chess pieces.

"It was here that the empire met its devastating defeat."

At this point, there is no need to say the outcome of the war. In the field battle, being surrounded on the opponent's land, with logistics cut off and morale shaken, being able to break out is already a great achievement.

Ezio directed his hand, and 4 of the 12 red war chess pieces were removed from the map. The remaining 8 went southward in pursuit of the black war chess pieces, and finally retreated back to Majik City.

All the cities and fortresses along the way were occupied by black chess pieces.

Looking at this result, new doubts emerged in Anthony's mind: "Duke Ferdinand's initial strategy was to build a fortress and advance step by step. The city of Demeter was obviously built as an offensive fortress. Why did he suddenly change his strategy? Abandon the fortified city and lead the army deep into the city alone? "

Ezio paused slightly and said softly: "Because the empire needs to win a hearty victory before the New Year."

A hearty victory.

Anthony was a little dizzy from these words. He couldn't help but start to think about whether it was the empire's need or...

Does His Majesty the King need it? !

"How much is the specific loss?" Anthony shook off the suspicion in his mind and asked.

Ezio said expressionlessly: "The 27 legions that went into frontline combat, except for the two level 3 legions stationed in Majik City at the beginning, all suffered more or less losses."

"Of the 11 level 2 legions, 5 have been destroyed, and the remaining 6 are in a semi-disabled state; of the 13 level 1 legions, 5 have been completely wiped out, 4 have lost more than half, and only 4 are barely preserved intact, but the attrition has also More than 20%; the Blood Fury Legion has been basically defeated.”

"There are a total of 130,000 troops, 70,000 of whom are killed or missing, and more than 30,000 of whom are injured. The empire is currently on the front line and can only defend itself in Majik City."

Although he was not optimistic about this war, and although he had been prepared after the war game, Anthony could not help but shudder when he heard the specific numbers.

For hundreds of years, the empire had never suffered such a humiliating defeat.

The failure of this war meant that the northeastern portal of the empire was opened. Although Majik City and the magic crystal mine in it were barely saved, Insa's army could follow this opening at any time and invade all the way south to obtain more Results.

The entire northeastern part of the empire may be caught in the flames of war!

No wonder His Majesty the King sent war reports to the whole country and even issued a call for "full support for this war."

"Where is Duke Ferdinand, how is he now?" Anthony asked about the news about his good friend.

Ezio said: "He was not injured, and returned to Majik City safely. He took the initiative to write a letter and took responsibility for the defeat of this war. His Majesty, considering his old age and meritorious service, did not pursue him, and retained his position as frontline coach. ”

Anthony couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. This can be said to be the only good news so far. Being able to retain the position of frontline coach means that Pei Dinan still has the opportunity to make meritorious deeds.

Ezio shook his head and sighed: "My Lord Governor, although your friendship with Duke Ferdinand is touching, I still want to remind you that before worrying about him, you should give priority to yourself."

This sentence made Anthony frown.

It is true that the Nord province has been in a mess since he took office, but that is because of the locust disaster and has nothing to do with his management methods. Moreover, half a year later, the impact of the locust plague has been basically eliminated.

Even if it were someone else, it wouldn't be any better.

"Your Majesty asked me to forward this to you." Ezio took out an envelope from his arms, placed it on the table, and sent it to Anthony with force on his wrist.

Anthony pressed the envelope and opened the letterhead. The blood vessels on his forehead began to throb, and veins burst out in the palm of his hand placed on the table.

This letter was not written by His Majesty the King, but the letter by Viscount John that listed his "seven deadly sins"!

"Slander, pure slander and slander!"

Looking at the merciless accusations above, Anthony lowered his lips hard, and then slammed the letter on the table: "Did this ancient tomb crawl out of this ancient tomb?"

He looked at Ezio: "Your Majesty, you won't believe this old stubborn nonsense, will you?"

Ezio smiled slightly: "Of course not, but His Majesty said...

He was disappointed. "

Anthony's pupils shrank, and cold sweat dripped down his forehead.

…

News of the collapse of the empire soon swept through the Nord province, spreading throughout the streets and alleys, even the serfs knew about it.

However, neither the nobles nor the serfs showed any special concern.

After all, it happened thousands of miles away, and the flames of war could not burn them.

As for His Majesty the King's call to fully support this war, it has nothing to do with them.

The territory has been gnawed bare by locusts, and I can barely feed myself. What can I do to support him?

Only Gul'dan, after hearing the news, immediately dropped his hoe, washed his face carelessly, rode the villagers' carriage all the way to Eagle City, entered through the side door, and saw Nancy through Jenny.

As soon as she saw Gul'dan, Nancy couldn't help but sigh.

This brother of hers has completely changed his appearance, and he no longer looks like the young master he once was.

The corners of his mouth were pursed, and wrinkles began to appear in the corners of his eyes and forehead; his messy hair was stuck to his head in patches, and he didn't know how long it had been since he had taken care of it; although he washed his face, he didn't wipe it cleanly, and there were still rashes on his neck. There were two dirty ravines.

The original color of the linen shirt on the upper body was completely invisible; the black pants on the lower body were dirty, but the exposed ankles were as black as charcoal.

Throw it into water and rinse it, and you can wash out at least two pounds of mud.

"What, are you short of money again?" Nancy's tone was slightly impatient.

"No, I've quit gambling recently, really!" Gul'dan smiled awkwardly.

But Gul'dan also knew that Nancy would not completely believe his words, who knew that he had actually done such a bad thing.

Although I am a farmer, many habits cannot be changed simply by changing them.

Such as drinking, such as... gambling.

Bad wine is not expensive, but gambling is what really costs money.

In fact, he didn't gamble much. People in the village mixed together to save money, and each hand only cost 1 or 2 copper coins. But he couldn't help it because he was really unlucky, so he didn't pay much attention, and he owed people 7 silver coins.

He couldn't expose his identity and cause trouble, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and find Nancy.

It doesn’t matter if we don’t mention the process, it’s just not that pleasant anyway.

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Gul'dan cleared his throat: "Nancy, the longer you grow, the more you look like our mother."

Nancy frowned: "What exactly do you want to say?"

"Even...you know, the empire was defeated." Gul'dan chuckled: "It's all Anthony's fault that I'm in this situation. Once the empire was defeated, he managed the Nord province like this. Bad luck for sure!”

"What a beautiful thing this is!"

The destruction of the family has always been the topic Nancy least wanted to hear, and Gul'dan maintained such an unconventional attitude, which made her feel a little angry: "...Is that all?"

"Ah, that's all." Gul'dan noticed Nancy's dissatisfaction, raised his palm and said, "I just wanted to tell you, it's a happy event."

As he said that, he stood up and said, "Then I'll leave. You have to take care of yourself."

"Don't look back."

Listening to Guldan's words becoming more and more out of tune, Nancy felt a little uncomfortable:

"Otherwise, you can stay in Eagle City. Raven can protect you."

"No, I'm doing pretty well now."

"...It's up to you, but are you really not short of money?"

"Very rich." Gul'dan stood still and rubbed his hands:

"But if you can give me some, that would be better!"

Jenny next to her couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

…