Chapter177

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Elara lowered her gaze, looking at the boy clinging to her like a snake.

She had weathered many storms and seen all kinds of situations.

So even though the boy in her arms already raised many red flags, until she confirmed things and took specific action, Elara could continue playing her previous role without a single flaw.

She reached out just like before, holding the boy in her arms, with the same smile she always wore.

"Did you finish reading today's book?"

"I did. Do you want to check, sister?"

Feeling the girl's hand wrap around his waist, the violent emotion that had surged up in the boy just now was finally suppressed a little.

He buried his face into the warmth of her neck, pressing tightly against her, secretly taking in every bit of her comforting scent.

If the time had come, and if the girl holding him already knew who he really was, he would have... just gone ahead and killed those eyesores!

His face hidden in her neck, the bloodthirsty emotions in his eyes kept churning.

The girl holding him spoke in a warm tone with a smile, but her expression stayed cold.

Though they were pressed close together, their thoughts couldn't have been more different.

That morning passed with the two of them holding each other, each with a mind of their own.

Over the next couple of weeks, Oswyn didn't come looking for Elara, though the daily medicine never stopped arriving.

Imani, on the other hand, kept showing up with different things, always finding excuses to get close to Elara.

His clothes were never properly worn around her, either exposing his smooth, muscular chest or his pale, long legs, and he'd cling to Elara—giving her massages, being her pillow, feeding her medicine—whatever gave him a chance to get closer, he eagerly did it.

Youdan had only recently been reclaimed. Though Lorenzo and others had already been sent there to stabilize it, there were still many issues Elara had to handle—

The old customs needing reform, the two hundred thousand troops stationed there, the citizens who would gradually be relocated into Plumera's territory, and even the development of Marigold itself.

She had far too much on her plate to spare a moment for the petty thoughts among the men around her.

As long as they didn't cross any lines or step on her bottom line, she could turn a blind eye to the little things.

Especially five days ago, when she received a secret letter from Marigold's capital, her mind became fully occupied with the major events about to unfold.

The letter came from the White Trading Post. Along with Damon's report on recent developments there, there was a handwritten note from Mathias at the Princess Manor.

Also included was a classified letter just sent from "Captain Yang" in the Imani household—actually from Emory.

One piece of information made Elara narrow her eyes: Lord Gregory had been secretly colluding with the Flame Prison Kingdom.

Because of Youdan being taken by her, Flame Prison was furious, but with Dahlia and Celosia locking them in a standoff at Qian'an Ridge, they didn't dare act directly.

Instead, they turned to Lord Gregory, pushing him to head south and attack her within a month, while they'd assist him afterward and replace Plumera's name and rule.

Logically, even if the Flame Prison Emperor knew it was Elara who seized Youdan, he probably wouldn't have taken it seriously.

After all, Plumera was just a tiny place in the eyes of powerful third-rate nations like his.

Even if Elara took over Youdan, it posed little threat, and he could deal with her once he had the time and energy to spare.

But the Flame Prison Emperor didn't do that. He didn't even send a few soldiers toward Youdan or Marigold.

Instead, he turned to Lord Gregory, wanting to use him to counterbalance her power.

That move was highly suspicious.

The only reasonable explanation Elara could think of was that the Flame Prison Emperor already knew she had formed a partnership with Dahlia's ruler.

It had already been over half a month since their alliance was made, so it didn't surprise Elara that he'd found out.

After all, he was the emperor of a major independent state, second only to Dahlia in this southwestern corner.

If he didn't have the means to uncover this, that would be more surprising to her.

But now, it also meant Elara had little time left.

According to the classified letter from Emory, Lord Gregory would secretly send troops south to attack her in five days.

She and Dahlia's ruler had agreed on a time to launch a disturbance into Flame Prison territory, and that time had nearly come.

Both matters were like arrows already drawn, just waiting to be released.

Elara carefully reread the letters several times in her study, and all kinds of countermeasures gradually formed in her mind.

There would eventually be a battle between her and Lord Gregory.

The royal power stolen from Plumera had been wandering outside for too long.

It was time to bring it back into the hands of the Elara bloodline.

That afternoon, after pondering all morning in her study, Elara took out several sheets of paper and wrote many confidential letters.

Then she personally summoned the Black Hawk to send them toward Marigold's capital.

After she finished, she thought for a while longer, then once again called a secret meeting with all the top officials of Marigold City.

The battle with Lord Gregory and the conflict in the Fire Abyss were both major events. Whether for her, for Marigold City, or even for the entire Plumera, they were as significant as turning points.

If she succeeded, Plumera would undergo reforms and rise quickly.

If she failed, it would be a total collapse with nothing left.

