Chapter 566

Chapter 566: Resistance Brings Peace

In the distant sky, a light dot traced a long trail of vapor across the heavens, heading eastward.

This winged maiden was none other than Lolan Hill.

Since the last attack, she had often fallen into deep sleep, only fully recovering a few days ago. To her surprise, her mastery over wind and atmosphere seemed to have strengthened even more.

It was as if something had stirred her deeply.

Recalling the scenes seen in her dreams, she easily deduced that the salt crystallization power of the gray light must have come from another prototype at the time—the Gray-White Crystalline Rock, Brunner.

As rock opposed to wind, their properties were almost entirely opposite, which explained why she felt so sensitive back then, sensing a special kind of danger before the opponent even acted.

If she was one of the four prototypes at the time, where were the remaining three now? Were they alive? According to the ‘Primordial Heart’ faction, these individuals could be considered her sisters.

They lacked blood ties but shared a bond closer than kin, a natural affinity that felt like a warm embrace.

During her flight in the sky, Lolan Hill pondered over the information she had gathered these past days.

Yesterday, she had obtained a fragment of the ‘Solar Crown’ at the statue, and she attempted to analyze it using the system, but alas, the system showed that the Akhet network was closed, unable to connect with the Sun Throne, thus failing to activate the fragment.

After traversing the sky for a day and night, she finally arrived at the imperial capital of Clancia, Solande.

By then, dusk had fallen, and wisps of smoke rose from the imperial capital under the glow of the sunset. The scent of food and the sound of fireworks filled the air, while street lamps gradually lit up, casting a warm orange glow.

She stepped onto the massive stones of the Red Jujube Palace, her pale blue wings dissipating into light particles, and her skirt fluttered down gently with the airflow.

Upon returning to the Red Jujube Palace, Lolan Hill immediately joined the highest meeting of Clancia the next day.

In the grand hall, people dressed in dark blue and white uniforms sat in semicircular rows on the stairs, listening intently to the speech from the central podium.

“The Frost Rose Alliance has already mobilized 700,000 soldiers domestically, converging at the borders.”

“Moreover, according to intelligence, there are currently about 20 golems…”

The legion was fully armed and ready, with nearly 300 sky cruisers continuously loading ammunition and undergoing modifications.

“Additionally, the enemy’s naval fleet also has about 200 iron warships, currently stationed at Youber and Greenwater Port, ready at all times. All caravans of Frost Rose from our country have been detained.”

“Various signs have irrefutably indicated that Frost Rose will launch an aggressive operation against us.”

“We have now reached the most critical moment; we cannot harbor any侥幸 mentality, nor can we hand over the scepter of peace to them, for that would be the act of cowards.”

“Prepare for every aspect of combat to seek peace through resistance. Let the entire nation mobilize, as a grueling test awaits us.”

The high-ranking officials of Clancia expressed their thoughts and decisions during the meeting.

“This meeting will pass the conscription bill for wartime, the national mobilization order, and the regulations for requisitioning and transforming industries for wartime use, preparing comprehensively for battle.”

“Those in favor, please raise your hands.”

“The vote count is complete, the bill is passed, and will be executed immediately.”

“The conference is adjourned. I hope to see everyone’s faces again next year. Good luck to you all, dismissed.”

The crowd rose, stood at attention, and then left the brightly lit conference hall one by one.

After the crowd had left, several high-ranking officials of Clancia continued their subsequent discussions.

“How long will it take to mobilize the entire nation?” Lolan Hill asked Pulman beside her.

“Our fastest estimate is one month, which is indeed a challenge.”

“At present, there are about 500,000 soldiers in active service, of which 300,000 are elite veterans who fought against the West Wind. They possess strong will and discipline, and they are our pride.”

“As for those registered and trained reserves, there are approximately 1.2 million. If fully mobilized, we could train another 2 million reserves within half a year.”

“And if we engage in a prolonged war of annihilation with the enemy, we can support up to 5 million troops at most.”

“However, this also means the harshest war rations, with all populations fully operating the war machine to produce all war-related equipment, such as armor, weapons, arrows, cannons, gunpowder, and so forth. Many elderly and weak individuals will also be mercilessly abandoned,” Pulman said slowly.

“How terrifying.”

Toland sighed after hearing this.

The path. It was unknown when, that simple youth had become so resolute and decisive.

After hearing this, Lolan Hill also sighed. If things truly came to that, there would be no other choice.

The rivers and mountains were stained with blood, and all one could see were troops.

Unlike those narrow-minded outsiders, the crowd present was very clear about what would happen once the nation fell.

Unlike the nobility of the past, where people merely exchanged one master for another, if Clancia were destroyed, then everything brought about by the current fair system and the nation’s structure would be swept away.

And the millions of people on this land would return to the oppressive darkness of the past. Capitalism does not care about morals; its purpose is to gain profit. And a nation controlled by a small number of beneficiaries would not treat the lower-class people as kindly as Clancia does.

In the Frost Rose, Green Empire, the lower classes are merely renewable fuel; they won’t be generous enough to give up their own resources.

This also means that the blood shed in the past would have been in vain, and all current efforts and constructions would ultimately serve as someone else’s gains.

As leaders who established this nation, they knew too well how hard-won the current situation was. So even if resistance would cost thousands of lives, they wouldn’t abandon the fight.

“Only iron and fire can forge the backbone of a nation.”

“Teacher, this is what you used to say,” Pulman looked at the still youthful silver-haired girl.

“And only by winning this war can we earn the respect of the world and make the people of this nation truly feel proud and honored.”

“And this will also forge the resilience of a nation or its people,” Lolan Hill softly closed her eyes and said.

“Even if countless people blame and curse me, I won’t change this belief,” Pulman continued expressing his thoughts.

“Since the people have chosen us, we must uphold this trust to the end.”

“Let’s begin this war that will shake the entire nation.”

After saying this, Pulman slowly stood up, picked up the black helmet beside him, put it back on, and turned to leave the venue. His figure remained tall and resolute, just as it had been in the past.

Outside the venue, the army that had been waiting for a long time roared like the sea and mountains.

Banners fluttered, cold blades gleamed like the sea, and it was like a grand scroll of a prosperous era.

(The End of This Chapter)