Arc of Fire

As Olga rushed to embrace her nephew, Belinsky stayed by Wang Zhong’s side and spoke in a hushed voice, "Although you just had a son, and it’s not easy to say this, you still need to take action on the Balas matter as soon as possible. The supplies coming from Balas have already greatly decreased, and having just returned from the front line, you know how much we need those supplies."

Wang Zhong nodded, "Yes, I know. I will breach the supply lines as quickly as possible and overthrow the current King of Balas."

Belinsky, "Can it be done before December if you start in September?"

Wang Zhong, "On the way here, I was continuously reviewing the Balas intelligence provided by the MI6 of the United Kingdom. I believe that conquering the entire territory of Balas in two months is definitely not feasible, there are too many mountains, and the infrastructure is too poor.

"Our troops will be like mired in mud, struggling to advance. However, we can move along the highways, only target their economically developed areas, force the Balas Royal Family to abdicate, and then establish a relatively stable proxy governance through our and the United Kingdom’s infiltration of local forces."

Belinsky, "The United Kingdom suggests supporting the current king’s more progressive brother, Bawei, as the new king. I have seen the files; Bawei seems to agree with our Secular faction’s ideals, which is worth pursuing, hence I agreed to the plan from the United Kingdom."

Wang Zhong, "That makes it even simpler. We’ll use lightning advances along the highways, sweep away all enemy resistance, place that progressive royal brother on the throne, and then return our troops home."

Belinsky, "You first need to conduct an amphibious operation in Balas. Our land route to Balas is very difficult to traverse, no better than the roads in the Nan’ant Prairie. Hence, you must take the water route and launch a landing operation. I will mobilize Naval Infantry to assist you."

Wang Zhong, overjoyed, "How many Naval Infantry? How many divisions?"

"Two divisions of Naval Infantry will assist you. But they will only be responsible for capturing the beachhead. Capturing the port cities will depend on your troops. Your First Mobile Group Army has suffered considerable losses and needs to be replenished, so I have transferred some experienced reinforcements from other theatres for you."

Wang Zhong, "Why can’t the Naval Infantry advance with us? I should go stir things up with Navy Commander Koznetsov."

Grand Patriarch shrugged, "It would be great if you could get the Naval Infantry involved; I’d be happy to see it happen. However, I can’t intervene in issues between the Army and Navy as a mere Priest who listens to prayers."

Wang Zhong was astounded.

At that moment, in the temporary delivery room, Olga, wanting to lift little Lev high up like at the beginning of The Lion King movie, frightened all the maids in the room, only the midwife bravely snatched little Lev from her grasp.

Ludmila laughed, "Her Majesty means no harm, she wouldn’t drop her own nephew."

Olga stuck out her tongue, "Sorry, I got carried away."

Olga sat down next to Ludmila, holding her hand—it was a gesture similar to what Wang Zhong had just done.

Wang Zhong watched this scene and temporarily forgot about his conversation with the Grand Patriarch.

Belinsky, "We’ll discuss the details tomorrow—maybe the day after, as you will likely be busy today."

Just then, Mikhail came over and whispered to Wang Zhong, "Duke Roshar has arrived."

Wang Zhong, "Who the hell is he?"

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Belinsky, "A core figure in the Aristocratic faction, now claims to be a staunch Secularist. The Judge hasn’t caught him slipping up yet."

Wang Zhong, "The Judge can’t catch him slipping up?"

"As long as there’s a slipup, the Judge will definitely catch it. So, be cautious with those whom the Judge hasn’t caught, because it’s very likely they’re truly innocent and have no slipups," Belinsky said.

That makes sense.

Wang Zhong, "Then I’ll go meet this suddenly enlightened Secularist."

Belinsky, "Then I shall not show myself for now and instead stay here to watch over the future disciple."

Wang Zhong examined Duke Roshar carefully, then was absolutely certain that he had never met him before.

That is to say, this Duke might not have held a military position, which is rather unusual among the Antean nobility.

The Antean nobility system has drawn references from the Prosen Junker Nobility System, where male nobles generally seek some minor official role in the army.

After the small talk, Duke Roshar got straight to the point, "General, I heard you are about to go to Balas for battle?"

Wang Zhong: "The news travels fast, huh?"

"Your headquarters didn’t come back with you, this much everyone at the social event knew on the night you returned to Yeburg. Afterwards, by piecing together various bits of gossip, naturally one could conclude you are heading to Balas."

Wang Zhong: "What kind of gossip? I think the Tribunal would be quite interested."

"Ah, just some disjointed statements circulating in the social scene, the Tribunal wouldn’t be interested, as evidenced by the fact that I’m still sitting here talking to you, right?"

This guy actually used the same logic as Belinsky.

Wang Zhong: "If you are asking whether I’m going to Balas for battle, I can only say ’no comment.’ But seeing your eagerness, it wouldn’t be nice not to say anything at all which might upset you. My headquarters indeed didn’t come back; they have other tasks, and that’s all I can say."

Duke Roshar: "My request is very simple, my wife is the sister of the Emperor of Balas, and she also has a claim to the Balas succession. I hope after you overthrow the Balas Royal Family, you could..."

Wang Zhong: "How long has your wife been away from Balas?"

"Not less than twenty years," Duke Roshar shrugged. "Does that matter?"

"It does, your wife has been away from Balas for nearly twenty years, how can you ensure that the local people will trust her? Could she truly command their loyalty as an Empress?"

Duke Roshar: "I will accompany her there. In Balas, women cannot inherit the throne, but a son-in-law can. As for relations with the locals, we would only hold nominal positions; the Ante Empire has always practiced indirect rule in these newly acquired territories, hardly interfering with the local people...

"If it really comes to that, you could station troops there. When the time comes, I could appoint you as a General overseeing the nation..."

Wang Zhong stood up, threw his cup on the floor: "Keep dreaming! Do you think this is the Middle Ages? Aspiring for the throne! Wake up, even the crown of His Majesty the Tsar—at such a time, stop dreaming!

"For this dream of yours, we might have to station troops in Balas, and then the troops would be dragged into an unending internal security battle!"

I’ve seen this before, such things have occurred so many times on Earth.

Wang Zhong continued: "No, I won’t do it! And you still claim you are a staunch member of the Secular faction, your recent idea couldn’t possibly be from a Secularist! I should report you to the Judge right now! But today my son was born, I’m in a good mood, so I’m letting you off, get out!"

Duke Roshar scrambled away in a pitiful state.

After his outburst, Wang Zhong felt a bit hoarse, reached for his cup only to remember it was broken, so he walked over to the liquor cabinet near the living room, took out a bottle of liquor, and guzzled several mouthfuls to quench his thirst.

Only after drinking did he remember: Damn, using spirits for thirst, I’m more and more like a real Antean, no, judging by physical fitness alone, I am a real Antean!

He put down the bottle, leaning against the cabinet, lost in thought.

As soon as he learned the guest had left, a maid entered the room and began cleaning up the broken glass on the floor.

Mikhail came in again, still whispering in Wang Zhong’s ear: "General, there’s another visitor."

Wang Zhong sighed: "Does this one also have a relative from Balas? Tell them, there’s no room for discussion anymore, it’s useless no matter how many come."

Mikhail nodded: "Understood. Then I’ll persuade them to go back."

Wang Zhong waved his hand, signaling for Mikhail to hurry.

Once the butler left, Wang Zhong sighed again.

He knew the day would be longer and more taxing than he had anticipated.

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