"Our goal is to attack!"
"Before the roland people return, plant the Black Rock Tribe's banner on Roland Empire soil!"
"I will make those roland people kneel at our feet and repent for the crimes they once committed!"
"Westward campaign!"
"Crush the Roland Empire!"
Akomann and Ignis were the first to stand, shouting in excitement.
They had waited far too long for this day!
The same feverish spark lit the eyes of the other women.
Revenge upon the colossal empire that had oppressed their ancestors for generations!
It was a desire carved into the bones of every Great Desolate Mountain native.
They had waited far too long for this day!
"Very good."
Wu Liang swept his gaze across the battle-hungry faces and nodded in satisfaction.
His eyes finally settled on a corner of the table.
Aniya sat quietly, golden hair spilling over her chest, making her delicate face look even paler.
She kept her head down, fingers clenched so tightly on her skirt that her knuckles whitened.
The fervent atmosphere around her seemed sealed away, forming a small, icy, lonely world.
Her body trembled slightly.
Wu Liang did not expose her during the meeting, nor did he assign her any war-related tasks.
After all, Aniya herself was a Roland person.
And the first target in the attack on the Roland Empire was Tiee Fortress—her father's domain.
The meeting continued amid heated discussion.
Wu Liang began methodically laying out the preliminary preparations.
"Akomann, Ignis."
"From this day forward, the Black Rock Army and the Ember Fire Legion enter top-level combat readiness; intensify training."
"In particular, the Rifle Battalion's live-fire drills and joint operations must form reliable combat power within a month."
"Yes, Chief!"
The two generals stood tall, voices ringing firm.
"Suina, the Military Workshop will operate at full capacity."
"Rifle and bullet production must not stop; within a month I want at least two hundred Black Rock Type-1 rifles and a hundred thousand rounds in storage."
"In addition, increase high-explosive production—pay attention to safety."
"No problem, leave it to me!"
Suina patted her ample chest, brimming with confidence.
"Florgloria, Lolia, logistics are the lifeblood of war."
"Begin inventorying and stockpiling grain, medicine, weapons, equipment—every military supply."
"At the same time, organize reserve militia; have ordinary tribespeople undergo two hours of basic military training each day after work, so we're prepared for any eventuality."
"Understood, Chief."
Florgloria answered with a gentle nod.
"Sa Lan, your Scout Battalion is our eyes and ears."
"Starting now, send men to infiltrate westward; I need the most detailed maps of the area around Tiee Fortress."
"Including terrain, water sources, roads, and their troop deployments, patrol routes, and shift times."
"Rest assured, Chief, my scouts are the best!"
Sa Lan smiled confidently… Order after order was issued, and the whole Black Rock Tribe ran smoothly under Wu Liang's will.
When the meeting ended, the women remained exhilarated by the coming war, leaving in twos and threes to discuss their tasks.
Only Aniya sat alone in her seat.
Wu Liang waved for the others to go ahead.
He himself walked slowly to Aniya's side, pulled out the chair beside her, and sat down.
"What are you thinking about?"
he asked softly.
Aniya's shoulders trembled; she slowly lifted her head.
Beautiful eyes brimmed with mist, pleading and lost as they looked at Wu Liang.
"Wu Liang, do we really… have to start a war?"
Her voice was feather-light, choked with sobs.
Wu Liang didn't answer immediately; he simply looked at her.
The girl before him wore the soft cloth dress unique to the Black Rock Tribe, her golden hair like a waterfall, skin like snow.
The frailty and stubbornness of a noble young lady seemed so out of place here.
"Aniya."
Wu Liang's voice was calm.
"How do you think life is for us now?"
Aniya blinked, instinctively saying:
"Of course it's very good."
Life in the Black Rock Tribe was even more novel and fulfilling than it had been in Tiee Fortress.
Progress here was rapid; construction thrived.
Everyone was busy, yet every face brimmed with hope.
Now, as dean of the magic academy, she too had found her own worth.
"Then have you thought about how all this came to be?"
Wu Liang continued.
"We built it brick by brick through hard work."
"We didn't seize anything from anyone, right?"
Aniya nodded again.
"But will the Roland Empire allow us to develop so peacefully?"
Wu Liang's tone suddenly sharpened.
"No!"
"Never!"
Aniya shivered, wanting to speak, but Wu Liang raised a hand to cut her off.
"I know what you want to say. Don't be naïve; life isn't a game of house."
"In the eyes of the roland people, the Great Desolate Mountain is their backyard, a place to plunder resources, capture slaves, and earn military merit at will."
Aniya fell silent.
What Wu Liang said was, of course, true—she had once thought the same.
To the Roland Empire, the people of Great Desolate Mountain were little better than livestock.
Only, her view had changed; but no matter what, she was still a Roland person—an unchangeable fact.
Wu Liang saw what she was thinking, yet he did not stop.
"Hah… Aniya, you know that in the eyes of roland people, we barbarians should kneel and live off their scraps."
"Now, in this backyard, a tree that might threaten them has suddenly sprouted."
"What do you think they'll do?"
"Wait for us to grow into a towering tree, or chop us down with an axe before we're fully grown?"
Wu Liang's words were like a knife, slicing open the reality Aniya had tried to avoid.
Her lips quivered, but she could offer no retort.
She understood the empire's methods better than anyone.
"I… I can go to Tiee Fortress! I'll beg my father!"
Aniya said urgently.
"Father dotes on me the most; as long as I go back and plead with him, he'll definitely agree to make peace with Great Desolate Mountain."
"Wu Liang, let's not go to war, all right?"
Looking at her naïve expression, Wu Liang smiled.
In that smile was a trace of pity and a trace of mockery.
"Aniya, let me ask you—what are your chances of convincing your father?"
"Your father is the lord of Tiee Fortress; would he abandon the power and profit granted by the empire to live in harmony with a bunch of barbarians?"
"I… I'll try my best…"
Aniya's voice dropped; she herself lacked confidence.
The possibility was almost zero.
She knew it in her heart; she just couldn't admit or face it.
"Fine, suppose your father loves you above all else and is willing to listen to you."
"Then what about the other noble officers of Tiee Fortress—will they agree?"
"Abandon easy military merit and wealth, abandon their lofty status, to shake hands with slaves?"
"They'll only think your father has lost his mind, then drag him down from his position and replace him with someone who better serves their interests."
Wu Liang stood and paced a couple of steps.
His cold words continued to hammer at Aniya's heart.