Chapter 1357: Chapter 256, Special Proposal_2
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marquis Hessus, braced himself to explain.
If he could avoid it, he wouldn’t want to embarrass his own leader. But the facts were irrefutable, leaving him no choice but to acknowledge them.
“The process doesn’t matter; what’s key is that the result has already appeared.
The Departnt of Foreign Affairs will draft two congratulatory ssages—one for the Alpha Kingdom and one directly for Marshal Hudson himself.
Although this victory was achieved by the Alpha People, it’s also a major triumph for the Human Race. We must not lose our magnanimity!”
After a brief mont of distraction, Charles III composedly ordered.
As the only emperor of the Human Race at present, he needed broad enough shoulders to gain everyone’s approval. Especially when it ca to defending the interests of the Human Race, there could be no ambiguity.
Even though Hudson’s resounding victory thwarted their “star-making” plan, from the Human Race’s perspective, it was still a major triumph worth celebrating.
“Your Majesty, if we acknowledge this accomplishnt, Hudson will secure his position as the Continent’s foremost general. I’m afraid…”
Before Military Minister Earl Fels could finish, Charles III interrupted, “As long as the military exploits are true, the Empire must recognize them.
The glory of being the Continent’s foremost general is important, but ultimately, it’s just an empty title. There’s no need to jeopardize the Empire’s political credibility for such superficial influence.
If it’s destined to happen, then we might as well play the good guy and give it another push.
In the na of the Empire, propose to the Human Alliance that Hudson be granted the title of Marshal of the Human Race!”
Just as everyone was about to voice their objections, they realized sothing: their emperor’s seeming generosity was clearly a well-calculated sche!
Sending a congratulatory ssage was routine and wouldn’t attract much attention. As long as it didn’t stir public outrage, any victory over the Different Races would be acknowledged with congratulations from countries across the Continent.
The key issue lay in the proposal: “In the na of the Empire, propose to the Human Alliance that Hudson be granted the title of Marshal of the Human Race.”
If the Alpha Kingdom accepted their goodwill, it would be tantamount to tacitly recognizing the Frank Empire; if they rejected the proposal, it would risk offending Hudson personally.
After all, the title of “Marshal of the Human Race” wasn’t a common honor. Missing this opportunity might an never encountering another one again.
In the Noble World, robbing soone of their glory was akin to killing their parents—a grudge that could only end in death.
A slight misstep could result in the commander and the Kingdom Governnt growing estranged.
No matter what choice the Alpha Kingdom made, Charles III’s favor was already extended. With so luck, it might even break the current political deadlock.
The Anti-French Alliance had the advantage of numbers in soldiers, but it was riddled with internal conflicts; in contrast, the Frank Empire, though fewer in troops, benefited from unity and discipline.
The war had dragged on to a stalemate, and without a desperate gamble, neither side could prevail.
If the Different Races weren’t a factor, perhaps both sides could put aside their reservations and do whatever it took to determine a victor.
But without a doubt, that was impossible.
Neither the upper echelons of the Frank Imperial Governnt nor the decision-makers of the Anti-French Alliance would resort to such reckless, life-or-death gambling when they had so much to lose.
“Your Majesty is wise!”
…
The Frank Empire wasn’t the only one reeling; the blow struck the Clergy, sworn enemies of the Alpha Kingdom, even harder.
A single Anti-Frank war had seen the Clergy fall from a Continental Top Power to a secondary power. It was impossible not to be shaken.
However, upon receiving Hudson’s latest achievent of burning an entire encampnt, Shelter VII realized: there was no “most shocking,” only “more shocking.”
Whether they were willing to admit it or not, the Clergy had already fallen behind the Alpha Kingdom—at least in terms of military strength.
After two heresies established their own sects, not only were they not punished by the Divine Spirit, but they also thrived and flourished.
In stark contrast to the declining Dawn Sect, the differences were as great as night and day. That Shelter VII hadn’t completely collapsed was a testant to his ntal fortitude.
The idea of “reform” resurfaced in his long-dusted mory. His instincts told him that if the Clergy didn’t change now, the Holy Mountain would beco the playground of major powers in the future.
But what is needed and what is feasible are two different matters. For the Clergy to return to its peak, internal reform was a must; yet the Clergy was clearly terminally ill, and any drastic asure risked its demise.
Compared to changing the existing political system, replacing the Pope seed much simpler. Once he stood against the interest groups, Shelter VII had no doubt he would be abandoned.
Suppressing his internal frustration, Shelter VII tore up the report in hand and said coldly, “Hudson has won another victory, and the Alpha Kingdom has grown even stronger.
It may not be long before you receive a reprioritization of power rankings within the Human Race.
If nothing unforeseen happens, this ti our Holy Court will fall not only behind the Franks, but also behind the Alpha People.
From now on, we’ll be reduced to equals with the Three Kingdoms of the Central Continent!
This is shaful!
The greatest disgrace in the history of the Clergy!
…”
Listening to the Pope’s soul-wrenching lant, everyone lowered their heads. Compared to their earlier arrogance, the high-ranking mbers of the Clergy now looked like beaten eggplants.
The successful retreat of their main forces didn’t halt the flas of war in the Papal State.
After losing the Magical Beast Beast Legion, the morale and cohesion of the Church Army were near-broken.
Of their full strength, they could now wield no more than 50-60% on the battlefield. Their enthusiasm and determination to fight were visibly diminished.
Before reinforcents arrived, the relentless Frank Army had already lifted the siege around the Holy Mountain and redirected the war to other regions.
Wherever they marched, destruction followed. Like a swarm of locusts, the army left behind a landscape littered with corpses and swelling with refugees.
The more failures they endured, the higher everyone’s threshold for pain seed to grow.
At this mont, the Clergy had enough trouble taking care of themselves—how could they even think of provoking the Alpha Kingdom from thousands of miles away?
“Revenge” was now just a slogan. Truly attempting it would be utterly brainless.
…
At the Eastern Front Command, Hudson, who had just accomplished the feat of “burning down entire encampnts,” was leisurely sipping afternoon tea.
It was as if the conflicts erupting in the outside world had nothing to do with him. The fernting public opinion and the uproar within the army appeared to be fleeting clouds in Hudson’s eyes.
Unlike other professions, war resets the playing field with each new outbreak.
No matter how glorious the achievents of the past, they remained in the past. What the battlefield tested was always the present and the future—it had nothing to do with history.
Unfortunately, while everyone understood this principle, few could truly maintain such a grounded attitude. Most ordinary people would remain caught up in the glories of bygone days.
Hudson’s displayed composure had left many astounded, while the fear of him grew ever deeper.
“Marshal, this is the detailed battle report for your review!”
As he spoke, the young officer handed the report to him.
After a cursory glance at the figures, Hudson said indifferently, “The report aligns closely with our prior estimates. Submit it straight to the Kingdom Governnt.”
In recent days, Hudson had been inundated with congratulatory letters. The attempts to establish connections with him were innurable.
Of these, the most striking was the grand gesture from the Franks.
“The Continent’s Foremost General” “Marshal of the Human Race”—such an earth-shattering bestownt left Hudson undeniably intrigued.
In the history of the Continent of Aslante, those who received such recognition were legendary figures of myth, and most were posthumously honored. For a living person to receive this was virtually unheard of.
The prestige was unparalleled!
With the proposal submitted, it was now up to the Human Alliance to convene a eting and decide—whenever that might be.
At this stage, the Kingdom Governnt was cornered, and as the central figure, Hudson had to avoid suspicion, leaving him to subtly hint at his intentions.
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