Save the simulator and make Sarkaz great again!

"Newspapers? Those newspapers are controlled by the Grand Dukes, of course they won't say anything good about the Sarkaz."

“Those noblemen are always telling us in the newspapers how miserable our lives will be if we fall into the hands of those Sarkaz.”

"While they are building more and more factories, they are also desperately driving down the price of our grain. The smoke from their chimneys is almost blotting out the sky. And what about us? Life is getting harder and harder every day."

“My friend said in the letter that the living pressure in Kazdale is much less than in Victoria. The taxes there are very low, and as long as you are willing to work, you can basically support yourself.”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Tell me the details!"

As the old man recounted his story, it was as if everyone was hearing something unbelievable, and their eyes widened in astonishment.

"What?! Their tax revenue is only one-third of what we get here?!"

"What?! A house can be bought with labor?!"

"What?! There are regulations about working hours?!"

Gollum—

Everyone swallowed hard.

Finally, the old man seemed to remember something, and shook his head with a sigh.

"However, recently the rules regarding farmers entering and leaving the area have become much stricter because too many people have been leaving..."

"It's possible that after the day after tomorrow, special verification certificates will be required to enter and leave the city."

hiss--

The sounds of people gasping for air rose and fell.

Doesn't that mean now is the best time to go out of the city and find out what's going on?

"Oh dear, my stomach suddenly hurts. I need to go back and lie down for a while. I probably ate something bad."

The vendor suddenly shouted, then quickly packed up his things and rushed home, leaving the remaining vendors looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Sorry, I have to close up shop for today. Something urgent has come up at home! Very urgent!"

"I...I have to go back and feed the chickens! Yes, feed the chickens! My chickens are precious; they won't lay eggs if I'm late."

"I'm fine, it's just that my son suddenly missed me, so I went back to see him."

……

On the other side, several dukes were having a private gathering, and when they met again, they all looked sorrowful.

A sense of oppression permeated the room, as if even the air itself had become heavy.

The agricultural population in the regions they governed had been lost too severely. Victoria, who occupied vast fertile lands of Terra, was now in dire straits due to the lack of food supplies.

"Gentlemen, the situation is no longer optimistic."

"Nearly 30% of the farmers in my territory have left, and those who remain are all complaining about the heavy taxes and low grain prices. If this continues, I'm afraid we won't even be able to keep half of this year's harvest."

Because they fear the threat from the Sarkaz, they must increase their investment in military industry; to not progress is to fall behind in relation to the progress of the Sarkaz!

This is necessary military equipment!

Adhering to the principle that if others have it, they should have it too, they increased Victoria's defense spending, especially in anti-aircraft guns and aircraft research, which made great progress.

But... what's the price?

The investment in the military industry seems to be a bottomless pit, especially the training of pilots. The cost of setting up anti-aircraft guns is far higher than that of high-speed warships with the same investment.

The military industry does not produce value; it does not make people rich or well-fed.

They attempted to adopt the same method used by the Sarkaz to recruit infected individuals to work for them, but this failed before it could be formally implemented.

"Those are troublemakers!! They're a bunch of troublemakers!!"

Duke Godottin slammed his hand on the table, causing the red wine in his glass to slosh violently and nearly spill. His face was ashen, and veins bulged on his forehead; he was clearly enraged.

"Those ignorant people actually refused to let the infected into their village! Don't they know this is for the benefit of the entire Victoria?"

“We were prepared to take in infected people to relieve their stress, but they threatened to strike, feeling that infected people were taking their jobs and that infected people shouldn’t have such a high social status!”

"And now that the Sarkaz threat is looming, precisely when Victoria needs to unite as one, these troublemakers are starting to complain again!!"

“We gave them land and jobs, and they are ungrateful! Now they dare to run away and complain about the heavy taxes?! This is outrageous!”

The Duke of Windermere glanced at the other dukes around her, each with a different expression, and then sighed softly.

"We've been overly optimistic. Victoria doesn't support Kazdel's approach to reform."

“I have received reports from people in the areas I govern that the farmers in my territory are almost unable to afford bread.”

"The number of riots has doubled compared to previous years!"

"If this continues, our supply lines will inevitably be greatly affected."

Duke Cavendish merely gave a cold smile upon hearing this.

"Isn't now the perfect time? Let's all turn our attention to those Sarkaz!"

"All we need to do is prepare our ammunition; the food problem will be taken care of!"

"Laetonia, the granaries of those nobles are no less impressive than ours."

As his gaze fell upon the map, all the dukes understood his meaning and nodded in unison.

