Chapter 153. The Campaign Against the Silver Oakleaf Kingdom
As time passed, the dissatisfaction of those kingdoms was no longer concealed. The tone coming through the Communication Crystals grew increasingly forceful, and some foreign kingdoms even began moving troops toward their borders in a show of pressure.
Left with no choice, Kroll II summoned William to the Study.
“See for yourself.”
He pushed a stack of dossiers recording the various nations’ grievances toward William.
After flipping through several pages, William’s brows drew tightly together, and then a trace of helplessness appeared on his face.
“These people...”
He paused, then looked at Kroll II.
“Father King, this cannot go on. Starting tonight, have the Chief Steward arrange for one foreign princess to come to my palace each night.”
Kroll II was silent for a moment before finally nodding.
“This is the only way to stabilize them for now. Remember to bring the Life Potion the Ancestor gave you.”
“I understand, Father,” William replied.
The two then turned the conversation to Silver Oakleaf’s recent movements.
“The Shadow Guard has reported that Silver Oakleaf has been unusually active in the Eastern Frontier lately. Not only have they reinforced the defenses around the Magic Serpent Fortress, but they are also frantically buying slaves and the flesh of all kinds of creatures and transporting all of it toward the fortress.”
Kroll II’s tone grew grave.
“Combined with that earlier mana vortex, they are obviously carrying out some kind of dangerous ritual.”
William shook his head helplessly.
“Feeding an array with flesh and blood—the Hydra Clan did the same thing back then. This is no longer playing with fire. They are inviting disaster upon themselves.”
“It is obvious that they want to control that maddened Domain-Level powerhouse, but have they not considered that once it gets out of control, the entire kingdom will be buried with it? More importantly, it may spread to our border as well.”
“Xilan at Iron Skull Fortress has already increased the patrols and is closely monitoring all activity in the Eastern Frontier.”
Kroll II said, “You must hurry on your side as well. Familiarize yourself with military affairs as quickly as possible and select high-aptitude slaves. If something happens on Silver Oakleaf’s side, we must be able to respond immediately.”
“I understand, Father.”
William nodded. He knew very well that compared with dealing with the entanglement of those princesses, Silver Oakleaf’s hidden danger was the true imminent threat.
His gaze fell on the marking for Silver Oakleaf’s Eastern Frontier on the map. His fingertips tapped unconsciously against the table, and a sudden sharpness entered his eyes.
“Why not send troops directly, break into the Eastern Frontier, and take the entire Silver Oakleaf Kingdom in one stroke? That would save us from letting them continue this reckless nonsense and leaving future trouble behind.”
Kroll II looked at him, and a flicker of understanding passed through his eyes. He slowly shook his head.
“You are thinking too simply. The only Domain-Level Powerhouses the royal family can currently use are Ancestor Fenlilan, that boy with Demigod Aptitude, and Ancestor Aksu.”
“But Aksu does not have much lifespan left. He cannot withstand the drain of a great battle. With only those three, trying to shake the foundations of Silver Oakleaf would be too difficult.”
“Father King.”
William raised his head, his tone firm.
“I think it can be done. Silver Oakleaf has already gone all in, placing all its chips on that undead Domain-Level powerhouse. To put it bluntly, they are already at the end of the road.”
“Their high-end combat power is all tied down inside the array in the Eastern Frontier. This is the moment when they are at their weakest.”
He paused, then emphasized his next words.
“We cannot wait any longer. If they truly manage to control that Domain-Level powerhouse capable of creating undead, then when the time comes, it will not just be the Eastern Frontier. The entire continent may suffer.”
“Rather than wait for them to raise a monster, we should strike now. While they are too occupied to care about anything else, we can crush them in one blow and annex Silver Oakleaf’s territory.”
Kroll II fell silent.
How could he not know that William was telling the truth? Silver Oakleaf’s madness was like a ticking bomb that could explode at any moment.
But the kingdom’s troop deployments, logistical supply, and the attitudes of the surrounding nations all had to be considered. Once war began, a single move would affect the whole body.
“Let me think on it a little longer.”
Kroll II rubbed his brow.
“This matter is too great. It cannot be decided in a moment of passion. Ancestor Fenlilan is still keeping watch at Iron Skull Fortress. I will send him a message first and ask what he thinks.”
William did not press the matter further. He merely looked at the territory of Silver Oakleaf on the map, knowing full well that this rare opportunity might already be right in front of them.
