Ryan's original plan was to attack Spire Palace after the spring plowing next year, then advance to the gates of Mousilon before the autumn harvest, and surround the city, preparing for a siege.
However, Aurora said she wouldn't stay that long, disrupting Ryan's plans.
He either had to abandon his plan and attack Spire Palace early or forgo Aurora's magical support and change his attack strategy.
This put Ryan in a dilemma. He always preferred to be well-prepared before acting. "Dear, do you know why Aurora is in such a hurry to leave?"
"She's sitting over there with Trovek, and you're asking me?" Veronica replied impatiently. "Are you afraid of her?"
Then Veronica smiled slyly, "Or is it that you're being led by the nose by that mother-daughter pair? Just like when you were peeking under the table?"
Ryan's eyes instantly turned dangerous. He reached out and pinched Veronica gently.
"Ah!" Veronica immediately covered her chest with teary eyes, "Why did you pinch me!"
"You were talking nonsense." Ryan glared at Veronica. "That was a misunderstanding."
"Hmph~ You obviously like..." Veronica fell silent. The witch of Garon yawned. It was mid-winter, and everything was covered in ice and snow. Veronica's magic was at its weakest of the year, so she felt listless. After eating her fill, she sat beside Ryan without speaking.
Ryan got up and went to the other side of the banquet to find Teresa. "Dear Teresa, about Ms. Aurora..."
"Ryan, my mother can't stay here long. There are many things in the council that need her attention." Teresa held a glass of red wine, her mood high due to Aurora's visit. "She'll help me finish the final touches on the wizard tower, but she has to leave by early March."
"I understand." Ryan acknowledged Aurora's schedule. It was indeed inconvenient for Aurora to stay long; the council needed her for many matters.
Seeing his silence, Teresa thought Ryan was displeased. The sorceress quickly said, "Ryan, don't blame my mother. A Sanctuary-level figure is incredibly important to the Garon Council. The northern empire isn't Brittany; you have at least ten openly powerful Holy Grail Knights and Lake God Prophets, even demigods. But the Garon Council only has three Sanctuary witches: Chairwoman Margarita, my mother, and Elder Caroline. Many council matters can't proceed without my mother."
Before she finished speaking, the sound of high heels approached. Aurora, in a snow-white fox fur coat, her black hair flowing like water over her shoulders, revealing a fair neck, carried a glass of red wine. Seeing her daughter and Ryan talking, she approached with a mix of dignity and affection. "Ryan, Teresa, what are you talking about?"
Aurora's lavender scent made Ryan feel strange because he often smelled it when he spent the night with Teresa. The count instinctively took a step back, making room.
"Mother, Ryan hopes you can stay longer," Teresa said to Aurora.
"I can't stay here long, staying until March is my limit." Aurora looked at Ryan with a slightly threatening gaze. "After March is the Green Grass Festival. The council will recruit many new witch apprentices, and I must personally oversee this to prevent Margarita and Caroline from taking the talented ones."
"I heard Empress Katalin is also a member of the Garon Council?" Ryan tried to ease the topic.
"Katalin is only nominally part of the council. She rarely leaves the Tsar Palace in Kislev." Teresa explained, "Katalin is a pure ice-type Sanctuary sorceress. All her magic is ice-based, so she rarely leaves Kislev because only there is perpetually frozen, making her extremely powerful."
"I see. I had hoped Ms. Aurora could stay longer to help when I gather the army to attack Spire Palace after the spring plowing." Ryan admitted, "But if you can only stay until March, I'll have to revise my plan."
"You took Teresa from me and only gave her a lady-in-waiting position, now you want to involve me too?" Aurora was unyielding and sarcastic. "I can only help within my capacity; I won't change my schedule for your plan."
"Haha~ Ms. Aurora, you haven't changed." Ryan smiled bitterly, raising his glass. "Alright, I understand. Please drink to our health and success on the path of magic."
"Cheers!" Aurora raised her glass and drank. "Ryan, I have only Teresa. Now that she's your lady-in-waiting, I don't approve."
