It was getting dark, and the two children were already snoring softly. Miller quietly hugged his son, Bob, and looked out of the window at the gloomy sky. He knew that his wife wasn't asleep either.
After a long time, he finally said, "Betty, why don't I join the army?"
Under the night sky, Betty's expression changed, and she couldn't help but tighten her grip on her daughter. However, she immediately relaxed and didn't answer him, as if she was really asleep.
His wife's silence didn't stop him from thinking. He knew that his wife didn't want him to take the risk, but as a husband and a father of two children, he really didn't want his wife and children to starve.
The nobles in the capital had issued a notice that those who built fortifications on the city wall would get two potatoes a day. If they joined the army, even the most ordinary cannon fodder would get four potatoes a day. Many civilians and refugees in the city had gone to join the army and build fortifications.
With this amount of food and relief rations, his children could grow up healthily, and his wife could also nourish her body.
As if he had made up his mind, Miller stretched out his left hand and held his wife's rough but still warm hand. Betty didn't say anything. She held Miller's hand tightly, which was her answer to her husband.
This was the current situation of most families in Audis. Many Shalorian men with responsibilities and burdens had chosen to join the army. It wasn't because they loved their motherland, but because they wanted to earn food for their wives and children.
.....
The slightly dilapidated capital of Audis was brightly lit at this time because the king felt that it was too cold and ordered the entire palace to be lit.
In the main hall, the white-haired king was curled up on the luxurious throne with a blanket draped over him. His cloudy eyes were looking at the group of nobles arguing endlessly in the main hall.
His Majesty looked like he hadn't washed up for a long time. His greasy hair and smelly skin could be seen from afar. Fortunately, the rich Shalor was not short of money. All kinds of expensive incense were sprayed around the king, preserving his dignity.
There was another person who was out of place among the nobles who were arguing in the hall. He was a middle-aged man who stood in front of all the nobles and was the closest to the king. His noble robe was more complicated and exquisite than the rest of the nobles.
Although the nobles in the main hall were arguing fiercely, anyone with a discerning eye could see that most of them were just clowns. Everyone's eyes were on the big man standing in front of them, as well as the king wearing the crown of thorns above the main hall.
Perhaps the quarrel of these nobles made our king a little annoyed. He raised his withered arm, which was covered in spots, and the hall instantly became silent. Everyone looked at their king in awe. Everyone knew that this lion had not fallen yet, and his fangs were still sharp.
More than two months ago, the desperate Shalorian king sent out two of his most elite Blood Red units, but the results were meager. All he got was a result of the possible death of the Faustian princess.
Looking at the old man sitting on the throne, most of the nobles standing there felt a sense of trepidation. When did the king become like this? Two months ago, the king was only slightly older, but he still didn't give up.
Looking at the old man sitting on the throne, most of the nobles standing there felt a sense of trepidation. When did His Majesty become like this? Two months ago, the king was only slightly older, but he still didn't give up. Now, this old man wanted to kill people and behead them for no reason.
Don't be fooled by his untidy appearance at this time. Just yesterday, His Majesty personally issued an imperial order to execute two counts and four viscounts. The reason was that these nobles had colluded with Faustian and wanted to abandon the city to escape.
They were arguing fiercely now, but it was just an act to show their king that they were still working hard for Shalor's recovery and that they would fight with Shalor until the last moment.
The heavy crown of thorns pressed on the old man's body as if it would crush him at any time. But in fact, it didn't.
"Felipe, tell me about the recent situation," the king said in a hoarse voice. The king said in a hoarse voice. Every syllable he spat out sounded like he was grinding a piece of iron. It was unpleasant to hear.
Everyone looked quietly at the man standing in front of them, dressed in a luxurious robe and had an extraordinary bearing — Margrave Felippe. It was this man who led the remnants of Shalor's southern forces to forcibly break through Lion's encirclement and enter Shalor's capital a month ago. Along with this margrave were a total of 15 magic crystal cannons.
Felippe, who was standing in front of everyone, cleared his throat and attracted everyone's attention in the hall. He said in a deep voice, "Nearly 100,000 Faustian troops have gathered outside the city."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the hall reacted differently. Some looked bitter, some were surprised, some looked ashen, and some were in disbelief.
The old king sighed. "I have to admit that Faustian's war potential is greater than ours." A pessimistic atmosphere spread.
