The culprits who leaked the consortium's intelligence, led the Crown Prince to attack the consortium's transport fleet, and allowed for a reversal of the situation during the royal court meeting were none other than the consortium and the Elf Camp themselves.
The goal of the Elf Camp was a war of independence that met the needs of multiple parties, and they had been planning this for decades. As every external condition was falling into place, the only thing missing was a pretext to start a war. By inducing the Crown Prince to attack the consortium, then launching a war in the name of "resisting oppression"—such a script fit their needs perfectly and was entirely feasible.
But there was one thing that didn't make sense.