Ryan frowned. Was Aurora using this relationship to make a point?
"Mother!" Teresa quickly intervened, "I'm willing. Ryan didn't force me."
Aurora paused deliberately before saying, "Since Teresa is willing, I won't say more. But remember, if my daughter ever feels wronged and returns to the council to complain, you'll never see her again."
"Rest assured, I will treat Teresa well." Ryan's face softened, holding Teresa's hand. "I won't make empty promises. I'll prove my sincerity through actions."
"Good." Aurora finally relented. "I'll leave before the Green Grass Festival. Discuss with your allies what to do."
"Alright!" Ryan walked away with his glass, heading to the corner where the dark elf Olica, in a black and white lace maid outfit, was observing the guests. "Master?"
"Open the room and have Lady Morgiana, François, Boderek, and Belegar meet in the small room," Ryan instructed.
"Yes!" Olica nodded.
Twenty minutes later, in a small room at the winery.
This room, behind the study with no windows and flanked by water, had a table full of various fruits, pastries, and fine wine. Lady Morgiana, Duke François of Winford, Duke Boderek of Bordeleaux, King Belegar of the Angrund clan, and Ryan gathered to discuss the Mousilon campaign. Olica stood by to serve.
Ryan explained Aurora's limited stay, frowning. "Now we face a dilemma. If we stick to the original plan, we lose Aurora's help. If we want her help, we must advance the attack."
"Heh~ Advance then. The Angrund warriors are impatient! Just say the word, and I'll lead our army to join you!" Belegar, half-drunk and excited, jumped around to get attention. "Why overthink? Those pesky undead have no ranged weapons. Our cannons and organ guns will flatten Spire Palace in two days!"
Ryan understood Belegar's eagerness but knew the dwarf only saw the siege part. For Ryan, attacking Mousilon involved many factors, including kingdom politics, territory manpower, military morale, and the post-siege situation.
"My son Federmond will lead Bordeleaux's main force to join you." Duke Boderek didn't mind. "You decide when to attack."
"So do I," Morgiana agreed.
Ryan hesitated. Every choice had pros and cons, and the sudden change made it hard to decide. He preferred sticking to the original plan.
He finally looked at his father-in-law, the wise François.
François, in a good mood, stroked his long goatee, pondering before speaking. "Ryan, I need to confirm one thing: Is your territory ready for war?"
"Yes, supplies are prepared, and the army is reorganized." Ryan nodded.
"Since you're ready, why not act early?" François suggested. "If conditions are ripe, we should attack Mousilon. Winter tests soldiers' endurance, but it also slows the undead. With Aurora's power, seize the opportunity."
"However, an early attack means dispersing some troops for spring plowing after taking Spire Palace. The undead could then besiege it..." Ryan voiced his concern.
"Ryan, you're overly cautious with plans." François shook his head. "In war, opportunities are fleeting. With this chance, take Spire Palace and build defenses. It's a prime chance to achieve our first goal. Preemptive strikes can surprise the undead. During spring plowing, leave enough troops to hold Spire Palace."
"Attack first, then defend?" Ryan pondered. "Many of my troops are semi-professional. They can garrison, but long-term could lead to a war of attrition."
"It won't." François shook his head. "Don't forget another army eyeing Spire Palace."
"Lawen and his northern knight coalition!" Ryan's eyes lit up. "You mean, once I attack, Lawen might also strike from the north via Lyonnaise?"
"Not might, will." François was sure. "Even if Lawen hesitates, Richard will push him. I've known Richard for decades; this is his style. So, no need to hesitate. After Winter Veil, prepare. In February, our coalition will camp north of the Chalon Forest, ready to attack Spire Palace. Before spring plowing, we must strike!"
"This war is crucial for ridding the kingdom of the three-century Mousilon scourge, for your ducal title, and for your potential kingship!" François urged. "I'll send Jerrold with Winford's main force to join you. For Sulia and her unborn child, you must return victorious! Under these circumstances, an early strike isn't bad!"
"I understand!"
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