In the Name of Empress-Chapter 295 - 202: The Old Man Is No Longer Suited for This Era!

Chapter 295: Chapter 202: The Old Man Is No Longer Suited for This Era!

"General Gode Johnson, do you have anything to say about the current war situation?"

The towering King Sven the Seventh of the Oden Kingdom raised his riding whip, pointing towards Helentz Castle, teetering in the midst of the wild floodwaters, his expression filled with pride.

He certainly had reason to be proud.

Before this war started, the Kingdom’s top general, Gode Johnson, who had always been mature and prudent, inexplicably opposed waging war.

The old general’s reasoning was simple, the Sussex Empire was very strong.

This reasoning made Sven the Seventh uncomfortable.

Very strong, huh?

Back then, the Odin Empire was stronger than the Sussex Empire is now, so what?

The Sussex Empire’s naval forces were powerful; their army was also formidable, but how much force could they project across the strait?

It’s one thing to bully a weak country like the Bagash Chiefdom across the sea, but it’s much harder to defeat a resilient state like Oden.

Moreover, the Oden Kingdom was not fighting alone.

They had backing.

Even if the Sussex Empire could defeat the Oden Kingdom across the sea, they could not conquer the military powerhouses of the Rodinia Continent.

What’s more, what did the Sussex Empire’s strength have to do with the Three Overseas Provinces?

The Sussex Cabinet and the Empress were at odds; if they weren’t kicking someone when they’re down, that would be merciful.

No, they were already kicking someone when they’re down.

When the declaration of war was copied to the Sussex Empire, the Cabinet accepted it without hesitation, but only sent a fleet to blockade the coast and did not dispatch any troops to support the Three Overseas Provinces.

Not only that, the Cabinet urged Empress Sylph to return to the Imperial Capital as soon as possible and not to stay in dangerous areas.

The actions of the Sussex Cabinet appeared to protect the Empress, but in fact, they openly told everyone that if they wanted to deal with Sylph, they should hurry up because it was not their concern.

While the Oden Kingdom did not have the courage to declare war on the Sussex Empire proactively, with backing from other major powers, they felt emboldened to deal with the Overseas Provinces, and quite substantially so.

As long as he captured the Three Overseas Provinces, he could obtain the coveted Hansa Province and Jill Canal.

The other two smaller provinces would be divided among his secret backers.

The three parties would sign a blood pact on the corpses of the Three Overseas Provinces, dipped in the Empire’s blood.

And all of this was built upon the Oden Kingdom capturing provinces like Hansa.

The hidden backers could fully support him with military funding, weapons, and even tens of thousands of elite "mercenaries," but they could not directly intervene.

This was enough!

Now Sven the Seventh was holding an army of a hundred and seventy thousand, feeling exceedingly inflated.

Speak not of the three little provinces of Hansa; even if the Sussex Empire sent over tens of thousands across the sea, so what?

He even hoped the Sussex Empire would do so.

This was a chaotic era, and for the Oden Kingdom to rise, it needed to step over the corpses of the old powers.

By seizing the Hansa Province, driving away the Empress, killing the Imperial Governor, his accomplishments would be enough to establish a powerful Northern Kingdom, and perhaps even form a defensive alliance with the northern countries across the sea.

Sven the Seventh’s gaze drifted into the distance.

He didn’t want to look at Helentz Castle.

His target wasn’t even Hansa City, but places far beyond.

If he could expand the Kingdom’s territory several times over, even the title of Emperor was not impossible.

Old Gode was too cautious, and now he must make the old man understand what youthful vigor and strength are.

His expectant gaze turned to Gode Johnson, awaiting the old general’s approval, then smoothly acting out a play of ruler and minister reconciling for others to see.

He wanted to show these people his magnanimous side.

Gode Johnson, looking at Sven the Seventh full of expectation, suddenly felt a bit tired.

Heart tired.

The Sussex Empire was the world’s top power, and although recently there was a trend of being surpassed by the Vladimir Empire, it wasn’t something the Oden Kingdom could provoke.

Provoked by some great powers, contesting the Empire proactively, no matter the outcome of the war, the end for the Oden Kingdom wouldn’t be pleasant.

Being used as a pawn by others without realizing it, lacking any political acumen, was this what the King, famously known as the Fearless Sword, was all about?

Old General Gode was thoroughly disappointed, but still patiently advised, "Your Majesty, although Helentz Castle is not a stronghold, it’s backed by the canal, making it difficult to conquer."

"Old General, are you blind?"

Sven the Seventh hummed a bit displeased, waving his whip vigorously, "Helentz Castle can only be defended by relying on the canal, but now it falls due to the canal, this is destiny’s guidance."

"This is the force of nature, a gift from Mother Earth. The flood will tear apart the already fragile defenses of Helentz Castle, and I can’t think of a way they can resist."

Gode Johnson sighed, "Your Majesty, using canal water to break down walls is easy, but the high areas are unaffected, and the inner city of Helentz Castle still exists. The flood comes fast and retreats just as quickly; in no more than two or three days, it will fully subside. By then, advancing on muddy lands will be difficult for our forces, while the enemy can continue to provide support through the canal, we..."

"Our army will surely win, General Gode."

Sven interrupted General Gode coldly, sneering, "None of what you say will happen, Roland would never pay a high price to rescue a remnant force destined for destruction."

"He would only cower in Hansa City and wait to have a showdown with us."

"I want to kill everyone in Helentz Castle, pile their heads outside of Hansa City, and utterly crush the morale of these cowards."

Sven’s words made Gode’s face instantly bloodless.

"Your Majesty, are you insane? It’s 1792, not 792! Piling heads will only make us outcasts of the civilized world! Regardless of war victory, we will become the world’s public enemy!"

