Chapter 668: Encirclement from All Sides

At Henwell's signal, guard captain Dalton pulls down a huge map and hangs it in the council hall. Henwell steps forward, takes a command pointer, and taps Silver Peak City.

"Right now, we have lost all intelligence regarding this place. I must learn what happened here in the shortest possible time."

"Last night, I activated extraordinary communication with Yosui City. Arius has already left and set out on the road to Silver Peak City."

"There is a deadly trap waiting for him there. We must keep Arius alive."

"Everyone, what plans do you have? Or is there anything you want to say?"

Everyone present is one of Peace Haven's high officials. They exchange looks, and all of them understand what lies behind this matter.

At the same time, they understand many things. All those unreasonable circumstances from before now make sense.

Why Duke Marcus became involved. Why so many of Peace Haven's allies chose to "betray" them.

Even Meredith's betrayal and leaking of information now have an explanation.

But after witnessing Henwell's fury last night, no one dares to step forward and speak.

In the end, Chief of Staff Rawkins rises and says, "My lord, I think you should communicate with Duke Marcus and the others."

"Perhaps this is an extremely precious opportunity for us. Once Prince Arius..."

Henwell raises a hand and cuts him off, looking coldly at Rawkins. "What? Are you also preparing to make a decision for me?"

Rawkins bows. "My lord, that isn't what I mean!"

Henwell looks around at the others. "Or are all of you also planning, like Meredith, to prepare some unexpected surprise for me?"

No one dares to answer. Henwell takes a few steps forward.

"I said it. This is my decision."

"Whether for public or private reasons, I can't let Arius die!"

"If you think my decision is absurd, you may leave now."

"Take the wealth you deserve and leave Peace Haven!"

"Or if you think I am no longer qualified to lead you, you can start a coup right now!"

These words are extremely severe. Everyone immediately stands, bows, and indicates that they absolutely have no such intention.

A moment later, Henwell's tone softens. "You don't understand. Arius can't die!"

"He is my good brother, and he is also one of my shields, Peace Haven's shield."

"You don't understand. The enemies we need to face aren't limited to those in front of us."

"I am not ready. You aren't ready. Peace Haven is even less ready!"

"What I want to do isn't merely occupy one country. This requires a long-term layout."

"If I take one wrong step, the result we will face is something neither you nor I can bear."

"So don't make decisions for me. I know what I want to do. I know what I should do!"

"What you need to do is give me your trust and believe that I can lead you toward a glorious future!"

Since he has spoken to this point, everyone can only salute Henwell militarily, showing that they accept Henwell's command.

Henwell continues, "It is already too late to send someone to warn Arius, and I also can't take the Lord Iron Guards out of the border again."

"Originally, I wanted to go alone, but you would certainly oppose that. Therefore, war is unavoidable."

"Pass down my order!"

"From this moment on, Peace Haven enters a state of war. Recall all soldiers on leave, and begin calling up the reserves."

"Victor, you are responsible for allocating logistics and supplies. Rawkins, you are responsible for troop movements."

"From the Western Military District, draw Gevana's Second Legion. From the Eastern Military District, draw Basario's Fourth Legion."

"From the Southern Military District, draw Reynolds's Sixth Legion, along with Hank's newly formed Seventh Legion."

"Two mixed legions from the Northern Military District."

"The First and Second Garrison Legions of the Central Military District."

"Eight legions will form two attack directions. I will hold the center with the First Cavalry Legion."

Henwell looks toward Dalton beside him. "The Lord Iron Guards will activate their wartime plan, join with the Silent Iron Guards, and form the Lord's Knight Order. They will campaign with me!"

Then Henwell continues issuing orders. "The left route army will be led by Arnold, and the right route army by Dominic."

"The defense of the Central Military District will temporarily be led by Chief of Security Augusta."

"The Cavalry Patrol Legion will contract its strength and hold the center as a mobile response force."

"The other military districts will enter a defensive posture. Use the remaining main legions as the core of defense, garrison warbands as anchor points, and wait for reserve legions to fill in."

"In addition, notify the Expeditionary Military District to enter a state of war as well and guard against sudden attacks from every other side."

After this series of orders, everyone can only accept them.

They also think Arius's death would be an excellent opportunity.

Reality doesn't allow them to defy Henwell's decision. The military and civil administration can't even make small moves.

Peace Haven's military and political system was built by Henwell himself, and Henwell is also a master of strategy and tactics.

It is simply impossible to make secret moves behind Henwell's back.

Just as everyone sighs inwardly over the missed opportunity, an urgent border report is delivered directly into the council hall.

"My lord, Ogiro Kingdom has deployed five legions and is approaching the eastern district defense line."

"My lord, Ika Kingdom's Military Governor Roderick has gathered seven legions and is advancing toward the eastern district."

"My lord, Marshal Clifford of Lumir has assembled five legions and is approaching the southern district defense line."

This series of battle reports doesn't make the high officials panic. Instead, excitement appears on their faces.

As expected, these three countries won't stand aside. One after another, they have joined this feast.

Looking at the frowning Henwell, the others don't dare advise him to give up the deployment.

After thinking for a long time, Henwell changes his orders again. "Do not draw troops from the eastern, western, and southern military districts anymore."

"The First Cavalry Legion will remain in the Central Military District and support the three directions at any time."

"The Cavalry Patrol Legion will assemble and deploy to the Southern Military District."

"The First Garrison Legion will reinforce the western defense line, and the Second Garrison Legion will reinforce the eastern defense line."

Everyone lets out a breath of relief. Henwell has at least not lost his reason.

Once Henwell dares to draw away the elites of ten legions, the remaining three countries will dare make the pretense real and seize the chance to launch an attack against Peace Haven.

"The newly formed Seventh Legion, together with the mixed forces from the Northern Military District..."

Before Henwell can finish, another messenger arrives. "My lord, the kingdom's Southwest Military Governor Virgil is leading four legions close to the buffer zone and is confronting the First and Second Mixed Legions!"

The smiles at the corners of everyone's mouths can no longer be hidden. It seems Henwell can't go on this expedition after all.

After Arius dies, it will be Peace Haven's turn to take the stage.

At that time, Peace Haven will have ample reason to take part in Vorry's civil war.

But they celebrate too soon. Henwell only hesitates briefly before issuing another order.

"The Seventh Legion and the Lord's Knight Order will campaign with me."

Rawkins immediately objects. "No, my lord. This is too risky!"

Henwell says calmly, "I am going to save someone. This force is enough."

"As long as I bring Arius back, we will still have a reason to launch a war against Vorry."

"That also fulfills your wish, and we won't even need to use the banner of avenging Arius."