Warhammer: Return of the Dragon.

“It’s not the right decision, but it deserves respect.”

Oliveira only expressed his personal respect for Carl's decision, but he did not think the value of it was worth such a sacrifice.

The Reiksguard are by no means a ragtag army. They are provided with half-elf horses from the Tyrell Meadows by the Emperor himself, and their armor and weapons are all tailor-made by dwarf masters. Compared with similar knightly orders in the Empire, no one can match the cost of these mobile vaults except the elite Teutonic Guards of the White Wolf Knights.

The entry requirement of being selected from the children of nobles means that even though the Rick Guards have extremely high resilience to casualties, it does not mean that Carl can squander it at will. The knight's family is the foundation of his rule over the empire.

But without the Rick Guards, humans obviously don't have that kind of troops that can withstand the dense artillery fire and flanking siege, unless...

Oliveira looked at the dwarf. No matter how you look at it, this is what the Eternal Guards are best at. Ten Reik Guards are no match for one High King's Guard standing in place with a shield raised to hold the line.

But the High King obviously had other ideas. After expressing his appreciation for Carl's determination, he did not agree with this plan: "Karak Dreadnought is indeed important, but it is definitely not worth exchanging the lives of our human friends. We have other ways... but the process will be more tortuous."

The only problem in the long-term attack is that the attack time is not long enough, which is the consistent experience of dwarves.

As long as Fort Desolation cuts off the road to the Grey Mountains and intercepts the greenskins' continuous reinforcements, Thorgrin believes that it will not be a big problem to entangle the greenskins.

"I need to mention one thing. If you mean a protracted war, the Phoenix King has instructed me that this matter must be resolved as soon as possible."

The silent meeting fully demonstrated the different thoughts of the three parties. Carl obviously did not want to waste too much time in Fort Dreadnought. The loss of each cart of food sent to the Grey Mountains was much higher than that on the plains. He could keep the army's morale in the name of supporting the dwarves, but there was no such thing as emotional morale in the national treasury.

The High King also understood this. He rubbed his brows and said, "It will take at least another month for the Eternal Peak army to arrive. The dwarves will repay the money and materials you both spent during this month afterwards."

"This is not a financial issue." Oliveira shook his head and smiled bitterly. The elves really were not short of money. The taxes that the Dragon Court collected from all over the country every year were simply astronomical figures.

Lustria's sugar industry, spices, medicinal plants, industry, and trade, Naggaroth's endless mines and high-quality logs, the large-scale cultivation of staple foods in the Southern Kingdoms... The royal court dared to reduce taxes on various countries to stimulate population growth because it relied on Caledor's background.

Usually money can solve all problems, including war, but the key is that when the war started, the Phoenix King did not order the legion to enter the empire. Not to mention the distant future, if the legion stationed in the Laurent Forest entered the Gray Mountains, the situation would definitely not be what it is now.

"We lack professional manpower. There are too few dwarves. Even if we assign them among humans, it is difficult to reverse the terrain disadvantage, not to mention that there are ratmen under the mountain... I don't doubt Elvis's ability, but the ratmen's conspiracy will always bring us surprises."

"Strong attack or slow pressure, choose one."

The elf spread his hands and threw the question to the real parties involved, the Emperor and the High King.

Carl and Thorgren stared at each other for a long time, but even with sparks in their eyes, they still couldn't make a decision...

"You two, I have something to say. A strong attack is feasible."

The cold female voice made people look sideways. Elspeth, dressed in a purple-black robe, came here with a hint of fatigue. It seemed that the brief cooperation with the War Lord made her deeply understand what a workaholic was.

"Ms. Espeth, please speak your mind. We need everyone's wisdom to get through this difficult time."

Elspeth nodded in response to Carl's greeting. She stated her purpose directly, "Your Majesty, the Legion of the Faithful can be your sharpest knife to pierce the throats of the greenskins. No matter how great the sacrifice, it is inevitable for the Sons of Sigmar."

That cannon fodder legion... The Emperor had a very low opinion of the Pious Legion. Apart from being a little envious of the three Conqueror tanks, he had little hope for them.

But they are all citizens of the empire, and the emperor does not want to see the blood of his compatriots shed meaninglessly on land that does not belong to them.

Karl could only express it obliquely to avoid being accused of the Emperor's doubts about the courage of Sigmar's followers.

“This will kill a lot of people…”

"It is their greatest honor to sacrifice for Sigmar and the Empire. His Majesty Walkerma will certainly agree with this decision!"

The mention of Walkerma the Ruthless turned this meeting, which was originally a normal military discussion, into a religious fanatic movement with sacred connotations.

In the end, Carl had no choice but to agree that the Loyalists would attack the mountain road leading to Karak Dreadnought, and Rick's army would follow closely behind.

After the meeting, Oliveira walked on the road and kept cursing, saying, "Who is not God's chosen one? I have never ordered my soldiers to die in the name of Edrezer."

He really couldn't imagine what the purpose of the ragged army's entry was other than to cause more killings to the greenskins.

Chaos fanatics can also disgust people. After death, their souls become victims of warlords' advancement, and their role as cannon fodder is very vivid.

"Damn the Bald Church. I've been fed up with them for a long time! Now they don't even need to make any plans. They just rush forward. What a bunch of idiots."

He kept cursing to himself until North showed up with a glowing, antique key, and only then did Oliveira stop his endless bald-headed bastard remarks.

"North Herald."

"Captain Oliveira."

The two of them first greeted each other as per custom. In a sense, the person who had the most direct contact with the various legion commanders was not the war lord, but the real mouthpiece of the Phoenix King.

The key was handed over by North, and just after taking it, Oliveira already understood the function of this artifact.

"The Key of Nisu... It seems that His Majesty takes this war very seriously."

North looked normal. He could not perceive the effect of this artifact. His soul had long been wrapped in a ball of flames, leaving only a cold will.

"This key can lead the Lost Knight to appear. His Majesty has transferred the command authority from Prince Eltharion to you. You can command all the elves in the Grey Mountains."

"Including the Flame Knights?" Oliveira was a little amused. He and Creon didn't get along well. They were all old stories, but it seemed not bad to disgust people.

"According to the military sequence of the Dragon Court, you are ranked with the Captain of the Royal Guard... but you also hold the important duties of an honorary member of the Noble Council and the Tribune of Kaled."

After implicitly pointing out how to make Creon obey his orders, North nodded and turned away, leaving Oliveira holding the Key of Nisu, looking at the ancient runes on the surface thoughtfully. (End of this chapter)