In the Name of Empress

The Oden Kingdom has over seventy thousand standing troops, and they can mobilize more than two hundred thousand in total.

This is a tough nut to crack.

The Three Overseas Provinces have had several historical skirmishes with the Oden Kingdom, with victories and defeats on both sides.

It's not easy to take on such a resilient nation.

Especially when it comes to seizing the Oak Forest, their hope for a comeback, it's almost like taking their life.

Moreover, the Oden Kingdom boasts numerous formidable warriors.

They have several Berserker Leaders with strength equivalent to Tier Eight and even a semi-retired Commander Level Berserker, roughly equivalent to Tier Seven.

While their hard power is naturally far inferior to the Sussex Empire, they are by no means weaker than the Three Overseas Provinces.

The Sussex Empire's formidable warriors certainly outclass them, but these individuals have their own agendas and aren't completely obedient to the Imperial Family.

Especially the Tier Seven warriors, whose greatest ambition is to advance to Tier Six.

They rarely engage in national conflicts unless there are substantial benefits involved.

Sif spent at least an hour carefully going through all the information.

No one disturbed her.

Roland was waiting for her report, while Alina usually spoke little with Sif.

She adjusted her glasses and sat down in a seat Roland indicated, picking up the teacup in front of her, only to find it was Roland's teacup.

Though it showed no signs of having been drunk from, and was likely freshly brewed, it was still Roland's cup, a direct sip seemed odd, yet putting it down felt distant.

The teacup froze in Alina's hand, like a bomb she couldn't throw away.

Seeing her awkwardness, Roland poured a fresh cup and exchanged cups with her.

His gaze carried a hint of inquiry.

Alina merely nodded silently, indicating that everything was fine.

Since the Golden Kite Wanderers stationed in Hansa, they formed a small group, fully obedient to the management of Romeo, Reyno, and Elaine.

But they didn't know that these three followed only Alina's orders.

These over thirty thousand people hadn't formally established a government in exile, but in practice, they already were one.

Worried about Roland's opinion, Alina resolutely opposed establishing a government in exile.

Her nominal reason was not wanting to attract the attention of the Jin Yuan people, but she knew this was an excuse. Even without proclaiming a government in exile, the Jin Yuan people would still watch them.

She simply didn't want Roland to be concerned.

Though they had an agreement, it was paramount to maintain the right position.

Roland was her greatest support for revenge, and she couldn't afford to lose his trust, not even a little.

As Sif pondered deeply, she noticed Roland and Alina exchanging glances, a thought suddenly sparked through her mind, jolting her.

"I've got it!"

Roland and Alina simultaneously turned to look at her.

Sif calmly stated, "To win a war, you must strive to secure favorable timing, terrain, and unity of people."

This was Roland's teaching, certainly correct.

Though her mind was still blank, to prevent Roland and Alina from secretly exchanging glances, Sif's thoughts raced.

Timing, timing? Got it!

She smiled and said, "First, we must strive for a favorable international environment and choose the most appropriate time to conduct operations."

"The Vladimir Empire is currently attacking the Boli Khanate; although Boli isn't strong, it's vast with a sparse population, and its people are all excellent nomads, not easy to annex. Recently, the Prudon Kingdom and the Wende Empire have also had several frictions and might engage in battle."

"The time to launch this war is before the Vladimir Empire annexes the Boli Khanate and while the Prudon Kingdom and the Wende Empire are at war!"

Roland smiled and asked, "What if they're merely in a standoff?"

Sif hesitated, wanting to say just wait, but felt that approach was too passive. Suddenly recalling Munina who had just left, she softly said:

"Have Munina's kin intervene to provoke conflict between their naval forces. They already have issues, all they need is a spark."

This time, it was Roland whose eyes lit up.

To come up with such a devious plan, Sif was indeed making rapid progress.

Although Roland had quite a few plans in mind, none were as straightforward as Sif's.

