When Xiao Xun's eyes fluttered open again, he was in the castle's master bedroom. If not for his body that was still numb from the cold, he would have truly doubted that everything that had happened was merely an illusion.
Mu Jiahe looked at him, "I didn't expect you to be so sensitive to the cold?"
Xiao Xun weakly said, "Please, can you stop messing around? People could die."
"I'm not messing around! I told you, when I was unhappy in the past, I often went to that place."
Xiao Xun used all his strength, as if roaring, "Your Majesty, that's because you're a fire mage. The wind, frost, snow, and rain of nature have no effect on you. I'm only a theoretical mage; I can't do anything. I'm just a mortal. Aren't you trying to kill me!"
After speaking, he heavily collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep sleep.
Mu Jiahe put her hands on her hips and scoffed, "Not much ability, but quite a temper."
Xiao Xun felt that after the cooling at Jagloria Peak, his entire body's resistance mechanism, especially his blood, was working overtime to heat up. It felt as if it were about to boil.
Just as Sailerpes thought victory was assured, a thunderclap out of nowhere struck Saint Romane from the northwest, leaving it scorched inside and out. The Grand Legion Commander of the front lines, Logadan, was killed by the great lord Jistide.
The three cities of Saint Romane in the northwest fell into Jistide's hands, separating from the Saint Romane regime.
As soon as the news spread, the entire court was shocked.
"The Winter's four armies are attacking Saint Romane from the outside, and the three northwestern cities have rebelled from within. Saint Romane is in peril!"
The speaker was the High Priest of Saint Romane. His words naturally gained agreement. All the ministers nodded in assent, their hearts filled with unease, as if the sky were about to fall.
One minister, his face full of indignation, exclaimed, "Just as the news arrived that the Winter's four armies were attacking Saint Romane, the three northwestern cities announced their rebellion to support them. Tedarel has certainly played a clever hand!"
For a long time, the cities in the northwest had been relatively obedient. No one had expected that the seemingly peaceful three northwestern cities harbored hidden undercurrents. They had launched their attack at Saint Romane's most vulnerable moment, with the timing being impeccable. It was clearly a clandestine operation by the Winter.
Sailerpes, dragging his weary body, looked at the people below chattering incessantly, yet no one offered any constructive opinions. They were like a swarm of flies buzzing around him.
Growing increasingly annoyed, he finally couldn't help but look at Xiao Xun and ask, "Sven, what do you think?"
Xiao Xun, who had been standing silently in thought, quickly stepped out of the ranks. The clamor immediately subsided.
This strategist, unparalleled in the world, undoubtedly wielded immense influence. At this critical juncture for Saint Romane, everyone was eager to hear how he would salvage the situation.
However, Xiao Xun calmly stated, "Your Majesty, the rebellion of the three northwestern cities, though seemingly premeditated, is my opinion that the northwestern cities do not yet have a leader who can command universal obedience to pose a threat to Saint Romane.
Although the three northwestern cities have rebelled together, they merely wish to dominate their own territories. I believe the urgent task now is to find a way to deal with the Winter's four armies."
This statement was clearly unexpected by all the ministers. They exchanged glances, clearly unconvinced by this reasoning.
Sailerpes also expressed his concern, "If the three northwestern cities were to directly attack our capital, how should we respond?"
Xiao Xun pondered for a moment before solemnly stating, "Then we can only ask the six dukes to dispatch their troops to assist the capital."
Everyone in the hall gasped at this. If a feudal lord had to send troops to aid the capital, the gravity of the nation's crisis was evident.
Yet, this was the reality. Most of Saint Romane's forces were deployed along the border. With the Winter's four armies attacking Saint Romane, they had no spare capacity to deal with the northwestern cities.
However, if it truly came to this point, the wealth of the Radiance family would likely be depleted.
For a moment, the hall, filled with hundreds of people, fell into a deathly silence, creating an invisible pressure. No one spoke, not even daring to breathe heavily, for fear of drawing trouble upon themselves.
Sailerpes finally couldn't bear the oppressive atmosphere. He coughed twice, changing the subject, "Regarding the strategy against the beastmen, do any of you have any thoughts?"
