Chapter 438.2: Chess...

Initially, both the attackers and defenders were slow to react to the unplanned troop movement.

Only when those tanks approached and suddenly opened fire on the attackers outside the fortress did the riverbank defenders realize that they were also reinforcements!

Flags flew from the tank turrets, emblazoned with the Honey Badger Kingdom’s crest. Officers commanding the front lines, overjoyed, shouted loudly, "It’s the Honey Badger Kingdom's resistance army!"

"They're here to help us!"

As allied forces continued to arrive on the battlefield, the morale of the Lion Kingdom soldiers peaked, their actions in pulling bolts and loading shells speeding up significantly.

The half-crippled unit managed to produce the firepower density of a fully staffed battalion.

Faced with the armored units’ flanking maneuvers and the suddenly fierce frontal firepower, the Falcon Kingdom’s 20,000-strong vanguard troop suffered heavy casualties instantaneously.

At the same time, the air battle had also determined its victor.

Apart from a few planes pushing forward to the west, nearly the entire squadron of the Falcon Kingdom's air force was wiped out. The previously twisted scale of defeat now completely tipped in favor of the defenders.

The towering Levee still stood unyielding amidst the wheat fields and rolling gunsmoke.

Seeing the tide had turned, even though he was unwilling a thousand times over, the Falcon Kingdom's commander had no choice but to order a retreat.

At this moment, any hesitation or desire to continue fighting meant few of his men would survive and the entire formation would be decimated...

30 kilometers away, in the Falcon Kingdom's military camp...

The camp was nearly filled with wounded.

Looking at the stretchers scattered about and the groaning wounded on them, Prince William's eyes filled with fury, his fists clenched uncontrollably.

He couldn't understand why the Army had ordered the attack.

Hadn't they agreed to flatten the fortress with a nuclear strike?

Why then had his people been sent to fill a line that was impossible to hold?

He didn't mind the Falcon Kingdom's subjects sacrificing themselves for the royal family to expand its territory, but these casualties were avoidable! They were entirely unnecessary!

Facing an approaching Army officer, he restrained his anger, walked up, and demanded in a lowered voice, "Where's the nuclear bomb?! Where’s the bomb?!"

Seeing William's chest heave violently, the officer simply made a shushing gesture, tapping his finger on his mouth, indicating to him to keep quiet.

Seeing the gesture to be silent, Prince William knew it wasn't the time to erupt. He took a deep breath, controlled his emotions, and spoke in a calmer tone. "We need that thing. I've been mentally prepared... I don't know what you're hesitating about!"

"If you're worried about provoking the residents of the Sunset Province, I can take on their wrath for you, help you suppress those vermin..."

The officer raised his right hand, stopping his prattle, and looked at him seriously. "Mr. William, we are currently facing an opponent that has far exceeded our expectations. They adjust their tactics based on ours, and of course, we do the same. The situation on the battlefield changes in an instant. Why would you think plans can always keep up with changes?"

Prince William blinked, narrowing his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Nevermind." The officer didn't want to explain anything to the figurehead general they were using, passing by him toward a nearby tent. But as he reached the tent door, he stopped, slightly turning to the side.

"Never try to guess General Griffin’s thoughts. He naturally has his plans. Just do what you need to do, and we'll naturally help you conquer the desert." Dropping these words, he lifted the tent flap and walked in, arriving at a radio station. He put on the headphones hanging on the radio and reported the frontline situation.

"The first squadron encountered an enemy air force intercept, we lost 21 planes..."

"The City of Abundance's defense exceeded expectations. Armored units from Camp 530 appeared on the north side. The 20,000-strong vanguard suffered heavy casualties, today's offensive was forced to an end."

Although the report was full of bad news, the other side seemed pretty calm. It was as though they expected it.

Pausing, the officer's face showed reverence and admiration, and he continued respectfully, "Also, the big fish has taken the bait. They failed to endure it. Everything is as you predicted..."

...

Elsewhere, in the ravaged City of Abundance, the towering Levee opened, letting in the supporting tank brigade.

Soldiers stationed on either side of the road watched the Army-style tanks, their eyes filled with wariness.

Even though those tanks flew the Honey Badger Kingdom's flags, the ingrained fear still instinctively made them cautious. Moreover... Not everyone appreciated the people from the Honey Badger Kingdom who brought trouble.

Prince Wint stood in the middle of the road, personally greeting the ally force that appeared at a critical moment with his guards and officers.

The leading tank opened its hatch, and a man with a thick beard stood up, gesturing for the troops behind to stop.

Seeing Yard from the tank descend, Prince Wint's usually impassive face couldn't help but show a slight touch of emotion. "You actually came?"

"Yes, I came." Yard walked up to Prince Wint, extending his hand for a firm shake, scanning the officers behind him. Some averted their gazes, others looked on expressionlessly... Grateful faces made up only half of the crowd.

It was hard to imagine.

