[Vol. 9] Chapter 49: Fear Comes from Lack of Firepower
When they heard this, the other high-ranking priests of the Divine Temple couldn’t help but look at Lian. They had all rushed here from nearby temples or from the headquarters after the incident. None of them had actually seen the battle that happened at Nofenburg with their own eyes. Although there were many testimonies from locals, and they believed that such things wouldn’t be made up, it would be a lie to say they weren’t doubtful.
After all, while it was true that sea beasts lived under the Ice Sea, the strange monster that appeared this time was unheard of. If it wasn’t something extraordinary, how could the Divine Temple have allowed their only candidate for the Holy Maiden position to take such a big risk?
Being openly questioned like this by outsiders made Lian’s face turn a bit dark. But he knew well that this imperial general was proud and arrogant, never one to speak politely. He had already prepared himself for this, so he simply replied calmly, without showing weakness.
“I’ve already explained the situation many times. Arguing further is meaningless. No matter whether the sea monster really existed or not, the fact remains that Lady Moraya has gone missing. Besides, General Cassio, please remember, our temple invited your country’s fleet to help guard the Ice Sea and the Endless Sea’s exit, and to assist with the search. It would be better if you didn’t do unnecessary things beyond that.”
Hearing Lian’s sharp but indirect words, General Cassio immediately slammed the cup in his hand heavily onto the table with a loud bang!
“If you have something to say, say it directly! I’m a blunt man, I don’t understand your roundabout hints!”
Almost everyone in the council chamber was startled by the sudden outburst of power. But only Lian remained calm, answering slowly.
“Don’t understand? I think you actually understand very well. I heard that a few days ago you led your Iron Fleet into a fierce battle against the Calamity Beasts and destroyed countless enemies. Such great achievements, you really must pity the suffering people of our northern lands.”
Cassio forced a smile, answering with sharp sarcasm.
“You people of the north couldn’t even handle those trash monsters. They got in the way while real work was being done, flaunting their strength. That’s why I stepped in to clean them up. If the Keeper doesn’t show gratitude, fine. But speaking in such a mocking way, doesn’t that make you lose the dignity and authority of a great nation?”
Seeing his arrogance, Lian’s face also turned cold. He no longer bothered to keep up a polite act.
“So, that is your excuse for ordering your fleet to bombard Snowfeather Fortress, nearly flattening it to the ground?”
“Ridiculous. That place was already taken over by your so-called Calamity Beasts. All survivors had evacuated. Using heavy bombardment to wipe them out quickly was the best method!”
“But that was the territory of another nation, the fortress of the Ice-Sea Principality. It does not belong to your Austre Empire! Even the Snow Empire or the Divine Temple would not act so violently without negotiation. Your country attacked without even giving notice, do you still see us allies as allies at all? Or does General Cassio want to declare war on the northern nations in the name of Austre Empire?!”
“Don’t try to scare me with empty threats! You beg for help yet act so arrogant. If it weren’t for the princess personally giving me this task, do you think I’d care to freeze myself to death in this cursed place doing hard, thankless work?”
“What do you mean by that?!”
“I mean you people have no sincerity in cooperation. You only treat us as tools!”
The more they argued, the more heated it became, until both were truly angry. Their men quickly rushed forward in a panic to try and stop the fight.
“Cough, cough… General, please be careful with your words.”
“Yes, yes, Lord Lian, calm down a little. Don’t let this damage the friendship between our two countries…”
Since they were all involved in this matter, everyone here knew clearly what was going on. The [Eternal Winter Temple] was desperate to find the missing Holy Maiden candidate, and because of that, General Cassio’s fleet, which was the main force in the search, had also been under a lot of pressure lately. So, it was understandable that there was dissatisfaction in his heart.
However, when it came to the handling of the Snowfeather Fortress incident, the Austre Empire’s actions were indeed improper.
One month ago, Snowfeather Fortress fell during a wave of Calamity Beasts, causing tens of thousands of deaths. The remaining soldiers and civilians were quickly relocated to nearby fortresses, leaving the fortress empty. But still, it was a fortress that had been built and maintained for over a hundred years. Of course, in the future, the beasts would have to be driven out and the fortress taken back.
Because of this, Moraya, the daughter of the ruler of the Ice-Sea Principality and also a candidate for the Holy Maiden position, who happened to be staying in her homeland for training, was temporarily appointed as the new lord of Nofenburg. She was put in charge of the situation and also to gain experience in handling Calamity Beast tides.
The revival of the Northern Calamity came fiercely. The Calamity Beasts, as its remnants, were troublesome but not considered an impossible problem. According to the original plan of the Divine Temple, as long as Moraya led the garrison and priests at Nofenburg to hold the beasts back for some time, reinforcements would arrive later to wipe out that beast tide and bring Snowfeather Fortress back under control.
But no one expected that this time, the beast tide came in two waves. Even though the beasts around Snowfeather Fortress had not yet moved in large numbers, Nofenburg was attacked earlier than expected. This sudden change disrupted everything and caused the situation they faced now.
Most of the northern countries are land-based. Their technology, including shipbuilding, was not very advanced. It was difficult for them to carry out large-scale search and rescue across the vast and dangerous Ice Sea. That was why, after many rounds of negotiation, they asked the Austre Empire’s navy, who happened to be moving north for another mission, to help.
After all, the Ice Sea is full of icebergs and frozen islands. Normal ships cannot travel long distances there. Only the Austre Empire’s giant warships, covered entirely with magic metal and equipped with special ice-breaking rams, could handle such conditions.
But because the [Eternal Winter Temple] was focusing all their energy on searching for Moraya, everyone was busy and exhausted. The beast tide around Snowfeather Fortress, which was supposed to be dealt with, was temporarily set aside.
The Calamity Beasts, though somewhat intelligent, attack humans without caring whether they were from the north or south. As the Austre Empire’s fleet moved along the Ice Sea to search, they naturally became the beasts’ target as well.
Yet the Austre Empire’s invincible fleet was not something like the small, fragile ships of the Ice-Sea Principality. On top of that, General Cassio was already full of frustration from the pressure coming from above, and then… well…
Cough—those short-sighted creatures, along with the fortress, all turned into dust under the firepower of magic cannons.
Cassio’s anger could be understood, but so could Lian’s criticism. After all, although the Snow Empire and Austre Empire were allies on the same side, their relationship was not as close as with some of the southern nations.
Cooperation was cooperation, but allowing the Austre Empire’s fleet to enter the Ice Sea was already a huge concession made by the Snow Empire for the safety of the Holy Maiden candidate. If the Austre Empire were to be allowed to unleash their firepower recklessly, the many coastal countries nearby would all feel threatened and unable to sleep in peace.