Chapter 323

“Is there any particular reason why you think that?”

Princess Oscar asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

Max replied immediately, as if he had been waiting for her question.

“As Marquis Safia has proven on the western border, he is a master of defensive warfare. There’s no one more suited for the task of fortifying and defending a castle.”

‘So that’s his game, huh?’

Marquis Safia chuckled inwardly, feeling a mix of amusement and annoyance.

A master of defensive warfare?

It sounded like a compliment on the surface, but it was actually a subtle insult.

It implied that he was only good at defending and had no offensive capabilities.

The other western lords were also offended.

“How dare you say that Marquis Safia is only a master of defensive warfare! Take that back…”

One lord immediately tried to retort, but he stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening as if he had realized something.

‘That idiot.’

‘He should know better than to speak without thinking.’

Marquis Safia and the western lords were planning to focus on defending Lambert Castle.

If they strongly denied Max’s statement,

The atmosphere would become awkward.

“W-What I meant was… that he’s also capable of attacking… W-Well, you know…”

The lord who had tried to retort stammered, trying to save face.

He had tried to score a point but had ended up losing face instead.

“Oh, really? He can attack too? I didn’t know that. I never thought of him that way. Then I guess I can expect even more from him.”

Max used the lord’s blunder to launch another provocation.

The western lords’ faces hardened.

Marquis Safia, as a seasoned politician, was maintaining his composure, but he was definitely not happy.

‘He’s really determined, isn’t he? He’s trying to provoke Father into making a mistake and then take his place.’

Emily glared at Max, her eyes filled with disdain.

He was indeed a cunning strategist.

An ordinary person would have tried to justify why they were the best choice for the task.

But Max had taken a completely different approach.

He was subtly belittling Marquis Safia and provoking him, trying to make him lose his cool and make a rash decision.

It was a clever tactic that could easily work on most people, like that foolish lord earlier.

But,

‘Father won’t fall for it.’

Emily was certain.

Her father would have already seen through Max’s scheme.

As if to prove her right, Marquis Safia suddenly laughed heartily.

“Hahaha, a master of defensive warfare, you say? You’re quite the flatterer. Since even you recommend me for the task, I’ll make sure to live up to your expectations.”

He ignored the provocation and focused on the positive aspect of Max’s statement.

As expected of a seasoned noble.

The western lords nodded in agreement, and Emily smiled faintly.

However,

“Yes, I’m sure you’ll be excellent at defending. You’ve proven it countless times. And you have the sturdy Lambert Castle and the best archers in the empire at your disposal. So please focus on what you do best: defending.”

Max didn’t back down. He repeatedly emphasized the word “defending,” portraying Marquis Safia as someone who was only capable of defending.

It was a provocation that was hard to ignore.

Marquis Safia’s cheek twitched slightly.

If he was a lesser man, he would have already lost his temper.

But not everyone had his patience.

“And what about you, Young Master Max? Do you have some brilliant plan?”

One lord asked, his face flushed with anger, unable to hide his irritation.

He was clearly annoyed by Max’s arrogance.

The atmosphere in the room instantly turned tense.

But the reactions were divided into three groups.

‘Why is he rising to the bait?’

‘Who is he to make things worse?’

Those who were annoyed that the lord had taken the bait and made things worse.

‘I’m glad someone finally called him out. He’s been acting so smug.’

‘Hmph, I wonder if he can even come up with a decent answer. If he starts talking about defense now, he’ll only make himself look foolish.’

Those who were glad that Max had been challenged.

‘Isn’t this too much?’

‘There’s no benefit in provoking him this much.’

Those who were worried about Max’s actions.

Three groups.

No, there was one more reaction.

‘Hehe, he took the bait perfectly.’

The princess was inwardly delighted.

It takes two to tango.

Just when the argument was about to fizzle out, someone had added fuel to the fire.

She stared at Max, her eyes gleaming with interest.

Everyone else also focused on Max, waiting to see how he would respond to the challenge.

And then,

Max finally spoke.

“A brilliant plan, you say? I don’t have anything special. Just march forward, defeat the enemy, and bring victory to Her Highness. That’s all.”

“What?”

The lord who had asked the question was taken aback.

Everyone else was also surprised.

It was a statement that should never be uttered lightly in such an important war council.

It was a statement that could put him in a difficult position.

‘He wouldn’t make such a mistake, would he?’

Even Emily was dumbfounded. She missed the opportunity to attack Max.

Marquis Safia, however, seized the opportunity.