He didn't know Sif was currently in a thought storm, performing extraordinarily well.

Encouraged by Roland's approval, Sif gained more confidence and continued, "Terrain is also on our side. Even though the Fourth Fleet is at only one-third strength, the Oden Kingdom Navy isn't strong either. We can blockade the coast, feign a landing, and then breakthrough from behind to seize the Oak Forest directly."

"They definitely wouldn't expect us to launch a land assault while reorganizing our new army."

Sif's eyes glowed with confidence, and her air of command amidst the void had the semblance of a military strategist.

"In any case, with a maritime blockade and land advance happening simultaneously, the terrain is in our favor in this war."

After her confidence peak, Sif quickly calmed down.

Favorable timing and terrain are merely advantages, not decisive victories.

To achieve war objectives, it ultimately relies on people.

She squinted her eyes, furiously thinking.

Good news: the new army is very disciplined and well-equipped, but lacks combat experience.

Better news: The Oden Kingdom Army also lacks combat experience.

Sif was slightly disheartened; even if the fifty thousand new troops were greater than the seventy thousand Oden Kingdom Army, what if the opponent fully mobilized?

She once again turned her gaze to the map, observing intently.

Staring blankly at the map for about ten minutes while Roland and Alina continued their eye contact communication, her inspiration surged again.

"The Oden Kingdom isn't weak, but the power of the Oden Imperial Family isn't strong. We must strictly target the royal directly-controlled territory where the Oak Forest is located."

Unable to currently think of a good excuse to separate the Oden Imperial Family from the nobility, then...

"The justification will come in time; no war is paused because an excuse couldn't be fabricated."

Sif's words had a bit of a cunning tone, but Roland still gave her a thumbs up.

War excuses are always available; if you really want to fight, even a bottle of detergent will do.

The simplest reason could be "your trees possibly pose a threat to us."

The Vladimir Empire didn't even bother thinking of an excuse to conquer the Boli Khanate, declaring war just because they fancied the land.

At least Sif was willing to make an effort to concoct a reason.

With Roland's approval, Sif once again entered a state of boundless confidence, ideas surging forth.

"We don't have the numbers, but our training and equipment are our advantage; that counts as unity of the people too."

"Not necessarily, who says we are outnumbered?"

Roland said with a smile, "As long as we can sever the roots of the Oden Imperial Family, and avoid annexing the land of the Oden Kingdom, those major nobles might even side with us."

Sif instantly understood.

If the war's goal was to annex the Oden Kingdom, the nobility would likely become alert and even stand with the King.

If it's just about cutting down the royal forest's oak trees, the nobles wouldn't find that motivating.

To protect the King's forest by confronting the world's most powerful nation? That's too loyal to the point of folly.

Roland's words unlocked Sif's thinking, and she quickly made more plans.

For instance, inviting Temple Warriors to join the crusade, inviting the Magic Association to send Anthony to deal with the opposing Commander Level Berserker, among others.

She even planned to hire mercenaries to fight as cannon fodder.

Listening to Sif's arrangements, Roland was pleased yet not overly surprised.

Sif had been growing quickly; as long as her thinking was correct, making sensible arrangements wasn't hard.

His pop quiz wasn't meant to present unsolvable problems beyond the syllabus.

Roland thought it normal, but Alina was wide-eyed.

Was this still the politically naive Sif she knew?

Her understanding of Sif remained at the naive and sweet princess stage.

Since transforming into Miss Fuchou, she and Sif had hardly communicated and naturally didn't know how fast the latter was progressing.

Seeing Sif filled with confidence, Alina was also moved.

One cannot dwell in the past and must look forward.

Her father was gone; she couldn't only seek revenge, she also had to grow and progress.

Watching Roland and Sif exchange glances, she suddenly made a decision.

"Sif, Roland, please let me join the fight."

If she wanted revenge, she still had a long way to go. Only by marching against the storm could she grow swiftly.