After all, the faint undead aura hanging above the Eastern Frontier was growing heavier with every passing moment.
Half an hour later, Kroll II set down the Communication Crystal and looked at William, a trace of decision in his voice.
“The Ancestor has agreed. He also believes we cannot delay any longer. In this war of annihilation, you will serve as Commander-in-Chief.”
He paused, then added, “The Ancestor has already set out for the Royal Family Secret Realm to mobilize the royal family’s hidden reserves. We must take Silver Oakleaf in one stroke.”
A sharp light flashed instantly through William’s eyes, and he bowed to receive the order.
“Yes, Father King.”
Looking at his eager expression, Kroll II said in a deep voice, “The most important reason I am making you Commander-in-Chief is the Dragon Scale on your person.”
William nodded.
“I understand. At the critical moment, I will rely on the Dragon Scale and request the Grand Elder’s assistance.”
“Silver Oakleaf’s hidden strength must not be underestimated, especially their ancestor Liam and those two concealed Domain-Level Powerhouses.”
Kroll II warned him, “Remember this: advance steadily and fight carefully. Do not seek merit recklessly. Support from the Royal Family Secret Realm will follow soon after.”
“I will keep it in mind.”
William replied, already beginning to calculate the movement of troops in his mind.
The sunlight outside the window was just right, shining across William’s youthful yet steady face.
He knew that this battle was not only to stop Silver Oakleaf’s mad scheme. It was also the true beginning of his standing on his own.
“Go. In one week, head to Iron Skull Fortress. By then, the troops should have finished mobilizing.”
Kroll II waved a hand.
“During this time, I will have the Chief Steward arrange for the foreign princesses to take turns going to your palace, so those kingdoms will keep quiet and not make trouble.”
William nodded. After bowing to Kroll II, he turned and left.
Inside the Study, Kroll II watched his departing back and slowly clenched his fist. They had to win this gamble.
Over the following days, in order to stabilize the various nations, the Chief Steward came up with an even more extreme method.
Every night, two or three foreign princesses were arranged to go to William’s palace.
In the span of just one week, nearly all the princesses who had come for marriage alliances had been sent to him in turn. Some went only two or three times, while others were sent as many as seven or eight times.
No one knew what benefit Princess Selena of Kadiya had given the palace steward, but she was there every single night.
News that William was favoring princesses night after night also spread to the various nations. The kingdoms that had originally been pressuring him abruptly changed their attitude and actually began sending envoys bearing large quantities of expensive tonics.
From rare medicinal herbs to nourishing meals, they piled up in the side hall of William’s palace. Their words were full of eager attentiveness—“You’ve worked hard,” “Keep it up,” and “Do your best to produce heirs.”
William could only laugh helplessly at this. As though he needed supplements. What a joke.
Time slipped by quietly amid the busyness. William deliberately made time to visit Mary and Zoe.
Though the two women both carried traces of grievance too subtle to notice at first glance, neither of them complained. Instead, as if by unspoken agreement, they both urged him to take care of himself, their words full of concern.
Listening to them, William felt both warmed and helpless. He could only smile and agree.
A week passed in the blink of an eye. Early that morning, William was once again summoned to the Study by Kroll II.
“The legion deployment and the mobilization of the royal family’s hidden reserves are already complete.”
Kroll II’s tone was grave as he handed William a command token engraved with the Royal Emblem.
“You are to depart for Iron Skull Fortress immediately. Xilan will be waiting for you there. The follow-up battle plan will be discussed face-to-face.”
“Yes, Father King.”
William accepted the command token, its surface cold against his fingertips.
“Your son will depart at once.”
He turned to leave, but Kroll II spoke again.
“Remember this. Unless absolutely necessary, do not lightly use the royal family’s hidden reserves. Silver Oakleaf runs deeper than we imagined. You must be cautious.”
“I understand.”
William turned back and nodded solemnly.
As he walked out of the Study, the morning light was bright and clear. On the parade ground, the Monster Legion had already formed up and was ready to depart, their armor flashing with a cold gleam under the sun.
William leapt onto the dragon’s back. At his command, the sky-blotting Two-Headed Wyvern Riders followed behind him as they flew out beyond the Royal Capital.
When the commoners and nobles within the Royal Capital saw this scene, they all stopped in their tracks and looked up in shock at the endless stream of Two-Headed Wyverns crossing the sky.