“You can back up those words, right?”

He asked, his face serious.

It was clear that he wasn’t going to let Max off the hook.

“Would I say something I can’t back up in a war council?”

Max also turned serious.

The tension in the room escalated, as if a fight could break out at any moment.

“You’re saying you’ll attack and achieve victory?”

“Of course. Now is the time to attack.”

Max emphasized the word “attack,” subtly criticizing Marquis Safia for focusing on defense.

Marquis Safia smirked.

“Yes, that would be ideal. If it’s possible.”

“I’ll make it possible.”

Max’s voice was firm.

Marquis Safia added, as if he had been waiting for those words, “I trust you’ll be able to keep your word. Her Highness also heard you clearly, right?”

“Yes, I heard him loud and clear. He’s very reassuring.”

The princess replied smoothly.

Max’s words now carried a heavy responsibility.

He couldn’t just defend.

He had to attack.

And he had to achieve victory.

It was an extremely difficult task, considering the strength of the Crown Prince’s forces.

“I won’t disappoint you.”

Max said confidently, even managing a faint smile.

‘Is he crazy? Or does he really have a plan?’

Emily was confused.

‘Did he find some weakness in the north?’

She was already assuming that Max was planning to attack the north.

Marquis Safia wouldn’t give up the south.

That left the northwest, where the Celtrine territory was located, and the central region, which was the empire’s heartland.

The northern campaign was the better option.

It wasn’t along the Lime River, and the road north of the Imperial City was rough, making it difficult for the Crown Prince’s forces to quickly deploy their troops and supplies.

It meant that the central campaign would be much more difficult and disadvantageous.

So she assumed that Max would choose the north.

Everyone else thought the same.

“So where are you planning to attack?”

Marquis Safia’s question was just a formality.

But,

“Odinel.”

Max’s short answer sent shockwaves through the room.

“O-Odinel?”

“Are you talking about the Odinel I know?”

“I-Is he insane?”

The lords murmured in disbelief.

It was understandable.

Odinel was a key city located upstream of the Lime River in the central region.

Everyone knew that it was being used as a crucial supply base.

And the Lime River was firmly under the control of the Crown Prince’s forces.

It was arguably a more difficult target than an impregnable fortress.

Why?

Because to attack Odinel, they would have to cross the river by boat.

And the princess’s forces didn’t have any boats.

He was suggesting something that was impossible.

“A-Are you crazy? Why are you trying to drown our soldiers?”

Even Emily, who usually remained calm, couldn’t help but shout.

“You can’t lie in a war council.”

Marquis Safia also couldn’t believe it.

“Would I lie? I will conquer Odinel. I will conquer it as quickly as possible and present it to Her Highness.”

Max said firmly.

But the atmosphere remained chaotic.

“T-That’s impossible…”

“Cancel your plan immediately!”

“Are you trying to ruin everything?”

The lords were agitated.

Regina, who had been silent until now, stepped forward.

She raised her sheathed sword.

The lords flinched reflexively.

*Thud!*

She slammed the sheath against the floor and said, “I swear on my life that we will conquer Odinel with him.”

The commotion died down instantly.

Regina Erenbert was acknowledged as the best swordswoman in the north.

Her vow, made with her life on the line, carried immense weight.

Especially for something that seemed impossible.

“A-Are you two both insane… Eek?!”

A lord who had muttered a derogatory comment quickly lowered his gaze when he met Lobel’s murderous glare.

Anyway,

There was only one person who could calm the situation.

*Clap, clap, clap.*

Princess Oscar clapped her hands, silencing the room.

And then, she said, “Alright. Those were some inspiring words. I’m very pleased to see your confidence.”

She smiled brightly.

“So I’ll leave it to you two. Please achieve your goals.”

“W-Wait a minute, Your Highness, that’s…”

“Shh. I’m not finished yet.”

She put a finger to her lips.

The lords flinched, sensing a change in her demeanor.

Marquis Safia, who was quick-witted, signaled for them to be quiet.

“…”

The lords quickly shut their mouths and straightened their postures.

The princess smiled faintly and continued, “But you’ll have to take responsibility if you fail.”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“As will I.”

Max and Regina accepted her condition without hesitation, as if they had already expected it.

“I like your decisiveness. Then I wish you luck.”

“We’ll move immediately.”

“Immediately?”

“Yes, speed is crucial to our strategy.”

“Hehe, I see. Do as you please.”

The war council, which had caused quite a stir, ended on that note.