In the Palace of Hadria, King Isaac Hadria sat upon his throne, surrounded by his advisors and courtiers. The air was heavy with anticipation as a servant approached, bearing a sealed letter in their hands.
With a bow, the servant presented the missive to the king, who eagerly took hold of it.
Breaking the seal, King Isaac unfolded the paper and briefly scanned the contents of the letter. The letter, penned by Riz was concise but carried a weighty ssage. The words conveyed both an inquiry and a directive that demanded imdiate attention.
[King Isaac,
I write to you with grave concern regarding the recent escape of the Inverloch forces from your watchful eye. The news of their elusion has disrupted Ryntum's military strategy.
Moreover, the carelessness of Inver caused a significant loss to us in terms of manpower and weaponry. Not to ntion, two places- Lonsbak and Szazki have fallen into their hand.
It is of utmost importance for us to understand how such an event transpired.
As such, to regain the upper hand, I implore you to take decisive action on our behalf by cutting off their supply lines and disrupting their movents.
Capture the strategic city of Norish, for it lies along their main supply route. By seizing Norish, you will strike a critical blow against the Inverloch forces, destabilizing their operations and diminishing their strength.
Ti is of the essence, and you must act swiftly to turn the tide of this conflict. The future of this region depends on your ability to restrict Inverloch's resources.
Yours faithfully,
King Rizieri of Ryntum.]
As King Isaac finished reading the letter, a flicker of displeasure crossed his face. The tone of the correspondence did not sit well with him.
It felt as though King Riz, who was younger than Isaac, was issuing orders rather than presenting a suggestion or seeking collaboration.
Isaac's brows furrowed. A trace of irritation seeped into his voice, "It seems that King Riz wishes to command rather than offer counsel," he remarked, his tone laced with a hint of displeasure. "While I understand the urgency of the situation, his choice of words should have been more diplomatic."
In truth, the escape of the Inverloch forces was not a result of negligence or deliberate oversight on their part. The Inverloch forces had cunningly exploited the opportune mont during the rotation of soldiers.
Every six months, the army would rotate the current active batch of soldiers with another fresh and well-rested one.
Moreover, the timing they choose coincided with the aftermath of a gruelling battle in the city of Clar, west of Inverloch. The exhaustion of his soldiers was evident, and their attention was rightfully focused on rest and recovery.
How could they have been expected to remain vigilant and anticipate the Inverloch's sudden manoeuvre?
Isaac leaned back on his throne, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. "If Ryntum's army is truly as formidable as they claim," he mused aloud, his voice laced with a hint of mockery, "then why don't they take matters into their own hands?"
Despite his dissatisfaction, King Isaac knew he can't make a decision out of spite alone. He turned his attention to his war minister, Duke Jean Yolger, awaiting his opinion on the matter.
Duke Jean Yolger cleared his throat and spoke with a asured tone, "Your Majesty, I understand your frustration with the tone of King Riz's letter. However, it is crucial that we assess the situation objectively. If Inverloch manages to capture the southern territories of Ryntum, particularly Baroks, it will create a significant challenge for us. We would be forced to fight imperial force on two fronts, with considerable distances separating them."
He continued, emphasizing the strategic implications, "If such a hypothetical situation happens, Inverloch would have a way to establish contact with the Sidgean Empire in the west. It will pose a serious threat to our own interests. We must consider the larger picture and the potential consequences of our actions. Supporting Ryntum in cutting off the Inverloch supply line by capturing the city of Norish would not only help them but also safeguard our own position."
The war minister's words carried weight. The king pondered these considerations, his frustration with Riz's rudeness was tempered by the reality of the situation at hand.
"I don't want to make it seems like I do it simply because a foreign king told to," Isaac said. Thus, he sought a deeper understanding, "Is there any significance in taking that city?"
Count Joseph Bolgen, the trade minister, interjected, providing valuable insights into the importance of Norish. "Your Majesty, Norish is an agriculture hub because of the extrely fertile soil there. The harvests there are three to four tis more bountiful than in any other place."
The count continues, "It all thanks to the Pheonix Forest located in the east. The wave of mana exuded from the forest pretty much shortens the growth ti, improves the nutrients, and increases the crops' size and amount of harvest."
"I see. An agriculture hub with abundant harvests" the king mused. His interest was piqued. "So, that's the reason why they move quickly to capture land from Vofors."
"Yes," Joseph replied. "I am not even surprised when I hear the news about Inverloch capturing more than half of Vofors. That so-called republic is just lucky to be in the closest proximity to the forest."
The potential benefits of controlling such an agriculture hub, with its fertile soil and abundant harvest, were not lost on him.
"Inverloch's hold over Norish gives them a considerable advantage in terms of resources and sustenance for their forces. If we take them, a very fierce war would erupt, wouldn't it, Duke Jean?"
"Without a doubt, Your Majesty. But, the value it presents outweighs the amount of blood that will spill. Please consider the long-term the city would give to our populations." Duke Jean replies as he wholeheartedly supports this operation.
Inwardly, he thanks Inverloch for the loss they cause to Ryntum.
"You raise a valid point, Duke Jean," the king replied. "We must consider the well-being and prosperity of our kingdom. If seizing control of Norish will secure a better future for our people, then we shall embark on this operation."
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