The whip in Sven’s hand cracked in the air loudly.

"General Gode, you’re truly getting senile; this is our tradition. I never expected an old general like you to oppose tradition."

"Your Majesty!"

Gode tried to say something, but Sven rudely cut him off.

"General Gode, our army needs to secure supplies fighting across the borders, please return to the Imperial Capital immediately to secure the supply line."

Gode stood there stunned, unable to say a word for a long time.

He knew clearly that King Sven was stripping him of command.

Although he had already been stripped of much of his power, he was at least the nominal commander of the corps.

Yet now he no longer even had the right to speak.

Unwilling, he cast his gaze over everyone, but no one spoke for him.

His body swayed a few times in the wind and rain, as if he had suddenly aged ten years.

Clearly, the young nobles and generals craved greater benefits, more territory.

His steadiness was at odds with the ambitions of the younger faction, whereas the spirited King was deeply supported by them. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Gode knew that the situation was lost and did not resist, instead calmly taking off his sword and handing it to Sven the Seventh with both hands.

"I will return to the Imperial Capital to take charge of logistics... I wish Your Majesty military success."

Seeing Gode’s despondent expression, Sven recalled the merits he had achieved following three generations of kings and felt a bit reluctant, so he smiled to comfort the old general.

"General Gode, logistics are crucial to victory in war. When I return in triumph, you will still share in the glory."

Gode’s expression was somewhat bitter.

Glory?

He only hoped his judgment was wrong, that Sven the Seventh could indeed return victorious.

If Sven the Seventh won, he would certainly be "magnanimously" released.

If he lost, he would most likely "accidentally" commit "suicide."

After the constant dissenting crow, Gode, was driven away, Sven the Seventh once again raised his riding whip and delivered an impassioned speech.

"Warriors, our troop numbers far exceed the enemy’s, and we have a constant stream of supply provisions. The Jill Canal is nothing to worry about, even tossing our camp tents and leftover garbage into it could pave a path."

"All troops heed my command: take Helentz Castle in three days, and capture Hansa City within a month. I want to celebrate victory with you all in Hansa City!"

Sven the Seventh’s passionate mobilization inspired the entire army.

As the orders were issued, an elite team left the main camp, boarded the prepared small wooden boats, and launched an attack on Helentz Castle’s inner city.

Good news: Helentz Castle was severely damaged, with hardly any houses in the outer city above water.

Bad news: The Sussex people seemed to have been prepared, retreating into the inner city as soon as the storm began, ready for a final struggle.

The elite team rowing the long-tailed small boats was the Berserker Corps.

This was the true elite of the Oden Kingdom.

They were clad in chain armor, wore round helmets, held small round shields in their left hands, and wielded long sabers and great axes in their right, faces smeared with various mysterious paints as they charged fearlessly.

Berserkers could voluntarily enter a berserk state, greatly enhancing strength, speed, and reflexes, but at the cost of exhaustion after the berserk period, unable to continue battling.

Deploying elite berserkers in the first battle showed Sven the Seventh’s determination.

He wanted to achieve a stunning annihilation victory to intimidate everyone.

The only regret was that the rain had rendered the cannons useless, unable to support the front line.

If there had been enough cannons, Helentz wouldn’t have lasted a few days.

This was probably the side effect of flooding the city with water, Sven the Seventh thought with slight regret.

Unfortunately, these newly arrived cannons could only shine in the subsequent campaign against Hansa.

The Berserker Corps advanced smoothly, nearing the inner city without encountering any resistance.

Sven the Seventh picked up his telescope, observing the battlefield with a solemn expression.

Although he appeared arrogant, he was indeed arrogant, but he was not without brains.

On the battlefield, one could look down on the enemy, but couldn’t truly underestimate them.

Though he constantly belittled the Sussex people verbally, he was well aware of their strength inside.

Who knew what ghosts were lurking in the Three Overseas Provinces? While maintaining an outward "arrogant and bold" demeanor, he was very cautious within.

Those major powers were using him, but wasn’t he also using them?

Old General Gode was not him, never knowing why he took risks.

Return Day was approaching, and the world was heading toward chaos.

You either became one of those dining at the table or the food placed on it.

The opportunity was in front of him; not seizing it actively, was he going to wait for pie to fall from the sky?

The risk and benefit coexisted; without paying anything, a small nation could never grow strong.

Helentz Castle and the Hansa Province must be taken!

Seeing the Berserker Corps land on higher ground, Sven the Seventh finally felt relieved.

The enemies had completely stopped resisting, seemingly deciding to abandon Helentz Castle.

This was normal; they had previously discarded Oro Town, so this was merely history repeating.

The Sussex Empire was old, like General Gode.

They were no longer suited for this era!

Sven’s lips slightly quirked into a smile, just about to declare victory when gunfire erupted.

His face turned sharply, as did the faces of many young nobles and generals.

Damn it, Helentz Castle was still resisting.

Sven was about to issue an order when a smile suddenly returned to his face.

"Haha, listen, those gunshots are sparse, hardly like an organized counterattack! Their main force has fled long ago!"

Sven the Seventh, full of confidence, looked at the generals, "Gentlemen, can I announce that the Battle of Helentz Castle will be over before nightfall?"

"Your Majesty is wise!" the crowd responded in unison.

Though the King’s prediction was somewhat impatient, it was not considered bold.

The Helentz Castle inner city garrison hid in rooms, their firearms not soaked by rain, capable of stealthily firing a few scattered stray shots, but unable to organize an effective resistance.

Could they overturn the situation relying on previously dug tunnels and scattered stray shots?

The Goddess of Victory was showing a charming smile, directed at the warriors of Oden Kingdom!