"October 20, the enemy reached Marine City."
"Li Fei only struck once, and with one blow, broke an entire wall and all the defense fortifications. Thirty thousand defenders and the enemy fell into street fighting, lasting less than an hour before completely being defeated."
"November 1, the enemy arrived at Stone Shield Castle via the water route."
"Li Fei unfolded a special domain, enveloping the entire fortress, causing all arrays and extraordinary weapons to fail!"
"Marquis Jotun, who guarded Stone Shield Castle, opened the gates and surrendered."
"November 12, Iron Wood City fell, with seventy percent of the city's resources yet to be transferred."
"It has been confirmed that Duke Miller betrayed us, because it was his orders that led to Iron Wood City's resources not being moved out in time."
"November 25, Green Valley City was captured."
"Duke George perished in battle, with over seven thousand out of ten thousand Wood Soul Army dead."
In a spacious meeting room, a blond man wearing a dark green combat uniform solemnly narrated the battle situation before everyone at the sand table.
As he spoke, the expressions of the people present grew increasingly grim.
Marine City is an important coastal city in Sefren Country, and an essential gateway facing the East Coast.
Its geographical location is easy to defend but hard to attack, and it has the nation's largest port and most maritime resources.
The enemy's capture of Marine City marks a true foothold in the Western Continent, convenient for both advance and retreat.
Stone Shield Castle, meanwhile, is one of the most crucial war fortresses in Sefren Country.
It is located at a key transportation point and stores a significant amount of war supplies.
Sefren Country spent hundreds of years repeatedly forging this fortress, employing the finest extraordinary casting techniques, and the various defense runes inscribed on the fortress, once fully activated, are enough to block the combined attacks of several Prince Level experts in a short time!
Unfortunately, it encountered Li Fei, leaving all runes with no chance to activate.
With Stone Shield Castle lost, the enemy could act like a dagger, piercing directly towards the heart of Sefren Country—the Royal Capital!
Yet the enemy deliberately detoured to Iron Wood City.
This is a city storing important military supplies for Sefren Country; after the Western Continent Alliance Army was defeated, the Royal Capital issued orders to begin transferring the important supplies from Iron Wood City.
But until the enemy arrived, there were still many supplies not transferred out of the city.
Now it's confirmed that Duke Miller and his family were behind this disruption.
With this batch of military supplies lost, Sefren Country's future war potential is weakened by at least twenty percent!
Green Valley City is the large city closest to the Royal Capital.
Duke George, loyal to the royal family, commanded the defense of Green Valley City, leading one of Sefren Country's most elite units, the ten thousand Wood Soul Army.
But this strength, in front of the enemy, was as fragile as thin paper, easily pierced!
Now the enemy is about to reach the Royal Capital, with their forces at the city's gates.
"General Nio, I want to know where His Majesty is at this moment?"
Someone in the meeting room spoke up.
Others also looked towards the blond man narrating the battle situation.
The man's name was Nio Aike, the commander of the Royal Capital Guard.
Nio Aike scanned the people present, and solemnly said:
"His Majesty has entrusted me with the military command of the Royal Capital, you may report any issues to me!"
"Is His Majesty no longer in the Royal Capital?"
The noble who questioned earlier spoke again, aggressively.
Nio Aike's expression turned grim.
In truth, after the "Twilight of the Gods" plan failed and the intelligence of the twenty thousand Western Continent Alliance Army's defeat came back, Sefren Country's king along with many royal family members had not appeared in public.
For more than a month now, Nio Aike had been the one stepping out to stabilize the situation.
In such circumstances, unless foolish, the high-ranking nobles were well aware of what was happening.
Indeed, not just the royal family, many nobles within the Royal Capital were secretly fleeing.
But there were still those unwilling to leave.
Whether out of mere hope, a wish to share the country's fate, or harboring other plans.
In short, the nobles participating in today's meeting are currently the ones qualified to decide all high-level matters for Sefren Country within the Royal Capital.
"So, our king has abandoned his subjects."
A noble said mockingly.
He had brown curly hair, a high nose bridge, and deep eyes, giving off an aura of authority even without anger.
His name was Hayden Cook, a powerful Marquis.
In the past, just for such words, Nio Aike could have taken action against him!
The vast strength gap between Marquis and Duke Level made it impossible for Hayden Cook to resist.
But Nio Aike merely glared fiercely at him and did not act.
"General Nio, I respect that you still remain steadfast in your position at this juncture and haven't given up."
Hayden Cook said, "But I believe everyone present, including your soldiers, should have the right to know the truth."
"If our king has abandoned his subjects, the subjects should also have the right to choose whether to continue fighting for this country."
"Presumptuous—!"
The terrifying aura of a Duke Level expert overwhelmed the room for the first time.
Hayden Cook's words finally hit a nerve with Nio Aike.
The political system of the Seven Western Countries has always been ruled by the nobility; the notion of fighting for the country can entirely be seen as fighting for the king, for the nobility class.
Thus, if the king and a host of upper-level nobles flee without a battle, once this news spreads, one can imagine the reaction among the lower-class people, soldiers, and those mid-to-lower-level nobles.