Inside the castle.
Esdeath leaned against the window, staring as the three assassins departed with the carriage. Her eyes gradually narrowed.
"What is it, Dux Alptraum? Do you have something on your mind?"
The expression on Esdeath's face did not last long; the voice coming from behind made her features return to their normal state.
"Lord Imperator!"
The only person capable of making Esdeath immediately revert to a pure and docile expression was Cerydra. After all, in Esdeath's heart, Cerydra was the only one to whom she was willing to surrender both body and soul.
"I wish to know why you released those three assassins."
Esdeath was a direct person. As seen from her combat style, she preferred facing enemies head-on rather than assassinating from the shadows.
Consequently, she did not particularly like those three assassins and felt somewhat hostile toward them due to their identities.
Just when Esdeath assumed the Imperator would dispose of them, they were released—and even rewarded with a cart of gold before their departure.
This behavior was truly baffling to Esdeath. She had been staring at them, debating whether to give chase, reclaim the gold, and silence them for good.
Cerydra seemed to perceive Esdeath's thoughts, calling her name at this moment to clear the doubts in her heart.
"It is simple!"
Cerydra also came to the window, standing on her tiptoes to watch the three figures receding into the snow. She pointed her scepter directly toward them.
"Because they are still useful!"
However, after saying this, the Imperator did not immediately explain her reasoning. Instead, she posed a question to Esdeath.
"Dux Alptraum, judging by your current perspective, how should we take control of the entire Northern Frontier in the shortest amount of time?"
Esdeath clearly did not expect the Imperator to ask her this. She immediately propped up her chin and began to think, but after much deliberation, she only arrived at one answer.
"In the name of the Prince, launch a war against all nobles and take the Northern Frontier directly."
This answer was certainly full of Esdeath's personal style, but it was indeed the "fastest" method currently available.
In Esdeath's view, they held an absolute advantage: peerless powerhouses like Hysilens!
So what if the nobles had superior numbers? She, Dux Alptraum Esdeath, plus Dux Gladiorium Hysilens, could absolutely slaughter them until not a single piece of armor remained!
Was it not just killing enemies on a battlefield?
Killing was Esdeath's favorite pastime!
"A fine answer, but you have forgotten one thing, Dux Alptraum."
"If we make such a massive disturbance, the Empire to the south will certainly not remain indifferent. They will surely send an army to intervene and knock the Northern Kingdom back to its previous state."
"Even the Revolutionary Army might cause trouble and obstruct our next moves."
If Cerydra wanted to control the Northern Frontier, she had to win this civil war and integrate all the forces within the North.
But world politics is no joke. When war breaks out within the North, external powers will inevitably seize the opportunity to strike a fatal blow!
Although Minister Honest is a treacherous official, he is also a capable one; otherwise, it would be impossible for him to maintain the operation of the entire Empire while the Emperor is merely a puppet.
From the perspective of the Empire's interests, a unified North is definitely unfavorable. As Minister, Honest will surely find ways to prevent it.
Sending hundreds of thousands, or even a million troops, is entirely possible!
"But so what?" Esdeath did not care about the southern Empire's attitude at all, nor did she care about the Revolutionary Army. "If they dare to deploy troops, I and the Dux Gladiorium will surely become the sharpest blades in your hand!"
In Esdeath's eyes, even if those "clay chickens and pottery dogs" gathered together, they could never be their match.
"No, you still do not understand my meaning, Dux Alptraum."
"Granted, your strength and that of the Dux Gladiorium are world-class—I have no doubt about that. But no matter how powerful you are, you are only two people. You cannot conduct a multi-front war."
"If the Empire divides its forces into five or even ten routes to strike from different angles, you and the Dux Gladiorium will certainly win your battles, but other places will suffer..."
Although Cerydra suddenly acquired a hundred thousand soldiers, the problems within the army were equally obvious. The only people under her command who could be called elite generals were the Dux Gladiorium and the Dux Alptraum.
In other words, there is a shortage of talent!
Meeting ordinary soldiers or even slightly stronger ones is no issue. But if the Empire deploys Teigu users, any army without Esdeath or Hysilens will surely be annihilated with no survivors!
Cerydra could fight the Empire head-on, but that would definitely empty the foundation she just acquired, turning her back into a "lone commander" again.
"Therefore, for the sake of the final goal, I released those three assassins from the Revolutionary Army and gave them a sum of money... Only in this way can the situation be restabilized."
The Imperator choosing to show kindness to the assassins is equivalent to showing kindness to the Revolutionary Army.
While she cannot completely control the other party's thoughts, it can greatly increase their favor toward her, thereby pinning down the Empire as much as possible to prevent them from interfering in the northern war.
Barbara's assassination of the Northern King directly tied the Oarburgh clan and Cerydra together as "grasshoppers on the same string." Barbara and her group certainly wouldn't dare speak recklessly, as it would invite certain death.
Furthermore, did the Revolutionary Army not just fail their negotiations with the Northern Kingdom recently?
If Cerydra ascends the throne, the Revolutionary Army might successfully renegotiate with the North. This is a win-win situation. When the time comes to fight the Empire together, everyone will be happy!
"So, while the Empire is busy dealing with the Revolutionary Army, we must also do our best to accumulate our own strength. We must strive to become a colossus that no one dares to underestimate before the Empire realizes what is happening!"
Hearing Cerydra's words, Esdeath felt as if she had been enlightened, and her expression became much brighter.
"In the end, there are only three things we need to do..."
"Fortify the walls, store the grain, and be slow to claim the throne!"
"Accumulate provisions during this time; a hungry army cannot win battles. Also, step up the training of the soldiers; do not let them grow slack. We don't want them getting beaten by others the moment we finish a battle and leave."
Finally, Cerydra's gaze sharpened.
"Do not expose your true strength too early, and do not expose your ambitions too early. It will only invite unnecessary trouble..."
Her words finished, the Imperator no longer watched the snowy plains outside the window. She returned to her seat—padded with books—and began handling the affairs of the castle.
'The chessboard is prepared. When the corresponding pieces move to the correct positions, the Blitz shall begin!'