"Lord Audis, being anxious won't help now. Please sit down and tell me your thoughts in detail."
In this situation, gathering everyone's ideas was my only option. With my limited knowledge, it was impossible to know everything.
"Forgive my breach of etiquette."
Audis was slightly startled but calmed down immediately. He bowed, pondered for a moment, and then spoke.
"Although Seaview City is not within the war zone, it is a coastal city. If the demons... have obtained sea charts, they might sail directly for Seaview City. If that's the case... I'm afraid Seaview City is truly doomed."
Sea charts... Luo Li had privately researched this topic quite a bit.
One reason the demon army always landed in the southeastern part of the Kingdom of the Moon was that their isolated outer islands were closest to that region.
Another reason involved the ocean currents and sea charts.
The Kingdom of the Moon had a long coastline, but the waters near the shore were filled with dangerous reefs and were difficult to survey due to the currents.
For a thousand years, the demons had essentially never changed their landing point because they lacked coastal sea charts and sufficient long-distance sailing capabilities.
Expect those creatures whose minds were filled only with the desire for slaughter and reproduction to conduct research and development?
That was nearly impossible!
"Lord Audis, does the Garnet family... possess coastal sea charts?"
"They do. Although coastal sea charts are under military jurisdiction, almost every family with coastal territory possesses them. Maritime trade has flourished over the last three hundred years, and the sea charts have become increasingly detailed. As far as I know... even maritime merchants possess many of them."
The last three hundred years?
That meant that before then, no one had thought to trade by sea, or at least very few did.
Because of this, the demons were unable to gain long-distance sailing capabilities.
In other words, if the Garnet family was already in contact with the demons, then the sea charts had likely already fallen into the demons' hands.
This meant that the Great Wall might lose its original purpose!
The reason the Great Wall could stop the demons was that they only ever passed through that point. But now, the demons had sailing capabilities and sea charts.
They could completely bypass the natural defense of the Great Wall and land directly at other ports!
"Hilda, send someone immediately to warn General Yanagi Musashi. Tell him to watch the coastline closely. The demons are likely to land at Seaview City!"
"Yes!"
Hilda quickly went to issue the orders, but the atmosphere in the hall became even heavier.
Once the demons obtained the sea charts and received full support from the Garnet family, they could bypass the Great Wall and land at Seaview City.
The civilians in Seaview City and its surrounding areas... would be doomed.
"Camilla, let me ask you: in the past thousand years, has no demon army ever thought of bypassing the Great Wall by sea?"
"There was one time. According to my knowledge, there was a war five hundred years ago where a demon elite force tried to bypass the Great Wall. They also attempted to land at Seaview City."
"And the result?"
"They were discovered early and sunk by a prepared human army. After an investigation, it was found that over twenty thousand demon elites died at sea."
Speaking of this, Camilla suddenly paused and looked up at me.
"Your Highness, I just remembered. According to historical records, the one who discovered the demon army and led the fleet to sink their ships was an ancestor of the Garnet family."
The ancestor of the Garnet family had prevented a demon landing, and now, the demons had infiltrated the family to exploit that very point?
Was this... some kind of karmic cycle in another world?
"Since that's the case, let's prepare for the worst. Lord Audis, you know the Kingdom of the Moon very well. Do you think the probability of the demons landing at Seaview City is high?"
Audis stroked his beard, a sharp glint flashing in his aged eyes.
"Your Highness... may I ask, is the Garnet family truly colluding with the demons?"
He looked up, his gaze meeting the Saintess sitting on the divine platform.
When I killed Fitch Garnet, I only had fifty knights with me. There was essentially no one else to bear witness.
Furthermore, Fitch's body had been so badly damaged by violence that almost nothing intact remained.
There was no evidence. Therefore, even though I had publicly declared the Garnet family's betrayal, many nobles remained skeptical.
"Yes. The Garnet family is indeed colluding with the demons. Fitch Garnet, the current Great Elder of the family and the legitimate son of Barry Garnet, was killed after demonizing right in front of me."
Audis exhaled a long breath and nodded.
"In that case, I am essentially certain that the demons have obtained the sea charts and even have ships capable of ocean travel."
I was startled. Before I could ask, Lola pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses and explained.
"Your Highness, the Garnet family's primary businesses are grain and shipping. Shipping accounts for about forty percent of their operations. The Garnet family possesses a massive ocean-going fleet."
