Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 825 - 707: War Preparations (Part 2)
This is the power that the world's strongest nation has accumulated!
Fifty main battleships above Level 3 Battleship, and a large fleet of two hundred ships including supply ships, troop carriers, and cruisers, with the total number of army and navy soldiers exceeding 70,000.
Even Hilus, which constantly engages in warfare without a day of peace, maintains a military size averaging around one-twentieth of its total population, with total forces only about 2.5 million.
It may seem significant, but when dispersed across the homeland, the New Continent's four major Vice-King Zones, the Southern Continent's last colony Lobito, and the large portion of the Peacock Islands they occupied after defeating the Desert Kingdom Heimar.
Across this entire known human world map, it is just barely enough.
So, we can see Hilus's resolve, as the empire has already made up its mind to strike with overwhelming thunderous force and achieve victory in one battle!
Strike with prestige, strike with momentum, strike with the mighty name of the Hilus Empire!
Of course. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
This massive fleet itself, coupled with the thousands of military equipment and supplies needed for combat, is not only powerful military strength but also comes with an astronomical budget.
Only victory can transfer the cost of war to the gradually rising Phaletis.
Before that, the wool can only temporarily be sheared from... Frisia Kingdom.
Big capitalists: MMP!
Especially Empress Teresa's father, the patriarch of the Habsburg Clan, the King of Frisia, former Holy Rosar Empire Emperor—Maximilian, who was always frail and sickly.
Even without the dark methods employed by the Great Wizard Anduin of the Curse School, he had already passed away last year.
The wealthy Frisia Kingdom has now completely fallen under Philip II's control.
Therefore, under this overarching situation, clearly no one can remain unaffected.
Moreover, Phaletis's espionage work has been quite effective, as Philip II, gradually harboring doubts about the big capitalists, not only dispatched a district bishop of the Tinder Sect to Frisia Kingdom but also sent an elite force to Antwerp City, where large chambers of commerce and banks are concentrated.
Upon arrival, they immediately imposed an additional military fee on Frisia, and at this moment, large asset holders dared not confront the aggressive Hilus head-on, meekly handing over vast wealth.
Even the Netherlands Bank Group, the initiator of this incident, although it hasn't moved its headquarters back yet, had to bleed heavily to appease the internal members of the secret Association "Eye of Wealth".
Consequently, Frisia Kingdom's resentment towards the Hilus Empire has grown even stronger.
Many big capitalists gritted their teeth:
"One day, we will reclaim this debt along with interest!"
Currently.
Among the three countries, open plots, schemes, calculations, and being calculated against, ultimately, who will prevail is up to each party's abilities.
...
Saint Aiven City, White Swan Castle.
In an exquisitely decorated, brightly lit conference room with four large glass floor-to-ceiling windows that provide a view of the vast forest under the golden sunset.
Queen Liweina sat dignifiedly at the main seat wearing a luxurious court gown, but with a rose-patterned gilded Extraordinary Swift Sword at her waist, demonstrating her firm resolve in dealing with Hilus's so-called ultimatum.
Although originally planned to visit as the key link in bilateral cooperation with "Vulcan Metals Company" as the grand finale, they couldn't go.
However, the Swift Sword "Rose Thorn Sword", meticulously crafted by three Peak Official Wizards of the Mechanical Immortality School who are also technical directors of Vulcan, and personally enchanted by Aiven, was still sent as a gift to Liweina.
Even among the few extraordinary longswords owned by the kingdom, this sword, crafted by four high-tier wizards and tailored for her, is certainly one of the famous swords. Moreover, customized for her, it remains valid even at the Titled Knight Level.
Bang—
The conference room door was slowly closed by the "Activated Guard" responsible for defense.
Previously to welcome the Queen, the military commanders headed by Navy Commander Vice Admiral Gustav and Garrison Chief Major General Christopher had temporarily gathered here.
Although the atmosphere was somewhat heavy, the group did not lose their composure.
"Although Hilus's last ultimatum didn't explicitly state it, it's not hard to speculate that they may take this opportunity to target the New Continent!"
Court Lady Linda, who has been liaising with the homeland's intelligence department, reported the relevant situation to the officers present:
"Despite only having a single day and our intelligence personnel being occupied with other crucial tasks, lacking manpower, we have managed to gather some clues by meticulously searching."
"Preliminary estimation shows that a powerful fleet of at least 30 main battleships has been covertly drawn from various Hilus Navy Bases, its destination unknown."
"But since they provided a 2-month deadline to hand over the culprit, it almost confirms the target is the New Continent, though the possibility that this deadline is a smokescreen cannot be ruled out."
In fact, today's official ultimatum from Hilus is already viewed as Hilus's disguised declaration of war.
"It's been so long since the 'Prince Assassination Incident', they haven't even seen the crime scene. Hilus can't find the culprit, so Phaletis certainly can't."
"But with free speculation, using the basic logic that whoever benefits most from the conflict is most suspect, Liweina and Aiven simultaneously locked onto the Black Wing Order and asset holders."
"And why the intelligence personnel spread out across Hilus, enjoying the most funding, were slow to react? Of course, it's because they were tasked by the two of them to execute the 'Dismemberment Plan', wreaking havoc in Frisia Kingdom..."
Aiven, Liweina: Bah, you bunch of old Silver Coins are utterly shameless, daring to strike first!
"The local personnel in the four major Vice-King Zones aren't to be feared, with only one Titled Knight 'Thorny Fire' as a formidable opponent. Additionally, we need to quickly assess the combat effectiveness of their main force to formulate appropriate response plans."
"In a battlefield with Legendary Battleships and Titled Knights, conventional warships are merely a number; the key is their top-tier power."
With a solemn appearance, Vice Admiral Gustav offered his suggestion.
"Although the Northern Continent's core disaster area is the Chaotic Territory Kabral, Hilus isn't having an easy time either; they can only rely on the homeland's main forces for action."
Aiven nodded gently:
"Yes, the Mind Network only has one line spanning the Black Sea, mainly laid along relatively safe sea routes."
"Even the most powerful fleet can't hide forever, within two months, just encountering a storm would expose them completely."
The ocean is vast, and other areas are hard to control, but monitoring major routes is feasible.
Aiven glanced at Liweina sitting beside him:
"Your Majesty, this place is likely to turn into a battlefield, or should I... send you back first?"
Her Majesty the Queen shot him a sidelong glance, her tone distant:
"As your sovereign, should I flee in fear before even seeing the enemy's shadow, or do you lack confidence in safeguarding my safety, Count Galliot?"
"Hurry up with preparations for war, I will send a message to the Kingdom Guardian, at critical moments..."
"Alright."
Aiven nodded subtly, feeling somewhat touched in his heart.
Whose interests in the New Continent are greatest? In the past, it was certainly the Kingdom, but now it's definitely him, Galliot.
The son of a thousand gold never sits in danger—that's understood by all. By committing to plead for the Kingdom Guardian's support during national war at the cost of reducing homeland defense, whether facing 'Feint' or 'Besiege and Reinforce', it's a huge risk.
Regardless of whether the 'Rose Sword Saint' ultimately rejects the Queen's request, the mere sentiment is extremely rare.