Sailerpes broke the silence with a casual remark, which caused a stir among the military ranks. What other strategy could there be against the beastmen? One word: fight!
Billergis was the first to speak, "Your Majesty, Saint Romane has an old and deep-seated hatred for the beastmen. Does Your Majesty intend to negotiate peace?"
Billergis was the former emperor's brother-in-law, making him Sailerpes' uncle.
Although his military achievements were not outstanding, his status was transcendent, and coupled with his considerable virtue, he held considerable prestige within the military and his words carried weight.
Leiga, one of the Grand Legion Commanders, also indignantly exclaimed, "Your Majesty! The great revenge has yet to be avenged, and the corpses of our front-line soldiers have not yet cooled. Blood debts must be repaid with blood! If Your Majesty wishes to attack the beastmen, I, Leiga, am willing to be the vanguard!"
Leiga's resounding declaration immediately resonated with the military. All the generals and officers voiced their agreement to fight the beastmen to the end.
Sailerpes subtly glanced at Xiao Xun, as if to convey to him the immense resistance he would face if he wanted to negotiate peace with the beastmen.
But Xiao Xun appeared oblivious, remaining silent, as if contemplating something.
"Your Majesty, I believe otherwise!"
A clear voice rang out from the civilian officials' ranks. A thin man strode out from the civilian officials' formation, immediately drawing everyone's attention. It was Administrative Official Jet:
"Although the hatred is profound, as the ruler of a nation, one must take responsibility for the prosperity of the country.
At present, the nation is in peril and precarious. It is truly not advisable to make another powerful enemy.
Now, what we should do is unite all forces that can be united, even our enemies. Our retreat is not cowardice, but to draw back our fist to unleash a fist strike that can defeat the enemy in one blow."
"Your Majesty! The art of governing a country should not be mixed with any emotions. Only by making one's blood run cold, by enduring the most cruel and vicious methods in the world, by enduring the most humiliating and desperate experiences in the world.
Your Majesty, Saint Romane is still a nascent child, not yet capable of withstanding the storms of the world. I implore Your Majesty to prioritize the nation! Prioritize the common people!"
Jet's tone was passionate and infectious, making Sailerpes' blood surge and his face flush.
Even Xiao Xun cast a sideways glance at him, sizing up this peer who was full of scholarly zeal. He was indeed an excellent orator; it would be a waste of talent for such a person not to be involved in diplomacy.
However, Jet's remarks clearly enraged the iron-willed and straightforward men in the military. Their gaze, sharp as knives, turned towards Jet. If looks could kill, Jet would have been dismembered a thousand times over by now.
At this moment, the court was filled with a gunpowder-like tension due to Jet's argument. Leiga's eyes were bloodshot, and his voice trembled with emotion and grief, "Administrative Official Jet, I am a simple man and do not understand the art of governance, but I do know common sense. What does this have to do with governing a country? And where do you place His Majesty?"
Leiga spoke with great feeling, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.
As Jet was about to retort, Sailerpes interjected to smooth things over, "Everyone, there's no need for this. I was just asking casually. We shall conclude today."
Leiga and the other generals left in displeasure. Jet also sighed, his brow furrowed. Blending into the crowd, he turned and hurried out of the hall.
"Administrative Official Jet, please wait!"
Jet turned back. It was Xiao Xun walking up from behind him and paralleling him. He quickly bowed respectfully, "Lord Sven."
Xiao Xun smiled casually, "Come for a walk with me."
Jet nodded and followed Xiao Xun's steps as they strolled away.
As the two of them ambled out of the hall, they had already left the other ministers far behind. Xiao Xun's magnetic voice rang out, "It was not easy for the Radiance family to build this vast enterprise. What you said today deeply resonates with me!"
Jet looked at Xiao Xun, appearing greatly honored, "Thank you, sir."
Xiao Xun pondered for a moment before looking at Jet in a questioning manner, "Therefore, I intend for you to undertake a task."
"Command me, and I shall brave any danger?"
Xiao Xun laughed heartily, looking at Jet, "Then you shall go on an envoy to the beastmen, resolve past grievances, and form an alliance with them."
Jet's brow furrowed slightly, but he remained silent.
Xiao Xun continued to look at Jet with a smile, "What? Are you afraid?"