She glanced back at Audis.
"I presume that is what Lord Audis means."
"Yes..."
The venerable Audis nodded and stroked his beard, a look of admiration flashing in his eyes.
"Bishop Lola is truly Your Highness's right hand. You understand immediately. That is exactly what I mean. The Garnet family has at least a hundred ocean-going ships. Their primary function isn't combat, but their transport capacity is terrifying. If the entire Garnet fleet is used to transport demons..."
Audis paused to calculate in his head.
"I estimate they could transport over three hundred thousand demons at once."
Demons were generally much larger than other races.
If what Audis said was true, it would be an absolutely terrifying event!
Once three hundred thousand demons landed at Seaview City, it meant they would be facing defenseless human cities.
Seaview City, which had no natural defenses, could not stop the demons' advance.
I could almost hear the people crying and screaming under the demon invasion.
This caused my heart to tighten, as if a giant hand were squeezing it.
"I understand. The situation has likely reached the worst possible stage. If the demons land at Seaview City, Lord Audis... what do you think we should..."
"Report! Heavenly Punishment Knight, Lord Kevin Cromwell, has arrived at the north gate of Brilliant City and is heading for the Temple!"
"Kevin is back!?"
I looked at Lola in surprise. Didn't she say it would take another three days?
While I was dazed, another report came from outside.
However, this time it wasn't a guard's voice, but... Kevin's voice!
So fast?
That's right, he was much faster than a regular knight. While the news came from the North Gate, he was already rushing toward the Temple. With the speed of a Heavenly Punishment Knight, arriving in a short time was no problem.
"Heavenly Punishment Knight, Kevin Cromwell, has completed his mission to the Snow Country and requests an audience with the Saintess!"
"Let him in."
As soon as I spoke, a man dressed in formal wear strode inside. He wasn't wearing armor, but rather a lavish noble outfit consisting of trousers, a tailcoat, a crisp white shirt, and... a head of standard golden curly hair.
"Heavenly Punishment Knight, Kevin, greets the Saintess. May you be blessed with peace!"
Kevin's presence drew everyone's attention.
As the strongest combat force in Brilliant City and the Kingdom of the Moon, his return at this time... there was no news more heartening than this.
He lowered his head but did not kneel. After all, as a Heavenly Punishment Knight, his status was nearly equal to mine.
"I am well, my knight. Please rise."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Kevin looked up. Although there were a few beads of sweat on his forehead, it didn't affect his aura at all.
He stood in the center of the hall like a sharp sword. Even from my seat on the divine platform, I could feel that powerful presence.
"My knight, it is wonderful that you could return at this time. The situation has become very dire."
Saying that, I turned to look at Lola.
"Kevin, let me introduce you. This is the newly appointed Cardinal, Lola. She is my right hand. I hope you can cooperate sincerely in the future."
Kevin glanced at Lola, his expression unchanged. He nodded slightly. For a Heavenly Punishment Knight, this was already a respectful greeting.
He turned his gaze back to me.
"Your Highness, I heard about the situation at the front and rushed back as fast as I could."
"Heard? Sir Kevin, I only just received the news myself. How did you..."
"Your Highness, please do not worry. While Klo was requesting reinforcements from you, he also sent the news to me."
Kevin's speed was terrifying. From what I knew, many called him the Moonlight Meteor.
This 'meteor' referred to his incredible speed.
He had demonstrated this before.
Though it was a small detail, I had noticed it.
"In that case... Lola, explain our current conclusions to Sir Kevin."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Lola nodded and turned toward Kevin.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir Kevin. I am Lola. Allow me to explain our analysis."
"Bishop Lola, there is no need for pleasantries. Time is of the essence. Please proceed."
Lola paused to organize her words and then explained our analysis of the situation.
Throughout the entire process, Kevin didn't say a word, only lowering his head in thought.
By the time Lola finished, his brow was furrowed and his expression was grim.
"I thought... that foolish old man Barry was simply dissatisfied with Your Highness's policies. I never imagined... he would actually defect to the demons?"
Kevin looked up at me.
"Your Highness, what do you wish to do?"
"Kevin, it is fortunate that you have returned. It is likely too late to send an army to Seaview City now. I hope you can provide a reasonable suggestion."
Rate on N.U.
