This Holy Knight is So Despicable!-Chapter 331 - 289 A Different Dinner_2

This is how people are.

You know she’s sacrificing for you, you also know she’s suffering for you.

Yet you can’t even bring yourself to care for her, and in the end, you can only part ways.

At this moment, watching the army commanders’ joyful smiles, the Elf Queen suddenly felt a sense of the downtrodden finding sudden fortune, celebrating with those who once aided her in a return clothed in fineries!

Really, quite satisfying!

"Ahem!"

Seeing the Elf Queen’s face flush, immersed in this strange emotion, Lette had to cough lightly twice, signaling her to follow the script.

"Everyone, the reason I’ve called you here today is not only to compensate your years of meritorious service in defending the Empire, but also to discuss something important and hear your opinions."

The Elf Queen deftly brought the topic back: "I believe you have already heard some rumors through your respective channels.

Indeed, the First Empire of humanity has been expelled from the list of Holy Countries by the Holy Light Church.

And we, the Elf Empire, are preparing to wage war against the First Empire with the power of the entire nation!

You are all soldiers stationed at the borders for many years, what insights might you have on this matter?"

Opposed! Firmly against it!

Before the banquet started, these commanders had already reached a consensus in private.

However, after enjoying this sweet dessert appetizer, everyone hesitated.

After all, one cannot bite the hand that feeds you.

Moreover, the Elf Queen gave such a generous gift right at the start without batting an eye.

Suddenly, her image became immeasurably lofty in their eyes.

"The power of the Elf Empire, compared to the First Empire, still has a... disparity.

If possible, I think we shouldn’t rashly start a war!"

"Yes, although the First Empire has been expelled from the sequence of Holy Countries by the Holy Light Church, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse!

Given the First Empire’s strength, declaring war on them might be very challenging to win."

"In my opinion, we should wait for other Human Empires to go to war with it, and when the First Empire is busy dealing with other enemies, we can find an opportunity to move.

At that time, we might be able to achieve victory!"

The commanders chimed in one after another, although their tone softened after taking the benefits.

Still, in their view, the Elf Empire bears no chances of defeating the First Empire.

After they finished expressing their opinions, the Elf Queen smiled without cease, nodding repeatedly.

Gradually, as they finished speaking and grew tired, the Elf Queen still did not offer any response to their opinions and issues.

"After dessert, let’s serve everyone some appetizers."

No sooner had she finished speaking than the waiters reappeared. They carried new trays forward and placed them before the elf commanders.

This time, without awaiting the Elf Queen’s encouragement, each army commander opened their tray covers in succession.

Sure enough, this time there was still no dish within.

On the serving tray lay a letter, simple and unremarkable.

The elf commanders took it up with puzzled expressions and opened the envelope.

Upon reading the contents of the letter, one by one, they were shocked and almost jumped directly from the table.

"Your Majesty! This is! This letter!"

"Could it be?"

The Empress smiled slightly: "Indeed, the envelope in your hands contains information.

As you were hurrying back for the banquet, I already had someone deliver this intelligence to the nearest city of the First Empire, to be handed to the City Lord there.

Based on the First Empire’s intelligence transmission speed, I think this critical information has by now reached their Imperial Court.

It is likely that Pedeplos III of the First Empire is already gathering advisors to carefully analyze the intelligence written in the letter."

"It’s outrageous!"

One rather hot-tempered commander slammed the letter onto the table, glaring furiously at the Elf Queen.

"Your Majesty! This is treason, do you realize?"

"Yes, Your Majesty! Why are you committing treason?"

"To think you would convey the Elf Empire’s war intentions to the First Empire in such a way!

What... what are you trying to accomplish?"

With an expressionless face, the Elf Queen said: "Naturally, it is to sever all retreat. To completely quash the hopes of those who dream of preventing the Empire from waging war.

As a saying among humans goes, cook the rice as it is!

I know you’re angry, even wishing to kill me!

But what I must tell you is.

My life is insignificant.

Yet this war, the Elf Empire must fight!

If this war is not fought, the Elf Empire would only endure a few more days of lingering existence.

If this war is fought and lost, the Elf Empire would perish right then and there!

If this war is fought and won! The Elf Empire will embark on a path of revival!

Currently, there are only these three outcomes!

I know, not only you, but many within the entire Elf Empire still clutch to naive fantasies!

Those ordinary people in the country, so be it!

But you!

You’ve been living at the Empire’s borders for years! You are the ones who can truly feel the pain! You should have the clearest view!

You are the ones who should understand the Empire’s predicament the best!

Why! Why do you also harbor such unrealistic fantasies?

You’re fooling yourselves!

Laughable! Pathetic! Pitiful!"

After the Queen roared, her hands resting on the table, she took deep breaths.

The shocked expressions of all the commanders betrayed their subconscious belief that the Queen’s excessive emotion caused her to calm herself down.

But Lette and others knew, this Empress forgot her lines again.

Now she uses her gasps to ease her guilt and cover her embarrassment while thinking of her lines.

Unexpectedly, the Elf Queen turned around, showing her back to the commanders.

Such a scene exuded an unspeakable sense of solemnity!

But Lette clearly saw that this Empress was secretly looking at the script hidden in her sleeve.

"I am the Queen of the Elf Empire.

The mission of the king, performed by me! The sins of the king, borne by me!

The implausible fantasies of the populace! Pierced by me!

The Elf Empire stands on the brink of life and death! Only by abandoning fantasy and preparing to fight lies our survival!

This step you are unwilling, afraid, or reluctant to take!

Let the king take it!"

The firm and powerful words! The solitary, melancholic back! The mercifully determined declaration!

At this moment, the commanders got up one by one from the dining table and slowly knelt on one knee to bow to the Queen’s back.

"We are willing to pledge our lives to follow Her Majesty! For the Elf Empire, braving fire and water, sparing no effort! Pledging our lives to coexist with the Empire!"

Upon hearing this, the Elf Queen wiped the tears from her eyes and turned around to reveal a radiant smile.

"Everyone, please sit, please sit.

The situation is far from as bad as you might think. Nor am I unprepared, rushing into war with the enemy. Come, come, everyone sit!

Prepare the main course!"

The Elf Waiters brought over new trays, and this time the Elf Commanders couldn’t wait for the trays to be placed on the table before hastily taking them over, impatiently uncovering them.

They had no choice; while loyalty is loyalty, no one wishes for death, especially when it involves the fate of all elves.

And within the tray lay a myriad of miscellaneous items.

It seemed a bit chaotic, yet it made the commanders’ eyes sparkle.

Inside were the data overview sheets of the first batch of recruits, along with military magic scrolls and magic potions produced overtime by domestic workshops.

The standardized Magic Rune Equipment was more than enough to arm soldiers to the teeth.

These items could fully realize the elves’ individual combat advantages.

Additionally, there was a production estimate table for various military-industrial enterprises during the Elf Empire’s war preparation period.

Seeing these astounding numbers, the commanders realized the terrifying combat power of the Elf Empire.

Perhaps, as the Elf Queen said, the Elf Empire might indeed have the strength to fight.

"Everyone, whether the Elf Empire can turn danger into safety, whether the Elf Clan can reverse the downturn and welcome a resurgence wave.

It all depends on all of you present here!

Come! Let us drink this cup to the full!

Let us hope that when we meet again, it will be at your victory banquet!"

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