169: Profits in hand

While the First Prince of Holy Radiance City's conspiracy and the Second Prince of Peacock City's coordination were being carried out intensely in secret, the upper echelons of the entire Aolai Kingdom were already experiencing surging undercurrents, like a storm brewing. Nobles passed obscure messages privately, troop movements became frequent and abnormal, and even among the commoners, various speculations and anxieties about the succession to the throne began to circulate.

And one of the most important masterminds behind this storm that was about to sweep through the kingdom appeared unusually calm, even somewhat leisurely.

Inside a heavily guarded secret command post somewhere in the Rhine Province, Linn was sitting opposite the Werewolf King Jokic. There was no one else present; even the attendants had been dismissed.

"My Lord, according to your instructions, I have used the tribes from the eastern part of the Great Wilderness Forest that have submitted to us to form a massive 'Cannon Fodder Legion'." Jokic reported in a low voice, a cold and cruel light flickering in his eyes. "The total number is about two hundred thousand, mainly composed of low-intelligence, low-combat-power but numerous low-level Goblins, Hobgoblins, and some conquered small Gnoll tribes. They are poorly equipped and lack discipline. In addition, I have drawn fifty thousand relatively elite but non-core troops from the Wolf Fang Legion and vassal regular armies to mix among them as the 'backbone' and supervisory squads."

He unfolded a crude animal skin map and pointed to several preset battlefield areas: "Once the great war begins, these two hundred thousand cannon fodder will be deployed at these forward positions. I will make them believe that there is a 'main allied force' of four hundred thousand under my personal command behind them as support, with a total strength exceeding six hundred thousand. Against the 'mere' hundred thousand or so vanguards of the Star Sea Territory, victory will be certain. The orders they receive will be to fight to the death and not retreat, fighting for the glory and survival space of their tribes."

Linn carefully examined the map, his finger tracing several key passes and preset retreat routes, and nodded slightly: "The details are well-considered. The key is to make this play realistic enough. There must be casualties, and they must look tragic. Charging, resisting, collapsing, pursuing... every step must be acted out convincingly. No one, especially the observers the kingdom might send or the cannon fodder themselves, can see that this is a choreographed drama."

"Rest assured, My Lord," Jokic said confidently. "Those low-level beastmen are simple-minded and easily incited. I will make them throw themselves into battle fanatically. And the fifty thousand 'backbones' mixed among them will strictly execute orders, 'collapsing' at the appropriate time and leading the entire Cannon Fodder Legion to crumble. The escape routes, discarded equipment, and flags and supplies left behind 'in panic' will all be properly arranged. As for casualties... that is where the value of cannon fodder lies. The true elites of the Werewolf Clan and core vassal units will stay far from the main battlefield, 'gathering and waiting' in the deeper mountains and forests, and will never be easily lost."

"Very good." Linn showed a satisfied smile. "After this 'great victory', the fact that my Star Sea Territory's soldiers fought with their lives, broke the enemy in a bloody battle, and repelled the invading alien races will be unquestionable. At that time, holding the royal decree of the kingdom and carrying the prestige of a great victory, taking over that land will be natural, and no one will be able to say anything."

The two of them discussed many details for a long time, such as specific tactical coordination, signal transmission, and the disposal of "prisoners" and supplies after the war. Jokic had now completely integrated into the system of the Star Sea Territory and executed Linn's orders meticulously, because he knew deeply that his future and that of the entire Werewolf Tribe were firmly tied to the war chariot of this unfathomable Duke.

After the discussion, Jokic quietly left to continue setting up his "stage." Linn, as if nothing had happened, turned his attention back to the internal affairs of the territory.

During this period, the royal capital sent several more royal decrees with increasingly stern wording, urging the Duke of Star Sea, Linn, to immediately send troops to annihilate the increasingly rampant Werewolf Tribe to pacify the border. However, these orders were calmly deflected by Linn with reasons such as "insufficient provisions, military equipment yet to be prepared, and the need for detailed reconnaissance." He was waiting—waiting for the formal authorization that would allow him to "justifiably" expand his territory, or waiting for the kingdom's situation to change in a way more favorable to his actions.

He was not anxious and even had quite a bit of leisure. He frequently entered and exited the Breath of Life Demi-plane. On one hand, he concentrated on his own cultivation, advancing toward the Peak of the Legendary rank; on the other hand, he carefully guided Elise, who was in seclusion attempting to break through to the Legendary rank, passing on his own experiences, insights, and key points to watch out for during the Breakthrough without reservation. Elise had extremely high talent and a deep foundation. In such a superior environment and with clear guidance, her progress was rapid. The magic power fluctuations surging around her became increasingly majestic and profound, getting closer and closer to that barrier.

Finally, a month later, Linn got what he wanted.

The royal envoy arrived at Star Sea City once again. This time, he brought a formal order document stamped with the King's seal and countersigned by the chief executive officer Aivik. The content of the document finally brought a genuine, meaningful smile to the corners of Linn's mouth.

Using the excuse of rewarding his years of border defense service and encouraging him to completely resolve the beastmen trouble in the east, the order formally commanded the Duke of Star Sea, Linn, to lead his elite troops into the eastern part of the Great Wilderness Forest to wipe out Jokic's Werewolf Tribe and its affiliated beastmen forces. The text clearly stated: "...If the Duke defeats the invading enemies of the North, to reward his merit and show his loyalty, he is specially permitted to temporarily manage, develop, and garrison that land by the Star Sea Territory to stabilize the border. For the necessary pioneering funds, the kingdom specially allocates five hundred thousand commoners and one million gold coins to assist..."

Looking at the high-sounding words on the document, Linn knew very well that this was First Prince Atos starting to exert his influence. He not only pushed the King to issue this order but also secured substantial support in terms of population and funds. This was probably the first time since the establishment of the Star Sea Territory that it had received such a "large-scale" "gift" from the Aolai Kingdom.

In the eyes of the First Prince and many kingdom nobles, this was perhaps a worthwhile investment: using a piece of wilderness that was difficult to control, some people, and money to drive the beast Linn to bite another threat (the Werewolf Tribe), while simultaneously gaining his support in the future power struggle and consuming his strength to a certain extent after the war. They naively believed that the ultimate winner and beneficiary would be the one sitting on the throne in the royal capital. Once the younger brother inside was dealt with and the national forces were integrated, it wouldn't be too late to deal with this tail that was too big to wag, the eastern Duke.

However, they would never know that the "beast" they imagined had already grown into a Dragon eyeing the throne; the "war of attrition" they imagined was merely a carefully directed performance; and the "gift" they imagined was accelerating the arming of a most terrifying future opponent.

Linn gently closed the document and looked out at the prosperous Star Sea City, starlight swirling in his eyes.

"The stage is set, the actors are in place, and the audience is full of expectations..." he whispered to himself, his voice calm yet containing enough power to shift the landscape of the continent. "Then, this grand play called the 'Northern Expedition' is also time... to make its grand opening."

He turned and gave an order to Clay, who was waiting nearby: "Summon the commanders of each legion to the Star Sea Hall for discussion. At the same time, reply to the royal capital in my name: Your servant, Lynn Star Sea, accepts the King's command and will organize the army immediately, vowing to pacify the beastmen trouble to repay the nation's kindness!"

Beneath the calm facade, the gears of war began to mesh slowly, emitting a heavy and irreversible roar.