So no matter what, Elara absolutely could not lose these two battles.

Not only could she not lose, both fights had to end in flawless counterattacks, so she would have no regrets.

The meeting went on until the early hours of the morning.

In the end, after everyone had argued and discussed, the final decision-making power fell into Elara's hands.

She looked at the thick document in her hand, already sorted and filled with all kinds of decisions.

After carefully going through all the contents, Elara looked up at everyone watching her quietly and gave the task orders.

"Egbert, Hector."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Egbert and Hector immediately stood up from their seats and knelt halfway, cupping their fists toward Elara.

"A few months ago, I ordered you two to recruit and train soldiers. How many men do you have now?"

"Your Highness, I currently command fifty thousand soldiers and five thousand elite troops!"

"Your Highness, I also have fifty thousand soldiers and five thousand elite troops!"

Elara nodded. "Very good. The forge reported today that over sixty thousand iron weapons have been made. The regular soldiers will continue to use their old weapons. The five thousand elites will each collect one iron weapon from the forge. Prepare to launch a surprise attack on Flame Prison in five days."

The forge had expanded ever since Elara secured a large iron ore supply from Anqu Town.

Now, there were five forges operating in Marigold County. If there had been more space within the city walls, she would've built more.

Even with just five, the weapon production rate had greatly improved.

Thanks to the simplified, upgraded forging techniques provided by System 92, blacksmiths could now produce an ordinary iron weapon in about a day and a half.

Marigold County had also continued to take in refugees from outside.

Those who entered the county and wanted to survive had to follow the new local rules and find work in one of the factories or use any skills they had.

After months of recruitment, the population in Marigold County had multiplied.

Among the refugees, many already had useful skills.

This situation increased the number of contracted blacksmiths and apprentices in the forges.

Now, more than two thousand people could forge iron weapons across the five forges.

In just over a month, the five forges had already produced nearly seventy thousand iron weapons.

Although the total number still wasn't enough, the production speed had increased greatly.

Elara's plan to fully replace bronze with iron weapons for her army was becoming possible.

"Yes!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Seeing the two respond without hesitation, Elara emphasized, "Remember, this is a surprise attack. Have your fifty thousand regular soldiers camp and hide near the border. Let no one notice. Wait for news from Dahlia before launching any open battles."

"As for your elite units, Egbert, take three thousand to quietly enter the Flame Prison's camp. Set fires, launch a stone attack, do whatever works. Just make sure to hit hard. Disrupt their backup forces and keep their attention away!"

Elara turned to Hector. "At the same time, you will lead two thousand elites. While the enemy is in chaos, sneak into their food storage and either burn it or steal it all. Do whatever it takes to clear it out. Be as quiet as possible and don't let the enemy notice. This is key to our battle and our agreement with Dahlia. Neither of you can fail. Stay alert. Not a single mistake is allowed!"

"Yes! I will follow your instructions closely!"

"Yes, Your Highness! I will carry out your order exactly!"

Egbert and Hector had both been brought out of prison by Elara herself.

She valued their talents, and they were deeply grateful. After so much training in Marigold County, they were eager to fight and prove she made the right choice.

Seeing the determination and focus in their eyes, Elara looked satisfied.

"Good. Flame Prison used to be the leading state of Youdan and once traded with the puppet cult. Before you set out, remember to get the medicine from Oswyn at the military medical center. It can block and hide your presence from the living puppets. I'll also send some to guide your way. I've already had the map of Flame Prison's edge drawn by them. All your key targets are marked. Once you receive the mission, take the map and study it carefully."

"Yes, Your Highness! Please rest assured. We will complete the mission!"

The two stepped forward, respectfully taking the detailed map from Elara's hands before returning to their seats.

With the ambush on Flame Prison arranged, Elara turned to General Q.

He and the other military officers were all wearing new equipment.

These suits combined sharp, lightweight iron, so they no longer had to drag heavy bronze weapons and armor into battle. They were just as deadly, and everyone loved them. Whenever they met Elara, they wore the full set.

As Elara looked at General Q, the nearby officers subtly straightened up with excitement in their eyes.

"General Q, how many troops do you have now?"

He stood and cupped his hands. Even among officers, his tall figure stood out. With his striking appearance, he immediately caught attention.

"Your Highness, including the original one hundred thousand Q family troops, sixty thousand soldiers from former Youdan that you assigned, and those recently recruited, I now command one hundred eighty thousand men, with nearly thirty thousand elite troops."

As expected of someone from the Q family, his soldiers trained faster and produced more elite fighters.

"Like Egbert and Hector, have your thirty thousand elite troops collect iron weapons from the forge."

"Yes, Your Highness."