Felippe continued, "I heard that the Ligia Union in the south of Faustian was also prepared to send troops to help Faustian, but the king refused."
A just cause enjoys abundant support, while an unjust cause finds little. Faustian rejected foreign help, while Shalor was despised by the surrounding countries. Everyone thought that the country was finished.
"It's useless to say that. Tell me, how are the defenses in Audis?" The king's voice continued.
As one of the three pillars of Shalor, Felippe enjoyed the title of 'God of Fortune'. As soon as he arrived in the capital, he took over many positions such as Minister of Finance, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Military Affairs. The royal family might have been suspicious of this margrave and didn't dare to let him control too much power, but it didn't matter now. Felippe's loyalty to Shalor could be seen from his willingness to enter the capital at the last moment.
"The recruitment is still in progress. We've already recruited 15,000 soldiers. These soldiers have been distributed to the four city walls. In addition to the original garrison, each city wall has a defensive force of nearly 10,000 soldiers," Marquis Philip continued.
"The city defense equipment is sufficient, so there's no need to worry for the time being. The weapons and armour of the soldiers are relatively scarce. Now, the blacksmiths in the city have been forging for the soldiers day and night. " Felippe didn't say when they would be able to supply the weapons and armour of more than 10,000 recruits, and the king didn't ask either.
"As for food..." Felippe was silent for a short while before he gritted his teeth and said, "It's only enough for the people in the city for half a month."
Not only did the king's cloudy eyes turn gloomy when he heard this, many of the remaining nobles jumped up directly. "How is that possible? Isn't the food reserves from a month ago still enough for half a year? "A few outspoken nobles couldn't help but exclaim.
"That was a month ago!" Felippe replied, "And at that time, it was based on the lowest standard per capita. As for why the food has declined so quickly, you should ask yourselves!" At the end of his sentence, Felippe almost roared.
Less than one-tenth of the food used this month was distributed to the civilians and refugees in the city. The rest was either pocketed by the group of nobles or embezzled.
As for what they used it for, it was nothing more than to use the food to recruit manpower. At this time, the most valuable things in Audis were not jewels and paintings, but food and manpower.
At this time, the streets of Audis were full of refugees and civilians who couldn't survive. Instead, they were hidden treasures. Many nobles were planning to exchange the lives of these scum for their precious lives after the Faustian army broke through the city.
In the face of Felippe's questioning, every noble who was stared at by him couldn't help but be timid and avert their eyes.
"Stop arguing. Every noble will be allocated according to their own rank. Bring me the corresponding food by tomorrow. I want to see the army's granary full!" the king said resolutely. The king said resolutely. Although his voice was weak and full of vicissitudes, his unquestionable tone made it so that none of the nobles dared to go against his will.
After the king finished speaking, Felippe went on to introduce other facilities and logistics in the city.
Until the end, Felippe didn't mention the magic crystal cannons he brought back, and the king didn't ask either. It was best to keep such a strategic weapon hidden. No one could guarantee that among the group of nobles present, there weren't any who had secretly defected to Faustian's side.
At the end of the meeting, the attendant beside the king announced that the meeting was adjourned. The nobles walked out of the hall in twos and threes, leaving only Felippe alone.
Gradually, only the king and Felippe, as well as some attendants and maids were left in the hall.
"How many magic crystal cannonballs are there?" the king asked when the surroundings quietened down.
"126 rounds." Felippe gave an accurate number. "Now Grandmaster Maris is leading his Lehrlings to make them."
The raw material of the magic crystal cannonball was the crystal core of major monsters, and only the cores of mid-rank and above could be made into cannonballs. Shalor's magic power was indeed the top among the surrounding countries. Only their country's Grandmasters had the strength and technology to mobilize the chaotic elemental power in the magic crystal, gather it, and release it.
"Got it. Go." The king nodded and curled up on the throne. The attendants around him filled another blanket for the king. Since a month ago, the Shalorian king had been living and eating in the council hall. It was also in this period of time that the old man, who was only slightly old, had become so skinny that he looked like he was now.
Felippe slowly retreated from the hall. The moment the hall door closed, the light from outside shone on the king's face in the middle of the hall. It was a pale, persistent, and wrinkled face.
All the nobles in the royal capital didn't know why the king's temperament had changed so much in the past month or even become like this. At present, only Felippe himself knew the reason for this matter.