When all tactics were dismissed one by one, and silence was about to engulf the conference hall...
A young voice echoed from the corner: "Why not try my method?"
Everyone turned their heads in unison.
The owner of the voice was a young man sitting in an inconspicuous corner.
He wore a simple dark gray military uniform, without any insignia of rank.
Only the Red Tide Territory badge on his cuff, known by few, indicated his identity.
"Louis?" A staff officer from the Cold Iron Legion whispered.
Duke Edmundâs son-in-law, the young Viscount of the North.
"I have a kind of magic explosion device," Louis stood up slowly, his tone calm, "that can effectively damage the shell of the Nest. Iâve tried it several times in battle, and it works wonders on the Nest."
The air instantly filled with a subtle hesitation and... light laughter.
"Oh? A magic explosive bullet that can pierce the Nestâs armor?" A political advisor, dressed in a custom-made military uniform from the Imperial Capital with a short beard, chuckled lightly, "Where did you dig up this Ancient Divine Artifact?"
Before he finished speaking, a few political advisors had already started whispering, occasionally uttering light phrases:
"Just showing off, the Governor has really misjudged."
"Are the disciples of the Eight Great Clans really this mediocre now?"
"...The Northern Lands are indeed barren, even such tactical fantasies have grown there."
"I thought we would hear some real strategies."
Some of them even showed undisguised mocking expressions.
To them, Louis was just a young nobleman, relying only on his birth, with no experience to show.
And now he dared to interrupt in this top-level strategic meeting?
He was merely trying to attract attention, capturing everyoneâs gaze.
Yet, Louis, under everyoneâs gaze, remained unfazed.
"Iâm not joking." Louis said with neither fear nor arrogance.
Hearing Louisâs confident words, the mocking voices diminished somewhat, but few still believed him.
At this moment, Duke Edmund spoke slowly: "So, you have a ready explosive device, and you know it can effectively penetrate the Nestâs shell?"
"Yes." Louis nodded.
Duke Edmund gazed intently at Louis standing there.
He stared at the young man, as if trying to discern any trace of deceit or flaw in his calm expression.
Unfortunately, there was none.
Louis stood there still, without even a hint of urgency to prove himself.
In Edmundâs mind, countless memories about Louis surfaced involuntarily.
This young man never relied on boasting to earn anyoneâs trust.
He simply turned every promise into fulfillment.
Moreover, he was indeed one of the few in the Northern Territory who kept the tide of corpses at bay.
Even if this explosive device sounded absurd...
In the current situation, anything useful is a good thing.
"...Even if thereâs only a one percent chance," Edmund slowly spoke, breaking the silence, "in the current circumstances, itâs useful."
He looked at the recording officer beside him, his tone steady: "Include Louisâs explosive proposal in this operation plan as a backup plan. Let Louis himself coordinate the resources and lead the implementation."
Upon hearing this, a subtle atmosphere quietly spread in a corner of the hall, some political advisors from the Imperial Capital even couldnât bother to hide their disdain, snorting softly, their expressions full of contempt.
"Heh... Just trying to save face for his son-in-law, isnât it?"
Some lightly shook their heads, wearing an expression of "as expected."
"Well, even if it fails, it wonât hinder the battle, just scratching the Nest."
Some even smirked ambiguously, as if finally understanding why the Duke inserted such a seemingly odd order.
And Louis?
He said nothing, simply exhaled silently in his heart.
Not just for the military merit, position, and prestige about to be in his grasp.
But more so to... quickly end the hatching of that Nest, to end that silently expanding "Hellâs Mouth."
The war shouldnât drag on too long.
Frost Halberd Cityâs resources couldnât last that long, the people of the Northern Territory couldnât last that long, and even the will of the Knights... couldnât last that long.
So now itâs time.
Itâs time to let this world see what true explosive art is.
With this little interlude, the meeting briefly returned to calm.
But the atmosphere had quietly changed.
No longer was it the intense confrontation as before, nor were there any more passionate words.
Because no one had a better method.
Time was running short, resources were depleting, yet the enemy still lingered outside the city walls, piecing together revival, hatching hell.
This is a war without choice.
"Since thatâs the case," Duke Edmund opened his mouth slowly, his voice deep and resolute, "execute according to the plan now."
"Advance with the Dragon Blood Legion, target the core of the Nest."
"First try Louisâs magic explosive bullet..." He paused, "If it fails, switch to the self-destructive tactic."
When he finished speaking, there was no applause in the conference hall, no cheers.
Only silence.
Not doubting the decision, but because everyone knew what it meant.
"Alright, letâs proceed."
"Mobilize the troops. All units prepare immediately."
Commanders stood up one after the other, their voices chaotic, but order was quickly restored.
Everyone devoted themselves to their duties, like a wartime machine, swiftly running at full speed after a brief adjustment period.
Even those political advisors who had derided Louis no longer spoke.
They understood, in this war, no one could win with just words.