"As for that group of ignorant people..."

"That's because they're lazy! If they were willing to work harder and study more, how could they not even afford bread? We've already given them a chance, but they didn't cherish it!"

"The reason why the masses are ignorant is because they simply don't understand that everything we do is for the future of this country..."

"As for a riot... do they dare? We have an army and weapons. They are just a group of unarmed civilians. What trouble can they cause?"

"My army has arrived in Letania and will be able to provide support to the Vasseur territory in a few days."

"The Duke of Caesar asked curiously."

"I think our letter was only delivered to them today."

"You've already determined that the Sarkaz won't withdraw?"

Upon hearing this, Cavendish merely gave a cold laugh.

"What difference does it make whether we withdraw or not?"

"How can we let this go so easily after they've inflicted such deep wounds on our allies?"

"Our air defense system is now complete! Our warships no longer fear the Sarkaz air raids!"

"We also happened to settle both old and new grudges during this war!"

……

Albert stood atop the tower, overlooking the vast lands of the Vasseur Territory. He clutched a newly delivered letter tightly in his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly with anger.

The contents of the letter were like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into his heart.

"Refusing... a peace offer?"

"Damn Sarkaz... I've already humbled myself so much, and you still dare to humiliate me like this!"

Albert abruptly tore the letter into pieces, the fragments scattering in the air like his shattered dignity.

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the group of nobles and generals standing in the tower's hall. Their faces were filled with fear and unease; some even dared not look him in the eye.

What do you have to report today?

“Your Excellency Albert, the city garrisons…they…they…”

A nobleman stammered as he spoke, but couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.

"What?!"

Albert slammed his hand on the table, startling the nobleman.

"They...they were terrified by the Sarkaz's power...they surrendered without hesitation..."

"They killed all the supervising officers guarding the city and hung their heads on the city walls..."

"..."

Albert felt a rush of blood to his head, and he scanned everyone present.

"Scared out of your wits?!"

"And what about you? Were you scared out of your wits too?!"

"Have they already secretly conspired to offer my head to those Sarkaz as a pledge of allegiance?!"

"I'm standing right here now, come on! Come on over!"

The nobles and generals in the hall all lowered their heads.

"Trash! A bunch of trash!"

"I gave you power, I gave you wealth, I gave you everything! And what have you given me? You can't even hold onto a single city!"

The atmosphere in the hall was extremely tense; everyone held their breath, fearing they would become Albert's next target.

Just then, a servant rushed in, a look of panic on his face.

"My lord, something terrible has happened! More news has arrived, saying... saying..."

"say what?!"

Albert stared at the servant with the gaze of a wild beast.

"They say...the nobles of several more cities...have fled..."

"My lord, those nobles...they...they fled to Ursus and Victoria with their family fortunes..."

The servant said, trembling.

"Ursas? Victoria?!"

Albert sneered.

"Do those cowards think they can preserve their wealth and status by fleeing to another country?!"

"Since they chose to betray us, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

"Immediately seal off all borders! No one is allowed to leave the territory of Vaser! Any nobleman who attempts to escape will be charged with treason and executed on the spot!"

"Yes...Yes, sir!"

Albert's gaze swept over everyone like a blade, and after his initial outburst of rage, he gradually calmed down.

First of all, no matter how infamous the Demon Lord's troops are, their true elite force is only around tens of thousands.

Such an army, relying on its formidable mobility and the terrifying power of the major royal courts...

Ordinary cities are indeed very difficult to resist.

But this is Brussels!

It stands as the finest tower in the entire Vase territory!

After several days of hasty deployment, the tower's attack range is now sufficient to instantly cover most of the city.

If he had delayed for a few more days and invested all his resources in Bruces, he would have been able to unleash Originium Arts that would sweep through a city via the tower.

Furthermore, with over a hundred Golden Law Guardians performing together, their relationship is far more complex than simply one plus one equals two; such a large number of guardians can instantly illuminate the entire sky.

Now he doesn't need to jump out of the defensive tower area to fight that demon lord one-on-one; all he has to do is protect Bruces!

How could he possibly lose? How could he possibly lose?!

If we can hold off the Sarkaz army for a few days, reinforcements from other regions will be able to arrive smoothly!

Then it will be their turn to sound the horn of counterattack!

If he can gain a foothold in this battle, he will be the greatest elector under the Witch King!

When the time comes for the council of candidates for emperor, who will dare to argue with him?

"Send my order!"

Albert's voice was like thunder.

"Immediately gather all remaining troops and concentrate them around the tower! We will fight the Sarkaz to the death here!"