Chapter 627: Chapter 627: Give Them One Last Warning, Head Minister Adelard

[Ah, they are a newlywed indeed. Just look at those long gazes. They could not get enough of each other.]

Arabella almost blushed when she heard those thoughts.

"Ahem," Raymond cleared his throat. He was standing on Ferdinand’s right. He hadn’t had his vacation yet due to this gathering.

He would have his vacation once winter preparation meetings were over.

[Get a room.] Alwin who was standing on Arabella’s left thought. He was still wearing his overall coat and had his face hidden. The ministers were already used to seeing him like this.

Ferdinand finally pulled away his gaze from Arabella, though with much effort and will, and finally said, "Since everyone is here now, let us begin."

Everyone then began giving their reports.

The ministers from Riva were the first to report.

First was the Head Minister of National Security, Adelard Maximus, a son of Great Elder Maximus.

Minister Adelard reported on the overall situation of national security and of course, Valeria had no major problems since knights and soldiers were assigned everywhere.

"However, the problem on the borders with the Kingdom of Crux continues to plague us.

They have not returned all the Prudencians they had taken as slaves and some nobles were even sneering at our knights and soldiers.

Some of the nobles also continue to hide the Prudencians they have and pretend like they never had one in the first place," Minister Adelard reported.

Arabella pursed her lips at that. Crux was taking too long despite the agreements they had. There was also the abolition of slavery all over Eliora. And yet, they even dare act disrespectfully towards the knights and soldiers stationed at the borders.

[Arabella looks displeased.

This is exactly why I even visited that place in person but they are so hardheaded. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

It seems they are giving me no choice.

The longer this takes the more I feel embarrassed that Arabella had to go to Prudencia before I learned the situation there.

I had already waited as long as I could.

I cannot wait anymore.

What if they kill the remaining Prudencians there too and pretend to be innocent?]

Ferdinand looked like he had come to a conclusion as he finally spoke after thinking about it.

"Give them one last warning.

They had taken too long and my patience has waned.

A part of the knighthood and army is still stationed there so tell them: If everyone on the list we have is not returned within a week, we will retrieve them ourselves as we have promised.

And send a letter to the knights and soldiers there to prepare for battle. If the people on the lists are not returned within a week, we will conquer Crux," Ferdinand declared and the room was silenced. Thus Ferdinand asked, "Is anyone against this?"

Arabella stiffened as well since Ferdinand would likely lead the troops as he usually did in the past.

Instead of just sending someone to lead the knights and soldiers, Ferdinand personally went to every war Valeria had ever fought since he was crowned.

Arabella could not help but get worried but looking at Odette’s older brother’s face who looked delighted by this news, Arabella did not comment. She understood it must be difficult for the Prudencians who were still waiting for those who had not returned.

After all, it had taken too long already.

There were only a few left on Crux but every Prudencian counts as a Valerian thrown into slavery. Their families and relatives were sadly and nervously waiting for them every single day that passes.

Moreover, the King of Crux was too slow to act. There was also the incident with their magician and slave trader.

Conquering Crux and reorganizing their entire ruling system seemed to be so much better than waiting for them to fix things in ten years. Ten years was too long and they would have a lot more victims by then.

Even Arabella was losing patience with how they were taking their time as if they were playing when it was lives that were on the line.

[His Majesty would truly declare war on them?! Crux is doomed.]

[I thought His Majesty would stay put and not go to war again after how he looked so enamored with Her Majesty. I guess I was wrong.]

[Could His Majesty still be angry at them because the one who poisoned Her Majesty was from Crux?]

[What if the nobles actually had a deal with that slave trader to eradicate Her Majesty after they heard that she was the reason that what was happening there was revealed?]

[Crux had already insulted us too much. Conquering them completely is indeed better than waiting for them as they bid their time and waste our resources.]

[They dared poison the Empress and undermine His Majesty’s ability to protect her. We have to show them our might and set an example.]

[The other rulers who were after Her Majesty must be laughing at His Majesty behind his back. We have to conquer Crux and show them that His Majesty and Valeria would not accept their insults and allow our Empress to be hurt without a fight.]

[I knew this would happen. If His Majesty had not recently gotten married when the problem was discovered, he would have gone to war immediately.]

[I know that His Majesty would always return home as he did in the past. But at least we could be assured now that Her Majesty could already be carrying an heir so we do not have to fret too much in the worst-case scenario that His Majesty does not return alive or return injured.]

[His Majesty said that Her Majesty had already fully recovered. Then, that must mean he is visiting her chambers at night. We can expect an heir soon even if he heads to Crux. Especially since he had to do his duty before leaving for war to ensure the continuity of the royal lineage.]

[Crux must be dealt with immediately indeed. They had wasted too much of our time and resources with all their dillydallying.]

[We should indeed declare war on them. We had only waited because there was also a mistake on our part for not realizing what was going on as soon as possible. But that ends now.]