Even now, many in the Lion Kingdom’s Royal Court still believed that if they handed over the members of the Honey Badger Kingdom’s Royal Family, the Falcon Kingdom would return the territories they had occupied.

And even if they didn't harbor such naive illusions, many believed they had brought the war in the first place. If they hadn't sheltered them, the Falcon Kingdom might have sat down for negotiations after occupying Oasis No.3 instead of continuing east.

Yard was well aware that the battle at Camp 530 had issues. There was surely some sabotage behind the scenes. If not for the timely arrival of his allies, he might have died on those dunes.

Although he was dying to drag out those responsible and give them a beating, he knew now wasn't the time to pursue the matter. The greater goal was more important.

Shifting his gaze subtly, Yard naturally looked at Prince Wint in front of him. "What's with those planes?"

"They're from the New Alliance.”

"Do they have an airfield here?" Yard's expression showed a hint of confusion. Obviously, he hadn't come because of the New Alliance's instructions, but based on his own assessment of the battlefield.

Prince Wint shook his head. "I don't know; those planes appeared suddenly. It's also thanks to them, otherwise, we couldn't have held on until your arrival..."

As he spoke, his expression was full of lingering fear.

Initially, when the Honey Badger Kingdom’s Royal Family sought refuge, he was strongly against sheltering them, never imagining that one day he would owe his life to them.

He gulped as Prince Wint continued. "... Thank you for helping us. Although I can't speak for my kingdom, from today onwards, everyone standing here owes you a favor."

Yard grinned, patting the old man's arm. "There's no need for that; we are allies on the same front here..."

Although he had resolved to not pursue it for the time being, he couldn't help but emphasize things like them fighting on the same front, the subtle implication clear.

Several officers showed embarrassed expressions, subtly shifting their gazes. They knew their actions had indeed been unscrupulous.

Whether it was messing up the intelligence or pulling back the guerrillas to the north, kicking the responsibility to protect their allies to the Honey Badger's resistance army. As for Prince Wint, his wrinkled old face showed no change, just a faint smile. "You're right, we are allies fighting on the same front, but I'll still remember this favor." As he spoke, he suddenly remembered something, pulling out a letter from his chest and handing it to Yard. "... By the way, here's a letter, written by your siblings. They're now in the New Alliance's Dawn City. Our emissaries happened to be there too, so they helped bring it over."

Hearing about his siblings' whereabouts, Yard's eyes lit up with surprise, smiling as he tore open the envelope handed to him by Prince Wint.

The envelope contained two letters.

One from his brother, the acting king, and the other from his sister, Princess Afrni. Saving the best for last, he first opened his brother's letter.

Skipping the introductory pleasantries, he went straight to the middle.

[... I hope you are well. Please don't worry about our safety. The New Alliance's administrator is an enlightened leader. Although our paths are different, he respects our beliefs and choices.]

[After the war, the residents of the Honey Badger Kingdom can freely choose their future way of life, as long as we promise to treat the descendants of the war victims well and always stand on the side of the masses. I may not understand every word he says, but I think I've got what I wanted, and the price isn't too hard to accept.]

[We all agree that peaceful development is the only way to end chaos. Under this consensus, we will become partners.]

Yard grinned.

The kid writes in such a convoluted way, a simple reassurance would suffice, but he had to beat around the bush, hiding the important stuff amid a bunch of nonsense.

"Heh, I haven't acknowledged you as king."

But the matter of the throne could also wait for another day. Now, what needed to be done was to drive away the invaders.

They had to drive away the invaders occupying the Honey Badger Kingdom, and from the Sunset Province.

Next, he opened his sister's letter.

Unlike his annoying brother, Afrni's letter was much more pleasant to read.

Not only was her handwriting elegant and polite, but she also didn't have those bureaucratic noble bad habits. She used a casual tone to report her safety, before chatting about her recent life.

Including life in Dawn City, her recent work organizing books, and her new friend, a little girl named Frost Snow.

Yard revealed a smile, his calloused index finger rubbed his thick beard.

Initially, when Somer said they had to marry their cute little sister to the head of some new religion or whatever they believed it to be, moreover, marry her out of the Sunset Province, he, as her older brother, was strongly opposed to the idea.

The lands beyond the oasis were already barren, let alone those barbaric lands far from the protection of the Spirit of the Desert?

He heard that people there were starving, barely clothed, and even resorted to cannibalism to survive. Some marauders even abandoned civilized beliefs, throwing captives into pots to cook, behaving more barbarically than wild beasts.

Although merchants from the east described Dawn City as a bright spot amidst darkness, it was ultimately situated on barbaric soil.

Even if there was a difference, how big could it be?

Yard didn't believe in that fairy-tale-like portrayal at all, only reluctantly agreeing to Somer's idea after hearing that the New Alliance had defeated the similarly Army-supported Bonechewer Clan.

That also filled him with guilt.