Warhammer: Return of the Dragon.

"Two hundred and fifty thousand?"

Greyriel thought this was crazy. So far, Caledo's population, including humans, was just about to break the three million mark. This would mean mobilizing at least 12% of the country's young and strong men.

The concept of 16 percent means that at least one-third of men, excluding the elderly and children, will be drafted into the army.

This would have serious consequences for the normal production of the kingdom. Many heavy labor jobs are not something women can easily step into...

"Two hundred and fifty thousand, this is just an initial number...but I also hope that this number will never increase."

Greriel wanted to ask if it was necessary. It was not worth it to risk so much energy on a war that had nothing to do with the country's destiny.

"You are wondering if it is necessary... to reduce this number by 70 percent. We can easily achieve the desired results with just the dragons, but this is only for Bretonnia.

The palace needs an army that is always ready. This idea has been kept in the archives for two hundred years. Everything in Caledo, whether it is education, trade, economy, politics... is in preparation for the moment in the near future.

In my name, I declare that the kingdom is on a state of war preparedness. Except for the fields of education, medicine, industry, and magic, all men of appropriate age are obliged to undergo military training for four months each year, and women's time is halved... The Church of Val raises the temperature of the volcanoes, the rare mineral resources of Nagarythe are mined without restriction, and the export of Lustria's medical drugs is prohibited, and all are sent to the Royal Pharmaceutical Factory as war reserves."

Even Malus was shocked by this crazy decision. What made Draknir change his previous idea of ​​peaceful development and become so radical?

This level of mobilization is no less severe than that of Caledor during the final civil war. Even the Eight Peaks Mountain, known as the battle of national destiny, only mobilized less than 50% of the Dragon Kingdom's strength at best. What truly determined the direction of the war were the dragon princes who could destroy the greenskins head-on.

Greyir and Agathel looked at each other. This reaction was far beyond their expectations. The 250,000 was already exaggerated enough, and now Draconir's attitude seemed to be about starting a full-scale war involving the world.

"What about time? We can't keep going like this. We must give an explanation to all sectors of society. After the war with Bretonnia or the Skaven is over, or..."

"Indefinitely, until I believe the crisis has been resolved and Caledor can return to a stable state."

Many people looked at Roning's face, hoping that the respected archmage would intervene. He was the most suitable candidate and had never taken any political stance.

Rhonin sighed and asked politely, "Draconir, we don't want to sacrifice the operation of the entire kingdom to make you the next Phoenix King... Although you are young, you have shown wisdom and responsibility that are no less than your ancestors. The only difference is that you are a little too radical in discussing this with the nobles."

Draconir's expression was serious as he shook his head. He said meticulously, "This has nothing to do with what you think...Mishan."

At the command, Mi Shan, holding a sealed scroll, slowly walked into the conference room. He looked equally serious as he peeled off the seal on the scroll.

"My son Draknir, if I unfortunately encounter an accident and cannot fulfill my duties as the Phoenix King when the darkness shrouds me, you should shoulder the heavy responsibility of being the descendant of the dragon tamer... Everything I have, the dragon horn, the spear of bravery, and this solemn throne, will be inherited by you, and you will lead the Elven Empire through the impending doomsday catastrophe.

Laws, thoughts, wishes, differences, beliefs... all these boring things must be abandoned. Your only mission is..."

Mi Shan paused for a moment and slowly closed the scroll. "The following content involves your Majesty's family and private affairs. I don't think it is necessary to describe it here."

"Is this another suicide note?"

Agsel frowned, thinking that Imrik was definitely not a person who liked to leave a suicide note. He had seen the suicide note Imrik left for his children when he went to the evil land, but it was at best just a letter of identification of the legitimate heir, and the tone was far less solemn than the one in Mishan's hand.

No one wanted to check the authenticity of the document in Mishan's hand. This was a bit too ridiculous. If Imrik's identity did not allow a human to be the captain of the guard, he would definitely let Mishan stay by his side all the time.

Mi Shan nodded and walked away, leaving the crowd in deep thought.

"Is this a sign of Asuryan, or..." Greyriel asked the prince carefully. After analyzing it for a while, he vaguely understood that Imrik only stated one thing in his suicide note.

No matter who the Phoenix King becomes after his death, Draconir must unify the entire Ulthuan with thundering means, which completely satisfies the original idea of ​​the parliament.

Even if there are some unexpected events in the Phoenix King election, it is normal to have some unexpected events during this critical moment...

"There is no sign, nor is it a prophecy. This is the reality... I thought there was still some time, but the incident with the black lotus made me realize that time is running out." Draconnier lamented and wrote a similar suicide note in front of everyone.

Menil does not need to prove his bloodline, but Draconil needs to prove his determination and let the nobles know that he is not acting on impulse and using the country's strength as a bargaining chip to disgust the nobles.

Now that things have come to this, there is no need to say more. Greyrill immediately decided to use his influence as Speaker of Parliament to call on all the young people of Kaled to join in the preparation for the future.

A minute later, Agthor and Edtalis nodded to each other. Since they were going to fight, let the war be more intense. Wind Howling City would never be inferior.

As the various families with deep influence in Caledor agreed one after another, the meeting came to an end. However, it also made Malus fall into deeper confusion. What exactly made Imrik, who had become the Phoenix King, so serious and nervous?

In the meeting room with only two people left, Malus asked the prince who was sitting in the main seat in deep thought without any concealment.

"Your father has never been a fearful elf. I saw him fighting the Witch King in the Battle of Finuval Plains. Even though he was covered in wounds, he never retreated a single step... Could this crisis be comparable to the catastrophe six thousand years ago?"

“I’m afraid it’s even worse than that. If you hadn’t used some means to learn about what was going to happen in the future, do you think you could have survived the defeat given the level of hatred he had for Druzy?

We need every bit of strength we can get, even though most of the time there will be... misunderstandings between us."

"You mean Bretonnia."

Draconian did not answer directly, but silently changed the subject.

“Black Blade, consider my proposal carefully. Live on your feet or die on your knees… This is the difference between me and my father. He doesn’t care about Druzy’s thoughts. The only value of your life is to die.

I can make the dead Druzy create greater value for those who are still alive."

Dark Blade, who seemed to be thinking deeply, finally asked for support from the Church of Vaal. He needed to equip the Cold Lizard Knights with the best equipment... At least those Soul Eaters who lacked maintenance would find it difficult to adapt to the upcoming war. (End of this chapter)